April Daily Life

Life is good. Here are some photos from April.

Despite snow being all around us still, once the back alley was mostly clear, the kids were out on their bikes. They are getting really good at it! Phinny likes having his own bike in the whole scheme of things. Milayla is anxious for a pedal bike. Atticus is a little leery of hopping on his pedal bike at the start of the season. Sure that he will get there soon!

The kids love helping Jason make his specialty - lemon meringue pie. It's so good. We had it for easter and I am anticipating the kids picking it for Mother's day too :).

I'm hopeful to have said the last goodbye to an awful eye infection that plagued me most of winter. I couldn't wear makeup without it being agitated (thankfully I have no problem leaving it off) and needed warm compresses and prescription eye drops more often than I can remember. It's a blurry picture, but you can see how swollen my left eye is.

This is how Phinny likes to spend his free time when he gets all of 30 seconds with my back turned. He is so quick!

Another fun Biodome trip.

The kids were delightful about the breakfast that they made. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I offered to make eggs for us as well - they promptly put the eggs inside the sandwiches (peanut butter, bananas, eggs...yum! Guess it's kind of like eating peanut butter banana bread :) ). It was quite the breakfast. They were so proud. I love how excited they are to help and serve! Oh, and Atticus made a special granola for us to eat on the side. It was quite the breakfast spread. I really cannot emphasize enough how proud they were of themselves and how happy they were to do it. They ooze love and kindness. I am in awe.

Had a great workshop for the kids at the Art Museum. Love that place. And love seeing how the kids are growing and developing when it comes to classes. They do awesome. This day they made magic carpets and were pretty impressed when the two that were running the workshop showed them that the carpets really do fly. They were sure processing hard how it was possible that they were flying (there was a cut straw temporarily hooked to the back and then slid down a string - all the kids loved it and each got to see their carpet fly). I love how seeing how much the kids love creative things. Milayla is particularly pensive when it comes to creating. She works really hard on it.

Speaking of art. Creating art or reading books seem to be the first things Milayla will go for when she has some free play time. Here she is drawing on the white board. It is a picture of her and me. The little green face in my belly is a baby (no, I'm not pregnant). She also added wings because girls have super powers and can fly like butterflies. I love the way that she thinks.

Phinny has started standing up in his crib. Atticus was with him when he first stood up in the crib and called us excitedly to the room. We all clapped. The little boy has so much love and support. And he is growing soooo fast!

Since I never got a photo of Atticus' first trip to the dentist I figured I better grab one on our last trip that we took to get cleanings. He is a trooper. Both the big kids do great. Atticus, in particular, has a few teeth that get some build up no matter how much attention we give them with brushing and flossing. We are told it happens on those particular teeth when the child has thicker saliva. Not sure if that is the case, but I do know it means he has to practice patience in that dentist chair a little bit longer than he would otherwise. I try to make sure I am actively teaching the kids about good oral care but, like most things, I could always be doing so much better. Luckily, they have lucked out with some great teeth.

Our latest science experiment was to see if we could regrow our leftover celery. As of my writing this it has grown well up and over the top of our cup (we grew two). BUT with roots growing out the bottom searching for more nutrients I don't think it is edible. The exterior that is dying off from the original part also needs the assistance of the incredible natural system that exists in soil that water alone cannot give it. It's been a fun experiment and the kids have enjoyed getting to check out the growth each and every day. And I am sure that there is some wonderful symbolism in all of this. I love symbolism.

Siblings. They are awesome. These kids are always anxious to give each other hugs. Yes, they have their squabbles yet their love for each other reigns supreme.

Milayla started her first dance class. That's her standing up while everyone else is rolling on the ground. It has taken her a few classes to get comfortable with dancing around other people that aren't family. She's getting there though. She has a lovely twinkle in her eye and so much excitement about that class. I really have no idea how in depth the pursuit of dance will go, but for now I know this class was the perfect fit for her.

Phineas is crawling over, under and around everything. This is him stuck under our bed. He is so proud of himself. I am proud of him too :). Even if it is a bit challenging to get him back out from under the bed.

And he loves sharing apples with Jason.

We've been trying to get him to take a pacifier when he is sleeping. I know, I know. Not something that we should typically be concerned with (neither of our other children took one). But he falls asleep by sucking on one of our fingers which has some times made for long nights. It also means that my hands are occupied during nap time which is when I get homeschool prep done. I do my best to remember that everything is always a phase. Though, the occasional time when he does take the pacifier it is nice to catch up on menu plans and homeschool plans. On the time when that isn't in the cards, I love the cuddles. So much. And I even get the odd nap myself :). I take a lot of photos of my kids sleeping. So perfect.

