Shhh

Fred always wants someone to lay down with him at night. Sometimes I really enjoy it. He is a funny kid. Sometimes we are not in the mood and wish he would just go to bed. So we let the girls put him to bed. They take turns sleeping with him in his toddler bed (which is just a crib mattress for those who don't know).

(Blogger thinks it knows how I want my pictures positioned.)

Every morning he joins me in bed. I love it. Sometimes Stella does if she gets up early enough. Chloe only does on weekends--she is way to concerned about being late to waste time laying around. Fred always brings his horses. They are very affectionate. I get at least one kiss a day. One horse is superior to the other because it has a "popped up tail". I can't tell the difference but the tail is Fred's favorite part and he knows which is which.

It's a BOY!
(His hand is by his face. Cute. And see his boy part?)

I'm very happy to have two girls and two boys. I'm glad Fred will have a brother. I'm glad I have been able to have children. I feel very blessed. But this must be the last time.
Because:
1. Ugh. Pregnancy is such a drag. My face is already fat. I wish I could go into hiding during the last four months of pregnancy.
2. I'm old.
3. A family of six fills two rows on an airplane.

We received a letter in the mail inviting Chloe to participate in the school's "gifted" program. In the same week Stella's teacher informed me that Stella is struggling and falling behind the other students.

These two are so different.

Chloe is naturally driven, responsible and independent. Stella is easy-going and carefree.

We are proud of Chloe and are trying to help Stella but we are not going to get too worried yet. We were told that children's brains are still developing and they only use a small percentage. Sometimes they use more of one side (left vs. right) than the other and it is usually around 2nd grade that this evens out. Stella loves to color and create so we are hoping this is the case with her. (Although, I will admit that Chloe has always been crafty and book smart--she's cool like that.) I am the art mom for Stella's class. There are some kids in Stella's class that can write in complete sentences but cannot do, what I consider to be, a very simple art project.

Besides, I was one of a few kids that had to go to a reading aid in first grade and I turned out ok. Not too stupid.

Chloe made it to her school's 2nd grade spelling bee. She made it to the 6th round then got out on beautiful. She said "b-e-a-u-t-i-e.." then paused because she knew she had messed up. She knows this word but last week her class had "beauties" as a spelling word and she just goofed up. She cried afterward. "Everyone will think I'm so stupid for getting out on such an easy work!" She is a worrier.

Here she is spelling in front of the judges, all the 2nd graders and the parents beyond them. I was telling Chanell that I hated the stress of the spelling bee and when it was my turn I said, "g-p-q-a-r-t" because I had a fear of failing. Failing on purpose was much better than failing while actually trying. Chanell told me about the Brian Regan comedy skit. I'm glad someone appreciates my move.

I also came across this spelling bee video and laughed.

Stupid in School

I didn't realize how screwed up English is until I learned Spanish. As I was helping Chloe study her spelling she would ask, "How do I know if it ends in 'al' or 'le'?" And she was so fascinated when I told her that in Spanish the vowels always make the same sound--'a' is always 'ah'. She asked, "What about 'a' (as in apple)?" "They don't have that sound." "Wow!"

(I have tried five times to upload pictures to this post but the program keeps closing so I'll have to continue this in the next post.)

Valentine Box

It looks really simple but it actually took a long time and a lot of sketches for Chloe and I to come up with the right penguin. She made me do most of the drawing but I made her do the cutting, gluing, coloring and glittering. And we took her name off last year's box and glued it on the bag. We added a bunch of sequins and jems for jewelry but we both agreed that we liked the simple version better and we pulled them all off before the glue dried.

She loves it and her classmates love it. Her only complaint is that when it is time to distribute valentines she will have to turn it backwards.

Stella and I were going to make a fox (similar to Chloe's, based off this) but her class isn't doing boxes.

Grandma & Grandpa

My kids love discussing how family is related. I was telling them that Grandma Lang is my grandma, Grandma Goodrich is my mom and your grandma, and when you have a kid I will be a grandma.

Stella: "And Dad will be the grandpa."

Fred: "And he'll be the Big Scary Bear." (My Dad's favorite role.)

Stella: "Yeah, and you'll be the grandma and give lots of hugs and kisses."

A few days later, Dan was asking the kids what they wanted for lunch. Stella couldn't decide. Dan asked, "How about a knuckle sandwich?"

