Easter

Teig has been sick this week. I don't remember my other boys ever being this sick. He had a fever for 3 days straight and has lost 3 lbs. The other boys have been really patient as I help Teig all day long. The doctor said both Joren and Teig had raging ear infections and they got antibiotics. That didn't seem to spoil any Easter excitement in the other two boys. Paul spread candy all over the living room and the boys went nuts. We told them there is no Easter Bunny and Eirik said, "That means there is no Santa too. I said, "that's not true. I mean, Santa is a person and the Easter bunny is a bunny. Which one is more believable. Eirik said, "ok, but how did Santa bring that great big jeep down the chimney, and how did it fit in his sleigh? Huh?" "Good point Eirik, Well, it's magic, I can't explain it."

Tea Party - A REAL one!

On Friday we took our boys to the Rainforest Cafe for a special spring break treat. It's quite a drive from our house and we had been building it up for the whole week so we were really hoping everyone would have a good time. The boys had to wake up very early and were a hot mess from the first moment of the day. There was so much crying and whining that I think Paul and I were both silently miserable through the whole overstimulating, overpriced, over the top themed cafe/ archade/ roller coaster/ outdoor shop/ mall experience. And to be honest, I think the kids were pretty miserable despite all our efforts too. The whole day was a rainy, day with lots and lots of tears. When we got home I took the dog for a lovely run in the rain while all three boys slept off the forced fun in the car.

In contrast, on Saturday we woke up to a beautiful spring day. Eirik remembered that Paul had told the boys the night before that mom never gets to do girl stuff and that they were going to have a tea party for me the next day. Paul and I had forgotten this half hearted promise, but Eirik got busy. He put on his best black clothes and drew a picture of a top hat and taped it to his black beanie. He came to tell me I was invited to a tea party in the back yard. He explained that he did not have a tuxedo or a top hat, but he had put on his best clothes. He told me I needed to get dressed for the tea party. At first I just went and grabbed my longest skirt and pulled it on over my jeans and work shoes, but then I thought about how sweet my little boy was and decided to go all out, just as he had. I put on my fanciest dress that I have never yet had occasion to wear since I bought it 4 years ago. I wore my jewelry that I wore on my wedding day and then spent the afternoon sipping milk, eating cake and dancing to french music with my four boys.

Eirik holding is little finger "just so", and saying "chip chip cheerio"Eirik's top hat

Eirik doesn't yet have a lot of reference for dancing, so I was delighted when he did all his dance moves that he has learned from the barn raising scene from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". It was hilarious watching him do the donkey kick to our french jazz music. He was so sincere and sweet.

My favorite guy

My little guys seemed to look at me as if I were a real person and not just a slave to get them whatever they want and clean up after them. Joren told me several times that I looked beeuuutiful. Later when I had changed my clothes he said, "you don't look as beeeuuutiful as before mommy, but you're still pretty." They admired me and made me feel like a princess. Eirik said to me while we were dancing, "Mom, I know I have to share you, but I love you so much. Do you think we could have just 10 minutes with just the two of us?" How sweet are my guys?

It's going pretty well so far

At the park Paul and I had struck up a conversation with a fascinating woman. Eirik patiently waited for a break in the conversation when he tactfully said, "excuse me, but is that your Audi in the parking lot? She was stunned and said, "how did you know?" He replied, "I noticed your keychain and recognized the Audi symbol. Don't you love how the inside of the Audis has all the buttons and gadgets. We call ours a spy car." She was, as were we, duly impressed.

Today I said, "Eirik, aren't you glad I set up playdates with so many of your favorite friends?" He thought about it the whole way home. I could tell because when we got home he said, "take a seat mom, here are my three favorite crystals. Why don't you relax and have a blanket and I will make you a special treat." Then, as he prepared something special in the kitchen he said, "mom don't worry about a thing. I'm going to take care of everything." Then he presented me with dried cranberries, cheese-it's, a candy cane from Christmas, and 3 wheat thins, served with a glass of water; my favorite.

Later, we read the story of Samual the Lamanite. I wasn't sure if anyone was listening, but after I had read it I asked Eirik to tell Joren a little about Samual. Eirik climbed up on the arm of the couch and told us all that we had all better repent or we would all be destroyed. He said we must prepare, for Christ will be born and when he is born there will be a new star and when he dies there will be darkness and earthquakes and storms. Then we pretended to throw sticks and arrows at him and he jumped down from the wall and ran to his Lamanite home.
I do believe that child remembers every single thing I have ever read to him; practically word for word.

Tonight Eirik said,
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for everything. Thank you for this beautiful earth. Please help us to enjoy this test down here on earth. It's going pretty well so far. Thank you for my family. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen."



Joren:
"I wish I could get baptized in milk."




He also insists that we call him "J Rock Grey Crayon" but he does change his name many times a day. Sometimes it's Baby Flappy, sometimes it's sock, sometimes it's fletch or any other make believe word he has come up with, but it's important to remember what he is going by at the moment. He hates to keep his clothes on and thinks that bums and all things related are the funniest things in the entire world. He knows how to spell his name but likes to tell you that you really spell it G.E.L.
It's hard to remember to write down some of the random things that are constantly coming out of his mouth. He invents his own words all the time ie: today he said "parmesan means go." OK, Joren, Parmesan upstairs please! Here are two I happened to remember to jot down.

"you can put really silly gum in a spy's mouth and spit it out at people."

"My pet shark doesn't wike (like) to say the word wealthy because it's an ugly word."

What does that MEAN?? His sweetness and his mischievousness are so endearing. He tells me all the time, "I won't do it anymore mommy." And I just keep on falling for it!

Yeah Right!

I was tucking Joren into bed last night and he told me to "Just go away Mom!" "I don't want you in here." (Joren has a habit of doing mischievous things late at night when I think he's asleep.) I guess last night he wanted to get a head start on the mischief because he said, "Mama, I don't want you in here because I want to do somefin and the somefin I want to do is only sleep!"

YEAH RIGHT! :)

Kristen and Logan come to visit

Kristen and Logan got a job in Boston. They drove across country to their new home and we got lucky enough to have them as houseguests. I love to see my husband so happy with his sister. They are two peas in a pod and it is fun to watch them interact. It was good therapy for Paul and I to be able to talk about Steve. We miss him so much.

The first day of spring!