It's mid-December and I am just now, finally, able to write some memories from November. I am worried that some of the many memorable, special moments we had will be forgotten if I don't get them down.
At the beginning of the month, for example, Atticus had his very first piano recital. He was nervous but did a great job!
The next day we held Hinckley's sixth birthday party with some friends. It was so much fun!
The following day, Hinckley had his last soccer game and his team got first place! He got a trophy and everything, which made it a great day. His coach said some kind of weird things about Hinckley when he was presenting the trophies but we're grateful for his help- the kids learned a ton from him.
The day after that, Atticus decided he wanted to fast for his very first time. Unfortunately, we didn't realize he didn't get his usual bedtime snack the night before so, by the time he ate after church he had gone roughly 18 hours without eating, which is a lot for a first timer! Poor little guy, he said he felt like he was going to faint numerous times during church. With that in mind we decided he could break his fast in the car with some animal crackers Lucy brought back from nursery. As he did so he said the sweetest prayer, praying for loved ones we'e been worried about and ending with, "Thank you that I could have this experience.” Dane and I were so touched by his sincerity. I haven't been able to fast for a while now since I became pregnant with Israel but I am eager to join him and learn from his example.
We got a dose of reality the next week. Atticus came out of church and proudly said the following on the way home, "Everyone likes me [at church] because I sing and volunteer...When I said the scripture I didn’t need the phone because I had it (the scripture) memorized. And everyone was like, 'Oh my gosh, Atticus, you’re the super church guy.' " Dane and I just shook our heads and tried to hide our smiles. At least he loves going to church and feels loved. We can work on humility, ha ha.
Atticusism:
-"Let’s Go!" (It's a big thing for his soccer team and coaches.)
Like Atticus, Hinckley had many moments this month that either made us tear up with emotion or laugh in disbelief. He asked to start reading The Book of Mormon with us, partly because he wanted to become "an advanced reader," but also because of something his amazing Sunday School teacher had said (she will be Lucy's teacher next year and we're beyond thrilled!) It was so special having him read with us. The first or second day he said, "Can we read one more verse? It's getting exciting!" And one time, after reading, he included, "Thank you for the wonderful Book of Mormon" in his prayer. He even told me once, "My heart feels like it's touching my chest from all this reading!"
In case you're wondering, no, it didn't last very long. We only got mid-way through the third chapter of 1st Nephi before taking a pretty abrupt stop. I don't feel discouraged, though. It was wonderful for the week it lasted and we'll take up pretty much from where we left off in January. We'll be studying the Book of Mormon as a family in 2024. If you've never read it before, you can take Hinckley's word for it. It's amazing and often leaves my heart feeling the way he described. I would be so happy to help you get a physical copy but you can also read it online here.
We're also very happy to report that November was the month Hinckley finally mastered tying his shoes. There were many tears and thrown shoes but his persistence paid off. I think it was the Nike Jordans he inherited from a friend that were the real motivator.
Hinckley Speaks:
- "I already feel the spirit!" (Just as we parked in the parking lot to go to the St. George Temple open house.)
- ("Thanks for your good manners!" Said on multiple occasions) "I just want to be a good kid." OR "I just want to be a good six-year-old." OR "I just don’t want you to yell at me."
- "Pull the brakes!!" (Said almost all month to me while driving. His fears are taking time to resolve.)
- "I want to be the bishop someday." (Said to the bishop at tithing declaration.)
- ("So...what exactly do you think the bishop does?") "Oh, you know. Eats lollipops, from my store of lollipops..."
- ("Are you sure you can carry that? It’s kind of heavy.") "That’s because you’re weak."
Lucy is still her adorable, tornado self. She has had a lot of potty accidents, which can be frustrating but we don't think she's doing it on purpose. What's interesting is that she's much better at going through the night and through naps without a diaper. The boys took longer for that. They had very few accidents during the day once they were potty trained but wore pull-ups at night for quite some time. It's yet another area where they all have developed in completely different ways.
