Here is a funny tidbit. We were watching the inauguration of President Obama and the kids were watching as they played. When all the old presidents were announced, Terry explained to Abby that they were old presidents. Abby said, "Oh. They are just resurrected?" I guess she was mixed up with how we get a new prophet and how we get a new president. We thought it was funny.
My sister came and watched Lord of the Rings at our house the other night and my kids watched with her (except the oldest). I was worried they would have nightmares and kept telling them it was too scary for them. But they didn't listen to me and now that is all they want to watch. But I have been firm and told them when they are 13 they can watch it again. Abby seems to love anything that is violent. I was talking to her about Sunday videos she could watch and I suggested Work and the GLory. She wasn't too interested till I said, it is a little violent (I said it because I knew that would catch her interest). She immediately said, "Yeah!". I"ll have to watch her closely.
Terry had a conference at Park City last week. It was really tough for him. They had class from 7-9 AM and then they had the day off till 3:30. So he skied and toured the olympic sites and stuff. I went up for a night and my little sister took care of 8 kids under the age of 8. So nice of her. Sam ended up throwing up while he was with her. Glad I didn't have to clean him up. Anyway, it was nice to get away and spend some time with Terry. I don't remember the last time we went somewhere overnight without kids. It seems like it might have been about 7 years ago.
I think that raising kids is crazy. I think that I kind of have them figured out and then they start going through some weird phase. That can be good or bad. Ellie has been such a sunny kind and helpful girl the last few months. Before she was sulky a lot and we had a lot of run-ins. But something has changed and she is so much fun to be around.
Abby on the other hand has been so difficult lately. And before that she was my super helpful child. She always cleaned and helped out her brothers and sisters and was so positive and obedient. But lately she is super sulky and gets her feelings hurt over EVERYTHING! It is so sad because of a lot of her negative feelings come from her comparing herself to everyone else. For example (and this is kind of funny) but she came upstairs today all long faced and sad and I asked her what was wrong. She wouldn't talk at first, but then she said, "Ainsley is organizing her drawers and she is a better organizer than me." She has a hard time seeing others do something well without feeling that makes her less significant. But hopefully she can learn the lesson now that she is still valuable no matter what she or anyone else can do and learn to be happy for others accomplishments.
Ainsley is at a stage where she keeps tricking me. I think she is finally mellowing out, but then she can go totally berserk. She and Abby feed off each other and drive me CRAZY. They get so silly (silliness that eventually leads to trouble) together and almost nothing I say or do can stop them. I can be yelling at them and threatening them and they just look at each other and keep giggling. I think they love to gang up on me. I love that they like to have fun together, but I hope they can learn to do it in a more positive way.
Sam is funny. He is almost 3 and does NOT speak very clearly. But he is improving all the time. He loves animals and dinosaurs and every night when I put him to bed he makes me look at a dinosaur book. I would much rather read a story to him because then I can just read the book and be done. Those dinosaur books have so many pictures and tidbits on them we could stare at the same page for a long time. I am always surprised at how much little kids can learn and remember. They have amazing little brains.
These are Sams lips. He loves to do this with my budnt pan.
Sam is also getting really independent. He has to do everything himself--which I guess is good because it means he is developing. He loves to pick out his own clothes and put them on--until he gets so frustrated that something isn't going on correctly. At least his independence means he is starting to be able to make his own bed and clean up his own toys.
Sam also loves to pester Isaac. He is a little bully. I have told people he reminds me of Tom the cat on Tom and Jerry. One day I found him laying on the family room floor with such a happy amused look on his face. Laying next to him was Isaac who was screaming bloody murder because Sam wouldn't let go of his leg. Sam loves to give Isaac little pushes and block his way because it makes Isaac so mad. But despite all this, Isaac loves to be around Sam. He thinks he is a lot of fun.
