This Happens At Your House Too, Right?

This morning was one of those moments I’ve talked about before that was so perfectly awful you start wonder if you’re on a hidden camera show.  I went walking and evidently the second I left at 5:55 am Joshy woke up.  Brennan got him settled back in his crib and then Nate and Ben woke up at about 6:30 just chatting and laughing away.  I walked in at 7 to hear Joshy again so I got him up and then proceeded to go about the hectic morning routine.  I started making pancakes and orange julius and making Anna’s lunch while getting the kids to the table for scriptures.  As they took turns reading verses, Nate accidentally dumped half the thing of syrup on his plate.  Anna got mad at him and that made him mad.  I intervened and and told them to resume reading.  Somehow they flared up again, but this time I made sure they knew I was serious about them stopping.  Then Nate spilled orange julius all over the table just as Abby crashed into Ben’s stool when she got up to get some more pancakes.  Abby was howling and mad at Ben for moving his stool right as she stood up, so then he started crying. 

Brennan came out shortly after all that and asked why he heard everyone of our kids crying.  It’s a well-oiled machine around here.  Clearly I have this parenting thing down

Pondering on Parenthood

Parenting has been on my mind a lot lately.  I read a book called Nutureshock which shows through pretty convincing research/studies that many of the things we as parents do with the best of intentions actually have detrimental or at least ineffective results.  It’s becoming more and more apparent to me that even the best of parental intentions just aren’t enough.  I think good intentions count for something, but they don’t ensure against making some pretty whopping mistakes. 

Brennan and I tend to parent by instinct.  I also read and think about  the parenting topic a lot, but basically I go with my gut.  My Mom is a great thinker and she thought through so many things that I never would have.   Things like hating coloring books because she felt they stifled creativity to just color someone else’s designs.  I think she’s right, but I know I would have never figured that out on my own.  

Another thing she taught me that I’m not sure I would have gotten without her is how crucial it is to guard a child’s childhood.  I’m not sure how she knew this was so important, but I’m so glad she  did.   Even though it was sometimes frustrating as a kid when my Mom didn’t have what I deemed a good explanation for not letting me do something, I now believe this is one of the most important things we can do as parents.  That said, we certainly don’t always get it right , but I’m so grateful that at least it’s on my radar, thanks to Mom. 

So often in an effort to be close and connected to our kids we actually put them on the fast track and deprive them of crucial years of their childhoods.   We want them to have every educational advantage so we enroll them in years of academic intensive preschool, we want to have constant assurance of their physical safety and whereabouts so we give them cell phones before they’re mature enough to handle constant access to texting, internet, and music.   We want them to fit in socially so we buy them every new trend, thereby teaching them they are what they wear.  We want to be involved in their lives, so we get unhealthily involved in and even sometimes facilitate their adolescent “love lives”.    Then, ironically, our protective instincts kick in when it comes to responsibilities and consequences for our children.  I keep hearing about young adults who in a lot of ways act like children, they don’t want to grow up and take on the responsibilities of jobs and marriage and family life.   I wonder if that’s at least in part because they weren’t allowed to enjoy their childhoods when they were actually children? 

Childhood is such a gift, ideally it’s a unique little cocoon full of development, imagination, wonder, love and security in a often threatening and uncertain world.  I feel like every year a child can remain in his/her cocoon he/she gains layer after layer of armor against the inevitable battles they must someday face.  Not the false armor of arrogance, aggressiveness, manipulation or defensiveness, but the real stuff – kindness, intelligence, responsibility, creativity, integrity and maturity.

Thank goodness, I had a smart Mom.  I need to do better.

Labor Day Trip

Over Labor Day weekend, we had a great whirlwind trip.  We really packed it in.   Friday after school we loaded up and started the drive down South to John and Jamie’s (Brennan’s Mom).  On the way, we stopped to see his Dad, LeRoy, and Janet at Mike and Terri’s gorgeous cabin.  We only spent an hour there, but it was a wonderful visit and great break from the car.  The kids got reacquainted with their cute cousin, Matthew, and with the horses.  We all just love it there.

