Mimi's New Tradition

After probably too much complaining about how making the trains was a waste of money since the kids just throw them away, we convinced Mimi to make candy necklaces.  We all got together the Friday before Christmas for pizza and necklace making.  The kids had a lot of fun and I loved the fact that they will actually eat what they made!  Love this tradition and the special time that they get to spend with their cousins and their Mimi!

Traditions Fair

Today I got to go to Nash's class and watch his Traditions Fair presentation.  They had to share a tradition that their family does each year at Christmas time.  Nash chose to share the tradition of drawing names and purchasing presents for each other.  This year we changed it up a little bit and had the kids earn their money for the present they were buying.  This helped bring about even more meaning to giving to each other.  It was so fun to watch him read his presentation.  Such a smart boy and such a blessing to our family!

Crazy Richard!

This morning when the kids searched for Richard they found that he had done a little artwork on their school pictures in the basement.  All of the kids loved this except for our youngest little guy.  He refused to go down in the basement until Richard had moved and the pictures were cleaned up.  Change is hard for our Tag!  So glad that at least four out of five were impressed!

Guess who's back??

 

Last Monday our friend Richard came back to keep an eye on the Childs and make sure they are being good.  Richard reports to Santa about how they are behaving and if they are deserving of the Christmas gifts they are requesting.  He returned bringing donuts and they kids were so excited, especially since he came a day earlier this year.  Each morning the kids wake up to find Richard.  He likes to do lots of funny things and they kids can't wait to see what the next day will bring!  Hopefully every day he will remember to move to a different spot!
* Here are a few pictures of his antics this week!

She's got them!

Harlee has been practicing daily for months and she can finally do her left leg splits.  I am so proud of her and she is so excited about this!  She has worked so hard and it is so fun to watch her see the fruits of her practice come to be!  Love this cute girl!

Girl's Night

About 6 weeks ago my mom asked Harlee and I to go with her to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert.  We decided that we would make a night of it and go to dinner first then drive downtown to the concert.  Jenna came to and we went to Blaze pizza for dinner.  It was so crowded so we got our pizza to go and visited in the car as we ate.  We left with about 45 minutes until we needed to be there but the traffic was awful.  Once we made it down there we could not find anywhere to park.  We were not able to make it to the concert so we drove back down to Draper to get yogurt.  It was a bummer to miss the concert but I was grateful for the time we got to spend together.

Helping others stay warm

Wednesday was so cold and it made me think about the crossing guards at the kid's school.  They show up each day to keep our kids safe but they have to brave the elements as they serve.  We decided to take them hot chocolate the next day.  All the cute kids in our carpool signed a card and we went to deliver the cup of warmth.  My heart swelled as I watched these sweet kids go and thank these people that dilligently help them every day. 

Playing Gray

We did not really think about the repercussions of naming our fourth son Tag.  We loved the name!  Lately we have realized one reason why his name might cause a little bit of drama.  Espcially since Tag thinks a little differently than the rest of us.  The kids kept requesting that they play the game Tag.  Our Tag would get so frustrated and finally said "Why can't we play Gray?"  He thought that they were playing a game about him.  So our cute kids decided to rename the game tag, gray!  So now whenever they want to play they say "Let's play Gray!"  Love these kids and I love the compassion that they have for their youngest sibling.  Tag is continually teaching us how to be more loving and understanding.  So grateful for these lessons and eternally grateful for this little teacher in our family.

Candy Cane Mini Meet

Today we had the Candy Cane mini meet.  Luke is officially too old so I just took Nash and Gray.  They are both becoming the best swimmers.  Nash took first place in two out of the four races he did.  Gray did amazing at his races.  Even though his goggles fell down to his nose again as he dived in for the freestyle, he kept going.  I am so proud of these boys.  I know that they do not love the meets but I love the opportunity that I have to watch them and scream like a crazy mom!

A Note on my Pillow

To say that today was a bad day would be an understatement.  It started off with Luke being upset with me because he was getting a bad grade in sewing and that he was going to be late because he took so long doing his hair.  Totally my fault!  The day just went down from there.  I had a lot of work stress, carpool, and taking care of everything because Joey had to work late.  I am embarrassed to admit this but I just lost it!  I was yelling at everyone for no reason.  Harlee said "Mom you just need Dad".  Never a truer statement!  I have really been trying to be a calm mom and today was a major FAIL!  I was embarrassed and apologized to each one of them.  Good thing they are so forgiving!  I walked upstairs to bed feeling like the worst mom and on my pillow was a letter from Luke:
"I'm sorry mom, I think that I wasn't the best kid today but I just wanted to thank you for all that you do even though today wasn't the best.  THANK YOU MOM.  I love you and I'm sorry for today. Luke"

I was so surprised and touched that he would think to write this.  It truly made me feel better and realize that I must being doing something right. 

Festival of Trees

For Tag's December field trip we got to go to the Festival of Trees.  It is a little difficult to take time off of work but I am always so grateful I can work it out.  I love to spend time with Tag and I love to see him interact with his teachers and classmates.  He really loves them!  Tag loved looking at the trees and his favorite one was the Super Mario tree!  He kept sneaking off to go look at it again!  After we looked at the trees we went to have some fun in the kids corner.  Tag got to go inside a huge bubble, fish for some candy and even got a present tattoo on his cheek.  I love this boy.  He brings me such joy.