Eleven

 

 This young lady turned eleven the other day.

ELEVEN.

And, although the thought of middle school in the Fall makes me want to throw up a bit,

she is magnificent, ready for the challenge.

She is and absolute gem. 

We couldn't have asked for a more awesome first child.

Happy Birthday, Rylee!

Date Night

Last Friday afternoon, I drove across town to pick up Ryan's first sign.

That evening for date night we went and put the sign up at his first listing.

Now, because Ryan is such an awesome realtor, there was already 

an offer before his sign was even up.  How's that! ;)

Let's rock and roll!

Energy Profiling

Remember this post?

Have you read the book yet? Forget about Dressing Your Truth right now and let’s talk about energy profiling. Let me share what I’ve learned about my kids, when I honor their true nature. (And by the way, you’ll see that word A LOT.)

Rylee: I have learned that Rylee is a very black and white thinker. Either is right or it’s wrong. Not all the types think this way, but she certainly does. Her striking beauty is noticed by all. I’ve learned when Rylee starts to break down, it’s usually because she isn’t feeling respected. Respect is huge for Type 4s. They have the most still movement and need the most time to themselves to gather thoughts and be reflective. Rylee finds the most balance when she has at least 20 minutes of alone time. (This is usually spent at night when she stays awake reading in a quiet, still house. For Ryan, it’s in the bathroom in the mornings.. ;) She’s responsible, and has a keen sense of perfecting things; naturally making things better. She’s very mature for her age and often prefers staying near adult conversation.

Clay: I think Energy Profiling has helped me the most with Clay. He’s a natural envelope-pusher and (naturally) has the most self confidence. He’s active/reactive by nature and just loves to make people laugh. While this can be most distracting sometimes when it’s not channeled properly, I’ve learned that he needs an outlet. Hopefully not by pushings others’ buttons, but healthily getting the results he wants. He naturally moves in a swift, push forward direction at getting things done. If it’s something undesirable, he puts in just enough effort to get himself through and finish. As a Type 3 he’s a natural entrepreneur and with a strong secondary Type One, everything has to be fun. (This kid does not go one day without praying for FUN).

Kaycee: I’m trying my best to not stifle Kaycee in her natural Type 1 movement. Being the same type, I can understand her buoyant upward/outward energy. I don’t recall being told much to settle down as a kid, but I have to catch myself with her. She’s such a source of brightness, light and fun. She’s great at letting things that bother her roll off. She’s creative, constantly coming up with ideas, and moving onto the next thing. She’s certainly the most adaptable to environments and people and just sparkles.

Lucy: I figured out Lucy’s movement first, of all the kids. The more blended, smooth features of her face and the way she naturally moves more slowly. Even from her birth she has moved at her own pace, beats to her own drum. I have the hardest time trying not to rush her. Even with swimming this year I have to stop myself from telling her to hurry up. She’s prone to more sensitivities – especially when I brush her hair. As a toddler I would put a brush to her head and she’d pull away “ow.” In her Type 2ness, I need to be more aware of her comfort. If there’s one key word for Type 2’s, it’s comfort. So many times I’ve rushed her out the door for school and she’s so concerned with her socks being uncomfortable. (I’m getting better.)

Olivia: Another Type 3. Olivia and Henry took me the longest to figure out because I thought I couldn’t type them so early. Wrong. It’s amazing. Miss Olivia is a button-pusher, too. When she gets angry, she rages. Not for long, then she’s ready to move on. It’s entertaining, on some levels as I let her express herself and letting her get all fired up. Of course, within reason. Just this morning, we were at the pool for practice and she was getting so upset that I didn’t have the snack she wanted. She pulled a chair over, knocking it down in her rage. I almost started laughing with how she was reacting, but then was able to calm her down by validating her frustration. (Not tossing the chair though.) This little miss certainly does not like being told what to do – as no Type 3 does, but give her any sort of challenge to get something done, she’s pull through nicely.

