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 :).