Having a house with stairs complicates things for babies and people who are older or injured. Bigger baby Ryan however, is an expert on them and can slide down them faster than we can walk down. He turns around, keeps one leg straight and uses the other leg for momentum as he slides down on his tummy. It is quite impressive to see him go.

Michael and I never told our kids about Santa, the Easter bunny or the Tooth Fairy yet they are quite familiar with all three. On a side note, somehow they have the song Frosty the Snowman memorized and particularly enjoy singing it during the hot summer months. Anyway, last night after the kids were all snug in bed and Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy had finished going over the monthly budget (Mrs. Tooth Fairy has done well at staying in budget this month by the way). Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy discussed how much money was appropriate to give a boy for his first lost tooth, taking into account future costs of dental and orthodonture visits of course (wink, wink). As we snuck in the boys’ room by the light of a phone, it was fun to watch our sleeping gentlemen, take a tooth and leave money. Jonathan gave Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy a hug and “thank you” this morning. I hope Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy can keep this up through wisdom teeth.

Jonathan lost his first baby tooth today! It was just in time for school pictures on Thursday. He is working on his r sounds and l sounds. If the other tooth falls out, the th sound may complicate things more. We will just have to hope he can avoid words like, "the ruler". He tried asking for a ruler the other day and couldn't say "ruler" for the life of him. "You know Mom, 12 inches, wooden stick".

Gracie is starting to have to defend her favorite spot on my lap, holding her blanket and sucking her thumb. Ryan is getting quite adept at making his way between her and me and the two end up using their bums trying to push the other off.

Jonathan's first comment after hearing the song version of the sixth Article of Faith we were practicing tonight was, "That sure has a lot of nouns".

Jonathan was suppose to take five things that could fit in a lunch-size bag that represent something important to him to school. It was sweet to see the things he gathered to take: a tank from Grandpa Neyens, a picture of him and James on Great Grandpa Donaldson's lap, a Pokemon card (ok- not so sweet. I'm not a fan), soccer and basketball participation trophies and a picture of Michael and me. Did I mention Jonathan's been holding my hand when I pick him up from school? He's never been the holding hands type so it's been a unexpected surprise that I can't get enough of.

James' hair was wet from sweat. I asked him if he was tired and he replied, "Just my hair is tired but it can rest while I do my reading lesson." When I ask him about school the only thing he says they do is color. If that's the case, he better be one good colorer by he end of the school year.

James got a leather cowboy outfit for his birthday from Grandpa and Grandma D. I was happy to see it would serve the duel purpose of a Halloween costume. The other day he was looking for a shape. He asked, "Howdy partner, where's a prism?"

Luau

Long ago I realized that throwing big events, managing other women and getting women out to the before mentioned events just wasn’t my thing so I decided I would never join the PTA. Leave that to the socially competent women with the easy kids and husbands who are home before 5:00. I’ll stay home managing my sons WWF matches while my husband sits in traffic on the 15, holding Gracie and her blanket and reminding her to not suck her thumb while stuffing Ryan full of bananas and feeling guilty for not having the courage to attempt to teach Jonathan piano. I justify that I can’t help out in the classroom because I have little kids at home but in reality I wonder if that is just an excuse to avoid any PTA type involvement. So my calling in church should be no surprise, Relief Society Activities Coordinator which is basically throwing events with and for women. Last night we had a luau. It consisted of an evening of lays, Hawaiian dancing, music, childcare, a game, dinner, dessert, a beautiful backyard, with a fancy pool and lights and around 50 women (most of them nice). Somehow we threw it off and I am now an expert luau lady. If you want a luau, you know who to call.

On Saturday Michael walked the kids to the park. While I was driving back from Food 4 Less I passed them. The boys looked so cute in their helmets and stopped to chat. About a block behind them, Michael appeared with Ryan in a stroller and Gracie on her tricycle. When I stopped to chat with them, Gracie said, “I’m on Daddy’s team.” I think Michael was flattered to claim her.

