Ice age.

After a three-week bout of single digit temperatures, we were graced with a 35 degree rise in temperature within a week.  Finally. it wasn't too cold to play in the snow!  In fact, Eve thought it was warm enough for short sleeves.  Is spring here yet?

Skin in the game.

Anna made s special request during December-one that I truly wanted to grant her.  She hoped to take drawing classes after school.  One teensy weensy problem: I have an unwritten policy that forbids  extracurricular activities exceeding one per person(at a time).  It has more to do with my absurd need to be in complete control of everyone's schedules than it is a cost-cutting measure, but that is certainly a major perk of not over scheduling. In all honesty, I really didn't want to have to pack my younger ones into my car one more time to pick her up from her class(as it was, at the time I was traveling to/from the school at least four, sometimes five times a day...yep, don't ask).  Plus, I'm not in the habit of making wishes come true without encouraging my kids to get some skin in the game.  So I asked Anna to contribute 1/4th of the cost of tuition (a significant amount, given her current earning potential), fully expecting that she would drop the issue and I could keep Wednesday afternoons to myself.  Nah.  She made a beeline for her piggy bank, forked out the cash, and I was forced to comply.

Money talks, you know.  I think it's fine to sign my kids up for activities that I feel are important.  It's my money, after all.  Well, I guess it's sort of Tim's , since he's the only money-earner in the family, but let's not get technical.  My kids, for instance, have to take swimming lessons until they reach a certain level of proficiency (in other words, until I no longer have to worry about them drowning themselves if I turn my back for  a split second at the pool).  I also force them to take piano lessons until I feel they've demonstrated a willingness to practice regularly, but in that case, I'm the teacher so the investment is purely opportunity cost.  Anything else, though, is superfluous, merely for their enjoyment, at which point I think it's fair to check and see just how badly they want it.  This is the first time anyone's ever been so motivated.  Conclusion: I guess Anna likes art.

Dear diary.

I write my posts in first person.  That makes sense.  And many of my posts flow much like a letter, as if I'm talking to someone (or a vast audience, in some cases).  Maybe that makes less sense.  Yes, this is my journal, so, in some ways writing to an audience makes me feel as though my thoughts have voice, they have purpose, and may appear more personal when my posterity gets their hands on it.  But I'm also talking to you.  That's right, you, whoever the heck out there reads my blog.  In many ways when I sit down to write, I feel an obligation to my family and friends.  Not that you all are hanging on my every word, but since I'm not the best at keeping in touch via text message, email, facebook, I like to imagine that my friends are keeping tabs on me through my blog.  And that makes me feel connected to them somehow.  Even though I don't really even know for sure who reads this thing most of the time. 

I know blogging isn't enjoying the heyday it used to.  I realize that since the frequency of my blog posts is sporadic, at best, I may not be attracting the sort of following I once did.  I recognize that people's lives get busy and that other social networking vehicles serve a more convenient purpose for most.  I also know that things like Google Reader keep us updated on blogs without any obligation to click through and make a comment.  I realize that the busyness of my own life and the mommy brain with which I'm afflicted pretty much excludes me from being capable of producing anything witty, or inspiring, or entertaining.  But I want you to know that I appreciate those out there who read this thing.  And I'm grateful for the occasional comment you leave to remind me that you're there.  Because as much as it is motivating for me to know that this is a record, one I'm writing for posterity, it adds another dimension to know that I'm writing for you, too.  My friends and family.  (And the occasional friend of a friend...or stranger... or stalker).  So thank you!

Four and still the baby.

Our adorable baby just turned four!  We are trying our darnedest to keep this child little.  I'm pretty sure that this winter's introduction to the Star Wars series hasn't helped much.  There's a lot of talk of killing and death and the wielding of light sabers around here.  Leave it to my dear husband to infuse our home with a high degree of geek factor.  As if the odds weren't stacked in that direction in the first place.  Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk about.  Let's talk about Eve! 

She had her first birthday party with friends this year.  We opted for a snowflake theme and I scheduled it for a school day so that my older kids would be conveniently out of the way and I could run the show my way(but I'm not controlling, or anything).  Appropriately, a huge snowstorm merited the cancellation of school that day and we hunkered down for an awesome snowflake party as the blizzard swirled around us outside.  But only after the kids had spent a couple of hours sledding to their hearts content.