For Atticus' current class he had asked for something that involved lots of running and had decided on another round of sportball but when registration was low that meant the class was cancelled. Some moms in a playgroup we are part of recommended a judo class that was near Milayla's dance class and on the same day which was perfect. After trying out a class we loved the class (particularly Jason who has done a lot of martial arts) but it did not feel the right fit right now. The search continued and we finally found a great kids choir/movement class with instruments and songs that they all learn together. I am amazed at the different feel from one to another. Atticus was a little disappointed when Jason and I told him that we didn't feel the Judo class was the right fit. But after the class that we did choose Atticus told me that it felt so much better to be in that class. During the class, I could feel the difference and how the little kids choir was the right fit for him. It was peaceful. I wondered if and hoped that Atticus could feel it. He felt it. It was a good moment. And the classes have been going wonderfully! Maybe martial arts will be a good fit another time, maybe not. The art of parenting and helping these littles ones find and grow their talents and skills is sure tough. So grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost!

The kids are in love with the Home Depot workshops as much as ever. We checked out a different Home Depot this time. Wood glue and hammers. Never disappoints. They made cute chalkboard planters this time.

Lots of outdoor play. Chalk. Bicycles. Bubbles. Races. Soccer. Frisbee. Repeat.

Went bowling for date night :). I lost. There really was no competition in my competing against Jason. It's not that he is particularly good - I am just really, really bad at it. Ha! Still had fun though. And that's kinda the point.

Um. Yeah. Phineas just kinda hangs out in a diaper when we are at home. The solid food stage has meant lots of times that he needs to be cleaned. And since he does not stay still for getting dressed, it is easier to have him in a diaper and only have the diaper to change rather than an entire outfit. Perhaps I'm just lazy. Just as well. It's cute. And he is dressed to go out.

And this is Atticus wearing my rain boots. I bought rain boots because I like to be prepared to jump in puddles with the kids (we all love jumping in puddles) and it turns out the kids thought it would be funny to try out my rain boots. It took up the entire length of Milayla's legs and nearly all of Atticus'. It was funny. They had a challenge walking in them. Crazy to think that one day they will likely be taller than me and my boots will be too small!

Good month :).

Easter 2015 & Conference Weekend

Every so often Easter and General Conference fall on the same weekend. I'm still processing whether I prefer it that way or not, but regardless, it is what it is. The weekend before Easter was our Easter concert at church. It went well. We had two numbers, one of which was an arrangement of How Great Thou Art that I fell in love with last year but another group had already planned on singing an arrangement of the song. So I made sure to reserve it this year. And I am so glad that I did. We had a lovely, talented, dedicated group of people with us. It was a pleasure. An absolute pleasure. Music is a healing balm in my life. I am so grateful for it.

We also were asked to do the congregational choral piece for the concert. It worked out well as just the week before I had had Jason listen to a piece that I thought would make a good choral piece. Unfortunately, it seems that my bad habit it also a bad habit of others and the fact that the piece wasn't easy from the get-go left some people feeling that it would be too hard. Yet, hard work prevailed. Jason usually took the men while I took the women and we practiced again and again and again. I am so grateful for all the dedicated people who showed up rehearsal after rehearsal. All the hard work really payed off and it sounded great. Jason conducted the final piece and then it was sung a second time in church on Sunday of that weekend as well. 

On the weekend before Easter we also held a brunch for all the people that sang/played in our octet along with spouses and family. I never processed just how many people that would mean we would have in our apartment until Jason counted it out for me after I ensured that we invited everyone. And to be honest, I didn't really care. We would make it work. It felt like something we really needed to do. And the kids were excited beyond measure. And I was excited. As it was, not everyone was able to make it but we still had a great turn out and great conversation. Seeing that it was our Easter octet, we dubbed it our Easter brunch which meant I officially excused myself out of having people over for Easter. It was a great morning and I am so glad for everyone that was able to make it. They are good people.

Easter week was not quite as organized as I have had it in the past. We didn't do something everyday. But throughout the week, the kids and I did work on our easter countdown tree as we talked about different parts of The Living Christ. The largest focus of the week was just trying to help the kids understand their personal relationship with Christ. I know the events leading up to and surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ are an important part to understanding our relationship with Christ but when your kids are 5, 3, and 8 months I think there can be information overload and then nothing gets absorbed. Not to mention, our children are consistently learning about Christ throughout the year so I felt Easter should be seen as a renewal, enhancement and highlighting to the learning already in place this year. 