Henry: Mr. go with the flow, random, smiley, all over the place, little boy. He’s SO happy. I love watching this little boy light up when he smiles. He can be a little explosive when he can’t convey what he wants, but is pleased as punch when I can figure it out. True to his Type 1 nature, he’s random and spontaneous in whatever he does. This boy adores shoes. Every morning he comes in my room with shoes ready to go. Although they’re rarely matching, we just go along with his fun-loving self. He’s starting to give me a run for my money with his energy, but as a Type 1 myself, I think I have a good idea how to keep up.

Well, congrats for reading all this.

Do you have an idea of what type you may be?

Or, what about your kids?

I’d love to hear.

Kaycee’s 8!

Needless to say, it was a HAPPY day.

A Happy Memorial Day

A Happy Birthday

and a

Happy Baptism Day.

Someone is SIX today!

 

LUCY!

Happy Birthday!

They Make Me Laugh

Clay sees Ryan and I kissing in the kitchen while he's getting something to eat.
Clay: Can you NOT do your love in the kitchen.

Yesterday at church, in Sacrament meeting, Lucy lays her head in my lap and says, "the Spirit is so heavy."
I chuckle. 
I chuckle even more when I realize that she really said, "this braid is so heavy."

Olivia yells to me that Henry has a poopy hand.
I come and see Olivia holding Henry's arm.
Olivia: He's all yours.

How He Rolls

This kid cracks me up.
He's growing right before my eyes.
He understands it all, yet he's a boy of few words.
It doesn't matter to him though, he still knows how to get what he wants.

This is how he rolls.

Like:
getting the best seat to the oranges.

 
busting out the front door at EVERY opportunity.
loudly proclaiming meeeeee (please) to a second spoonful of Nutella. (or any other treat.)
flinging our bedroom door open, but whispering mama, mama when I'm asleep.
sitting on the potty like he sees everyone else in the house do when he comes sauntering in, clearly uninvited.

his ecstatic ooo's and ahhh's to life happening all around him.
yipping like a dog and crawling on all fours.
racing to the car to NOT get in his car seat. Olivia's is much more appealing.
his stillness when Tangled is on.

his faces
his love of fruit snacks. More of an obsession, I'd say..
racing to me with dirty fingers - poo poo. Hence, the onsies..
running to his bedroom window to watch Dad, or the kids come and go.

Not matter how he rolls, we love this kid.
Absolutely adore him.

Checking In

 I had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday. I am so blessed. I hope you had a lovely day, too. 

Our weekend was a little crazier than usual. Spring time is here and so are the birthday parties. Rylee, Clay, Kaycee and Olivia had birthday parties this weekend. Of course, the kids always love birthday parties, and I'm finding May is turning into December with all the gift giving around here. We've got two more parties this weekend - not to mention, Lucy's birthday coming up next week and Kaycee's birthday and baptism just days after.

And who can forget all the year-end activities and teachers' gifts at school! May is busy. This week is our last week of school so it means activities galore. I've got every single thing penned on my calendar to make sure I don't miss a thing, or forget anything I'm supposed to bring to these said activities. Sure hope our bank account holds up. ;)

Ryan and I were able to make some great head way in one part of the backyard. We built a bit of a retaining wall and have been able to level out our greatly sloped yard. I'll finish the rest of the leveling today and I think we just might be able to get the play-set up and running tonight. The kids have been patient and I can see the hours of play throughout the summer. We're crossing our fingers for no broken bones or knocked out teeth - Henry has already learned to climb up the ladder to the tower. Next purchase: buying a baby swing that he hopefully won't be able to get out of... who are we kidding.

Oh, the joys!

A WICKED Time

Rylee and I went to WICKED last night we our dear friends.

To say we LOVED it would be an understatement. We had such a fantastic time – what talent!

This picture is completely fuzzy, but look how close we were! We were the 5th row back, in ‘limited view’ seats, but so worth it.           I can’t wait to go back with Ryan

Thanks Camille & Maddy!

Number 3