Kid Notes January-April 2018, Plus Fire Links

KID NOTES January 2018-April 2018

I hung a little hook on the wall next to the play kitchen for Aila to hang her apron on. She loved it and said, “Mom, it’s feeling more like Home in here!”

Aila got a CTR ring at church today and she is ecstatic about it. She was so, so excited to be helping make dinner/set the table/etc and then Ben asked her to get diapers upstairs...she bolted up there, grabbed the diapers, ran downstairs and exclaimed, “I know what!!! I’m not superwoman, I’m C T R WOMAN!” 

Emerson and I were downstairs when I told him I was going upstairs to switch the laundry. After doing so, I came down to find him on the counter playing in the sink. He knew he wasn’t supposed to and immediately said, “no mama, go laundry!” 

After the Sister missionaries came for dinner today, Aila kept saying, “I know what I’m gonna be when I grow up! A missionary!!”

Abram reads hymns during sac mtg and softly sings. Usually Christmas hymns.

Aila—we read the words “nimble leap” in a book and now, anywhere we go, she'll say, "Mom, I'm doing a nimble leap!!" and leap her heart out.

While in Utah, Gpa Alan suggested that Abram and Aila play for Fred Tuttle across the street, who is dying from cancer.  We explained the situation to the kids and they agreed...Abram played silent night the sweetest I've ever heard, Aila sang about baby Jesus, and they recited what they know so far of The Living Christ.  I hope they remember the sweet feeling that was with us during that, with Fred weakly sitting on the couch and his angel wife, Mary, sitting next to him. 

Took brownies to Sandy next door after her dad died. She got teary and asked for a hug—Abram and Aila were too timid but luckily little Bub stepped forward, arms outreached, and willingly gave her a hug. It was so sweet. 

When Bub woke up from his nap today I walked in and said, “hello to my fuzz ball!” (Referring to his sticking straight up hair) He immediately popped up his head as if looking for something...For the next five minutes he kept asking for the fuzz ball and was really sad I couldn’t give it to him. He was finally satisfied when I let him bring a little soccer ball in the car to pick up Abram. 

Bub asks for toast with “Jammie” (jam)

Bub asked for a “headband” (bandaid)

Bub was really sad and whining in the car: “Mom ah go to Santa Rosas!!” 

Abram’s love language is a warm breakfast. Luckily for him (and all of us) we rarely have a cold breakfast, because he is the happiest clam when he wakes up to a warm breakfast, and a grouchy one when we have cold cereal.

Abram “sleeps with his bed made” so he doesn’t have to make it in the morning. 

Aila’s best friend at preschool was out of town for a week (missed 3 preschool days) so the morning before preschool when she got back, Aila said, “I wonder if her hair is longer!!”

Emerson was attached to a stuffed doggie for a few days—in the car, “mommy! He’s looking at my shirt! He’s looking at my pants!” Holding his ball and smashing it up to the dogs face, “mommy, he sees the ball!!”

Aila asked to watch Home videos today (one of the kids’ fave things on Sundays) and it broke my heart to tell her that we don’t have them anymore. Our hard drive with videos from our kids as babies and even our travels from before we had kids burned in the fire. 

Aila, after playing with the Thatcher kids during Abram's violin lesson, with the most lit-up eyes and rosy cheeks, “MOM. I had the BEST day EVER!! We had HOT salty popcorn, and then we went outside and played on the twisty swing, and then we jumped on the tramp and I jumped SO HIGH!!” I just love her enthusiasm for life. 

After mine and Abram’s bike ride date got rained out, he excitedly requested to go to the library! We both enjoyed looking at books and reading together, just us two. Of course 95% of his books were about b-ball. Then afterwards we got frozen yogurt. :)

Aila, end of piano lessons—her teacher plays a couple songs from her book and Aila dances with Pom poms or scarves. Today, Aila requested a “slow song” and she literally closed her eyes and slowly, carefully danced around the room while softly waving the scarves. At one point she leaned over to me a whispered, “Mom, a swooping ballerina...”

Had a sad reminder today of the loss of our home videos. At Abram’s violin lesson, his teacher remarked about when he first started lessons and was “yea high”....I video taped most of his lessons for that first year so I’d know how to practice with him, and unfortunately our video camera/hard drive with all of those videos burned. 

Aila, “Mom, doesn’t this sound like the most beautiful professional singer, except it’s me?” (Starts singing about flowers blooming in the grass in a high-pitched voice, while twirling.) me, “oh, Aila, it’s so beautiful!” Ben walks in the door...”daddy!! I’m the brilliant Aila-singer!” ...continues singing about butterflies and twirling around the house...

FHE tonight. Abram had the lesson and explained, with lots of detail, the plan of salvation. It was too cute how he aimed some of his teaching at Aila (knowing she didn’t understand it), and how Aila was really into it but also remarked, “this is hard!” (Especially when learning the words, celestial, terrestrial, telestial). Aila was in charge of activity and she chose to play king, queen, princess, prince, and knight. :)

Lately Emerson has been correcting everyone to call him the right name, “no, not Bub! Ehson!” (Emerson)

When Emerson gets hurt and comes to me crying or sad, “Chiss me, mama!!” (Kiss)

When Emerson is doing something he knows he’s not supposed to...I look at him and he says, “no, don’t see me, Mom!”

Every holiday or new season is a reminder of items burned.  Seasonal picture books with the kids, decor, a specific journal entry of a memory, etc...

