Dear Macy

Dear Macy,
Tomorrow you will turn 4! You act so much older than you are. Every year you have a birthday, John and I both can't believe that you weren't that age already :) You have been SOOO excited for your birthday party. You can not wait to have suckers, presents waiting on the table when you wake up, decorations, friends coming over, etc. It will be the best Hello Kitty party ever!
I love you Moo. Every night when I sneak in and kiss you after you're asleep, I get a big smile on my face. I don't know why exactly. Maybe it is because you live your life on full speed with all your energy...it is weird sometimes to see you so quiet and still. Everything you do, you do it to the extreme. You are always completely commited to the things you do whether you are dancing, playing princesses, acting in a play with Avery, or getting mad at someone :)
You love learning Macy. You have known your sounds for sometime now (probably like a year!) and I just barely got out the books to start reading. You breezed through the first couple and were so pleased with yourself. You wanted to read them to everyone who came over. You are also very interested in numbers and counting. You like doing puzzles and have become great at coloring. You love learning and challenging your mind. You love dancing. I love to watch you dance. You are always so serious about it. I love that you try out lots of different moves. You are graceful when you dance and I'm a little amazed at how capable you are. I love watching you dance. You also are really into doing plays with Avery. The first time the two of you were doing a play for us, you were pretty nervous about saying your lines because you didn't feel prepared enough and were worried you'd mess up. Avery helped you though and mommy jumped in to ease the nerves. You are very commited to whatever character you are.
The last few months, you have been really working on two things: not having any accidents and controlling yourself when you get mad. You've been doing great with both. You are SOOO excited to go to preschool next year with Miss Jill. When you learned that you couldn't go if you had accidents, they stopped immediately. You are always quick to tell me that there are no poopies in your pants! And you've been doing good controlling yourself when you get mad. You have almost completely stopped hitting Kate when she does something you don't like :) And usually if I remind you how to phrase things differently, you'll stop yelling and talk nicely :) Self-control is a very important skill to develop so I'm doing my best to help you.
I love spending time with you Macy. I love your energy, your funny personality, your blue eyes, the funny things you say, your tight squeezes, your squishy little hands, your determination, the way you share things, how kind you are to Kate as she follows you around, how fast you ride your little Big Wheel bike....I love you. I'm so glad that I get to spend my days with you. I'm so glad that you love me, that you forgive me when I lose my patience, and that you are always eager to get back to having fun and enjoying life. You are the best Little Miss Moo Moo!
Love Mom

Big Brother

The other night, Carston decided on his own to put Kate to bed. He read her several stories, tucked her in with her blanket, and got her a sippy full of water. I found the whole thing to be super sweet. I love that my three little girls have such a nice big brother. He is kind to them. He is patient. He encourages them in what they are trying to learn. And they all love him. Whenever Kate sees Carston, she always says, "Hi Carst! Hi Carst! Hi Carston!" in the sweetest little voice until he responds. He's the best big brother!

Macy's Date with Grandma Mary

Grandma Mary took Macy on a special date. She took her to make a beautiful stuffed animal at Build-a-Bear. Can you tell that pink is her favorite color? Then she let her play on the playground, took her on the escalators, bought her ice cream, bought her a shirt, and let her throw money in the fountain. She is a lucky girl to have such a sweet grandma. And Macy really likes that the three out of four letters in their names are the same :)

Carston got Baptized

Carston was baptized on June 4, 2011. It was a very special day for him. He was able to have his baptism with his cousin, Kade, who is 2 days younger. It was neat to see the primary room filled with people who love and support these boys. I always love to see the priesthood circle, knowing that all those men would do anything to help the young boy they are resting their hands upon. Growing up in Utah, I've always worried that my kids will do things simply because they think it is part of the culture. I didn't want Carston to get baptized just because that's what you do when you turn eight. We talked a lot about what it means to be baptized, the promises you are making, and tried our best to help him understand the sacredness of the event. He is an amazing little boy. When I sat there watching him sit by his dad, feeling kind of nervous, I was just impressed with how much he belongs to me second. His first parents are Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. They have known and loved him much longer than I have. And they've given me the task of raising him on earth. That is both a weight and a joy. I sure hope that my best will be enough.

Carston worked really hard before his baptism. He made a goal a few months back to read the Book of Mormon before he was baptized. He had to be so diligent and work so hard in order to reach that goal. There were a few times where I didn't think he was going to make it. But he was persistant and dedicated. It was very special to see him read and understand the scriptures. He would get so excited when he came to stories he knew. He was also excited when he found the baptism prayer near the end. It was pretty neat to see the Spirit working on him, helping him know that what he was doing was good, and seeing how good he felt about himself after reading. The fact that a 7 year old boy would stay commited to such a great undertaking (especially considering the difficulty of the language) was a testament to me of the truth of the Book of Mormon. I was so pleased with his desire and dedication.

