At the End of the Day

Every now and then a day comes along in which the joys of life are right there on the surface for us to hold, just ready for us to make them a part of ourselves.  Today was one of those days.  I had the privilege of watching Tate (my brother, Lincoln's son), Andrew & Emily (Paul's sister, Tanya's kids) for most of the day.  

These kids are amazing & have such loving & diligent mothers & fathers.  It is so special to get to share some time with them.  In baby age, they are much older now then they were during the winter & spring when we had this privilege a few times.  

4/7/11, Emily is 9 months & Tate is 5 months

No more sitting quietly on the couch together, now they want to move & explore.  They still seem to fascinate each other:  for instance, one will get a bit fussy and the other will chime in with his or her opinion, which immediately stops the original fusser as he or she looks on with inquiring eyes & sometimes a confusing expression on his or her face.  Of course they also want to explore each other...that binkie looks pretty darn good...I'm going for it. 

Early in the afternoon

Later in the day; Got it...sometimes it takes time to get what you want

One of the things that I had never considered many years ago before having my own children was the fact that nieces, nephews & even friends' little ones might be a somewhat regular presence in our home.  I figured that once my own kids moved on, the work of that phase would be over; in this case the door would be closed on changing diapers, washing onesies, wiping up messes 127 times a day, cutting food into little finger size pieces, and the beautiful sound that only an unhappy infant can make when once they have a bottle in their mouth.  But I am truly grateful for opportunities like today.  Goodness, taking a break to rock a baby in the rocking chair, hearing a child laugh, and observing the games little ones play, the discoveries they make & the growth they achieve are a gift to the soul at any time of life.  

Something fascinating about a cold water bottle that makes such great rustly-crunchy sounds when squeezed

 A few things were important to me going into today:  having the patience to meet the needs of all of the children in my care, enjoying alI of said children, & that this day would be a blessing in the lives of my own children.  I am thankful for a loving Father in Heaven who gave me these blessings today & to my own children for their willingness to help & to play with their cousins & each other (most of the time; a little creativity in conflict management was necessary later in the afternoon, but all turned out copasetic eventually).  The babies did each take a nap, albeit at different times.  Tate's wasn't quite as long as it might otherwise have been.  Dallin couldn't resist the sweet softness of a sleeping baby (who can?).  He reached out to nuzzle Tater-bug (without regard to my warning!) & got to experience the work that comes with waking a baby too early.  Luckily for him Tate is a very good-natured boy.  Parker was ready with a quick hug, strong arms for holding & willing hands for changing diapers.  Kyralyn was kind to offer to play with the kids so "you can do what you need to, Mom."  Emily doesn't much care for Kyralyn doing the picking up, the holding, or the hugging lately (it does happen a lot...again, who can resist?).  She spends most of her day with Andrew running in & out of the house playing together & with her friends.  Once in a while they might slow down enough to rest...but only for a few minutes.  

7/29/11

The interplay between Tate & Emily was very enjoyable to watch today.  At one point, Emily pulled herself up to the door of the fridge to play with the # & letter magnets.  Tate came in from the side to get in on the action.  She didn't have much patience for this & called out her protests.  It became so funny when Tate just sat back down & mimicked her protests but with a sparkle in his eye & not a hint of real disgust in his voice.  Emily soon got back to her magnets & created a game for the two of them:  I'll take them off, you put them in your mouth.  Sounds great.

What are you doing up there?

Imagine the sounds of real disgust & mimicked"singing"

Great idea for a game!

After they had devoured enough letters & numbers to digest the alphabet, they moved on to find something in the living room to capture their attention.  Balloons always work for this purpose, especially big ones that are getting worn out & ready to pop (wink, wink).  Emily was getting frustrated that she couldn't hold on to hers & the little princess certainly wasn't about to chase it around the room, no that wouldn't be ladylike; she'd just wait for the prince to give her what she wanted.  Yeah, well this wasn't happening.  Eventually, after trying to just watch Tate & the yellow balloon, or even play with something else entirely, she discovered that she could hold the tied end of the balloon.  With this end in her grasp she could bounce that balloon around as much as she wanted.  This was much better!

7/29/11, Emily is just over 1 year & Tate is 8 months

Tate's yellow balloon popped shortly afterward.  I was prepared for a loud reaction, maybe with tears, but like I stated earlier, he is a good-natured boy.  He just looked around in frustration that his toy had suddenly (& loudly) disappeared.  

Michelle arrived a short while later to retrieve Tate.  Andrew & Emily got to stay for dinner but headed home afterward, & not quick enough for Andrew at that time as Kyralyn had just turned the hose on him...which was not part of the plan for getting the trampoline wet!  At the end of the day I'm grateful for the ability to help family in need, to a loving Father in Heaven who knows me & my needs, for the power of prayer, for loving & helpful children, for new memories & for the ability to send the children home!

