Nathan's Fourth Birthday

In anticipation for his birthday, Nathan tried hard to be good. His only request was that we acknowledge he'd be turning 6 and not 4. Not wanting to lie, I would simply nod and then state all of the great things about being 4. The reason that seemed to catch his attention was that he would get to stay home with me one more year before starting kindergarten :) Truly I am honored.

Nathan's greatest anxiety on his birthday was that he didn't feel like he'd grown enough. We all tried to soothe this fear by listing all of his BIG accomplishments such as successfully using the toilet and being able to knock on the neighbor's door all by himself. This has become a boost to his ego since he now feels enabled to disappear next door without asking or telling me where he's going.

So, after much discussion, worry, and persuasion the big day arrived. Nathan beamed when he awoke to birthday greetings. He basked in the lime-light of his day. The worries subsided as he clung to the festivities.

We treated Nathan to his favorite breakfast: Pancakes. To make it more special Ray covered the entire pancake with whipped cream. Nathan was Happy!

We had planned a fun birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Nathan had never been and wasn't too sure about going. He only was willing to get in the car because Emmy was riding with us. However, when we walked through the front door, Nate's expression said, "I Love This Place!". He was in little boy heaven. He enjoyed all of the games, the show, the rides, and the tickets. He has been relentless in trying to commit me to another play date with Chuck E. Cheese.
The highlight of my day was seeing all of my children gathered round Nathan to help him put his Lego set together. It was really cute.
Surprisingly, the boy who HATES pink, demanded a pink cake. So, I came up with a strawberry chocolate bundt cake with chocolate ganache frosting. It was sooo yummy that I was happy he'd begged for a pink cake :) With the cutting and eating of cake the knowledge that one's special day will soon be over. As a pretty smart guy, Nathan knew that eating birthday cake accompanies nighttime which signals the end of a wonderful day. With this realization, Nate asked if we would promise to have a fun birthday for him next year. No problem Nathan!
This is a re-take because the first pictures didn't turn out...and then the battery died...so Nathan was delighted to blow out candles twice, but first I had to sing "Happy Birthday" to him :)

All Before Noon

I awoke, showered, dressed.
Started some laundry.
Dressed Nathan & Rilla.
Fed everyone in shifts.
Drove Elizabeth to school.
Assisted Emma & Tessa in choosing outfits and then brushed their hair.
Found a long sleeve tee for Noah.
Washed some dishes.
Swept a floor.
Took the dog out: twice.
Drove Noah, Emma, & Tessa to school.
Collected some items for a preschool science experiment.
Ate a non-fat Yoplait yogurt while preparing a preschool art project: Boston Cream Pie (Really yummy!)
Changed Rilla's diaper.
Set up marbleworks tracks.
Taught preschool during which I cleaned up one enormous spill, wiped 20 hands covered with paint, sent those hands to wash properly in the sink, mopped up the 3 inches of water in the mudroom, put Nathan in time-out 3 times, changed Nathan's clothes twice, caught Rilla in the paint twice and cleaned her up, and everything else I normally do for school.
Said goodbyes.
Swept the floor.
Cleaned up our painting mess.
Took out the trash.
Prepared lunch for Nathan, Rilla, & I.
Changed a diaper.
Changed Rilla's clothes after noticing her bum was soaked.
Solved the mystery as to why Rilla's bum was soaked: Nathan had wet the floor while being in time-out.
Bathed Nathan.
Mopped the floor.
Washed clothes.
Fed Rilla & Nathan.
Put Rilla down for a nap.
Dressed Nathan.
Ate lunch.
Introduced quiet time to Nathan to insure me some time-out time of my own.

Nathan is a Sunbeam

Nathan is no longer in nursery.
His last week in nursery was a good one. He finally enjoyed going and referred to his teacher as his friend, Julia--wanting frequently to call her for a play date.
While happy at his recent contentment I began to worry about the transition into Primary.
His first week as a Sunbeam, I was subbing for the chorister. Nathan was clinging to my skirt until it sunk in that if he wanted a turn to help me he had to be sitting reverently on his chair like all of the other children I was choosing to help. At the end of the day I thought maybe there was nothing to worry about.
Week 2 in Sunbeams quickly reinforced all of my concerns. After chasing him around the room, catching him, and placing him upon his chair a dozen times, I found his dad. Ten minutes later Ray came back to report that Nathan had hid behind the pulpit but was sitting quietly and paying attention. Nathan's teacher had moved to sit close to him and so we felt all would be ok.
Next thing I know I've put Rilla to sleep and 3 people are hollering at me in urgent panicky voices for me to leave my class. Luckily, my friend took Rilla and I rushed out to learn that Nathan had taken off and evaded his teachers. I calmly searched the building and found him hiding under a small table. I asked him why he had run off and he answered, "I am scared of that big room!" I took him to his small classroom where he seemed excited to be. His male teacher inquired as to where his wife was. I realized she must still be searching for Nathan. I quickly fled searching for her. I found her shaking with terrifying sobs. She held me tight for what seemed like an eternity as she kept apologizing. I tried to soothe her while wanting the right words to come to mind to express my only concern for her well-being and my apologies for her having to be Nate's teacher, without sounding like an unfeeling parent who wasn't in the slightest worried about her son's safety....We'll see what happens this week. All I am praying for is that his teachers have experienced the maximum trauma possible and that any other Nathan behaviors will pale in comparison.