I loved that when we were getting out of the car, Carston turned to us and said, "Remember when I got baptized...that was awesome!"

PS-The funny parts of the day were Macy leaning on all the piano keys as I tried to play the closing song, Kate yelling "MOM!" super loud throughout the program, Carston later telling us he thought he was going to pee his pants he was so nervous, Kade's mom forgetting the papers saying he could get baptized with us, me forgetting to reserve the pavillion at the park and arriving to find all the tables covered with tablecloths, and me taking Avery to the doctor at 10:00 that night to find out she had strep :)

Dear Carston

Dear Carston,
I am so grateful for you. I feel so privileged to be your mother. This last year, you have experienced a lot of growth. This year brought a lot of changes and you handled them well and grew to be as strong as you needed. We made a big change with your schooling this year. We decided to homeschool most of the time, and then you started a new school for about an hour a few days a week. That first week was pretty challenging for you. You didn't know anyone in your class and didn't have any buddies to play with at recess. My heart ached for you each day when you'd get out of the car to go, until the time you'd climb back in when it was over. But you did it. You went to school, and eventually you made some good friends. I was so pleased with you for doing something that was hard.
I've really enjoyed getting to spend more time with you each day and being such a big part of your education. When we first started, you would whine about your work and things you had to do, you'd want me to do everything with you, you'd get upset if things were challenging....And now, you just do amazing. You've really grown in how you handle yourself. You've learned that it's okay if things are hard. You've learned all about having to practice things over and over. We were both so pleased when you mastered your multiplication tables. You've just done awesome in taking responsibility for yourself. I am very impressed with how much you've matured this last school year.
Another big thing that has made me so happy is the decision you made to read the Book of Mormon before you were baptized. I didn't want to push you to do it, and there were several times I told you it was okay to change your mind, but YOU wanted to do it. You worked so diligently each day reading at least 2 chapters. I was always excited when you'd come tell me about something you were reading. It was so neat to see that you could feel the Holy Ghost as you read. I hope you'll always keep reading the Book of Mormon because there is a great power that comes when you read each day. I know that you've felt that these past few months. I noticed on the days when you read before doing your schoolwork, you did better concentrating and focusing on what you needed to get done.
Another thing I've noticed about you this last year is how much you have grown in serving our family. You have become so helpful and are almost always willing to help me out when I ask you. You are a great help with your sisters and Sadie. I love and appreciate that so much.
I love how kind you are to your sisters Carston. The other day at the movies, Kate came and snuggled up on your lap. You let her climb on up and you rubbed her back and talked so sweetly to her. That just melted my heart. That is the kind of man I want you to be. I want you to be kind and sensitive to the sweet women who will be a part of your future family.
You are a lot of fun Carston. I love hearing you sing (you've got a great voice). I love when you wander over to the piano and play your songs when it isn't even time to practice. I love how excited you get to play sports. I love that you have an active imagination. I love that you play well with all your friends and try to not leave anyone out. I love that you ask almost every day if you can play with Bron. I love that you always come find me when you wake up in the morning to say, "Morning, mom." I love that you always call out from bed at night, "Hug and Kiss Mom!" I love that you stop reading books, turn off games, and stop watching shows if there is something inappropriate in them. I love that you are willing to do things (like meet with the Bishop or sing at your baptism) even if it makes you nervous. I love that you are developing self control by not eating treats for a month. I love you.
You are a great kid Carston. As I watched you today, I thought about how pleased Heavenly Father must be with you. You are truly trying to develop yourself and make good decisions. I hope you will always know how much I love you. I will do my very best to be the best mother I can for you. I want you to develop yourself and your talents so that you can be the instrument that God wants. I want you to know that you are a child of God, that He loves you very much, that He knows and loves you. I want you to grow up and have a family and be a righteous husband and father.
I love you Carston. I can't believe that my little baby boy is now 8 years old. I hope I cherish every second with you because it is going by way too quickly!
Love Mom

Carston started up his baseball season for the year. We put him in Lindon's league so he could try machine pitch. I love that they are actually starting to follow some rules. Kids are making plays, tagging people out, striking out (not so fun but important:). Carston was excited to be the catcher. And the girls love playing at the park when we go. At his first game, we had a funny experience. Avery had a wart that had popped up on her knee. She'd been telling me she didn't want it on there anymore. While she was playing with her cousins, she fell and scraped her knee. It was exactly in the spot where her wart was. Her wish came true...the wart is gone :)