Chloe said, "Dad, that's only funny when Grandpa says it."

Accessorized

Chloe has wanted to get her ears pierced for a long time. At one point I told her she could have it done when she was eight. She reminded me. For some reason I was hesitant. But I figured if she is old enough to be baptized she is old enough to take care of earrings.

She is pretty much a wimp and has no tolerance for pain. She is very dramatic and part of this may be my fault because I don't pay much attention to her wails. "It's like you don't even care that I'm hurt!" So she may play it up even more to try to convince me she really is hurt and I really should respond. And she HATES shots.

It is amazing what she can handle with a different mind set. I don't even think her eyes watered. We told her she is never again allowed to fear shots or cry when getting them.

Season's Greetings

I love receiving Christmas cards. So I try to send them out. I'm never fully successful but I still try. This year we had a good start. We had family pictures taken in October. I made the family update/blurb, printed the photos, bought envelopes, collected addresses and printed them out before heading to St. George. The plan was to stuff and address the envelopes on the long drive to St. George. But I left the address sheet at home. So the cards weren't sent out until January. Oh well, I try.

In case you didn't receive one here it is:

I really should start sending out Independence Day cards. That time of year is a lot less hectic. Well, except July 2011.

My Kind of Tantrum

Fred was mad because I wouldn't give him what he wanted until he asked nicely. So he took his preschool art project, walked over to the garbage can, pulled all the fruit loops off the paper and threw them away. Then he crumpled up the paper and threw it in the recycling bin.

Life would be so much easier if all my kids were willing to part with their school work like this.

While I'm here I guess I'll mention how Fred always takes his dishes to the sink. I'll leave him at the counter with a bowl of yogurt and come back to him gone and his bowl by the sink. This amazes me. One of my favorite things about him.

The Rest

Rachel threw a New Year's Eve party for the kids. (And served the best guacamole I've ever had made by Frie's Fruit Market in Santa Clara. Yum. I want some right now.)*

I took pictures before the party but once it got started I was too wrapped up in the fun to think about photos. We played charades and the gift exchange game. (Fred did not allow his gift to be stolen from him.) And rang in the New Year with noise makers at about 9:30.

Other events/people not photographed during this trip:

The family Christmas party.

An awesome Indian dinner at the Wells'.

Any family of friends (other than Rachel's back).

"Pictures only prove you can't convince." -The Format

* or maybe it just fulfilled a pregnancy craving

Christmas Eve and Morn

The Santa Clara City Christmas Eve Program.

We went to this when I was a kid. Now I get to suffer through it as an adult.

We go for the Santa photo-op.

Chloe and Stella thought it was hilarious that Santa gave Fred a "boy Barbie". Somehow Santa must have known that Fred likes to join his sisters in their Barbie play and that two Ken dolls (one whose head won't stay on) for three kids and ten Barbies is not sufficient. Enough with the Bachelor scenarios.

Chloe still believes in Santa. She's not so sure about the flying reindeer. Deer that fly? It's just a little too absurd for her.

WARNING: The following images are an assault on the eyeballs. The varying colors and patterns may cause damage to your vision. Continue at your own risk.

I love this picture: the messy hair, crazy faces, sheet keeping the loot a surprise, etc.


Fred received a balance board. Stella only asked for a Pig in a Teacup and a CD player. Chloe also asked for a CD player and horse stuff.

Meme sent the kids dress ups and a giant jump rope. Fred LOVES his sword. He ties up his victims with the rope (mostly Grandpa on this trip) then chops them to pieces.

I also bought a Grand Stable online. I couldn't find any dimensions listed. They weren't kidding it is grand (huge). We bought cousin Ashton's horse collection to go with it.

A Simple Christmas Wish

Katie: Fred, what do you want for Christmas?
Fred: A motorcycle.
Katie: Where did you see a motorcycle? (wondering if he had seen a kid riding a toy one.)
Fred: Just on the road when they drive fast by us.
Katie: Oh, but little boys can't drive those motorcycles.
Fred: I know, Dad will drive it and I will hold onto the bars--the handles..
Katie: The handle bars?
Fred: Yeah.

Hmm...does anyone in the St. George area have a motorcycle that we could borrow for a ride?
Also, do any of the people I know in the St. George area want to get together? We'll be here all next week. Call, fb, email, or comment.