Aila, upon finishing her craft, “oh, I just finished and it’s bea-U-ti-ful!!” I love her optimism and confidence. 

Also, “Mom, you wouldn’t ever be mean to your best friend, huh? Because it’s your BEST friend and you just LOVE each other! And do nice things for each other! Good thing me and Aria have the same best friend. Well not the same EXACT but we just love each other...she’s my best friend in the whole world.”

Knock knock jokes—Abram likes this one: “knock knock.” Who’s there? "Interrupting cow." “Interrupting cow wh—" “MOOOO!” 

Here’s Emerson’s version:

 “lock lock!” Who’s there? “Erupting-cow-sheep!” Erupting-cow-sheep who? “....moo!!”

At dinner we were talking about the new things Abram and Aila were learning in their music lessons. Emerson promptly left the table, and brought out the ukulele from the playroom. He walked over to the table and said, “mommy and daddy, watch!” And proceeded to play us a “song” on the ukulele. So so cute. Didn't want to be left out.

Aila, while coloring: “wow, this is just looking fanTAStic already!!”

New baby:

We briefly talked about names and Abram said without hesitation, “Sebastian!” (One of his soccer buddies at school) and Aila very seriously said, “Ariana”

Abram and Aila are both making plans about sitting in the back of the van together (right now it’s just Abram ;)

The night we told the kids, I lied down with Aila and she just kept smiling and beaming. It was so cute. And in between sucking her thumb, asking questions and making comments like “will the baby sleep in my room?” And “I just love babies. They’re fun to play with.” I love to watch her “mother” Emerson and can’t wait to see her with another baby in our family. 

Emerson, multiple times a day, “Mommy, Mommy, guefss what??!”

Abram and Aila both lately, “wow, that’s incredible!”

Abram, about the pregnancy, “Mom, I actually want it to be a double or a triple and all boys. And if it’s a singler, a boy.”  When he found out it was a girl, he put a blanket over his head and pouted for a good hour.  I think he's over it now though...he will be a sweet big brother (again).

For FHE we had an Easter lesson where I placed symbols of Easter in plastic eggs and the kids took turns opening them and we’d talk about what it meant. Each kid opened three eggs. Emerson was so pleased when he opened a stone (in front of the tomb), a LEGO palm branch (Palm Sunday), and a picture of the savior praying in Gethsemane. Unbeknownst to me, he put those items in the basket on a shelf in his room. Several days after that FHE, he was saying something about his legos and then he climbed up on the shelf to retrieve all the items. He was so proud! This morning again (a few days later) as we were getting ready to start watching conference, he excitedly brought his picture of Jesus down to show Ben. What a sweet, sweet boy he is!

Sometimes life before the fire seems like a different life. We are constantly saying, “before the fires” or “after the fires”

Emerson, “mama, that’s co!” (Cool)

Emerson, “I want to go to recess.”

Emerson to Ben, at a friend's party when Ben had cake on his plate, so sweetly, “can you share with Bubba?”

Emerson when I tucked him in, "I'm mama's boy!!" (We tell him a lot that he's a mama's boy...because he is.  And I don't mind a bit.  Although it might be difficult when the new baby arrives!

Just for record's sake, here a couple links about the fires:

Short Fox News interview a few days after the fires (a small FaceTime interview near the end):

http://fox13now.com/2017/10/13/utah-firefighters-headed-to-california-to-battle-wildfires/

General Conference Special on KSL: 
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46290470

(the segment about NorCal fires with us starts at 30:20)

A sweet lady who made us a mosaic:
 https://santarosafirestormmosaics.blogspot.com/2018/

Notes from August 2017-December 2017

KID NOTES August 2017-DECEMBER 2017

Emerson: "nah" = yeah

"Obby"= Adam 

"Bah-pa"= grandpa/grandma

"Aee-yuh"= Aila 

"Ay-muh"= Abram 

"Bapple"= apple

"Wah-wo"=water 

Anytime he sees a bball hoop: "hi backa-hoo!!" (We hear this constantly in the car!)

Abram told me that "chef" at school said they picked the apples for lunch just the day before--so cool!

Abram: today we went to Stinson beach during a heat wave with some friends and borrowed boogie boards. You watched mommy and daddy boogie board and wanted to try...so you stood in knee deep water, observing and watching all the boogie boarders around you, while shivering and clutching your boogie board....once in a while, straddling the board on a wave to test it out...and then the last hour or so we were there, it just clicked. You figured it out and did it!! We were so proud of you for being brave and trying it and working so hard at it. When we walked back to the car after 7 hours at Stinson, you said, "that was the best day ever!!"

Went out for ice cream today (Labor Day) and Aila "LOOOOVED" her ice cream. "Mom, I just love it so much and I can't stop! *lick* I'm just going to keep licking and licking and licking! *lick* and I'm not going to stop--ONLY for talking!"

Aila, "daddy, you're the goodest boy story-teller in our family!!"

Aila, "mom, bub's getting SO along with me!"

Family morning at the high school track--Aila stopped running suddenly, "my cheeks are shaking!"

