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11.18.2009

il grandit

E was one super Cub Scout for the past three years {unofficially, so was I}. At his last Cub Scout pack meeting he crossed off his Arrow of Light goal and crossed over the bridge to join the Boy Scouts. So now he's one of them {unofficially, so am I}.

So after the meeting I asked him if he had any goals for Boy Scouts. He didn't pause a moment before proclaiming he wanted to receive his Eagle by 13--"'cause that's when Grandpa got his." Like grandfather, like grandson. Upward and onward, E!

l'automne

Fall is my favorite season: it marks the advent of the best holidays, potential snow, salted caramel hot cocoa and getting cozy in front of a fire.

Even a four-year-old knows there's something wonderful about cooler weather calling for the first fire of the season.

So does a nine-year-old...

{And, yes, I do feed L...he just doesn't eat.}

10.27.2009

onze ans

I know...it's surreal...E is eleven years old. Unfortunately, it means that we're eleven years older, too, but it's been an awesome eleven years with him around. We absolutely love this kid!

After J took Ed and some friends to play lasertag for his birthday party, he came home to find other friends here ready to have a "family" party with him.

Opening tickets to see two piano legends, Billy Joel and Elton John, in concert. I'm going to go with him. Did I mention I am taking piano now, too?

Trying to blow out the candles with his nose. Gotta love 11-year-old boys. TMI?

Happy Birthday, Ed!

10.20.2009

le pieux dans des pyjamas

I captured a few moments spent on our family's pew at General Conference this month...

...such a break from the usual fussing with hair, clothes, shoes, ties, activity bags, binders, snacks, etc. And Scout got to come, too, instead of being cooped up in the laundry room like she usually is.

I think GC should happen once a month.

10.04.2009

au theatre

So we officially have a budding thespian in our home. This week C traded a week of gymnastics for a week of the theater. The Missoula Children's Theatre group blew into town on Monday, cast the 50 or so parts that same day, rehearsed with the kids all week after school, and put on the show on Saturday. A play in a week! Chloe had a bit part in the musical, "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," as a member of the Very Hairy Frowny Face Tribe.

The hairy blue one in the middle is our very own daughter...

With "Latte" and roses after the show...

In case you are skeptical and are wondering whether or not you'd want to sit through an hour-long musical put on by a bunch of elementary kids who learned their lines and songs and moves in a little under a week, I can assure you, you are not alone. J and I had our doubts, too. But I am a witness that it works...and is enjoyable to watch! Good thing, too, because C had a bunch of supporters in the audience. A big thanks to Aunt Dine, Aunt Jones, and "G & G with the white hair" for coming with us to cheer her on!

9.28.2009

la chasse

Many soccer seasons ago, J and I would sometimes cheer on his sister's kids at their "Kick and Chase" games. I thought then that it was a cute and clever name for a rec league. What I didn't think then was that "Kick and Chase" would someday be the theme of our lives now that we are the ones with four little kids. But let me tell you, the chase is on.

Truth be told, I feel like I am running after life, not planning it out as deliberately as I would like. Sure we're the ones that put most of the items on the agenda, but when the calendar says go there, we go there. And the calendar says a lot of things. Too many things at times. I think my kids for the most part truly enjoy all of the activities and sports they're involved in. I even think they would do more if I let them. But I've made a rule that they can each do only one sport, one thing musical and one social club at the same time. With four kids that adds up quick--and only three of the four have organized commitments outside of the school day right now and only one of them does all three types of things all the time. I think I'm going to have to teach Ed to drive when he's 12...oh, and buy him a car.

I have to admit I struggle with it all at times. Some weeks I am all go-getter, happy to marshall the troops, track down the equipment/uniforms/piano books, and chauffeur the kids all around town. Other weeks, I wished we lived on an island in the middle of nowhere and we didn't own a calendar. Some days I am ready for it and take it on with gusto. Some days I'll skip events that are less essential. Basically, the younger the kid, the less essential the event. I guess it's all about balance. So it's kind of apropos that on a day when there were two first soccer games (& team pictures) and one first gymnastics meet of the year (they run about 4 hours long & we took the whole gang to this one), I only have shots of S's soccer game--a first grader game where someone kicks and everyone chases.