A Captured Moment

"Ummm... can you see what your children are doing?"  Orrin asked on Saturday while we were sneaking in a few hubby-wife TV moments while the kiddos ran free outside.

"Do I wanna see?"

"Absolutely not."

And I always take my husband's word on things like that.  So I continued staring at the television

"Where's your camera?"  His question intrigued me enough to take a peek.

Awww... crap.

Did you notice the look on Pipe's face when she sees Orrin looking at her?  Take a closer look:

Pretty sure she was thinking, "I am so dead."

But then Mom and Dad started laughing and Mom even took the camera from Dad's novice hands and started snapping.  And she knew that she would live another day.

This little girl was loving the mud. 

Wyatt joined for a moment.  But he was really, really confused.

 

Mainly, he wanted to know why his tricycle had a rope tied to it.  

That little knot was truly bothering him.

Adi and Piper decided that it was a spa and they were getting mud baths.

Funny thing: PG was the most reticent about the mud.  I think he was waiting for Mom to start freaking out.

Wyatt also did not care  for the sagging pants.  You know, at all.

Confession time: normally I would have freaked out.  And there probably would have been punishments given out.  Luckily, I have my other half. The calm(er) one. The one that sees the humor in a little girl in pink bathing herself in a muddy lake under our trampoline.  The one that reminds me that it'll take ten minutes to hose the kids off and clean 'em up, but we'll be giving them a lifetime of memories.

And hose the kids off, he did.

And another thing that bothered Wy-Fi.

Like, a lot.

And my floors still have their muddy lil' foot prints smeared across it.

I'll clean it up.

Eventually :)

Yes, Adison. There is.

I was doing Adi's hair for school a couple of days ago when she she asked me with her gigantic blue eyes staring at me, "Mom, is there really a Santa?"

I gulped.  "Why do you ask?"

"Because sometimes I think that it's you and Dad."

Oh, my dear little Adi.  She's always been the most excited for Christmas.  She writes Santa a letter nearly every night in December asking him about how is Christmas plans are going and how much she loves him.  Last year she even drew out and designed the Big Man, the Mrs. and a few of his favorite elves brand new ultra-deluxe bedrooms. 

And she expects answers back (yep, I do a lot of creative writing in December).

I am not ready for this.  To strip this upcoming holiday of all it's glitter and magic.  To have Adi see it as a commercial-driven, money-spending, list-of-wants and don't-really-needs day that it sometimes feels like to us adults who fund it.  I prefer the magic and the glitter.  I prefer the sweet little notes and the plate of cookies with a few carrots for the reindeer.  I prefer the innocence.

I know that her friends have already begun to tell her that she shouldn't believe and that it is impossible for one fat man to deliver gifts around the whole world in one night.  But Adi, with her ferociously loyal spirit, always defends and counter-argues.  He is real.  He is alive.  He is.

In the next few years there are some big changes coming Adi's way.  Soon enough this world will get through the little cracks in the fluffy bubble of innocence that I've kept her comfortably wrapped up in these past 8 years.  So much information and worldly "truths" will fill her head and she'll begin to see the worry and the anger and the hate that fills this earth. 

And I won't... no, I can't take it away from her now.  Not yet.  So I'm asking for one more year of magical celebration.  One more holiday of  true Santa poems, stories and songs.  Just another two months of Belief.  I promise that after this year has come to a close, the next time my oldest girl asks me if I am Santa Clause, I will tell her the truth. 

No.  Dad and I are not Santa.  We as parent's have the honor of filling old Kris Kringle's shoes once a year.  That we get to take the mission of a Bishop that lived so long ago and let it live on, and help it to make this world be wonderful and more loving this one time of the year.  I'll explain how parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents have all helped to spread the joy of giving and and sacrifice that is called Santa through generations. I will tell her that it is now her privilege to help carry this tradition forward.  It is her duty to make this holiday magical and mysterious for her younger siblings, cousins, friends and all of those who still Believe.  She is now part of the special few who take this job very seriously and that she must too.

But not yet.  Not this year.  Not this Christmas.

I know she'll forgive me for my personal indulgence some day in the future when she watches her own children's eyes light up on Christmas morning.

**Thank you Peggy for the inspiration on how to answer her!**

Little Miss Punctual

Adi likes to be punctual. And by punctual, I mean early.

And by early I mean 30 minutes early everywhere.

I am not exaggerating.

I'm not.

And she doesn't take kindly to her mommy dearest telling her, "No sweetie, we can't leave yet. Your dance class doesn't start for another 40 minutes."

And that is how I earned this wonderful look:

Awww, doesn't he look like an angel?

Well, please don't be fooled.

I'm not saying that he isn't sweet, but an angel he is not.

Why? You may ask.

Well, he dumped water on my head today while he was taking a bath and I was foolishly trying to get in some reading time while he was occupied.

Then he dumped ice water on my lap today because I told him, "No. You can't watch Phineas and Ferb right now."

