Evelyn talking

Nothing is cuter than a baby/toddler learning to talk.  Some of my favorites that Evelyn says:

"No!  I don't want it."
"Mine!"
"Thank you!"
"Welcome."
"Hi Seth!"
"Bacca!" (Grandpa)
"Help?"
"Ada!"
"Where's Sam?"
"Book please."

Among many other fun things that she says during the day.  She likes to have you sing to her as well, but she 'changes the channel' if she doesn't want that song at the moment.  You start singing and she'll say, "No, I don't want it." Over and over again until you find the song she wanted... then she'll let you finish.  Funny girl.

Teeth

Ada has three VERY loose teeth.  She won't let me touch them because she's afraid I'll pull them out.  We ended up pulling one of her two that she lost before because it was just hanging there and she wouldn't take it out on her own.

Primary

Do you know how much I love "lurking" in Primary... I'm supposed to be there to play the piano but I very much enjoy watching how my two interact with their world without me interrupting.  Ada loves to play with her friends... she also knows that she isn't supposed to play in Primary... it's a very apparent struggle on her part.  She wants to play and tries so hard not to.  She loves the music and loves when they tell scripture stories.  Sam voluteers information very loudly and without much prompting.  His teachers love him, but are trying to get him to raise his hand and be more reverant.  Sam also loves the music.  This week was especially fun.  Ada and Sam were both asked to help play the bells along with the singing and they LOVED it.  Some of my favorite Sammy comments were:

"Guess what!  It's Easter and Easter is on Sunday!"
"Can I choose one too?!"
"I'm raising my hand!" (as loud as he could)
"Resurrection!"
"Jesus died...."

I've had to intervene sometimes, but I try to be invisible and not interfere with the teachers when possible.  Mostly I've had to quietly remind Ada to pay attention, try to get Sam to sit with his class instead of by Ada and her class, and get Sammy to raise his hand.  While I'm kind of a fumbling pianist, I really appreciate the opportunities that I get to be part of my kids' Primary experience.

Easter pictures us

 

Easter pictures Evelyn

She was an absolute pill.  She did not want to smile and kept trying to stick her tongue out.  Hillarious as all get out, but annoying at the same time...

Easter Pictures Sam

My crazy Sam!  Yes, he does have rashy cheeks today, but what can you do? I can't wait until all the "scars/bumps/bruises/etc..." to be gone before taking pictures of my kids.  I'd never have any pictures at all if that were the case.

 

Easter pictures Ada

I want to make this a tradition... I'm not sure how well it will work out in coming years but Easter pictures last year were amazing, and this year were okay... if they're at least okay in the coming years I will keep doing them...

Can you believe how grown up this one is getting?!  You can tell... she thinks she knows best about everything... but we love her.

Happy Easter all!

 

Happy Easter everyone.  What a great time to think of Christ and His sacrifice.  And what a great teaching opportunity for us to teach our children about sacrifice and the Atonement of Christ. 

Here's a little gift for today.... here.

Cuties

Fencing pictures

I'm finally getting around to posting these pictures.... Yay for my fencers!

Ada's "lunge" forward

Yes, I know I'm cheesy... that's one of the reasons Jer loves me. 

Today was quite the day.  I had my usual 4 kids... then added Max and Allen to the mix from about 1:30 til 7... It was a fun day, the kids played VERY well together and the babies let me work on getting the cushions sewn back together for the rocking chair.  We had our Fencing Class Demonstration/Tournament as well.  It was so close!  Three of the students very easily could have gotten first.  I've been very proud of my class this last time, they've all worked so hard.  I'm especially proud of my two cute kiddos.  Sam has amazing form for a 3 year old.  Sometimes he has a hard time understanding right of way... but so do I at times.  Ada made huge strides today.  She usually doesn't like to fence the boys her age.  She gets scared that they'll hurt her, which is kind of funny because she's good enough to parry most of what they can give her... as long as she's not thinking about the fact that she's scared.  The first bout was Allen and Max... very close... 4-5.  The next bout was Sam and Ada... Sam did great considering he's so small against these 5-7 year old kids... theirs was 3-5.  Then Ada and Max battled it out for the trophy that I'd gotten for the winner.  Theirs was a very close match.  It was hard to call some of the points.  It took three adults to wrangle the rest of the class and ref their bout.  After lots of encouragement and pep talks by Dad and Lorrin they came out at 5-4.  Ada was thrilled to death and Max was a very good sport.  They both came away as proud as can be! I was especially proud of Ada for getting over her fear of fencing Max.  She did get hurt twice, but she finished and did so well!   I got all the kids a donut and later took Ada out to get a special cookie that she's been wanting instead of the donut... Sweet Tooth Fairy is the cutest little cupcake/cookie place.  Ada was even really brave when she got her brand new "special" cookie from the cashier and promptly dropped it upside down on the floor.  She got a little teary but never actually cried. I helped her pick it up and we went home and redecorated it. 

So proud of my Ada... pictures to come.