Nathan Incident

A neighbor recalled this Nathan incident:

Nathan was sitting in church backwards and on his knees. He slipped and fell through the back of the chair onto the floor.

Nathan said, "Ow! I hurt my arm. Story of my life!"

I don't know where I had been when it happened, but it was still hilarious just to hear it told.

Christmas Fun

Decorating the house for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do. I have 3 large trees: one for remembering family members, one for the Children to help me decorate, and one for my entry way that brings me serenity. I usually feel oodles of Christmas Cheer and am bursting with Joy. This year, however, I felt more like Ebeneezer than Santa.

I had vowed to not buy any toys. I rationalized that we have enough toys and could use our money more wisely. Perhaps resisting the urge to find the "perfect" present removed some of my excitement for the season. I also limited my neighborhood treats this year. I reasoned that I would make 3 batches of treats and when we'd given them away I would be done. Of course this objective pushed me further along the path of being an over-all scrooge. I did, however, consent to collecting one "toy" per child from Santa. It was then that I found a tiny happy bubble begin to swell within, but not full enough to pop. I made more treats to give away. And, I determined to do a family activity every night together during our Christmas Break. These activities did not always work out the way I'd hoped, but the Christmas Spirit came to me and into our home. Children make Christmas wonderful! I don't regret limiting our toy accumulation, just my attitude towards it. We didn't need toys, but we did need some fun time spent together. I think this Christmas will be a memorable one for all of us.

The first activity was to ride the train to SLC to participate in a Messiah Sing-Along. I had always wanted to go to this and was extremely excited and motivated to bundle us all up and venture out on this cold cold night.

The train was very crowded with hundreds of people hoping for a fun family night just like me. Noah & Elizabeth were excited to stand up bumping along with strangers. Noah burst into song embarrassing his dad and inviting his siblings to join in. While singing, Do you like Waffles, wasn't the best choice for Christmas Caroling, it did seem to lighten the journey and caused a lot of laughter. When we finally arrived, we were sad to hear that the thousands of seats had been filled and we wouldn't be able to get in. So Plan B was initiated: We would go see the lights at Temple Square. I suggested that we hop back onto the train and then get off at the Temple stop. Ray, however, argued that it was just too close to ride. After carrying Nathan 6 blocks in windy frigid temperatures to Temple Square, I was less than cheerful and was ready to go home. Enduring patiently and refraining from punching your spouse does pay off. The children had such a fun night. Nathan was eager to greet each and every baby Jesus at every life sized Nativity from several countries. Our tummies began to grumble since we'd planned on eating hot dogs at the Sing Along. We walked (again I carried Nathan) another 6 blocks to the only restaurant I was sure would be there. I ordered a reliable comfort food: soup. With a happy tummy I bundled us up to brave the cold again as we walked to a train stop to await the train. Sometimes the joy is in the journey, sometimes the test is to enjoy the journey, and sometimes we just do our best to make the journey. My hidden treasure in this journey was seeing my shy & quiet children surprise me with their daring spunk & cheer. It was magical.

Our second outing was to drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point. We had never done this before and I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to report that it was fun and enjoyable. It was another cold and windy night which dissuaded my spouse from parking the car to see the reindeer and sip hot cocoa...but I suppose if we did everything we wouldn't have something new to do next year?

Our third surprise outing met some unwilling participants who did NOT want to go if we were going to see more lights or if we'd be outside in the cold night air. After giving the best guilt trip speech I could give, we quietly drove to the location of our surprise outing: A boat ride on the river to see Christmas Lights. While I wouldn't consider the large raft we were on a boat, and while I thought the lights were a bit bare, and the whole event a bit hokey, my children probably loved this outing the best, which of course made me love it too.

The fourth night was Christmas Eve. Ray surprised me by suggesting that he take us all out to dinner so I would get a rest. Nathan for once sat still and stayed on his chair and still we managed to break a glass full of water. Of course we were seated in the middle of the room for all to see and gawk as the kind waitress swept up glass shards through a small pond of water reaching 5 or more yards out from our table. When we got home we prepared to do the Christmas Play. I am certain that if we'd had any loving and kind feelings before they quickly vanished as the arguing began..."I want to be Mary! You have to be the Angel! You are Always the Angel! I want to be a Sheep! We will not have you be a sheep! I want to be a Wise Man not Joseph! You are Always Joseph! That is why I want to be a Wise Man! I think Rilla should be the baby Jesus. Rilla will not be the baby Jesus. I want to be the baby Jesus! You can be a Shepherd or a Wise Man or Joseph. I only want to be the baby Jesus. You can't be Joseph, Noah has to be Joseph! And on & on it went....Until I shouted that we were ready to start and Tessa had a melt down because we hadn't practiced. I reminded her that we never need to practice and that we 'd help her know when to come and where to stand....So with pouting and tears we had our Christmas Play. Somehow in the doing, we found joy and ended the evening singing Carols while Elizabeth accompanied us on the piano. That was the redeeming point for me.