Maybe I was too distracted by other things though. I did find myself wondering about midway through the week if I was doing enough and then when I listened to Milayla say her evening prayer she thanked Heavenly Father for Jesus (in her words) "because he was willing to come and die for EVERYone". There isn't a day that goes by that I don't pray that I will be able to do my best to help my children know Christ and have a personal faith and testimony of their own. The desire has to be theirs. I can help, guide, teach, lead, be an example but they have to walk their own road of faith. I am filled with gratitude that I get to be their mother and help them walk that road. 

It is difficult to explain the complexities that I felt with this easter. I really do not know how I would begin to delve into thought processes, feelings, and emotions that I had leading up to this weekend. But I will say this, faith is a journey. I honestly think it would have been different if Easter had been on a separate weekend than conference. Yes, I know conference is all about learning about the gospel of Christ, but it's different somehow. I enjoy helping my kids learn the importance of Conference and the application of it. And I immensely enjoy helping my children learn the importance of Easter and the application of the lessons learned with it. Yet, having it all in one weekend seemed to detract from each other rather than bolster. It's a lot in one weekend. Maybe I just didn't approach it correctly. I will have to reassess if/when the situation arises again. 

In any case, I felt very sure of the Easter events. The children came into the kitchen for scripture study and breakfast on Easter Sunday. We made resurrection rolls. Enjoyed frittata. We asked questions and explored answers. We made decorations for our Easter tree. The kids got to explore their baskets which were a book each, something new for dressy clothing, then stickers and a chocolate bunny for the bigger kids (and chocolate for Jason). I also made Atticus and Jason bowties. The kids love when I make them things (which is saying something because sewing/crafting isn't a particularly strong talent of mine) and Atticus was really hoping I would make him something -how could I let that down? Then we did the egg hunt. I had some chocolate eggs that I hid along with our resurrection eggs. I think as the kids get older the resurrection eggs will probably get a little predictable, but for now, they really seem to help the kids grasp some of the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection and to glean a bit more from it. 

We stayed home for all the conference sessions this time around. Which is not the usual for us. I'm glad that we did though. I am so grateful for the prophet and apostles because it gives us a way to follow Christ and know Him better. I am continuously amazed and awed at how the Book of Mormon  and the teachings of modern day prophets and apostles can enhance, broaden and strengthen our understanding of Jesus Christ. They really do testify of Him. The kids did a stellar job staying focused. Atticus did his first bout of note writing. Milayla did awesome at recognizing some of the speakers. I can tell that conference really is becoming a part of their souls. It served as an example to me about just how much children absorb at this young of an age and how we, as parents, set the tone for them. Ultimately, the choice will always be theirs, but I hope that as their mother I will be able to create an enriching, faith building environment in our home that will be a valuable foundation for all the years to come. I particularly enjoyed when all of us were snuggled on the cough together. Jason remarked that if we have any more children we may need to buy a bigger couch. I responded that we would just need to snuggle closer. I will enjoy these moments while I have them. And the kids were awesome sports and let me take some family photos at the end of the day.

Yet, most of all that I have already shared is logistical stuff. And while that stuff can help you feel the core of Easter it isn't, in and of itself, what Easter IS. And throughout Easter and the time leading up to it, I found myself asking myself what Easter is. Not just as an idea or even as an holiday, but what is it to me? WHY am I celebrating it? Why don't I just hop on the bunny wagon (pun intended) and forget the spiritual side of things? Let's be honest, that would be easier. Yet, I feel my soul urging me onward to teach my children and be an example to them about who Christ is for us. Who Christ can be for each of us.

So what then is Easter really? I don't think that answer will be the same for everyone. Our relationship with Christ is so personal and unique that I venture to say that each and every person will experience Easter in a different way that is special for their relationship and understanding of Christ. We've all walked different roads. Despite the difficult times that we have had in Montreal it isn't those times that have brought me closer to Christ in the past year - it's been the joyful times. In truth, I have had many a moment where it's all I can do to fall on my knees and plead for comfort and strength yet the greatest building of faith for me lately has been in the joyful moments when I have chosen to keep Christ nearer still. 

There is a deeper joy found in life when we choose to journey with Christ not only on the downs but also on the ups of the journey. It certainly saves us having to call out for help when he is already there at our side. Not to mention the new way that we can know Christ in the process. I know my faith in Christ is yet so meager and I have a long way to go. Easter is a time for me to remember how far I have come, be even more grateful for Christ's forgiveness and peace that is continuously extended to me, and look forward to the journey ahead.  I am so grateful to know Christ and to share my knowledge, however little that may be, with my children - especially during the Easter season.

I am so grateful for my family; for their sincere, loving hearts. Grateful for my Saviour and His love. And grateful for the beauty and love that emanates from His teachings. He lives. And for that I will be forever grateful.

Happy Easter.