Channeling Talents.

She can't pass it without making music, and is a pro at Aulette. Someone please tell us what it means.

Learning to drive in a Mercedes.

Uncle Will sent this trombone for Michael when he heard he was playing. The band teacher said it was "too much instrument" for a 4th grader and we should keep throwing money away renting. The man at the music store who cleaned up the trombone laughed and told me, "That is like saying learning to drive in a Mercedes is a bad thing. It is a beautiful horn and your kid will do great on it." Thanks Will! (and whomever bought you the lovely Mercedes/Trombone.)
Going for Broken arm #2

Give me strength. If it isn't the piano bench it is a kitchen chair/bench/table.
Entertainment at dinnertime!

Cool!
Narnia Monopoly! Thanks Nana and Papa!

Playing board games with my kids is one of my least favorite things to do. There. I admitted it. I hate balloons too. (good bye any image of Melissa as a "fun mom".) However, we played Monopoly last night and it was FUN. I think having another adult made all the difference in the world, being the banker with 3 kids who don't "do" money.... argh. --And confining Henry to the highchair with an endless supply of snacks.... that helped a lot! I think I could actually get behind a Family Game Night!

1

That's Gisdusting.

I'm over winter. Done with it. Buh-bye.

I realized last week that I haven't washed my big kids coats lately. Possibly ever.

In my defense, I really only see the backs of those coats as they run to the bus, and the insides of them as they lay sprawled on my living room floor wishing to be hung up. But, the cuffs, the fronts of them? Eww. I tried to figure out how they got so dirty, then I saw them rubbing up against the van, walking with their hands dragging along the sides.... Eww.

That is GISDUSTING as Lily would tell me.

I've washed them all. Can't say they look a lot better, but I know they are. Kind of. Till tomorrow.

Marvelous Michael.

10 Facts:

1. He is nice. Like, the kind of nice kid you want your kids to play with.
2. He is smart. He is smarter than me. He knows it too. He is still nice about it though.
   
3. He is funny. Michael finds humor in things and has since he was little. It is fun. He does a Killer impression of Brian Reagan.
   
4. Michael is picky. He sticks with the foods he likes. BUT, he can really pack it away if he likes it. Don't ask him to try something new, or heaven forbid, covered in a sauce!
   
5. He is a watcher. He sits back adn takes it all in. His preschool teacher told me he "refused to participate". She missed out on him entirely. He was watching. Enjoying, learning and feeling things out before he jumped in.
6. We allowed him to jump off furniture at a young age because he had been so cautious, we were thrilled to see him want to live on the edge!
7. Michael is persistent. He doesn't quit or get discouraged easily.
   
8. He is an amazing big brother. He is compassionate and helpful and kind and gentle.
9. Michael has bad handwriting. But, he is a good typist and types very good stories.
10. Michael really wants to do what is right. He feels things very deeply and is very tenderhearted.

We enjoyed Michaels birthday, starting off with the traditional PARTY MUFFINS on a special plate. We had M's favorite food for dinner, Norweigan Pancakes (or are they Swedish? Recipe from Aunt Amy and Uncle Chad). I was reminded of how for the first --- maybe 8 of his birthdays we had Macaroni and Cheese and Pizza for dinner. When Michael gets a favorite of something, he is Loyal to it.

We also got to go to Science Night at the school, the kids had a great time flying airplanes, doing tangrams, building gumdrop structures (Eve won 1st place!), and Michael and his got 2nd in the egg drop. They ended up moving the ceiling tiles to get it even higher! It was a fun night.

I'm so thankful for Michael. He is an awesome kid!

Catch you later.

Michael is a decade old today.

Wow.

I'll be back to blog after we party.

I was Bossy! today though

Feeling Famous.

A month or so ago Sally said this amazing blogger she knew wanted to interview the Bossy sisters.Beautiful Gabi!

Gabi's Interview.

I Just finished reading it. Man, I love my sisters in law! They are amazing women.

I think my favorite part is when Robin (?) talks about not looking for the slight. I really really really hope I am teaching that to my children. In fact, I make a daily effort to slight someone just so they learn that life isn't fair. Kidding! kind of.

Dontcha just Love love?

Happy Valentines Day! Our kids have busily made Clementines for all their cousins and classmates. (Yes, I am just keeping you on your toes. Lily keeps calling them clementines instead of Valentines.)

We had a party for the girls Lily's age. Such fun! Who knew a brown paper bag, decorated and filled with 7 little cards/treats could bring hours of contentment?
We all enjoyed Heart waffles with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast (in V-day Pj's

Such a tease.

Mother Nature is harsh. Today was gorgeous. I think we hit 72*. Sunny, light breeze. The windows were all open, the kids played outside. Perfect.

It will probably snow this weekend.

Here are a few more trip pictures. I had hundreds (literally) and am kicking myself because people we love dearly are not equally represented. In my defense, Henry has a lot because he stays close to me, the faster you run, the less likely I am to catch you. And... Alan? I know you were there! How did I miss your dear smile?We had a great time at the park. It was a nice chance for the kids to run wild and the grown ups to chat. Henry fell in love with slides!
Henry, Joey and Lainey. Three Awesome babies.
This last one is appropriate. It feels like I mostly get pictures of the backs of peoples heads.

