Liberty

We've been reading about Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty in Nolan's picture Book of Mormon. Well, today was a rough day for Nolan. He spent lots of time in time-out and wasn't done when I had to go to Young Women. I gave him a tight squeeze before I left, but apparantly it wasn't enough. Justin said he was upset for nearly an hour later because I hadn't given the required "love and kiss." I forgot the kiss. Big oops. Justin kept trying to calm him down by giving him options of things to do. Nolan finally said, "I have no liberty! I don't want to make any choices!" It's good to know that he pays attention during scripture time. Nice application, buddy. And yes, I gave him plenty of kisses when I got back.

CERT

I'm one of the newest members of CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team. It took two Saturdays from 8 to 5, but now I feel like I could actually save your life in an emergency. Well, if I'm brave enough to leave my house and find someone to watch my kids after a major disaster, then I could go save your life.
There was a lot to learn, and even though I was out of my comfort zone at times, I'm glad I took the course. The most exciting part was doing the mock disaster. There were about 13 or 14 "victims" that volunteered to get all bloodied up so that 5 of us CERTs could practice. I so wish I had pictures of us (this is what we looked like, though).

It was the real deal... not just ketchup smeared around. One guy that I helped had a pole sticking out of his stomach while his girlfriend sat screaming by his side. After accessing for shock, I tagged him and she grabbed me and wouldn't let me leave. It was quite realistic in the fact that people who are desperate aren't anxious to let help walk away. There was also a "bone" sticking out of someone's shin, and several other nasty wounds. We had to carry two victims out on a back board. The first time around was crazy. Most of us weren't prepared for how real it would feel. But the second time went well. I'm now feeling the importance of keeping more medical supplies on hand so that my family, neighbors, and community will be safer.
It's really a great program. It only costs around $45 and they give you a backpack, hard hat, gloves, mask, and eye protection that you'd need to use if something happened in the community. I hope that you'll consider getting trained, too.
There will be trainings coming up in the future. Visit the CERT website to find out more. Get in touch with Robin (her email is on the website) if you'd like to get trained.

Prayers

There was a time when Nolan really didn't want to say prayers. Now he volunteers every time. Here are some of the phrases that we can expect to hear when he prays:
"Please bless our Grandmas and Grandpas, and our other Grandmas and Grandpas."
"I'm thankful that heaven is real."
"Please bless the other day, and the other day, and the other day, and the other day...." This goes on and on and we're not exactly sure what he means by it.
"Thankful that Mommy, Daddy, Nolan, and Ezra can feel good."
"Thankful I have a spirit."
And here is one thing that I wish he'd say:
"Please help me to stop peeing my pants."

Bald Spot

I thought it would be fun to make paper snowflakes with Nolan. He hasn't used scissors much and I thought it would be good practice. Well, I left him alone with the last snowflake for about two minutes, and I came back to find little hairs littering the table and his shoulders. He told me, "I just cut my hair here on top." I really couldn't see anything where he was pointing so I figured it must have been just a little here and there - not enough to do much damage. Well, it wasn't until two hours later that I really noticed the bald spot on the front of his hairline. My first thought was, "Thank goodness he isn't a girl." It would have been so much more noticeable. I'm starting to think that practicing with scissors isn't really neccessary at this point in his life.

Favorite Place to Play

We have a new favorite place to play: Classic Skate in Sandy. My mom and sister had said that it would be a perfect place to let the boys loose for a while, and they were so right! We bounced, went down giant slides, climbed through "the jungle," and played some video games. I was amazed that with the coupons from Classic Skate's website, the outing only cost us $4. We even came out with candy necklaces with the tickets we'd won. And we practically had the place to ourselves on a Monday morning, which is good because I think I had nearly as much fun bouncing as the boys did (I felt a little too old for it, but it was fun to be silly again). So if anyone is looking for a place to let your kids release some energy during these cold months, check it out. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we'll be back.

Just so you know: Their mom's club is usually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes unlimited bouncing, skating, exploring "the jungle," and 10 tokens per child for $7.50 each. However, check their website because they always have coupons that might apply to mom's club. I thought I'd have to pay for myself since I need to be in there with Ezra, but I was free!

Winter Activities

I always think that January is the longest month, until I get to February and March and they both seem long, too. Winter just isn't my favorite time of year, especially since having kids. We get so tired of being at home all the time and when we do go somewhere it can be really frustrating when the kids act out. But here is what we've done to break up the monotony of being cooped up at home.

We've played in big boxes! Nolan sat for hours in this box just drawing picture after picture. His favorite thing to draw is the shark with spinning teeth from James and the Giant Peach. He also draws hotels and cities with lots of windows.

During one especially long day, I decided to get the kids out of the house even if it took 30 minutes to get ready. For some reason, getting snow clothes on takes us forever and by the time the kids are ready I'm nearly too pooped to go outside. It seems like every time I look down to grab a hat or glove, I look back up and the kiddo I'm trying to dress is halfway across the room already. They never stay where I put them. But we made it to a nearby park for some spur-of-the-moment sledding. It was worth it when I heard Ezra giggle as he would slide down each time. If only his shoes had stayed on! As I watched Nolan go down, I looked back and Ezra was running down the road, already 50 yards away. Once again, they never stay put!

