Delicious?

Titus loves to put his fingers in my mouth... Yummy!

Poem of the Month

Confession: I love the month of February.

Let me clarify, I hate winter and the weather that comes during this month, but I love the month of February. Why? Because it is shorter than the rest of the other months? Because it has a cool leap year thing going on? Because of the Day of Love, known as Valentines' Day? NO!

I love February because it is Black History Month, in the United States of America.

So, I love this month. One, because it is a month dedicated to HISTORY! And two, it celebrates a people who did not have many rights and privileges till after the Civil War (1865) and Civil Rights Movement (1960s). I mean, come on, this month is just cool! (It is NOT cool that there was/is slavery and oppression, just to be perfectly clear.)

Do you want me to go deeper? Probably not, but I will. I WILL!

People need heros. People need heros they can relate too. Why not have a "White History Month?" Ummm... look around. When we learn about the America's beginnings, we learn about the colonists, and they have NAMES and FACES. Actual people. When we learn about people of other color, for the most part they do not have names or faces. Tell me, who is a great Native American or African American you look up to that lived during this time? Probably can name one or two... those who HELPED the whites, right? Who are the great heros of the Revolution and Constitutional Conventions? Washington, Adams, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison... okay, even Jefferson (even though I despise that man. Such a pansy and hypocrite.)

I must also mention that just because, say myself, am white, it doesn't necessarily mean I am like another white person. This is important: race is not culture. Let write that again: RACE IS NOT CULTURE. I am a white girl, born and raised in the South. My husband's side is white, primarily Canadian. Do we automatically get each other? NO! We love each other, for sure. But in the beginning there where language barriers (even though we both speak English), different foods, and different likes in sports. See? Race is not culture. Now, you can be forced into a culture because of race. Like Africans who came to America, and their children, and children's children. People were segregated because of race, and those groups create unique cultures.

Okay, even though a person's race does not equal culture, a way a person looks is still important in choosing a hero. I love Belle off of Beauty and the Beast. Why? Because I think I look like her, and to me that is important. With time I have come to appreciate other Princesses, but Belle is still my go to girl.

Let's be honest, we all need heros. And heros that look like us, is even better. America the Beautiful has some really, really dark spots in its history. People of been oppressed (Irish, Mormon, Chinese, Catholic, Native American, African, Japanese, Jewish, German, etc.), and that is just the plain old truth. Dedicating a month to African American History is one way this Nation can help heal those hurtful and deep wounds.

Poem of the Month then? How about some Langston Hughes! (I love him, I love him, I love him.)

I, Too, Sing America

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I'll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody'll dare

Say to me,

"Eat in the kitchen,"

Then.

Besides,

They'll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

[1925]

Make It Special

Ever have one of those weeks, that no matter what you do, it is just plain hard? Yup, Isaac has had one those.

It all started with Eli and Titus, last weekend, getting fevered and sick. Neither wanted to play, eat, or sleep. Each just wanted to be held, and each just wanted to whine.

At first, I didn't think it was going to be so bad on Isaac. He was really into building with LEGOs, and didn't seem to want to do much else (don't mess with him while he's building LEGOs!). But after hours of building with LEGOs his cooped up energy would need to be released, and he'd start picking on his brothers. All in good fun, mind you. But these brothers didn't feel well, and Isaac would get in trouble. A lot of: "ISAAC! Please leave your brother alone! ... Why don't you play with me?" But feelings being hurt, he'd march off not wanting anything to do with me or Matt. (Both Matt and I were tired and stressed, and patience disappeared as the week wore on.)

During this time, we also went to Rexburg for the weekend. It was Matt's brother's wedding. (Which was wonderful!) Two sick kids, and a wound up Isaac, equaled a bit of stress. We made it through just fine, but on the night drive back to our home, Matt and I had a heart to heart. One of the "come to Jesus moments" for our parenting techniques. I had tears, and we both had confessions. We rededicated ourselves to kinder and gentler parenting.

MONDAY:

Isaac wakes up. Plays. Has fun. Then starts picking on Eli. Instead of "ISAAC!" it was more of a "Isaac boy, let's not do that, how bout this instead?" Isaac still has hurt feelings, screams, and throws punches. I put Isaac in a chair, let him cool down, then bring him in for breakfast.

I ask him if he still wants his Cheerios, but does he want BLUE milk also? Of course he does! I pour his milk in the bowl, and one drop of blue food coloring, stir, and then pour the Cheerios. Amazement and wonder follow. And even better, he gets 5 chocolate chips with his breakfast.

Later that day, he and I cuddle and watch Disney and Pixar's "UP." We hadn't cuddled in the last week, and it was MMm.. MMm.. GOOD!

Afterward just me and him play hide and go seek. Lots of adventure!

Family Home Evening comes, and we talk about the Temple and Moroni, and do cut outs. We all gather around, and play instruments. We are all doing something together, as a family, which is soothing for all our souls. (Matt guitar, Isaac and Eli the drums, Me the french horn, and Titus the key board.)

Jell-o making comes later that night, for a treat tomorrow!

TUEDAY:

After a pancake breakfast, we have a family wrestling match. This takes up the entire house. Isaac and Matt run from living room to bedroom, and Eli tags along. When they are in the living room we all wrestle Matt, and then tickle Isaac! Again, all together as a family, do something together. Soothes the soul.

Isaac, Eli, and I make the Jell-o treat which will be ready and completed after preschool.

