It's another girl

We took the kids to the ultra sound. Even though they were all hoping for a boy, they have been good sports about another sister. I'm glad that the ultra sound means we are half way done and hopefully I'll be feeling relatively better soon. Seven is a good number: lucky number seven; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; seven kids in the Von Trapp family; the Magnificent Seven. I don't think we'll have another chance for a boy.

The kids have been AMAZING! The last few months have been a blur to me, but somehow the house is staying pretty clean and when I had to fill out their monthly home school report I was surprised at how much they have gotten done. The credit all goes to them. They've been carrying on without me.

Emma loves to dance. I can't wait to see her in the Nutcracker. Megan loves mutual and Michael has Chris Baugh as his new scout leader. Merian's teacher told her at conference that she is the best writer in the class. Derek loves studying geography. He was in heaven when we had a unit with pictures of mountains last week. That inspired me to make a mountain/volcano cake for his birthday. We formed a vanilla ice cream mound and covered it with brownies. The candles on top were the fire. Eliza is a very cheerful girl and is constantly singing. Her life is a musical. There's a quick update. I need to write more often because I know there are things I've wanted to write, but can't remember now.

I got to go to Michael's soccer game on Saturday. He is really getting into it and doing a great job. It was FREEZING! but all the boys still did their best. When it was time to leave he pleasantly surprised me by picking up my camping chair and carried it to the car for me. What a gentleman! I love that guy.

Emma also had her first Nutcracker performance on Saturday. She said it was so much fun. She was really cute in her part.

Megan has been memorizing her part for Tombstone Tales. It is a living history program put on the CREHST museum. I can't wait to see her performance!

I'm not writing as much as I should! I need to get the kids to do it.

But I just wanted to record that after I took Marian to school I was laying down on the couch. Derek went upstairs, got a blanket from the girls bed and covered me up. Then he asked if I wasn't feeling well. He is so sweet.

One of Eliza's favorite things to say lately is, "what are you doing?"

Uncle Philip and Aunt Erin, or Big Edna as she has the kids affectionately call her, are here for Aunt Kim's wedding and we have been busy. Yesterday we went swimming at Memorial while Michael was in swim lessons. (He is getting so muscular with all the marching and swimming!) Then we had a picnic of Little Caesars pizza before going to pick blueberries. The kids imagined they were Indians. Our family alone picked eight pounds. We've been eating them all day and even had buttermilk blueberry pancakes for dinner.

Today we went to the sprinkler park. Eliza saw a seagull and grabbed my hand. As we followed it she kept saying "bird." She was excited to see it closer but careful not to scare it away.

I've been giving the kids each a night to plan and help prepare dinner. They have fun looking through the cookbooks and making their lists. I hope this is something we can make a habit of. Merian chose to make a whole chicken, something I have never done before. I always just get the boneless skinless chicken tenders from Costco. I feel they are healthy, a reasonable price and I don't have to mess with all the junk the icky that comes with a whole bird. So the kids were pretty impressed when Merian and I got it out of the package and into the crock pot. Derek took it all in. He and Emma were a little bit grossed out, I think. Merian was very excited and happy. When we got to dinner she said, "we're eating a real live chicken." Derek, who usually loves chicken refused. "I'm not going to eat a dead bird," he said with disbelief each time we asked if he wanted some. He served himself some mashed potatoes and then asked for the "sauce" (gravy).

Megan has been babysitting a lot lately and Michael even got to take a job that she was called for because she was at another job. With all their activities and things, it's kind of ironic. Just as soon as I got babysitters, they're gone all the time! I'm excited for them. It's fun to see them become more independent and watch their abilities increase.

With Megan and Michael gone all the time Emma has stepped up to be a wonderful helper. She makes my life easier and more fun! I keep telling her she makes me heart smile while I watch her do all the nice, mature, service that she does.

Emma and Merian are done with tennis and, along with Megan, will start swimming lessons next week. We went to Memorial pool as a family last night to let Merian try out the pool since she was a bit nervous. She was brave, learned that she can touch the bottom with her tippy toes and it now excited to go again! Derek kept wanting to go down the slide. I'll have to get him into swimming lessons starting next session.