December

Due to pregnancy I was not in the mood for Christmas celebrations. We did not do an advent calendar. We didn't put lights on the house. (I did put a strand of lights on a bush but never plugged it in. They're still there.) I didn't even want to get out the Christmas tree or decorations. The thought of cleaning up the house in order to get out a bunch of stuff that I would just have to put away in a few weeks was just too much for me. But we had guests coming so I thought I should try to make the house a little festive.

Here are the kids in their new pjs doing a very lovely job of decorating the tree. Fred is saying, "ooo afinity and deyon!"

Meme flew out for a visit and Val and Kate & co. drove up from SLC. We had a very busy week with projects at school, giving gifts to refugees and trying to figure out our gifts for our kids and other family. I'm afraid I was too tired to be a good hostess. We were trying to keep the pregnancy a surprise for Christmas but I don't think I was good at hiding it.

The only picture we took of their visit was this dinner of Omaha Steaks courtesy of Grammy and Pepe. (Thank you!)

The day after Dan's family left we loaded up the car and drove to Santa Clara to spend Christmas with my family.

Never Dull

One night before bed, Fred decided to march around wearing a knit hat and banging on a milk jug. Then he and Stella decided to play outside. In the snow. In the dark. They brought in snow to eat.

Then they dressed up and danced. (Stella really knows how to rock out.)

Gymnastics

We started the kids in gymnastics this summer. They all really love it. But Fred really loves it. Every day he asks if he has gymnastics. He cries when we take Chloe but it isn't his turn. And he gives thanks for it in his prayers.

Things That Go 'Bump' In The Night

Fred: ghost, Dan: zombie, Stella: mummy, Chloe: vampire, Katie: witch, old hag, Gypsy...

Chloe's eyes are gold because she is fed. (Twilight reference.)

We bought Chloe's costume at Walmart, necklace at Old Navy. She was trying to be Jane from Eclipse. I hot glued strips of fabric to Stella's shirt and leggings. I made Fred's cloak to wear over a pillowcase.

My Walmart nose wouldn't stay on but that is ok because I have a pointy nose of my own. My dress and shoes are from the DI. I died cheesecloth to go over it. The wig is Dan's mom's.

Dan ripped up old and thrifted clothes then rolled around in the dirt for added effect.

Here in Idaho they don't change holidays just because they are on Sunday. So we didn't let our kids go trick-or-treating on the sabbath. But they got plenty of candy at the trunk-or-treat at the church on Saturday and enjoyed handing out candy to kids that came by on Sunday.

We really enjoyed the haunted theme. I think I will do this every year. The kids can be whatever they want but it has to be a spooky version. I think the zombie version of Wizard of Oz or princesses or Toy Story or whatever will be more entertaining. We'll see if the kids are on board next year.

She is Loved

Because we wanted to make it easier for family to come, we went ahead and did the unthinkable--we scheduled a private baptism. I did not know this was discouraged and, boy, did I have to jump through some hoops to make it happen.

We planned her baptism to coincide with Utah's fall break so the Utahan's could stay longer.

We had nine from southern Utah, one from northern Utah, three from southern Nevada, three from Maine and five from down the street!

The family:

The priesthood:

The cousins and siblings:

The grandparents:

The proud parents:

The sister but not the brother who was unwilling:

Chloe was baptised and confirmed by her dad. Uncle's Zach and Ben gave the talks, Meme and Grandma gave the prayers.

Since we conveniently planned this baptism the same day as stake conference we had to schedule it in the morning. So we served crepes afterward. Chloe's favorite.

We didn't want to throw a party but we did allow her to have the traditional pinata:

And here is the lovely cake that Rachel was supposed to make but I went ahead and gave it a try. And failed:

She was starting to feel sick by this time and was not entertained by the trick candles.

Baptism

I can't believe I have an 8 year old.

And such a pretty one.

And smart.

And talented.

**Thanks brother Jordan for the photography, sister Rachel for doing her hair (since I don't know how to use a curling iron) and cousin Kristin for the invite design.**

Fall Soccer

Stella's soccer season was very painful to watch. They were slaughtered every game.

Chloe's started out badly but improved by the end. This was her first season playing with goalies. Each girl had to take a turn. She cried when she got scored on. She hates to fail.