Cider, Doughnuts, and Neighbors!

My hubby grew up in a home on a couple acres of land filled with fruit trees.  He has many happy and mischievous memories of apple/pear picking with his six brothers and two sisters.  One of his favorite memories was pressing cider from their apple trees.  To continue this tradition, last year he found out a way to make one's own cider in any old backyard.  It involves a clean garbage disposal and an apple press. 
This Monday we invited some neighbors over and they all helped in the process and took home their own cider.  We munched on homemade doughnuts to keep us going.  It was the perfect festivity to welcome in the lovely fall.  I have the greatest neighbors ever! 

Here is Peter taking a load down to those hard at work.

Another lovely helping with doughnuts.

My lovely neighbor holding Adam while I flipped doughnuts.

Everyone working hard on the cider....

while the kids played and ate doughnuts.

Kid Funnies

Better than the Sunday Paper comics, a child's words and deeds can really be a crack-up!  Kimball has been saying some really funny things these last few months, and I thought I'd write them down:
- I came home from the hospital with baby several months ago, and when the baby got hungry, I proceeded to nurse him.  Kimball came over to sit by me on the couch and peered over at what I was doing.  In a very matter-of-fact tone he said, "That's gross.  His slobbers all over you."  I thought for a moment, and had to agree, I guess it is kind of gross.
- I have been trying to teach Kimball how to wipe himself after using the bathroom.  As I was proceeding to explain how to effectively go about the job, he looks at me in amazement and said, "Look at all the things I'm learning, Mom!"  I couldn't have been prouder.
- Kimball has a touch of red hair, and with it has come an impressive temper.  The value of obedience and temperance has been a hard one to instill in this expressive kiddo.  Just a couple weeks ago I finally resorted to bribery.  I promised him, if he could be obedient for 3 consecutive days, I would get him a small box of little Legos (so he could fit-in with his older siblings).  It was a great three days.  Whenever he would start blowing off steam and I could see his top was going to burst, I would remind him of those precious Legos he wanted and the pending eruption would dissipate.  One day, after he had calmed his temperament after I had sent him to his room I overheard him saying, "After I get those Legos, no more Mr. Nice Boy."  Whoaa!!  That premeditated stinker!  I must say though, I think it has helped because he has learned he can control himself when he really wants to.

Anna has also been fun to watch as she enjoys her new baby brother.  She loves him SOOO much!  Matter of fact, all the things that she loves, she really wants to share with him.  This especially is true with food.  Initially, I saw her trying to cram her no-bake cookie into his mouth.  I was right there, and so I was able to stop her before he could take a hunk of it and choke.  I thought it was cute.  Then, about a month later, she was munching on blackberries.  I had Adam laying right next to me, and I turned my head for 2 seconds.  When I looked back, I saw purple juice all over Adam's face and he was happily smacking his lips.  This time I was impressed with her quickness, a bit concerned, but still I thought it was pretty cute.  Next she tried feeding Adam milk from her sippy cup.  I found this out when I heard him sputtering in the next room.  Now I was beginning to see this could really be a problem, and I tried to explain things to Anna.  A couple weeks ago Adam was laying next to his dad on the bed and Anna was running around with her FAVORITE snack - peanut butter on a spoon.  When Dad's back was turned, you guessed it, Anna shoved that spoon into Adam's mouth!  I happened to enter the room right at this point and stopped Anna.  Yikes!  Peanut butter?  I hope his digestive system isn't permenantly ruined!  Now we are watching Anna closely when it comes to her favorite foods and the baby. 

Every Kid a Naturalist!

On Labor Day weekend my sister Michelle came up to visit.  I love it when family comes to visit, and this time was no exception.  On Labor Day our family, Michelle, and a friend of hers went on a five mile hike called The Crimson Trail.  Hubby and I hiked it over 11 years ago when we were dating.  Hiking it with 5 kids in toe is quite a different experience.  For example, it took us 4 hours instead of 2 to hike.  At times it was tedious, and the last mile never seemed to end. 
However, I got to slow down and experience nature with the kids rather than just follow a trail.  John Muir would have been proud.  At the very beginning, they were in a trance watching a spider roll up one of it's catchings to drink later.  It was so captivating.  We soon had to stop (oh so frequently!) to collect snail shells, feathers, special sticks that became wands, and moss piles (which they still have growing in their rooms).  We also stopped and enjoyed a picnic along the way, and had snacks from the trail of sour elderberries (they weren't quite ripe yet), mint leaves, and even a rose hip for the brave and bold.  By the end of the hike their pockets and hands were stuffed with treasures.
At the very end of the trail there is a little bit of mountain water hikers can walk through, but we had to be careful because the moss from the water makes it very slippery.  I went first and set a very good example of how careful they should be because I fell almost immediately while I was holding Adam.  I was so worried I had hurt him, but instead I just gave him (and myself) a good fright.  The other kids had a blast in the freezing cold water, and Kimball even rolled around in it.  Brrrr!  I was really proud of all of them, especially Kimball, for hiking the whole thing all by themselves.
It was a great day and a big thanks to Michelle and her friend for having the patience to hike with us!

   

Random updates

Well, we've been busy these past few weeks, and I thought I would post the highlights. 
First, Peter and Elsie took swimming lessons.  It was Elsie's first time, and we tried a new place this year, at someone's backyard.  The kids LOVED it.  The teacher was really enthusiastic, and the lessons got both of them really excited to be better swimmers.  They begged for their own set of flippers to practice with, and I consented, calling it a homeschooling PE expense. They were even on sale at Big 5.
 
