Images from May Quiz #1

What is in our siding?

A. Burned Chicken wings.

B. A Roof Shingle.

C. Newspaper

D. A Shovel

The answer is B : Roof Shingle

How did it get there?

A. J and H wanted to make and ladder to the roof.

B. An incredible wind/tornado storm.

C. Our neighbors did it.

D. None of the above.

B. A tornado storm--we went down to the basement until the sirens called gave us the all clear. We will need a new roof and new siding.

This concludes the test--how did you do?

I know what a privilege it is to mother . . .

A child that is different, that needs extra help, that amazes you all the time. They cause you worry, then wonder, then worry again.

A year ago, GG was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. The sweet child who can read, sing songs, play the piano, is amazing. She plans to go out for ice cream with Jesus when he comes again. She loves to twirl, dance, and play in water. Each day is a mixture between delight and worry! Sometimes I am completely overwhelmed, and other days extremely amazed that I am allowed to be this little girls mother!

When she was first diagnosed, I didn't know what to do to help her--I received a clear answer--read the scriptures to her! Every night I read The Book of Mormon--I think that was really for me, as a way for the Lord to let me know by the spirit that she was an amazing child, and I was doing the best for her!

GG learning how to read--she has an amazing visual memory. When she learns a word, she learns it by sight and has it in her memory forever!

I typed up and cut out the words to Brown Bear, a book she had memorized. By the end of our session--she knew all the words!

Every once in awhile she loves to ham it up for the cameras. This was her photo shoot!

For Mother's Day, she went up and sang three Mother's Day songs in church. Neither of the boys wanted to perform--but for some reason that doesn't bother her. I think she almost does better when she is going to "perform"!

She has really blossomed these past 15 months since we've gone through the process of therapy and interventions--may she continue, but not loose her GGness.

I love being this boy's mom!

Now sometimes this child enrolls me in Parenting 505, and at other times I only have to be enrolled in Parenting 101 class. It's when I am enrolled in parenting 505 that I learn the most. I mean the most patience, the most reliance on the Lord, the most of who he really is and who I really am.

This past year he has gotten braces with an expander. I amazed at his bravery! It's been tough at times, but with Motrin, snuggles, and the Lord we have learned how to cope! These are all important lessons for an 8 year old to learn!

I love this kid, and an proud of him--bravery is a hard thing to learn, and it must be continually relearned--but I know he will do it!

I love being this boy's mom!

This kid loves dinosaurs. So when we had an opportunity to go on a field trip together to see dinosaurs--we jumped on it! He loved every minute of it. He knows so much information about the dinosaurs--that he was able to soak up even more information!

One morning he woke up and wrote his very own story--he followed the pattern of Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see--to describe his tree, flowers, caterpillars and other bugs in our front yard. After teaching 2nd grade, I do know how amazing this is!

He and his brother want to make movies together. They will be great at it!

This winter he took skating lessons! It was fun to watch him figure out how to do the swizzles, glides, one foot glides ect, ect. He want to take lessons again in the fall. He should pick it up again easily!

The artist! His Pointalism horse was exhibited at a real art museum. I love that the art museum does this, and am thankful that he had an art teacher that took the time and effort to have artwork displayed. Way to go!

A close up shot of the boy and the picture.

Don't get me wrong--he can be a bear and has a temper. Some of it stems from his being so good at everything, and trying to be good at everything. Other times it is because of lack of sleep, or just the need to get out and run.

In addition, he decided at Thanksgiving to be a Vegetarian, and has kept to his vow! He doesn't eat much candy because it is bad for him (I don't know who taught him that!) He started reading the Book of Mormon by himself--which takes a lot of patience on my part. He is amazing and will be able to do anything he puts his mind to--and more amazing no one will be able to change his mind! I just hope and pray that he continues to make a lot of great choices!

Harry Potter Party!

When the kids arrived, they had an owl "deliver" a supply list. Then they went to Gringott's Bank on Diagon Alley to receive their money. They, like Harry Potter, had to go underneath the entrance into the vault. We carefully zoomed them down the stairs into the vault! After they received their money, they went shopping. They bought wands, potion supplies, and a beginning spell book. Everyone was able to decorate their own wands.

Part 2: Sorting and Feast

Each wizard and witch was sorted, and then they went to the feast!!!

Ravenclaw Table!

The different houses!

There were no Slytherins at the party, well unless you include Professor Snape.

The true Griffendors!

Hufflepuffs--the friendly table!

The best part of the party was the potions class. Mike did a great job of setting it up. Each wizard or witch had their own mason jar and ingredients. They mixed it all up! The potion bubbled over everything!

GG loved being apart of the party!

One of H's friends! He hadn't read any of the Harry Potter books, but who can't love an exploding potion!

They added different crystals to the basic potions, so each potion turned out slightly different in color.

After potions class, we had a basic spells class--where they learned some spells to help them with the obstacle course. The obstacle course with balance beams, spinners, climbing, jumping, and kicking also included: Boggarts, Dementors, Death Eaters, and fire. The wizards had to use the correct spells to pass each obstacle!

I love the simpleness--the lighting scar!

We also made Butterbeer--too sweet for me but it was still fun!!!! We had a great time--so fun to create with everyone's help a fun party! H and J contributed many ideas and helped with the cleaning, sign making, and organizing the party! Mike was a life saver--and the potions class was a blast. I had fun making the spell books for each child. I wonder what the theme will be next year?

They grow up too fast--but sometimes they come back

I took my three children to one of these! (I didn't take any pictures because I was rather busy.) My two boys ran off together into their world of imagination. Running everywhere defending the universe from the bosses. I followed my little, but tall) three year old all around. Jumping on the air mattress, crawling through tunnels, sliding down twisty slides. I wish I had brought knee pads as I crawled through the tunnels. I even sometimes looked longingly at the mothers reading their books on the sidelines--wondering when I would be able to just watch. Then quickly reminding myself that the time will come and I will be sad. Then it happened. My little girl went on her own, climbed to the top of the tower all by herself, went down the slides, went through the tunnels, and I just watched from the sidelines. I didn't really know how to feel. Proud that she had done it on her own, yet at the same time I felt abandonned. Then her voice rang out clear, "Come on, Mommy!" Of course I followed her up the winding staircase, not envying those mothers on the sidelines, and glad that my knees hurt!

I like my birthdays everyone!

On H's birthday my dad took him and two of his cousins to the dinosaur museum. Then he went out to eat! When he got home, I asked him what he had to eat, he said, "milkshake and cheese fries." He was very happy!

We had a lot of family come in for H's big day. We moved his birthday celebration to Friday when the family was going to be here. Both sets of grandparents and two sets of cousins were there. My brother and his wife drove from Pittsburgh for the weekend, and we have one set of cousins that live here. It was fun to have everyone!

The traditional scripture cake for the 8 year old.

H loves the 2000 warriors! This is such a great scripture for this kid. He has so many phobias: heights, talking in front of people, having people put their hands into his mouth. He has to conquer each of these phobias every time he wants to go down a slide, have me turn his expander, give a talk at church. Never have I seen so great courage. . . .

There they are: father and son. I love how worthy dad's get to baptize their children. It is such a joy. There was a lot of work getting ready for this special day---and it turned out wonderful!

Our family. GG certainly knows how to put on the charm. I was desperately trying to loose weight to fit into the skirt--I didn't quite make it but wore it anyways--oh well.