Bash With A Splash

Kyralyn got to celebrate her 5th birthday with many of her friends:  Katelyn, Addie, Kaleigh, Maloree, Colby, Mikeala, Kiaya, Hannah, Heidi, Samuel, Spencer, Gavin & baby Tate (not pictured:  Alex, Harley, Andrew, Ryan, David & Lillie).

In our family, 5 is the first year the kids get to have a friend birthday party.  Kyralyn's is our only summer birthday & we were excited to have a water party (of course it worked out great that that was what she wanted too).  Everyone came in their swimsuits with towels.  We divided up into groups and played Squash the Sharks, Water Balloon Toss, London Bridges (with the hose), and a Fill the Bucket Relay.  We also had a big game of Duck Duck Goose.  Kyralyn's favorites were the games of Musical Towels & Squash the Sharks.

Musical Towels:  Running to the music of Kyralyn's favorite children's rendition of the William Tell Overture

Squashing the sharks with Katelyn & Andrew

7/4/11

After we played our water games the kids all gave their gifts to Kyralyn.  She got some fun toys, clothes & makeup.  Thank you friends for your gifts!

With a new baby from Maloree (now you have your own big baby!) You named her Flower (or Hana, in Japanese)

 After presents, all of the kids were ready for a treat.  What's better than ice cream on a nice hot & cloudy July day? "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"  Afterward there was lots of playtime to really get wet!  The kids all got along well.  There were a couple of tears when Harley got bumped during London Bridges but a quick hug from Paul and all was well.  Tate got to be a part of the celebration for a little while.  Kiaya didn't really want to get wet so she became the designated babysitter.  I took the pictures & Paul fielded the games & presents.  Kyralyn had a great time & loved that so many of her friends could celebrate her birthday together.

"Screaming" for ice cream 7/4/11

Happy Birthday, Sweetness!

7/3/11  Never to be 4 again!

On July 4th, Sweetness turned 5.  We have certain birthday traditions in our family, things like birthday dinners, birthday messages, birthday treasure hunts, birthday books, birthday clothes & birthday toys.  We love to spend the day celebrating the royalty of our special one.  Over the years, the birthdays have even been spread out over a few days as gifts come in the mail or are hand delivered by a special visitor around the general time of a birthday.  Much to Paul's chagrin I've allowed the kids to open their packages when the mailman delivers them, when their grandparents & other relatives hand deliver them, or of course the special times Nana & Papa come for a visit & take them birthday shopping.  Kyralyn gets to share her birthday with our nation's Independence Day.  Because of this, she gets her very own set of traditions, including a fireworks display in the evening, Daddy home from work all day long for her celebration, lots of family & friends, and a very late bedtime!

With her new favorite shoes she picked out while birthday shopping with Nana, from Papa too!  6/24/11

This year we had planned to participate with our friends in the annual 4th of July celebration on our street.  Still trying to preserve some of our regular birthday celebrations, Kyralyn got to have her own special birthday dinner on Sunday evening, one day early.  The lasagna was delicious, thanks for making it daddy!

Love those Crystal Light Raspberry lips! 7/3/11

Monday morning was gift giving time.  She had lots of hugs, but only kisses for Parker & Daddy.  A red & white polka-dot dress & hair bow from Parker, a wipe board & stickers from Dallin & a CD player from Mom & Dad.  Of course we had to include a new princess in the party somehow (Tangled). I did still give her a birthday book but had forgotten to order it.  It came later the next week.  She got two this year because I couldn't choose just one:  Clever Jack Takes the Cake & Dotty.  I love picture books just as much as my kids do!  You can read reviews of them here:  The PlanetEsme Plan  

"Heavy, heavy hang over thy poor head...if it drops, what's it going to be?"

7/4/11

I love it!

Later the birthday girl had a big birthday water bash with her friends.  There is nothing she loves more than playing with her friends.  Except maybe cuddling with me.  And shoes.  And choosing outfits to wear.  And makeup.  Of course, she got plenty of makeup from her friends.  One of her best friends, Kaleigh Freeman, stayed a little while to help her discover all of her new gifts.  

Kaleigh & Kyralyn  7/4/11

The evening brought a few family members and friends for a small birthday celebration.  We are not much into cake around our house & Kyralyn only eats the frosting anyway so I did not do a birthday cake.  Instead she wanted (so I tried) Raspberry Pretzel Salad....but we had to eat it on the frozen side since it never sets up for me & certainly did not on this occassion!  Afterward we lit off fireworks with the neighbors.  Kyralyn likes to watch them but mostly she just likes that she gets play time under the stars.  I asked her the next morning what she loved about her birthday & she told me "all of it, I even loved my bath & going to bed!"  (which might tell you just how late it was)

We love America & our Sweetness!

In the Allreds' sandbox 7/4/11

Dallin 11

Dallin's favorite number is 11.

How many eggs are in a dozen?  11.  

How many soccer balls do you have?  11.  

