Happy birthday...

This week is our big birthday week of the year.  On Tuesday we celebrated Anne turning 2 and today Andy is 5!!  I will post more about both later, but I wanted to show a glimpse of how Andy is celebrating his birthday:

The poor boy didn't want me to take his picture, but I asked if I could so that we could remember what his fifth birthday was like.  He said okay.

Side note: Andy has been great about using his bucket!  I am definitely grateful for that.

Last week I sang for the kids a birthday song from my childhood:

Happy Birthday.  Happy Birthday.

Pain and sorrow in the air.

People dying everywhere.

But Happy Birthday.  Happy Birthday.

They thought it was so funny.  Benny thought that song was particularly apt for today's sick birthday boy and sang it a few times before school.  I'm not sure if Andy was amused or not.

I asked Andy what his favorite birthday song is (we sing lots over here!) and he chose the traditional happy birthday song.  We sang that and he said it helped him feel a little bit better.  Lilia, then, wanted to keep singing until Andy was all the way better!

He's almost through watching Cars and I think we'll just keep going with whatever he would like to watch for a while.  He really wanted to play Battleship today, so we'll see if we can upgrade to that later.

I don't know if we'll get to have his birthday dinner of homemade pizza tonight or cake and ice cream, but we will as soon as we can!

Overheard

Benny (reading a story to Anne for me while I made dinner - the other kids listened as well): Okay, Anne. What is happening so far?
Me (calling from the kitchen): I don't think she's old enough to understand yet, Benny!
Benny: Okay, Lilia, what is happening so far?
Lilia: The pirates put Uncle Willy on a deserted island.
Benny: And what else?

Caught up (for now)!

Unfortunately Anne's stocking didn't get done before Christmas.  Honestly, I wasn't even going to worry about it for Christmas because I have decided to let more things go.  I was surprised, however, to find out that Spencer had an opinion on whether or not Anne had a stocking!  And, thankfully, he is willing to step up to make it possible for me to work on projects he would like me to.  A good portion of the Friday and Saturday before Christmas I got a lot of the quilting done on the front panel.  It took a long time since I was doing it all freehand and on my regular sewing machine.  I think it turned out really well, though.

holly berries and leaves

I ended up telling Spencer that if the boys were going to have their Christmas Sunday bow ties, then Anne was not going to have a stocking again.  He ended up being okay with it and ended up requesting a matching bow tie for him as well (he was getting really into the Christmas spirit! - pictures forthcoming).

A week or so ago I mentioned to Spencer that I was planning on Easter dresses for the girls and bow ties for the boys.  I was surprised, again, when Spencer mentioned Anne's stocking (or lack thereof)!  I decided I better get cracking.  The back section's quilting went much more quickly.

After a brief detour to make capes for the girls (pink/purple reversible - will be pictured another time), I finally sat down today to do Anne's name.  From there it was really simple to sew the sides together.

And just like that, Anne has a stocking!

It is nice to know that we have a complete set for now - until Baby joins us in March.

They are definitely homemade and not all the same size, but I really like how they have turned out.  At some point I just need to add the hanging loops to all but mine so we can hang them up this year!

I did already start Baby's and can do the quilting at any time.  That will be as far as I can get until Baby is born and gets a name, though.  Until then I have many more projects to keep me busy.  I am just trying to prioritize them and make best use of my time while keeping up lots of playing time with four (soon to be five!!) wonderful kids!

Overheard

Lilia: Hi, Mom! I just got my goggles on.
Me: You look great!
Lilia: Yep, I do.

Beautiful Day

We had 66 degree weather today and even I couldn't resist getting out of the house with the kids and enjoying the sun before it gets cold again tomorrow.

I haven't been out walking or running for a LONG time, so I was just thinking of doing the mile loop with the kids. The trick is that the mile route takes us past the neighborhood park. I knew it would be fairly crowded because of the nice weather and when I'm not 7-months pregnant I don't like dealing much with strangers' kids. The kids, however, really wanted to go and I knew it would be a while before they had the chance to get out again.

It was a very pleasant time, especially now that Anne is able to do a lot of climbing around herself and doesn't need to be picked up much. The boys played around on their own quite a bit and spent a lot of time on the climbing wall. I wanted to get a picture, but I couldn't get over there before they were done. It was a great time.

Overheard

Benny: Lilia has been alive for three years.
Me: Yep!
B: And Andy has been alive for four years!
Me: That's right.
B: And you and Dad have been alive for...
Andy: One hundred years!
Me: Nope.
A: One THOUSAND years!
Me: Nope.
B: Twenty-nine years.
Me: Yep!
A: That's a LOT of years.

Overheard

Spencer: Lilia, quit eating flour!
(15 second pause)
S: LILIA! Stop eating flour!

(2 minutes later)
Andy: Lilia ate flour!

Overheard

Lilia: Johnny Lingo had a cow.  E-i, E-i, O!

Christmas Movies

We watch a lot of movies at our house.  We love Christmas at our house.  So naturally, Christmas movies play a pretty big role in getting us into the Christmas Spirit.

