18 months

A couple weeks ago Ruby turned 18 months. Since then I've wanted to compile a list of things I don't want to forget about this moment in life with her, but whenever I've sat down to do it I don't know quite where to start. During these past 6 months she has developed into quite the little girl. Basically there is a lot to her that makes her her and I don't want to forget any of it. She is passionate about... everything (wishy washy is not her thing) with a good idea of how she would like the world to turn-usually right around her. She is an adorable, quirky and fun girl with lots of energy and attitude.

Despite the fact that mellow is not in her repertoire, I really feel like Ruby has hit one of her 'sweet spots' for me. I adore watching her try new things, push herself to do more and learn and discover the world around her. I think it has also helped that I have stopped wondering when she will turn into the easy going, soft spoken, unassuming, shy girl I always thought I'd have. Ruby is vivacious, loud, determined and confident and I love every bit of her. Here are a few other things I love about her right now.

1. When this girl wants something...there is no stopping her. I love this picture of her. I can't see her face, but I know just how focused it is as she insists on wearing a winter coat on a blazing hot day and carrying all of her "supplies" to the car by herself. When she is this crazy determined I know sleep is just around the corner.


About two minutes after we got in the car she was out.


2.Whenever we ask "Who wants....(anything)?" she raises her hand just like this. We think it's so cute that we ask questions just to see her do it.


3.She loves to be chased. She loves to put clothes on, but when it's time to put on pajamas she always runs into the boys room and hides in their bed. It's now part of her nightly routine.




4. She might be a little bit of diva. I always thought diva little girls came from diva mothers but now that I have one I don't think that is true. When she saw these glasses at WalMart she made a bee-line for them, put them on and didn't want to take them off. She ended up falling asleep in my arms during our shopping trip with the glasses on so it wasn't until we were in the car that I realized we were the proud new owners of zebra print glasses. She loves them, wears them all the time and I plan to pay for them next time we are at WalMart.

5. Sunglasses aren't the only thing she steals. She is pretty much an accessory bandit. I can't count the number of times I've had to walk around with hat hair while shopping because Ruby has suddenly decided her outfit needs an extra touch on top.

When we went camping with the Bywaters, Ruby saw a headband (on Sohpia's head) that she just had to have. Sophia obliged and life is good for Ruby.



6.When it comes to accessories not even the boys are safe. This is Ruby after church. The boys take off their church clothes and she puts them on. It looks like things didn't go exactly as planned.


7. She loves stuffed animals. It all started with an obsession with stealing Max's stuffed animals (I think it mostly still is), but Dotty, Dolly, Sharky and Crocky (are you noticing a naming theme) are her favorite bedtime companions.


8.She is already stealing my clothes...well shoes at least. Here she is stuffing my heels into her drawer.




9.She may like to steal my clothes (actually anyone's clothes), but she certainly has her own sense of style. She insists (I've used this word a lot during this post...there's a reason) on wearing these goggles on her face or on top of her head. It's her "thing" right now. I am amazed that they don't drive her crazy.


Ruby's style is pretty eclectic. This outfit really epitomizes it, though. Max's shirt, a tutu, tights (in the heat), some old shoes of Reed's she pulled out of a box and a BYU cap, of course (always accessorized).


10. And finally, one of the most exiting things about being 18 months: GOING TO NURSERY! Ruby was actually as excited as we were about attending nursery. She has yet to so much as look back at us when we drop her off. We have a great nursery leader and I'm glad she is so happy there. I love to pick her up at the end of church with her little lesson coloring page in hand. It makes me smile every time.





Wow..that was a lot, but like I said, there is a lot about this girl that we sure love. She is a joy and a menace and life just wouldn't be the same without her.

Father's Day

Last Sunday was a very low key Father's Day. Life has felt a tad stressful and busy recently, so low key was just about all we could handle. I hope Sam felt loved and celebrated because that is what we tried to do and certainly what he deserves.

This nap after church was probably just about the best gift I could give Sam these days. I am always amazed at how he can survive on so little sleep sometimes. He is almost always up and going before the sun. I also like to get up early, but I certainly can't do it with the same stamina. For as long as we have been married I have depended on Sam to be my personal alarm clock. Just one of the many things I depend on him for.

Sam requested BLT's for dinner (going right along with our low key celebration). I share Sam's love for bacon so I was happy to oblige his request. The boys were happy to be involved in the preparation. Max really got into his lettuce leafing--maybe a little too into it. He was pretty proud of his leafy mound.

Sam said the sandwiches did not disappoint.

After dinner, Sam and the boys built what might be our best fort yet. Yes...that is an upside coffee table roof.

It was big enough for us all and the highlight of the day for the boys (all of them, I think). Sam is such a big kid and great dad. I really think there are few things Sam enjoys more than playing with his kids.

Happy Father's Day Sam! Thank you for the countless things you do to keep us laughing and feeling loved. You're awesome.

Summer Vaction has arrived

Today was Reed's first official day of Summer vacation---ever. Since he had previously attended year round school we have never truly experienced a "summer vacation" with him. I have so many good memories of summer vacation as a kid and am looking forward to creating some new ones with him. I know it's only been one day, but already it is so nice to have him all mine again.