Today while driving Jonathan home from school I asked him about the other kids in his class. Since the local elementary school was full when we moved here he had to be bused to another one. Most of the kids in our ward go to charter schools so he is new to the school and doesn’t have friends. He said, “Um, I think the boy that sits by me, Gustavo is the second smartest kid in the class.” I replied with, “only second smartest? Who is the smartest?” He said, “I don’t mean to be uh, bragging but…. me.” He’s already looked at the back of the math book for the year and says all the problems are way too easy. He sounds kind of narcissistic but actually isn’t. He realizes where he fits in and doesn’t. I’m not worried about a lack of things to keep him humble in life. The challenge is getting him to still try and become good at the things that don’t come as easy for him and being ok with that. This whole parenting thing is quite the adventure.

James loves kindergarten and comes home exhausted. His favorite part appears to be getting stars in the form of paper or stickers. He says he "really, really" misses us while he’s gone.

A FedEx package for Michael just arrived from his work that looks suspiciously like an I-Pad. Since I signed for it and all his other work products when they are delivered, does that mean I get to use it on nights and weekends?

Last night Michael pointed out that Gracie could be totally content being held in the rocking chair, with her blanket, sucking her thumb for hours and I agree. That girl is cuddle bug material for sure. After putting her to bed last night she asked me to hold her in the rocking chair, “again and again and again.” It reminded me of when she was being watched at Grandpa and Grandma Neyens and wore Grandpa out asking to be pushed in the swing again and again and again. She made up a little song today that went like this, “I am small. I like my blanket. I like my pockets…”

There is nothing I dislike more than when my kids argue and fight. I like to think I don’t yell at my kids. When they are at each other all bets are off though. It drives me crazy. There is only one good thing I can think of from observing the times they have fought and that is that I am confident that Jonathan and James can both hold their own. On the other hand, there is nothing I like more than seeing them serve and help each other. Watching Jonathan read to Gracie or James make Gracie’s bed is heavenly. I know I’m supposed to be learning something deep here. Why can't I just get these lessons the first time?

I was standing at the top of the stairs and Gracie was at the bottom holding her blanket. When she noticed that I saw her she said, "There's my sweetheart!"

Gracie is attached to her blanket. She carries it all over the house with her and would take it everywhere else if we let her. On occasion, Ryan goes after her blanket. He knows once she sees it, she’ll go after it with vigor so he hangs on and wraps his legs around it in a tight grip so that she can’t pull it away. He is getting to be quite adept.

Gracie sometimes calls Ryan her “little guy”. She likes to sit in his bed and orders him to not pull her hair.

We made one last trip to the Splash Pad on Monday which was a nice way to end summer vacation. Jonathan and James started 2nd grade and Kindergarten today! We still don’t have our computer situation worked out yet so pictures will have to wait. I’m both happy and sad for school to be starting. I feel like despite the challenging aspects of having four little ones at home, I’ve grown closer to Jonathan by having him home. Here’s to a great school year!

Last night we had a little talk with the kids about bullies, looking both ways before crossing the street and anything we could think of to discuss prior to school starting. After the discussion, I quickly added a little tidbit about not eating any drugs. Gracie was laid out on the ground with her legs crossed pretending to read a book so I didn’t really think she was listening. Mike added to not sniff glue to my “Don’t use drugs”. While “reading” her book, Gracie replied, “Okay Dad” to the sniffing glue part. I guess she was listening after all.

As long as I’m cleaning the house, it’s nice to have my 3 year-old sidekick to follow me around holding a cleaning wipe dancing around with twirls, leaps and pure sweetness.

My sister Sarah, brother-in-law Gordon and their kids have been staying with us the last few days while visiting the Huntington Beach side of their family. Waking up to cousins to play with has been especially fun for our kids and has provided plenty of entertainment to keep my kids busy and happy. James was disappointed when he found out they were only staying here for a few days. Somehow he missed the memo that their visit wasn't long-term. I was sad when they left this morning and reminded of the blessing we enjoy of having them be part of our lives.

Mike’s been working in Chicago for three days. He came home last night. There are few things quite as cute as watching the way Gracie screamed in joy and yelled, “Daddy” when he walked up the stairs. She did the same thing when he got home from work ten minutes ago. The girl loves her daddy.

Due to problems with our computer and hard drive, I’m not able to post pictures for a while but here is a quick update so I don’t get too behind.

