Mr. Man

After getting chewed out by yours truly for the third time of the evening, he sulked upstairs with "if you are a troublemaker ONE more time, I'm not coming in to kiss you goodnight" ringing in his ears. Once the girls were settled, I crept in to find my boy, all tucked in, seriously engrossed in the scriptures. I gazed in astonishment, got tears in my eyes, and backed out silently. Four full scripture pages later, I tucked him in with more than one kiss and we snuggled up for a chat.

About his power to turn himself around. 

About how good it feels to choose well.

About how the spirit had flooded his little heart on page 2. 

Then he asked if I would make him a sign so he could  remember to do this again instead of making trouble. He described in exact detail what it should look like, then told me right where to tape it so he'd see it first thing in the morning. 

That's my boy. 

Little moments like this are what I hang my hat on when he's raising all sorts of hell in this home - that sweet, good, giant spirit inside that just needs some extra coaxing, some extra love amidst all the reprimands, scolding, and responsibilities that come with "oldest child" territory. The attention seeking behavior tells me he needs more one on one.

Oh how I love him. And how quickly his tender heart forgives. How I need to be more gentle and patient and forgiving as he learns self-control. And learn a bit more of it myself. Thank goodness for heart-softening moments to re-focus my mothering.

So I can remember things like:

his complete adoration of his littlest sis

his quirky faces

his goofball, life of the party nature

how he makes these girls tough, but keeps it gentle

his boyish must-have-a-stick-in-my-hand habits

his Ringleader presence

his ability to make friends instantly

his instinct to be fair - always a team player

the first to celebrate every family achievement

Easter Beaster

Check out this awesome sculpture my brother in law built in Utah's recent unexpected April snowstorm. Totally reminds me of my Dad - every year around this time, he created the "Easter Beaster" by using all our leftover easter egg dyes on our white bunny. It looked about the same.

April remains a lovely time of year. Our kids are now searching for Easter Eggs amongst crunchy fall leaves instead of daffodils, but it works. (Each got to invite a friend to the U.S. Embassy Egg Hunt.)

It's an interesting month for the family. Annie was born on Good Friday, and we brought her home from the hospital on Easter Sunday. My Dad passed away two years ago this month and my sweet Mom's birthday is the week before. I'm sure wishing we could be there to celebrate with her (plus my sister and the two other cousins whose birthdays are in April, including a baptism this year!) So while missing people at home, and thinking dearly of my Dad this month, it's nice to have a joyful holiday to celebrate.


A few years ago we re-vamped our Easter traditions when my mom gave us this fantastic find. Instead of bunnies and eggs full of sugary delights (we still do those, just as a separate "spring celebration") the book outlines ways families of all ages can celebrate all week with insightful daily devotionals and fun, while spiritual, activities. The kids eagerly anticipate it every year with Easter becoming a favorite & more meaningful holiday. You can purchase your own copy at amazon.com (here) if you're interested. (Ours isn't going so well this year seeing as the book is packed away in our shipment which STILL has yet to land on the continent - something about "delayed by weather" - grrrr.)

I've also been inspired by a series of posts this year by an amazing blogger mom (Chocolate on My Cranium) who has transformed their Easter celebrations to include some serious study, learning, and fun with her brood. The crafts, activities and discussions are definitely worth a look. (Review her daily blogs of the weeks before Easter for the crafts accompanying her countdown.)

So while we won't be camping in Tasmania over Easter anymore (again, the gear is with our shipment) we do look forward to celebrating Christ's birth making some new memories here.

Happy Easter!

This Girl

Kenna Kooks. My special love bug (and Summer's second mother.) While Will and Annie seem to have inherited my rough and tumble energy, Kenna takes more after Dad's low-key demeanor. And I find it interesting that the opposites-attract theme has continued generationally: they tend to gravitate toward Dad, while Kenna is definitely Mama's girl. And oh how I love it. She likes to sleep in, organize her own space, and have perfect hand writing. She's sensitive, conscientious and coordinated. Animal and art lover, her life-goal is to swim with dolphins and be an author/illustrator.

My answer? An absolute "yes."

our most diligent reader - just eats it up

some serious artist inspiration in Sydney

Never too old for dress-ups: "I am the princible!!"

Needs no help making friends

Questacon

I'm a big sucker for Children's Museums. And factories. Always have been, always will be. Sometimes to my children's chagrin... I get memberships and drag them there more often for my sake than not. But we're all on board for this one: Questacon. Five levels of crazy cool, age-appropriate science stuff, including rides, waterplay and hands on everything. (Our favorites: the Perception Deception exhibit & the "Free Fall" where you put on a special suit and drop 2 stories onto a huge slide.) It's awesome. Problem is, it's so awesome that I forget to take pictures inside. Fortunately, the grounds outside are peppered with all sorts of fun sculptures to satisfy my insatiable climbers after closing time. But the best part, according to my kids, is the "Member's Lounge" with a big special key and bottomless Milo (hot cocoa.) Nice little perk for all of us.

playing catch while spinning - Will & I are thinking of going pro

having fun is so exhausting...

We perpetuate the "climber" gene. Notice Summer. "Beam me up, Scottie"

Annie-Bananie

Annie the Belles. Finally turned 5. What a gal. The girl has spunk. Always up for adventure. Got the greatest belly laugh of the bunch. The first to jump in and help and endowed with some serious endurance. We crack up constantly at this chick - and she joins right in. Whether it's at her 5th skinned knee of the day or her spunky 'tude with her sibs.

We love this girl. 

(And she's pretty much got Dad in the palm of her hand. He's remained powerless to her charms since day 1.)

Free Fall jitters

 Finally old enough for the "Free Fall" exhibit at the museum, we made it official on her birthday. Then she chose a picnic dinner at the island by Dad's work. The doll tea party was a hit with cucumber sandwiches and sibling servants being the highlights...

(our perpetual ragamuffin dresser - love it)

stuck like glue to this 3-some the first (emotional) month of school

the girl absolutely can't keep her hands off Sum-Sums

Two peas in a pod - it's wrestle mania with them 24/7 - and man, the girl is TOUGH