monday menagerie 10

A little administrative comment:

I don't scrapbook chronologically. I don't start a quilt and immediately finish it.  I don't create a menu and stick to it. I do not blog chronologically.  I'm sure there is some technical name for the type of person I am, but it has come to my attention that it's a little confusing for those who know us really well.  I'm sorry.

I currently have about 30+ blog posts in various stages of draft.  Some are done and I'm just waiting until it feels right to share them. Some are only titles as I mull through my thoughts and where I want them to go.  I don't claim to have any sort of writing ability and I don't have any expectations that you gain anything from what I offer.  This is all more of a spiritual exercise for me and along the way the moments of our lives get recorded.  

So if you see photos and you know that the event took place 6 months ago (usually my limit, after 6 months I just file the photos and move on), just smile and know this is just who I am. 

  

I found this conversation on Munch and Arnold's phones.  They had taken the children to their riding lessons for me and while one was in the arena the other was apparently having a great time with the boys.  I can only imagine how much fun the boys had playing dead. 

Dash and Brick don't officially take lessons yet, but they had a fun little moment on the horse.  That's a whole lot of Kimball on the back of that horse.  Aren't they adorable?  They are all so happy all at the same time.

One of the symptoms of John's concussion is his increased sensitivity to sound and of course our home can be one very loud place.  These noise reducing ear phones have been a good solution.  Loaf loves to play with them and then subsequently yells at you because she can not hear her own voice.  It's quite comical.

Our daily trek to the mailbox, always includes some sort of investigation.

We have been talking to the children about being agents that act, rather than objects that react or are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26).  Simple lessons that we are hoping will help with the fighting and contention, kind of a think before you strike.  

John heard Loaf and Dash arguing the other day and walked in to see what was happening for find them yelling at each other saying,

"You reacted upon me!"

"NO!  You reacted upon ME!"

"NO, YOU REACTED UPON ME!"

I certainly didn't anticipate that the littles would have understood what we were talking about and I'm not sure this is my desired outcome, but then I suppose that is what raising children is all about.

Rock purchased a fake bug kit last year at the book fair.  He has LOVED them.  I have secretly been hiding them as I find them, they are disgusting and over time no one seems wiser. Until I hear a barrage of complaints coming from the girls hall and steam coming up the stairs as Arnold  accuses Rock of sabotaging her bathroom.   She is quite victimized and shares her horror with her sisters (I think she got a little bit of pleasure out of scaring them) and vows retaliation.

We talked her off the ledge, trying to be supportive and not giggle (which made her upset at us for not being more supportive).  We told her she could not plot anything mean and told them to go to bed.  When I got Rock up the next morning the was wearing half a mustache because he wouldn't roll over.  He laughed and laughed and thought it was the greatest thing.  I assured him this was mild compared to what she was planning.  Instead of being grateful he was disappointed.  I foresee these two are going to have an interesting next few years.

Dating at our house is quite embarrassing.  Nothing like picking up your date with 5 children peering out the window.  I did stop the embarrassment, but like a good mother not until I got a couple of photos.  Arnold laughed when she saw them and hoped they would still be around peering creepily out the window when she came home.  Those door step scenes can be quite traumatic.  If you get a chance ask her about over and under hugs.  She received some miss information from a friend about the rules of hugging (just writing this makes me laugh) and it made for a very awkward door step scene.

As we are talking of Arnold I thought I would include the next Loaf series, as she dominates all of our lives.  Loaf was excited to have Arnold home from school.  A multitude of worries can melt away after a hug like this.  

We did a little swimsuit shoping last week as we were making summer preparations, Loaf loved the hot pink suit her sisters chose for her.  She wants to wear it every day, we had to hide it as it's still too cold to be running around in a suit.  "R", she is excited to have swimming lessons this year.  Are you ready for another crazy Kimball?

Our builder.  He loves to create and construct.  I walked into the laundry room where I thought he was getting his laundry basket to put his clothing away, only to find he had made this creation with parts of Ellie's dog gates that we recently took down.  I got after him for not following directions, but when I walked in later in the day I couldn't help but smile.  Building and creating is so strong in him, like art is in me.  It will be wonderful to see how he develops this gift as he grows.

Ellie sits quietly looking at you with her mopy eyes begging.  It's very sweet and thankfully not annoying. I don't know what I would have done if she was a barking kind of dog.  She patiently waits knowing that someone will sneak her a tasty morsel of their meal.  The children try to be sneaky about it because I have tried to stop the behavior, but after they saw me give her a little egg one morning it's become harder to enforce.  We are naughty dog owners.

The girls love to share funny clips they find with one another and with John.  They love his laugh.  I can't remember what this clip was, but can you see the anticipation on their faces.  John laughed whole heartedly and they couldn't help but laugh even harder.  One of my favorite things to see.  These small moments of joy.

A few more shots of little princess.  She was so excited when Fred gave her the pink quilt she had been working on.  Loaf also likes to torment Ellie by climbing into her crate.  

After dropping by one day a friend commented that our street was an awesome place to live.  It is a wonderful and a little dangerous as it's a dead end and the children use the street as another playground.  The children can be seen whizzing up and down on their plasma cars, Loaf even gets dressed up for the occasion.  

Gus was excited to get this new sling shot that fires old tennis balls (which have plenty of).  Ellie loves it when we use the sling shot, she tries to out run the ball and it's perfect because she fast and we can get the balls to go far.  

I hope the children will grow up with fond memories of their childhood. I hope the don't remember the difficulties or will have learned from our weaknesses. I hope there will be nostalgia about our home and that at some point they will learn street safety. 

 

 

Comments

[Rita Merrick]

I love reading about your adventures with our little ones! Your home seems like such a happy one!

[Katrine]

haha! so funny. I especially like the conversation about the dead boys in the car. You have a fun family!

[Rebekah]

I'm ready! I love having the little ones as my students, they keep me laughing and on my feet. :)