Emerson turned two! Two years ago today I remember walking the halls at the hospital with Ben (and my IV pole) in early labor. My OB passed us a few times and I remember her saying, "you are just glowing!" And I really felt like I was. I felt so blessed for the relatively easy pregnancy I had with Emerson (a tender mercy during a stressful time in my life) and so excited to welcome another precious child into our family. The induction and delivery went smoothly and we were so happy to have a healthy Emerson with us. And then that night was one of the most sleepless nights I've ever had. I was up with a fresh baby boy who screamed (literally) for what seemed the entire night. I was so worried he'd be a hard, fussy baby! ...but he never had another night like that and ended up being our easiest baby! So grateful for our sweet Emerson. We love him so and were so happy to celebrate him today! ️️️ 

Birthday oatmeal with "bapples" and "see-na" (apples and raisins)

Emerson, "uh pay gee-go ay-muh." Translation: “I'm playing legos with Abram."

Fire:  as we drove out of our neighborhood following Ben in his car, I told the kids we should say a prayer. Abram said, "I already said one in my mind." 

When the kids realized that everything was gone, Abram said, "well good thing we made a fort last night with all those blankets one last time!"

All of Aila's dress ups were lost in the fire. Someone from Cess's ward donated an Anna dress for her: when she saw it she literally jaw dropped and then couldn't stop beaming. This morning Abram really wanted to wear shorts but we only had pants. Today someone gave Cess sports shorts for him--his favorite. Aila had a favorite pair of Jammies lost in the fire. Today someone dropped a bag off at cess's that has the same exact pair in her size. "Coincidences"....

When looking at our possible rental home (vacant without the landlord who left us a key), Ben and I were looking at the kitchen downstairs, and the kids were just running around...when all of a sudden we hear from upstairs, “Daddeeeeeee!!! Come wipe meeee!!!" Ben and I look at each other like oh no...there's no TP.  Here we are, homeless people using random bathrooms without TP. Hahaha. No worries...we did end up finding some! Gave us a good laugh. 

Fire thoughts...Your future is as bright as your faith. Life/beauty rising out of the ashes. 

Sharing our story including God’s influence. He is involved in the details of our lives. Rebirth. No "coincidences". 

Mattress....we had been talking about getting a new one. I remember wondering how we'd get rid of our old one....check(!). 

10/27/17 

We got to sit in the third row at a special mtg with elder rasband and sister Joy Jones tonight. Elder rasbands wife spoke and sister Jones husband spoke as well. The spirit was incredible and they all brought so much of the saviors love with them. Scriptures shared: "beauty from the ashes" (Isaiah) "the lord thy God doth visit his people in their afflictions" Elder rasband shared pres monsons 3 things: tell them I love them, tell them we're praying for them, and thank those that are helping. It was an incredible meeting. Elder rasband said that just yesterday he and the rest of the 12 and first pres were in the upper room of the temple praying for us. This group was scheduled 6 months ago to be out here this weekend for the freedom of religion meeting in Sacramento tomorrow. Elder Rasband says it was not a coincidence but that he was sent to minister to us by The Prince of Peace. We got to meet sister Jones after. We hugged her and she hugged and kissed all the kids. It was really neat. It was an emotional meeting. Elder rasband was emotional as he spoke of the saviors love for us. Strong feelings I felt: the savior’s love for me individually, stronger testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and that Christ is at the head of this church, pres monson is the prophet and the apostles are true witnesses of Jesus Christ. I again felt so incredibly blessed for the wonderful friends and family we have and how they have been Christ’s hands to us throughout this and their acts of service have given us peace and hope. I felt that the peace and hope I experienced at the meeting tonight didn't just address the affliction of the fire, but other difficult trials I currently face in my life. I felt that I have the responsibility to be a light to others and share that love with others; to testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how I have found true inner peace and hope only through them. I pray to remember that and do it. 

Elder rasband blessed us--"as if my hands were placed upon your heads" and said that on the darkest nights to remember that Christ is the bright morning light. 

Sister Jones talked about rebuilding homes and to remember the "true home" that we seek. She shared her recent experience of watching her son die of cancer the last three years and how after much fasting and prayer, they were able to see the blessings of his cancer and be grateful for it and see the eternal perspective. She mentioned how in councils with the brethren, they experience shock and disappointment but never fear. 

We were invited, along with all in our stake who lost homes, to have a special lunch with elder rasband and other church leaders. We got to shake hands with and hug elder rasband. We talked about how blessed we've been and have even felt guilty for so many giving to us...

He said to ben and me, "don't feel guilty. Now is the time to be the receiver (then he got emotional and he stood closer)...you will be together a long time and your time will come to be the givers." Looking into his eyes I could feel the saviors love so strongly. How grateful I am for his service. I know that he is a true disciple of Christ.  

Abram: "when I was little, I used to think everything was a painting. I would just look out the window and gaze up at the sky and just think it was a painting that someone threw up there."

I'm sitting here in the ped dentist office with Emerson while Abram and Aila get their teeth cleaned...I can hardly hear Abram but Aila is back there chatting up a storm with the hygienist! ;)

Tonight at dinner we got a 20-min explanation of what Abram has been learning about Vincent Van Gogh (pronounced the french way) in his class. Of course I showed him Cessiley's Halloween costume and he thought it was pretty cool. 🏻 

Fire: beauty for ashes; the more you give, the more you have (things we lent out to people still remained in the end), nothing we have is really ours in the first place (god gives us everything)...going through our house and seeing closets and drawers full of clothing, books, and toys that were lovingly given to us, and I’m sure sacrificed in giving to us. 

A sweet mom at Abram's school made "wellness baskets" for moms whose homes burned. So so sweet of her and others who donated to the basket....and the "Sonoma County-ness" of it is making me smile ️...lots of stress relieving teas and immune support capsules and sprays...acupuncture coupon...

