Easter Eggstravaganza

Last Saturday, our HOA sponsored an Easter Egg hunt.  Last year's hunt didn't turn out too well (they started early, resulting in lots of angry parents), so our expectations this year were minimal.  We arrived extra early, just in case, and were rewarded with the first truly beautiful and warm spring day of the year.

There were three different egg hunts, divided into age categories: 3 & under, 4-7, and 8+.  That meant that Aubree and Bryce were together and Thane got to go with me (or I got to go with Thane...).  After reading news stories all week about aggressive parents trampling kids at egg hunts, I was impressed with how calm and happy all the kids and parents were able to stay over the course of the event.

When the "Go" was sounded (a minute late, just to be safe), Thane had no problem figuring out what to do with the eggs and quickly filled his basket.  We even managed to find the golden egg, which earned him an extra prize - an Easter basket with a big rubber ball.  

As I helped Thane, I tried to keep an eye on the bigger kid section to see how Aubree and Bryce were doing.  Aubree ran off with the herd of kids and was busily filling her basket.  It took me a while to locate Bryce, and when I finally did see him, I noticed that he was still at the beginning of the egg hunt area.  Concerned that he'd gotten overwhelmed alone in a crowd of big kids, I called him to come over to join Thane and I (reasoning that he'd just barely turned 4).  However, when he got closer I noticed by his overflowing basket that he hadn't been overwhelmed at all - just methodical.  I think he got the most eggs of all my kids.

After the hunt, which was absolutely wonderful and far exceeded our expectations, we stayed at the park with friends enjoying the weather as long as we possibly could without completely missing lunch and Thane's nap.

Easter morning when the kids woke up, I took them to the table to show them gifts that had been left.  We don't really do the Easter Bunny, per se, and haven't made a big deal about Easter baskets before. This was evident in Aubree's response, "what are those for?"  I didn't have a great answer, but they were thrilled with their church themed gifts and that's a tradition I think we'll keep up (because, honestly, the last thing my kids need is more toys or stuff).

Then we went downstairs for our traditional home Easter egg hunt.  I forgot that we usually do that on Saturdays.  Oh well.  It's fun for them to search through familiar play places to find eggs and again, Thane had no problem figuring out what to do.

Then we had a specially requested breakfast of cinnamon rolls and got ready for church.  (That's Captain Moroni with the Title of Liberty looking on. His sword didn't last much longer...)

Thane wouldn't stay in his seat...

And unhappily suffered the consequence.

Mark had the opportunity to give a talk in church on the Atonement and did a great job, even though he hates public speaking.  We had friends over for a big Easter dinner, and, according to tradition, I totally spaced taking pictures of the kids in their Easter finery (I think I remembered right after they all fell asleep).

Party Like You're Turning Four

Tomorrow is Bryce's 4th birthday.  Unlike his sister, he decided he did want to have a birthday party.  I tried to convince him to choose some other great "option," but had a hard time coming up with anything extra enticing (Florida had some pretty awesome activities to choose from).  So, yesterday we had our first foray into hosting a birthday party bash.

Overall, I'd say it was solidly mediocre.  Though I was tempted to fly out my sister Kira (party planner extraordinaire), we somehow managed on our own.  We had ten 3-4 year-old boys and girls running rather wildly through the house.  I think Bryce was a little overwhelmed with all the excitement and noise, because he was very hesitant to participate in the games and activities.  

The food and table decorations turned out well (thank you, Pinterest!).  The games needed a lot more work.  We'll just say there is lots of room for improvement (which is a good thing, since Aubree is already planning her next birthday, saying they'll be no other "options" this year).