Nolan is going through some changes lately that I'm hoping are normal. He is much more sensitive about what is in movies and on TV. We tried to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Turns out he was really disturbed that Wonka put some coats in a big vat of liquid for making candy. I think there are stranger parts in that movie, but he did not want the coat in there. Also, he tries to hide behind me when he has done something naughty in front of others. He embarrasses much more easily. And when we are having a discussion about something he's done wrong, he says, "I just don't want to talk about this right now." He never used to care about being scolded so we're all trying to adjust. He is still very particular and when something isn't right he'll launch into a tantrum. I get so angry when I try everything I can to make sense of what he is asking for and if I don't guess right, look out!!! Big blow up. I'm hoping he won't be so volatile in the coming years. But I'm afraid he gets it from me so maybe he won't grow out of it at all.

At last week's Primary activity, he decided that he didn't want to stay. I told him there would be treats and games and friends, but he said, "I just don't want to do this right now. I don't need those treats." So we went home. At least he's polite about it. Now he says that about preschool sometimes but I practically shove him out of the van anyway. Luckily he comes home happy. I just love this little guy and hope that he will mellow out a little so that I can, too.

Big Appetite

Ezra cut some new teeth and has had a change in his appetite. He normally eats like a bird but lately he wants to eat constantly! What a wonderful thing for our little tiny guy. The other day he sat in his high chair for about 2 hours while Justin refilled his tray with various cereals. Nolan wanted to help and accidently gave him way too many Cheerios. Ez must have been overwhelmed because that's when he gave up on eating and threw them to the floor. It was a Cheerios explosion! But since then he is always begging for snacks and eating his meals so well. My job is to stock up on healthy things. Here's my happy little eater. We just hope it lasts! Does anyone have any great snack ideas for my kids? I'm must be in a rut because I can't seem to think of very many healthy (and easy) snacks for give them. Even if you think it seems obvious, jot them down for me anyway. I'd like to compile a snack list so that I can refer to it when I'm making my weekly grocery lists.

And this is not my idea of a snack... I just thought it was cute that his stocking stuffer sucker is bigger than his head.

Christmas morning

Santa found his way to the cabin! Since we did better at video taping than snapping pictures, here is the rundown of the beloved presents:

tent w/ tunnel and a camp set
pillow pets
zhu zhu pets
Handy Manny motorcycle
Lego Duplo construction set

Justin and I were so pleased to received two new pillows (actually good quality, unlike the cheapos I usually buy) and a King down comforter (we've spent the last 6 weeks making do with our old Queen comforter on our new King bed). Every night when we slip into bed we feel like it's Christmas all over again!

Nolan spent nearly the entire day tucked inside the tent with Legos of some sort or another. Ezra had new things to play with but seemed to only get excited about the candy canes. When he was done with those, he chose to wander around the cabin aimlessly, making the sign for milk at the first sight of either mom or dad. At one point Grandpa John flipped on the light in his bathroom to find Ez sitting in the sink in the dark with a grin on his face. Every now and then I would take him and put him in the sink because of the expression of joy it produced. Grandpa John also lifted Ezra onto his lap only to find that his little legs were soaking wet. Apparantly he had found a toilet bowl to swim in. What are we going to do with him? As for Justin and me, I was eager to dive into reading Book 2 of The Hunger Games and Justin practiced piloting his new helicopter.

I'm so thankful for the joys this Christmas season has brought. The best part was seeing the excitement in the eyes of Nolan (Ez is just barely "getting it"), being near my loved ones, and partaking of delicious holiday food. 'Til next year, Santa!

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas at my parents' cabin in Alton. All of my siblings and their families were able to be with us this year. We spent the day making cookies, decorating a gingerbread village (Uncle Rob ended by painting his face like the Joker), and playing on the big snow hill. That evening we enjoyed our traditional Chinese dinner of orange chicken, egg rolls, and ham fried rice. We have officially given up making chop suey, since it is so much more work than the orange chicken.

Afterward, we managed to pull off our first family talent/comedy show! I started warning my family about this a month or so back, only to be scoffed and laughed at. But I persevered by encouraging and forcing some people to participate. We had several musical solos (Blake on the piano, Grady on the guitar, Kamrie on the violin), vocal solos (Ryan, Kendyll, Kamrie, Ethan, and Nolan all had one or two numbers), two cheers (led by Darian), a humorous ballet exerpt (by yours truly and the not-shy husband of mine), and a comedy routine of sorts (Bryan and Bryson). It was such a good time that my family might actually allow me to announce another one in a year or two! Thanks, everyone, for being good sports! And just in case some of you are wondering: yes, Justin made his dramatic entrance in little bike shorts. At the end of our show some of the younger kids kept asking him: "Were you dancing in your underwear?" Seriously honey, it was awesome!

After opening new pajamas, reading the Christmas story in Luke II, setting out Santa's cookies, and a bedtime story from Aunt Keeley, the kids were eager to get to bed with the rule that they not wake until 6 a.m. It had been a magical day!