So many people and businesses supporting the community. Another from this week--a lady in our stake was friends with a non-member growing up, who now lives out of state and sells Lularoe. She sent dresses and leggings to this woman in our stake to be given to LDS women specifically because she "loves the way that LDS women serve and they've inspired her and taught her how to serve" 

Aila goes to preschool at a Presbyterian church. Members of the church have given gift cards to families of the preschool who lost homes, and in addition, another Presbyterian preschool from San Jose sent cards up to our preschool. Also, a couple of french schools down in the east bay sent up toys and french books for families up here. So we now have a little shelf with french books on it. It was all organized by the french consulate. 

Oceanside--watching the peaceful waves....continuous, constant, always there, everlasting...just like the saviors love and presence in our lives. Life keeps going and happening....up to us if we will join in and ride with the waves...Watched them in conjunction with the laughter of children in the background...

Abram, in Oceanside: "I'm just so excited. We're going to have a BBQ, roast marshmallows, and go in the hot tub. I'm so excited, my heart is beating so fast!" (Then he had mika feel his beating heart) 

Yesterday I just felt like driving “home” after picking up Abram from school. Still makes my heart stop when I see it. But it felt good to get out and stand on the driveway for a minute. Felt like I was home. 

Feeling fine today. Sometimes the sad hits me at random times. I told Ben I feel like we've been on a really long vacation and I'm ready to go home and take a nap on our couch with my quilt. But overall good.

I'm so grateful for good/happy/peaceful moments that far outweigh the bad/hard. Today's violin practice: Abram played silent night the most beautifully he's ever played it. So soft and carefully and meaningfully. It brought tears to my eyes. When he finished, I said, "Abram, that was so beautiful." He said, "I loved it too." Then I hugged him for a long time. And he let me. 

Aila, while painting: sigh "someday I'm gonna be an artist. Because I'm so careful."

I’m washing dishes and Emerson comes up with a measuring tape in hand. “Uh measure Mama.” (He proceeds to measure my rear end.) I say, “how big is mama?” He replies, “Big!!” 

Aila has never seen a princess movie, yet she is obsessed with weddings lately. I blame all of her uncles ;). She came out of her room this morning in a church dress, beaming and saying she was going to her wedding reception. She then begged Abram to marry her (he wouldn’t) and so she convinced Emerson to walk down the stairs with her and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

When I asked Aila about her multi-yellow watercolor painting—“this was in Utah when mommy and daddy were at dinner and we looked outside and saw a beaUUtiful yellow sky!”

We were walking at the zoo and I reached down to grab bub’s hand but Abram tricked me and grabbed it...and happily held it for a few minutes. Made my day! He’s seeming so old and mature these days so I will take all the hand-holds I can get. :)

KID NOTES: March 2017-July 2017

KID NOTES: March 2017-July 2017

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.

KID NOTES: October 2016 through February 2017

Lovely Sunday morning art session with the kids--we all spent two hours coloring with my gel pens. Abram said, "wow, mom, you're so good at that!!" He's so sweet. 

I told the kids they could choose as many pieces of candy on Halloween as their age. Abram, "yay! I get to have five and three quarters!"

During FHE--Em quietly ventures into A and A's room while Ben and I are trying to lessen the whining coming from Abram and Aila, and suddenly Em comes charging back in the family room holding Abrams light saber out in front of him, almost tripping over himself he's going so fast, with the biggest grin on his face...and after a few seconds he totally face plants and starts laughing...then we all start laughing together. 

Em has started folding his arms for prayer. The first few times he did it we clapped for him, so now he folds his arms for a few seconds and starts clapping before the prayer is over.  

Abram begs to have hot lunch every day at school. He enjoys it every day but especially today: "mom!! It was the BEST burrito ever!! I want you to make it for dinner! After I finished my first one, I was still so hungry and Chef gave me TWO more! He said it was his mom's recipe!" He frequently refers to "Chef Doug" and sounds like he gets to have seconds a lot when he finishes everything and is still hungry. I'm grateful they provide such a wholesome, yummy meal at his school! 

Just waited in line for an hour and 45 min with a 3 and 1 year old to get snoopy ice show tickets. It was the coldest morning we've had yet but the kids did awesome! Aila didn't even want to wear her coat and people around us couldn't believe it. The Finnish blood skipped over me and went to her 

Her 'nay' was magical in line. She danced with it, twirled with it, threw it up in the air, and cozied it while she sucked her thumb. We ALL love the nay!! 

Talking about when Abram was born in MN...when Aila says, "where was I?" Me, "You were still in heaven." Aila, "Well, I don't appreciate that!"

Removing rotisserie chicken from bone...had a little anatomy lesson with the kids...Abram: "are we going to find viruses in there?"

Packed Aila's lunch in the car for errands after preschool...she couldn't find her sandwich in her bag but I assured her it was in there...turns out Em somehow stole it, unbeknownst to me and was chomping it down!

Abram "how do they make hot water?" "You mean hot water that comes out of our kitchen sink?" "Yeah." "We have a water heater that the water goes to and it heats it up." Abram, "How does it know? Does it like send an email or something?"

Listening to josh groban's "petit papa Noel" from his Christmas album and Abram, unprovoked, begins translating some of the French words for me. Warmed my heart! 

Em loves teeth brushing time and as we spit into the sink, he follows suit and gets the biggest grin on his little face as he makes spitting noises. 

