our cotterell family: 07.2015

31 July 2015

Andy's birthday

In our nine years of having kids, we have only ever had two birthday parties (the third coming up in a couple of weeks). We had one for Benny when he turned five and one for Andy when he turned seven this year. We are not anti-parties, though it may seem like it. Spencer and I decided a long time ago that we would have birthdays on odd birthdays. We do not feel like our kids need one every year and we liked the idea of odd years so that we can keep the 8th special with that being baptism year. What ended up happening is that we have skipped over all first birthdays. **NOTE — we always have a family birthday dinner with cake and presents.** Benny's first birthday was actually the day Spencer's youngest brother, Garrett, left for the MTC. Benny ate green beans for dinner while I was miserable on the couch with food poisoning and then Spencer shared some ice cream with Benny. We like to set the bar really low.

This year Andy really wanted a party and kept asking about it. Actually, no real asking, but talking about it like it was going to happen. Spencer and I decided to make it happen. Very simply.

Andy wanted four friends (one was not able to come) to come and watch “The LEGO Movie.” Easy enough. Oh, and cake and ice cream. He LOVED it!

Our group for the afternoon. One of the friends has a sister Lilia's age and we asked if she could stay, too.

Andy, true to form, asked Grandma and Grandpa for a costume (that trend may have ended this year with him, actually). Luke Skywalker. And he's even got the haircut to match!

As soon alas he put his on Benny went to get in his Anikin Skywalker costume. These boys know more about Star Wars than I ever could have imagined. And I sill remember the first time I showed it to Benny.

Anderson Clark is a mild-mannered boy who wants to do what is right. And wants everyone around him to do the right thing. One thing that impresses me so much about Andy is what he remembers. We talk about the gospel in our home regularly and he takes it all in! When we moved to Indiana, one of his new primary teachers (dear Kate Robertson who just moved away) told me that Andy always knew all the answers and that she was going to have to change the lessons around to make them a little more challenging for him! Something this mother loves to hear.

Andy has always had a strong connection to his dad. It is so fun to see how excited Andy gets when Spencer gets home every day. I know he loves me — he shows me love — but the way this boy lights up for his dad is amazing.

Happy Birthday, Andy! Seven looks good on you!

Between birthdays

The random pictures on 6 February. The day between our February birthdays (Anne, 5th; Andy 7th).

Our first Christmas married my parents got us this “Keep Your Balance” sign. We had one hanging in our kitchen growing up and our joke was to always hang it crooked. Because that's the joke, right?! When it is given as a gift it is meant to be hung crooked. Spencer sometimes straightens it to see how long it will take me to notice. I always do notice and I tilt it again. It doesn't bother me to have it straightened once-in-a-while because of what this sign means to me. Life is a balancing act. But not meant to be kept in perfect alignment. There are days we need to tilt more to one side or the other; always find the correct balance for the moment.

The sign on the right was a Christmas gift 2014. Caitlin made them for my parents to give out (she did a really nice job and has made a lot of fun signs!). I might need to point it out to the kids. They can choose to be slaves if they want!

My smoothie buddy.

Reading time! Benny will sometimes take on reading time in the evening. I like to as a general rule, but some nights t is super helpful to have another reader who is so willing to jump in! (For the record, Spencer is always willing and reads his fair share around here. These nights Benny jumps in are usually call nights.)

Framed to include Jane playing nearby.

Overheard

Andy: “I remember everything. ... Except what it's like to be in Mama's tummy.”

Bonus:

Anne: “Hale-you-la!!”

14 July 2015

Anne turns 4!!

It's been a while, but I am quite sure Spencer was on call the day before Anne's birthday because he was with us to celebrate her day! We went to Sam's Club for our weekly grocery trip and picked up a celebratory lunch. And, true to form, Anne asks almost every time if we can eat there for lunch. We don't.

I don't remember who started it, but ever since one of the kids chose spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, each of the kids has chosen it!

In the past I have decorated the kids' cakes with my very primitive piping skills. There wasn't time this year and, quite honestly, I just wasn't up to the task. Anne loved the sprinkles. We have successfully transitioned over!

Grandma and Grandpa knocked this year out of the park for Anne. She loves her little people house. So do all of the kids. Definitely a fun birthday.

Anne is such a great girl. She is very sweet and loving. It has been wonderful this year to see her draw closer to Heavenly Father. I can tell she has been so much more thoughtful in her prayers. We are so glad to have this Cakey Takey Bakey in our family!

At home

This was Anne's favorite place to play for a long time. The stones made great landing areas for all her princesses. She could also leave some toys high enough to keep them from Jane.

My three at home during school. I will have one more year of this. A fun group, to be sure!

Everybody loves to hold Chris.

Enjoying the block cart.

Name this movie. Anne's favorite for some time. This was not a problem to watch regularly.

I cannot remember what they were watching here, but Lilia started dancing right along!

08 July 2015

Andy

I took Andy to a birthday party at a (real) gym at the end of January. He had a great time! There was a lot to do. The foam pit was his favorite.

I made a chore list for the kids to get done after school. It worked well for a time. Anne (who was not quite four) had the hardest time. I found this note Andy (possibly Benny) left her on her section. Always looking out for each other.

New (to us) furniture!

For quite some time we were living with four seats in our family room and five in the living room. We are very fortunate to have found a rental with two living areas. The down side was that they need to be furnished. Yes, I know, “need” has such a subjective definition.

The fact is, I wanted more seats. The two-seater in the family room could fit three of our skinny little kids, but we quickly ran out. And unless we were sharing the chair seats, not everyone had a seat. And so began the looking on Craigslist.

I finally found a sofa/chair set that was being sold locally. The price was good and came from a smoke/pet free home. What I did not take into account were the smoke-ridden neighbors. The gal who had these had gotten them from her grandparents. They are in very good shape. Hardly worn at all. Walking into the unit (consisting of four apartments), the smoke was heavy. The neighbors may or may not be dealing. I did not really register the smoke smell in the apartment when looking at the furniture, but when Spencer got them home, boy, howdy! They smelled awful. We left them in the garage for a week and washed the covers that come off. The smell got better every day.

When we brought them inside, I wondered, for maybe a month straight, if I had made a huge mistake and if we were going to have to try to sell these again. I ended up picking up some odor eating gel beads at Sam's club one day and those sitting underneath the couch in a hole-y tupperware have helped tremendously. The smell is gone! And we are so grateful to have better seating for the whole family.

Family room.

Living room.

Benny

Benny has really enjoyed being a Cub Scout this last year. And we have so enjoyed seeing him learn more and come into himself. He is a great kid who is very capable. It has been great to see him meet different milestones in scouts. We are working on getting his Wolf finished and he is doing great!

Faith

Bethany found these Jane Austen band aids and sent them out with Mom and Dad when they came in November. They are fun.

I had wanted to make a wreath for a long time and finally got what I needed. I was able to get this done in an evening while Spencer and I watched a movie or show. I really like how it turned out. I might end up filling it with the roses at some point. Not sure. It was meant to be a Valentine's wreath and is still up on our door! I have another form, so it may be time to figure something else out.