Pinewood Derby

Paul helped the kids make their own pinewood derby cars last weekend. The Elder's Quorum had a pinewood derby activity and it was a hit. Eden's was the only girl car there. Eden won first place in her heat. David won first place in his heat. When they raced against each other - the third car won.

Pictures are wonderful, they give you so much insight into personalities and environment.

For example, David pants are on backwards. This kid ALWAYS has his pants on backwards, it's just the way he puts them on. He doesn't care enough to switch them around. Ruthie ALWAYS wants to be included. I tried to get her out of the picture because she has chocolate all over her face. She insisted on being in the picture with her simblings. Eden decided she didn't want to smile. She sat on the floor and scowled. Paul was determined to get a smiling pictures. He became a crazy person behind the camera, he did something with his bum...which finally got Eden to smile.

David

David is 5 now. He is a boy. Thank goodness for him. He brings such joy to us. He has his own room now. We separated David and Eden. This is the first time he has slept by himself in a room. He has a night light. He loves having all his toys in his own room. I think boys rooms are easier to keep clean than girls. I can clean David's room in 10 minutes. He just has toys. The girls room takes me hours. They have books, crafts, sticker, papers, clothes (so many clothes on the floor), knick knacks, items from the bathroom, etc. It is a mess in there. David is also much easier to clean. He can be in and out of the bath in minutes (although he prefers to stay in until his hands turn wrinkly). There is no fuss with his hair, clothes, underwear, socks or shoes. He wears whatever I give him.

A few funny things he has said recently:

David:" Mom, I swallowed my lego hat. The little one, to my man. It is stuck in my neck."
Me: "Oh no. Does it hurt? Drink some water. What was the hat doing in your mouth?"
David: "Just cut off my head and get the hat out of my neck."

(On the way to the children's museum, reviewing some safety rules)

Me: "We do not talk to or go anywhere with strangers. David, what do you say if you are in the bathroom and someone asks you to play some video games with them?"
David: " I say YES!"

Me: "Oh boy, you are only allowed to go to the bathroom if Daddy goes with you."

Christmas Eve

Despite their faces. We had a wonderful Christmas. David was upset because he didn't find the pickle on the tree. Eden was in one of her 'serious face' moods and Ruth was oblivious to the fact I was trying to take a picture.

What cute children. I love them.

6 years old

Eden beaden is 6. She is silly and emotional. She is stubborn and kind. She likes kindergarten. Today she took an air freshener from the bathroom, wrapped it up and gave it to her teacher as a Christmas gift. True to her nature, she does things independently. She just DOES things. She decided that our stockings needed names on them. How were we suppose to know whose was who? So, he took a permanent marker and wrote all of our names on the stockings.
Last week Eden lost another bottom tooth. I think that makes 6. Her two front teeth are starting to grow in. She is a great older sister. It is a joy to see her and Ruthie play. She likes to play with David but she also teases him. She likes to do crafts and color. She still loves to dance. She loves to hear true stories about my childhood. She is a delight. I love you.

Happy Birthday Eden

5 years old

David turned 5 years old last week. The day came and went. All he wanted to do was open presents! He didn't even eat dinner. Once the presents were opened, he played the night away.

For the past 5 birthdays (yep...all of them ) Paul has either had a final or been studying for a final on his birthday. Good thing this kid is easy to please. If he gets toys..then it is a perfect day!

David has a tender heart. A few weeks ago I was having a bad day. I went in my room and laid on the bed. I was crying. David came in the room, crawled on the bed and grabbed my hand. He said, "Mom, I berry love you."

I will remember that moment forever.

Tonight he said the family prayer. It was his usual 3 line prayer:
"Heavenly Father. Thank you for the blessing. Thank you for the day. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Paul told him to try again and think of more things to say. He did. It was a long prayer. My favorite line was, "Don't say you hate your family."

Happy Birthday David
(p.s. He does not like being called Dave)

Vaulted ceilings

Our house has vaulted ceilings. Paul loves to throw the kids up really high. Well...he loves to throw Ruthie up high. Of course, the older two insist on the same treatment.