After Titus is down for the night, it is just me and the two older boys. I play "puppy" and chase them around. Then we throw bean bags, and do some dancing.

While I am picking up some crayons, Isaac comes up to me, and says, "I like you, Mom." I turn and hug him. Kiss his ears, eyes, checks, chin, and nose, and tell him, "I like you, Isaac. I love you, Isaac."

CONCLUSION:

Doing the little things adds up. Either for the best or for the worse. This past week is a testimony to this statement.

Childhood is a special time, and Matt and I must be actively engaged to make it such.

Oh Eli, You Crazy.

We knew it. In the first few weeks of Eli's life, we could tell that he was going to be the one who got the biggest boo-boos and owies. He lives life, and living life comes with consequences!

On Wednesday we were at Aunt Angie's house visiting a bit. In the processes of getting ready to leave, Matt was throwing Eli around and having Eli chase him. Eli has trouble with balance (a trait from me), and so his little legs tripped him up!

Down, down, down went Eli!

Along with his big head!

And that big head met the leg of a cast-iron bar stool!

And that cast-iron bar stool leg split Eli's head open!

After securing a butterfly bandage, we decided to take him to an Urgent Care, aka "Doc-in-the Box." He wouldn't leave that bandage alone, and the cut was very, VERY deep. A puncture wound, actually.

The doc in that box super glued his head back together.

But of course, because Eli lives life, it split open later that night. But we were able to secure another bandage before it opened too wide.

Yesterday I gave Eli a marshmallow. He's a funny dude. He doesn't trust sweets. He'll just hold onto a sweet, lick it a bit, and continue to hold on to it.

This he did with a marshmallow.

After a few minutes I find Eli on the ground crying, and Isaac trying to groom him. The marshmallow is stuck in Eli's hair, and sugary substance is all over his face, neck, and ear.

We are staring to think Titus will follow in Eli's foot steps!

Refried beans, anyone?

Isaac has his handful keeping these younger brothers in order (for he loves order).

(Like his Blackhawk Helicopter? He made this all by himself! Been working on it for 36 hours.)

A Post for Dana

Hey Dana! In the last post you commented that you wanted to see more pictures of the other boys. Well, here you go!

Titus, looking so dang big.

Titus likes to feed himself. No joke.

And Titus is figuring out how to crawl!

Handsome Boy Isaac, eating a Nutella sandwich before church.

Matt playing a guitar, AND wrestling the boys. Now, who said men can't multi task?

Eli got butter in his eyes while trying to help bake cookies!

An older picture (like a month), but one of my favorites.

The End!

United States LEGOs

We are a LEGO building family.

We are also a military equipment obsessed family.

Combine this two things together, and you've got a:

LEGO Apache Helicopter!

(Courtesy of Matt's engineering skills. It is accurate and pretty.

Also, do you like Isaac's bed head? I love it!)

While making Isaac's lunch, Isaac is explaining to me what each of his helicopters, jets, and planes are:

Isaac holds up a jet, "MOM!"

Me, "Yes?"

Isaac, "This one United States Bad Guy."

Me, "Wow!"

Isaac holds up another jet, "This one United States Marines," he grabs another jet, "And this one United States Army. And this one," he grabs a small helicopter, "United States Bad Guy. And this one United States Bad Guy," referring to another small helicopter.

This big LEGO Apache? "United States Marine."

I wonder how Matt feeling about that...

Flash forward 7 minutes, and we are all sitting around the table eating lunch. Eli really, REALLY wants to "play" with the LEGO Apache. Isaac really, REALLY does not want him too. To ease the tension I say I will building something. Mom saves the day, right? Well...

... What I put together, I call an Iron Clad (you know, the Civil War boat. Right hand corner.) It is neither accurate, nor pretty. But the boys like because they can land their planes on it! And add lots of cool features, like guns and missiles!

We have fun around here, that's for sure.

Smelly Side of Life

Children smell, yes they do. They smell like all sorts of things. It makes sense, for their world is so personal and up close! If they eat a cookie, it's all over their faces. If they play with sand or dirt or play-dough, it gets all over their hands and into their finger crevasses.

Our kids each have their own unique smelly quality, I've noticed. And for the past few days I've been paying close attention. If one sits on my lap, I stick my nose in their neck and take a big, long inhale!

Here are my conclusions:

Isaac smells like peppermint.

Which surprised me. I did not expect that in the least! In fact I was thinking he would be somewhat odorless. He is very particular about what gets on his hands, face, clothing, etc., so he has never really had anything to rub off on him. Maybe this smell happens when plastic (LEGOs), and body meet? Hmm?

I like the peppermint smell. It is a clean, but feisty sent. It suits him!

Eli has a musky quality.

He sweats, a lot. And runs, and plays, and laughs, and cries. Each of these things cause him to sweat! (It's a half a heart thing.) But this musk is edged with some sweetness and saltiness. Any food he touches he rubs on his head and face... milk poured from the cereal bowl is now commonly used as his hair gel! (But today his hair gel was mac-n-cheese sauce. Yum.)

This smell of his makes me laugh. This boy does enjoy life!

Titus is tangy and earthy.

After every meal he is covered in his food. Eye lashes are a donned with carrots, eyebrows are caked with applesauce. Add in milk spit-ups, and dirt from the floor from all the rolling and learning how to crawl, and he has one crazy scent! Needless to say I change his outfit at least twice a day, and for sure a bath at night.

His smell might make some gag, but I love it. This scent is full of discovery!

These are our boys, and these are their smells.

I love 'em.

Smell and all.