philly got some snow!

18 + inches-- that's the most we've had in the 3 1/2 years we've been here! We'll take it!

it's the little things

Last Saturday was a little rough. For one reason or another, our kids had the "grumpers." (If you'd like a detailed run-down of the day, complete with the "gratitude drive" to North Philadelphia, just ask.) Anyway, due to a string of events and misbehaviors, Nate and I found ourselves outside, alone, on our front porch. A neighbor walked by, and, noting this unusual circumstance, asked: "Where are your kids?"

"Oh, in time out, in various places," Nate replied. (To her royal credit, Caroline was actually asleep.)

And at that instant, we looked at each other and realized: a moment of serendipitous bliss had befallen us. For the next 5 minutes and 42 seconds, we basked.

The Princess Turned One!

We had two birthdays in our family last week!

First was Little Miss CAROLINE {aka Fweemies, the Fweems, Kiki, Care-Bear, Princess, and Queen of Sheba}! We love you so much, sweet Care. You've got all of us wrapped around your little cute finger.

this banner was up for a solid week (poor Jack)

introducing... the Star of the Day!

the birthday dinner was a bit too sophisticated.. but no worries. She just fed everyone else.

Caroline has a very mean mother, who held out until her birthday to buy her a doll. The poor girl has been lusting over them since she first laid eyes on one last summer.

So pleased with her new acquisitions. She could hardly contain herself.

While the dinner wasn't necessarily appreciated, the girl has definitely developed a fine palette for all things sweet. Eating cake was a very polite and enjoyable affair.

Happy Birthday, sweets!

Seven!

I can't believe my first born child has been on the earth for seven years! Actually, sometimes it seems like a lot longer(the boy is a little wise man in so many ways.) Because it was an off-year for a friends party, we had a simple, but still memorable, family affair. He had a sleepover at Grandma's (beats a friends' party any day!), and requested Olive Garden for his pre-birthday sup, where he stuffed himself silly. The birthday itself was on Sunday, and he proudly wore his "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY" badge to church, where he was heralded appropriately. He opened presents throughout the day: one here, one there... (thanks, all you aunts, uncles, and grandparents for the multitude of gifts and calls!). His birthday "cake" was his favorite cherry cobbler, and, as evidenced by the photos, he was determined to get every candle out on the first blow!

Seven things I love about GRANT:

1. He is compassionate. He cares very deeply about others. I've watched him put himself out to make others feel comfortable and welcome, and he is genuinely concerned for others' well-being, be it close friends or utter strangers.

2. He is sensitive. We watched the Water Horse the other night, and I looked over and saw tears running down his cheeks. He was embarrassed a little, but cried quietly for several minutes over the situation being presented in the movie.

3. He is honest. Grant is always wanting to follow directions and rules with exactness. When he knows he's not supposed to do something, he absolutely does not do it. I have never heard anything but the truth come out of those little lips (sometimes to a fault!)

4. He is intelligent. The boy has been blessed with keen mind. Sometimes the things he comes up with absolutely floor me! Give him a random number between 1- 26, and he'll tell you which letter of the alphabet it is without batting an eye. I have a feeling he's going to be a whiz at Trivial Pursuit someday. Along with being smart, I love that he has a hunger to always be studying something. I hope this sticks with him throughout his life.

5. He is funny. I love this dude's sense of humor. He appreciates very subtle comical references, remembers and repeats every joke he hears (so don't tell him any gross ones!), and is, like his father, already becoming a master of well-placed sarcastic comments!

6. He is helpful. Especially with Caroline. He rushes to her side at her every whim. And believe me, it's worth it. The Queen prefers him often to anyone else!

7. He is creative. Says he's going to be a screenwriter, and already has about four scripts in the works! I love his poems, his stories, and his answers and suggestions for problems.

I love you, bud.

Halloween Fun

Of course, the obligatory Halloween blog post. We had a great time. The kids did a fun little witch hunt in Narberth, which is the cutest, most quaint little Philly suburb. We'll definitely make that a tradition. They had a blast.

Here they are in all their "fishy-ness!" My friend lent me an awesome fish head that I wore, but alas, my big plan to get Nate in a mermaid costume failed miserably. I'm still holding out for Elvis next year...

this was Nate's little "project:" carving 22 oranges with his surgical scalpels for Grant's class party. I knew those scalpels would come in handy at some point! He says he's not going to eat an orange for a least a couple months...

hunting for witches in downtown Narberth

Go Phillies.

Grant's quality time in the W.C.

Grant's future self is going to KILL me for posting this, but I couldn't resist. Every day, right after school, Grant takes a break in the loo. 20, 30, sometimes pushing 40 minutes. Long enough that his legs and feet, inevitably, fall asleep. He makes snack requests(which I sometimes honor), and typically takes in either a good book or a pad and paper to write alphabetical lists of things. He has been known to study his Kids' Encyclopedia in there, and I even caught him poring over our globe, with it comfortably (?) perched on his bare little lap. How I love this boy.

But today, things got even more creative: he took the digital camera in with him. Something of a "self portrait session", shall we say? Enjoy. Feel free to insert your own captions...

