The Big 55

My sister in-law Holly warned me that my crazy answers to Daphney's questions (like the sky is sad and that is why it is raining) was going to cause more trouble, but I have not yet taken to answering questions as scientifically and accurately as Shane. 

This is when I learned my lesson....

Daphney is getting old enough that she is often asking me if she can NOT ride in her car seat. This particular time she asked me when exactly she would be able to ride without it, and I chose a fictional number that was so far into the future that I was sure I wouldn't have to worry about fallout from my answer. Surely by the time Daphney was five she would have forgotten and that seemed to fix the problem for now. However, the next day Daphney was again in the back row complaining that she was not going to sit in her seat. Her argument hinged on the fact that she was now five. I became exasperated with her logic and exasperatedly decided to play along and get to the bottom of this. 

Me- "Daphney, when did you turn five?!" Daph- "Yesterday I blew out five candles!!"

I laughed when I finally realized yes I could not deny the fact that Grandpa had allowed her to help blow out his candles to celebrate his 55th birthday yesterday and yes Grandma did use five candles instead of 55. Why did I have to say five?!!

At the Cabin

We got to go up and visit family in Idaho and Utah this month and the first week was spent in a Cabin enjoying the great outdoors. During this time my kids learned the art of snacking and ate very little of our planned meals. At one point I had told Daphney she couldn't have Oreos until she ate something healthier that was on the menu. After a long time of refusing she came over to me with a huge messy grin and fists full of her s'more. I mumbled, "Oh I am glad, you found a cookie to eat instead of the Oreo cookies," to which she quickly corrected, "No mom, this is a "sandwich."

Demitri's favorite part of this week was definitely riding the hogs. He loved them! Daphney and Shane are trying to combine their efforts and get a motorcycle.

I was so impressed watching Shane wake board. He never fails to amaze me!

That moose was so much closer in real life, so awesome and scary simultaneously! We saw many moose and even two baby and Momma moose.

Demitri loved the stuffed animal moose!

Park Fun

The Cutest Little Kid on the PLANET!!!

While swinging Demitri loved pretending to kick Grandpa.

We had so much fun playing at the park with family!

Frames for the Paintings

Four Parenthood Paintings are ready to be hung. Dad and I worked on these paintings out in his shop. It was a lot of fun learning and spending time with him. I love how the dark frames really make the colors pop! I have one more frame to fill; let me know if you have a suggestion of what animal to do!

Who need's a Zoo... when you have Neighbor's?!

While Heidi and Abi were at the Grandparent's house we decided to visit the neighbor's and see their collection of spring animals. 

Abi learned to tolerate the puppies.

 Sorry Abi for letting her drive you.... You only fell out once!

A solitary chicken egg!

Singing Primary Songs

When my grandfather passed away last year my cousins and I were invited to sing together at his funeral. Since then I have loved the song "I am trying to be like Jesus" and I love being able to tell Daphney all about him. I am so grateful for the choices and examples of my grandparents. 

Just in case you think Daphney is perfect and easy to get to sing more than once...

Understanding Frustration

Sometimes I think I must be gigantic and intimidating to those tiny kids.... but sadly not to my own.

Yesterday, I was trying to load and start the dishwasher and failing to do so, because Demitri kept unloading it faster than I was loading it. To help the situation Daphney decided to come over and close the dishwasher so Demitri could not play in it.

You can imagine how easy it is to load the dishes when it is repeatedly being unloaded and closed right?!

During this malfunction of communication I could not see my children's frustration as clearly as my own until finally Daphney turned to me and said, "You are killing me! You are really killing me, SMALLS!"


That kind of made my day. Me- someone who has had the nickname of "the beast" and "amazonian", being called "smalls" really made me chuckle.