First Day of School!

The kids first day of school was a much anticipated event for them and mom alike.  This year Lyman is in 3rd grade with Mrs. Sarver and Corilynn is in the same school as him in 1st grade with Mrs. Kuwatch.  They really like their teachers and if getting back into a routine is not going as smoothly as I like, having the time to myself with Ruby and Elsie all day is.

Claustrophobia

With Andy in the bishopric, I am always flying solo during sacrament meeting at church. It's been 3.5 years so pretty much by now I've got things handled. But there are some days when I feel a little claustrophobic because the two youngest girls want or need to be on my lap and the other two press their little bodies up against me, sitting next to me. We have a half row we sit on and we take up 3 feet of it. Arms and legs are everywhere and personal space is unheard of.  People tell me that this stage will be missed one day. Today, as I sat with four bodies squishing me and making me feel hot and light headed- I wondered when that time might come because it certainly wasn't upon me. I love my kids and am glad for their love for me.  But today I am extremely thankful for the slightly bewildered 17 yr old boy sitting in front of me who I tapped on the shoulder and unceremoniously passed the baby to. Though I still had one on my lap and two at my sides - I could breathe for a moment. 

Fall hiking spree!

Last year the kids and Andy did a fall hiking spree with Summit county where they earned their free hiking stick. I was pregnant and useless and grateful for the occasional few hours rest to my self.   It required 8 hikes in 3 months. They all did it and now this year we are doing it all together as a family. Love ohio in the fall!

 

Earth Angel

Teaching my daughter's Sunday school class today and I mention that my mom was pregnant 13 times. Corilynn says "wow, she suffered a lot."  Several thoughts progressed through my mind then. 

1) hilarious! 

2) sad that her impression of pregnancy must needs be suffering - no doubt from watching me. 

3) lastly, knowing her nature it was simply an observation born from her innately sympathetic personality.

  I was overwhelmed with love for her special spirit.  That is one girl that is so uniquely beautiful inside and out that she won't need her father or I to teach her how to grow to be a good person.  Her kind, beautiful spirit simply needed someone to provide her a body.  I am honored and humbled to have been chosen for that purpose.  I watch with great anticipation at what a lovely young lady she will grow to be.  Her goodness will not be a result of any superior parenting on our part, I am certain.  

PS: my mom actually had 14 pregnancies.  She lost one before ever having any children.  It was a concept I chose not to explain to 4 six year olds nor did I feel it needful.  I only add this because there will be many of my siblings who will see the inaccuracy. 

Ohio Scottish Games

We went as a family to the Ohio Scottish Games last week.  It was so fun to arrive and hear bagpipes from the car.  We put the headphones on Elsie to see if they fit just in case the bagpipes got too loud when we got closer.  She was so funny looking that we had to take a picture.  They were way bigger than her head.  

 Everyone got their own kilt and here we are sporting them in the grandstands waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.

 The bagpipe bands were A- MAZ- ING.  They sounded so pretty.

 Ruby got up and danced on the seat in the way she had seen pictures of Scottish girls dancing (pictured later).

 The Caber Toss competition was mind blowing.  I didn't realize that this event was a proper competition.  Some of these men came as far as Europe to compete and a couple of them were championship winners.  We had the world champion competing there.  Just so you know how difficult this sport is - I will tell you what is required.  The men have to lift this tall log called a caber.  It is estimated to weigh about 200 pounds.  They have to hold it - stabilizing it - standing up and then run with it. The running gives them momentum to then toss it up in the air (200 lbs remember!) in such a way to make it do a complete 180 degree turn in the air to land straight on the ground.  So basically, lift 200 pound pole, throw up in air, make rotate 180 degrees, don't get killed.

 The girls liked watching the Scottish dancing and admired the cute pink and purple skirts.

 Everyone wore their kilts to church the next day.  Ruby looked adorable in hers because it made her look like she goes to some private school.  Lyman likes his new Sporran (the bag that hangs down in the front of the kilt).

Love Them.

Basically - I have the cutest kids in the world.  Here are some pictures I took while out on a walk together.

Outback Ray and Brain Cells

In an attempt not to be a lazy, crappy mom this summer and also to make sure my kids don't lose the brain cells they cultivated during the school year, I have made a library trip a weekly event.  The library reading program this summer is also featuring fun things each week like magicians and African drummers and as pictured below - an animal guy showing different animals to the kids.  He is named Outback Ray and the kids love him.  

 The picture is a little fuzzy but Lyman's face says it all about how he feels about holding the giant python.  He is such a boy.