He got time in the "Thinking Chair" for that one.

Then he dumped his cup of water on me at the table tonight because I was forcing him to take a bite of his dinner (which he has steadfastly refused to eat for the past two weeks).

"Wow, this lady needs to control her child," you must be thinking by this point. I know you're thinking it because I would be if I was reading this on someone else's blog.

But, it gets better.

Tonight, Porter was in the shower.

"Time to get out, it's Piper's turn."

"No." He states. Seriously, he doesn't cry, or scream.

"Buddy, do you want another round in the Thinking Chair?" I ask while trying to grab him. Unfortunately, PG has learned that if he positions himself in the far corner of the shower I can't grab him without risking getting wet myself.

Why not just turn off the water?

Yeah, I'm asking myself that right now too.

"No."

"Porter Grant Merrill," oh yeah, I pulled out the full-name-threat, "get out NOW."

He then turns, grinning I might add, and empties his apparently-full bladder onto me.

And that is how my day with my Terrific Two Year Old has gone.

Now this picture is more like the real Mr. Porter

Taking Deep Breaths

I am having a hard time tonight with my baby boy.

I thought that if I spread the misery around, it might help me feel better.

Probably not, but I can sure try.

This little boy, who has always been the baby that we bragged about due to his wonderful sleeping patterns, is having a difficult time going to sleep tonight.

And last night.

And the night before.

The problem is, is that tonight, OP is not here to take care of him (he usually takes over in this area since Porter knows what a pushover I am).

So now I have to play the "bad guy" and keep putting him to bed.

Even though he's crying, "Mommy, huggie! Pease Mommy, huggie!"

I know, it's heartbreaking.

But, if I give in once, I know that he'll continue to do this, not only tonight, but the rest of the month.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my Little Man to tend to...

**wish me luck!**

Funning Around...

Today is Clown Day in Pip's class. The teacher invited all the kiddies to dress up as, well, clowns.

This presented a conundrum for Piper.

Everyhting in her tiny little body screams to be pretty. She loves to wear all things sparkly, pink, and princessy (yes, that is a word... now). So when her teacher (whom she loves) tells her to dress like a clown in miss-matching clothes and crazy hair, Piper is a bit torn.

I came across this rainbow-ish fabric at Walmart and immediantly thought of my baby girl. It just looked like her. And thus, the clown-fairy-princess dress was born.

I used the same idea as the these dresses that I had made previously (which was not easy with this organza-ish material), and created a giant flower to cover up a couple mistakes in the front of the dress.

**And, if you look closely, you can see the long strings that I forgot to cut off. My ninth grade sewing teacher would so flunk me if she saw my horrible finishing job.**

That was as clowinsh as she would go. No mis-matching shoes, no funny clown face-paint.

Ain't she a cutie?

Piper's BIG Day

We've been counting down to this day for about six months now (the last few days have been intense). And it has now finally happened.

Piper started Kindergarten.

*Choke*

She loves her teacher. She loves learning new things.

And she loves the pink toilet in the girls' bathroom.

She loved it.

I, on the other hand, might have had a bit of a difficult time dealing.

But, I am dealing...

Sort of.

A great truth

This afternoon was a difficult one for me.

All I wanted to do was do a little light shopping at a few of my favorite stores. I wanted to quietly enjoy Hobby Lobby, Kohls and Target. Please.

Unfortunately, my kiddos had other plans which did not include either quiet or shopping.

So, while I was in the throes of my anger and frustration, an unfriendly truth slapped me in the face:

My greatest stress and my greatest pride in this world are the same thing-

When my children insist upon doing things their own way.

It has happened.

Adi started 1st grade this morning.

Sure, she already did the whole Kindergarten thing and you would think that I would be over the whole separation-anxiety thing.

But she's going full day. 7 HOURS. I hate to sound obvious, but that is ALL DAY!

Adi got up this morning buzzing with excitement. She helped packed her lunch and washed her face without being asked.

She stared at the clock all morning long, given me minute-by-minute updates of how long we have until she HAS to go.

She said that she didn't want me to walk her to where her class lines-up, even though every other parent got to *sniff*.

So I drive up to the appointed drop-off place, watch as my little girl climbs out of the car, slams the door and ventures into a new world.

Unfortunately, the parents behind me did not understand the highly-poignant moment I was experiencing and began honking for me to move on. So I did, wondering why I am always being forced to move past these type of things.

But I drove through the line-up of cars again to catch one last glimpse of my tiny girl. To make sure that she was all right, and not crying for her mommy (she wasn't).

And then I left her to experience her wonderful, grand adventure.

A Glimpse Into The Future...

Yesterday Adi and I set off on an adventure to find her a pair of birthday shoes to match her birthday dress. Because I am strangely masochistic, I wanted her to choose her own pair.

Oh boy.

First, we went to Payless. Nothing.

Then to Target. She found three different pairs of shoes that she thought she liked, but she wasn't sure, so she said, "Let's keep looking."