Michael is going to march in the Fourth of July parade tomorrow. I think he is enjoying himself. I'll have to see about getting him private lessons for next year.

I love eating lunch at the park each day. Because I'm not busy fixing lunch or cleaning up afterwards, I get to talk with the kids and really listen to them. It is so much fun!

I love, love, LOVE summer! The greatest thing about being a mom is staying home with the kids in the summer time. I get to go to the pool, the park, the library, out to Sonics, the free movies, to play in the sun, to occasionally relax in the warm afternoons by reading, taking a nap or watching a movie with the kids. I'm looking forward to our camping trips and any other day trips or adventures we decide to take. I am so lucky! It's like being a kid again!

On Thursday we went to the wading pool while Michael was in swim team. I was surprised by how brave Eliza was. The water does not bother her at all. She could fall or have a wave go over her head and she's just up and laughing. She wanted to crawl around like Emma and Merian and wanted to be in the middle like them, even though it is deeper there. When Emma tried to lead her closer to the side she gave her trademark, "no!" She doesn't really shout it but she is sure of herself. Later that day while we were eating lunch at the park she was excited to finish so she could throw her garbage away. She had so much fun she threw everyone else's away too!

Megan got back from girls camp today. The leaders all told me how cute and happy she is. She's just everyone's favorite!

Michael is enjoying summer band and swim team. I'm so proud of all his hard work!

Derek has been telling knock, knock jokes all day. He is so funny!

Emma and Merian recently got a queen bed from Grandma Lewis. It worked out great because they were sharing a twin bed anyway. Now they are even off the ground! To celebrate they have been doing an extra good job of keeping there room clean. They're awesome!

Did I get everybody? Here is a sample of our daily summer schedule so we can remember it years from now.

5:00 I get up, go running, clean the house
6:30 Nate leaves for work so he can get home early and be with us!
Wake up Meg and Mike
7:00 Meg and Mike leave for summer band
7:15 Wake up Emma and Merian
7:45 Leave for tennis
Derek and Eliza ride scooters and play with Asher during tennis
9:15 Get home, tidy rooms, practice piano, laundry (the kids are starting to do their own, I hope this helps with the piles that sometimes/often accumulate inside/outside the laundry room), school work, Grandma Lewis comes over to work with Merian
10:00 Snack
10:30 Leave to pick up Meg and Mike
Swim team/play at Memorial park or in the wadding pool
11:45 Kids eat lunch at the park
12:30 Reading time/nap time
Quiet time/chore/project
3:00 Snack
Start dinner, the kids are going to take turns helping me
5:00 Dinner

We are planning on making each night of the week for something. Monday is FHE, the rest of the nights can be designated for yard work, swimming, family bike rides, and other fun things.

I didn't include going to Sonics for Happy Hour (this usually co insides with mowing the lawn), the bookmobile and park, mowing the lawn, the water park, and other fun thing we are doing.

Like I said in the beginning, I love summer! I hope I love home school just as much!

Megan left for girls' camp early yesterday morning. She was excited and happy to go. It's like the first day of kindergarten. I was kind of sad to let her go. It's just one of those things that force me to realize that she'll not be here forever and that the rest of the kids will too quickly follow. On Sunday she graduated from primary. The bishop called her to the front during sacrament meeting and she recited the third article of faith. She also sang with the Young Women.

Meg and Mike are both in summer band and Michael is in swim team. He is going to be gaining some muscles with all the exercise they have him doing!

Yesterday Eliza wanted something that Derek had. She was whining so I reminded her that if she asked nicely Derek might share. Derek followed our usual ritual: "Lizie, say, Derek...(she copies along, usually it is "may I please...) is...awesome." He shared with her. That kids is amazing with a scooter. We have to get him one of his own.

Gotta go wake up the girls for tennis!