We have a Canon of movies we like to watch leading up to Christmas.  The order in which we watch them is somewhat fluid but there are certain heavy hitters we save for the last.  There are a few that aren't as "necessary" to watch, but are fun to get in if we have the time.

Here they are:

Christmas Vacation (1989)

The most irreverent and sketchy on our list.  We like to start the list of movies with this one.  Lots of great one-liners and memorable characters.  This one fits in nicely into the middle-to-last half of November.








Neptune's Daughter (1949)

The only thing that makes this a Christmas movie is that it won an Oscar for Best Original Song in "Baby It's Cold Outside."  It is still a cute love story with some funny moments.  Another good one for November.









Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I grew up watching the 1994 version which is not horrible, but this one has stood the test of time much better.  The kids call it "The Santa Movie."
This one we try to watch around Thanksgiving.









It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

(From IMDB)
A homeless New Yorker moves into a mansion and along the way he gathers friends to live in the house with him. Before he knows it, he is living with the actual home owners.
This is an End-of-November, first of December movie.








The First Presidency Christmas Devotional (Annual)

Not technically a movie, but still very much worth your time.  Every year The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do a one-hour devotional with music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra on Temple Square.  The Christmas messages from these inspired men are uplifting and a great way to kick off the holiday season.  Can be watched here.
The devotional is done every year the first Sunday in December.


Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

(From IMDB)
A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
Good to watch in early December.








White Christmas (1954)

It may not be technically a Christmas movie and it is possible it was only made to sell copies of the title song.  That being said, this is firmly planted in our Christmas Canon of movies.  We showed the kids this one again this year and they are starting to pick up on some of the songs.
Any time after December 1 is free game.






A Christmas Carol (1999)

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was seeing the play version of "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Center Theater.  A few years ago I read it for the first time and this version I feel is most true to the story.  That and Patrick Stewart is great as Scrooge.  I recently found out that in the past he has done a one-man performance of the entire thing.  THAT would be awesome to see live.  There is an audio recording of the performance on YouTube.
Good to watch any time in December.




While You Were Sleeping (1995)

A fun Christmas/New Year's movie.  Mistaken identities, great characters, and the paperboy.  These mashed potatoes are so creamy.
The only one on the list that can be watched after Christmas.










Mr Kreuger's Christmas (1980)

Jimmy Stewart.  The Mo-Tab.  BYU Dancer's Company from 1980.  This one has it all.  The Christmas Spirit is epitomized by one of the greatest actors in the last 100 years speaking unscripted to the Christ Child.  It has been said that all of the camera men were bawling and the director was praying they captured Stewart's performance.
You can get a free copy from the missionaries.  mormon.org/christmas.
Great to watch as a Family Home Evening lesson early on in the month before the excitement of presents start to set in.





Elf (2003)

The movie that introduced the word "Ginormus" into the lexicon.  At first I was kinda bothered by the Santa-centric theme, especially with how the movie ends.  But when you stop and think how Santa represents a God who gives good things to His children, the discussion on the "Clause-o-meter" takes new meaning.  If all the people saw Santa, they would have knowledge instead of belief and the sleigh wouldn't fly.
Any time in December.






Amahl and the Night Visitors (1951)

This one almost gets an honorary place in the lineup.  When I was on my mission, Faith sent me a CD with the music from this.  As it was not on the approved music list for my mission, I dutifully did not listen to it.  A few years ago Faith showed this to the kids.  It may take a few years before it gets fully Canonized.
Any time in December.







Home Alone (1990)

For me, this movie represents my Christmases from ages 8 to about 12.  My brothers and I watched it a lot during that time.  While it is not much in the way of feel-good, spirit-of-the-season material, it brings back fond memories of growing up.  That and the soundtrack is quintessential Christmas.
A good movie to have going on in the background a week to a few days before Christmas when you have a bunch of presents to wrap.






 
A Christmas Story (1983)

So many quotes.  So many great moments.  Still wondering when we introduce this one to the kids.  Not sure if I am ready to hear Lilia say "Ohh, Fuuuuudgggge."
Fits in the week before Christmas.










It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

In all honesty, probably the best movie I have ever seen.  This is one we watched on and off when I was growing up but it has gotten to the point where this is THE MOVIE on the list. I love the message how our lives touch so many others.  Jimmy Stewart plays the hero of the everyman and like I said before, he was an incredible actor.  The ending gets me every time because it reminds me that everything will be all right in the end.  If it is not all right, it is not the end yet.
This one has to be watched within 3 days of Christmas.






Not in the Canon (Yet)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas -The kids love it.  Good message.  More of a "filler" movie than anything.
A Charlie Brown Christmas -Same as above but closer to making it to the Canon.
The Santa Clause -Has aged pretty well.  We watched it 2 years ago and was surprised how much I liked it.
Die Hard -Just need to get an edited copy.  Gotta love John McClain.

Overheard

Mom: Do you know what a widow is?
Benny: A poor woman.
Lilia: Just like Iron Man's sister! Black Widow!

