L had an assignment in his high school physics class to make a car powered by a mousetrap. The further the car goes, the higher the grade earned. We take those challenges seriously. During the first semester we produced first class bridge made of spaghetti and hot glue that won the class competition for the amount of weight it could hold. This time, we, I mean L, ran over the competition! Hi car traversed over 18 meters to set class record! He said that although it was slow, it just kept going. Great job L!

Spring Break

Spring break is one of the most anticipated times of year at our house. We never have used it for a week of adventure or vacation, but have always enjoyed relaxing mornings and really slowing down the pace of our lives for a few precious days, without the cumbersome schedules of school.

The first notable occurrence, however, almost called for a holiday type celebration.

Haircuts.

Our tresses had become way too long to manage in a timely manner. Gel, mousse, hairspray, countless minutes in front of the mirrors, constantly having to check and recheck to make sure all the hair was in place... it was ridiculous. And the girls were not the ones with the problemS!

I assured the boys I would do my best, although un-trained, to make them less hairy, but still presentable. Well, because I am slow, and they are impatient, it was only a few minutes before they were each pleading for me to "...just buzz it off!" HoOrAy! I love buzzed heads and the time and product-usage issues were all solved!

This is the hair from only one head, my 11 year old!

The one interesting outing we took was to my cousins' "farm". It is her wonderful, big backyard, where they have acquired some of the interesting, petting zoo type animals. The draw for us, was the new addition of a newborn shetland pony. I saw it on her blog and knew we had to see it for ourselves. We were not disappointed! Ruby was sweet and tiny and not quite as tall as T, who is 18 months old. We could hardly get enough of her, and I had to refuse, more than a few times, the pleadings of my children who wanted to keep her :)

Our First Garden

T had the perfect "making sandwiches" hat, today!


The best part is that he "made" me one as well!

Wake up.
Pray.
Feed my family.
Take care of my family (and their stuff).
Read my scriptures.
Pray.
Go to bed.

Simple. Predictable. I like it this way.

I like when I have no where to go. I like when I have no calls to make, things to arrange, or purchase, or deliver.

I like to go at my own pace. I like to pause from cleaning up breakfast to read to T & T for 30 minutes. I like finding each bed in the house carefully made... usually. I like nap time on the couch with 2 sleepy heads in my lap just not able to keep their eyes open one more minute.

I like to thin my boysenberries a little each day, sitting in the warm sun listening to the grackles chatter in the trees. I like to pick my asparagus, one stalk at a time and enjoy each crunchy bite, still warm from the earth where it grows, all while my babes play nearby.

I like that my 2 in the middle run home from the bus to see who can kiss me first and who can kiss me the most. I like that they all love food and will eat just about anything I set in front of them. I like that they are all becoming a very efficient kitchen crew after dinner. I like that sometimes my boys shower so fast that they forget to wash all their parts. (Sillies, what are they in there for in the first place?)

I like that R is the best at putting children to sleep. I like that he knows it and enjoys it. I like that he leaves everything clean and I never have to tidy up after him (at least almost never:) ) I like when we are ready for bed at the same time. I like that he is so thankful and conscientious. I like snuggling up to him... a lot.


I like when I am in the middle of my small universe and the phone rings and a friend needs help. I like that Heavenly Father knows that I need to step outside myself and sometimes feel uncomfortable to learn and grow. I like being able to teach the few tricks I know and help when I can.

I like that when I am the one who calls, so many people are ready to help me.