Christmas Day: We just got back from church and haven't even opened presents yet. The kids were too busy with Santa stuff before we got ready for church.  Aila just lit up when I said she could eat her candy cane and said, "I need someone else to open my presents because I'm eating my candy cane."

Abram on his own accord made Aila a dress up doll out of paper with a crown for Christmas.  Sooo cute watching Aila open it up and Abram explain it to her.

Driving to UT over the pass--Abram says, "mom, I saw ice!!" (Icicles on the trees) and Aila, about the snow, "this is so cool!"

Aila and Abram were having a dance party...a rap song came on and I skipped it; told them about good songs and bad songs; some invite happiness and spirit and some drive spirit away...several days later, I have music on and Aila says with alarm, "mom, is this a bad song??!" "No Aila, this is a good song!" "But did the spirit already leave??" ;)

Abram's 6th birthday: he was so excited and up well before 6am but was so obedient and sat on his bed until 6:30 (family rule). He found Ben out doing scripture study and sat on his lap. Ben said, "I think you grew an inch overnight!" Abram, "I know, this morning I looked at my leg and it looked longer!" Requested Swedish pancakes for breakfast and "Christmas dinner" for dinner...ham, homemade rolls, garlic mashed potatoes, and Caesar salad.  I made a basketball cake--took forever to get the frosting orange and definitely didn't look like the Pinterest one but still fun! He had school off (MLK day) and we had fun playing games here at home. Ben came home early from work and took the kids to the park to play bball while I made dinner. At dinner we talked about our favorite things about Abram and then had cake. We are so grateful for our sweet Abram! Love him so much and proud of his desire to choose the right, be a good friend and brother, and work hard at everything he does.

Aila's imaginary friends: Crensin, Freddin, and Layla :)

Abram did so well at his violin lesson today. He worked hard and played his songs so well. His teacher said he 100% mastered May Song! Abram seemed so proud of his hard work. One of those moments when I wanted to tear up. 

A and A share a room...sometimes it drives me bonkers when they won't go to sleep at bedtime but it warms my heart to hear their little conversations about kindergarten and preschool...Abram coaching Aila about having races with her friends at preschool and telling her all about kindergarten recess... :)

Lying down with Aila at bedtime..."mom, did Jesus make Laman and Lemuel?" "Yes, he did." "But he's not supposed to make bad people!" "Well when he first made them they were good. And then they made some bad choices. Everyone gets to make their own choices, good or bad." .....silence for a few seconds, and then out of nowhere, "Mom, look how big I am!!" (Stretches out legs) ;)

Abram, mine and daddy's hearts were filled tonight when we discovered the sweet valentine cards you made for us on our pillows! I love how you wrote "to dad, from your very best buddy" on daddy's, along with your name in cursive, and you cut mine in the shape of a crown! We are so proud of the sweet and thoughtful boy that you are. 

Aila: I loved taking a nap with you on the couch today!  After reading books, we snuggled up under daddy's big blanket. You kept opening your eyes and smiling your scrunchy-nose smile for a couple minutes...and then I watched as you held your nay, sucked your thumb and finally gave in to sleep. Then I fell asleep too! 

Emerson, I was so delighted when I checked on you tonight before I got into bed and saw your little hand poking through the crib slats. Whereas my face usually can't reach you, I got to kiss your sweet little fingers goodnight. You bring me so much joy and I'm so grateful you are in our family. 

Emerson has been making his own "forts" lately (by bunching up laundry, blankets, etc all around him). Been repeating so many words we say....can say mama dada belly hello hi please hot

I called the kids for dinner and A and A came..."Where's bub?" and I found him still in the family room, happily lying on his own little fort (aka a bunch of blankets) and he was SO sad when I took him off to come eat dinner.

Talking about who's in charge of what for FHE... Aila says, "Daddy, what is I'm gonna do?...what is I'm gonna do??"

Abram: "Chef tells me and Johnny that we're at the top of the food chain because we eat so fast!" (Johnny's one of his fave friends in his class.)

Abram's last day of bball today. He's loved it and has eagerly practiced at home on his little hoop every day. Today, instead of doing drills for 40 min with a scrimmage at the end, they're doing a "real" game the whole time. Abram has been talking about it ALL week. Ben just texted me a picture of him making the first basket! 

I got to help make galettes in Abram's class for the January birthday celebration...using a French recipe but thankfully the pictures and the kids helped (and watching the other parent helpers)!  

Listening to a kids' french music cd from the library in the car has been so much fun. Abram caught on pretty quick to the words and Aila likes to sing them too! Emerson loves to clap along or shout some of the repetitive parts as well. :)

Ben and I both need new pants so we drive to the outlets in Petaluma. All five of us are jammed in a handicap dressing room and Ben and I are trying on pants as fast as we can...the kids are getting rowdy and we keep telling them to quiet down.  Then Emerson pinches his finger in that boingy thing on the door and starts crying--only a few feet away, I immediately drop everything to rescue him and stop the crying when I totally slip, fall on my behind and find myself in a jam and just can't quite reach Emerson!  A and A are quiet, wondering what just happened, Ben is behind me wondering why I'm not helping Em, and I just start laughing so hard I start crying.  I finally reach Emerson and can't stop laughing for the longest time...the store employees were so glad when we finally left the store...haha.

Kid Notes June 2016-October 2016

KID NOTES: June 2016-October 2016

Aila, after lunch, "mom, my hands are clean because I licked them off."

