May Flowers

It's hard to believe it's the last day of May! We're planning on having a picnic with some friends from the ward, as long as it's not raining. It really stormed this morning, but it's dry now, we'll see if it stays that way!

Scott is off playing squash with a friend, and the kids and I are having an enjoyable afternoon. Meredith is napping, Noah is coloring, and Ethan is playing a video game. I just love my kids! Here's what they've been up to lately:

Ethan turned 13 on May 16th. I can't believe I have a teenager! And so far it isn't as hard as I thought it would be! Truly, Ethan is a great kid. He has done so well in school this year, and is very self motivated. He wants to be a doctor when he grows up (specifically a "hospitalist," which is a g.p. who works in a hospital setting.) He has his college all planned out, and recently expressed his goal of getting straight As in high school so he can get good scholarships.

Ethan and I have started working on some of his merit badges. This summer is a good time to do them, because he'll only be busier once he starts high school. We're working on reading, dentistry, medicine, family life, music, and disability awareness. He's also got scout camp coming up next month, and he'll get a lot done there.

Ethan has done a lot of running in gym, and is getting pretty good! Maybe he'll take after Scott and do marathons someday. I hope he can be in cross-country in the fall, we'll see.

Noah is finishing off his 4th grade year with a bang. He has learned so much and done so well this year, I am really proud of him! He just brought a cute little "note" into me, with a picture of him and me and a spaceship. He's learning to write more, and speaks much more clearly. He and his friend Leah and I went to the movie "Shrek Ever After" and had a great time. He's signed up for summer camp and is really looking forward to it. We've worked very hard on potty-training during the last month, but unfortunately with little success. We're planning to take him to a specialist again, because there is definitely a physiological problem there! So wish us luck.

Meredith continues to grow into the most darling little girl ever! Her hair has gotten much longer and thicker. It no longer sticks up, which is kind of sad, but pretty soon I'll be able to put barrettes in it! I love dressing her up, although it's challenging, because she is a very wiggly little thing! She crawls very fast all over and get into everything (and puts everything into her mouth!) So I have to watch her very carefully. Scott loves taking pictures of her and we've got some really cute ones. The boys are so loving to their little sister! And she makes the sweetest little sounds all the time, I just love listening to her!

I recently read "Devil in the White City," about the Chicago World's Fair (and a serial killer who lived at the same time, in the late 1800s). Fascinating! I hosted book club and made devil's food cake in honor of the book. I really enjoy our book group. I also read "The Book Thief" and loved it - - Ethan is reading it now.

The mosquitos are out in full force, but it hasn't stopped me from planting my "garden" (three earth boxes with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers that I grew from seed). I've also filled some of my flower pots and have several more to fill. Ethan is my helper with watering, and I sure appreciate it. I'm hoping to get a porch swing for the back patio so I can sit out there with Meredith and enjoy the sunshine!

Love you all!

April Showers

Scott has been a real traveling man lately. He is now working for a company called Open Mind, based in San Francisco. His job entails forming marketing partnerships with (mostly) travel based companies. Or something like that. Anyway it has kept him out of town quite a bit. And then he had the wonderful opportunity to go on a "Spiritual Retreat" to Israel with our friend John and some other men (2 of whom were ministers). He was gone for about 11 days and had a wonderful time. So that I wouldn't be too lonely while he was gone, we invited Heidi and her 3 kids to come and visit. 2 adults + 6 kids = one crazy household! But it was loads of fun. Although Rowan and Meredith are a little too young to play together, they did seem quite interested in each other. Meredith kept stealing Rowan's binkie and chewing on it. Meredith is quite a bit larger than Rowan, she really is tall for her age. Beanie was a huge help taking care of the babies and allowed Heidi and me to have some enjoyable "down time." Ethan had a great time teaching Beanie how to play ping pong, she got so good she almost beat me! The cousins played a lot of board games and Tallis and Milena enjoyed playing the Wii while my kids were at school. Noah was thrilled to have Tallis around to play with. He was so excited to see his beloved cousins!

On the Saturday Heidi was here we girded up our loins and hit the road for Milwaukee (minus Ethan, who had to do mulching to earn money for scout camp.) Thank goodness for my GPS, we had no problem getting there (it's about 2 hours away). First we went to the zoo, which was very nice, if a bit overpriced. The weather was just beautiful, and the babies behaved themselves very well. Noah was a bit difficult, but he does love zoos.

We had lunch at a nice greek place, good food and it was very quiet (which was good, because we were pretty noisy!) Then we went to the art museum. I'd never been there before, it was great! We saw a beautiful tryptich, some lovely paintings, and the highlight, "Woman with Veil" by Rafael, a response to the Mona Lisa. The exhibit was extremely well done. There was a very nice children's section as well, with information about 3-D imaging. The kids got to dress up and have their picture taken, very cute! It was a long and tiring day, but I'm so glad we did it! I love having so many wonderful museums, zoos, etc. so close to where we live!

The best part was having Heidi to hang out with and talk to and watch tv with and eat food with. I'm impressed with the amount of work she puts into her home-schooling - - I don't think I'd have the patience! But the program is an excellent one. I wish Heidi and I had been able to do some shopping together, but taking all of the kids was just not a great option. Maybe another time.

While Heidi was here I went through all of Meredith's clothes so she could take the outgrown ones to Beebs. It left me with very few clothes that fit! Meredith is just growing like a weed! She is such a sweet happy baby, and we're so glad to have her in our family. She has become quite noisy, making cute and funny squawks all the time.

Noah is undergoing intensive potty-training. His teachers are really working with me on this, which is super. I spent an inordinate amount of money on special training underwear (although they are worth it, I have to say) and a device called "Flippee the toilet protector" (don't ask.) He is doing a great job staying dry, but still has trouble with #2. Your prayers on his (and our) behalf are requested. Noah is a sweetheart, he came home from church today just filled with excitement because he had candy for me for Mother's Day. He's such a loving boy!

Ethan wrote a funny Mother's Day card for me - - "You have the hardest job with the worst pay, but the best perks." I agree. One of Ethan's teachers told Scott at parents' night that Ethan has a very sophisticated sense of humor. Sophisticated for a 7th grader anyway. Ethan does have a great sense of humor and I love chatting with him. I try to read all the books he reads so we can talk about them together. I can't believe he'll be a teenager in a week!