I stole borrowed the cake idea from a friend who is (or should be) a professional cake decorator.  Her version turned out much better than mine, but Bryce was thrilled with how his cake turned out and that's all that matters.  Speaking of cakes, in the year since Bryce's third birthday when I made him a train cake, he's consistently told me he wanted the same cake for his 4th birthday, only with Gordon heading into the tunnel instead of Thomas heading out of the tunnel.  When I saw my friend's cake a couple weeks ago, I called Aubree over suggesting that we do that cake for her birthday.  She was unimpressed.  Bryce, however, came running over and immediately declared, "I want that cake for my birthday."  Done!  It was much easier than the train cake!

I think the kids had a good time.  Bryce says he had fun, even if he did hang back more than usual.  When it was time to open presents, he opened every gift to a chorus of "Open it! Open it! Open it!"  

******

As soon as the party was over and all his friends went home, we loaded up into the car and drove over to my Aunt Deanna's for party #2, a family celebration of all the March birthdays.  This meant more fun, and more cake, and more presents.  I think my kids were in heaven.  

It was a beautiful day (thank you, Spring, for finally gracing us with your presence), so they spent a lot of time outside playing with their cousins.  They came home simultaneously exhausted and wired.

Today was a more low-key day, but Bryce got to choose his favorite dinner - tortellini.  We'll continue our birthday festivities tomorrow.  Aubree and Bryce have been anxiously anticipating these "three days of celebration" for weeks.

Q & A, & Q

I've received a number of questions regarding my current pregnancy, so I thought I'd take a minute and answer them.

Q. Where is Aubree in the "bun in the oven" picture?

A. Someone had to be the photographer, and Aubree graciously agreed.  

Q. How far along are you now?

A. 14 weeks.  I may look much further along, but don't be fooled (my midwife kindly commented that that's normal for later pregnancies, and I'm choosing to believe her). ;)

Q. How are you feeling?

A. Much better, thank you very much!  The first trimester and I don't get along too well.  Granted, I have it WAY easier than many of my friends and family who are sick for the whole 9 months.  I "only" felt pretty pukey from about weeks 5-10.  But 5 weeks of nausea is more than enough in my opinion.  Oh, and whoever decided to call it "morning sickness" is an idiot.

In addition to feeling icky, the biggest symptom I struggled with was complete and constant exhaustion.  I told Mark I just wanted to "sleep until Valentine's Day," and I'm pretty sure I could have done it too!  The fatigue is slowly easing, but it's still a battle.

I'll admit that I give myself a lot of leeway during my first trimesters.  I hold myself to a very low standard -  the kids are fed and safe?  Great! Mission complete.  Blogging? Church Calling? Socializing? Cleaning? Serving? Keeping up with friends and family?  Extra trips or activities?  Bare. Minimum.  

Now that I'm solidly in my second trimester, I'm slowly trying to pick up the pieces and get back to a semblance of normal.

Q. Is Aubree over-the-moon excited? 

A.  Anyone who knows Aubree can answer this question without hesitation.  She was born to be a big sister and "over-the-moon excited" is probably a very apt description.  She's taken it upon herself to ensure that EVERYONE knows our big news.  If she sees me talking to a friend or acquaintance or stranger, she immediately whispers in my ear, "did you tell them yet?" 

Q.  Do the boys care?

A.  Thane? Not so much.  When he hears us talking about a baby, he looks around for a few seconds, but then probably assumes we're all nuts as their clearly is no baby in the room and continues about his normal monkey business.

Bryce, on the other hand, is very excited.  When we first asked him if he wanted a baby girl or boy, he answered boy, but quickly changed his mind to girl because, "we already have two boys and only one girl."  He's maintained that stance, and even suggested we name her "Loris."

The first day after hearing the news, however, he was quite concerned about the idea that the baby was in my "tummy." Every time the topic of the baby would come up (which, with Aubree around was frequently), he'd scrunch up his face and ask seriously, "the baby's not really in your tummy, right Mom?? You're just teasing about that, RIGHT?"  

After a day of thinking and talking about it, he came around to accepting the crazy idea, and now tells everyone very intently, "my mom has a baby right here" (said while rubbing his own belly).

Q. Any guess about baby's gender?

Mark's not the guessing type. 

