December 2023

December went by at our usual breakneck speed.  December first was our ward Christmas party

December second was the homeschool student Christmas Business Expo, so the boys were able to sell their Advent candles again.  This year we added rock art nativities and they were a huge success.  They sold out in about ten minutes.  We even had someone order a small one for later.  My only regret is not keeping one for myself because I loved them all so much... but I guess that just means well have to make more next year!

Israel is still pulling up to stand any chance he gets.  He won't stand independently but he is getting a little better at coasting along furniture.

He started climbing stairs but rarely does so unless he's with someone.  If he does he has never gone more than two or three steps, which has been a huge relief. 

He got his 7th tooth, which means he spent a good deal of the month miserable and teething.  He feels it in his ears every time, and seems to get congested with each tooth, too.  We've since moved on to tooth #8.  Hopefully it'll come out in early January.

He still loves "Pat-a-Cake," "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," "If You're Happy and You Know It" and really any hand play.  He really enjoys the music class we take with our wonderful homeschool program, Belle Ame at Home.  He still loves our seesaw, swing and rocking horse.

He's making more messes now, including the toilet paper and dog water, just like his siblings did at this age.  He is a decent fellow, though.  Unlike Hinckley, who would race over to the dog bowls, laughing as he dumped them as quickly as possible, Israel usually pauses and looks up at me for approval.  If I'm not there or fast enough, he still dumps them but it does give me a lot more time to realize what's happening and stop him.

We do feel like he's trying to mimic and communicate with us.  I could have sworn he was signing "more" a few weeks ago, although it was pretty inconsistent.  When Dane talks to him in grunts he will start grunting and growling back.  When the dog barks, he starts imitating him with adorable little baby barks.   When Hinckley was hugging him, saying "Pat-pat...SQUEEZE!"  Israel seemed to copy him, saying, "Ah-ah-EE!"  But none of these are consistent yet.

He turned 10 months on December 21st!  In honor of this milestone we took some photos of him wearing a onesie that both Atticus and Hinckley wore at around this age.  It was so fun to compare their photos.

We are worried about his two front teeth.  He seems to have chipped them and I'm worried about the color... but hopefully my worries are ill-founded.  Thank goodness they are baby teeth.

He got a little cold right after Christmas, which wasn't fun but boy was it fun to see the children interact with him on Christmas day.  Each of them had gotten him a gift from the dollar store and they were so excited to see his reaction.  He had a very good first Christmas.

Lucy is so adorable and so frustrating.  For months and months she has been treating clothes like toys- putting them in different bags/containers and leaving them all over the house.  Even worse, she kept getting into clothes that were 1-3 years too big and mixing them all up. Fortunately, we were able to switch around our storage in her closet (putting the clothes in giant totes) and it has made a huge difference.  She still makes messes everywhere and changes her clothes 3+ times a day but at least the sizes aren't getting mixed up. 

She has entered the "Why?" phase, which is so cute but can also be so tiring.  You really have to pick when you explain things because she will so often ignore your answer and just ask, "Why?"  again.  But she is understanding so much more, which means there are times she really is listening.

This month Lucy and Hinckley became really close.  They play legos together, wear costumes and pretend to be superheroes together (so much that she asked for a Ghost Spider costume for Christmas- which she received.)  There was a rare rainy day in the middle of the month and the two of them put on some warm clothing and had the best time playing in the rain.  Hinckley calls her his "best friend" a lot of the time.  It's not really exaggerative.  They get along so well, which is so nice.  Hinckley and Atticus have such different personalities that, while they love each other, they often clash.  With Lucy it does seem effortless.

This was the first Christmas that Lucy really knew what was happening, which was so fun.  Besides asking for "pink presents" at the beginning of the month and a ghost Spider costume, she really came to know the true meaning of Christmas.  We have a great nativity storybook that we read often enough that she was able to "read" it to us and sing the songs.

She still has a ways to go as far as gift giving.  When I took her to the dollar store to shop for her brothers she grabbed three gifts for herself.  I eventually let her get them and just took some of the money she has been keeping in her piggy bank.  She is only three, after all.  It did make me chuckle as we wrapped all of the gifts she got, three of which were for her.

Listen to Lucy:

• "Don’t be mad." (or)  "You calm?" (or) "Be calm!"
• "I sowwy!"  (Usually said in a loud, angry voice or in a monotone voice, neither of which is very convincing.)
• "Angel, mommy!" A few seconds later, "I hear Joy!...Good tidings!..."  (She went on repeating all the words and phrases she was familiar with durng the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional.)
• "That’s Baby Jesus!"
• "I want 'pink pwesents.'"

