Eirik at 5 years 2 months

A while ago Eirik said a prayer and in it he said, "Please help us to have a good time here on our test on earth. It's going pretty well so far."
I am amazed at how much perspective and comprehension he brings with him. He is only 5 and 2 months old, but he can make jokes with us, (he's quicker than I am) and have adult conversations. He asked me how a global positioning system works yesterday. I was trying to explain the idea of a signal reaching from a satelite to a hand held devise and he asked if it was something like a spirit. I thought that was pretty intuitive and explained that it was more like light or sound. Then he wanted to know details about how the wavelengths traveled. "how do they go through walls, and ceilings. When he had asked enough questions that I was out of answers, I told him he needed to ask his dad. Is that possible that he has me stumped on a physics question at 5? I knew it would happen someday, and I knew it would be sooner than later. It has become plain to me that he is so completely his own person and that that little person is so huge in his little body. He is incredible and so cool. He knows what is cool way before I do. I fight him and fight him about things that I don't think he needs or should do and then when he finally gets his way I realize that what he wanted was pretty cool and had value that I did not realize. I am learning everyday how to trust him more and see him as his own person and value all of his ideas instead of just the ones that I understand. I feel that I have let him down a bit by not documenting better some of his more brilliant ideas. I should have been taking better pictures of each costume he has invented and put them next to the characters he is emulating. When he sees a show he ALWAYS immediately identifies with the hero. I don't think all kids do that. He not only identifies, but thinks, "how can I become that person in every detail." Then he goes about gathering all the important costume pieces, vocabulary, gear and friends to play the supporting characters. He is dramatic and focused. He leads his brother in this kind of play all the time and Joren is such a good sport to be the support crew at all times. Today Eirik was a mystic samarai power ranger because when he looked out the window it was misty. He wanted his snow pants, but I would not get them for him, so he sulked for a while and finally made due with black pants, blue shirt, brown shoes and black marker drawn in symetrical designs all over his face. It was actually kind of cool.
Yesterday he went to his soccer game with his head shaved and a blue arrow drawn on his head and arms like Aang from Avatar the cartoon. His friends were at the game that introduced him to the show. They have seen all the episodes and when they saw Eirik their jaws dropped. They thought he was so cool.
The doctor told us recently that we needed to do the starvation diet with Eirik and Joren to get them to eat more vegetables and meat and water. We give them those things and when they have had a portion of each they can have fruit or carbs. Eirik's energy level has significantly improved. He is doing much better. For a while there we were a bit worried because he could not walk around the block without tiring. Maybe it is because he is growing up or maybe it is the gorgeous weather or maybe the better food, but he was great at soccer and ran very well.
He is incredibly polite and great at talking to adults and strangers except that he expects them to treat him like an adult and sometimes adults don't give him the time of day since he is so small so he ends up repeating and interupting all the time. That has to be hard for him. The other day we took the kids to the Rainforest Cafe. He was having one of his more impolite days and when we got our food he said, "that looks like carion. I'm not eating that!" That night after doing all kinds of fun things he got a sliver or something and said, "mom, I've had a really hard day!" He can be so dramatic.
He told me recently that he wants to be a gadget inventor when he grows up. This is one of his most recent gadgets:He is convinced that after he adds wings he can put Teig on it and it will fly Teig around the room. It's so cute because Joren totally believes it too!
He made me the cutest mother's day cards this year. He was so loving and adorable. He told me all day long today that I was the prettiest girl he ever acquainted. "Actually," he said, "you're the only girl I ever acquainted."
Eirik is so loving with his brothers. Eirik really looks out for both of them. Sometimes when I can't get Joren to do something, Eirik will jump in with the perfect motivation that I would not have thought of like, "Joren, if you wear that you will look like a skydiver!"
At a recent preschool meeting one of the other moms told me that she had heard about Eirik, how he talks like an adult and is incredibly bright. He really is. I am so blessed to be his mother and I feel a great responsibility to him since he has such enormous potential. My what a lot of life I have been given.

He's Bored

A few days ago Paul approached a subject with me that he thought was going to just devastate me and he was reticent to open up about the matter (which is unusual for him). When he finally told me I was sort of surprised that he had worried so much. He admitted that he was sort of bored with me. Actually, it makes me kind of laugh. I am bored with myself a lot of the time too! He said, "you've pigeon holed yourself into kids and church and that is it. Can we please talk about something else?!" I completely agreed. I spend all my time on kids and church and art, (but the art part is only in my head and Paul doesn't really get excited about talking about non existent paintings and such,) so I've been pretty shallow in areas beyond my kids and my faith. As I thought about this, first I completely forgave him for being bored with me. He goes to work and conventions and spends his time with some of the smartest people in the country, and then comes home to me. I'm at home making apricot leather and cleaning up excrement and endlessly picking up toys and rocking babies all day long. Pretty riveting.

Still, It occurred to me that we have only been married a mere 7 years. 7 years in an eternal perspective is such a short time. In fact, we are still like babies at this whole "oneness" thing. When I look at couples who have been married 50 years and worked hard at it the whole time, I'm amazed at how they work together like two parts of the same machine. When I watch my children going through their stages, I may feel like they are going to do some annoying behavior forever, but then all of the sudden they are over it (and onto a new one of course.) This wonderful time when we are parents of little little guys is going to be such a short moment in that big eternal togetherness we have and in this moment we get the chance to learn SO much. We get to learn about selflessness, about patience, let me say that again, patience, seeing beyond the moment, allowing those little guys agency to discover who they really are, restraint, temperance, logical consequences, teaching, modeling behavior and most of all love. In all of eternity, as far as I know, this will be the only time these little spirits are babies; and we get to experience it! What a miracle right?!

