Working Hard

There are a few things that I know are really important to my Dad and working hard is one of them. So I shouldn't be surprised that for the entire week he was here we spent almost every moment of it covered in either dirt or sweat and usually both.

Last week we were lucky enough to have my dad in town to visit and help us get started on some landscaping projects. They were beastly jobs and included lots of digging, ripping out plants, moving heavy rocks and so many trips to the dump that we will soon be on a first name basis there.

My dad was a relentless worker.


Everyone got involved in the work. Max is always eager to get involved in these types of projects. He might not have all the skill yet, but he definitely has the heart. I love to see my kids working up a sweat.


Reed also gave ditch digging a try but tried not to break a sweat since his most important work for the week was recovering from strep. Poor boy.


Ruby even did her best make a dent in the project. Maybe next time she'll have more luck when the shovel isn't taller than she is.




Once again I have to acknowledged that a grimace of exertion is not a good look for me, but I have to include this picture so my kids remember that their mom was a hard worker too (and had a freakishly muscular forearm.)

As important as hard work is to my dad, it is only half of the equation for him. I have heard him rehearse countless times how good it feels to work hard and then how important it is to reward yourself when you are done. The kids needed no convincing when it came to this part of the principle.

On a few days the reward was a cold treat.

On another day it was a trip at the lake. I think the the fact that Max fell asleep on the stairs while waiting for everyone to get their swimsuits on is evidence that the day's reward was well deserved.


After a quick nap he was ready to go.

I'm confident that my kids could play in the sand all day.




Reed also had the chance to get a few swimming tips from my dad before his swim team tryouts this week.




On another day the boys were able to race to the lake after Reed's football game for some quick evening fishing.


The fishing trip was cut a little short by a thunderstorm, but the boys were still thrilled to have caught a fish.


I don't know if my boys totally get the point of fishing yet because the first thing they wanted to do when they got home was put it in a large Tupperware and name it.


Reed looking in the cupboard for some fish food. (Don't worry this poor fish found another "home" the next day.)


We definitely worked hard, but we still made some time to just be together. Here is Max showing off the reading progress he's made.


Thanks so much for coming Dad. It was a wonderful visit. We worked hard, my kids felt loved and our back yard is one step closer to not looking like a jungle. Pretty close to perfect if you ask me.

New Shoes

My guilt finally got to me a few days ago and I decided that even middle children need their own new shoes. It was my guilt and the fact that Reed's shoes had just about ripped in half that motivated the shoe purchase. To buy Reed new shoes again without getting some for Max would've just been wrong. I was feeling so generous in fact that I let Max pick out whatever shoes he wanted. I'm pretty sure "slime green" is his new favorite color.

As soon as the shoes arrived, Max tore into the box and put them on. He thought they were perfect.

The only part he didn't like is that I made him go outside to take his picture. He was very concerned about getting them dirty. He told me, "I'm still going to use my old shoes for playing outside. I'll call these my walking shoes."

Reed's shoes were pretty "hot" too. He replaced his old flame shoes with well... more flame shoes. He knows what he likes.


Ruby knows what she likes too. She was not about to let me takes pictures of the boys and not her. She even suggested that she jump from the step ladder while I take her picture (I think she's being watching her brothers?). She would jump off, run over to me, ask to see the picture and then say, "Awwww...it's not working."


Max and Reed have new shoes, Ruby is still glued to her backpack and I have one less thing to feel guilty about. Life is good.

Goodbyes

Goodbyes are kinda a big deal in our house...well at least to Max (and tag-along Ruby now) they are. Without fail, every morning after Sam tells us all goodbye Max will race to the door saying "Wait Dad, Wait" to give him one more hug, kiss and another "Bye Dad". It's the same sweet thing everyday.


Blowing kisses from the doorstep is a vital part of the process with about three more "Bye Dad"s thrown in.


I think my favorite part of the whole thing is when he shouts his final words of farewell and wisdom. " Bye Dad! I hope you do better than last time! Bye-Bye-Bye-Bye!"


I figure he'll end the ritual one of these days, but I hope it's not one too soon.

Born to teach

If you ask Reed what he wants to be when he grows up, I don't think "teacher" on the list---but it should be. He's a natural at sharing information and was in heaven yesterday helping me with preschool.