Hinckley had the best month he has had in a very long time.  He tried so hard to be good and it made such a difference in our home.  Of course he had little setbacks but I felt like we got back our peacemaker.  He has been the loudest and most difficult child for such a long time.  It was so nice to see his strengths again.  Here's hoping this continues in to 2024!

This doesn't mean that it was easy to get him to buy Christmas gifts for his siblings.  It was the first time I've taken him to do so and he was really dragging his heels, saying, "I don’t want to spend any of my money!"  

As soon as we got to the store, however, he caught the Christmas Spirit almost immediately.  He wanted to get everything for his siblings- especially Atticus.  My favorite part of the whole experience was on our way home.  He told me, "I'm like tingling inside!  Christmas isn't about getting... it's about giving!  I want to give gifts to all my friends now."  Yes!

He kept his Christmas list incredibly short this year.  He felt that he didn't get anything he asked for last year so he only asked for two things: a Kylo Ren lego and an Ironman lego.  Needless to say, he got both and plenty more.

Hinckley Speaks:

• ("Thank you so much!")  "I just want to make your life easier."
• "Have I been good today?"
• ("Are you sure you want to eat that?  It’s a little spicy… ")  "That’s okay, I’m Mexican."  (In a couple minutes he was gasping and sputtering from the spice.)
• "If you guys don’t stop arguing… I … will.. join the argument!" (While Dane and I were arguing)
• "I need to see my best friend!" (Talking about Lucy)

Atticus turned nine this month!  Instead of having a birthday party, he asked to have a party with our family up in Utah.  He especially wanted to be with his Nana since she can't travel anymore.  He also wanted to get some Brazilian barbecue, which was smart because he knows we feel like it's too expensive to get that kind of food here, locally.

As luck would have it we weren't able to go until the middle of the month.  This actually turned out to be perfect because Dane was called to be the second counselor in our bishopric just a couple of days before we went.  He asked his dad to ordain him as a High Priest while we were there.  It was such a sweet experience.

We also were able to go to Thanksgiving Point's Luminaria while we were there, Atticus and I.  I haven't done anything with him, one on one, for a long time.  We had a great time.

As a sie note, Dane and I were also able to finally get some one on one time.  Bob and Marti watched the kids (with help from Aunt Paula) while we went to watch "A Christmas Carol" at The Hale Center Theater.  Oh, it was such a fantastic experience.  Just being out together was special, since we hadn't been on a real date since Israel's birth but the play was incredible.  

everyone’s yelling at me again.

My favorite moment with Atticus in December, however, came when he performed for a Christmas recital at a local memory care facility.  He practiced so hard and did a wonderful job playing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" and "Good King Winceslas" (we played the second as a duet together.)

After they performed his wonderful piano teacher, Whitney Madsen, encouraged her students to talk to at least one person.  Some of them looked so frightened at the idea.  Not Atticus.  He had a huge smile on his face as spoke to a few different residences.  He even took one lady's hand.  I was so amazed and proud.  

He admitted in the car that he was a little scared but then he shared, "I got such a good feeling when I talked to them."  What a kid.  

Right before Christmas I celebrated my 38th birthday and wow it was a memorable one.  The night before we had our friends, the Jones family over to do a live nativity.  It was so fun.

I couldn't expect much more after that.  Dane had to go to work in the morning and then he had to go to the temple with the youth from church that evening.  What I didn't expect, however, was to have my boys run away on my birthday!

When the boys asked me what I would like for my birthday I had half jokingly told them, "Well, you could shave your mullets!"  They had no intention of doing so but the morning of my birthday Dane became pretty forceful about shaving their mullets.  It backfired. The boys ran away!  

I had no idea what had been going on because I was with the baby while all of this was going on.  I came downstairs and by then they had already left.  It was so funny.  They finally came back and Atticus admitted that his mullet, which had gotten really long and curly, had gotten stuck to a cinder-block wall.  He grudgingly agreed to let Dane shave his mullet... and off it went!  Hinckley followed him the next day.  So I got my birthday wish, after all. 

While a lot of our fun Christmas traditions and books took over when it came to homeschool we did study Greece and Italy a little.  We made a delicious Greek bean stew called fasolada, we made "karavakia or Greek Christmas boats and Atticus drew a Siamese cat.  We also learned a beautiful Italian lullaby, "Ninna Nanna Calabrese."  

Goodbye sweet December!  We'll be dreaming of you...

November 2023

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.

v

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.