Ode to All the Little Feet

With five little girls running around the house, mostly barefoot, it's easy to concentrate on the mess they make. After the girls went to bed, I found myself trolling through the house picking up some of those messes. Making sure the table was cleared off, picking up Pearls fifth (or maybe sixth) pair of socks today, clear the counters, delivery folded laundry, put jackets away, hang up shirts I know are clean (sniff the others to see if they're really dirty), pick up napkins, move chairs back around the table, etc. You know the drill. I stopped when I found myself depositing another pair of little shoes near my mudroom. The little feet that fill these shoes keep my life full to be sure. I'll never be at a loss for things to do, but I'll also never be at a loss as to who to do things with.

Can You Still Feel the Love?

I really don't like it when Easter falls in March. It is too many holidays all crammed together. And I was slow taking down my Valentine's stuff, so it feels like there is hardly any time to get out the green and then put it away in favor of eggs.

Plus, Seamus has not been as diligent about corresponding even since Pearl was born in March. I think she stole some of his glory. But rumor has it, he has some more codes in the works...

But let's take a quick peek back at February. It was not the horrible month of sickness that it usually is. (Thank goodness.) Valentine's was busy as always. With four kids in school, we made almost 120 Valentine's. This encouraged me to keep things simple. I was going to ask the kids for input, but instead I made these and handed each child a bag and told them, 'You're Welcome.'

I mentioned that I might get a Valentine's puzzle. I did (sort of.) I found a box with 10 fantasy puzzles and the kids dug in and did five or six of them in a day or two. They were glow in the dark puzzles, but they didn't glow that much. We finally tried to charge some of the pieces to see if they worked. Tyler thought we were so funny all holding our hands to the light that he took a picture.

Daisy is a good helper with puzzles. She finds pieces and encourages everyone. She wants to be in the middle of everything.

For the love of my life, I planned an event before Valentine's Day to beat the crowds. We went out to see 'Lend Me a Tenor' which was playing at the Hale Center Theater. It was so funny. I love a good comedy, and this one did not disappoint. And the theater is small enough that you feel like you are practically in the play.

I found the play because I had signed up to do the Hale Freezes Over 5K. (Remember, I want to do three races this year.) The Hale run sounded fun because they give you free tickets to a play. (Although I found out later, the tickets are for a certain play and only for a few certain days, so it isn't very flexible.) McKenzie and I dutifully showed up, although the ground was very icy. They even made several announcements about NOT trying for personal bests because the conditions were slightly hazardous.

I was pretty bummed because just a minute into the race, a down syndrome boy stopped running and asked for help. He didn't look distressed, so I continued on, but McKenzie stopped and never got going again. After she helped him back to the start/finish, they disqualified her. It was pretty lame. She was just trying to help. I don't see why they couldn't let her go back to where she was and finish the race.

In the meantime, I was booking my little heart out. There was a pretty big uphill portion that really slowed me down, but I did NOT stop, and I was proud of myself. Even better, when I neared the finish line, I was amazed at what time it read. I crossed the finish line at 28:12. I was hoping to get close to a half hour time, but I had no idea I would beat it soundly. And McKenzie was there to cheer me on at the end. It was really a great moment, with no pictures mind you, because Tyler was off at a scouting event, and June was watching all the kids. (She was so cute about it too. I was gone for almost three hours and when I called she said, "Are you coming home soon, Mom?" I said, "Yes, what are you doing right now?" "Oh, I'm just making lunch for everyone." She is such a great babysitter.)

Tyler and I were able to use our free tickets this last week. We went to see 'The Civil War' musical put on by the Hale. It was really good. I was actually worried I might be bored. Not that I don't enjoy history, but it was ALL singing, and I tend to fall asleep when I stop moving. But the music was very good and the characters pulled on my heart strings. (It is almost a given that I will cry if someone's spouse dies.)

Finally, (since we should end with some pictures) Daisy had a career day at preschool. The kids were supposed to dress as what they would like to be when they grow up. Daisy said she wanted to be a princess.

I think this stemmed from the fact that the teacher said they could dress however they liked...they could even be a princess. Well, it doesn't take much suggestion for Daisy to steer that way. However, she did add her own little twist....

VAMPIRE PRINCESS!!!

June said, "Daisy, you don't want to be that when you grow up, because someone will burn you." Wise words from a ten-year old. I do hope Daisy has different ambitions in a few years, but for now I will be content with my Vampire Princess.

Melt My Heart

I grew up in a family of three boys. I was thus wholly unprepared for girls when they came to my life. I have found myself a most fitting father of girls, for I have no idea what I would do with boys. If I were not entirely surrounded by pink, I should have no idea how to conduct myself.