Fall in PA

We took a little excursion into the Poconos last weekend. Talk about livin' the dream. Breathtaking scenery, an envigorating bike ride along the Lehigh River, great friends (thanks, N,R,E, I, and L), and way too many treats made for some much needed R&R for our minds and souls. If I find out that I've got a week to live, I told Nate that this is where I'll go.

Heaven on earth!

it was THAT good

I don't often go a-postin' about food I eat, although it does constitute a lot of time and thought in my little head. (And mouth.)

But this... whoa. My friend Janelle changed my life tonight. Red Velvet Cake Balls. Check 'em out. Yum.

please read

I don't know them personally, but I have been extremely touched by this family's story. Please take a look and lend your support...

For your entertainment: 3 vignettes

#1: Willpower

Nate and I were in Grant's classroom at Back to School Night, meeting his teacher and the other parents while sitting in a circle. His teacher (who is, in all seriousness, fantastic) was explaining the strange phenomenon that spelling is no longer taught in school as a subject; rather, it is incorporated into the curriculum in a variety of other ways.

Nate shoots me a note that says,

"speling suks."

And then a few minutes later:

"hoo kares if yu can't spel"

I lost it. Right there in front of all the other sophisticated (fine, there was one permed mullet) parents, I started faking my way out of hysteria with these pathetic, high pitched little wheezes. I think I was winded for the rest of the night. I hope by being the homeroom mom in Grant's class, I can make it up to his teacher...

#2: "Nursing" my "Wound"

I'm speaking in code here, ladies, and there won't be any pictures to support my post.

I think it's time to "pull the plug." "dry the tap." "end the party."

The girl's got teeth, and they draw blood.

#3: Our Twist on Time-Out

No, no, it's not what you think. We don't usually throw our kids in dumpsters as a form of discipline. Rather, we (er, I) throw our only set of car keys in dumpsters as a form of masochistic entertainment. We were at the Jersey shore, celebrating Nate's fantastic finish in a 75-mile bike race, and were about to go enjoy the beach when, OOPS!, I accidentally dropped the keys in the dumpster. Way, way down in the dumpster. Past all the garbage bags and into the slewy, thick swamp of sewage and other unknown waste. Aarrgghhh!!!!

What to do????

Grant stepped up galantly as the man of the hour. Willingly, he let his dad hold him by the ankles and dangle him down into the dumpster, where he fished around in several unsuccessful attempts before finally, heroically, locating the keys. His biggest dilemma after the event was not how to get his arms clean, but how to accurately and vividly describe the event in the prescribed two sentences he is allowed for "sharing" in his 1st grade Monday morning routine.

(Unfortunately, I didn't think to grab the camera until Nate was pulling him out for the final time. It was much more poignant when Grant's legs were straight up out of the dumpster and Nate was holding him by the ankles. Also, it's interesting to note that our other two children were seemingly unimpressed by the whole event.)

i am a stage mother

who says kids can't start at 9 months?

I'm lovin' the technical prowess here

for my middle child

Dear Jack,

Today was a good day. Grant went off to his first day of first grade, and after he left, you and I had a happy, splendid, “delightful and pleasant” day! I loved being with you today, Jack. This morning, we folded a little laundry and put Caroline down for a nap, and talked about sharks, whales, and tsunamis. You watched Diego while I ran on the treadmill, and then we sat down together in the playroom and made a zoo with your animals and the cardboard bricks. It was amazing! You made the coolest alligator cage, and I really liked that you gave the sea lion its own blue-brick pool.

You were excited that you got to play Stanley on the computer while I took a shower. You did a great job—all by yourself! We talked about animals and then you decided to make a cool picture of sea creatures to send to Uncle Andrew. Caroline woke up, and we made lunch—“exactly what Grant is having at school,” you said. So you had an Uncrustable (which you didn’t love), grapes, pear slices, and chocolate milk. You said the lunch prayer, and it was just you, me, and Caroline! Then, we went on errands. You got a sucker at the bank. You waited patiently in line at the post office. And then… we went to the park! What a great time we had! I pushed you on the merry-go-round, you held Caroline all by yourself and went down the slide with her, and then you pretended you were a jaguar on another planet! I got to be a human, and you promised you wouldn’t bite me. You used your super-duper sense of smell to sniff out poisonous bugs, and pushed Caroline around in her space-pod stroller. You were good-natured when it was time to go, and I was proud of you, because I knew you would have liked to stay and play longer.

When we got home and Caroline was asleep, we worked on your very first lesson in your reading book. You did great, Jack! You were so anxious and excited for Grant to get home, and when he did, you both played so happily all the way until dinnertime. You even “jogged” up and down the street with him while he rode his bike. That must have been hard, Jack. We promise we’re going to fix up your little bike with training wheels, so that you can ride, too.

Thank you for today, Jack. I loved talking with you and being with you—just you—almost the whole day. You are a wonderful, kind boy. Thank you for always trying to make Caroline happy. Thank you for being such a good friend to Grant. And thank you for bringing me so much joy. I will never forget this day!

