Madelyn @ 7 Years Old

• If 5 years ago someone had asked me to predict what kind of person my daughter would be at age 7, I don't think my estimations would have been too far off of who she is currently becoming. In other words, Maddie has been shining as bright as she looks in this picture for most of her life. 
• We took the kids to see the movie "Inside Out" today. After watching it, Ryan and I both agreed that Maddie is the "Joy" in our family. 
• She is becoming a much more adventurous eater as she grows up and I feel like all those years of putting things she hated in front of her over and over and over again are finally starting to pay of (little by little). Some of her favorites are any kind of fruit, corn on the cob, snap peas, pancakes, pizza. She also loves hot dogs and pistachios. 
• She loves to cook. She received a cupcake maker from her grandmother for her birthday and has been asking to learn new things ever since. I love having her as my sous chef. She can make pancakes all by herself which makes lazy summer mornings the perfect time to practice. I pretty much let her make them anytime she wants---I'm more than happy to pass that torch along--at least for the summer.
• She is so so helpful with her brothers. She loves to teach them new things as cheer them up when they are sad. 
• She is not so helpful at putting things in their proper place. Her shoes can often be found right in front of her shoe basket but not in it, her dirty clothes scattered on the floor directly in front of (but not inside) the clothes hamper. One morning in particular I was nagging her about this issue when, to my surprise, instead of being offended or hurt by my criticism (which is often the case), she replied, "That is a bad habit that I really need to work on breaking, don't I!?" It made me step back and realize that I shouldn't be so hard on her all the time. 
• The missionaries were over for dinner the other night. After eating we moved to the living room so they could share a spiritual message with us. They asked if we could sing a hymn to begin their message and invite the spirit. Ryan and I hesitantly said yes (we can't carry a tune in a bucket). Right away we realized that the missionaries had absolutely no musical talent either, so it made for an awkward rendition of "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet." About halfway through the first verse, out of no where, Maddie just started belting out the hymn with all her heart and soul. It took all I had not to giggle uncontrollably because she was just so cute and heartfelt. It was such a darling moment the night she saved us from complete awkwardness.
• The other day we took the kids to the local high school track so they could play while Ryan and I took turns running and getting a little exercise. I had 1 mile left of my 3 mile workout when Maddie left the game of baseball she had been playing with her dad and came over to where I was running. "Can I run with you?" she asked. I was happy to have the company and even happier that she ended up running an entire mile with me. She was so proud of herself for running a whole mile. 
• She is friendly, thoughtful, happy, determined, stubborn, kind, smart, and funny. Oh, and she is joy. She really is. 

Last month for Mother's Day she practiced for weeks with her dad in order to be able to play "Mother I Love You" for me on my special day. 

Nathan Michael @ Two Years Old

Can you spot the rock? Throwing rocks in the ocean is one of Nater's favorite things to do these days. He loves the water and will yell out, "I see boat!!" anytime we pass by a harbor. 

Nathan turned two yesterday:

• He is so much fun right now (full disclosure: and so much work). Maybe it's because, the fourth time around, I'm finally learning that childhood is so fleeting, and doing my best to enjoy it as much as I can. There are definitely hard days when I can't wait to put his little bum to bed, but there are more days where I find him so adorable. I'm certain I'm spoiling him but I just don't know how to help myself. He will definitely have youngest child syndrome and I will take all the blame.
• He is in that sponge-like stage where his vocabulary increases daily and he is constantly asking questions. "Where we going?" "Who's dat, mommy?" "Wisten to me mommy, I need to tell you somefing!"
• He can throw a wicked tantrum, usually when we try to get him to do something he doesn't want to do (i.e. leave the park, come inside from playing, or go take a nap).
• He is afraid of people he doesn't know, especially male adults. If you can win him over, consider it a huge accomplishment because he doesn't dole out his affections easily. 
• True to his age, he is obsessed with buckles and snaps. Is this a developmental milestone or what? All of my kids have had a fixation with buckles and snaps and seat belts around the age of two. 
• He loves to do things on his own and will always shout "I did it!" whenever he completes a task without help. 
• He loves balls and throwing anything and everything, including unwanted food off of his tray, sippy cups, and toys. 
• I sing to him every day at nap time and every night before bed. He usually requests "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Once there was a Snowman." He will lay his head on my shoulder about halfway through the song and always requests "one more song." One day, when I am old and gray, long after my four little birds have flown away and our nest is empty, my arms and my heart will still ache for my sweet boy to lay his head on my shoulder and ask me for "more twinkle."
• He has finally warmed up to nursery class at church on Sunday. His teachers are so kind and patient with him. Sometimes he still bursts into tears when I walk into class to pick him up, as if the previous two hours of betrayal all come flooding back to him. 