She can be so cute with Israel, singing songs to him and cuddling with him but man, do we have to watch her. She will just as likely grab, poke, push or shake him as sing with him or hug him. She even dropped him off the couch once and takes toys all the time. While talking to her grandparents they asked her to let Israel play with a walker we've had for years. She told them, “He doesn’t like it. I just know it.” This is another area where we're trying to be patient and consistent.
She also started telling "Scawy stowies" this month. They are so cute! And very long. Almost all begin with "Oncet upon a time there was a guwol (girl)..." and then the girl usually puts something in her "pack-pack" (backpack) and then a “scawy thing” comes along. We all love it.
She also drew something that was much more recognizable this month- a person with eyes and pupils, legs and arms and a neck. It was easily her best drawing yet!
Listen to Lucy-
- "Awexa, I want..." (she just got the confidence to talk to Alexa and it's so cute.)
- "Lead me, guide me, I know my father lives, Heavenly father loves me..." (Singing mixed up songs to her own tune to her Israel.)
- "I sowwy, Baby." (Usually said in a monotone, unrepentant tone.)
Israel is such a joy to have in our home. I've never done this before but I find myself just holding him and smelling him, trying to drink in that soft baby goodness that will pass all too soon.
He got his fifth and sixth teeth in early November so he had his share of sniffles again but even so he is so fun to play with. He loves bath time so much. We love to see him come to life in there. If you pick him up he hugs you back and gives cute wet kisses (you have to watch him and remind him not to bite!) He started clapping this month, which has been so much fun (he LOVES Pat-a-cake and "If You're Happy and You Know It") and he has started very slowly creeping along furniture.
At one point in the month Dane had him cry himself to sleep and he stayed asleep so much longer a few nights in a row. It felt like a miracle. We've regressed but we're hopeful that we'll get more and more sleep as time passes.
There were more sweet moments during the second half of the month. The Sunday before Thanksgiving I was so frazzled. I was supposed to sing in a musical number at church but Dane had felt sick when he woke up and wasn't in any condition to go to church. Right after he told me I went to change Israel's diaper and I asked myself aloud, "How am I going to do this?" My first thought was that I needed to call and cancel. There was no way I could sing that day. Anyone would understand. But for some reason, I just started praying, instead. Someone would help me, it would all work out.
Meanwhile, the boys helped me get everyone ready and we were able to go to church on time.
Unfortunately, while the meeting was going my kids started arguing. They are normally so good at church but, of course, the week Dane didn't come, things began to unravel. Atticus was trying to keep the others in line but his efforts were almost comically counterproductive. Thinking she needed to be silent to be "good," he grabbed Lucy's arm. She started to cry, as any 3-year-old would (and if you know Lucy, she has a very loud, piercing cry.) I didn't want to make more of a scene and felt pretty much helpless. I decided to just take her and the baby out in the lobby so she could calm down.
We were on the couch for less than a minute when two ward members came out. One asked to take Lucy and the other asked to take Israel. I was then able to take Atticus outside for a teaching moment. The two of us came back inside just in time so I could participate in the musical number. It is no coincidence that we were singing, "Because I have Been Given Much."
As I looked out at the congregation and saw my baby on one side of the room and my toddler on the other with kind friends, my heart felt so full with gratitude. Just as the lyrics say in the song, I had, indeed, been given much that day. My prayers had been answered from earlier in the day. I felt so loved by both them and my Father in Heaven. He had sent them, after all. They had been his hands for me that day.
Of course, that week we celebrated Thanksgiving and it was a wonderful week!
My mom came into town and we went to a fun little farm with her the day before Thanksgiving.
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The next day, the boys and I played soccer before having Mom, our neighbor, Cynthia, and her friend Daylan come over. Mom was such a good hostess for our guests and helped me so much with food prep. Thanks to her help, the food was great, even though I was hobbling around with bruised toenails (it turns out my cleats don't really fit anymore!)
Some festive turkeys we made the day before for our place settings.
Homeschool this month consisted of studying the British Isles, Rocks and the American Colonies in the 1700s. We made Shakespearean lace collars and a flower crown for Lucy (think Ophelia from Hamlet), hornbooks and oreo turkeys. We designed Turkey disguises with friends and had a wonderful time hiking at Red Rock Canyon with them.
My, did we have a lot to be thankful for this month! Until next time.