Emerson. 9 mo: standing up to the tub. Loooooves bath time!

All I had to do to get "you're the best mom in the whooole world" was to help Abram make a leopard mask out of paper. :) 

Abram: "mom, emerson's warm-blooded today. Feel him, he feels warm."

Aila, master staller/manipulator/etc, during her typical bedtime antics...comes out and says, "mom, I'm cold..." "Ok let's put another blankie on." "No I just need the van (fan)." "The fan will make you colder." "....well actually I'm hot...." "Aila, it's time for bed." "Ok" and runs back to her room, only to turn around and run back to me, "mom, I'm gonna close the door, ok?" "Ok goodnight."

Aila, "mom, my leg is 'sword' and I need ice on it!" (sore)

Aila, "mom, can Em eat rice?" "Yes." "Okay, well I put some on the floor for him to eat."

Feather-brained Monday morning--had ballet for Aila and swim for Abram and Aila at the Finley center. Halfway there realized I forgot Aila's swimsuit ("Aila I think you'll have to miss your swim class today" "that's okay mom")...and a couple min later, realized I also forgot towels...and my phone. Parked and opened the trunk to find it empty--forgot that we had taken out the stroller the day before. So I put emers on my hip (along with all our gear)...so after ballet class, we used Aila's leotard (sans tights) for swim lessons, the picnic blanket for a towel, and we all survived. And when we got home and I realized my t-shirt was on backwards... (???!!!!) at least it was just a plain colored crew neck. 

Abram got out a cutting board and requested that he have lunch on it instead of a plate, "because i might have lunch on something like this at kindergarten. I saw it in a berenstain bear book."

Aila runs up to me with a huge Costco bag of pistachios. "Mom, can I please have some mustache-ios?!"

Em tries to escape every time I want to change his diaper. Looks back at me and grins, then turns and speeds away (army crawling). 

Abram and Aila always want to go get in Em's crib with him after his nap. 

Camping at grover hot springs: we had been saying, "we're going camping at Grover's" for days...when we got there, Aila kept saying, "but where's Grover?" And "where's Grovers' mommy?"

Abram: "mom is there anything smaller than 1/4?" 

Emerson full out crawling at 10 months. Mamas boy--I came in to Sunday school late; as soon as I walked in, Emerson (on Ben's lap) couldn't stop making anxious noises and when I sat down, he literally jumped on me and started laughing and making loud, happy noises. :)

Abram to Aila, "because I'm a big kid and you're a little kid." "I'm not a little kid!" "Well, you're just kind of in-between."

Abram asked, "what's more than 1/2?" "3/4" "oh, because a half moon is 2 quarters..." "Yes...."

Abram asking lots of questions about the earth and Gravity..."don't the people on the other side of the world feel like they're upside down? Are they hanging from their heads?"

I took the kids to frozen yogurt today! I was cracking up because as they watched the cars drive by (as we so often do ourselves), Abram said "I bet the kids in those cars are feeling sad because they asked their mommies if they could get frozen yogurt and they said no." 

Abram beginning French immersion school next week--I've been pulling out all the words I remember from 7th grade French class and teaching them to the kids...today aila said, "mom, how do you say 'bonjour' in Japanese?"

Images of summer...piles of sand in the entryway, Popsicle-stained cheeks, sunflowers in our garden inches taller every day, baby legs kicking kicking kicking out of the baby swing, Abram waving at me and giving a "thumbs up" during his swim lesson, Aila's hair bun bobbing up and down as she attempts to blow bubbles in the pool in her little pink suit...

Abram likes to ask lots of math questions. Me, "wow, how did you know that?" "Well I just like to think about math a lot while I do Legos. I just think about math every half second!" Aila pipes in, "who's math???!!"

Today at Abrams violin lesson he played his favorite song...and you could tell it was his fave because he played with feeling. It was wonderful and beautiful and his teacher was amazed and I wanted to cry. He's growing up and maturing so fast. 

My favorite with Emerson--at bedtime in the rocker, he lays his head on my shoulder while I sing. Periodically, he lifts his head up to look at me and sometimes plants a little slobber "kiss" on my face, then lays back down and tucks his arms in. So so sweet. I also love watching him eat Ben's face when he gets home from work. 

Abram, talking about earth and space, "so...where does gravity and no gravity connect??"

Very proud mom moment: Abram came home from school and said, "some kids in my class say 'pitcher' when they really mean 'picture'."

Aila to me, after first day of preschool, "I was so excited to see you. I was a little bit nervous." (Contrasted with Abram when he started preschool, "I wasn't nervous one tiny bit. No, I didn't miss you at all.")

Aila: "I'm 'exciting' for Emerson because he's turning one soon!" (Excited)

Abram: "mom, does counting ever stop? Or does it go on and on?" "Nope, it keeps going and going and going..." *he thinks deeply* "...so how does....whoa.....WHOA!!"

Emerson loves waving. The first time I saw him do it was when we were at a restaurant and he was looking out the window and turning his little wrist. And sure enough, I looked and there was a lady out the window waving at him. Now he does it when I lie him down for bed. He looks up at me and waves both hands and jabbers "die yie" (night night) while smiling, of course. 

Emerson bday. We played a couple simple games and made him the center of attention, which he loved. He seemed to know we were celebrating him and just babbled and babbled and babbled. So sweet. Then we (Abram and Aila) opened presents while Emerson climbed on the boxes, we sang to him, and he even got a little taste of (decreased sugar) zucchini cake. He felt special. We feel so blessed to have him in our family! For me, and I dare say the rest of the family, he has been a manifestation of God's love. 

