Ben's Football Game

Yes, our lives are revolving around all things football right now. Ben had a game today. They played the league's best team today and the score was a little disappointing, but we did have some really great stops and sacks. I think Ben is starting to get into a groove. It is hard because at practice he doesn't want to go all out against his teammates, but then he is at the disadvantage in a game. We told him to tell the coach he was going all out all the time and then he would have to do his hardest! Dewey told him that he would pay him a dollar for every tackle he made. He has some really good movement to push the offense inside (as he is defensive end), but only one actual tackle. He slowed them down a few times. It was a blast. I have to say, I love football! It is very exciting to watch. I will admit that I was very nervous for him to start, but I am loving it!!! Ben also gets to play punter. I think he likes it.

 

This is where Ben got his tackle!!!

Ephraim Lost His First Tooth

I thought kids didn't start loosing teeth until they started 1st grade. A week into kindergarten and he came home with a really lose tooth. That night we went to Willard's flag football game and he was running around and being wild. I had told him that he would probably lose his tooth, and then he'd really LOSE it in the grass. Thankfully, he didn't lose it there! After school on Wednesday he was playing with it and it popped right out! He was so happy because he finally got to put something under his pillow for the toothfairy!

Willard Flag Football

Ben 10 No Longer

Happy Birthday Ben! 

Ben is an amazing kid. He is witty. He is funny. He is smart. He loves to play games. He loves to talk. He loves to tease his siblings. He loves to play sports. He told me recently he wanted to be a professional football player when he grows up. He loves to hang out with his dad, even when it means work. When I asked him what he'd want to do if he could have a night with just me he said he'd like to go disc golfing.

It is hard for the mom to see my son grow up. I keep comparing him to the small child that he was. I see in his face the baby I used to cradle and snuggle. I think about his first steps and his first words and all the memories we have made. It makes me sad because I want to keep him there, untouched by the world, encompassed by sweet innocence. At the same time, I want to see what kind of man he will become. I want to know if he will be a great man like his dad. I want to watch each new achievement and each mistake and each new memory. I want to help him grow to be the son that our Heavenly Father wants him to be.

I think of him still as a baby, but know that I have to let him become someone strong, someone with his own testimony and his own view of the world. I want him to see me for who I really am and then see the world for what it truly is, not what it wants us to think. I want him to be honest, kind, thoughtful, helpful, true, chaste, honorable, and trustworthy. I want him to get to know his Savior and become the person our Savior wants him to be.

Ben is 11. It is a new year, another year older and hopefully wiser. 
A new year for challenges and adventures. I love you kid! Happy Birthday. 

Back 2 School

It is that time again... the kids are heading back to school.

 Ben is a 5th grader. He is so excited! He loves to read, loves to play sports (right now it is football), loves to do anything with Dewey, hunting, hiking, throwing the ball, cleaning the guns, mowing the grass (ok so maybe not mowing...), and loves to invent games to play with his siblings. If he goes this whole year without and absence or a tardy, he will be awarded with a new mountain bike! 

Willard is in 3rd grade. He is playing flag football and doing piano. He loves to draw and write stories and read. He loves to build things with legos and he also loves to play the computer or wii. He is really strong too, he can do lots of pullups and situps. He loves to run really fast. He also LOVES to sing. It doesn't matter where we are, he will usually start singing a tune, sometimes made up, sometimes movie themes, and sometimes hymns. He can also play the piano by ear. It is amazing how many songs he figures out how to play just by sound. 

Joselyn in also in 3rd grade. Willard and Joselyn are in the same class at school!! Joselyn is a smily girl. She always has a smile on her face, unless I ask her to do her chores, then she rolls her eyes with a smile! She loves to write her own stories and read them to us. She likes to read, but she loves to be read to. She is starting to love doing hair. She will braid and do Ruby's hair. She loves to brush and braid my hair. She really enjoys sports and riding her bike. She is also having piano lessons, and she loves to play the themes from the Disney movies!

Ephraim started Kindergarten. I told him that maybe he should stay home one more year instead. He didn't think it sounded like a good idea. He wanted to go to school. His first full day he loved, but came home and took a two hour nap! He loved meeting new people and playing at recess. He loves to play soccer and catch with dad. He loves being dad's buddy. He loves getting to walk to school. He loves to read by himself. 

Ruby is three. She wants to go to school with the kids too. She doesn't like it when they get all ready and out the door. In fact, she usually cries when they head out to school. She sits by the window and watches them go. However, since she is home by herself, she loves doing things with just mom or just dad. She got to have a daddy daughter day yesterday and she loved it. She loves to sing to herself. She loves to look through all our books, especially Dumbo and any princess book. She loves elephants. She doesn't like to take naps, even when she desperately needs one. She likes piggyback rides and snuggling in your lap.

Here are all my school kids. I cannot believe how time has flown. I love the summer time when I get to spend time with them and go on adventures. I love school time too, back to a routine, and learning and reading and writing, and seeing all the different ways they grow and mature. I am not ready for them to move on though. They are still my little babies! 

 Here are some family photos we took before school started.

Scooby Ruby Roo Turns THREE

My littlest baby girl turned three today. I am not sure how I feel about it. For all you mom's out there that have grown kids I am sure you remember when your youngest turned three and I think you were probably feeling the same as I am. I am so excited for her to get bigger and be more mobile, but I am so sad at the same time to be done with all things baby and for her to grow up. She is such a little princess, she loves to dress up and play with dolls and her animals! She really LOVES elephants and the color pink! She can make you smile or laugh and she has the sweetest giggle that is so easy for me to make!!

She loves this new watering can!!! She even helped water the plants this morning!

I love that smile!

Something cute to snuggle!!!

Dancing to Enchanted...

They were all falling down... this is her friend she calls Julietoo!

Ephraim was man enough to join the princesses!!!

Cheers!!

Our little composers!!