Avery Graduated Kindergarten

May Sayings

Kate:*One day when I was trying to get something done in the kitchen I decided to let Kate play up at the sink. She spent over an hour washing the dishes and moving them all around. It was super cute.
*Kate LOVES to wrap her arms around her Daddy's neck! She will hold on forever giving him hugs and telling him she loves him. She holds him tight and doesn't let him go. She is so sweet with him and loves him so much.
Macy:*Avery and Carston were talking about the tooth fairy. Avery was saying the tooth fairy was like Jesus because we couldn't see both of them, but they were still real (time to be "discovered"). Carston was telling her it wasn't real. Avery wanted to know who took his teeth then. Carston said mom. Avery asked me if I had Carston's teeth. I said no. Carston said Dad had them. I said no. Finally Avery blurted out, "Well I KNOW it's real because I feel it in my heart!" A few seconds later, Macy, who'd been listening intently to the debate solemnly piped in with, "I KNOW it's real too because I feel it in my heart."
*Macy likes to call the piano the "pla-no" the remote the "Ma-rote" and sings the song "Ong the single ladies...Ong the single ladies." I love hearing all her mixed up words and I love that she is always adament that her pronounciation is correct.
*Macy has been quite hilarious this month with her potty episodes. She has returned to the tactic of waiting until the very last second to go so she won't have to stop playing. One day at Grandma's she came running up the stairs yelling that she had to go potty. When everyone replied with the obvious response of "Go!' She responded by saying, "I can't! I can't let go because then pooh will get on my underwear!" She was running around holding her bum so the pooh wouldn't come out. Which didn't work. When we were in the bathroom and I was telling her she couldn't wait that long or pooh would indeed get on her underwear, she was adament that she didn't wait too long. "I didn't WAIT! It just sneaked out!"
*I checked on Macy one night and found her sleeping with an eye mask on.
*"Some heads are circles and some heads are ovals. Mine is a circle."
Avery:*Avery and Carston were talking about the tooth fairy. Avery was saying the tooth fairy was like Jesus because we couldn't see both of them, but they were still real (time to be "discovered"). Carston was telling her it wasn't real. Avery wanted to know who took his teeth then. Carston said mom. Avery asked me if I had Carston's teeth. I said no. Carston said Dad had them. I said no. Finally Avery blurted out, "Well I KNOW it's real because I feel it in my heart!" A few seconds later, Macy, who'd been listening intently to the debate solemnly piped in with, "I KNOW it's real too because I feel it in my heart."
*Avery went to her cousin's birthday party a few months ago. For part of it, they held up a fake dumbbell to show how strong they were. The part that stuck out to Avery, since she wanted to tell me about it two months later, was how the grandma there said, "Wow! She can even do it with a smile!" I thought it was cute that the comment made an impression on her and made her feel special.
*Avery told me that if I couldn't be her mom, she'd pick me to be her best friend.
*Avery decided not to go up to the stand to sing for the Mother's Day song with all the primary kids. Either she was nervous or decided to jump at the opportunity to have mommy practically by herself.
*Avery was playing outside and I heard her say, "This grass is NOT delightful." She is a girl who loves using different kinds of words and as many different adjectives as she can think of. I love it.
Carston:*Carston was so excited to be the reverence child. This meant he stood up on the stand (looking reverent) while the prelude was going before sacrament meeting started. He made sure we would be there 10 minutes early. And then when he was standing up there, he looked like it was the last thing in the world that he wanted to be doing. It is hard to tell sometimes if things are making him nervous or if he just is trying to play it cool so people won't think he's a "little kid."
*Right now, Carston wants to be an archeologist. He was pretty excited when we were able to go with a homeschooling group to a real archeological dig site. I like that he's my buddy in trying and experiencing things we haven't done before. He has really liked studying and cleaning the neat rocks my Grandpa Dick left behind.
*One day when Carston and Avery were playing I heard him tell her, "No Avery. We are just normal people. We don't fall in love."
*Avery and Carston were talking about the tooth fairy. Avery was saying the tooth fairy was like Jesus because we couldn't see both of them, but they were still real (time to be "discovered"). Carston was telling her it wasn't real. Avery wanted to know who took his teeth then. Carston said mom. Avery asked me if I had Carston's teeth. I said no. Carston said Dad had them. I said no. Finally Avery blurted out, "Well I KNOW it's real because I feel it in my heart!" A few seconds later, Macy, who'd been listening intently to the debate solemnly piped in with, "I KNOW it's real too because I feel it in my heart."