Apparently the ABC's can be very gripping. He had them right where he wanted them.


He was so patient and encouraging as he oversaw everyone's work. It was funny to hear him use supportive phrases with intonation I recognized as my own.


My favorite might have been during snack-time when he used graham crackers to teach about factions. It was actually pretty effective considering our group of 2-5 year olds.


He certainly had the appropriate excitement level.


You can tell Reed has played Simon says more than a few times. He knew all of the tricks.




If Reed was born to teach, then Ruby was born to be a student--or at least born to wear a backpack. She found this backpack in the closet 3 days ago and it's been glued to her (including in her crib at night) ever since.


Thanks for all your help Reed. You made the perfect assistant.

Piano Fund

For the past few years I have really wanted to get a piano. I had a piano growing up and although we were never great, my sisters and I did learn to play many of the hymns. It was something I enjoyed doing even when I didn't have to and it always made me feel good. Until we moved a year ago we really didn't have the room, but now that we do I have become more determined to add a piano to our home.

Six months ago I thought I had things figured out when we got a free piano on craigslist. It seemed like it would be OK , but after a really bad experience with a piano tuner, I realized what we actually had was now a $90 paperweight in our basement. We were disappointed to say the least and decided instead to set our sights on a digital piano. Thus was born the "piano fund".


I want our family to make some kind of sacrifice to get the piano so that it will mean more to us when we finally do get it. We talked to the kids about it and they were on board immediately, brainstorming ideas of what we could do to earn money for our piano. We talked about selling things that we don't really need (the kids didn't love that idea), not buying thing we really don't need, using less electricity and not wasting food to create a surplus in our budget that could go to our fund.

As soon as we were done talking about it, Max ran out to the car to find some coins he had seen and added them to the jar and then asked for a screw driver to get all the coins out of his "house" bank.

Since then the kids have been great, running around the house keeping all the lights off, talking about car washes, lemonade stands and other money making ideas. I laughed when Reed remembered that my mom had told the boys that she would give them a dollar for every poem or scripture they memorized. He said, "Let's call grandmother and tell her some of our scriptures...but don't talk for too long. I don't want to have a big phone bill."

It has only been a few days but the kids already have me feeling like a pioneer without air conditioning--and it's only May. I actually finally caved and turned it on at dinner last night as we were all beginning to drip with sweat. When I mentioned it Reed said, "You turned the air conditioning on!? Let me get my fan instead!" All I've got to say is that we better have one low electric bill next month because I don't think I can make it through June.

My favorite moment so far was when Reed, after some thought, got his wallet and proudly donated $25. Reed is my saver and Max is my spender so I know this was a little harder for him. He said, "You know how you are always asking me what I'm saving up for, well now I know--a piano. I could tell he felt good about his decision.

I'm excited about the prospect of having a good piano soon and have a feeling it's something our family will cherish for years to come.

P.S. Mom and Dad: This idea was inspired by the "pool fund" of 1985. Let's just hope this fund has a better fate. :)

Ballerina girl

Ruby has been a "dancer" since before she could walk. When there is music around she just can't help herself. We actually had a family home evening last night about different kinds of music and what spirit they invite. When I played a heavy metal selection, I watched as my boys startled face's turned to looks of disapproval and almost fear while at the same time out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ruby rocking out. The girl definitely has some some rhythm and can't keep it to herself.

Thankfully, Ruby's favorite type of dancing involves music from the other end of the spectrum and doesn't include growly, slurred and incomprehensible lyrics. For the past 6 months or so Ruby has been obsessed with ballet and her "moves". She even approaches neighbors and people at church to show them her "ballerina" which includes her stretching her arms high above her head while standing on one foot. I'm actually pretty impressed at how long she can stand on one foot, but mostly it's just cute.

Because of her interest in ballet, when I saw this instructional ballet video for toddlers I knew it would be perfect for her. I was right.


What I really need is video of this cuteness.








The video is very well done for kids. Not even the boys can resist when the ballerinas do a robot dance. I'm sure they will love this picture some day.


I don't know if the New York ballet is in her future or not, but for right now she's definitely my favorite ballerina.