We arrived at John and Jamie’s around 9, after a quick stop at our favorite frozen yogurt place.  We let the kids say hi for a minute and then we all went to bed.  The next day Jamie and I took the kids to the park for a carousel ride and to play in the water.

We met Brennan across the street at a darling old fashioned candy store, obviously one of the kids’ favorite stops when we’re there.  We grabbed lunch and headed back to the house to escape the 100 degree temperatures.   Josh had a little nap and there was lots of football on.  The kids hunted for lizards.  Jamie and the kids and I ventured out again for more frozen yogurt, shopping and pizza while John and Brennan enjoyed more football.  Then we took the 4 big kids to Kung Fu Panda 2.  I LOVED it, and so did my kids, although Abby was sobbing at the sad part and I came very close.  What a fun day.

The next day we got up and went to Sacrament meeting and then went back to the house to pack up and give Joshy a quick nap.  We loaded everything back up and spent most of the day in a gorgeous national park. 

When we left the National Park, we raced to meet my parents in a small town for a divine dutch oven dinner and to hear my Dad speak at a special patriotic fireside.  We were late and it was definitely an adventure having Nate pass up our church clothes from the back and changing in the car, including Brennan while he drove.  It was well worth the craziness though, the dinner was so good and it was held at a beautiful little historic home the kids loved exploring with my Mom.

It was a beautiful program, with lots of gorgeous music by two different choirs and a really moving slideshow of the men who are serving in the military from their town.  My Dad is a wonderful speaker and gave a great speech about how those in the military shouldn’t be the only ones sacrificing for our freedoms.  It was a thrill to see him do what he does so well. 

After the fireside we drove up the mountain to a beautiful little mountain resort.  The highlight of the trip, for my kids besides getting to stay overnight with Grandpa and Grandma, was that there were 3 sets of bunk beds at the cabin!  The only problem was that everyone wanted a top bunk.  We finally negotiated so that the crazy sleeper kids were on the bottom, but they loved hanging out up there.

We woke up and drove back down the mountain to be in the parade in a horse drawn wagon!  Poor Natey got carsick on the way down and so he and Brennan missed out on the ride.  Sweet Brennan stayed with him in the car til it passed and then took him to old fashioned car show and for a hotdog, so he was happy.

I’m not sure why Joshy is looking so grumpy, he loved it.  He LOVES his grandparents.  After riding in the wagon, we got to enjoy the rest of the parade with a sweet family, friends of my parents.  After the parade they hosted a scrumptious lunch.  Their yard was incredible and we all had such a nice tme.  After lunch we caravan-ed home with my parents.   Nate and Abby were both a little worried about being carsick, so Anna and Ben were thrilled to ride the whole way home with Grandpa and Grandma.   When we got close to home, some fellow drivers told us we had a flat tire.  We pulled over and pumped it up and thankfully made it home.  We stopped and grabbed dinner and my parents joined us at our house for takeout.  It was such a fun trip.  We love our parents and loved the chance we got to spend such fun time with all of them.  Thank you to all of you for hosting us!

Cell Phone Photo Dump

 

I forget about the pictures I take with my cell phone, but I remembered them so here for your viewing pleasure is a most random assortment:

First, let’s start out with a promised photo of Brennan coaching with his lovely clipboard:

Here’s some video footage of Brennan body boarding at Flow Rider, enjoy the sideways view, I like to keep things interesting:

Last month we took the kids to the County Fair.  They always have a petting zoo, this year’s was pretty cool with a zebra and a big old turtle wandering around.  At one point Anna was feeding the animals when they all kind of cornered her, she panicked and threw her food at them.  They still didn’t back off, so she stood there with her arms up like she was being arrested, only instead of police officers surrounding her it was goats.  She would not move til I went in and forced her past those pushy goats.  I wish I would have captured that moment, but here are some randoms of the petting zoo:

 

Lastly, we have Ben and Joshy in a train at our school’s Fall Festival.  Good times!

Update

It seems like we’ve been in school for ever now.  I can’t believe how immediate it all is, one day was summer and the next was carpools, lessons, soccer, and homework.   We’re spending a lot of time at soccer games which has been fun.  It’s much more fun this year now that Joshua isn’t running all over the place, and I can actually watch.  Brennan is Nate’s coach and has earned even more of my un-dying love by walking around with a really pretty clipboard my friend gave me.  It’s pink with a picture of high heals and pearls.  I can’t get enough of watching him pace the field and shout out coachly things while carrying that clipboard.  He couldn’t care less, and that’s what I really love.  I’ll get a picture next time, so you can all be so happy. 