My girls have, of course, found ways to penetrate the steely outer skin of "the only man in the house." They drop everything and come running for hugs when I walk through the door after work.  They draw bizarre creations and fantasies on my upper arm, just under the sleeve, so nobody knows. They hug me and kiss me when it's time for them to go to bed, and they snuggle my tight in the morning when it's time to read scriptures.

Despite my efforts to hide it, my tough-guy defenses abandoned me years ago. Maleen and I went on a date tonight to go see a play—we had a wonderful time. While in the care of a most-excellent babysitter, two of my angels penned this message for me:

It reads: "From, Ivory, and Daisy to, Our wonder-ful, kind, Loving, Father. Dear dad, Me and daisy want you to feel better soon, Will a hug and kiss make you feel better. Dear dad, Do you know not only daisy and me love but mom, June, Robyn, peral, and moxy love you. From, I, D."

I can't even read it—my eyes are full of this annoyingly large globs of water.

You see, I didn't feel very well today. Each of the girls in turn had to leave Dad for their endeavors of the day. Their routine generally finds me leaving them for work, but today I demurred to rest a bit longer, and they all departed for their various destinations. Tonight, after returning from the theater with Maleen, I found this note gently nestled on my pillow.

How blessed I am to have my girls, for truly their heart is tied to mine. The love of a little girl can heal the world. And yes, a hug and a kiss will always make me feel better.

Ivory's 7 Year Gallery

Still seems weird to me that Ivory is 7. Probably because of her height, she will always seem a bit younger. Today was the first time (of many I am sure) that Ivory put on a pair of Daisy's pants, mistaking them for her own.

But good things come in small packages, and we love Ivory. I took her out last Saturday and the weather was very nice, all things considered. Ivory kept telling me to come out in the sun and I kept dragging her back in the shade to avoid the harsh shadows. We got a good mix of both.

Enjoy these.

Ivory, you are such a cutie. I'm so glad you are my daughter.

Love That We Named Her Pearl

The Pearl is not my favorite stone. I am really more of a Tanzanite kind of gal. Or perhaps silver or Marcasite. However, there is one Pearl that I am enamored with. And I love her name. She is such a sweet 'P'. We often call her Pearly. (Maybe we are using her middle name...Pearl Lea?) Whatever you call her, we love her, and today more than usual since it happens to be her birthday.

Good morning beautiful!!

Actually, that made me think of this song. I had to go find it, so listen to it while you read. I think it is a fun song.

I should point out that I did wear my pearls today and I can't seem to take a picture of myself.

I'm sure it would help if I switched to the wide angle lens but I can't be bothered. Also, Tyler called me something funny today. He called me 'Mother of Pearl.' Clever....why didn't I think of that? (Darn him, when he outwits me.)

I let Pearl get all gussied up this morning. We did hair and I let her wear a smidge of lipstick, because she thinks that's uber cool. I love doing her blond hair. It is just so novel with all the brunettes around here. I really hope it lasts for a few years.

And then we put the camera away and went about a very busy day. Pearl was ultra patient (for a three year old) because I wouldn't let her open gifts until Dad came home. She would ask so sweetly every now and then if she could open her presents. And I would remind her we were waiting on Dad. Needless to say, she was very excited to see him. All the girls were really excited for her too. June and Ivory wrote a song for Pearl, and they performed it.

I can't tell you how heartwarming it is to see your children doing special things for your other children. Really, I feel like it is a gift to me. (But I won't tell them that and ruin it.)

Pearl was super cute. She would pick out a present and then sit back in the big chair before opening it. One at a time.

Once again, she didn't really need anything, but we dutifully got her presents. After watching her throw this one around a bit, I am instantly regretting it. I'll have to tell you what she breaks first.

A big hit was the Bubble Blower. Tyler took it up in the loft and rained down the bubbles.

Pearl was loving the waterfall of delight. We had to turn it off when the floor got slippery.

I should have made Pearl a birthday cake, but Robyn had already requested mini donuts for FHE treat. I thought about it for a bit and decided they could double as a birthday cakeish item. And they are very cake-like anyway.

Pearl didn't notice one bit. She was in heaven. Especially as we sang to her. She really seemed to understand that this was her special day, especially since Ivory went through this same routine less than two weeks ago. Pearl was ecstatic that it was her turn. Of course, she probably thinks we are doing this birthday hulabuloo regularly now.

I made her wait until after cake/donuts for a special gift. Pearl was so excited, she had to put it on right away. Here she is wearing her new dress from Grandma Dargan and holding her balloons that she picked out.

