Spring Break

This past week we headed to Richland for Spring Break!!! I don't know whether or not I'm independent or nuts to drive four little ankle biters by myself but hey...we survived!! Eli is not the best traveler but thanks to Meggy and her perseverance she made him laugh and we made it. It was a nice change of scenery for all of us!!!


Meggy liked to sit out on the patio (balcony) and write in her journal and Eli loved to play with her through the glass. I'm sure there are some great hand/lip prints on the window now...sorry!
One afternoon we went out to the Country Mercantile...it's a great store for kids! Lots and lots of samples!!! The best part is the ice cream...ALL loved it!!!
Our trip to the country store was quite an adventure....we missed an exit coming home and ended up doing some sight seeing!! It all worked out and the best part is we got to cross the cool bridge over the Columbia River!! What's a trip without some adventure?
Mr Mobile Eli!! He isn't crawling but he is doing this army scoot and his is fast!! He's everywhere...let the games begin!!!
The girls opened a "Library" in the reading nook and spent a lot of time creating and publishing their own books. It kept them occupied for many hours!!
Thursday the wind stopped blowing and the sun warmed up and we headed to the park. It is a great park!! The kids enjoyed being out in the sunshine. Lyssa going round and round.
This was a fun zip line. The girls took many a turn down it!!! Emmy spent the most time on it!

Arrr....my little pirates rocking the boat!!!
Meggy had a ball climbin up the climbing wall...I think she enjoyed the warmth!!!

Elis first experience in a swing. He loved it...guess what we'll be doing a lot of this summer?
Alyssa enjoyed crawling all over the salmon. When grandma told her the fish was a salmon Alyssa replied "Salmon isn't a fish, it's food, we eat salmon". Yes we do!!! But what do you think it is silly?!!!!
Funny kids riding on the giant sturgeon. They thought it was pretty fun to climb all over.
The park is right on the bank of the Columbia River so we walked down to the docks and let the kids see the water...Meggy wanted to touch it of course but that had disaster written all over it...maybe in the summer when it's warm!!
After 2 hours of playing in the park it was time to chill out for a few minutes! We are all waiting and ready for warm spring weather.

We missed Steve while we were gone but we had a great time with Grandma...thanks for the fun!!!

Tribute

We got a nice surprise from my sister Julie this weekend. She is working in Kuwait and on the 26th of February she reserved the flag was flown that day in honor of my dad. The certificate is to the Linton family in Honor of my dad Merle.
She'll bring it home when she comes. Thanks Julie...that's awesome!!!

For Sale

One of my favorite expressions (when talking about my kids) is: They are for sale..want them?!!! Of course I would NEVER sell them...I love them too much but I was wondering what my ads would look like? Here's what I came up with:

For Sale: One 11 year old. Very bright, creative and lovely. Loves to read, play the piano and associate with friends. Special talent, rolling the eyes. Can eye roll faster than any we've ever seen before!
Possible Defect: Entering the preteen years!

For Sale: One 8 year old. This spunky, goofy gal will keep you laughing (especially when she talks of dolphins!!!) Has a quick wit and is adorable. She is definitely a people person! Lately into designing fashions. Could be classified as a fashion-ista!!
Possible Defect: Stubborn!

For Sale: One 4 year old. This little person keeps you on your toes. She can make you want to pull your hair out one minute and has you guessing where she came up with that question the next. She is very sweet and very polite. Loves Backyardigans and Giraffes!
Possible Defect: Prone to tantrums lately.

For Sale: One 11 month old. This little face makes your heart melt. Smiles, laughs and blows kisses. Special talent-turning on and off lights!
Possible Defects: Only sleeps in short increments of time and can't figure out how to crawl!

Price? They are priceless to us!

Superior

I've been trying to get a video of Emmy playing the piano to upload for days and it just won't do it. So, I'll add the post and try to go back and add the video at a later date.

A couple of weekends ago Emmy played in a Piano Festival. The kids play 2 pieces of music from memory and are judged at how well they play.
It could be a little bit overwhelming for some because they go in all by themselves and play for a couple of judges.

Emmy did GREAT! She got a superior which is the top mark.
We were happy to hear that all her teacher's students got superior...that's a mark of a good piano teacher!!!

Conversations with Alyssa

Alyssa and her favorite librarian Miss Barbara. They have quite a cute friendship!!!

Anyone that has ever spent any time with Alyssa knows that she is an informer!! Anything you might want to know she discloses!!! She is very inquisitive along with her informing. She has asked some very deep and thoughtful questions for a 4 year old.

For example:
Alyssa:"Mom, what did I look like when Jesus first created me?"
Mom: (I'm choking on my lunch) What? (looking for time to come up with something)
Ask your Primary Teacher! (We actually talked about being spirits and looking like Heavenly Father, that seemed to be enough for her)

Alyssa: (looking at our wedding picture on the nightstand) "Mom, who was babysitting us while you and daddy got married?"
Mom: "You were still in heaven, so I guess the angels were keeping an eye on you".
Alyssa: "Interesting"

This conversation occurred as I was putting her to be a couple weeks ago. Story read and songs had been sung. I leaned over to kiss her and she burst into tears. Not just little drippy tears but a full fledged sobbing.
Alyssa: "I don't want to be with Jesus"
Mom: (quickly trying to wipe the stunned expression off my face) "Huh? Why?" (all the time thinking what spurred this on?)
Alyssa: "I don't want to be alone."
Mom: "Why would you be alone if you were in heaven with Jesus?"
Alyssa: "I would miss my family and I would be lonely and sad"
Ahhh, great teaching opportunity. We talked about how happy it was in Heaven and how we all want to go back and be with Jesus and Heavenly Father again. I said and besides Grandpa is there just waiting for you! He wants to be with you and with Utah Grandma and all of his kids again so we have to be good and happy and someday we will all be together again and Heaven won't be lonely!

As I was putting on my makeup the other day she asked what is that? I answered that it was my foundation and she burst into song. "How Firm a Foundation" complete with the sign launguage they are learning in Primary. Even when you think they are not listening, they are soaking everything in!!!

I'm telling you...this one definatley keeps us on our toes!!!

Kisses all Around

Eli's newest trick is blowing kisses!!!
We all get kisses on a daily basis and it's pretty sweet!!
He also loves to wave and to turn on and off lights. Oh the joy of discovering and learning new things!!!!

New Look

I have a little catchin' up to do!!

This last weekend Steve's mom, Blythe (Boise Grandma) was in town. She came for a friends wedding and to see the kiddos!!! It's always fun when grandma is here!!!
It was her birthday last week and Alyssa thought we should have a party. If we would've let Lyssa have her way there would have been hats, blowers, balloons, etc!! We calmed her down and had a pie with candles, this seemed to appease the 4 year old!!

Happy Birthday to you!!!

I have wanted a new kitchen table for years but there are always more important/needful things to pay/do. So I talked Steve into painting our old table and it seems to have given it a new life!
Got to love spray paint!!!!

We all have spring fever after the 70 degree weather of yesterday....HURRY SPRING!!!!