In the nursery, we are not allowed to have very many toys. This Sunday Derek decided he would take matters into his own hands when it came to his boredom. He wanted to bring his blanket to church. I thought that maybe the overcast skies made him think it was cold outside. During sacrament meeting he put the blanket on the floor and sat on it. He wanted Asher to come and sit on it too, but made him get back up on the bench. He seemed so happy to have been able to bring his blanket. When we got to nursery, he arranged chairs in a circle and then put his blanket over the top to make a fort. He and Asher played in it mostly, but other kids did too. He was so good and didn't really get mad when Ella kept trying to stand on the top. He shared it with the other boys and when it was time to put it away so we could use the chairs for snack he didn't mind. I love that guy!!!

He has gotten so easy to reason with which makes life a whole lot easier. He is always thinking. He has interesting ideas. Yesterday he put two of the little bush plants on the back of his tricycle and drove around in circles. He takes really care of "Lizzie" and I love that he gave her that nick-name, it's the name she prefers.

Eliza is now sharing a room with the girls. She has been in there for three nights and slept all the night in there for the past two. When she woke up yesterday morning she pointed out the butterflies on the walls. Maybe being in a big girls room will help her like this change.

Yesterday Megan turned 12! Today she gets to go to mutual and next week she will be leaving for girls' camp. We had Aubree and Marinda over for pizza and then went to see Up in 3D. (Aubree had to leave after dinner because she had a softball game.)

Michael and Nate went to Cub camp yesterday. Both Michael and Megan are growing up!

Emma and Merian are in tennis right now. They seem to be having fun.

Emma is becoming so wonderful. It's amazing to me to watch the princess she is becoming. She is helpful and kind. She always does her best. She is so fun to have around!

My Mountain

Have I written about how Derek loves mountains? Just about as much as "train tracks." When we are out he points them out and one day while we were driving home from taking the kids to school he asked if we could see his mountain. We ran errands later on so he could get a good look. One day while I was making his peanut butter and jelly sandwich the bread was really squished. I asked it was okay if he had a triangle sandwich instead of a dinosaur sandwich and he explained to me that it wasn't a triangle sandwich, it was a mountain sandwich. I can't wait to climb Badger Mountain with him or show him Mt. Rainier.

He is so amazing. It is so easy to reason with him now and that makes life so much easier. He is a smart guy and loves to be involved. When Nate was adding a filter to our sprinkler system he showed my a neat nozzle he was planning to add also. When it was time to put it on he found it already attached to the garden hose. Derek knew exactly where it went. He is so snugly and I love him!

Eliza is talking a lot. When she gets excited she jumps up and down and giggles! She gets really excited to eat sometimes. Her and Derek are best friends and I love to see them hug each other in the morning. Derek takes good care of her. How lucky she is!

I can't believe Marian is almost done with kindergarten! She has had a great time and made many friends. I don't think she minds that she will still be going to school while everyone else is home schooled. She seems more grown up every day. On Sunday we had a piano recital and she did so well. She was the first one to play but she was so cute and confident. I wish I would have recorded it so I would have her introducing herself and her songs.

Emma had a birthday cooking party. The girls got aprons for their favors that they wore throughout the party. They looked so cute! They played games and made pizza and lemonade. I'm glad we were finally able to have Emma's party.

Michael is such an amazing helper. He is so willing to lend a hand, often without being asked. He is responsible and will practice the piano and do his homework without being told. (The other day when he was practicing I even heard him say, "this is fun!" YES!!!) He really enjoys baseball and does really well during the games. He also is pretty good at marbles. I'm planning on getting him a hacky sack and yo yo. That will give him something to work on during the summer. Derek idolizes him. Most nights Michael puts him to sleep and Michael single handedly potty trained Derek and did a much better job then I ever did. Derek is almost perfect at it and it didn't take any time at all! We didn't even go through a whole package of pull-ups. It's amazing! I love my boys. They are so sweet; they will make the perfect husbands and fathers someday, just like there dad.

