Come unto Him

“If we notice that planning for parties and scrambling for presents begin to detract from the peaceable message of Jesus Christ and distance us from the gospel He preached, let us take a step back, slow down a little, and reconsider what matters most.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency

Silent treatment

Jaya can ignore everyone and everything when she has a good book. I actually waited to tell her I had it because I wanted to have her attention this morning. This is what she's looked like since 11:00am.

Wakey Wakey Kale

I found the golden ticket to waking Kale each morning...Elf on the shelf...He came to our home last year and this year has grace with his presence again. I can't tell you how much "Ted" has helped Kale wake up each morning. While this would normally be a very daunting part of my morning, now I just have to rub Kale's back, and softly whisper "I wonder what Ted has done today?" Up Kale jumps and runs to find him.
A couple of times I had the camera ready when he found "Ted", and it doesn't quite capture the excitement that's there, but it's close!

 

Watching The Littles!

My sis-in-law had her baby, and so I got to babysit her other 2 boys for a few days, we call them The Little's. Everyday was an adventure, and the nights were lots of fun too! It's hard to believe I did sleepless nights for so many years, and makes me grateful for the season my children are in now. I wish I could have recorded all the funny comments and sayings that we laughed at over dinner and during car rides, but in short it was a fun to have them over.

What this experience taught me about my own son was that he loves to teach. He would come up with a cool trick (ie. cutie mustache) and insist on teaching his cousins.

 

 

Another great game that Kale came up with was called "I ask the questions, if you agree raise your hand." I'm not sure that Coleman ever really knew what he was agreeing too, he just went along with it.

 

Needed therapy

You know those days you are just bugged? Well this girl was having one of those days, and while riding home from church she finally lost it (all because her brother was counting). It was the perfect opportunity to discuss anger management I gave her a list of ideas she could do to feel good again. 10 minutes after we got home, this is what I found to be her chosen method of therapy...petshops...goes to show that play is therapy!

Uno has returned

Card games have recently resurfaced at my house. This is always a sign that photography season is over! It's so nice to be able to see my own family for awhile.

On the cube

On Sunday Kale grabbed a book, found a seat and quietly looked at the pictures. Maybe those endless hours of  reading books with my kids has made a difference.

Flippin' Awesome