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.

Long Underwear

Okay, I'll fix the pictures later.

It's been snowing all night and it's supposed to be in the single digits all week.  So at five 'o clock this morning I trekked out to Walmart to get my kids some long underwear.  They were pretty excited about it.

I thought the outfit Marian came up with was pretty cute.

(Marian is licking Carrie's yummy divinity off her fingers.)

Oh and it's a two hour delay, although I think we're all still hoping for a closure.

Derek is off and talking! Like yesterday when we visited the park and he poked his head through two bars only to realize his ears would only fit one way: "MA, I stuck!" He wasn't worried, he had a smile on his face and we both enjoyed the funny situation. I reflected later how happy I was that when he needed help he knew to call me.

Derek carried his "BABY DOLL!" with him all the time. (He says most things so loudly, I suppose that is because we have such a hard time understanding him.) He will put it in the baby backpack, making sure it looks comfortable and change it's diaper. Once he woke in the middle of the night screaming for it. Sometimes he will put up to four babies in the baby bed and carry it around. He is going to make such a good dad!

He'll make a great husband too. Yesterday when I was vacuuming he helped me move furniture, vacuumed with his little Dirt Devil, and then dumped his canister and stored the vacuum in the garage right next to mine. He puts his dishes in the sink and can often be found replacing the garbage bag when the kids take the garbage out.

He is so determined to be grown up and I'm glad the other kids are such great examples for him to live up to. Last night he rode/walked the three wheeler all the way to the park and back all by himself. I was surprised at how he kept up with everyone and, as I watched him play at the park, impressed by his miraculous body. I was in awe watching his muscles work to make him jump from place to place and grateful for such an amazing creation.


I love how he calls Eliza, "LYZIE!" (again, he rarely says anything quietly) and watches out for her.

I think Eliza is saying things like "cracker" and "I did it," but it has been so long since I've had a talker I could be delusional or overly optimistic. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. She also loves clothes and brings them to me to get her dressed.

Marian is enjoying Kindergarten. She gets to ride on the bus with Brennan. Megan is finding middle school easier than spectrum, as I predicted, even though she has high math, high English and AP pre-algebra for her elective. I'll have to be sure to give her more responsibilities around the house now that she has it easier at school. Emma and Michael have impressed me by doing their homework as soon as they come home with out being told.

Eliza knows she is a cutie. When we were at Michael's doctor's appointment the other day she was sitting on my lap until another lady came and sat by us. Then she hopped down and started walking around, looking at the lady the whole time. When the lady finally looked up from her Reader's Digest she was rewarded with a huge, adorable smile from Eliza. "You gotta love me, I'm the baby!"

She loves water. Yesterday we went to Howard Amon Park and played at the park and in the wadding pool. She had no fear, going chest deep towards the center. A couple of weeks ago I set her on the side of Grandma Lewis's above ground pool. She jumped right in and had a great time, with me holding her.

Derek loves showers and will hop in when ever he catches Nate taking one. Once he even hopped in with Emma and took charge of the hand-held shower head. I can't keep the kid off the counters! He is a sweet guy and is often seen carrying around two baby dolls. He is very clean. He'll come tell me when he needs a diaper change, get the stuff if I ask and lays down. Time to potty train! He doesn't like having his hands dirty and he puts his dishes in the sink. He cleans up the toys at nursery. He also has learned some of his letters and sounds. He loves to sweep and vacuum. He's always happy to lend a helping hand.

Megan is starting Middle School next week. It looks like it will be great. She has good teachers and is in the High Cap classes including a very special pre-algebra class. She has been babysitting Madalyn Walker twice a week. It's a great entry-level babysitting job and she is earning money for college, her American Girl magazine subscription, Christmas presents, and our upcoming Disneyland trip.

This summer has been so full of fun! swimming lessons, Seattle trip, swimming at Grandma's, Bookmobile, free movies at the theater, watching a movie outside at grandma's, the ward camp out, finishing our swing set, sleeping out on the trampoline, going to the spray park, Sonics' Happy Hour :) , and just being together as a family enjoying lazy days. The kids have been marvelous. Michael has written some wonderful reports and made awesome accompanied power point presentations. Everyone has pitched in to keep the house somewhat clean.

I know it's almost time for school to start. The days are shorter and more golden. They shadows are longer and the air is colder. The backpacks are packed and new clothes are bought (except for shoes, gotta go do that!), but I'm not ready to give up summer or my kids yet. We'll see how much we can pack in the next few days. Whenever I start wishing for more summer I just remember we'll be going to Disneyland soon and that time is passing so quickly, it won't be long until next June!