I am proud of Megan and all she had accomplished in her first year of middle school. She will be getting another 4.0 and her schedule was packed with high cap classes. She even opted to take algebra instead of a fun elective, even when she knew is would entail a lot of homework and that in the past math hadn't always been her strongest subject. I am proud of her for taking the challenge and doing the work that was needed to succeed. This year she also had a leading role in the school play and received a perfect score at Solo and Ensemble contest for her solo. In a week she'll be going to mutual and then girls' camp. How did that happen?

Yeah, maybe I'm bragging, but when my kids read this I want them to remember what they did and that their mom is proud of them.

Derek is an amazing worker. When he saw Nathan tinkering on the bug he asked if he was fixing his bug. (I love his voice!) To be helpful he grabbed "daddy's new blue vacuum cleaner" (the sandblaster) and wheeled it out to him. Nate then left to mow the lawn but Derek grabbed his toolbox. He must keep it right next to Nate's. I heard banging near the bug and when I went to check it out I wasn't surprised to see him "fixing" it with his tools.

But he didn't stop there. When Nathan was done mowing, Derek grabbed the big broom and swept the sidewalk and the drive way. He is so awesome. I think he's our hardest worker!

This morning Eliza asked Emma for a piece of paper then she went to the art cupboard and collected the markers and scissors It looks like we have another artist. The amazing thing is that she put the top on each marker and put it back in the bag after using it. When she was done she put the bag back in the cupboard.

Eliza is a girl who knows what she wants.  Today at the grocery store I was holding her when I picked up a block of cheese, she snatched the adjacent cream cheese.  She didn't put it in the cart like she had with all the other groceries I had handed her.  Instead she held it even after she went to sit in Grandma Lewis's cart.  When Grandma went down the cracker isle she pointed to the wheat thins until she got to hold them as well.  Grandma bought her the snack she had chosen and she happily started on the crackers as soon as we got the the van (and her hands had been washed with Purell.)

Yesterday Derek brought Eliza a gift he had made by ripping lines in a square Kleenex half way up.  He made one for himself as well.  He told me they were octopi.  (Actually, he said octopus.  He's smart, but not that smart.  I taught he the octopus verse of "Slippery Fish" and he happily sang it all morning as he played with his Kleenex.  Who needs toys?  I think it's sweet that he thought to make one for Eliza.

I picked up Megan from play practice today and was in awe of what an amazing young women she is becoming.  She is excited to go to camp in a month and a half and even got to go to a camp night at mutual.  She is going to have a great time.  She has decided to be home schooled next year and we are all getting excited about that!

Michael is an amazing young man.  Derek idolizes him.  He always has to sit by him and do everything he does.  Michael happily includes him.  The other night when I went to tuck them in they were in there room playing Legos together.

Grandma Lewis has been coming over to "play" with Marian every morning.  It has been great.  Her reading and math is really improving and she enjoys spending time with Grandma.  She is looking forward to Grandma taking her to the fabric store so she can pick out material for her summer skirts/jumpers/dresses.

Tonight is the Activity Day recognition night for Emma and Megan.  Emma is making one of her darling cats to show and Megan is bringing one of her amazing pictures.

I'm always hearing people say they are waiting to go to Disneyland when their kids are older so they will enjoy the experience more and remember it better.  My opinion is that Disneyland should be attended often so it really is irrelevant what age you take them.

When we were heading off to go to Grandma Johnson's, Derek watched us pack up the car with our bags and sleeping bags.  When we got to the stoplight he said excitedly, "I going to Disneyland!"  He remembered!  He has said, "Let's go to Disneyland tomorrow," and once after we took Emma to school he wouldn't get out of the car because he was ready to go to the Happiest Place on Earth.  He finally agreed to leave when I told him we could go to Asher's house later that day.

Today he said, "I need a Disneyland paper."   He climbed up on the computer and drew a picture, cut it out and hung it on the fridge, replacing Michael's map he made from school.  When he brought me by the hand to see his new display he told me it was a princess.  I was impressed.

My Mom says that Disneyland is in our blood.  Maybe she's right.  I'm glad that all my brothers and sister has married people that agree so we can understand the need, especially this time of the year for some strange reason, to migrate south.

Derek is his father's son.  His favorite thing to eat any time of the day is cereal.