Aubree says, "I really want a girl, but I think it's probably a boy." 

I knew, 100%, that Aubree was a girl.  I was 80% sure that Bryce was a boy.  I was also sure that Thane was a girl.  Oops.  

This time around? I'd say I'm about 60% boy, 40% girl.  When I imagine Autumn-time, I see myself with Aubree and three little boys.  BUT, with all my siblings, all the boys were born in the first 6 months of the year, and all the girls were born in the last 6 months.  So far my 3 kids have followed the same pattern.  That suggests girl.  We'll find out for sure April 16.  

Q. Are you going to find out the baby's gender?

A. Do you know me at all?  OF COURSE!  The Midwife had the audacity to suggest that we'd find out, "if the baby cooperated."  

Excuse me?  Who says the baby has a choice about whether he/she will cooperate?! ;)

Q. Did you always know you wanted four?

A. We always thought we'd want at least four.  And the answer to the inevitable follow-up question?  No, we're probably not done.

Q. You must have the patience of a saint! 

A. (Granted this was a statement, but I think it warrants a response.)  Ha!  Haaaaa, Haaaaaa, HAAAAAA!!! *snort

Now for a couple questions:

Q. When a fairly regular blogger suddenly falls of the face of the Earth, do you wonder if she might be pregnant?  

I do, so I tried to throw up a blog (pathetic though it might have been) at least once in a while to try to avoid excess suspicion.

Q. Is it possible to turn from a "night person" to a "morning person?"

I've heard of morning people becoming night owls, but haven't heard success stories the other way around.  A couple months ago, I was up having breakfast with the boys (who are incurable "up-with-the-sunners"), and noticed the sunrise.  Instead of marveling at the beauty, I found myself grumbling, "I don't want to see the sun come up! I want to be asleep." (waaaaaahh)  Pathetic, I know.

I also recently came across my journals from High School (another topic entirely!).  I was amused by how frequently I mentioned hating getting up for seminary.  Seminary itself was fine.  It was just the getting up part I hated.

Daddy of the Year

This evening I was calling Mark to dinner. "Daddy! ... Mar-ark! ... Oh, Daddy of the Year!"
At this point, Aubree chimed in.  "Daddy of the Year?!," she retorted in mock seriousness, "isn't he the same Daddy we had last year?  Are we going to have a different Daddy next year?!"

She fancies herself quite the clever comedian.

VIP Weekend

After a long, boring week (it was "Mid-Winter Break" for the schools around here, so all our "extra" activities were cancelled), we had a super weekend to make up for the monotony.  On Saturday Aubree and I took off for a day in Seattle, while the boys stayed with Mark for a "Boy's Day" at home.  From what I gather, they spent their time playing inside, playing outside, making treats, building train tracks, and riding scooters.

Aubree and I made our first stop of the day at a big gymnastics meet (Battle in Seattle) where my Aunt Sue was a judge.  She'd arranged to get us tickets, but (to Aubree's great joy) we didn't just get tickets, we got lanyards with VIP passes.   I had to explain to Aubree what "VIP" stood for, but since then she's worn her lanyard constantly.  

I don't get to see Aunt Sue often (she lives in California), so it was a treat to have a little while to visit with her.  

By pure luck, Aubree's gymnastics teacher happened to be competing in the Meet at the exact time we were there to watch.  Aubree followed her around the gym in awe of her skill.

After the Meet, we stopped for lunch and then went to the Paramount Theater to watch the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast (we got those tickets through our home-school parent-partner school).  Aubree adores watching plays.  She proudly told me she's seen three in the last 2 months.  It was amazing!  Granted, our seats were in the nose-bleed section (I didn't know they had a nose-bleed section at the Theater, but I do now), but it was still fabulous.  

Sunday we had an extra chance to spend a little time with Aunt Sue before she flew home.  She brought each kid a set of flashing sunglasses from the gymnastics meet, and immediately won their affection.  Soon they'd recruited her to play "Monster" and refused to give her a moment's peace the rest of the morning or afternoon.  They're already asking when she can visit again.

