Seven Children for the Day

I intended to create one post per child before beginning any other topics. But that clearly didn't happen. Caious is writing an autobiography for school. When it is finished, I will post the best parts.
Until then I thought I recount the events of Spring Break.

I was lucky enough to be asked to watch my two nieces for the day. They are technically my grandnieces because their dad is my nephew, but I am only 4 years older than he is, so it just easier to refer to them as nieces.

The Princess is 5 years old and loves, dancing, drama and everything pink. Almost exactly the opposite of Ellie. The Baby is 4 moths old and the happiest, most content little sweetheart I have ever met. She only cried when she was hungry (or when Brianna kicked her . . . sorry about that). I learned quite a few things that day.

Number one: caring for an infant is much easier after a good night's sleep.

Number Two: More children means more playmates. All of the children had a great time playing games together.

Katiti was a pro at feeding and cuddling The Baby.

Suddenly, I was not bombarded with complaints of "I'm bored" or "Can I play on the computer" or " Can we watch t.v?" or "MOM!" I didn't need to referee, entertain or administer punishment (aside from the aforementioned head-kicking incident). My main responsibility was keeping tummies full and diapers clean. I was more than happy to comply.

Number three:
This

Equals This:

As unbelievable as it may seem, once the little ones went to sleep the rest of us cleaned the basement and (for the first time ever) organized the toys. With that huge project out of the way and bananas rotting on the counter, The Princess and I made yummy banana bread for a snack. She is quite the baker.

It was a good day. I know it was a pain for my nephew to drive all the way to our home to drop his little girls off, but we hope we get to play with them again.

Happy Earth Day

So . . . on earth day I thought I'd find out if baking soda and 1/2 lime could clean as well as the cleaner I usually use. Also, I wondered if it would be easier on my hands than the harsh chemicals.
The answer is yes . . . and no. But at least I tried something different. The bathroom seems about as clean. I must say the lime was a refreshing scent and the baking soda was very easy to rinse. But sadly my hands are still a rough, cracked mess.
At least I tried . . .

The Great Andrewski

Andrew was star of the week in his class. Here is what he told the class about himself:

My name is Andrew. I also go by Drew, DrewBob, DrewBert, Drewbie and The Great Andrewski.

I was born in Missouri.

My family moved from Missouri to Boston when I was 3½ years old.

I attended preschool at Harvard.


I loved to canoe the Charles River in Boston.


My family has five children in it. I am right in the middle. I have one brother, Caious (9) and three sisters Kaiti (11), Ellie (4) and Brianna (1½).


When I was 5½ we moved to Tucson, Arizona.
We hiked in the mountains and visited the Arizona, Sonoran Desert museum a lot.


I used to have a sweet tooth, but it fell out. Even though I have had lots of trips to the dentist, I still love to eat sweets.


We moved to Utah in February when I was 7½.
I love living in Utah because I get to see my Grandpa and Grandma a lot. My grandpa let’s me help him with his horses and cows. Sometimes he pulls me on a sled behind his tractor. It is so much fun.


I am very athletic. I like to play soccer and t-ball. I like to ride my bike. I like to play in the snow, which is lucky because we have a lot of snow in Utah.


When I grow up, I want to be a missionary
and then a pilot. When I am done doing those
things, I’ll be an otolaryngologist – a specialist
on the ears, nose and throat!

Marching to the Beat of Her Own Drum

For such a petite little pixie, E does not like "cute things" (frilly dresses, princesses . . .) only "cool stuff" (Superman, Spiderman, Cars, trucks . . .). It is a rare day when I get her to agree to have her hair styled in anything other than the required pony-tail-to-keep-the-hair-out-of-your-face. She has her own ideas of what looks good and what doesn't. She is a big fan of shorts, shades and snow boots (Grandma asks how I can let her go to preschool like that. I am just happy she is dressed.)

Here are a few examples of outfits she has put together herself.

She loves her cowboy boots and overalls. Both hand-me-downs. She would wear them everyday if I didn't insist that she put clean clothes on for preschool. One day I was lucky, and she let me do her hair a "cool" way we saw on a little girl in Wal-Mart.

notice the overalls

Her willingness to have her hair done inspired "That Baby" to ask for her hair to be styled also. I could only get a little ponytail holder in the top, we think she is a cute fountainhead.

You have to look closely, but the hair is there.