Nater tells his first joke.

• He is a very loved little man and all the kids find him hilarious. I think it made Davis so happy the other day when Nathan said, "Davey, you da best brudder eva!" It's a phrase he has heard Davis say to him many a time. 
• My heart is just so full as I think of our little guy and what an integral part of our family he is. He is so loved. 

He loves milk so I thought a Tres Leches cake was in order for the birthday boy. Luckily it was a big hit (at least the whipped cream frosting was). He kept saying, "Mommy, dis is so yummy!!"

Davis Reed @ 5 Years Old

Exploring the tide pools is one of Davis' favorite things to do. He collects all the shells he possibly can and then leaves them scattered all over our house. 

• Davis loves all things Pokemon, SlugTerra, and Agent Oso. He will go on and on about Pokemon characters and scenerios and, cross my heart, I do my best to act interested but I usually have no freaking idea what he's talking about.
• He has a tender heart. He will often mention to me throughout the day, with a little sadness in his voice, that he "misses Maddie." They have a really special relationship. If I'm being completely honest, I think that Davis is drawn to Maddie both because he loves her dearly and because he wants to make Isaac jealous. It usually works. The older boys, on the other hand,  have a much more tumultuous relationship. They can definitely be the best of friends (Davis idolizes Isaac), but also the worst of frenemies (both know how to push the other's buttons and do so all.the.time).
• I have mentioned before that Davis is my little sidekick. Since I didn't put him in preschool this year, we are pretty much together all day every day. While there are occasional moments of frustration, he is such a fun person to be around. If I want him to do anything all I have to say is, "Wanna race?" and he will go wherever I want him to go as long as he can beat me there. The thought of him going off to kindergarten in the fall fills me with the mixed emotions of anticipation of increased freedom and loneliness. But mostly loneliness. 
• He loves animals and science (shout out to Bill Nye the Science Guy!).
• He is talkative and friendly and loves to talk about random facts to anyone who will listen. He often gets attention from adults for using vocabulary words well beyond his age (and sometimes out of context) I think it's pretty adorable.
• He has a huge heart and a great willingness to share with others. He tells me multiple times a week how much he loves our family.
• Davis is a little boy with a lot of faith. We finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family and for weeks afterwards he would ask Heavenly Father every time he said his prayers, "Is the Book of Mormon true?" 
• I can't believe it's been over 5 years since this little man joined our family and in turn saved my life. I love him so very much. 

Making a wish.

Isaac's 8th Birthday Party

A few days before our big cross-country move, Isaac had a birthday party with some of his friends. Confession: it was his first real birthday party in his 8 years of life. Parties are not my forte. And truthfully I'm just glad that no one died on my watch during this party! But Isaac was so so happy, which made me happy, too. 

A Lego Pizza Party at the park.

Maddie loved being a part of it.

So did Davis.

And Nathan.

It was a Lego party with pizza and a treasure hunt. It was during the treasure hunt that the kids all went cray-cray.

My dear friend and neighbor, Banessa, was able to come and bring her two boys, both of whom became some of Davis and Isaac's closest friends.

The treasure hunt treasure was a box of helicopter toys that we played with in the field next to the park.

Isaac with his two AZ besties, Davey (R) and Eduardo (L). My friend Tamara put herself in charge of taking pictures and I am so grateful that she did because we wouldn't have any proof that this event took place if it hadn't been for her. After the party she handed me a flash drive with 70+ photos of the afternoon! I feel fortunate to have lived next door to such a wonderful friend and neighbor.

The besties again.

Play with your food!

Receiving Lego Mixels was a dream come true.

Happy birthday Isaac!