Climbing the Walls

See this handsome man?

He's a monkey.  And you know what they say about monkeys....

Monkey See,

Monkey Do.

(not his best effort, but the best I could get on camera)

I Heart You

Ah, Valentine's Day.  What's not to like about a cheesy holiday centered around writing notes for people we love, showing that we care, and sharing chocolate?

Our Valentine celebrations began in an a-typical way this year.  In our Homeschool Co-op, Aubree is taking an anatomy class.  Her clever teacher chose the class right before Valentine's Day to talk about (what else?) the heart.  But, did they only talk about the heart?  Oh no.  They made a replica of the heart (chambers, valves and all) out of water bottles.  A-mazing!  

Each kid assembled their heart models and took them home to share their experiment with their families. In addition to the heart, each kid had a bottle of red and blue water, to represent the oxygenated and unoxygenated blood.  We poured the "blood" into the appropriate chambers, started the heart "pumping" (thanks, Mark), and watched the bloody show.  Fabulous.  And this, my friends, is why joining a co-op is worthwhile.

After that exciting beginning, we went the more traditional celebration route.  I managed to take pictures of a few of our activities...

Making and decorating sugar cookies (always a fan favorite):

Making Valentine's for friends (heart necklaces for the girls this year - thank you Oriental Trading...):

Bryce's weekly Preschool co-op (a separate activity from our Homeschool Co-op), met on Valentine's Day and the kids had a wonderful party.  I even came away with a Noodle Necklace as a gift (and I looooovvvvveee noodle necklaces [for real]).  Here is a picture of Bryce with the boys in his "class."  

Mechanic-in-law

Earlier this month we started to have trouble with our mini-van.  We took it to the repair shop and learned we needed a new radiator.  After getting a quote for parts and labor, I sent a quick text to my brother-in-law Seth asking for a second opinion, "does this seem appropriate?"

I expected him to write back, "yep, bite the bullet and pay the bill."

Instead, he essentially responded, "no way, fly me up and I can get it done for a quarter of that price."  Good joke, right?

Would you believe that it actually ended up being less expensive to buy him a plane ticket to fly up from California (with a new radiator in his checked luggage) than the original repair quote?  Plus (plus!!), he brought my sister, Katie, and their two little girls with them (ages 22 months and 4 weeks - so they both fly free).  So, not only did we save money on getting the car fixed, we also got to visit with the Harps for the weekend and meet their brand new baby, Piper!

I like to think it was a win-win situation because Katie and Seth were celebrating their 5-year wedding Anniversary that weekend and had wanted to do something different and fun.  We watched their girls while they spend Saturday evening exploring downtown Seattle and trying not to freeze their California bums off.

They arrived Friday evening and left Monday, so it was a short trip.  I had wanted to do a few touristy things with them, but Mother Nature had other ideas.  A snow storm blew in Saturday night, so we spent our time playing in the snow instead.  

Seth taught Bryce and Aubree how to build a snowman and have a proper snowball fight.  They idolize him.

Thane chased Anna around the yard until she decided she'd had enough of snow and was ready to go back inside.

Adorable baby Piper fell asleep every time I held her and found a permanent place in my heart.  

Despite the fact that Katie is super-woman (did I mention Piper was only 4 weeks old?), we still managed to wipe her out.  Late nights playing games and talking will do that.  

Oh yeah, and of course Seth fixed our van perfectly.  I guess he's superman.

Now I just need to continue my genius plan to get them to move up here and be my neighbor...

Snow Fun and s'NOw Fun

Seattle only gets snow about one or two weeks a year, which I generally consider to be just the right amount to enjoy, without having to deal with it on a regular basis.  Since snow is a relatively rare occurrence, when it started to snow last weekend, the kids were delighted.  And since this year we actually have proper snow gear, it actually was rather delightful to get out and play in the fluffy white stuff.