David was a little timid.

Ruth loves it.

Eden loves to be dramatic.

Paul is 36

Happy Birthday Babe.

Stage 4

Ruth has entered stage 4 of her sleeping life.

Stage 1: Newborn, waking up every 2-3 hours.

Stage 2: Only waking up once a night, 2 naps a day.

Stage 3: Sleeping through the night in a crib, one afternoon nap.

Stage 4: Sleeping in a big bed (because she climbs out of the playpen)! Which almost brings you back to stage 1 because it's impossible to control how and when they sleep since they have mobility.
*Interesting side note about Ruth. All my other kids LOVE when I lay down with them. They still beg me to sleep with them. The second day I was having a hard time getting Ruth to take a nap. I offered to lay down with her. I cuddled up next to her. Do you know what happened? I'll tell you.

Ruth: MY BLANKET (as she ripped it off of me)!

Ruth: MY PILLOW (as she grabbed it under my head)!

Ruth: MY BABY (as she pulled it out from behind my back)!

Me: Ruth, aren't you going to share?

Ruth: No mine, Mommy floor.

Needless to say, I have not cuddled her asleep yet.

This is also the stage of dutch tape. Ruthie now gets her diaper duct taped because she won't leave it on. Eden & David went through this same phase. She isn't quite ready to be potty trained. I can't afford to go through 20 diapers a day, nor clean up poop everywhere!

She cried when injustice has been done. In her mind almost anything David does is intolerable. She commands everyone to "go in corner". She has started eating food off of David's plate at dinner. It drives him crazy. He doesn't want to move from his usual dinner seat. Ruthie also doesn't want to move from her usual dinner seat. We're working on it.

I am happy to report that she is getting better. She has been taking naps in her bed (most days). It is the cutest thing to see her come out of her room all by herself in the morning. I love her so much. We still have no idea who she looks like. She has a big forehead. Her eyes are wide apart and her nose is smashed. We love her to pieces.

Halloween 2011

Boo at the Zoo +snake+ fun kids

Boo at the Zoo. A great Halloween festival at the local Columbian park zoo.

A visitor on the front porch last Saturday.

Horsey rides...their favorite.

Carved pumpkins

A ladybug, lemon meringue & a dragon

Fall fun

3 facts about Ruth

1. Her sweater is too small.

2. She never wants to be left out.

3. This picture of her jumping in the leaves makes me love her more.

3 facts about David:
1. Ruth really does pick on David...because he reacts.
2. He loves steak.
3. He can't stay mad long.
3 facts about Eden:
1. She hates getting her hair combed.
2. She is very good about brushing her teeth.
3. She loves to color.

When they are not fighting and unite forces...they have a great time together.

400 meters

I was in Utah for 5 days by myself. Paul did a great job taking care of the kids & house. On Saturday Eden & David participated in a 400m race. Eden has been practicing for a few weeks. David was so proud of himself.

Ruthie poo is 2

Making the cake

I can hear her loud voice in my head. This is a spam of a few minutes: "no, mine. I 2. no, mine. crib. baby. mine. up. gum. gigi, papa. no, mine. baby. jump. carry me mom. please mom. drink. no, mine. Day-Day push. Candy? Gum? baby. crib. hat. blanket. no, mine."

Happy Birthday Roof.

2 babies

Everything has to be 2 with Ruth.

She sleeps with 2 babies.

She brings 1 wipee + 1 diaper = 2 to me.

She always wants 2, one for each hand.
When you ask her how old she is going to be she says TWO.

Eden talking

Eden said this to David in the car:

"David, when you grow up and get married. Remember to pick a girl who does NOT smoke! Always remember that."

Later that day:

Eden: "What happens when I'm an adult and someone asks me to marry them but they smoke?!"
Me: "Then you can say no. You choose who you marry."
Eden: "I'm not getting married....even when I'm a grandma."

On Sunday:

Me: "What did you learn about in primary?"
Eden: "We talked about the wizard of word."
(aka word of wisdom)