Eve is such a joy.  Sometimes I chalk it up to the fact that she is my youngest and I can let things roll off of me more easily, but mostly, I am bewitched by how cute this daughter of mine is.  She knows it, too.  She says so herself - to herself - while we're brushing teeth in the morning.  "I'm cute!" she exclaims.  Guess it's time to lay off that particular compliment for a while.

Back to her birthday.  She chose pizza for her birthday dinner and made life ultra-easy on her mother by opting for Costco cupcakes over some elaborate homemade cake design.  Here are four things I love about Eve at this age.

1.  She is like Tigger.  I know it's age-appropriate to bounce around instead of walk, but I simply can't keep this girl's energy contained to putting one foot in front of the other.  It made for a heck of a lot of spills during our recent weeks of snow and ice, but I just love watching Eve bound from here to there and everywhere.
2.  She will eat just about anything!  Her favorite snacks right now are greek yogurt and bananas.  And when you have a child like Lily, this trait is particularly appreciated.
3.  She has this nasally little voice with a lisp that is to die for.  I love to extrapolate her thoughts because you just can't believe that such profundities can come from such a sweet voice.
4.  She understands deep things, so deep she can't always articulate them.  Tonight we were reading the story "Strega Nona" and, halfway through the story she had identified the theme (obedience) and was truly concerned for Big Anthony and the punishment that awaited him.  When we discuss gospel matters, she gets it.

Eve is a light in our family.  We eat up her enormous round eyes and independent spirit with delight.  Happy Birthday Evie!

Once upon a time...

I was a blogger.  True story.  And then the holidays hit, and a whole host of viruses visited our house that cramped my style in the form of children staying home from school... and church... and all the other places they go so that I can get a break from them.

Before I know it, it's a new year, there are resolutions to be made.  Still sitting on that one.  And the fact that an entire month has passed since I last recorded a snippet of the memorable events that transpire around here gets to me about, oh a day ago.  So I sit down to blog on the only computer in the house on which our photos are stored.  And blogger won't upload them.  It's enough to send me into full-blown depression, I tell you.  Because the bitter cold and lack of vitamin D just weren't enough. 

Which brings me here.  I've planned an adorable snowflake party for Eve tomorrow morning, but the cupcakes need frosting.  My lesson for church can wait.  I've got cookies to bake for an activity tomorrow.  I haven't read a book for pleasure in 3 months.  I've got a mending pile to China that needs tackling.  My house is an organizational disaster (which it has been for years, but I could justify that when I was chasing around 4 children under age 6).  Nevermind all that.  All I want to do is blog.  But today's technical difficulties force me to bore you with mere words.  Here goes nothing.

I'm occasionally overwhelmed by my children.  They're bossy, loud, demanding, mischievous, messy, lazy, contentious and disobedient.  Some of the time.  The rest of the time they're fun, witty, compassionate, service-oriented, hard-working, problem-solving, and ready to please.

Occasionally I dwell on the former traits.  Sometimes, though, I'm keenly aware of the amazing gifts each of my daughter's possesses.  Yesterday I watched as Rachel dropped something on the ground at swimming lessons.  Another parent picked it up before Rachel could and I watched her look the woman in the eye and say "thank you".  Big deal, you say?  I spend a lot of time with kids (at school, during playdates, etc.).  I know plenty of parents teach their kids to say thank you.  But how many really get it?  Rachel does.  She's barely six and rarely forgets to recognize the effort others exert on her behalf.  It is truly remarkable. 

The night is wearing on, and I've got a big day tomorrow.  I'll get around to gushing about the other girls.  Some other time.  And maybe, just maybe blogger will let me post pictures of the holidays, too.

Speaking of tradition...

One of my favorite family traditions (I probably take an inordinate amount of pride in it because it was a completely original idea) is on New Year's Eve.  I compose a slideshow out of the best pictures and videos from the year and we park ourselves in front of the big screen and reminisce on the previous year's events, progress, pitfalls and joys.  I love it.  But I don't have any pictures to prove how much I love it.

So, I'll add a couple of memorable quotes from the kids, for good measure.

While driving in the car one day, I changed the radio station when an inappropriate song popped on.  Eve, clearly disappointed, asked why I had done so.  After I responded, she quipped, "But mom, that song doesn't say 'sexy'!"  She's three and knows the word sexy - and that it's a no-no in our house.  Poor youngest child.

We were discussing gun control at the dinner table one night and Tim mentioned that there are some individuals who are trying to limit knife purchases, as well.  Lily said, "What?  We can't cut our food?"

Guess you had to be there.