Kaj turns 7/ Easter Picture

Ok. So I have some really handsome boys

Kaj turned 7 this year. Wild, wild stuff. He had been counting down the days for a couple of months. Why? I really don't know. I was talking with Whitney about this wondering how children get the idea in their heads that their birthday is a national holiday. Don't get me wrong, I definitely want them to feel special, and that it is a day set apart, but also...it a normal day, and sometimes you have to do normal things. Kaj woke up around 4:30 in the morning to open his presents. We invited him to go back to bed, he then came in again around 5:30-6 which was closer but still not when starting the festivities. At that point Sam and I already realized he was already disappointed. I actually had to sit down with him and tell him that sometimes you need to wait so you can be celebrated because if you are always asking and waiting you might be disappointed. The days turned around from there. We had done some family celebrating the weekend before since Kaj's birthday this year fell on a Tuesday. We had gone climbing and had cake but we saved the presents for his birthday.

Kaj was actually home sick from school the day of his birthday so we really laid low, and what saved the day was actually being able to spend some birthday money from Mor Mor for Kaj and Josh. (I had saved Josh's with the idea in mind that they could both pick out something together) they both picked out brand new lego sets and we went home and they sat at put them together and played with Legos. It ended up being a great day.

A little about Kaj at 7. He is reading a lot more. He seems to enjoy reading and picking out new books from the library at school. He is smart and he can retain information easily. He teaches me new things he has learned from school often. He is a good older brother. He can be very self aware and knows what he needs to work on. He has lost 6 teeth now. I am getting used to his new smile. He is quite a handsome boy. He is working on reading the Book of Mormon right now and reads a page or two every night before bed. He says very thoughtful prayers. Kaj can also be very helpful, and I trust that he will listen to instructions. He is quite the lanky thing, he has a knack for mountain biking and climbing. He really enjoys spending time as a family. Kaj can feel like the glue in our family. I love Kaj. He is growing by the day and I really enjoy who he is becoming. It feels a little crazy to me to think he turns 8 next year so I would be all right if this year goes by nice and slow.

Happy Easter 2017

Family Firsts: Part 1

I took the boys roller blading for the first time a little bit ago. My friend had given me some free passes which was a good thing because I really wasn't sure how the boys were even going to like it and to pay for what could be a 10 minute excursion did not seem worth it. But, I was quite surprised how motivated my boys were to keep going with this because they fell...a LOT. I mean they were scrambling on the floor and falling both forward and backward it was not a pretty sight. While we were getting our blades on this kid came up to us and I will put it this way: he was a, "I like the Tin man" kind of kid. I was juggling to put on blades and roller skates on all 3 boys and keep Jonah from crying he approached us to let us know he would be starting a class to teach others how to skate. It was confusing. But, I guess after seeing us he decided this would be his first business endeavor. He started telling us what skates they should be in and proceeded to show them how to go backwards which I broke the news to him we were first timers and we were just trying not to fall down. He left. After a few moments though he came back with 2 other boys he apparently hired on the spot to take on this project. I could tell they were good kids who had been scammed into this but were very polite. I told them this was their first time and they didn't have to stay with us if they didn't want too. But, they began to give really good tips right away. I agreed with everything they were saying. And before I knew it we were heading with these 2 boys to the skating rink and my boys were falling a little less. Kaj was still...a little off balance. Josh was getting the hang of it, because he would take these tiny step like movements. The boys were so nice. They were encouraging, and they caught them from falling, and they continued to teach them as we made our way around. Rowan was doing great. He had the little skates that go over shoes and he acted as if nothing had changed. I discovered the 2 boys were on the hockey team in Bend and had been skating for 8 years. They were really good. And the boys were really excited to get better and better. It was good to talk with the boys later about the good examples the two older boys were to take time to mentor them and used their time to help others. We have gone several times since, but we still probably should remember to bring helmets.

Another first was to implement a new Monday plan. I love hiking the Butte in town because it feels like a good work out, but is so close by, and it doesn't take long to do. The weather has been getting warmer and I decided the best time to do this would be when Rowan is at school after we drop him off, and I could go with Josh and Jonah. So that's what we have done...weather permitting. It is so much fun. Josh is such a trooper. Classic Josh. Doesn't complain. Just hikes away till we reach the top and it is delightful company.

We also recently hiked the Butte as a family. We haven't gone since before Jonah was born. Usually Sam doesn't want to go to the Butte because he would rather hike something else. But, we went, and all really enjoyed ourselves. We then decided to have the first BBQ of the season. We got out the grill had our delicious burgers and I felt like, "wow, what a great day this was." Well...as we were cleaning up from dinner suddenly Sam was rushing in the house with Rowan crying. Honestly, the cry didn't sound urgent but Sam telling me to turn the cold water on, and he stuck Rowan's hands under the water. Rowan had put both his hands on the lid of the grill and burnt them both pretty badly. His crying was then urgent as he was trying to rub away the pain he popped the already blistered  area of his right hand and it looked awful. His red, raw skin was completely exposed now from the pad of his skin near his thumb up to his fingers with the skin folding over. It was so so sad. We couldn't explain to him what had happened very well, and this was the first time any of my boys had had a burn like this. We were fortunate enough the Sam could call Wisco and tell him what happened, and Sam then quickly went to the store to grab the supplies that we would need to take care of this. I held Rowan as he cried. He would calm down, and then the pain would come back and he wail and cry again. I said a prayer that he would be comforted, and brave, and that there would not be permanent damage. I felt peaceful as soon as I finished praying and I knew Heavenly Father would answer my prayer. Rowan felt fast asleep soon after. When Sam arrived home he told me Wisco was on his way to help bandage  his hands properly. I could barely look at his right hand, but Rowan was actually very brave while they wrapped up both his hands. So, Rowan had his little lobster hands for a few days. I turned out his left hand was fine enough to not have anything after a few days but we had to his right one covered for a couple of weeks. His hand is completely healed now. I am so thankful it was not worse. 

So grateful for our little family, and all the experiences we get to have together.