Birthday girls!

Nana, Jane and Grandma S!

While we were in California Jane turned 8 and Nana had just turned 25! So she organized a party complete with cake, candles and goodies for all! Jane felt so special and wore her birthday crown for days! (and the kids had projects from their goody bags that kept them busy on the plane home! Allright!) I also want to mention that Bev CHEERFULLY did at least 12 loads of laundry for us... full of pukey towels and clothes. She even folded and IRONED. Dave said "Wow, my shirt hasn't looked this good since I bought it..." Huge thanks Bev, huge! We owe you.

This was a big birthday for Jane... She chose to be baptized in California! It was perfect to be with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and grandparents, we felt the absence of our ward family a bit though. Jane has been taught by loving primary teachers and a very faithful home teacher for the past 8 years. We really do love our ward and they have been like family to us. She was well prepared and we are so proud of her.It took 3 dunks to get Jane, the hairbow (it finally floated away), the fluffy (soggy) white dress and her cute toes all under at the same time. She was sweet though and it really was perfect. Dave gave her a beautiful blessing when he confirmed her. She has a precious spirit and is a great example in our family.
All the Austin cousins were there to support Janey... 9 of them sang with her (and 2 directed from their mommy's laps) ... and really, they were happier than they all look!

(Please excuse Michaels snarl and Jane's bully face. LOL Who knows exactly what kids are thinking when getting their picture taken for the umpteenth time in 7 days.)

Lastly, Robin posted today about Grandma's Party. Please go and read it and admire all her pictures. The whole reason we went on this trip was for this amazing, fabulous, remarkable woman's Birthday Celebration. It was so fun. My favorite part was lining up along the walkway in front of the church, cupcakes and candles in hand and singing Happy Birthday as Grandma left. 90 birthday candles make a lot of light! It was beautiful and Grandma was glowing. Robin planned a terrific party. We love Grandma S so very very much!

Intuition.

In response to a few comments (and I'm sure the hundreds of you that read and don't comment... har har har).

2 weeks ago Henry fell. At least, we think he fell. We had our backs turned. You know, you hear the thud, the silence, count to ten and realize it is coming-- the wail...

A few days later (and a lot more inconsolable crying) I took him to the Pediatrician who declared he must have a sore throat! She told me to keep watching his arm, but it didn't seem like there was anything wrong. On Saturday night we realized he was face-planting when he fell rather than catching himself with his arms... ah hah! I took him to the ER on Sunday (leaving in 12 hours for sunny CA) and they did x-rays and told me it was broken and that I was an amazing smart mom with fabulous intuition and a great advocate for my child who couldn't tell me how he was feeling. Ok, maybe not, but I felt really glad that he wasn't just becoming the Miserable Crabby Child for no reason.

So, he is better now. We went to the Orthopedist yesterday and she twisted and pulled and he charmed her with his gorgeous smile and the splint/sling is gone.

Too bad he is still a bit cranky. Maybe it is the other arm? ;) Just kidding. I know why he is cranky! He only has one tan arm! We need another beach day!

Travelpicturelog

Confession #1. This is only part 1. There are at least 2 more parts. I am a compulsive picture-taker. (Not to be confused with photographer.)

On to Confession #2. The photo of us in front of baggage claim yesterday was totally staged. It was 11:30 p.m., we had been traveling for-- oh 14-ish hours... and I told everyone to look tired. If I hadn't it wouldn't' have been very believable, we were all so fresh and cheerful looking. Not remotely realistic. (oh, and the picture of Henry crying. Is that horrible that we find it funny and take pictures? Don't answer that.)Anyway......

Our trip to CA was practically perfect. Take away the vomiting and the passing on of said germs to all that we love (again, our sincerest apologies!), Add a visit with Sweet Angela and her beautiful family and it would have been 100% Perfect. Oh, and a few more days. A few more sit on the beach watch the kids roll in the sand and visit kind of days.

We started early and ready. $4.99 gave us 4+ hours of Nick Jr. on the airplane. PRICELESS. It is a loooong way from Philly to San Diego! Coast to Coast!

Dad and Bev took us to Old Town San Diego. We loved seeing neat things and visiting as we walked.
D&B also treated us to a day at the zoo. It was awesome. The weather was wonderful, the animals cool, the kids happy! All around a great day. Lily was Dad's partner on the bus ride and when we got off he told me, "She gave me a running commentary!" That girl never.stops.talking!


Can you tell which sweet child wasn't feeling so hot when we drove past the San Diego Temple? Oh, and that sky! It was amazing! I didn't even photoshop the blue sky. Wow.
On to Uncle Will, Grammie and Grandpa! How fun was it to see where Will has lived for the past... 9 (14?) years! I love his community and now I know why he stays there! It is lovely and I want to come again and stay with him and window shop on Main Street! Of course the kids loved a chance to see G&G and show off at the park.

And! Jane turned Eight! (Birthday post to follow... one of these days.)

Jiggity Jog

We're home.

More posts later. 25 loads of laundry to do. 700+ pictures to blog about ;) Just kidding, I'll only post 500 of my favorites.