My sister and her family (three boys) came for a short visit because they happened to be traveling through.  My sister was especially excited to see baby Adam.  I of course really appreciated the visit and had fun staying up late and chatting with my sista. 




 Theeeennnn, Elsie lost her first tooth!!!  This is always such a monumental moment in a child's life.  She had her dad pull it out that morning, but by the evening she had lost it.  After a couple of days of looking, she finally wrote a note to the toothfairy asking if she would leave her a little surprise any way.  The toothfairy was kind and left her a dollar.  She was very happy, and it was only a few days later Elsie lost her second tooth as well.  This time she just let the tooth fall out by itself, and she was careful to keep track of it. 





 
 This week we started our homeschooling!  On Monday we had a back to school bash.  It started by practicing getting up at 7:00 and getting ready for the day (chores and all) by 9:00.  Then, instead of doing school, they opened up presents.  They each had a poster-board cone (http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/back-to-school-tote-tradition/) filled with school supplies and lunchbox treats they never otherwise get (pudding cups, chips, and goldfish).  Then they opened up "presents" which consisted of many of their new year curriculum - math books, novels to read, history, a wall-pop map, and jump ropes (they were a big hit!).  That afternoon we went to an Usborne book party and decided on more books to buy for the year.  My kids go to a school online where we are reimbursed for several classes up to $150.  We are being reimbursed this year for Math, Language arts, History, and PE.  It's really fun spending the money, and the kids are learning a little about budgeting as well. The rest of the week went really well.  Peter finished up his Math book on Multiplication, and was so excited to start up division, he did a whole chapter on Thursday, and another on Friday.  Go Peter!

Adam's Blessing

It has been a busy weekend.  On Saturday our family traveled to see a cousin/niece be baptized.  It was so great to be with extended family and watch Peyton follow the very action of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Afterwards we drove home and started to prepare our own celebration for Adam's baby blessing.  My parents and sister Michelle came Saturday afternoon.  We had a fun time chatting and getting things ready for when family came to our home after the blessing for some yummy food. Some of Mike's siblings also came, which we really appreciated! Today (Sunday) we went to church and Mike gave Adam his name for the records of the church and pronounced a blessing on him.  It was a wonderful blessing where Adam was promised inherited qualities and talent and a righteous posterity.  I love these blessings because it reminds me of the great calling I have as a mother to raise these strong and valiant little people God has sent me and entrusted me with. 

 Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious dinner (the recipe of which came from here) and great conversation outside.  The weather was perfect: overcast and breezy.  Once everyone left, a huge rain and wind storm came.  We even lost some of our sunflowers and apple branches.  We were really blessed to enjoy such great weather when we did!  Thanks everyone for coming!

 

Thoughts on Perfectionism

I came across this article today from the Ensign while I was home from church with sick kids.  It was an article about overcoming perfectionism.  This vice is somehow revered, especially among women, nowadays.  I came to understand the problem with perfectionism when I was reading a book called A Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting, and how debilitating and detrimental to one's progression it could be.  If I could graph my triumph over being a perfectionist,  it would be directly correlated to the increase in our family.  The anecdote for me has largely contributed to the number of children we have had.  

The article I read explained how understanding the atonement of Jesus Christ can help one overcome perfectionism, and that only through the grace of Christ can one be made perfect.  It is so easy for me to be overtaken by business:  kids need to be fed, the house needs to be cleaned, diapers need to be changed, goals and deadlines need to be met, and service needs to be rendered.  These are all necessary things, but the part in the article that caught my attention was this:  "For those who feel physically or emotionally exhausted, start getting regular sleep and rest, and make time to eat and relax.  Recognize that being busy is not the same as being worthy and being worthy does not require perfection."  What a great reminder that was for me.  

So, if anyone happens to come over and see my somewhat messy house, a child running around half dressed, or paper plates in the garbage, know I am not striving for perfection.  Instead, I am striving for an increase in love and patience by increasing my devotion to God.  As Elder Gong (the author of the article) explained, "Impatience impedes faith."  I loved that quote because I pray for patience almost every day.  I need increased faith that as I put my trust in God, and do the things the Lord inspires me to do, that a balanced life which emulates my Savior will ensue.

Our pet crow and other small moments

Last week Anna had a wellness check doctor's appointment.  Mike said he would meet me at the clinic and take the rest of the kids (we don't all fit into those little office rooms anymore) during the appointment.  Anna got examined and her shots all done, and then we waited for Mike to come back and pick us up.  When he did arrive, the van was bubbling with excitement, and there was a box Elsie was holding that was making noise.  They explained to me they had caught a crow (in its juvenile stage).  Mike said we needed to go to the second-hand store and find a cage to keep it.  I thought it was hilarious as we went trooping into the store, noisy box and all, and found the perfect cage for $4.  It was a fun week as we learned all about crows from observation.  Here are the things we learned:
- they don't like cats or baths
- they are very messy eaters
- they'll eat cat food
- they love raspberries (who doesn't?)!
- they will also eat fish and cut-up hot dogs
- when they are feeling threatened, they first caw a lot, and then they bite
- They are social animals, when one crow begins to caw, there are many others that respond for about 10 minutes after the initial caw.
After a week of crow-sitting, we decided to take the Wild Kratts' advice, and let it go "free and living in the wild!"  I am very grateful for the Kratt brothers' good influence, most definitely. When we let it go, the kids all had to say their last good-byes by holding it.  During the process, the crow also said it's good-bye by biting each of them. Poor Kimball got bitten right on the nose!  He was very brave, but understandably a bit traumatized.  We got a picture right before it happened.

Below are a couple cute pictures I thought family might enjoy seeing. 

Anna enjoying a taste of Nutella!