$2 Tuesdays

A local roller rink has had $2 Tuesdays all summer long. I found out about this a few weeks ago and decided to brave it and take my kids there and see if we could have a good time. It was such a hit! Even Spencer loved it. Danielle and Spencer mostly skated around on the carpeted area and Taneal and Camie hugged the walls in the rink, but we lasted the full three hours and had so much fun. Nathan cooperated and ate his fill of gold fish. We left determined to go back soon.

Today was the day we went back. Not so good. I brought water bottles because I would rather the kids drink from my water bottles then a public drinking fountain. Spencer decided he was thirsty and because I was watching all my kids in a crowded area, I didn't realize that that little three-year-old somehow managed to drink two water bottles in the first half hour we were there. After two trips to the bathroom and him REALLY going, I realized what happened. I was taking him to the bathroom every fifteen minutes. And, the bathroom was a public restroom, so not so clean. The floors in the restroom were tile and extremely slippery with skates on. Of course taking off the skates and putting shoes on every 15 minutes didn't seem like the easy way out. So, I somehow pushed the stroller, managed to keep Spencer from falling, pulled down his pants, helped him on the toilet, had to pull his pants back up (tugging causes slipping and sliding), getting out of the stall with baby and Spencer, washing hands, etc. Not fun. Nathan had had it, wanted out of the stroller and the gold fish weren't doing their trick. Spencer was too tired by this point and started the tantrums. TIME TO GO!

Now to get the girls off the rink. A very nice lady comes and sits next to me and comments that I have my hands full (why does that comment bother me? I do have my hands full). She then explains to me in a "I'm trying to be compassionate" sort of way, how sad it is that I have so many children and so I can't be out on the rink helping my children learn to skate because I have to tend to the little ones on the bench. (Sorry about the run-on sentence there.) I just grit my teeth and try to flag down my kids that we REALLY need to go. So, this lady goes onto the rink, asks Danielle if she can take her out on the floor and help her skate. Danielle comes and asks, and of course I'm feeling somewhat less then a great mom at that moment and so I grant permission. Spencer on the bench screaming, Nathan squirming in my arms, Taneal and Camie zooming around the rink not paying attention to me, and some stranger hand in hand with my little girl.

When I finally got my girls attention that we needed to go, we were out of there within a minute or less. We piled into my van and drove home. I promised that we would NEVER do that again. Taneal's comment was great, "of course we won't, Mom. School starts on Monday and $2 Tuesdays will be over." I love that she know me and still loves me and can find humor in a bad situation.

And all I was trying to do was be a good mom and take my kids skating.

So to change the perspective. I love being a mom of 5 children. If I could, I would have a dozen more. My children are my life and bring me so much happiness and joy. They are the reason I get out of bed every morning. They are the reason I have an added skip in my step. They are the reason I cook and clean and shop and sing and smile. They are the reason I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice and example that allows me to try to be a better person each day. I am so thankful for temples that have allowed my family to be a family forever, and not just for our time here on earth. I have a great husband that supports me and works so hard to provide for all these mouths to feed, and occasionally changes diapers, too. We feel so blessed to have these five truly amazing children with us each and every day. I do have my hand full and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Nathan is 1

Nathan had his first birthday. They grow up so fast! We had Troy and Becky over for the celebration. I made taco salad and birthday cake. Nathan wasn't too thrilled about either. Someone put his hand in his cake and he couldn't stand the sticky feeling, so we had to wash his hand and try it all over again. I love the first birthday and the cake because you never know what to expect. Some kids will dive right in and others, like Nathan, don't want to have much to do with it.

I must confess. I don't know if I have fallen victim of having a lot of children or what. But as Nathan's birthday neared, I couldn't think of anything to get him! I have too many toddler toys as it is, I had two bags that I had just dropped off at Good Will. I really didn't want more toys. And summertime is so busy with all the kids home that I never made it to the store.

My neighbor across the street had a baby a few days before Nathan was born and you should have seen the party that they threw for their firstborn. And Nathan, Sunday morning rolled around and I neglected to get him anything. The girls asked of they could help wrap his presents and told them of my dilemma. They said they would take care of the problem. Awesome girls!

We went to late afternoon church, came home and prepared dinner for family to come over, and I didn't give the gifts another thought until Becky showed up with a gift for Nathan. Oops. Taneal and Camie happily marched downstairs with some wrapped gifts in tow. They had indeed taken care of the problem. They grabbed some of the toys that Nathan plays with and wrapped them. They also got out a package of diapers and wrapped that as well.