So next to Famous Footwear, Ross, Justice for Girls... OH MY GOSH!! I was struggling to be nice and just let the girl make her own decision.

Back to Target, where she then tried on all three of said shoes. "Hmmm..."she says.

{Breathe Courtney, Breathe!}


"I really like these ones, but they are open-toed, and you said I couldn't get any." I told her before we left the house that she couldn't get any open-toe shoes because they just aren't practical in February in Utah.

But, by this time I probably would have spent $200 on a pair of shoes just to get home, so I told her that as long as she promised not to try and wear them oustide until summer, she could have them.

We head for the forever-long check out lines.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"What earrings should I get to match this outfit?"

Seriously.

Seperation Anxiety

The blessed day has finally come. Porter is now old enough for nursery.

On Sunday morning, while I was rushing to get the fam ready for 9 am church, I was imagining how nice Relief Society would be without having to try to contain my lil' monster. I could picture just how relaxing it was going to be.

Then we go to church and OP and I put him in the nursery room. He got a little anxious when he saw us walk out, so I stayed in there for five minutes and showed him all of the cool toys.

Then I snuck out.

And he didn't miss me.

I stayed and watched through the little window for ten whole minutes, but he just kept on playing as though this wasn't the heart-wrenching-first-moment-of-seperation that it was.

I continued to check on him throughtout Relief Society and Sunday School, but he didn't once cry.

And you know what? I was a little bored during those "peaceful" moments.

But don't you tell anyone that I said that!

Going on an Adventure, Merrill-Style

OK, so I'm not one for exploring. Everyone who knows me, knows that. I mean, I didn't even like the kids walking around in the tall grass (as pictured above)- that's where tics live, you know.

We went back to Daybreak today and instead of going to one of the parks, we had lunch at one of their "trail" areas. The kids liked the climbing and the running through tall, bug-infested growth and I had a ball snapping pictures. Unfortunately, my camera lens was dirty from a certain little somebody sticking his finger in the lens (Porter), so only a few shots turned out:

We've been trying to teach Porter to fold his arms while we pray. He usually bows his head, but, for some reason, he just hates folding his arms.



And here's my kids climbing the architecture!


And now we are home and it is naptime (WAHOO!).

And no one brought home any tics, in case you were wondering...

Oh My, My Pipes

I didn't have enough time the other day to pay proper tribute to this little angel that I am so blessed to have in my life. I can't believe that the little one-month-old baby in the pic above is now four! It has been so exciting watching her grow, but it is also just a little heartbreaking...

I call Piper my Lil' Sunshine. When that girl's face breaks into a smile, it is truley like the storm clouds parted and rays of light have streamed across her dimpled face. I envy Pipe's passion- she is so focused on whatever it may be that she is doing. The good part of this is that whatever she is doing she puts her whole heart into it. When she is giving you a hug, you can feel her whole being poured into you. The bad part, however, is that when something goes wrong or not according to her plan, one needs a pair of earplugs to keep her earth-shattering screams from rupturing one's ear drums. Seriously.

This little girl is all heart; so sensitve, so loving. We do, however, also call her the mob boss. When you send Pipes to take care of something or someone, she (pretend I have a Brooklyn accent here) "takes care of it". If I ask her to get Porter, she tackles him and drags him to me. That kind of thing.

She is fearless, only feels pain if she is bored (how many of you have seen her face-plant it into the wall or even cement, then get up and act as though nothing happened?), and so wonderfully original.

Love ya, my little booty-shakin' cowgirl princess!

Now, please indulge me while I share some pics of Piper growing up....

Us Girls

This pic is just so... Piper

18 month pic

Yum-mo

After the girls gave Pipes a haircut...

Two year picture

She just does some of the strangest things...

That is all that I had the patience to dig up- I had a few other ones that I really wanted but I couldn't find them...

Where Have I Been?

Well, Piper turned 4 and we had a Little Pony Party...

The girls got to "become" ponies and even chose their own pony names,

Had a tea party,

and we tried to get a group photo.

Aunt Whitney came down to party with us...





The girls played in a splash pad (Adi-Baby's favorite thing to do),

Porter carried around a Little Pony balloon for the weekend (OP loved that),

we discovered that Piper is a Gamer like her Daddy,

Adi has been focusing on her kindergarden career (she has now learned her address),

we had another combined b-day party for my mom and Pipes,

Porter carried around the mop as much as possible (ok, ok, the kid is a little wierd),

and we played hide and seek at family night.


I've also been watching a lot of The Office while doing my "chores", so that has significantly lengthened the time it takes me to do anything (an I'm watching an episode right now).

Oh, and I have tried to keep the tears back... Adi started school, Piper turned 4 and Porter got his first haircut all in one week. How much can a mother go through before she cracks?

**I'll post the pics of Porter as soon as possible (please remember that time is relative, especially when one is trying to catch-up on past episodes of one's current favorite show)**