We’ve had lots of fun things that I’ve got some pics. of so I’ll be adding random pics. throughout this post.

Sweet Peter’s 1st birthday party

Anna is on a new comp team this Fall.  These girls have been playing together for years and at practice all Summer Anna felt a little out of place and like she was the worst one on the team.   She felt like one of the coaches was always on her case and that he didn’t think she was good.  Then they had their first game and she played her guts out.  That coach was kind of shocked, but was really complimentary.   I think they were all surprised.  Anna isn’t one of those players who can do lots of cool tricks and drills that impress, but you get an opposing team in her face and watch out.  I love that she has such grit.  She’s enjoying school and even loves math, thanks to her teacher.  YAY!!!  She is also always cracking us up with her quick wit, she can get Brennan dying laughing, it’s hilarious.  We love Anna.

Cannot get enough of my 2 year old niece, Amelia!

Who can totally swim!

Abby is on a really good soccer team this year and is loving it.  She’s become such a good little player because she’s finally on a team that is good so she’s been rising to their level.  It’s been really fun to watch her catch fire.  She’s loving her 5th grade class, she’s with all her cute friends which makes our very social girl so very happy.  She got asked to babysit our little neighbor girl the other day and it pretty much made her life.  She loves earning money and she’s so good with kids, so it’s a win-win.   Abby is the oldest of our little neighborhood group that walks to school and part way home.  She takes it very seriously and gets completely distraught if someone won’t stay with them.  Poor girl is a worrier, but she’s a great little mama duck.  We love Abigail.

Nate is loving his new class too.  I think he’s feeling pretty old as a 3rd grader.  We’re hoping this will be a great year for him.   He found out the two girls in his class moved from his best friend and cousin, Rex’s school.  He was so happy to know that.  He loves Rex!  Nate went to his first cub pack meeting last night and could not have been more excited.  He loves scouts.  He came home with a ton of belt loops that he earned from day camp.  Now we just need to get him a belt .  I’m afraid that’s how it’s going to be his whole scouting career, his Mom is always going to be trying to figure out what we’re doing and probably always a little behind.  At least she’s trying, right?  He’s loving his soccer team too and they’re really good.  He is so impressed with one of his teammates, he can’t stop telling whomever will listen about his teammate’s feats.   I love that he can recognize and so fully appreciate the talents of others instead of feeling threatened by them.  We love Nate.

A fun FHE up in the canyon with two little firebugs.

Ben finally got to officially start kindergarten on Monday.  He is so excited about all of it.  He is finally feeling like he’s one of the big kids and he’s literally been waiting for that his whole life. His friend is in his class and the week before Kindergarten started his friend, Will, was here playing.  I heard Ben say, “So, should we talk about Kindergarten?”   It made me tear right up as he ran off to the neighbor’s to ride to school.  Not my little Ben, my little companion for all these years!  I’m so grateful that he’s so well adjusted and so happy to go, but it does break my heart a little bit to know he’s gotten so old.  I can’t ever get much out of him as to what he’s doing at school every day, but I know he’s happy so that’s just going to have to do.  He’s also playing soccer and loving every minute.   He’s officially in the age group of stamped style soccer, but he doesn’t seem to mind one bit and is constantly looking up at me with a big old smile.  We love Ben.

Joshua is a little lost without all his siblings around all day.  He continues to ask, “Where Anna going?  Where Abby going?  Where Nate going?”  Fortunately Ben is around in the mornings, but he’s really missing the others.  I am appreciating just how much they kept him entertained, because without them to occupy him, he has more time to find all kinds of opinions about what I’m doing.  Lately whenever we’re driving somewhere he’ll say, “No, uddow (other) way, Mom!”  I try to explain that I have to go a certain way to get where we need to, but that doesn’t stop him from trying.  He’s gotten really good at playing with little action figures and animals.   I’m so grateful I still have Joshy around!  We love Joshua.