Mama said there'd be days like these

Yesterday afternoon there was a melt down on the way home from the park.

Scout hurt her foot on one of the pedal posts on her bike (we took the pedals off so she could learn how to balance and coast.)

She began crying hysterically, and could no longer walk or ride her bike.

I let her sit in the back seat of the double stroller, while Sailor sat in the front seat.

Which, is unstable, the heavier child is supposed to sit in the front.

So, I was pushing the stroller with one hand, and pulling her bike with the other.

Did I mention it was an unseasonably hot day? Until that moment of treking up hill, pushing and pulling, I had really been enjoying it.

Then, Sebastian decided HE was struggling on HIS bike.

Sorry, buddy, there is no more room in the stroller and I have no more hands to carry another bike.

"Sebastian, Don't ride in the street. Get out of the street. Please, get out of the street!"

...he falls...in the street...more crying...

I think it took us about 10 minutes to walk struggle past the next two houses on our street.

As I was encouraging Sebastian to continue riding toward home, he ran his bike directly into my ankle.

I cried out in pain and frustration, just imagining the next hour it was gonna take us to get home.

Which, by the way, was maybe 6 houses away.

I tossed scouts bike to the side, picked up the now hysterical Sebastian.

Tossed his bike to the ground.

And slowly walked/dragged the screaming children home. *sigh*

"MY BIKE! MY BIKE! MY BIIIIIIIKE!"

"I will go back and get them after I put Sailor down for her nap."

Oh, and the stroller tipped backwards...add it to the list, kids.

Now Sailor is crying.

Here are the children retrieving their bikes. Still crying...

I put Sailor down for her nap.

Scout and Sebastian played happily with water in the back yard.

I promptly fell asleep on the couch.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I like to keep things simple.

That way I don't get overwhelmed,

                                                      and the kids can join in...

Construction paper hearts,

taped to yarn,

tied to the banister,

amen.

Pancake Breakfast

Before you are frightened by the batter, let me explain...

We made beet pancakes.

When I first saw this recipe I thought, "Gross...why would anybody want to make a pancake out of a beet?"

    

Then I was intrigued.

Then I read the pre-amble (??) for the recipe.

Then...

I wanted to try them

Sebastian and I are big fans. (So are Grannie Annie & Zoey)

Scout and Sailor are less fans.

But wouldn't they be fun in the shape of hearts for Valentine's Day?

Joy

Today I taught the young women about "the purpose of life".  The lesson was centered on how to find joy. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful. We are here to experience joy! 

 As a youth and young adult, I was focused on a career.

 I didn't want to get married or have children young.

 I didn't even really picture myself as a young mother with small children. I thought it would be more impressive if I had a career. It was hard for me to understand how I could be fulfilled staying home and raising children.

  I stayed close to the Gospel, made good choices and followed The Spirit. That Spirit led me to be sealed in the Temple when I was 22. 

  I did graduate from nursing school because I felt it was important. But more important for me was having children, staying home with them. And loving and teaching them The Lord's plan for them.

 

I have never felt more happiness or purpose or responsibility than I do as I care for these precious children.

 

As I take the time to really stop, and appreciate small moments with my children, I truly feel joy.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

Gunny bag (Gunny sack?)

 I had the pleasure of teaching Joy School last week.

We introduced "Gunny bag."

A little sack, made from a pillow case, with a face.

Gunny bag comes out and eats all the toys that are out of place, then hides in his cave.

After awhile he comes back out and coughs up all the toys.

If they are put right away, the toys are safe.

But...

If Gunny bag eats a toy twice, then it is gone forever.

If Gunny bag comes out and there are no toys to eat, he cries and cries...

The kids loved it! 

Scout loved it for Joy School, but was not too keen on Gunny bag living at our house.

I had to explain a couple times that he is just a bag.

I will always tell her before I bring him out.

He doesn't eat toys by himself, I put them inside the bag.

...Perhaps I should stop referring to it as a "him."

Poor Scout.