Nathan's One Year Photos

My big one-year-old boy at the strawberry patch today. All photos courtesy of the talented Miss Kami Brown.

Maddie @ Six Years Old

Maddie turned 6 today! This picture is just so...Maddie. I have no other words.

Maddie and the sister missionaries right before they got transferred. 

Maddie with her principal, Ms. Nana, and her teacher, Ms. Crocco. I want Ms. Crocco to be my mentor when I go back to teaching. She is phenomenal and we will miss her so much. 

• Maddie is really growing up! She is independent, funny, determined, and kind.
• She loves kindergarten and the only time I have seen her get the slightest bit sad or apprehensive about our move to Arizona is when she thinks about how she'll have to leave Ms. Crocco. I am really going to miss Ms. Crocco, too. 
• When I get up to exercise before the rest of the family wakes up, I often find her in my bed when I get back, snuggled up in the covers with her daddy. She loves spending time with him early in the morning. 
• Maddie has always been a minimalist when it comes to food. Lettuce alone but not salad, strawberry shortcake but without whipped cream, and hot dogs without ketchup. I do have to commend her for branching out lately. There was a time when I thought she would never try new things but she seems to be growing out of that phase. 
• I have tried to encourage Maddie and her brothers to help me in the kitchen for years. Maddie has never shown much interest at all until a couple of weeks ago. She picked out a children's cookbook at the library and told me she wanted to start cooking and that I could be her sous-chef. She made her first batch of cookies and Isaac declared (a little sheepishly) that her cookies were better than mine ("sorry mom, I really don't want to hurt your feelings!"). Since then she made her birthday cupcakes and has told me that she is going to just keep baking harder and harder recipes until she becomes a really good chef herself.
• She is very nurturing, especially with her younger brothers. Just last night I watched her teach Davis how to fold two socks together while they were helping me with the laundry (a rare occurrence), and she can't let Nathan go down for a nap without giving him a big hug. 
• She is enthusiastic about just about everything--her teacher describes her as "the girl who thinks the world is made of glitter" because everything is bright and shiny in Maddie's world. I love her positive attitude.
• She is great at using big words out of context. "My doll is so jovial", or "isn't this day repetitive?" I never correct her because I think it's so adorable. 
• Happy Birthday little lady!

One

Our Nater turned one yesterday!

At one year old, Nathan:

• is officially in destructive mode. He is a tornado wherever he goes, pulling things out of drawers and off shelves and making a mess of everything. It's a full-time job keeping this boy safe. He has discovered the stairs and tries to crawl up them whenever he gets the chance. 
• loves socks. He's like a little puppy and has one in his mouth as he crawls around the house. And there's usually one in each hand as well. 
• is starting to develop a sense of humor. Whenever I say, "Nathan, say 'mama'", he repeats "dada!" and then starts to giggle. 
• loves the swings at the park and never seems to tire of them.
• sadly, will no longer eat anything I put in front of him. Luckily he still has several favorites, including blueberries, eggs, crackers, strawberries, clementines, anything in a sippy cup, black beans, and whatever I'm about to put in my mouth. 
• is sleeping better than ever given that he is always on the go when he's awake. 
• is the love of everyone's life around here. The kids fight over who gets to sit by him at dinner, in the car, and even who gets to open up his bedroom door when he wakes from his naps. He is very loved. 

It's kind of the end of an era in our family, now that our baby isn't technically a baby anymore. I've had mixed emotions about his birthday (it came so fast!), but mostly I feel so much gratitude that he is a part of our crazy family. I needed him to be my buddy this past year with all it's stresses and big decisions. He came at the perfect time. Happy birthday, Natey-boy.

Getting a little alone time with Dad.

Strawberry Shortcake to celebrate his first year of life. 

Eating his hard-boiled egg with great gusto.

One of Nate's favorite pass times is watching the cars drive by on our busy street. 

I think he was mad because he wanted me to nurse him and knew that Dad couldn't give him what he wanted. Just look at that little tongue as  he wails away.

Four

Davis and his trike at the park.

Visiting Dad for lunch one day.

Batman cupcakes per the birthday boy's request. Thank you Duncan Hines.