Emersons first words (10-12mo): da-da, ma-ma, die-yie (night-night). 

"Aila, what did you do at preschool?" "Painting, painting, and more painting!!"

Abram had his first soccer game last week (and two more this week). He had been waiting for months!! He was so excited he was literally jumping and leaping around the field the first 10 min but not really touching the ball. But after that he decided to get aggressive and scored 4 goals! 

Aila, "mom, I just put a booger in my hair."  I love her honesty.

Had my first solo-with-kids soccer game tonight. Thought it would be a piece of cake because last time Emer basically stayed on the blanket and picked grass while Aila was content with half a stick of gum. This time, however, I spent most of my time removing Em from the soccer field, keeping a bee away from Aila, and asking Aila to stop throwing grass in my hair, while simultaneously doing a terrible job keeping a conversation with a couple of nearby parents...who watched in humor and also thought Emer was a girl. Haha. Meanwhile, I saw Abram dribble the ball down the field a couple times and he finished sweaty so I think he had fun. 

"Abram, what's your favorite thing about kindergarten?" "Racing with my buddies at recess." "What's your 2nd favorite thing?" "Playing soccer with my buddies at recess." "...what's your 3rd favorite?" "Playing freeze tag at recess!" 

Aila "mom, can I wear goggles when I get baptized? Cause I don't want water in my eyes!"

Aila "mom, watch this!!" (Throws up a ball and catches it) "I very catched it!!" 

Abram, one morning after practicing violin, "mom, I just looove May Song! I want to practice it aalll day! Like 5 hours a day!" I actually had to coax him away from practicing to get his shoes on for school.  *THIS IS NOT AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE*

Abram, "I'm learning 3 languages. English, French, and baby." (He frequently 'translates' Emerson's babbles...and also tells me what Em's babbles are in French--"Mom, he just said a French word!")

Aila: "there's an excellent girl in my preschool class." "Oh really? Why is she excellent?" "Because she makes excellent fairy houses."

Aila, to a woman at church, "I can't imagine where my mommy went!!"

Aila, in the car with windows down: "mom, emer's hair is like a ball of fire!" (wind blowing his hair)

Out in the garden with the kids and I put a zucchini and single cherry tomato on the wooden railing. A minute later I turn around and emerson has chipmunk cheeks and the tomato is missing. Abram and Aila can't believe he would actually eat a tomato! Then we go inside and he happily eats four more. 

October 2016: Emerson's first steps! 

Traveling to Texas for Ben's family reunion....Had a stressful day of traveling including almost missing our flight in Oakland due to crazy, crazy traffic and Emerson pooping everywhere during the flight...and the (large) lady next to me appeared to be taking a nap so I tried to quickly change him on my squished lap and she woke up halfway through...whoops...Ben was rows away from us and poor Abram was next to me with messy diaper basically in his face..."Mom, I wish I was sitting with Daddy"...  But we made it alive!! 

Kid Notes January 2016-June 2016

KID NOTES January 2016-June 2016

Aila potty training: my genius idea was to allow Abram a reward as well if he helped her go. He was all over it--reminding her to go ("do you need to go potty?"), turning the water on for her to wash her hands, and praising her, "you went potty, good job!"  

Diaper-free, treats for everyone, success all around. 

Aila: "Mom, can I have some stirrup on my pancake?"  (syrup) 

Aila: "I'm a princess!!"

Abram: "when you die, will you still remember me and your life? How?"

Abram shared his "kibble" from preschool with Aila--only one animal cracker and one gummy bear. Broke cracker in half and tried to cut gummy bear in half. Each got three cheese puffs 

Abram: "mom, guess what? I just can't stop thinking about Lego sets! I just keep thinking and thinking about them. When I'm 25 I think I'll still be thinking about them. I'll have to do a LOT of extra chores and get a LOT of money for Lego sets!" "And when I'm a grandpa I'll still like Legos. Even in heaven if there are Lego stores I'll go to the Lego stores!"

Observation at preschool for Abram--teachers only had good things to say about him--great spatial awareness, plays well with everyone, solves problems without teacher, raises hand, loves imaginative play, plays with lots of different toys, good at cleaning up, great fine motor skills, physically--can run, jump, leap

Made Positive reinforcement sticker charts--Aila refused to wash her hands after going potty and Abram said, "remember Aila, don't follow Satan or you won't get a sticker on your chart."

Aila: "I need a mack-in!" (Napkin)

Aila: "Abram,  you have to be quiet when I'm on the phone. ...(bustles around and talks on the phone...) "Abram, I'm so proud of you for that while I was on the phone!" Haha

(This is from Ben) Abram was humming Praise to the Man while building Legos and he came in to the kitchen where I was and said, "dad, do you know that I pretty much always hum that song when I build Legos?" Me: "oh, really?" Him, "yeah, I really like it and like the tune and my favorite prophet is Joseph Smith." Me: "wow, great" him: "I even sometimes hum it at breakfast and lunch."

Aila singing 'BOM stories'..."long ago their fathers came from far across the street..."

Abram to me: "I got in my car seat the first time you asked!!" Then Aila, "yeah and I got in the five and third time you asked!!"  Me "yep!"

Brought home leftover croissants from YW. Ben told Abram it was a French food. Abram: "I reeeeally wish I can serve my mission in France!!"