Monday afternoon

Enjoying a show together.
Sure love these kids.

Overheard

Lilia: There's the banana store!
Me: The banana store?  What's the banana store?
L: That!  Right there! (pointing across the intersection)
Andy: That's Old McDonald's.
L: Old McDonald's is the banana store!

Through the ringer

Last week was a pretty rough one for our poor Anne Cakes.

It started Sunday morning (25 November) when she fell off of the top bunk in the boys' room.  Anne has always been a climber and has been so good about getting down from high places.  She is self-taught on stairs.  I never had to help her go down a flight of stairs and she's never had a problem.  Bunk beds, we've started to learn, are a bit different.  Apparently the ladder is a little too much of a challenge.

Spencer went to take care of Anne while I hopped in the shower.  He held her pretty much the rest of that time.  I got her after that and noticed a couple of splinters.  Spencer dug those out and Anne's foot was still pretty sore and she wouldn't walk on it.  She was crawling around, though, so we went ahead to church.  We decided I would see how she was Monday morning and go from there.

Monday she still wasn't putting any weight on her foot.  I called the pediatrician's office and they told me to go get X-rays.  So that morning Andy, Lilia, Anne, and I spent two hours at an urgent care so Anne could get her X-rays done.  Unfortunately, with no radiologist there to read the images, things were still inconclusive.  The doctor decided to splint the foot and told us to see our PCP for a referral to an orthopedist.  That became our Tuesday.

Monday with her splint.

Long story short, we ended up at the orthopedist and were told that there may or may not be a fracture; it's hard to tell if the line on the image is a fracture or a bone overlay.  However the possible fracture combined with Anne's behavior with the splint off (refusal to put her heel on the ground when hobbling around) are indicative of a distal tibia stress injury.  To be safe, the PA we met with said he'd like to have a short-leg cast for three weeks to give the time to heal whatever is going on.

Here she is showing off her "pink sock."
(so glad I decided to go with pink.  It suits her.)

Full of smiles!

Not being slowed down at all.

Anne still climbs on everything and basically runs around with the cast.  It did take her a couple of days to acclimatize, but I am amazed at how well she is getting around.

Thursday brought our next incident with Anne.  I was getting the kids ready for bed (Spencer was at a dinner for medical students who were here interviewing for residency) and on my way to brush someone's teeth in the bathroom.  Anne had a toothbrush in her mouth in the hallway and Benny was shutting the bathroom door.  Anne started screaming.  Poor Benny got a panicked look on his face and opened the door again.  Anne's fingers had gotten caught in the hinge side of the door.  She was quite inconsolable for a little bit.  Benny felt so bad.  He said he was just trying to keep Anne out of the bathroom because she had been getting into the toothpaste.  I felt really bad for Benny, too.

The injured fingers.

While I was trying to comfort Anne and read stories to Andy and Lilia, I saw Benny get a piece of paper and begin writing at the kids' table.  Afterwards, he came up and showed me what he had done.

It reads (with translation):

I love Anne! to Anne From Benny

Dear Anne I'm almost [always] there [home] Saturdays

and Sundays. I watch you when

Mom and Dad when they are busy.

From Benny

With his picture of the two of them.

He told me he did this to help her feel better.  He was quite distraught.

Then came Friday.

During story time I was on the couch reading to the bigger kids and Spencer was on the glider with Anne climbing around.  At one point she fell head-first into the ottoman and split her lip.  Thankfully it wasn't too bad and she calmed down more quickly than after the finger episode.  The picture is a little deceptive, though, as she was not very happy and went back to crying after I put my phone away.

All said and done, Anne had a pretty rough week.  We are grateful she is such a happy girl naturally and is back (almost) to normal.  Under two weeks and the cast will be off.  I'm really not all that surprised that our first to end up in a cast is our little Anne Peg.  She is everywhere!

Overheard

Andy (playing "Wizard of Oz" with Lilia): It's time for you to go to Munchkid Land.

Overheard

Lilia: I'm not boring, Mommy.
Me: No, you're not boring.
Lilia: And I'm not and you're not and Anne's not boring! We three girls are not boring.

Overheard

As we were walking into the grocery store today I was holding Anne's hand. Lilia held Anne's other hand (Andy is usually on his own). Lilia called us "Three ladies" walking in the store.

Then she elaborated: I am a little lady. Anne is a small lady. And you are a big lady!!

Election Day

Before taking Benny to school this morning I had a discussion with the kids about voting and how that's where we were going after dropping Benny off.  I told them some of the reasons I was making the choice I was and a couple of "I am, too" comments followed.

I'm really grateful our polling place is at a church directly south of Benny's school.  We could see the school from where we parked.  I remember going there four years ago with just the boys.  The kids were great. There were a couple of comments from people at the table who said they didn't even know the kids were there until we got to the table.  So grateful for these wonderful kids!  Andy even helped me fill out my ballot.  Got to start them early!

After voting.  The kids love the stickers!

Benny had to miss out, but he enjoyed his "Romney Hair."