Jamin turns 7

Benjamin is 7 today!

He loves tetherball, Angry birds, football, baseball, PE, math, art, dogs, fruit of any kind, Mario Brothers (mostly Yoshi), Ninja Turtles (mostly Michelangelo), legos, and all things nerf.

Jamin surprises us daily with his quick mind and playful spirit. He is a thoughtful friend and brother who would live outside if he could; winter becomes sheer torture for him.

We adore this tenacious, goofy boy.

Happy 7th birthday, Benjamin!

(Sort of) Snow days

Two weeks ago, every school district in the valley was given a snow day. Every school district that is, except ours. 

The local charter school had a snow day. So did Travis' preschool. 

In honesty, we didn't have that much snow (Idaho usually keeps school open for many inches more); the cancellations came from slick roads and wind.

Benjamin felt understandably bummed as he left for school after watching the news with me that morning. 

Travis & Libby declared it Pirate Day.

 

Weeks of frigid weather followed. We woke up to negative temperatures and sometimes reached double digits as the day's high. Frozen fog sure looks pretty, but it hurts. Brrr!

Last night, a new storm moved in and brought the weather up to a balmy 20 degrees. With it came a little snow and quite a bit of ice. Once again, many districts in the area closed school today... but not Kuna. 

Just Libby stayed home today. We made it a girls' morning and had a princess tea party

and played cowgirls

before skidding our way across the ice to get Travis. Oy.

 Spring, you're welcome to come any time you want.

Winter break

The last week of winter break brought snow,

lots of indoor play time (thanks to single-digit days),

and two visits from the Tooth Fairy.

 While the break was relaxing, the boys got stircrazy and anxious to see their friends by the end.

(Plus they really love school... even if a certain 6-year-old says otherwise sometimes.)

Christmas Eve & Christmas

On Christmas Eve, the cousins frosted sugar cookies:

 Cami taste-tasted the goods for Santa:

The kids and I spent the day watching movies, baking, and playing together.

When Scott came home from work that evening, we enjoyed a tasty tamale dinner, shared the Nativity story, exchanged Christmas Eve pajamas, and set out cookies & milk & carrots for the Santa & his reindeer.

Once the kids got to bed, Scott and I swapped stockings as we do each Christmas Eve. This year, we each picked a surprise theme for each other. We always relish that just-the-two-of-us time during the chaos of the season.

The boys started chatting and giggling around 5 on Christmas morning. At 5:30, we got Libby out of bed. The kids burst through the wrapping paper at the end of the hallway and found magic.

 

 

Jamin used his own money to buy presents for the first time this year. Libby and Travis felt special from this gesture and wanted to open his gifts first.

 

 Benjamin and Leo played with the new tetherball:

 

The kids had such a blast playing together that we barely heard a peep from them for hours!

After talking with Grammie & Humey, we went to Nanay & Papa's to exchange gifts. They served dinner, then we played games and hung out until late (for a work night, anyway).

What a fun Christmas!

More of December up to Christmas

We've been very busy this month! Here are some highlights:

The kids visited Santa at our church Christmas party.

Jamin asked for a tetherball. He seemed pretty impressed when Santa explained what a great tetherball player he used to be (before his wrist injury).

 Travis asked for a Jake and the Neverland Pirates talking spyglass, map, and headband. We're not sure what else he said, but Santa and his helpers were in stitches.

 Libby politely asked Santa for a Minnie Mouse doll and was on her way.

Brock turned 7, and Camryn turned 1.

Lots of birthday fun!

We sent snowflakes to Sandy Hook Elementary.

After we spoke with Benjamin about the news in Connecticut, he wanted to know how to help. He specifically felt a desire to cheer up the kids who missed their friends. When we learned that the district was collecting paper snowflakes to decorate the school, Jamin got to work.

 

Scott took his finals.

Hurray for a break!

I turned 30, and the world didn't even end.

 Due to the craziness of finals and the flu, I wanted a quiet night in. We celebrated with a nice dinner, chocolate cake, peppermint ice cream, and some great gifts (I got spoiled). 

We tried getting some good pictures of the kids in front of the Christmas tree.

Emphasis on "tried."

We made graham cracker houses:

Scott cooked tamales in preparation for Christmas Eve.

 Batch #1:

(I know I'm not writing about Christmas Eve yet, but these tamales tasted amazing. My husband rocks.)

Libby's third birthday

Our 3-year-old princess had a wonderful day!

She asked for M&Ms for breakfast. She ate chocolate chip pancakes while watching Beauty and the Beast instead.

Later, Libby had her Nutcracker party. She seemed a little disappointed that she didn't get to dress up like the Nutcracker (she wanted to "stomp, stomp, stomp") but was thrilled with her balloons, ballerina snowflakes, white Nutcrackers, and cherry-topped cupcakes.

 Libby felt special being showered with love and attention (not to mention gifts) all day. Thanks to everyone who shared in the fun with her!

Gatorade, saltines, and heavy hearts

It started Thursday night.

At 5:00 in the evening, Travis complained that his cheeks hurt and asked to go to bed. He had a high fever. Travis slept 15 hours and spent much of Friday napping.

As Benjamin got ready for school on Friday morning, he threw up. His face was pale, his body was weak, and he threw up 5 more times over the course of the day. 

I felt overwhelmed. Everyone wanted my full attention. Travis wanted to sleep on my shoulder. Benjamin wanted to cuddle and talk with me in his room. Libby-- who felt fine-- wanted to play. I wished I could be there for each of them at every moment. However, I also needed to mop vomit off of floors, wash soiled clothing, and frequently let out the dog (we got a dog last week... more on that later). And then there was the rotating order of Gatorade, saltines, and medicine. If only 100% of me could be in 4 places at once.

During a rare quiet moment that morning, I checked the news. My heart dropped.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

 -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My soul aches for the families involved in this tragedy. I pray that, in time, they find comfort.

Suddenly, I realized how small my burdens are and how great my blessings are. I am thankful to be able to care for my children, to cuddle with them, to have them call for me when they need me. That could change at any moment, and I'm going to relish this day-- vomit & fevers-- for all that it's worth.