The kids always go crazy as soon as they hear Ben unlocking the front door after work. A and A usually frantically find a hiding spot. Today, Emerson ran halfway to the door, stopped, turned back to grab the fireman hat, and held it on his head while he ran to the door to greet Ben. Soooo cute. Then sometimes he likes to lead Ben to where the older two are hiding!
In a rush to get out the door for school--the kids are all ready and I'm brushing my teeth when I hear Aila in the kids' bathroom, "oh so handsome, Bub!" He toddles over to me soooaking wet. She had sprayed his hair and brushed it and probably used half the spray bottle (just water, thankfully) on his hair AND shirt. They were both pleased.
Aila--Daddy and I got to watch you at preschool today--you had so much fun dancing around to the music with a pink scarf. Then you went into the art room and we were only two feet away from you when you carefully painted a beautiful, colorful picture with your little left hand. Daddy and I just beamed as we talked to Mrs. Loupy and she had only good things to say about you--quiet confidence, easy going but not a pushover, plays well with many different preschool friends, etc. So proud of our Aila!
Aila helped me make brownies and homemade mint ice cream today for Ben's birthday dessert. She was so excited, "Mom, this will be sooo yummy! I think there will be enough for everybody! Oh I can't wait, Mom!" Love this girl.
Abram and Aila were so cute giving their bday gifts to Ben. They each made a card and Aila gave Ben four paintings she made at preschool and Abram gave Ben a few toys from around the house along with a sucker he got for Valentine's Day. :) He also stuck a note on the bag that said "from Abram to Ben YAY!" They were both so excited! They sure love their daddy.
Every gift Ben opened, he asked Em (who was sitting on his lap), "did you give this to me?" And Em immediately answered, "uh uh." (Meaning yes.)
Children's museum--loved watching all three work so hard together on their little track for rocks and water. Em got soaked and loved it. I loved watching Abram help Aila navigate stepping on rocks to cross the little creek...if she couldn't make it, he'd go back with her and find an alternative route.
Just finished reading Charlottes Web and watched the old movie of it. Kids loved it and keep saying, "salutations!"
Lovely family bike ride today in between general conference sessions. Abram came up with the riding order ("daddy with Em in the trailer first, then me, then Aila and then mommy. So then we have a grownup at the front and at the back.") He thinks through these things. Aila was so excited and just chattered and chattered the whole bike ride..."daddy daddy, watch me use my brakes!!" (Then looking behind) "mommy don't come too close and bonk me!...mommy you can go faster....mommy watch me go on this bump! Daddy my bike makes the same sound as yours, watch!" And I loved looking over at Bub in the trailer with that huge helmet on his little head, bobbing around with every bump and holding a huge basketball on his lap...
Today I was reading a book that had French phrases in it and I said to Abram, "what does 'je l'ai trouvé' mean?" He simply replied with, "I think you mean 'je l'ai trouvé'. It means 'I found it'." (In my head I'm like, yeah that's what I said) So I looked it up and sure enough, it means 'I found it'.
Abram prepared a lesson without help last night for FHE. He talked about Nephi getting the brass plates from Laban and then we watched the video of it. Then he talked about how without Nephi's courage, we wouldn't have the Book of Mormon today. It was such a sweet moment.
Aila lately has been saying, "in fact,..."
Emerson's words: "guckle" (buckle) "tay tay" (thank you) "pay pees" (say please)
Aila's 4th bday: waffles wth strawberries for breakfast, Rice Krispie treats to preschool...when we had dinner and celebrated as a family those little round cheeks just didn't stop beaming! Especially when she put on her princess dress, crown, and heels: "I'm so glad I FINALLY, FINALLY have these shoes that have the upper thing--FINALLY!!" (Upper thing = the heel)
She was just so full of joy and said the cutest most expressive things and Ben and I repeatedly just looked at each other and smiled. What joy and happiness she brings to our family. We love her so much! And Abram begged me to take him to target where he used his own money to buy Aila a girl Lego set. Melt my heart. What a sweet brother. And Emerson was really excited about Aila's doll she got (one that sucks her right thumb just like her)...he kept holding her and squeezing her. So cute.
