Nap or no nap?

I have officially decided I prefer that Ella never take naps. That may sound strange, what mother doesn't like for her children to take a nap? And Ella looks so sweet and peaceful doesn't she? It's not the actual nap that I object to, it is the waking up. Ella does not wake up well, to say the least. She is like a grizzly coming out of hibernation and it is not pretty. It is not over quickly either. However, grumpy or whiny she is before a nap, she is 100 times worse afterwards. She has never been a big napper. I think by the time she was 2 she stopped the daily nap routine (Gordon took naps until he started school). Now, if Ella takes a nap it is because she is so tired that she simply can't stay awake and she falls asleep where ever she is; on a chair, the couch, the car, or occasionally the floor. I've decided I need to be more vigilant in keeping these spontaneous naps from occurring. Believe me it is for the benefit of everyone within a 100 mile radious.

A happy sunshiney day!

Here we are. Each of us sort of doing our own thing, but enjoying the sunshine together.

Cake

"Cakes have gotten a bad rap. People equate virtue with turning down dessert. There is always one person at the table who holds up her hand when I serve the cake. No, really, I couldn't she says, and then gives her flat stomach a conspiriatorial little pat. Everyone who is pressing a fork into that first tender layer looks at the person who declined the plate, and they all think, That person is better than I am. That person has discipline. But that isn't a person with discipline, that is a person who has completely lost touch with joy. A slice of cake never made anybody fat. You don't eat the whole cake. You don't eat a cake every day of your life. You take the cake when it is offered because the cake is delicious. You have a slice of cake and what it reminds you of is someplace that's safe, uncomplicated, without stress. A cake is a party, a birthday, a wedding. A cake is what's served on the happiest days of your life."


I'm really not much of a cake person. I usually prefer cookies or pie, but I read this paragraph in the book that I am reading right now called "Eat Cake" by Jeanne Ray and I really liked the sentiment of it, so I thought I would share.

Secret # 11: A slice of cake never made anybody fat, so don't forget to enjoy life and eat cake!

Haircuts

Yesterday all the kids got hair cuts. My cousin Angie came to the house and cut their hair. For Ella and Jace it was a first, neither of them have ever had their hair cut before. Here are some before and after shots.

Ella Before







Ella during

Haircuts cont...

Ella afterHere is what the back looks like


I love Ella's hair and I think she does too. She held so still while Angie was cutting it. I think that it will be a fun haircut for the summer and also easier to manage.




Jace before
He didn't love getting his hair cut
After

I can't believe how big my baby looks now. He looks like a little man. I knew I was going to feel that way but I'm still glad we finally cut it. It only would have got worse the longer we waited and I believe boys hair should be no fuss. It was just getting to hard to manage.

Secret # 10: I have the cutest kids, long hair or short.

Bursting into song!

Today when I went to pick up Gordon from Kindergarten his teacher came over and said that she had to tell me a story about Gordon. She said that they were working on their writing and all of the sudden Gordon started singing! A few of the kids recognized the song that he was singing and started singing along!


Secret #9: He must get that from his dad.

Murder

I know my brothers think that I am morbid but I can't help it, I love a good murder mystery. I just recently finished reading the two above and I throughly enjoyed them. I love Mary Higgins Clark. She has been one of my favorites for years and she continues to keep me enthralled. I also love Agatha Christie and lately have really enjoyed listening to her books on my ipod.

Secret#8: I love a good murder mystery.

Spring Break

This is what I had hoped our spring break would look like.

This is more what it has looked like.

Secret#7: If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
-Anne Dudley Bradstreet

That's what I'm talking about

Here is a clip from Gordon's Kindergarten program.
He was so excited about it. He knew all of the songs.
He was an elephant of course (elephants have been
his favorite animals for years.) He did such a good job.
He is such a happy, enthusiastic kid and he is so much
fun right now. He is really growing up and starting to
understand things. I feel so blessed to be his mom.

Secret#6: That's what I'm talking about is one of Gordon's
favorite things to say right now and it cracks me up every time
he says it.

Maybe spring will come afterall!

pretty blue flowers.
Reading outside on the front porch, soaking up the sun.
Blue skies.
Fresh strawberries in a pretty red bowl.


Yes, maybe spring really is on its way.

Secret #5: We are so ready! (Oh, maybe that isn't much of a secret after all.)

A Mother's Aspiration

Polly was remembering how when Mrs. Shaw came home that day in her fine visiting costume, and Maud ran to welcome her with unusual affection, she gathered up her lustrous silk and pushed the little girl away, saying, "Don't touch me child! Your hands are dirty." Then the thought had come to Polly that the velvet cloak didn't cover a right motherly heart, that the fretful face under the nodding purple plumes was not a tender motherly face, and that the hands in the delicate primrose gloves had put away something very sweet and precious."

"She thought of another woman, whose dress never was too fine for little wet cheeks to lie against or loving little arms to press, whose face, in spite of many lines and the gray hairs above it, was never sour or unsympathetic when children's eyes turned toward it and whose hands never were too busy, too full, or too nice to welcome and serve the little sons and daughters who freely brought their small hopes and fears, sins and sorrows, to her, who dealt out justice and mercy with such wise love.

"Ah, that's a mother!" thought Polly as the memory came warm into her heart, making her feel very rich and pity Maud for being so poor.


This is a favorite passage of mine from the book, An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
I want to be like Polly's mom, although I fear that at times I am more like Maud's.

Secret#4: I'm trying.

A happy surprise!

Today, while I was changing Jace's diaper, Gordon ran into the kitchen and got me a plastic bag to put it in. He can running back, handed it to me and said, "Look mom! I did it without you even asking!" I was shocked to say the least and very pleased. I tried to praise him and make a big deal about it so, we will see if it ever happens again.

What I am even more impressed by is where he got the idea in the first place. On Sunday, during General Conference Elder Ballard gave a talk about mothers. In it he said, "The third question: What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother. You can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked."

I made Gordon and Ella sit and listen to this part. They listened and Gordon remembered it 4 days later. A miracle!!

Secret #3: Children listen and understand a lot more than we think they do.

Mom, do you know what you are doing to your children?

That is what Gordon said to me yesterday. Over the course of the afternoon we had a few snacks. First, we ate fruit snacks. Then a little later we had some chips (mostly just a few chip fragments left in the bottom of the bag.) Then since there hadn't been many chips I said the kids could have a cookie and that is when he said it. "Mom, do you know what you are doing to your children?" I said, "No, what am I doing to my children?" He said, "fruit snacks, chips and cookies, that is three sweets, that is too many." Well, he is right. I stand corrected and won't let it happen again.

Secret #2 Six year olds are too smart for their own good.

I have given up on Spring!

It isn't coming this year. Every time I think that it is almost upon us, it snows again. So, I have given up and decided to just embrace the cold. A few weeks ago, I started hiking in the snow. I was dying to start getting outside again and so I did, despite the snow. I have loved it. It is so peaceful, so serene. I have always loved hiking in the canyon and do it every other season, but I have never done it in the snow (I am a wimp, when it comes to the cold). Luckily, even though it is still snowing these days, it is warmer than it is in winter. Walking in the mountains for me is therapy. For a few minutes every day I escape, from my cute, but often loud children, from the mounting chores I can never seem to finish, from everything. When I come back I feel ready to take it all on again, and hopefully with a little more patience. So, since this is a blog about secrets, here is the first one I want to share.

Secret #1: A little bit of everyday should be spent outside