Lady Liberty

Can you spot the real Statue of Liberty? 

This was Christian's first year entering the Reflections contest at school.  The theme this year was "Diversity Means..." He really wanted to enter the 3D category and make something out of Legos. He decided on the Statue of Liberty. It took him about a month to get it just right.  Other than my purchase of the spray paint, I had no part in his design or construction! The hardest part for him was to sit down and write his artist statement:

 On November 3, he found out he was a winner in his division at school and would be moving on to the Council Level.  They called the participants up in his category, and started announcing participation, then honorable mentions The look on his face was priceless as he started to realize that he was one of the last ones standing, and was going to be a winner. He went on to win at the Council Level as well, and went on to compete in the Regionals. 

He even added a little light lego for the torch!

We have got to figure out some way to tap this bizarre Lego building talent - I guess he could always be one of those creepy grown-ups who works for Lego and sits around playing with kids toys all day.  But I think he could aim higher...engineer, architect, hmmm....

I Just Want to Eat You Up!

Have you ever said this to one of your kids.  Well I actually mean it.  This is my sweet Joey.  He is the sweetest happiest little boy I have ever seen. This is literally how he looks 90% of the time. In our crazy house of four boys, he gets drug around everywhere.  The precious nap schedule that I would have sacrificed life and limb for with Christian, is gone.  Naps or no, he is still happy. He has the most mellow nature.  His brothers mall adore him and so do his parents.  I am sorry if it causes permanent psychological damage later, but I probably kiss him 1,000 times a day.  He does however, have one very stark flaw.  He refuses to say "MaMa".  I think I heard him say "Franklin" the other day....hmmmmm.  Here is a video of him a couple weeks ago, with Mommy trying to coax those words out.

I am worried about his mental capacities.  This seems like an insurmountable problem.  I will keep running drills with him daily.  Any other helpful suggestions?

Ode to Joy

Today I went to Christian recorder assembly at school.  I know, I know....I hear all the chuckles and gafaws. It actually wasn't too bad.  Each grade (4th, 5th and 6th) only played one song. Now as extra incentive for the kids, the music teacher allows them to earn "karate" ranks.  For each new level they pass, they get to add a colored rubber band to their recorders.  Christian worked really hard and earned his black belt, so he got to play a special number with the other 4th grade black belts.

P.S. It was also the last day of the term, so the kids got to have "crazy hair" in case you were getting nervous about some of the strange students at this school.

Angry Birds

 So up until this year, I considered Halloween, my second favorite holiday.  I absolutely adore Fall.  It is by far the best season.  The food, the weather, the scenery, not to mention back to school. I mean look at this day we went to the pumpkin patch It was October 29th and it was beautiful.  We did a hay maze, picked out pumpkins, and even watched a tutorial on pumpkin carving.  It was a great way to spend our Saturday.  

 

 

 But I digress...Christmas is the best Holiday hands down.  Please people, don't even try to argue.  You will lose. But since having kids I have really started to love Halloween.  It has been so much fun coming up with creative things for kids costumes.  I had a phase where I really wanted them to be "themed" costumes every year. Where the whole family matched.  Now, I have let that go.  Let them be whatever they want.  It is the one day a year to dress ridiculously, and no one cares.  Paint your face, color your hair, wear moon boots with shorts! Decorations - fun; Candy - fun; Scary movies - fun; Carving pumpkins is disgusting - and totally fun. Look at these creative Jack-o-Lanterns.  They aren't masterpieces but the boys designed them all by themselves.

 But alas, all their hard work would not even get to be shown.  Our "neighborhood" decided it was a good idea to do a trunk or treat this year. And the kicker is they asked us if it was OK to do it in our cul-de-sac.  At first it sounded like it had potential to be fun.  Generally, I think that Trunk o treats are silly.  I mean we live in Bountiful, UT.  Really.  People barley even lock their doors.  Are we really afraid of our neighbors?  Anyway - I will not go into all the details of the night, but the kids were bored and tired, by 6:45 pm (not even dark). Joseph threw-up, and all-in all the night was a bust.  I will vehemently campaign against this atrocity known as Trunk-o-treat next year.  Anyway here are the kiddos in costume: Two angry birds and one evil wizard (Draco Malfoy).  Not to bad for one who hates to sew, right?