Love,

Mom

a juncture

Goodbye-

fireflies

popsicles

swimming

friends all day

brothers in pj's until half past eleven

late night bike rides

early morning runs alone

reading piles of books in the afternoon on the "waiting bench"

serendipitous outings

sprinklers

Hello-

backpacks

sack lunch (thus, it begins)

new shoes

crickets

routine

the year of seminary for Nate (who thinks 6 am will be sleeping in, though)

soccer Saturdays

apple picking

football, of course (go, BYU) (did I just say that?)

biking with Caroline

and maybe,

a clean house!

time for a change

It's really quite remarkable what can happen when your husband has his research year during a surgical residency. Nate told me he couldn't stand "One More Day" of looking at the "pee-yellow" walls in our bedroom. 48 hours later, here's what we did:

Oh, I'm getting so spoiled this year. And greedy. If he's home later than 5, my rhythm's thrown off. Come next July 1, I'm going to need a therapist to help me deal with the withdrawal.

I've lost control

Watch out, all you first-time moms. Don't come callin' for any advice from me!

These are the days...

We just returned from a couple of weeks visiting our families in Utah. The boys will always think of Utah as synonymous with nonstop fun. Sunup to sundown, our dudes played-- played with cousins, played with grandparents, played with each other, played with mom and dad. To them, no one goes to work in Utah. No one has to do chores. No one runs errands, goes to school, or ever, ever goes to the dentist. The magical, mythical world those Utah pirates live, indeed! I wonder how long we can keep the illusion going. I must admit, it was a bit tricky to come back to the routine of reality!

These pics constitute a very meager assortment of snapshots taken when I remembered to have my camera with me, which wasn't very often!

The classic mom must-have: all kids naked in the tub. We were at my mom's Park City condo, and I promise I was one inch away from the camera shot, holding my breath that Caroline's floating head wouldn't be submerged!

Here is our little princess, making the face that has become quite her standard these days. We call her the Queen of Sheba, and she's got the whole family wrapped around her fingers. Somehow, we all are fine with it, though.

Reading with Grandpa Richards. This was a highlight, and one of the few down times in the midst of lots of activities and adventures.

Grant with his "best" cousins, Cort and Pete. I said to him one night as I tucked him in, "Grant, I feel like I haven't seen much of you these past few days; you've been so busy with Cort and Pete! I miss you!" To which he replied, "I'm sorry Mom, I don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything, but I don't really miss you."

This is a picture that will forever bring a smile to my face. I love the various emotional comfort levels on display here.

sweet car- oline...

My dear friend, Katie, just moved away and sent me these photos she snapped of Caroline a few weeks ago. I thought they captured her expressive little self so well. She is a growing girl... giggling, waving, giving "kisses", loving her brothers to death, and making her every whim and desire known to all! We love her.

By the way, Kate just moved to Utah and is a fantastic professional photographer. I'm sure she's booking up quickly, so for all you Utah folks who may be interested, check her out here. You will not be disappointed! Katie, we miss you!

jack's aspiring career

The following notice is currently posted on a piece of white cardboard, hanging on our front door:

Jack Docktor the greatest

no cure to high

open 10 am to 3:30 pm

wendsday to saturday.

18 Hastings Avenue

Junior Partner= Nate

We cure hickups, back ache, itchyitus, slide monster bite, and others.

I knew Nate secretly wanted to be Jack's junior partner on his research year.

June = ready, set, go!!!

June was such a busy month for our family! If you're willing to put up with lots of pics and even more rambling, here's a brief synopsis:

Grant rocked as a Farmer in his splendid end-of-kindergarten Farm Show. You should've heard his rendition of "Down on Grandpa's Farm." Definitely one of his favorite moments in life.

Here's Jack, with his best bud in the whole world, Jack Dudley. As well as addressing each other always by their first and last names, they also affectionately call each other "Trout" and "Tuna," and simply, "Friendy." Jack moved away this morning. There's a hole in our hearts.

What are we going to do?

A girls trip to NYC with two of my dearest friends in all the world, Shari and Rachel, and of course, Caroline (on tap!). Caroline proved to be a NYC rock star. Who knew she could sleep in a stroller for 2 1/2 hours at a stretch? She must have inherited a genetic love for the city.

Shari, we will miss you!!!!!!!!

Camping in the Poconos with our friends. I love camping. I don't love it with a baby. Rockstar Caroline is more of a city girl, it seems. We're so nerdy--we even brought our noisemaker to use in the tent (those real-life nature sounds just don't cut it, I guess!) But chillin' by the campfire with my boys, singing songs and roasting marshmallows is simply the best.

The 5 mile hike at the beginning...

... and the end.

Ricketts Glen is awesome... we hiked past 22 waterfalls!!!

Jack turned 4!!! Unfortunately, the park party was rained out, so Nate and I got creative with 16 crazy kids in the house. Apparently, "freeze dance" to "Under the Sea" was effective and enjoyable. Where do these kids learn their moves?

Jack doesn't eat cake. Not a bit. So, donuts had to suffice. Frankly, these were so easy that I don't think I'll ever go to the trouble of making a cake again! (Sorry, Grant.)

We love you, Jack.