And giving my service to building the kingdom of God; well, that's just what I do and always will do. That's what I'm here for and I can't change that.

So even though I do feel like I have a multitude of various talents and interest simmering inside but not displayed at the moment, I feel like getting really deep in kids and church is what is mandatory right now. Gratefully, I am assured that there are other stages of my life that will look a lot different. There will be a decades ahead when I have time to be back in school, maybe teach, paint a lot, sew, maybe become a counselor, lots of yoga, interior design, take care of grand kids, go on a mission, study entomology, biology, sculpt, read a ton, and travel. Life is beautiful, and I feel like there will be a moment for everything, maybe not all in this life. This moment in time is a beautiful stage of life. I'll admit, it's tear your hair out boring sometimes, but in truth, it's remarkable underneath the mundane. In my moments of selfishness; which we are allowed; I yearn for the next stage or for that authentic me that doesn't have to do the dishes constantly to be allowed to breath. But, all in due time.

A few years ago when Paul was playing online video games all the time, I was BORED to death with him. The cool thing is that when I finally confessed to him that while he played online with all his buddies all the time, I was upstairs crying in my journal and feeling deserted; he changed. He gave up the game.. for me. And I know he didn't like giving it up, but he did.

I told Paul to try to remember that I am an iceberg, as we all are. And there is so much more of me to come. :) And in the meantime, I am going to try to have something more of interest to say when he comes home, and hone my depleted conversation skills if possible. He deserves that at least! I do feel glad that he trusted me to tell me his feelings because I know by telling me he knows there is more to me that he wants to see. I also know that he believes that I love him enough to change too, and I will. Marriage is fun, and so much better when you have an eternal perspective and a sense of humor.

Paul is 31 this year!

Paul likes to surprise people at work when he tells them he has three kids. They don't believe him since he still looks so young. He tells them he's in his 30's even though he is only 31 this year. So modest. :) For his birthday he asked for a Tron disk. Really. He wanted Eirik to be happy so badly that he asked for a Tron disk so they could have epic disc wars. It made Eirik so happy! We also got him some Crew and gum and nuts. They go great together. He had some surprises too that made 31 a great birthday. He left for Miami for a week long conference just before his birthday making it possible for him to drive to Orlando to meet his mom and Jeanette and Ben and Kim at Disney World for his special day. I'm so glad he got to go. He had a great time. And we celebrated with BBQ and Pie and smores when he got home. We love him so much.

Mother's Day

The Mother's Day Tea Party

I have to admit, I was excited for the Tea Party at the school. Eirik was so sweet getting everything ready for the big day. They made plaster hand prints decorated with sea shells and a sweet card folded accoridian style that has his hands traced on each side. When it opens it says, "I love you THIS much." At the tea party we got to dance, paint nails, put on make up, make flower arrangements in green play dough, write our favorite things about each other and .. of course, have tea. Eirik treated me like a princess and really loved painting my nails and giving me gifts all day long. He insisted that he wanted to dress like Bert from Mary Poppins and he had to take our feather duster as his chimney sweep to the party. Is that cute or what!? We had such a good time. I just love him!

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!

Remember how I said he can't be trusted?

This is what happens if I leave him alone. This was a few minutes after I took the scissors away because he was cutting his hair. Minutes later he left the water running in the bathroom and turned off the light and closed the door. This never ends around here.

One phrase that stood out among the other today was: "One time I was a wasp in a giraffe's mouth."

On the way to preschool yesterday Sarah turned to Eirik and said, "you're a spy." Eirik said in his most exasperated tone, "Uhh, you are not supposed to know that! Oh Brother!"

Skyping with Grandma Eirik said, "Grandma, you don't look a day older than 25." :)

Mischevious little crazy

Joren has gone from my sweet as candy, easy 2 year old to a sly, mischievous little crazy with the devil in his eye. I can't trust him for more than a minute. Yesterday within two hours he greased the counter and everything in reaching distance with a soft stick of butter, he broke two new toys of his brothers, he spilled 20 oz of water he had just poured for himself, slid his plate across the table so that it fell on the floor and spilled all his food, and he got naked to go to the bathroom and refused to get dressed again. He has been difficult to get to bed again. He likes to stay up by himself in his room and line things up or stack things or make big messes at all hours of the night.

Hey , where are all the books?

Oh, of course, they are in the closet. Where else would they be?

... hmmm. He just came in here to show me what he has been up to while I thought he was asleep in bed. He is naked, and covered head to toe in green marker (washable, thank goodness.) Oh well, goodnight swamp man. He's a handful right now! He has this adorable way of saying, "but I won't do it anymore mommy" with a wink in his eye.

This guy gives me no trouble at all. He is an absolute angel. Pure therapy. Pure perfection. I deserve it right? :)

Ahh..

We were painting pet rocks and Eirik painted a carrot. He wanted to save it. Of course, who doesn't want a carrot pet friend?

and this is just to gross you out. :) ha ha..