We started things off right today with an extra helping of muddy and wet. The weather cooperated beautifully giving us a close to perfect 78 degrees to enjoy outside. I know the perfection wont last so we plan to live it up outside while we can.


Everyone got it on the action.


I don't know who is more excited, Reed or Max, about Reed being out for the Summer. This is the look Max gave me when I asked if he enjoyed having Reed home all day. I think the is answer is pretty clear.

This past school year has been quite the journey for Reed. Just looking at these two photos from the first and then last day of 1st grade make my heart ache at the realization that my baby boy is becoming more and more of a distant memory. He has grown up a lot this year and while I do enjoy the new stage it's hard to think that another stage is ending. Just the other day as we were getting in the car Max was trying to buckle up and very sweetly and kindly (and sadly somewhat uncharacteristically in the afternoons for him) asked Reed to please move so he could reach his seat belt. Reed immediately scooted out of the way (the immediacy was also sadly a bit unexpected for the 'right before dinner' time as well). I was so pleased that I couldn't let the moment pass without comment. I said, "Did you see how sweetly Max asked you to move, Reed?" "And Max did you see how quickly Reed moved to give you room." Wasn't that wonderful? " Without hesitation Reed piped in, "And did everyone see how mom was so quick to compliment both Max and I so we would both feel proud of ourselves." I couldn't help put laugh. He got me.

First day of 1st grade Last day of 1st grade



This is the only picture I have from his 1st grade experience at New Market Elementary. He was only there for 6 weeks and I'd be lying to say it was smooth sailings. He mostly worked it out, but I think he and I are both looking forward to a little more stability in 2nd grade.

Reed and his "narrator" puppet. On one of the last days of school we got to come and watch his class preform their puppet shows. Reed was the narrator and I must say did a marvelous job. The boy does have a flare for the dramatic and this time it served him well.

So long 1st grade... hello Summer vacation. Looking forward to making it the best ever.

He loves her

Today when Ruby woke up from her nap crying (she always wakes up grumpy) I was on the phone with Verizon so I asked Max to run upstairs and tell her I was coming. I knew Ruby wouldn't be thrilled, but I was hoping it would buy me a couple more minutes to finish up on the phone. However, when my conversation ended a few minutes later I was surprised by silence. I couldn't imagine that sending Max in had been enough for her, but when I ran upstairs this is what I saw.


I know Max really loves Ruby, but too often that love is displayed in the form of teasing. He loves to make her crazy (she kinda likes it too) by pulling, poking, chasing, stealing, pouncing on or squeezing her, so a sight like this makes me very happy. (When he saw this picture on the computer he said, "Mom, I like her.")

Yep, Max really does love Ruby. Joining her in the crib was a little out of the ordinary, but scenes like the ones below are ones that I see just about every day.

Camping 101

After nearly 10 years of marriage and 3 children Sam and I decided it was time to go on our very first family camp out. The last time I went camping in a tent was girls camp when I was 16. Other than that, I can only remember going tent camping one time as a child. (CORRECTION: My mom just informed me that this is not true. Apparently went tent camping every year (much to her displeasure) for the first 9 or so years of my life and is disappointed that I do not have better recall of this since she did it just for us.) Needless to say I was a little unsure about how things would go. Thankfully, it was much less "dirty" than I remember and even more enjoyable than I had anticipated.

We got to the campsite a little late, but still in time to enjoy hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire before breaking in our brand new and very large tent. The kids can't get over how huge it is and think it's awesome that Sam can stand up in it. Aside from our new tent we were a little slim on camping equipment. Thankfully, we were meeting the much more prepared Bywaters so we still did just fine. Even so, Sam ended up using a leatherman to chop up some firewood.



Here is Ruby with our new and wonderful tent.


The next morning everyone woke up pretty chipper...even Ruby who did the last couple hours in the truck with Sam. The tent was great---but even the best tent sits on very hard ground and without the proper padding it was a long night for Sam and I.


Max hanging out with Oliver.


For breakfast in the morning, the Bywaters made blueberry pancakes in their fancy dutch oven.
We brought donuts. They were kind enough to share their pancakes and wonderful mountain man breakfast.


While breakfast was cooking, Robyn and I took the kids down to the little campsite playground where Ruby and Isabel got to know one another a little better. She's learning to play with others, but she still has the tendency to bump people out of her space.


Ruby also enjoyed discovering the fact that for Sam camping is synonymous with indulging in junk food.


My pictures are a little heavy on Ruby, but that's only because the other kids were too busy running around having fun playing spies and exploring. The campsite was really beautiful...even Ruby kept looking up and pointing at the trees saying "This! This!!"


Sam snapped a few pictures of Ruby and me, but of course the only one I feel comfortable posting has me looking away. The campsite was beautiful...I was not.


I did try to take pictures of the boys, but this is what happens when you take too many pictures of your children. They run out of regular faces and start using strange ones. Reed says this is his "spook face" I have no idea what that means.


After breakfast we packed up and headed out on a quick hike. I tried to take a picture right before we headed out, but even my "Hey! Look over here" resulted in exactly zero children looking in my direction.
\

It was our first. It was great, and I'm sure there are many more to come.