Final Week of January

This past week Scott was out of town all week.  He left early Sunday morning after have Guard duty on Friday and Saturday.  He went to Mexico and Costa Rica for the week.

Sunday we had Stake Conference.  So while the building was packed with people we were able to sit in the primary room where the meeting was broadcast and the kids didn't disturb too many people.  A couple families without small children were sitting in there, but I figured the room was meant for children and so if they were disturbed by Samuel crawling to the TV set over and over or Eric and Rubie whispering well that was their problem.  Those families could have sat in the Relief Society room or crowded into the chapel and cultural hall if they wanted to.

Monday was a normal day with getting kids ready for school.  Going to karate.  Doing homework, play, I think Samuel and I got some shopping and run in.  Tuesday, we have quit dance for this semester, that takes away some of the stress of getting somewhere, although we miss it.  Wednesday I have presidency meeting.  I have been using Jenica Jackman to come over and babysit Samuel while I go to that meeting.  But I don't really want to pay a babysitter so last week I took Sam to Carlee's.  That works out well.  Wednesday we also have karate.  Thursday was a really busy day.  We had to have Eric to school a bit early.  The 1st grade devotional was that morning.  So I got up very early to get myself ready and also have all the kids ready to watch Eric's devotional.  It was so rewarding to watch Eric say his part that he had memorized and sing the songs.  Throughout this last week he has prayed specifically for individuals in his class to remember their parts and when they are supposed to do certain things.  He was very aware of what kids were supposed to do what when.  Their devotional was about the Restoration of the gospel.  Eric's part was about the Rollins Sisters rescuing the pages of the Book of Commandments.  Let's see if I can remember it. "Joseph Smith received many revelations and wanted these things published in a book for all to read.  During the printing of the book a mob broke into the print shop, destroyed the press and through the sheets into the street to burn them.  Seeing the pages on the ground, sisters Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins grabbed up what they could carry and ran."  I think that is pretty close.  The kids wore costumes too.  The girls had pioneer hats and skirts and aprons on.  The boys had cowboy hats and bandannas around their necks.  Samuel was pretty good except that he kept wanting to crawl to the front to play the piano or crawl up onto stage so he and I had to go out of the room where they had it broadcast on a TV for that purpose.  Afterward Mrs. Soderstrom wanted a picture with every child and their family that came.  That was chaotic and took longer than it needed to.  That afternoon was my time to go to Rubie's classroom.  I'm so glad that she gets to be in Mrs. Strong and Mrs. Bingham's class.  Mrs. Bingham has a daughter that is a lot like Rubie and understands her energy and how it is hard to stay seated and focused for so long.  But Rubie is doing great.  With the changes throughout the day of going to different classrooms and different activities Rubie is able to enjoy it more.  Rubie is doing well with her reading and writing and spelling and math.  Her writing has improved so much.  Math does not seem to be hard for her at all.  She really enjoys learning and school, just have to sit so still in her seat for any amount of time takes practice.  And Thursday night I had a LONG visit with one of the sisters in relief society struggling with her calling.  Friday the kids didn't have school but we had other kids come over.  Eric got to go play with Kyrik in the morning.  Then the Tulett's came over for the afternoon and that is always chaotic.  Especially when the weather is such that we can't really play outside.  They did go out for a few moments but it is that time of year when it is just really cold, but most of the snow is gone.  The sun doesn't come out much.  We want to play outside but what do we really do.  So we do our best to go out for a few minutes, come back in and yearn for spring and warmer days.

Scott got back home late Friday night and we are happy to have him home.  So with Scott home I took off running early on Saturday morning.  Came back 2 hours later with completely frozen hands and sore muscles but it felt good.  I took Rubie and Paige Ashton to a Fancy Nancy party at the library that afternoon.  Cute, cute!  There were a lot of little girls there who dressed up fancy.  The librarians read them 2 Fancy Nancy books.  The first one written and a new one about a ballerina.  A real ballerina came to give the girls a little class teaching them some ballet positions and showing them some moves.  They got to ask her a few questions and take some pictures with her.  Then the girls got to enjoy a fancy tea party.  The girls had a good time and got to play fancy the rest of the day.  Yesterday after church we went to Dan and Brandee's to watch the superbowl with them.  It seems usually in the past they have had like a superbowl party, but just us showed up.  It felt kind of like we were forcing a party on them and was a little awkward, but the kids enjoy being there so much it was ok.

Sam is really growing as always, he is standing independently and trying to take some steps.  He will walk holding on to our fingers and hands and anything that he can.  Of course he climbs whatever he can.  He gives such good hugs and shows affections.  But at the same time lets you know if he is annoyed at some unwanted attention.  Apparently he punched a deacon really good in the face who came up to talk to him during church.  Nicolas kept wrestling him to the ground yesterday and Sam never cried out.  He did look me like mom I why is he doing this I don't like it.