We were going to take her out to Kangaroo Zoo in the evening, but we misjudged time and ran out of it. So, we'll get to keep celebrating later. We did get her measured before bed. I love our growth chart...I'm just sad we didn't start it ten years ago. (Learn from my mistakes.)

Finally just as she was going to bed, I remembered to take a picture of her showing off her latest trick. Someone knows she is three.

This isn't related, but a game I heard about came in the mail today. I purchased Sleeping Queens. It was fairly inexpensive on Amazon. The girls loved it and we played it all day. (Thanks Minimal Day...usually I hate you.) Somehow Tyler caught a picture of us playing. I think I am losing here (yet again) and Robyn has awesome hair from Dr. Seuss day. June loved it so much she added extra rules to each sleeping queen. It was a hit!

My Favorite Four-Letter "F" Word

Maleen and I were discussing the plan for the upcoming birthday. She explained that maybe a trip to the Kangaroo Zoo would be fun. This sounded acceptable, but I always brace for the cost.

"What does it cost?" I inquired.

"Oh, we still have that coupon that we can use...so it's... [bum bum bum] FREE!"

Ah, sweet, heavenly music to my ears! "FREE" is my favorite four-letter "F" word. What else would it be?

One Birthday Party Down, Four to Go

This is an odd year, where everyone turns an odd age.  I decided a while back that on even years we would just have family parties, and on odd years they could have a friend party. Wow, the chaos! After we got through the first one, I already want to renege my part of the bargain. But I can do it. (I am partly consoled because the next birthday is Pearl and she isn't having a friend party. I am not a bad mom. She wouldn't even remember it.)

Ivory requested a late night pajama party, and almost all her friends could come. We started with one of the kids favorite games: The Dice-Dancing game, made up almost five years ago. It was inspired by a number game at my neighborhood skate center growing up.

It was about this time that Tyler donned earplugs and kept them in the rest of the evening. Poor guy. That many children can be extremely loud!!!!

We played another game after. There are plenty of versions, one commonly using a thimble full of water. We like to use a spray bottle at our house. But since the kids were younger we opted to spray people on the hand instead of the face. And I think it led to much less crying. Here is Ivory thinking of her category.

Here is proof that Ivory invited boys to her party.

(And oddly, one of the only tantrums was from one of the boys who flopped on the floor and cried when things didn't go his way. Maybe he was trying to fit in with all the girls.)

Then we painted. Nothing says 'party' like allowing kids to make a mess. It looked so pretty beforehand.

I just cut letters out of contact paper, and stuck them on watercolor paper.

The kids did a great job, and painted in many different styles.

The contact paper peeled off like a dream after. I didn't get any pictures that evening, but here are our family's letters.

After painting, Ivory opened gifts while I finished up the cake. This picture cracks me up, because this is how all kids parties seem to go. They all want to be as close as possible to the person opening the presents. I promise Ivory is in there somewhere.

(Too bad we don't continue this tradition....can't you picture a baby shower with everyone huddled around the new mom?)

I had maybe planned to do a more elaborate cake, but in the end, I wasn't feeling it. So, I made Wacky Cake, which is super delicious, but not very pretty. The melted candy bars on top make up for the fact that it is in a bread pan. (I promise.)

And then we watched a movie and I made caramel popcorn and prayed that some children could just sit down for an hour. (They couldn't.) But all things considered, we will call the party a success.

The only downer was at the end when one of the children was very hyper and rambunctious. I asked her several times to calm down and she was struggling keeping her hands to herself. (Not surprising since it was past their bed time and they were full of cake and popcorn.) But Ivory turned and told this child that she didn't even want to invite her to the party.

I was so disappointed in Ivory. It was the truth. Ivory did not have this child on her original list, but I had intervened because this child had previously invited Ivory to her birthday. Maybe I should learn not to meddle. This doesn't excuse Ivory's rude comment, and I spoke to her sternly multiple times. I think the problem originally stemmed from Ivory not being very discreet in handing out the invitations at school. I'm sure there were hurt feelings there as well. But it is unrealistic for us to invite a whole classroom of children to our house. (Plus, Tyler's head would have exploded.)

I wonder if you have found good methods of passing out birthday invitations, or helping children feel included. Obviously, Ivory brought a treat to her class to share with everyone on her actual birthday, but that doesn't make up for not going to a party. I have talked with my own children telling them not to feel bad if they aren't invited to a party, because people cannot invite everyone. And perhaps it is a part of life that everyone needs to experience. (Minus the rude comments of course.)

It has been on my mind a lot because I don't want my girls to be the 'mean girls'. (You know what I am talking about.) I hope I can raise them better than that.