Another Merry Christmas

I hope you all had a merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Little Monkeys!

Alex and Emma turned six years old on December 16th. Time is flying by! These days, Emma is very cooperative with pictures and Alex is not. He does not want to stand next to his sister.

It has been a busy, exciting year. Kindergarten--yahoo! Lots of soccer, swimming, dance, reading, playing, bike riding, scooting and a million other things. Happy, happy birthday to my little monkeys!

and the winner is . . .

Ethan earned a trophy for the science fair at his school and he is so excited! I am too! What a great feeling it was when I walked in the door today after work and Ethan (with a HUGE smile on his face) ran to show me his trophy. He worked hard on the project and the topic of asthma was very personal for him.

Last year, toward the end of the school year, he participated in an asthma education class taught by the American Lung Association. He learned a lot and felt empowered and in control of his asthma. He decided then that the next year's project would be about asthma. Usually Ethan changes his mind many times before settling on one idea, Halloween costume, party theme, etc. but he never changed his mind about this.

When we began to fine tune the project he decided to study asthma and exercise since he has had to deal with his asthma more as his soccer participation has increased. And in perfect Ethan style, he wanted to include his friends and turn it into a party!

We visited the American Lung Association to do some research and the women working there were so excited to have visitors. Ethan told them all about his ideas and they asked him to be sure and let them know how his project turned out. He is excited to write them a thank you note and send some pictures. I think we should pay them another visit since they seemed kind of lonely!

I am so proud of him!

A Perfect Tribute

My friend, Christi, passed away from breast cancer in February 2010. She was one of the most amazing people I've ever know, with a truly infectious personality. She was funny, creative, kind, loving, thoughtful, beautiful, sexy, supportive and brave. All the things that could make another woman jealous but the crazy thing is that there was never any reason to be jealous of her.

Her family has created a foundation in her honor and it is perfect. Please check it out. Learn more about her. I am excited and proud to support this foundation. I will be ordering my angel wing earrings and if I can ever make up my mind, I will be ordering something from Andrea T Designs. I am IN LOVE with her work. I keep thinking of ideas . . . definitely something for Emma but what will it be? Emma and me? Emma and her Aunt Tracy (kind of an angel thing)? All three of us? It will come to me.

http://www.rackpackfoundation.com/.

Two Wheelin'

We did it! We mastered the bikes without training wheels. I say "we" because I have learned how much patience and encouragement it takes, from all involved, to ride a bike. I have also learned a lot about my childrens' personalities. The behaviors and emotions I see every day came to life in full force this weekend.

When summer began Alex and Emma wanted to try two wheelin'. It didn't go well and according to Emma, it was all my fault (pushing too hard, not pushing hard enough, letting go, not letting go . . . ). The wheels went back on. Then last week the topic came up in conversation. They both said they are ready to try it again. Then David was backing out of the garage and "bumped" Alex's bike, resulting in a broken training wheel. It was fate!

On Saturday we took the wheels off and hit the path. Emma wanted my help and Alex wanted David's help (much easier than both of them wanting my help). But I quickly found that helping Emma would be a delicate, unknown balance! She didn't want me to hold onto her but I kept putting my hand on the back of her seat. She got off her bike, made fists with her hands and said, "Mommy, when I tell you something I MEAN IT. I said I don't want your help!" She said I could give her a push, so I did and that was it!

As she rode off down the path, Alex came around the corner, with David beside him, but seeing Emma riding off crushed his confidence. I am learning how much he compares himself to her. He does it quietly so I don't always see it. Even though she had been riding for about five seconds he felt like she was waaaaay ahead of him. I wiped his tears and tried to give him a pep talk. No luck. Stupid bike. I wiped some more tears and said, "I will help you and if you keep trying, I will give you some money." The grin appeared and his eyes sparkled. It worked. With me close by he found his courage and pedaled away. Just like that!

All through this, Ethan was very observant and an awesome big brother. Sometimes I think he understands his siblings better than I do! When Emma was frustrated, he didn't say anything but when she finally got it he cheered her on. "You did it, Emma!" He gave Alex little pep talks. "When I first learned to ride my bike, the balance was hard for me." "That's great, Alex! You're doing it!" When they did it, he looked at me and smiled, a sweet knowing smile.

