Thank you

I went to Costco last week to get some pictures. While I was waiting, I bought some Cold Stone gift cards, because they were discounted. As I was getting them from an employee, and old man came up to me and said, “Thank You.” I thought he was being clever and wanted me to give him the cards. I just looked confused and said, “What?” He said “Thank you.” I said, “For what?” He said, “For having all these kids and for being a good mother.” That was very kind of him. Most people say things that indicate they think I'm crazy for having so many kids that are obviously close in age.

We all have the timing that works for us in having kids. We all have a number of kids that works for us. My decisions may be different than yours, but they're Scott's and my decisions. We love all our kids and we love how close they are in age. I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, chaos may ensue when I go shopping with all of them, but I love them anyway.

Glasses

He has glasses!

We had a bit of a disagreement about frames. Richard wanted some plastic, navy blue frames with a light blue stripe. I told him I would not pay for them. I know I've looked at pictures of myself at 7 and wished I didn't have the glasses that I did. So, I'm hoping to prevent the comment of "Mom, why did you let me out of the house like that!" He who has the gold makes the rules, right?

So far Richard seems OK with the idea. He did ask if he had to wear his glasses to school. When I told him he did, he didn't fight me. He has made comments about being able to see things better and not realizing that some things were even there (like small words on a dark sign). 

I just hope for his sake that his eyes aren't as bad as mine have turned out to be. We're not off to a very promising start...

Basketball

We signed Richard up for basketball through the city. The teams spend the first 30 minutes doing drills and learning how to handle the ball. Then, they play a "game." Fouls and traveling are really not acknowledged so they can just focus on trying to figure out what they're doing. I think Richard is enjoying himself. One of his best friends is on the team, which always makes things more fun. My brothers loved basketball and played really well, and so I grew up enjoying watching basketball. I hope Richard likes it!

The dreaded note

About a month ago Richard came home with a note from school that said, "To the parents of Richard Woolston." My son FAILED the vision test. I guess it was only a matter of time. My eyes are HORRIBLE and it was too much to ask that all my kids get Scott's 20/20 vision. We went to the eye doctor a couple of days ago and picked out glasses for Richard yesterday. I'll post pictures when the glasses come in. Oh, and my eyes are worse and I need new contacts.

Halloween

I helped the kids carve pumpkins. They had a fun time scooping out the seeds and strings. 

Marie is wearing her dress bum cover (Is the official term bloomers?). She's not  just wearing underwear :)

Yes, we do feed Richard. 

 I let Richard and Audrey draw the face they wanted me to carve.

Can you see the face on this one? Looks like a super fat man to me with  a monstrous chin and cheeks.

The costume parade at Richard's school.

Marie is a fairy princess. Audrey is Cinderella. Richard is Harry Potter.
Thomas is a cow. Peter is Superman.

 The kids went out with Scott. We had beautiful weather and the kids had a great time. They got tons of candy. Well, except for Peter. He dragged his bag on the ground and ripped a hole in it. Scott didn't realize it until a lot of the candy was gone. Bummer. Fortunately, Peter doesn't seem concerned. Thomas stayed at home with me. He was a lot happier after the group picture, because I fed him.

Getting in on the fun

So, week after week I take a picture of Thomas. Peter finally decides he wants a turn! He makes me smile!

Attempts to get pictures of Thomas smiling

I could not get him to look at me! 

My best one so far!

Thomas in 12 weeks

My sister had this idea of taking a picture of a baby every week for 12 weeks in the same outfit to show how the baby has grown. I thought it was a great idea! I used the same blanket and put a stuffed dog next to Thomas to help show how he grew. However, Thomas didn't grow much. He's still only about 2 pounds heavier than his birth weight. So... he didn't change much. However, here are the pictures.

1 day old. With his cousin who is almost 3 months older.

1week old. Somehow I forgot that I'd picked this side of the blanket, because I used the other side for all the other pictures.

2 weeks

3 weeks

4 weeks

5 weeks

6 weeks
It was hard to get him happy. He didn't like being unbundled.

7 weeks

8 weeks
Notice the rage?

 

9 weeks

10 weeks
He would NOT look. His head turned as soon as I would straighten him out. Sigh.

11 weeks

12 weeks
See the last trace of a smile? Yea, couldn't catch it.

Thomas's blessing

We blessed Thomas a few weeks ago. Scott did a wonderful job. We were worried that Thomas would cry, because he loves to be bundled up and held tight. However, he didn't make a peep! We had a smaller crowd than ever before, but it still turned out to be a wonderful day. I was glad for the family that was able to make it. 

This is the closest thing to a smile I've gotten up to this age. It's not easy to capture a good smile on camera!

This outfit has been worn by almost every male in my family when they were blessed ( meaning my brothers, nephews, and sons). Maybe it is all of them...

Marie's and Peter's birthday

Yes, we had another birthday. Did you know that the four oldest kids have their birthdays within a three week period of time in the year? It's party time at our house! It's crazy to me that it's been three years since these two were born. They get along really well. It's great that they have a playmate almost all the time. 

I thought they would want to get their presents separately and have their own moment of glory. I was wrong! They wanted to get their presents together.

Bubbles!

Both sets of grandparents were there for the celebration. That has never happened.

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE cheesecake? Yeah, I'm so glad that Marie requested a cake with cheese and chocolate. I'm so happy to accomodate! This recipe turned out so divine! I made it again (just half the recipe) just a few days ago to finish up the chocolate that goes on the top that was left over. 

Happy Birthday my twins!

October fun

Here are a few random pictures from October.

We were at my parent's cabin for the first weekend in October. The kids have fun riding bikes on the porch around the cabin.

We went to our ward Harvest Festival. The kids had a great time playing the little carnival games. I'm loving that Richard and Audrey are getting big enough to do the games without my supervision, which left more time for me to socialize!

All the kids got their faces painted. Bummer we had to wash it off right after this picture was taken. Richard and Audrey only had their paint on for about 30 minutes.

Audrey has a ladybug on the other cheek.

Their cheeks say "B-Day Boy" and "B-Day Girl" because it was their birthday!

 Richard had to make a habitat diorama for school. Hah! I made the diorama while he jumped around and watched. It's the kind of homework that really is in fact for the parents. Which means me. Scott would never put up with making this kind of thing. Richard did pick what habitat we would do and what ocean creatures he wanted. The top blue plastic is supposed to be the water level with a dolphin jumping through it. Richard was anxious to get to the animals and started pulling the plastic down before I took a picture. I tried to salvage it but it doesn't look as good as it did. That's what I get for not taking a picture right after it was finished.