Davis with Elder and Sister Jones. They are a missionary couple that volunteers to watch over the nursery while I teach institute once a week. Last week was their final day with the kids as they are ending their mission and heading home. They have been such a bright spot during their time here and have really been Davis' CT grandparents. He even calls them Grandpa and Grandma Jones. We will miss them so much. 

At Four Years Old,

• Davis is obsessed with animals these days, thanks to his favorite TV show, Wild Kratts, about two brothers who explore animal life all over the world. He can often be heard spouting off random animal facts, like "Mom, did jew know dat crocodiles can CRUSH a coconut wif der jaws?"
• He loves kisses, hugs, and snuggling. He is definitely my lover boy (when he's not fighting, of course).
• Davis loves to give me ultimatums when trying to get his way. "Mom, you need to let me watch a Wild Kratts now, OR NEVER!" I always nonchalantly reply, "OK, never", which always leads him to renegotiate his aforementioned ultimatum. "Wait, wait. I mean, do you fink we could watch a Wild Kratts a wittle bit later?"
• His laugh is really contagious.
• He loves superheroes, with Super Man being the favorite these days. 
• He got a camera for his birthday (one of those kid-proof digital ones) and now he takes pictures of everything. 
• He is also really into building things, whether using magnatiles or legos. He makes new creations on a daily basis. He loves to build towers with the Magnatiles and then get Nathan to knock them down.
• He loves books and will sit and read them with me over and over. On snowy days like today it's one of my favorite things to do with him. 
• I can't believe this little guy is four! I am really looking forward to this next year. I love four. 

Seven

Isaac is seven years old today. I was talking with a friend who has children a few years older than mine. I mentioned Ike's birthday and remarked, "The oldest one always seems to grow up the fastest." "Just you wait," she replied, pointing to the drooling baby on my hip, "your baby will grow up even faster."

I had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the Yale Art Gallery with Isaac's class last week. It was the first time I had seen him interact with his peers in quite awhile since his teacher doesn't ask for volunteers very often. He was kind and attentive and participated and I had to silently chide myself for getting after him so much at home. As a mother I admit that I focus and worry too much on my children's weaknesses at times and not enough on their strengths. I was so glad I got to see him in his element.

Isaac has always loved music, and lately he has become particularly interested in anything playing on the radio. He loves Imagine Dragons, American Authors, Phillip Phillips, and even Miley Cyrus (shudder), though he doesn't know any of their names yet, just their popular songs. He can listen to a song a couple of times and get the lyrics down. It's not particularly comfortable for me to hear my 7 year-old belt out "Wrecking Ball" but hopefully we can harness that musical interest into some piano lessons or music classes sometime in the next couple of years (and keep him as far away from MC and her music as possible). You should hear him belt out "Let it Go." Boy's got some pipes.

He asked me the other morning why it was such a bad thing to stick your middle finger up and what it meant. I thought to myself, "Do I really have to talk about this with my little boy already?" In a split second decision with my three oldest kids eating breakfast in front of me I decided that I would rather be the one to tell them than have them ask their friends, so I simply said, "It represents a horrible word that hopefully you've never heard and that we don't ever say." "What word!?" they all exclaimed. Sighing, I continued, "I don't even want to say it, but it's known as the 'F' word." Isaac gasped and under his breath whispered, "fart!" Hallelujah. That was the end of that conversation  (for now).

His current favorites include Legos, Hotwheels, Bey Blades, sweet and sour chicken, Caesar Salad, avocados, Tic Tacs, Ninjas, running everywhere, and Star Wars. He hates carrots, handwriting, and taking showers.

Happy Birthday Isaac!

This Week...

I celebrated a birthday this week--35 big ones--and some friends and I headed to Sugar, a nearby bakery with amazing cupcakes. I had a really hard time choosing just six, but I finally narrowed it down to Lemon Drop, 'Smores, Peanut Butter Cup, Black Bottom Cheesecake, Hostess, and Apple Pie. I shared with my family but since it was mabirthday, I made them cut all the cupcakes up so I could sample each and every one. I highly recommend doing the same exact thing on your birthday. I had a great day and was spoiled all day long.