Oh, how I love them!

Catching My Breath

The past few weeks have been kind of a blur! There were many moments I will never forget but it helps that I captured some memories with pictures:

Ethan's first day of third grade . . .

One arch of a double rainbow after a fast and furious rainstorm . . .

Emma lost her second tooth (one week after losing the first) . . .

My littlest munchkins started Kindergarten!

Alex and Emma's first day of school will always be remembered by the wild weather. An intense hailstorm woke us all up, then it continued to rain all morning. Last December they begged for umbrellas for their birthday. They had never really used them until that morning. That was almost as exciting as riding the bus and going to school with Ethan!

On Tuesday night (second night of school) the kids were dressed in their pjs and heading to bed when Alex announced that he wanted to write a story. He found some index cards and a marker and started to work on it. He was tired so I suggested he wait until the next day. Oh no, his mind was made up. He would start to write, then make a mistake and since he was tired he would get upset, crumble up the card and want to start over. Oh my goodness, it was like a flashback of Ethan at that age! I knew he wouldn't rest until his story was complete. So here it is, with a little help from me, when he was just too tired to write anymore.

Ethan lost tooth #9. It was kind of a bloody mess. Gross, I know. Ethan's teeth have never come out very easily and he has only pulled one out by himself. Since Emma pulled out her first two teeth without me even knowing it, Ethan's competitive side kicked in. He worked on this tooth for two days and finally pulled it out. With all these teeth coming out I think I should invite the tooth fairy to stay in our guest room.

Speaking of competitive or maybe just strong-willed and determined, here is Emma who can now tie her own shoes. We went shoe shopping a few days ago and she LOVED the Nike sneakers with the purple swoosh. They have laces and I told her I wouldn't buy them unless she could tie her own shoes. She said, "Okay, show me. RIGHT NOW." So I did and she did it. Just. Like. That. I'm pretty sure that girl will do whatever she sets her mind to!

Among all these fun milestones, we were saddened by the loss of David's grandmother, Elvira McWilliams, who passed away on August 25, 2010. She was 99 years old! We were fortunate to visit and spend time with her this past spring in Los Angeles. We have said many prayers for her to rest in peace and for Grandpa Stan, his siblings and the rest of the McWilliams family to feel comforted by their memories of her. It is always hard to say goodbye. We love you, Grandma.

#2 for Emma

Emma lost tooth #2 today, a week and a day after she lost the first one. She said she feels good because now she's going to get two big teeth like Ethan.

A First for Emma (and almost a second)

This morning Emma said, "My mouth feels kind of weird." To my surprise, she had a very loose tooth! She has been asking for months when she will lose a tooth like Ethan and I have said "sometime during Kindergarten." She kept wiggling it and then during Ethan's soccer game she came to me with her tooth in her hand. I didn't expect this for a while longer! Then she had me feel another tooth and it is also loose. I hope the Tooth Fairy has plenty of cash on hand!

Just Like Mama

When I am out at a restaurant, store or some other public place and go to the restroom I have the following routine when washing my hands: water, soap, rinse, flick water off hands, wipe hands on hair to calm the frizzies, dry hands on towel. On Saturday we were at a soccer game where Emma and I went to the restroom. We were washing our hands, I did my routine and in the mirror I caught a glimpse of Emma smoothing her hair with her wet hands. She saw me looking at her and grinned shyly then shrugged her shoulders. It was such a heart-warming feeling, catching that secret little moment of her wanting to be like me. What role models we are as parents/adults, at times we don't even realize!

The Dream Team

On Saturday night Ethan, Alex and Emma had the very exciting opportunity of being part of the "Dream Team" at the REAL Salt Lake game. They walked onto the field holding hands with the players and stood there during the national anthem. It was very exciting! There was some confusion (chaos, actually) and two kids' teams were there so our kids walked out with the opposing team. That's okay! They had a great time and then our whole group sat together and watched the game.

Here they are waiting to go onto the field . . .

They look a little nervous!

Ethan said he wasn't sure what to do during the national anthem because his player didn't place his hand on his heart.

