Reading Scriptures

Tonight we were reading the scriptures and it was Anna's turn. She is learning to read and doing very well. We are in Mosiah Chapter 1:18 ... "to hear the words which his (father)..." She was struggling with the word "father". So, Eric was tried to help her and gave her this clue... "I am this?"... Anna answered "fat". Scripture time was over!

Mobility

I hope this makes your day... please ignore the music in the background...

Smart Little Sarah

When I put Sarah under the play mat, I often shake the bars to distract her from me walking away. Well, she is very smart and figured out how to rotate herself around so that she can kick the bars and move the toys herself.

The Leaves Are Falling

We have a big maple tree in our front yard. I absolutely love it. In the spring, with the new leaves, in the fall with the great colors, and when it snows all covered in white. Well, it is fall, so do the leaves. Ethan and I rake the leaves before Anna got home from school. I left them in a pile so she could jump in them after school - one of the things she looks forward to all year.

A Tisket, A Tasket, Sarah's In The Basket

Eric and Sarah were playing around one night, and she seemed a little stunned.

Ethan's Calling In Life

I keep wondering what is going on with my camera. Everytime I turn it on the batteries are al dead. We got a new camera last month and now we have a gig of space on the flash drive. Well that is 560 pictures of Ethan's body parts, and occasionally some of his sister. I tried to hide my camera, and it is always right where I left it, with some bonuses (smart kid). This is one of Ethan's self portraits.

New Delivery

This is Eric's baby. He has wanted one of these for years. A friend from our ward got tired of taking care of it. So he told Eric that he if wanted it, he had to move it. (free of charge) So, Eric got his brothers, his Dad, and the friend and moved it to our home. We are hoping to get it all hooked up and running by the first snow fall (if we get any this year.)

The Beginning of the End

Sarah got up on all fours last week. It took everything I had not to push back down to the ground (but I am a good mommy.) She is rolling and scooting (only backwards which really ticks her off.) She hasn’t figured out that her legs and arms need to move in unison. I find myself laughing at her, instead of encouraging her.

Soccer Mom

I officially became a soccer mom with Ethan. After four weeks of classes, I think he is ready for some more classes. It was hilarous, but maybe we will wait for another year to put him in soccer. Anna on the other hand, is quite ready. She started her classes on Saturday. We are doing indoor soccer for now. (I don't like standing in the rain for three hours, just to watch a bunch of kids miss the ball). Maybe I will be more gutsy in the spring.

For about six weeks now she has wanted to be witch (that is a witch without the green face and warts). I went and purchased the pattern (I already had the fabric) and then on Saturday after her first soccer practice she turns to me and says... "mom, I don't want to be a witch without the green face and warts, I want to be a soccer player." YIPEE! I didn't make the costume yet... this is going to be a whole lot easier. Finally, Anna is a simple kid... yeah, right!

What Mom's Say

One of my girlsfriends sent this to me. This is absolutely hilarious, and utterly true. It is three minutes long and totally worth. I am so much trouble. The sad thing is... I say most of this on a daily basis.

A New Project

A sister in my ward is getting married on a limited budget and just could not find a suitable (Temple Ready) affordable wedding dress, so blessed with the talents of my mother, I offered to help. This is the finished dress. JoAnn's was having a coupon commotion weekend, and we purchased her entire dress, lining and the pattern for less than $60. I made it in less than two days. I am quite pleased. It is a full length skirt (just on the hanger a little higher).

Ethan's Soccer

Last week Ethan started soccer. He loves it. His coach's name is Coach Mike. He learned how to trap the ball. This has helped him learn to listen to directions. He wanted to sleep with his soccer ball.

He has practices on Saturdays. Eric or I are required to practice with him. The class is for four and five year olds. He just loves going and kicking the ball all over the gym. If he continues to love it, we will probably put him in a league come spring.

A New Calling

I was recently called as the Sunbeam teacher - I have 7 - 4 year old boys. I definitely come home tired. I have also been called as the Activity Days Leade I have 11 girls. Someone in my ward sent me this story. I laughed. Thought I would share...

I work part-time as a teacher of family doctors. The program provides training on psychiatric disorders and emphasizes the importance of emotional support. The new doctors are given plenty of time in clinic to visit with their patients and learn about their challenges. One of our interns who has never lived in Utah and knows nothing about Mormons is still struggling to understand the cultural climate here. Last week he was interviewing a new patient and stumbled on what he thought was a raging psychosis. Doctor: "Well, Mrs. Olsen, we've talked about your high blood pressure and your medications. Are you experiencing any particular stress in your life? Patient: "Oh, yes! It's the Sunbeams. They're driving me crazy." Doctor (very surprised): "The sunbeams?" Patient: "Yes. I've never had trouble with them before, but this group won't sit still. They bounce all over the room, and run out the door and down the hall." Doctor (reaching for a pen): "Have you told anyone about this?" Patient: "Of course. I told the president." Doctor: "Really! What did the president tell you?" Patient: "She said Sunbeams are like that. I'm just going to have to learn to deal with them. Doctor (concerned that he may be missing something): "I know people who are sensitive to sunbeams. Do they cause you a rash or anything?" Patient (confused): "A rash? No." Doctor: "What's the biggest problem they're creating?" Patient: "It's the noise. They just won't quit talking." Doctor (astonished): "The sun beams are talking to you?" Patient: "Well, yes. But mostly they talk to each other." Doctor (scribbling furiously in the chart): "I see. Can anyone else hear them talking?" Patient (after a moment of stunned silence): "You're not LDS, are you?"

Sarah and the Bear

My mom gave this bear to Sarah when she was born. Sarah loves this bear and has recently learned to roll over so that she can talk to the bear in her crib. She gives it kisses - well actually just sucks on it's nose.

Ethan Trying to Quilt

I was happily cleaning on my house on Tuesday, when Ethan walked in the room dripping in blood. I freaked! He had gotten a hold of my quilting cutter and sliced his middle finger from the tip down to the middle of the fingernail. We made a trip to the ER - where they glued it and bandaged it all up. SWMC has a new child emergency wing - they have a flat screen tv in each room. So we enjoyed the movie Cars while Ethan got bandaged up. He keeps walking around the house flipping people off saying "I have ouwee on my finger". He has flipped off several ladies at the grocery store, his grandma, his bus driver and the bishop.

First Day of School

Do you remember that Christmas Song... "and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again?" Well that was me. We had a great summer, but it was time! Anna is a 1st Grader. She loves school. She even prays for homework. (I am sure with time this will change.)

Unfortunately, Ethan didn't start school for another week. He didn't want to go with Anna; he just wanted to get on the bus and he wouldn't take off his backpack for the next three days. We had to convince him that backpacks can't swim in the bathtub.

This is Ethan's first day of school. He is going to Head Start and ECC this year. He is so excited to go that I didn't get a picture of him getting on the bus... all I heard is "mom, bus is here, love you, bye." I hardly got out the door with him before he got on the bus.