The crew outside the bakery. Sugar is owned by a mother/daughter duo. They won cupcake wars and have a booming business but it still has a small-town-bakery feel to it. They loved doting on all our blonde kids and even gave each of them their own cupcake. 

Could those thighs get any more squeezable? It was no easy task getting his thighs in that thing.

The kids are in the full swing of school and I am getting used rushed mornings, calmer days, and crazy afternoons. They are usually happy to see me in the afternoon but even happier to see one another, running off to play and fight and ignore any pleas I send their way to put their backpacks/shoes/jackets away. Both Isaac and Maddie seem to love school and Davis loves picking them up from the bus stop in the afternoon, so that makes me really happy.

Just this afternoon the kids were playing "Costume Party" when Maddie came up to me after putting on one of her princess dresses and asked, "Would you be a darling and help me button this dress, please?"

Madelyn Ruth @ 5 Years Old

Feeding her baby a bottle. 

Maddie turned 5 the day after we brought Nathan home from the hospital. Even though I was sort of out of commision, Grandma Mary-Ann took over and made Maddie's day really special. Thanks to Grandma Maddie, she received the My Little Pony Castle she's been pining over forever, and thanks to Grandma Mary-Ann she is now equipped with all most every pony in Ponyville. They have been the gifts that keep on giving as they have provided literally hours of entertainment for Davis and Maddie during these early days when I'm not too confident in going many places on my own with the whole brood.

There was a span of a couple of weeks where Maddie decided she wanted to be an entomologist when she grows up. Then she decided she's still a little bit afraid of spiders, so she is now an aspiring ballerina once again. 

I told Maddie that once I was feeling better, we could have her friends over for a pizza and a movie party. Last Friday 5 of her friends came over and watched a My Little Pony movie while eating frozen pizza from Costco and drinking juice boxes. Low expectations, it's all about low expectations these days. It was the easiest party ever planned. 

A few things about our Maddie:

• She is thrilled about starting kindergarten in the fall. 
• She loves to play with Legos, My Little Ponies, and board games. Her current favorite board game is Sum Swamp. It's a great one for helping kids learn simple addition facts. 
• Maddie has been a great help to me these last three weeks. She is always willing to help with the baby, but even more so she has entertained Davis for hours every day. These two have become quite good buddies over the past year- it is going to be hard for him (and me) when she goes off to school in the fall.
• People will often comment on how she's the only girl in a house full of brothers. Her remark to that statement is always, "I will get sisters when my brothers get married!"
• The other day I overheard Maddie bossing Davis around and it was as if I was listening to myself speak to the kids. It made me cringe.She picks up on everything I say and the tone in which I say it. {Sigh}
• She makes friends very easily and loves meeting new people. 
• She takes really good care of her toys. Is this a girl thing? Every Lego Friends block has a place in her room and she keeps them all on display. She saves every card any grandparent or friend has ever sent her and has a special bag where she stores all her most beloved possessions. 
• She is still fearless in the water. Swimming lessons are at the top of our to-do list this summer.
• She is still the happy, spunky, full-of-life little girl that she's always been. We are so happy she's ours.

Davis Reed @ 3 Years Old

Davis celebrated a birthday this past Wednesday. It's a little crazy to think that my baby is 3 years old. He is full of personality, that's for sure.

I don't think he realized that having a birthday meant opening presents, so he was pretty stoked when we pulled them out.

Learning how to hold a bat with Dad.

One of Davis' gifts was a pair of light sabers. I think Isaac was more excited than anyone about this present. I even overheard him say, "Davis, when you open your presents, choose the one that looks like sticks first, ok?" 

Leaning in a little bit close to those flames, little buddy.