Mary sadly traveling alone to Bethlehem.
And so I conceded to allowing Rilla to be the Baby Jesus.
An earnest Shepherd.
Finally, a Joseph who thought he was another Baby Jesus.
All smiles for a final picture...

Christmas Day was reserved for playing together. It was a wonderful day and truly I felt the magic and finally felt completely full of Christmas Cheer & Peace.
Pajama ready with anticipation oozing to see Christmas Presents. And of course Grandma Ellgen's hand made gifts brought the most smiles!


Rilla took a long time opening her presents. She quickly discovered that there was candy inside the stockings and so she crawled around merrily snatching her siblings treats unnoticed.
Perhaps the one thing that brought the most joy into my Christmas was making these two mini scrapbooks for Nathan & Rilla. Nathan's book only took me 3 1/2 years to finish while Rilla's quickly came together in less than a week. I was rewarded for my efforts as we continue to read through them together.

Our 4th outing took us to In & Out Burger. I have to admit that even though I grew up in California, I'd never eaten there. So it was a fun first to do all together.


The 5th outing we went to Jump On It. I had as much fun as the kids did. Nathan & Rilla both relaxed and out bounced us all :)

Our 6th outing was to see a movie on the "Big TV" (theater). Ray & I enjoyed chasing Rilla around in the foyer during the movie.

Our final outing was my personal favorite. We were blessed with some new snow just perfect for sledding. Everyone had a blast! and we only quit when my feet started to get wet and the sun began to set.
It was nice having help pulling Rilla back up the hill or we'd have quit pretty quickly.
Tessa loved going backwards.

Noah's 12th Birthday!

My oldest son, Noah, is now 12 years old. Besides being a little taller and a lot more responsible, he has become quite chatty. He told me yesterday that he made a "button" for his table group at school to hit when someone needs to say something. He thought we should use one at home too. All I could say was, "That is an idea" while visions of body parts being used as a punching bag to HIT the BUTTON.

The name Noah means Peace. He is a true peacemaker in our home. He would rather surrender his rights (chair at the table, special treat, seat in the car, turn on the computer, movie choice...) than continue arguing over it. I love this quality in him! He is a great older brother! He tries to be patient with Nathan and often plays with him. There new favorite game being wrestling. Noah lets Nate hit, kick, tickle, and punch him. He usually lets Nate knock him flat on his back pretending he's lost the fight. He is fun to watch with Rilla as well. Tessa loves to hear every riddle he comes home with and then he patiently listens to her ask the same riddles pretending he doesn't know the answers. And while he is aware of how Elizabeth somehow can get him to do anything she wants, he still does it and still loves her in spite of it. He is very helpful to me and usually smiles and answers, "Sure!," when I've asked him to do something for me.

I especially proud of his desire to be good. Truly good. Not just a be good because I said kind, but a good that is embedded into his core. He chooses good. He inspires me to be good and loves me even when I am not.

Noah was the last boy to turn 12 in his church class. He sat alone for over one month. The first week he spent alone in sharing time, his class had the assignment of providing sharing time. Noah did it by himself and did a great job. The joke in Primary became, "If you need a small class, just pick Noah!" I know many boys are anxious to get out of Primary and would have been miserable to be the last one. Noah just seemed to embrace it. I am grateful to his leaders for providing opportunities for him to help with Sharing Time.

Now that he is with the Young Men and holds the Aaronic Priesthood he continues to shine. A couple of weeks before his ordination he had asked me why some men prefer to dress casually at church. We discussed many options for this. He looked me in the eye and said, "Mom, I want to dress up for the Lord." And he does. He is anxious to perform his responsibilities with love and humility. On his first Sunday to pass the sacrament he had not been instructed how to do it. I watched him nervously as I wanted to soothe his confusion and nerves. He didn't need me and figured it out just fine. If it had been me or one of my girls we would have come home upset and scared to death to try it again. When I asked him how it went he answered, "Great!"

Noah invited 6 boys to accompany him to Provo's First Night to celebrate his birthday in conjunction with New Year's Eve. It was a lot of fun! It was also wonderful to have grandparents to celebrate with us. We enjoyed Grandma Pace's chocolate cake and ice cream and playing games. The still very boy side of Noah still loves Legos and Bionicles and was ecstatic to received many for his presents.
One of the activities was eating Red Hot Chili Peppers:
BEFORE:
DURING:

AFTER:
Spared viewers the sight!
A bungee cord game:
Noah & Payton duking it out:
I love my Noah guy! My birthday wish for him is a lifetime of a continued good attitude.