All done. Time to watch the game!

This is Alex and Emma's soccer team. Ethan got to join them because one of the kids got frightened by all the commotion and didn't want to go onto the field. Ethan was there with me so the woman said, "He can go!" He didn't hesitate!

Razzia FC Lightning

Ethan has joined his first competitive soccer team (the club is Razzia and the team name is FC Lightning) and he LOVES IT. Their regular season hasn't started yet but they played in the Murray Max tournament last week. They did a great job playing in their very first tournament. We will be doing the same thing again later in the week. It's a big commitment but very fun for all of us. The kids looked so cute and excited as they walked onto the field in their new uniforms.

Here is Coach Katie, along with Asst. Coach Rudy, giving them a pep talk before their first game.
.

A Question for My Gardener Friends

What kind of flowers are these? Aren't they beautiful? I took these photos at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens. The yellow ones are kind of like daisies, but not quite. Maybe they are a type of daisy? They are lovely and I want some for my yard!

Count Them

Yes, there are six of them. Six children, five and under, all in the same family! While we were walking on the pier at Redondo Beach we saw this group down on the beach. As I took a closer look I could see they all belonged together. I had to take a picture. My kids were fascinated by this group and I was in shock. Look at their shirts and you'll see there is the oldest (in purple), then triplets in orange, then twins on the far left and right. We talked to the mom and guess where they live? Utah, of course! Then she told us she flies to CA regularly, with the kids, because her husband commutes and works there during the week. Did you hear that? She flies, BY HERSELF, with six little kids! She acted like it was no problemo. Then it was time to go and she said to the kids, "Time to go! Put your shoes on and find your buddy!" They all found their own Crocs, found their buddy's hand and followed her across the street like a row of ducklings.

Soccer

Our lives are full of soccer right now and probably forever. The kids love it and I love watching them. Here's a favorite picture of Ethan, taken two years ago by my very talented friend, Emily. Check out her blog: http://carpediemphotography.blogspot.com/. Her recent pictures of New York will take you away . . .

California Vacation 2010, Part I

We passed this Volkswagen and camper on the road, then it pulled in next to us at a rest stop. Ethan was excited to see Herbie; Alex thought it was a race car. Obviously, he didn't notice it was going about 40 miles an hour when we passed it.


Our first stop was Las Vegas and it was 112 degrees. I've never been crazy about Vegas (although I have had some crazy visits there). I definitely don't like it with kids. The crowds make me nervous (trying to keep track of three little ones), not to mention the cigarette smoke, traffic and the heat. Luckily, it was just a place for us to spend the night and then move on.
We spent a few days in Los Angeles. David and I attended his friend, Rob's wedding (another post) while the kids had a sleepover with their Uncle Michael and Aunt Haruna. They had a great time. After that we continued the week with all the tourist attractions.
We spent a long but fun day at Disneyland. Emma had just told us her favorite character is Goofy and then we walked through the gates and there he was. A good start to the day.

Emma was crossing her fingers that she and Ethan would get picked from the audience to participate in the Jedi Training Academy. The lucky ducks got picked!

Ethan received some special tips from a Jedi trainer . . .

Then he battled Darth Maul

Emma battled Darth Vader

Proud Jedi Training Academy Graduates:

We visited California Adventure for the first time. Everyone loved the water ride but I got drenched and they got a little bit wet. My underwear was still wet when we got back to the hotel that night. I know, too much information.

Later in the week we visited a fun place in San Diego called Belmont Park, located at Mission Beach. We spent time at the beach then the rest of the day at this cute park. After the up-and-down-thingy and the tilt-a-whirl I nearly puked; however, a yummy cone of pralines and cream seemed to help.

The day proved to be completely exhausting . . .


We weren't done yet . . . another day was spent at Legoland. We had heard mixed reviews about Legoland but found it to be just right. In two years Ethan will find it boring but this year was perfect. The rides were fun, lego displays were impressive and it was not crowded.

We ended the week with an overnight stay in St. George with Amy and Bill. The kids loved swimming in the pool, especially after a long ride in the car. I'm sure that's why hotels have pools--not for the parents but for the kids to get their wiggles out!