The new 100% is 11.  

"Please play the piano for 10 minutes," I say.  "You mean 11," he says.  

"Can I please play till dinner is ready?"  "Yes, but please come home in 10 minutes."  "You mean 11." 
To have captured the complete essence of 11 I should have posted this entry on the 11th.  But as life would have it, 11 things got moved to priority number 11, and now its Friday and before 11 more days pass & 11 more things need to be done, here is a sampling of 11 things that Dal-Pal has been up to recently.  

This one's for you #11!

We'll start with the window.  One nice afternoon (May 23rd) a neighbor came to drop off some cookies.  She is a dear neighbor and always asks about our family.  I also love to know how her grown children are doing and the joys & challenges she faces in the phase of life she is in.  We never quite got off the porch & so it was that we were able to witness "the break".  We've been very blessed not to have more of these with all the balls being kicked at our house.  Of course, the kids are getting older & their kicks are getting stronger & sometimes, well you just want to boot it!  Next time, please use the field at the park!

Hugs & kisses from sister are the best!  This time you tried for a birthday hug & kiss.  She was all out of kisses.  

7/4/11

7/4/11

You were a great help for Kyralyn's birthday party.  The water game you were in charge of was Squash the Sharks.  Your "shark is attacking" story was a nice touch...it sure got the kids excited about squashing all the sharks!  Of course, you had to experience the fun too!

7/4/11, with Harley Colqui & Spencer Ray

Part of Kyralyn's birthday party included a slip 'n slide.  That was fun for a little while.  Just a little while longer and the Smith's will set up their annual 4th of July slip 'n slide for neighbors young & old to share.  Now that's what we call slipin' & slidin'!

7/4/11 (yep, the pool sprung a leak)

7/4/11, at the Smith's house

On the evening of the 4th of July you helped Dad light off many fireworks during the neighborhood firework display.  I am grateful for your deliberate & careful attention during this time.  It was fun to be together with a few family members and many friends & neighbors to share this celebration!

7/4/11

Cub Scout Day Camp, Take Two

This past week Parker went to Cub Scout Day Camp with the Bears & Wolves.  It was their second try this summer.  The weather put on a fantastic show the first time the boys tried to go.  After spending 90 minutes under a pavilion, the decision was made to try again another day.  

6/30/2011, with Ty Smith

10 days later and despite the cloudy morning, they were able to enjoy their day at Jeremiah Johnson Day Camp.  At the Swordsmith Shop Parker made his very own sword for a bit of swashbuckling adventure.  He'd better keep a keen eye out for that buddy of his.

7/9/11

I suppose I should be recording this activity as an adventure for Shawn, not Parker.  You see, this boy that I call Parker likes to be known far & wide by a variety of aliases.  On this day, he was known as Shawn Spencer (yes, the psychic detective from our favorite tv show, Psych).  As it turns out, a bit of highly honed powers of observation would be very helpful on this morning, since the camp had been robbed the night before!

7/9/11

Aside from the initial morning uproar, the rest of the camp activities proceeded as normal.  Shawn's ship sailed into the harbor in lead position during the Raingutter Regatta.  A brief moment of glory was celebrated by captain & crew in the form of a deep & steady breath.

7/9/11

 Some of Shawn's favorites from the day included lunch & spending his money at the trading post.  Paul was with him at camp & when he saw a hungry boy, daddy made sure he was fed.  Shawn got to eat both a hot dog & a hamburger lunch.  Shawn also brought some of his hard earned money & bought a pocket knife.

7/9/11, with Mckoy Ross

7/9/11, "Wait for it, wait for it..."

Having pictures of Parker's Shawn's adventures here at Day Camp is pretty special for me.  Dallin went to this same camp three years in a row but I've had to see him as a camper in my mind's eye.  I was really glad Paul got to be there this year.  Thank you for taking so many great pictures!

7/9/11, Ahoy thar mateys!  No landlubbers here!  (that's the extent of my pirate-speak)

A Style All Your Own

All dressed for a Fancy Nancy party at the Library,  9/23/10

One of the many things we love about you Kyralyn is your style.  Not only are your creations audacious & vibrant, but you sure can wear them with confidence.  
Your style is all you.  
It fits.  
So, in honor of your 5th birthday tomorrow, here is a showcase of your best creations:

10/4/10

With cousin Andrew, 10/21/10

At Dallin's Basketball game, 1/8/11

01/31/11

At Parker's piano recital, 4/18/11

4/24/11

At Parker's soccer game, 5/7/11

In Montana, 8/3/10

All alone on my brothers' first day of school, 8/25/10

Love those boots, 11/9/10

11/17/10

10/1/10

Even in my sleep, 7/22/10

Ready for a Fancy Nancy Christmas party at the Library, 12/7/10

All ready for Kaleigh's birthday beauty shop party, 3/18/11

3/11/11

En Vogue, 6/14/11