Aila, with her princess dress on, "Mom, I just looked in the mirror and I look bee-yooouuu-ti-ful!!"
Aila "sawn" = "seen": "Mom, have you sawn my baby's binky?"
Mother's Day: Aila walks in when I come out of the shower with a dress on (Ben said she wanted to dress up for me), hands on her hips, sparkly headband on, and she says to me, "well hello, pretty princess! Happy Mother's Day!" Abram played Andantino on his violin as I came out for breakfast and the kids had cards at my place and Ben had everything set up fancy.
During breakfast, Aila got out of her chair, hands on hips, and announced, "an extra twirl for Mother's Day!" And twirled in her dress. :)
Aila: "gy-MAStics" (gymnastics), "Ip-set" (except)
Abram had a super fun last day of kindergarten that included orange "temporary" hair dye at the crazy hair booth. A few shampoos later and with Jake's wedding approaching, I expressed my frustration that the orange was NOT coming out of his hair...to which my wise 6-year-old replied, "Well maybe we could say a prayer that it will come out."
Emersons latest thing is climbing up on the table, grabbing a whole apple, then finding a quiet place to eat the ENTIRE thing minus a few seeds and the stem...
Emerson: "bah-bo" = water
Me, "Daddy's coming home!" Abram, "yes!!" Aila to Abram, "are you excited?" "Yeah because Daddy's my best friend ever. Mommy and Daddy are my best friends. Mom, I wish there was a parent's day to celebrate parents. Cause then we could celebrate both at the exact same time!"
Aila, "no, that's mine! Actually, it's Heavenly Father's!"
Aila, "i know what we could make for a snack! Delicate raspberry muffins!! Delicate is a French word but I'm not sure what it means!"
Emerson: Sometimes he goes to bed a little later than Abram and Aila and he and I get to have a little garden date. We go out back and water the garden together and he just babbles and smiles nonstop. He loves holding the hose and picking green tomatoes when I'm not looking. He's such a mama's boy and I love it. He fills up my heart!! 
Today was a near perfect--albeit typical--summer day. After chores this morning, the kids and I took their bikes to a nearby park with lots of sidewalks. They were in heaven having so much space to ride in! The grass even got mowed while we were there so we got the scent of fresh-cut grass as a bonus. I pushed them in the swings for a few minutes before heading home. After lunch/nap/quiet time, we had homemade Popsicles and the kids had a blast in the backyard sliding down our little slide into the kiddie pool. I just relish in these slower, less structured days when we get to be outside and the kids just get to play and play. Trying to enjoy it to the fullest before school starts in a couple weeks...I really love having all the kids home and using our time how we need/want to...it almost makes me want to homeschool!
Something Abram has really loved this summer is making food on his own. He's been making eggs, smoothies, etc all on his own, start to finish and loves to make them for us! One day in the van when we were driving home later than expected from errands I said to the kids, "how about cereal and carrots for dinner?! I don't have time to make anything because I'm leaving for Relief Society." And Abram said, "well I could make eggs for everyone while you get ready!" Sweet, sweet boy.
Aila has been calling her blankies "nays" ever since she could speak. The other night during scripture study she got the biggest kick out of hearing the word "nay" in the scriptures!
Emerson repeats and copies everything lately. In Sacrament mtg he'll hear another kid at the other end of the chapel say something and then repeat it. Sounds like an echo and gives us a good little laugh.
Emerson loves to run his fingers through his hair. Especially when he's tired. When I rock him before bed, he holds his sippy to his mouth in one hand while his other hand strokes his hair. Sometimes he falls asleep on his belly with both hands clutching locks of hair.