It took a few days to build up a tolerance and understanding of how to play in the snow, but after three or four days, we finally managed to stay out and play for a couple hours (most days we'd top out at 30 min. to an hour - we still have some Florida left in us, I guess).

Aubree and Bryce's favorite activity was throwing snow balls at each other, a remnant of their time with Uncle Seth (more on that soon).  Aubree could also frequently be found eating snow and building snow castles.  Thane did great the first few days, but as the snow drifts got deeper, he got frustrated that he couldn't keep his footing and kept falling down.

Unfortunately, the good times were not destined to continue.  Wednesday night the temperature warmed up just enough that instead of snow, we received significant amounts of freezing rain.  We woke up to find all of our trees coated with at least an inch of ice on every branch.  After eating breakfast, the kids and I were looking out the window at all the crazy looking trees and bushes, when, CRASH!, right before our eyes (and only 3 feet away), the tree in our front yard fell (roots and all) onto the ground.  Thankfully it fell away from the house and didn't hit any people or property.  Bryce's immediate response was to cry.  Not because he was scared, but because, as he stated, "I really didn't want that tree to fall."  My immediate response was to think, "it's days like these when I'm really glad we're just renting."

Also, since Seattle doesn't get snow often, when snow does come, the whole city essentially shuts down.  Snow plows? What are they?  So, from Tuesday on, Mark was working from home.  That started out really well (the kids didn't know he was home), and got progressively more difficult for a variety of reasons.  After the tree fell on Thursday, Mark came running upstairs and commented, "what do we need to do to prepare for a power outage, because with this weather, it's bound to happen."

Within a couple hours, his prediction proved true.  The first day without power wasn't too bad, I guess.  We have a gas fireplace that we could turn on when it got too cold and bundled up in lots of blankets.  Of course, we had cold cereal for dinner, but we were relatively safe and warm.

Though outside our home might have looked a little like it had been hit by a hurricane, Mark and I realized that the biggest difference between losing your power due to a Florida hurricane compared to an Washington ice-storm, is that in Washington there's a very simple trick to save all your fridge and freezer food from spoiling - put it outside.

The storm continued that night, albeit more mildly.  I spent many hours laying awake listening to trees crack and fall.  In the morning we discovered all the trees in our backyard looking suspiciously like weeping willows.  The power was still out and the kids and I had been cooped up* in the house since Monday (because all of our regular activities had been cancelled and the roads were impassible).  Mark braved the roads to work and I decided we were going to get out and do something no matter what! (*As a brief aside - this week taught me an important lesson: no social interaction makes Erin a very grumpy and unmotivated person).

So we trekked to Target and had (a hot!) lunch and gathered what additional supplies we might need for an extended power outage.  When we returned home, we were thrilled (beyond thrilled), to discover the power had returned.  Hurray!!!  Hurray for power!!  Oh, I feel like such a spoiled wimp, but I really, really like electricity.  Some people in our ward are still without power and I feel so bad for them (and I'm also really thankful it's not us).  Regardless, I'm pretty much done with snow this year.  

Christmas Day 2011

Once I learned the "truth" about Santa, I immediately enlisted myself as "Santa's helper."  I loved staying up late on Christmas Eve helping my mom wrap presents and set out piles of gifts (because, even if everyone isn't getting much, with 10 people in the family, there were always piles of presents).  There was nothing I liked more than seeing the living room sparkling in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, filled with festively wrapped presents, and somehow, alive with joy and excitement.

Fast forward twenty years - nothing much has changed.  

Christmas Eve, when the kids are nestled snug in their beds, is still one of my favorite times.  While Santa may not figure strongly in our celebration (I still haven't quite decided what I want to think/do about that part of Christmas...this year I didn't put "from Santa" on any of the gifts, and nobody noticed or commented), there is still a strong element of anticipation and surprise.  