So is it because Nathan is baby #5 that I didn't throw the HUGE party for? If my neighbor only knew. And now you know. I love that little boy so much and have been so blessed to have him in my home and as part of my family. The giftless birthday is no reflection of the affection I have for that little spirit.

Evan turns 20

Happy Birthday Evan. We have spent 14 of your birthdays together. And you liked this birthday and the attention it brings about as much as the first birthday we spent together. Of course the girls like to make a big deal out of your special day (because that is what is supposed to be done on birthdays)and you painfully play along with them. You are fun to watch.

Cooking 101

A few of us moms got together and held cooking classes for some of our children. At my house I taught the group of 5 to make bread sticks. At the next class Anne Marie (Hayley's mom) taught them how to make homemade spaghetti. And at the last cooking class, Tara (Madalyn and Lauren's mom) taught how to make pumpkin pie and a green salad. All of us had so much fun. And the girls really looked forward to it. For the 4th class, the girls had to cook for us moms. We sat back and visited. They did REALLY well. The mess wasn't too big and the food was very good. Of course between the three of us moms we had 14 children combined. I was glad the other moms were willing to host the cooking class in their homes, all those children can be a bit overwhelming. But you can't beat good food and great company. The girls learned some great cooking skills (and so did I). And it was a nice way to break up the summer. Way to go girls!

The Children's Museum

Pictures, pictures and more pictures! One day this summer we decided we needed a break from swimming, so we packed a lunch, made our beds, and as long as we were ready by 9am, we were going. All the kids pitched in and helped and we made it by the time deadline and drove to the children's museum. We made it there by 10am. We had so much fun. It was crazy crowded, so I don't think I would ever buy a season pass there. I can't keep up with all my children and it took too much energy do go very often. But, we stayed until closing at 6pm and we played and played and played. Nathan took a short cat nap and played. Taneal's favorite part was the climbing maze. Camie's was the store where she got to check groceries, put the groceries away, and kind of run the store. She was in there for hours! She really liked how you used real/fake debit cards to buy things, how you could use the ATM to deposit and get cash, etc. Danielle like the restaurant. She really enjoyed serving my food and having me pretend to eat it over and over again, This was during Nathan's cat nap, so I was actually able to spend time playing with her. Spencer's favorite part was the police car and ambulance. Nathan was an amazing sport through it all. He had learned to walk a few days before, but hadn't learned to walk in shoes. I tried with the shoes and he kept falling. I really didn't want him walking around barefoot with so many kids running around, so I held him a lot and he spent time in his stroller. But he had fun and really didn't cry. So much fun, so many pictures, and so much energy. But it was all so worth it and we made some wonderful memories and it contributed to the wonderful summer we had together.

Danielle turns 5!

A little late posting. Danielle's birthday was the end of July.

Danielle turned 5. That means she can go to kindergarten. That means she is going to have to figure out how to feed herself, use the bathroom on her own, be away from home for 8 hours each day, and

ride the bus. Turning 5 brings on so many changes. I'm not ready for my little girl to grow up.

Danielle had a wonderful birthday. She wanted a castle cake. It required 3 cake mixes. That is a lot of cake. But, to achieve a castle, I had to use that many. Cake mixes are only $1/box, so I was able to justify that. And, it made one happy little girl.

We had donuts for breakfast, grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, and for supper she wanted rice, potatoes, blueberries, and strawberries. No salad. Hmmmm. The cousins were coming over for dinner, so it needed to have some uniformity to it. I added her favorite chicken patties, kiwi, and country gravy. It was a hit and everyone was happy.

Although I don't like to make birthday at all about the gifts, I must mention her favorite gift. Make-up. The girl LOVES makeup. When she gets together with her friend, that is all they want to do. She has played with this gift more then any toy she owns or anything else. It was a hit.

Balloons are also a tradition in our family for birthdays. We got all the colors of the girl rainbow and Danielle was pleased. She said it was the best birthday ever. And, because her friend Lindsay was out of town, she only wanted a family party with Uncle Troy, Aunt Becky, Austin, Tyler, and Audrey. And she wanted a castle cake. If Lindsay couldn't be there, she didn't want a friend party. Cute girl.

Happy Birthday, Danielle!