The rest of March

Austin must have been super tired one afternoon.  I think he fell asleep watching a show.

Austin and Lauren enjoy doing dance shows for me.  Austin often does the drums while Lauren dances, though Austin often takes a turn to dance too.  I just love these two!

Ashlyn  was loving rocking by herself while reading some books.  She sure is getting independent. She is also seeming to learn so much from the world around her right now.  She has started to fold her arms for prayers.  If she even hears us say the word prayer, she will often fold her arms.  She won't always fold her arms for prayers, but when she does it is so adorable!

Dylan was so excited to get his temple recommend and go do baptisms for the dead at the temple.  We went to the Draper Temple.  It was beautiful and wonderful.  They didn't tell me I needed to bring family names to participate, but they did let me dress in the baptismal clothes and follow along with Devon and Dylan.  Devon was able to perform the ordinances.  What a beautiful day!

When I get out my broom, this girl often takes them from me.  Maybe I shouldn't give in so easily... but that's one of those problems that its hard to decide which lesson is better to learn - to help or to wait your turn?

And, Austin and Lauren wanted their turns as well.  Lauren also is dancing while Austin has his turn.  Eventually I'll get my floor swept.

I can't remember why these two ended up on my bed reading books together, but they sure are cute.

Um... oops.  Yes, those two ends are supposed to be connected.  I was trying to do some trimming of the shrubs and the cord got in the way.  I was trying to be so careful, too!

Dylan got his room all cleaned and organized. I loved this corner of his room.

Dylan gave a country report on Indonesia this month.  He is a good artist!

Dylan also got his First Class rank advancement in scouts.

Lauren

Lauren at 4 years old:

Says girl like "geerhl". I love it. 

Practically daily or more will say "Mom. I love you!!" Melts my heart.

Second behind that is I love how she comments on me looking beautiful or pretty, or something I have being beautiful or pretty.  It always catches me off guard since that's not something my boys would say. Having daughters warms my soul. I love my boys, but seeing this contrast is just so fun, too. 

Loves to sing made up songs. 

Tells me she can read. 

Has a great girly giggle. 

Asks for her nails to be painted. This last time she told me she would never ever wash her hands again. 

Loves chocolate. A few months ago I mentioned I might bring home a treat from the store if the kids cooperated on something (I can't remember what). She exclaimed that chocolate was her favorite. 

A Busy Week

We have had a really busy week this week.  We started it off with Ethan's birthday on Monday.

Then Tuesday, he was so excited to get his tonsils out.  For the couple weeks before his birthday he told everyone about how he was getting his tonsils out the day after his birthday.  Truthfully I think he was a little nervous, but I also think he liked all the attention he got telling everyone about it.

This time around being at the hospital was much easier.  Ethan was smiling and ready to go, though he refused to look at me for a picture.  He got a pillow and a blanket to keep as souvenirs. 

Off he goes!

Ethan was pretty funny waking up. He kept sitting up and saying he was tired, then he would roll over in his bed once we told him to lay down.  I think he thought we needed to leave right away, maybe, and that's why he kept sitting up.  It took some work on mine and Devon's part to keep him untangled as he turned and twisted in bed.  He also said that he wanted a peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch.  We laughed that right away he was asking for food.

I have my little helpers at home.  Its a good thing because this has been a crazy month!  I have had Jayden home since his surgery.  He has started to go back to school a little bit, but we are just doing a few hours at a time for now and slowly working our way up.  So, now I also get to have Ethan home from school as well while he heals for two weeks.

Austin loves to grab my phone and take selfies.  These are some gems from this week.

And the rest of us decided to join him once I realized what he was doing.

Wednesday Lauren got a little bored and decided to wash her baby.  Or maybe she thought she had a diaper rash all over.  Either way, it was a brand new tube put to use in a less than helpful way.  Good thing I love her, but I did have to document her doings.

Austin had a preschool fieldtrip to the Thanksgiving Point Farm on Thursday.  Devon stayed home so I could join in the fun.

And at some point during the week this happened on Lauren's walls.

And door.

And on Saturday Lauren was having fun being a princess and decorating herself.

The week went pretty good for Ethan. He didn't start to feel too bad until about Friday and Saturday, then he wasn't feeling quite so good.  Jayden didn't feel so good after spending more hours at school on Monday since we were at the hospital with Ethan for the morning. I had originally hoped to have Jayden back to school full time by the time of Ethan's surgery, but we will get there.  Baby steps forward. 

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Happy 8th birthday to Ethan!  For his birthday he wanted to eat Lucky Charms and Trix.  Delicious!

One of the kids gave Ethan a rock... I'm thinking it was Lauren, but we can't remember for sure.

We were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Kirk come join us.  We love them!

After seeing the Peeps birthday cake I bought for Dylan, Ethan wanted to make one for his own birthday. He designed it himself.

Ethan at age 8:

Loves to be helpful when he can see a need
Is good at organizing things
Is a good pianist
Loves to read
Loves the color blue
Loves to play basketball
Wants to be a scientist
Helps his little sisters
Loves anything RC (remote control)

Dylan's Ordination

Dylan received the Priesthood one week after his birthday.  Grandpa Kirk was out of town that first Sunday after his birthday, so he wanted to wait.  I don't feel old enough to have a son who holds the Priesthood, but I certainly feel blessed!