For starters, with the exception of gifts we receive in the mail from family and friends, I don't put any other gifts under the tree before Christmas morning.  Part of that is because the boys are still small and I don't entirely trust their ability to refrain from unwrapping said gifts, but the main reason is that I love the dramatic shift from "hardly anything" to "full to bursting."  I love the amazement I see in my kids' eyes when they come into the living room first thing Christmas morning and are greeted with a transformed and entirely wonderful sight.  I like it so much, that I even send Mark to bed before I'm "finished" so he can have some of the surprise too.  Although, this year, I had a midnight helper, who apparently couldn't wait till morning to see the wonderment.

Since Christmas fell on Sunday this year, we felt we needed to be a little more proactive in making plans for how the day might progress.  Since church began at 11, we worked backward and determined that the kids could get up at 7 and open presents for an hour.  Then we'd stop for breakfast and get ready for church and finish opening gifts when we got home from church.

Of course, the kids were all up before 7, but we managed to (just barely) hold them back till the appointed time.  Due to a poorly timed potty break, I missed witnessing the moment they saw the transformed living room.  Devastating (silly, I know, but it really made me sad).

First, we always open stockings.  I love stockings!  It's so fun to fill them with little treasures and treats; little, usually simple things that might be meaningful to the receiver.  

  Even Grandma and Grandpa had stockings and it was great to have them celebrate the day with our little family.  On Thane and Bryce's Christmas pajamas, it reads, "What Santa Doesn't Bring Me, Grandma Will," and boy was that ever true!  

Once done with stockings, we progressed to opening gifts one at a time, from youngest to oldest.  Thane had no problem figuring out how to open his presents - he tore in with a toddler's delight and energy.  However, once he got the present unwrapped, he was more interested in throwing away the wrapping paper than in the gift itself.  He took his "job" of throwing away everyone's wrapping paper very seriously.  He's his father's son.

Thane's favorite gifts were probably bath toys (including replacement bath drums for the ones that finally met their demise after 5 years of loyal service).  Though, he also loves the Legos (Duplos) we added to our (vast) collection and his Wedgits (a seriously cool toy).

Thane spent most of the present opening time wandering from person to person asking for snacks and treats.  When he came to me asking for a package of fruit snacks, I happily unwrapped one, only to hear from Mark, "I already gave him two packages."  Then Grandpa piped up, "I shared one with him too."  Then Aubree, "me too!"  Clever little beggar.

Bryce greeted the morning with pure delight.  Everything thrilled him.   He got a bright orange beanie in his stocking and promptly put it on his head and left it there all morning.  His favorite gift was a fabulous Viking ship from Grandma and Grandpa Winters (don't be confused if he tells you he got a pirate ship, he won't be persuaded that it's actually a Viking ship).  He also loves his new Car Mat/Rug and plays with it all the time.

By now, Aubree's a professional when it comes to Christmas morning.  She orchestrated handing out all the presents (and quickly discovered that I'd wrapped each person's gifts in their own special wrapping paper) and helped coordinate who was next in line to open a gift.  She was properly excited with all her gifts, though she certainly had favorites, including: a snow globe, a container full of fancy rocks, and new books, nail polish and chapstick from her cousin, Cambrie (who knows exactly what Aubree likes).

My favorite gift was a picture frame from my amazing sister, Kira.  She put a quote on the frame from Alma, "We do not doubt our mother's knew it."  I've always wanted to put that quote on a board or a wall, but on a picture frame where I can put my kids' picture too??  Worlds better!!  Kira's a genius!  I cried when I opened the gift, it's so perfect.  I'm going to hang it in my bedroom where I will see it everyday as a reminder of what I hope my kids can one day say about me.

Surprisingly, we finished opening all the gifts just before 8 am.  I remember it taking 2 full days to open gifts when Aubree was younger.  It's amazing how much different it is to have older kids setting the tone and providing the example.  Thane didn't seem to get overwhelmed at all.

It was a very good day.