Now off to battle the leftover candy...

My baby's growing up :(

Today was Samuel's first day of preschool.

  Like most moms, for me, this day is met with mixed feelings. Samuel is my pal. I have drug him with me on errands, appointments, mommy lunches, Christmas shopping excursions and everything in between. He makes me laugh daily - he is ham ham ham! I will miss him (I know I know he is only gone 2 hours twice a week). Also, my aunt is his teacher. (Miss Wendy)

He is also going to school with his best buddy Jonas, and his cousin Ava.  But sometimes it is hard being a mommy. Feeling a little left behind. Love you banana!

New Arrival

Our sweet number four arrived June 6, 2011 at 6:01pm. Joseph Dexter Hess weighed 8lbs 8oz (over a pound more than my other children) and was 20 inches long. I am so happy to have my four boys; all different and unique. I laugh every day.

Ambien and Other Drugs

So last week was a bit of a doozey around here. The weather seems to think that Utah's latitude has migrated to the north west. It has seriously rained every day for weeks +Three boys at home like caged animals = three sick boys. We started the week off with all three home with colds. Christian had the added bonus of having an ear infection. Let me add that he is 9 - so it is pretty much unheard of for a 9 year old to get an ear infection. Super fun.

Tuesday, Jesse rented a tractor, so he could level out our backyard in preparation to build a pergola and patio for us. This is what he wanted for his birthday - I know he is a lune! He spent the morning in the snow, on the tractor, creating a muddy mess, trying to remove a maple tree stump that would not budge.

Wednesday was Jesse's birthday. I had to take all the kids back to the Dr. because Christian still said his ear hurt and with William's asthma, we were worried about his breathing. Alas they all just had colds. So there was pretty much nothing I could do. We did get Will an inhaler, and some potent antihistamine medicine. I had made an appointment for Jesse and I to get a couples massage and go to dinner, but since the kids were still all home sick, we spent the night at home listening to William wheeze, Christian blow his nose, and Samuel cough.

Thursday and Friday nights Jesse and I spent preparing our talks for Sacrament meeting on Sunday. (Did I mention I am vehemently opposed to speaking in public). Seriously who asks a 9month pregnant lady to speak - oh how many things could go wrong there????

Saturday I took William to Instacare because he was now complaining about a hurt ear. The Dr. told me it was the worst ear infection she had ever seen. Awesome. So now everyone is getting a least three different medications a day, we are washing our hands every two minutes and I am willing myself to not get sick! I almost bought a haz-mat suit.

Sunday morning, when your church starts at 9:00 is always pleasant. Kids are freaking out - we have to be on time, because we are speaking, and Jesse is getting a headache. He reaches in the cupboard to get some Ibuprofen, and as he is swallowing his pills he realizes he just took some Ambien. Church starts in 15 minutes. He looks at me in horror - "What do I do?" I laughed. What else could I do? I told him to drink a Coke - that was all I could think of that could counter act a sleep medicine.

Now, many people have witnessed Jesse on Ambien. It is not pretty. He has been known to hallucinate, stumble, and/or giggle. He also tends to get really sentimental and lovey. I was worried. Luckily he typed up his entire talk so he could read it, and didn't have to remember anything, or wing it. The speaking actually went really well. Jesse did a great job covering. People just now think he is really mellow.

P.S. Jamie was at home with her brand new baby, so I was unable to go see or help her because of all the germs I was harboring. Also my Dad was recovering from his latest pancreas induced hospital stay. UMMMMMM... Do I dare say, things can't get worse? (Is it safe for me to take Ambien?)