the cheshire cat has a head, torso and tail

2 weeks ago, Molly played one of the 3 parts of the Cheshire Cat in the local production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. (the musical).  She's been working on her lines, songs and dance moves for 3+ months.  

She was so so great!  The play was darling and we are so proud of her hard work.

nine

Jonah is 9 and I can hardly believe it.  Jonah's birthday dinner included all his requested favorites: homemade breadsticks and marinara sauce, smoothies and chocolate-frosted cupcakes.

My favorite things about this happy 9 year old:

1. He likes things to be fair and he is aware of others' feelings.
2. He loves to read, especially books in a series.
3. He convinced his teacher to let him test at a higher level in reading and proved he could ace the tests.
4. He is a great helper with the babies.
5. He wants to either be in the NFL, or serve in the army (it's a gun thing).
6. He is a very talented football player.
7. He willingly fasted on his birthday, because it was fast Sunday, and that's just what we do.
8. He was thrilled with his birthday and repeatedly told us how awesome his day was.
9. He is forgiving and makes me want to follow his example.

Happy Birthday Jonah.  We love you!

9 month phenoms

These boys are nine months, and they can do the usual baby tricks:

crawl (well, at least george can)

army crawl (hank)

 and sit up.

But they can also perform some unusually high level skills too.

They can do headstands.

And they can read [geniuses, we know].

They can fix cars with their eyes closed.

They can give wedgies.

And escape wedgies.

Yes, they're our little child prodigies.  Don't be jealous.

schoolhouse rock

Owen started preschool this week.  He was very excited - packing his backpack, taking pictures and just eager to go. When we pulled up to his teacher's house, he suddenly became clingy (Like he's been for the past few weeks, since mom + dad went to San Diego: without him) and I had to peel his hands off the door handle.  I carried him in while a friend watched the twins in the car.  

His classmates, all of which he knows, jumped on the trampoline and played in the backyard. Owen cried and would not let go of me.  This is so unlike him (except for the afore mentioned few weeks).  I finally got him to take off his backpack and sit on a patio chair.  I kissed him goodbye with a promise to return.  He was still crying. But I left.  

2 1/2 hours later, I picked up a happy boy who was excited about his first day. His teacher said he joined the group inside with a little coaxing, and then he was fine. 

So guess what happened today, his 2nd day of preschool? Yep, instant replay: tears, sadness, drama.  

He was over that when I picked him up, but when we walked in our front door, he said with a sigh of relief, "Home, beautiful home!"  

Any ideas on how to help this boy not be so sad to leave me?

In other news, the older kids are finishing their 3rd week back to school today.  Wow, that was quick.  I know, Christmas will be here before I know it too.  I don't want to hear Christmas music, or that you're already done shopping, for several more months! Actually I don't ever want to hear that you are already done shopping.  

Here are our 2 uniformed children and 1 free agent who FINALLY gets to wear whatever she wants because junior high is just cool like that. Especially when you've just discovered American Eagle.  Oh, and you've talked your mom into letting you wear mascara.

nothin' but good times in utah

this is our family in grandpa bill's backyard.

this is our family with grandpa bill.

this is owen getting really tired of pictures. 

it is the last photo before he melts down*.

*melts down = refuses to be in any more pictures; won't smile; hides behind dad; falls on the ground in defiance. 

3 points if you know Utah's state folk dance

Behold, the annual trek to Utah.

First off, a trip to Temple Square.

I couldn't resist taking this picture of a worker meticulously scraping the "gunk" off a fence surrounding the temple.  I have never thought about the bird droppings that must be constantly removed.  And how do they keep the birds from nesting in the recessed windows and the like?  I am very aware of birds, you know.

The Assembly Hall. 

I love this.

Someone's in our family picture.

Hot and sweaty kids.

Are they looking for coins?  Or just cooling off?  I think both.

These two were so good.  Just happy to be there.
(George on the left.  Hank on the right.)

Owen stars in most of the photos, because I can keep up with him, and when he finds something he likes, he stays for awhile, and I can get a shot.  The olders jet from place to place too fast.

Chandelier and stained glass at The Joseph Smith Memorial building.

It seems like we've taken our kids to Temple Square a lot, but most of our kids did not remember it at all.  Turns out, we have driven by many times, even toured the conference center, but have not toured the temple grounds since before Owen was born.  Maybe I am thinking of my own childhood when we went every summer.  Because it was not only meaningful and beautiful, but free.

And just so I don't forget how novel this seemed to me:  We met a sister missionary from Pakistan.  Maybe someday that won't seem like such a big deal, but in 2010, it IS big.  We spoke with her and her Taiwanese companion at length, while the kids explored the visitor's center movies and displays.

Pierced Ears: A Rite of Passage

Molly is 12!

12 is the magic ear-piercing number at our house.  I have never seen Molly more excited than when I told her she could get her ears pierced a few days before her birthday, since we would be on vacation on the actual day.  And I surprised her by having a few of her school friends waiting for her when we got to Icing (which we learned is the "more mature" sister-store to Claire's).

The anticipation of that gun going off is a little unnerving.  She didn't even flinch.

One ear done and she already knows it looks good.

One thrilled girl!  And she still hasn't even seen herself.

Then her friend's mom, who was with us, decided to surprise her daughter and get her ears pierced too.These two were just glowing!

My baby is growing up.  

12 things I love about Molly:

1. She's a hard worker. 
2. She is excited to go to Junior High this year and not wear uniforms anymore.
3. She is a wonderful helper with Hank and George.
4. She is organized and responsible.
5. She is a good student and already thinking about college scholarships.
6. She is not afraid to try new things.
7. She is a really good swimmer.
8. She looks cute in her braces, and tries very hard not to complain about them.
9. She has a beautiful singing voice.
10. She wants to do what's right.
11. She is sensitive to others' feelings.
12. She is thebomb.com.  Happy Birthday Molly!