paper airplanes and a watering can.

We had a fun FHE activity the other night.  Graham has been really interested in anything that has to do with folding paper lately.  We found a book at the library on how to fold them and he went to town.  We had a paper airplane throwing competition and it was so fun!

Long story short... we bought a watering can.  It disappeared.  Our neighbors suddenly had a watering can that looked just like ours.  We think they stole it.  Said neighbors moved.  They left the watering can.  Jayne stole it back!

Larry Bird.

We found some sad news when we came home from swimming lessons one day.  Larry Bird had passed away.  Poor Graham was so sad.  He tried to hold it together.... kept blinking his eyes until he finally said, "Mommy, I think I'm going to cry."  And then we both proceeded to cry a little.  Poor guy.

We called our friends and asked them to come to a funeral with us that evening.  We had dinner together in the metropark and then we headed to the spot Graham had chosen.  They have this secret land of Dracoria in this metropark.  They wanted to bury him on "Speech Rock".  We don't know if it was legal... but we did it anyway.

Luckily I had received a package that day that was the perfect fit for our Larry Bird.  Graham was so somber as he prepared the grave.

He even made a special headstone complete with a little taped feather.  So adorable.

He didn't want anyone to talk... so we all just had a quiet moment for Larry.

This picture melts my heart.  Jeremy is such a good daddy.

On the way back to the car we spotted this awesome hornets nest.  It was hanging on to this tiniest branch!  I'm amazed it didn't fall on our heads.

Graham is in much better spirits now.  We are going to get another bird once we are settled in our new home.  Poor Dash is so lonely and squawks at us all day long!

just keep swimming.

We had so much fun with swimming lessons!  The kids are already wishing that they could take more lessons.  With the move, it just isn't possible... hopefully the new city has indoor winter lessons.  We'll see.  All of the kids went off the diving board all by themselves over the course of the three week session.  I was so proud!

Jayne's teachers were so adorable.  I loved watching them the last two lessons when Peter wasn't interested in swimming...

Graham wins the prize for most improved.  He went from being a complete scaredy cat to jumping in the water by the end.  He still prefers to swim with floaties and that's okay.

Lincoln and Grace really liked their teachers.  I am amazed at how much they learned in just three weeks! They are both completely comfortable in the water now.  It's so nice.

birdhouses + love at home + answered prayers.

We made some birdhouses out of empty milk cartons and construction paper the other day... the birds love them!

 This was one day around 5:30.  Peter was watching Mickey in his favorite viewing position...

Graham was making origami and paper airplanes...

Lincoln was playing video games....

And the girls were in their room playing Lalaloopsies.  Classic for all of them.

Our best friends moved away.  I prayed that I would be okay.  A few weeks later we found out that some old friends moved back for a few years!  Heavenly Father truly is mindful of us!

This is another classic site at our house.  I don't know if they are playing a game or watching a movie.  We have decided that we aren't going to have a tv at all, and computer time is going to be very limited when we move.  I'm nervous and excited about the prospects of keeping a little of the world out of our home.

random pics.

We have had some gorgeous skies lately.  This was taken one night on the way to pick up our kids after date night.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  It was gorgeous.

We went to bed to find this beauty on our dresser.  Hmmm... I wonder who did that!?

Jeremy and I have been invited to some pretty amazing musical presentations lately.  My favorite was the Horror movie piano recital.  Kids are so creative.

We have had some seriously busy Saturdays getting ready for the move.  I didn't have time to go grocery shopping and our cupboards and fridge were so bare.  Gracie actually prayed that someone would invite us to dinner so we didn't have to have cold cereal for dinner.  On the way home Jeremy texted me to tell me that he had invited the missionaries and one other person to dinner.  I said a quick prayer that I would find something to feed all of us.  I looked in my fridge and cupboards and made up my own recipe for homemade bacon mac and cheese.  SO yummy!  Prayer works.

I try to avoid shopping with all of the kids at all costs.  1- because it's hard work.  2- because of all the comments I get from complete strangers.  Lately strangers have been really nice to us and only say nice things.  The #1 question we get is, "Are they ALL yours?!" We were asked that... no joke.... 13 times while in Costco this week.  It's unreal.

Swimming lessons are over.  This was the last day.  I wanted to get a picture of all of the kids but they wouldn't pose for me.  Only this beauty.  She's even in her blootyful new swimming suit.

My locket came!  I am in love!  There is a guitar for Jeremy, a hummingbird for me, a little man for Link, theater faces for Grace (because we love to go to the theater and watch musicals together), a ukulele for Graham, a pink sparkly crown for Jayne, an i love you sign for Peter, and there will be a little foot for Henry.  I love it!

This is how I am greeted each morning... Peter and friends.  Love him so.

I was feeling especially trendy this day in my pink shorts.  It was a risk and I took it.

Little photo bomber... 30 weeks pregnant in this picture.

We had an amazing double date with friends.  Hibachi.... nom nom.

This boy is officially in a big boy bed now!  This was his one and only attempt at an escape.  He has now been in his bed for a full week, including naps.  He's our best sleeper by far.

This girl was my little helper the other night.  Really she just sat and ate oreos while I did all the work.

These two are the best of friends.  They sat on the landing like this for about a half an hour giggling and pretending to sleep.

We had friends over and Peter missed his nap.  I caught him catching a little snooze on the couch during movie time.

Graham.  This kid.  He decided that it would be awesome to cover himself with mud for fun.  I honestly just have to shake my head when he does stuff like this.  Crazy kid.

Another beautiful sunset.

At my check-up!  31 weeks.  My doctor had talked about inducing me a week early ages ago.  We decided to wait until my duedate so that I don't have to deal with the anxiety of wondering if/when they were going to induce me.  Maybe I'll go on my own for once.  If the receptionist really does have psychic powers I am going to have this baby on August 24th.  No thank you very much.

We had our last Wilde Wednesday with the missionaries in this home.  We served German pancakes.  They were a big hit.  We also found out that German pancakes are native to the USA and were created by a lady in Seattle Washington.  Who knew?!

Packing all of the toys up means more computer/tv time and more fighting.  Can't wait to be in our new home!

Jayne said she is "being silly and am about to play a blootyful lullaby on Grammy's lukalele."