April Sayings

Kate:
*Kate likes to take her diaper off and run around saying, 'I can't find my diaper!" She also likes to run out of bed at night, all cheerful, and say, "Hi Daddy!" I'm wondering if she thinks she'll get away with it if she acts cute enough.
*When Macy was matching her lowercase and uppercase letters, Kate surprised us all when she correctly matched "D" and "I" when there were about 18 choices left.
*Sometimes when I tell Kate to do something, she'll get a pouty look on her face, jab her finger at me and say, "No..you. Y-ou."
Macy:
*John got quite a kick out of Macy when he heard her say, "I HAVE to have the sparkle one to be fashion!" Macy and Avery are starting to throw the word "fashion" into a lot of their playing. They don't really use it as an adjective, but more of a noun.
*When we dyed Easter eggs this year, I was thinking how much Macy had grown since last year when she dyed her fingers pink. She started out being so careful using the dipper and a whisk. After a few minutes though, she decided to throw out such a slow form of transportation. By the time we finished, it wasn't just her fingers that were dyed (bright pink of course because what other color would a little girl need). Her fingers were bright pink, her entire hand, and part-way up her arm. And then she was pretty upset that it wasn't coming off. I thought it made a nice addition to her beautiful Easter dress from Grandma.
*Macy loves being Rapunzel at the moment and I always get such a kick out of her talking about "Mother Gawful."
*One day Avery and Macy decided to clean THE WHOLE HOUSE! They went around cleaning bedrooms, cleaning sinks, cleaning the basement, cleaning the laundry room floor, the kitchen floor, the kitchen counters, etc. They were so sweet and I loved seeing how good they felt after all their service.
Avery:
*Avery was wanting to walk home in the rain. When I made sure she knew how hard it was raining she said, "I don't care if I get wet because I'm a penguin now!"
*Avery has decided that getting her hair done is a lot more interesting if her reflection becomes 'the girl in the mirror." She has gotten quite creative in playing with this girl, jumping from mirror to mirror, adding my reflection into the playing element, etc...
*Avery thought she was so funny when she put a piece of lettuce in a cup of water and then tried to get me to drink it.
Avery HATES getting up for school at 8 each morning. She is my only child sleeping in at this point, and the only one who truly can't. That is one of the few times she gets extremely grumpy and obstinent. She talks about it on the weekends, early in the day, etc. She hates it. One night as I was putting her to bed she said, "Whenever I have to get up in the morning I just get SO ANGRY because I don't want to get up!" Thank you early morning school for helping Avery to articulate her first angry emotion.
*One day Avery and Macy decided to clean the whole entire house. They were running around cleaning bedrooms, cleaning the basement, the sinks in all the bathrooms, the laundry room floor, the kitchen floor, the kitchen counters, etc. They were so sweet and amazing. It was neat to see how good they felt after all their service.
Carston:
*Carston has been so amazing reading his scriptures. He is very diligent and determined to finish the Book of Mormon before he is baptized. I love to see him understand what he's reading. He gets really excited to find a story that he's heard about before. He will read several chapters on his own.

March Sayings

March Sayings
Kate:
*Grandma has a Dora Big Wheel Bike at her house. One day Avery was riding it around when Kate wanted it. So Kate started counting, "One...two...three...four...five...six! Uh Oh! You're gonna be in trouble!"
*Kate is constantly saying, "Love you too!" and calling everyone "sweetie."
Macy:
*Macy found a little girl to come play while we were at grandma's house. I kept hearing her call her "Lucianna." At first I thought that was her name for whatever fantasy they were in, but I later realized that was just how she decided to pronounce "Sienna."
Avery:
Avery has not liked her dance class that she's been going to. She loves to dance and will be Macy's teacher often during the week, but there is something about her actual class that rubs her the wrong way. Things have gotten progressively worse as i drop her off. One day, she threw a complete tantrum. She was yelling and screaming....the works. I took her out to the car and told her we'd just have to wait there until it was over. She also was losing some of her electronic time. She ranted and raved for about 30 minutes. I told her there weren't many more lessons, that we had signed up for this, we needed to finish out the rest of the class, and then she could be done. And then she made a great choice that I know was hard for her. She decided to go back in and finish the last half of the class. I was so pleased with her. It was pretty funny to watch her because when she did go in, she was doing the least amount of dancing and participation she could. She wanted me to know that even if she was doing it, she sure didn't like it.
Carston:
*Carston has learned to do the amazingly entertaining....ARMPIT farts! I couldn't be more pleased with my son and his newfound talent. He goes all out sometimes and even uses his other arm as a gun to shoot you as the wondrous sounds come out.

Carston turned 8! We had a great SPY party with all his buddies. We went through a LASER OBSTACLE, destroyed a BOMB pinata, went LASER TAGGING, ate pieces of a BOMB CAKE, and had a lot of fun. I love how excited Carston (and all his friends) get for his party. They all thought the laser obstacle course was a lot of fun. They were all pretty cute laser tagging as well. It was such a stark contrast from when I went with the adults in my family. The boys weren't hiding or doing anything to avoid getting shot...they were just walking around in bunches trying to shoot each other. Carston got a sweet surprise birthday present by getting 1st place! The owner was nice enough to let him pick out a free gatorade.