Classical cello in the car: Abram "I loooove this music!"

Trying to get everyone in the car...Abram comes and I say "where's Aila?" "Oh, she's coming. She just likes to take her time."

Abram: "we're getting Helaman balloons for daddy!" (Helium)

Park after violin lesson: simple joys of the heart

Abram--up close to his face, his innocent blue eyes...growing up way too fast--he now has little freckles scattered across his cheeks and nose. 

Aila--filled my heart to watch you as I helped you across the zip line. Your hands clutched the handle above your head and I looked up and smiled at how your arms were squishing your little cheeks out, your happy brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight as you looked ahead, with your little nose sitting right in the middle of all that

....Abram racing around as fast as he could with Aila bustling behind him; their eyes glittering every time they completed a task at hand--climbing the slide, jumping off the step, ...love seeing their rosy cheeks and sweaty heads after working so hard and exploring the new park. 

Abram "how does the ocean keep its height AALLL the year long?"

Abram and Aila set up a restaurant. Abram served me lunch and it cost $208.00, however, my baby's food was free along with a complimentary booster and baby toy.  Aila served me a smoothie and it cost 5 (hold up five fingers) minutes. :)

At the park, Abram trying to convince Aila to go on a new slide: "Aila, its okay. Sometimes you have to try new things. I'll go with you."

Abram: "is Santa nocturnal?"

Abram: "How does your phone send a text message to all the YW's phones?"

Aila, "and I looked everywhere and it wasn't everywhere but then I found it in the bathroom!"

After returning from Utah for 2.5 weeks, Emerson made the softest, sweetest little coos this morning, looking all around his room, as if to say, "I remember this place."

Emers gets so excited when he sees siblings. Waves arms, kicks legs, open mouth smile....

Abram, looking at emers "he looks bigger than yesterday!....mom, does Emerson know he's a human?"

Abram "mom, my preschool is really good. We should send Aila there when she gets older."

A & A winking eyes. Abram: "Mom, are our eyes connected together?" "No, just connected to our brains." "But not connected together and THEN to our brains?" "Nope." "Oh. I thought they were connected Because Aila can't close one and open the other at the same time."

After talking about reusing and recycling at preschool: "mom, you should reuse that bagel bag!!"

Abram was like a celebrity at preschool after missing three weeks from being in Utah. Lots of hugs, everyone wanting to sit by him, moms telling me how excited their kids were when he came back, etc. 

Aila: "Mom! I have my princess dress, my crown, and my wand...and now I'm gonna fight people!" (eek)

We had our first ever official family council with the kids and discussed how to decrease the whining going on around here. Aila suggested dried mangoes as a reward for using nice words and voices. 

Aila, very alarmed voice, "MOM! Emersons eating his spit up!!" Me: "He's okay, Aila." (Insert sweetest, high-pitched voice:) "It's okay, Emers, you can eat your spit-ups!"

Abram pulled out a white almond out of the mixed nuts: "mom, I think this almond came from Russia or the North Pole." "How come?" "Because it's white." 

Abram made a Mother's Day preschool gift, and as all the other mothers opened theirs at pickup on Friday, he insisted on hiding it from me and saving it for Sunday, Mother's Day.  So cute and thoughtful. 

Picked up Abrams soccer uniform...by the time we drove to Costco, he had his shin guards on, and by the time I nursed Emerson in the car, he was all suited up. :)

Aila, the morning after her 3rd bday, "Mom, is I'm three??"

Aila: "I can spread my blankie by myself because I'm a big three-yr-old!"

Me to Aila "you're a smart missy!" Aila: "AND I'm a sweet missy!"

Abram refused his snap peas at lunch, but I told him he needed to eat a veggie. He said he wanted a salad. So I said he'd have to make his own because I was putting Aila and Em down for naps. And I came back out to him eating his spinach, carrot, pecan, almond salad with ranch. ;)

Memorial Day: driving into the cemetery to visit my great gma and gpa's graves, Abram said, "I think these were great people who did what Heavenly Father asked them to do." Sweet, sweet boy.

Abram, "Mom. I reeeeally want a treehouse. When can we build a treehouse?" "Well, we can't build one here because we don't own this house." "Well when will we own a house?" "Houses are very expensive so we're saving up money to buy one someday." "You can use my money!! I want a treehouse even more than Lego sets!"

Emerson: army crawling at 7 months. Absolutely adores big brother and sister. 

Abram strep throat. Me, "I think we should give you some medicine. Does your throat hurt?" Aila, "mom, I need some medicine because my feeling hurts!"

A note from Sis Murazzo, who helped in nursery today: "I had so much fun with Aila today! She and I need more play dates. I think we read 15 books. She kept wanting more and more. She knows her animals very well and we decided she needs a kitten. She called and talked to you on the phone for a while, but for some reason, Ben didn't pick up when she called.  She is so much fun!"

Afternoon at the park: the simple joy of pushing Aila and Abram in the swings; Aila's brown eyes sparkling with pure glee in the sunlight, saying, "faster mom, faster!" Abram's sounds of joy as he swings higher and higher, just learning how to pump his own legs...with emerson on my hip, flapping his little arms in excitement and scrunching his nose in a huge smile as he watches their delight. Then I take a turn and swing with Emer in my lap, and watch his little legs kick with excitement, his wispy hair against my face. And I have the thought: I am living my childhood dream of being a mother, loving and laughing and playing with my kids. My heart could burst. What a blessing.