Jonathan wanted to invite a friend over. Mike asked him what he’d do with his friend and he said, “Just show him around the house.” I wish I had our home decorated enough to be tour worthy but alas it isn’t decorated much at all. I have ideas so it’s just a matter of me getting to it. He got a little embarrassed and said he sure hopes Ryan has on pants and doesn’t have a poopy diaper when his friend is over. Mike assured him we’d keep Ryan fully clothed. We wouldn’t want his baby brother to cause him any undo embarrassment.

I’ve been teaching myself the primary songs that go with The Articles of Faith. After I learn them, I teach them to the kids. It’s a lot of work teaching them but it’s been paying off and they have the first four memorized. I printed out little punch cards from pinterest and they mark which ones they’ve learned. It’s especially cute when James says the third one because he says, “We believe that through the atonement of Christ, old men may be saved.”

I think James was thrilled yesterday to see his primary teachers hair color is now his favorite color, blue.

The other day Gracie told me she wants to be a mommy someday. She just turned three so she doesn’t get any more early intervention. Miss Laura, one of her therapists said that Gracie was the most compliant student she’s had. It is so nice to hear that compliment. She has her moments but really parenting her so far is nothing compared with parenting the boys, not even close. I think it is a gender thing. We miss our visits from “Gracie’s friends”. Gracie asks when they are coming again.

Jonathan and James took swim class from my second cousin Jacquelyn this summer. She’s 17, very nice and did a great job. Gracie and Ryan and I went in the pool to glide around during some of their lessons and it was all I could do to keep them out of it on the days we weren’t dressed in swimsuits.

Michael decided Jonathan’s old enough to earn money when he does extra chores. He asked me what chores I thought would deserve getting paid for (above and beyond the basics) and I listed off things like cleaning the van and babysitting Ryan for me. Jonathan looked at the list and the first thing he said when seeing 50 cents for babysitting Ryan was, “I need a raise.” Of all the difficult things on the list he didn’t have to ask which would be the most demanding. When he attempted to watch Ryan he wouldn’t let him play with any toys because he didn’t want to clean them up.

Michael and I went to Vegas for a few days at the end of July. The company Mike works for, Cook Medical, had their 50th anniversary and guests/spouses were included in the festivities. Rumor has it the reason spouses are invited to things like these is to keep the employees in check since it’s a lot of partying, but hey, I can’t complain. I’m happy to help Michael be good. It was great to relax and get a break from the day-to-day. I must admit, go-karting, getting a massage, meals of lobster and sushi and living a life of ease felt good. I also enjoyed having a reason to dress up and talk with people over the age of seven. When driving to the Vegas casino to stay overnight, James said, "Mom, is this where you and Dad were married?". We appreciated my dad picking up the two older boys in St. George. By request he taught Jonathan the art of skipping stones. He brought a cooler with carbonated fruit from a drive in dry ice. I don’t think I’ve seen the boys enjoy fruit that much in a long time. James says Grandpa and Grandma D. said they are welcome anytime day or even in the middle of the night. He talked about what a good helper he was cleaning up “the shack” with Grandpa and all about their hike. Grandma and Grandpa Neyens took the two little ones which was a huge help. Traveling with little kids and babies is always tough and so having them watched close by meant a lot. Ryan wanted to stick with Grandma when he saw me again so she obviously won him over. He let Michael hold him after that and I only became his favorite the next day when there was no one else to go to. Not that I expect him to remember me screaming in pain giving birth to him or the countless diapers changes or the only person who ever woke up with him the first year of his life…. I'm just joking around, it's OK.

While we were in Utah my sister Mary was talking about the medicinal purposes of marijuana. She and her husband live in WA where a law was passed making it legal. She talked about how a lady with health problems makes a paste out of it and puts it on her toast and it has been helping tremendously. Mike called it, "I Can't Believe Its Not Marijuana". I thought the joke was blog-worthy.

Lastly, on a more somber note, we attended the funeral of our 10 month old nephew, Thomas. It was great to see loved ones and sad at the same time. My sister Mary, her husband Jared and their three other children have been so strong despite the hardships they’ve been through this last year, truly the refiner’s fire. They have been the recipients of lots of support and love as well. I won’t attempt to address his life or passing in detail since I wouldn’t do it justice. Suffice it to say, he was (and I am sure still is) a bundle of light and love. We are so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that makes it possible for family relationships to continue beyond the grave.