The kids had very little notice or time to prepare for the talent show this year, but they still had a great time trying to pull an act together. This year Sela sang “Broken Road”, Nina played ukulele and did hula to “Somewhere over the Rainbow,”, and Rollin pogo sticked to “The Tigger Song.”

I’m pretty sure I would not have been brave enough to sing a solo in front of my school at Sela’s age…or ever!

Hula Girls!

Rollin’s pogo stick is almost out of bounce, but he hopped as best he could! The intention was to buy a new one before the talent show, but it was one of those crazy busy weeks and I just ran out of time. He’s put some major mileage on this pogo stick!

I forgot to post this Evan classic. Enjoy!

Our dear friends, Heidi and Riley, were our neighbors in Redmond about 10 years ago. While we have only moved around locally since that time, Riley’s job took them to Arizona and now Texas. They are definitely following the sun! Anyway, we had so much fun living near each other when we were all beginning our families. There was a group of families that were really close, and though we’ve dispersed quite a bit since then, we treasure the friendships we made during those years in Redmond. Riley had a conference in Seattle so we were so excited that Heidi came along to hang out for the long weekend. We spent several days catching up and it was so fun to reconnect. Yay for old friends!!

Evan quickly bonded with Heidi, which is no surprise! Heidi and Riley have twin boys Evan’s age and they are darling. Only Sela and Nina were born when they moved away and they were still so young. Time flies, yes it does! Come visit again soon!

Rollin’s teacher asked him to stop fake coughing in class a couple weeks ago, when in fact he was actually getting a real cough. Poor guy. Though he was feeling great, I kept him home for a day so he wouldn’t feel nervous about the occasional cough in class. He was able to join Nina in one of our favorite homeschool activities which is doing artwork while listening to books on CD.  Rollin decided to draw the story as he listened to it. When the story ended, he had about 12 feet of paper stretched out across the kitchen. He was so focused and engaged. I’m really looking forward to having Rollin home next year because he loves to learn and is very self-directed. He will love having the ability to move at his own pace.

Evan made a racetrack for his cars.

Children’s artwork is the best!

This poem below pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about being a mother.  I chose this life. I planned for it and hoped for it, yet I could never have comprehended just how much I could love Sela, Nina, Rollin and Evan.  I thank my sweet children for making my dreams come true and for blessing my life is so many ways each and every day. I love each of you beyond words.

Tied Down
by: Edgar A. Guest

“They tie you down,” a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.
“When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you.”

I looked at her and said: “‘Tis true
That children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?
Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?

“They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.
They tie you fast to chubby feet,
And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.

“They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso’er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.

“Oh, go your selfish way and free,
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth’s finest joy.

After church we attempted a quick family photo.

Because someone did not want his picture taken this morning!

Sela got up early and made breakfast for 7 people. Mine was extra special…French toast, eggs, spinach, grapefruit and a mango coconut smoothie. Amazing, Sela!

After church, we took a ferry and played on the shore and had lunch.

 

 

I love all the varieties of color and texture it the seaweed.

I’m so thankful for my own mother and how she was and is always there for each of her four children. She exemplifies unconditional love and I often think of her example and marvel at her capacity to love and care for each of us. She is the gold standard, that’s for sure!