At three years old, Davis:

• Is as passionate as ever. He loves big and he fights big. I have never received so many kisses and hugs from one person in a single day, but he is also quick to turn on you when he feels an injustice has taken place. Hitting, biting, and weeping and wailing often ensue. 
• We just moved him into the same room as Isaac and Maddie in order to prepare for the baby, and he loves being with the big kids. He goes to bed about an hour before they do, and he knows "dat Isaac can't come into da woom until I'm sweeping." So far the transition has gone smoother than I expected. We will see how week two plays out. I hope we can keep them together and still keep my sanity. 
• Some of his favorite foods are eggs, string cheese, pizza, fruit (especially apples), soy beans, and macaroni. He also loves anything sweet. Forget getting him to try something that he deems "yucky." It's a losing battle that I hope he will grow out of. He particularly loathes avocados and tomatoes. 
• He is obsessed with superheroes (batman being his current fave). He also loves Star Wars, Diego, and Kung Fu Panda. 
• He and Maddie have become quite good buddies while Isaac is at school. He is content playing Lego Friends with her, or reading, or any kind of dress-up. She will also happily play superheroes with him. The minute Isaac walks through the door, though, all attention goes to his big brother. And they are CRAZY when they play. Wrestling, chasing, yelling, and overall madness take place when they are together. 
• His nicknames are D, D-Man, Davy, and Bear.
• He has recently started running away from me in public places (didn't we conquer this over a year ago?) and it makes me very wary of taking him anywhere because I physically cannot move as fast as he can at this point. I have never considered one of those leash backpack things as seriously as I am now. I am praying that he grows out of this really really fast. Any advice?
• He insists on wearing his Diego Rescue Pack to pick up Maddie from preschool, and he is always greeted with smiles and laughs by the rest of the parents. He does look pretty cute wearing it, though I had to put the kibosh on him placing anything edible inside of it when I found he was hoarding string cheeses and bananas inside of it for days at a time. 
• Davis has a big heart and is at a really fun age. We are trying to soak up his innocence as long as we can. I am really hoping that he loves being a big brother.

Isaac @ 6 Years Old

After celebrating his big day at school.

Isaac participated in a reader's theatre with some of his peers recently. Here they are performing The Tortoise and the Hare in front of one of the kindergarten classes. Ike played the part of the Hare, and Maddie and Davis and I were able to watch one of their little performances the other day.

We celebrated with pumpkin pie for the birthday boy since it's his favorite.

One of the gifts we gave Isaac this year was Snap Circuits. He is able to build simple electronic circuits and learn things like how a light switch works. He and Ryan spent a good part of the afternoon working on different projects with them. I think Ryan enjoyed it as much as Ike.

On Fridays we always eat pizza and watch a movie, and last week Isaac got to invite a few friends over to our weekly tradition. It was sort of a mini-party but it seemed enough for him. Being great with child and running a one-woman show around here most nights, it was all I had energy for this year. Kung Fu Panda was the movie chosen by the birthday boy.

Grandma and Grandpa sent Isaac this Perplexus game. Someday maybe he'll get to play it...

What can I say about our Isaac at six years old?

• He is a big ball of energy, especially after getting home from school in the afternoons. We have had to have talks about "controlling his crazy" when he comes home. Everyone is looking forward to warmer weather and being able to release that energy outside.
• He is very inquisitive, and will often ask questions that surprise and stump me. 
• He still loves to build anything and everything, so I expect Legos to be a part of our lives for years to come.
• He is a great eater these days, rarely complaining at the dinner table and usually the first one to clear his plate. His current favorite is orange chicken. 
• While his energy seems to keep growing and growing, he still has a calm and predictable disposition and is slow to anger most of the time. 
• He loves school almost as much as he loves staying home. Music and gym are his favorite "specials" (as he calls them) at school.
• He hates kisses (but tolerates me kissing him on the top of his head--"because it's not slimy that way") but loves hugs and still hugs me almost every morning when he wakes up.
• He is a master at giving excuses about anything and everything, from why he isn't ready to go to bed to why he needs help packing his lunch for school. 
• He loves to laugh and make people laugh. If Davis does something crazy or silly, he will often give me a look and we both bust up laughing together. I can't believe how big he is getting.
• He loves Davis and Maddie, and he also loves to boss them around as well.
• He would probably choose to spend time with his dad over just about anyone else. 
• Although it's been over a year since he has headed back west to visit Utah, he still talks about our trip there all the time. In fact, he told me the other day that he wanted a wii for his birthday, just like Grandma's. I told him that wasn't going to happen, so he has taken it upon himself to save all his money until he has enough to buy a wii of his own. So far, he has $20.33 in his fund. 
• I love having Isaac as our oldest child. He is a great example to his younger siblings and has a really kind heart. Happy Birthday, little man!