Poor People Entertainment

I would NEVER want to sound ungrateful, so... first I should add: thanks to grandparents, friends, your tax dollars, and a very generous Heavenly Father we've always been very well fed, clothed, and sheltered. We're EXTREMELY grateful and blessed.

BUT, there are limitations to being a fund-limited dental student family. Fancy vacations, restaurants, concerts, amusement parks, movie theaters, and just-for-the-joy-of-it-shopping-trips are a rarity. We have to be a little creative with our entertainment because the budget is tight (I'm sure I'll look back on this time as a "character building experience"- which just makes me mad at my future self for even thinking it).

Here's some of our favorite ways to have simple and inexpensive fun:



bubbles!



mermaid, pirate, and sea creature adventures

sand and water: a magical combination

adults need entertainment too

What is it about throwing rocks in a pond?  The kids could do this for HOURS.

 

AND of course, our favorite activity of all... DANCING:

 

I should honorably mention: playdough, moonsand, crayons, puzzles, stickers, bikes, sidewalk chalk, books, paint, sprinklers, bug collecting, sports, cooking, parks, etc., etc., etc.- there's only so many pictures I can take people!


We're so lucky for our health, the warm weather, and so much fun stuff to pass the hours until blessed bedtime.

Easter

We had a super fun Easter with lots of beautiful weather and fun friends, but best of all we had lots of Christ-centered moments with the kiddos.

All of our April family home evenings were about Christ's life and the atonement.  Through LOTS of repetition, it seems like Hyrum is starting to understand the very difficult topics surrounding the Easter holiday. 

We played with these stickers I bought from Oriental Trading (they were VERY bad quality- I'm starting to learn you get what you pay for).  It was still a fun activity though, the kids love anything sticky.

Hyrum and I were lucky to attend our Ward's Easter Primary Activity which was very well done.  They each "traveled back in time" and spoke to people who witnessed the atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection.  Afterwards the kids had a blast with an egg hunt and other games.



Handsome Buddies



Next, we headed to the Walker's annual egg hunt which is highly anticipated because of the fun friends and YUMMY food.

Thanks Nate and Diane!  We'd be very boring without you two!

Finally, on Easter morning the famed Bunny was kind enough to stop by and fill these beautiful bags my Mother-in-Law made for the kids.  She always sends us amazing paper creations to make holidays even more special.  We're so lucky to have her!

Yes, that's toothpaste and toothbrushes.  The Easter Bunny knew we were running low.

That genenerous bunny also left a fun little egg-hunt in the back.  It's amazing the kids weren't egg-hunted-out, but they loved it.  I have a feeling if we did it once a week they'd still love it.

Here's some other Easter activities:

Tape the tail on the bunny

All beautified for church

Egg-dying EXTRAVAGANZA

Ivy isn't excited to pose for another picture



Ivy's preschool egg hunt



We love holidays around here.  Any chance to step away from the mundane, everyday schedule is fine by us (as long as it's for only a few days).  Celebrating the greatest event in history and the greatest man to ever walk the earth was a privilege and a joy.

Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird

The other day Ivy and I were enjoying a lazy morning outside, basking in the sunshine. I made some kind of comment about how pretty the bird song was and her response surprised and moved me: "Mom, those birds are singing for YOU. You need to thank them."

I couldn't believe such wisdom came out of the same mouth that was sobbing about the color of her cereal bowl only minutes before.

It is true, I believe, those birds were singing for us (it might also have a little bit to do with territory, mating rituals, and birdie communication).  But there's a reason their song is beautiful and soothing and transcendent. I think our Heavenly Father sends us little "love notes" in the form of birdsong, blooming flowers, and sunsets- among MILLIONS of other touching sights, sounds, tastes, and smells.

My ramblings are perfectly conveyed in my favorite Primary song:

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

by Clara W. McMaster

 Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav’nly Father created for me.

 He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him rev’rently

For all his creations, of which I’m a part.

Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

These faces are my favorite love letter from a caring and generous Heavenly Father. 

I will be forever grateful.

Delia at 9 months with lots of parental guilt

Here's her stats:

Weight:  14lbs. 6oz. (3rd percentile)

Length: 26 in.  (10th percentile)

Head: 41.5 (3rd percentile)

So, as you can see (if you have the most amazing memory in the entire universe) our petite little girl didn't grow at all and gained very little since her last check-up (thus parental guilt in title).  Just like her big bro, Delia is a PICKY EATER. 

Besides MILLIONS of Cherrios and formula, she hardly ever eats anything.  It's incredibly frustrating and she's usually a grump- most likely because she's hungry.  What's a parent to do?  She's surrounded by yummy, healthy food, but flat out refuses to eat it.

Moving onto the cute pictures... at least she's a cutie:

Sweet piggy-tails

Grumpiness aside, she really is a delight.  She LOVES attention and tickles and songs- especially if any of them involve Ivy and Hyrum.  She isn't crawing yet, but inches closer every day (maybe some nutrients in her body might help).   She loves being out and about, probably because it involes hundreds of people cooing at her and RAVING about her cuteness.  We couldn't imagine our family without her.  We love you Delia!

Hunger Games Update

Just FYI:  Didn't like Hunger Games.  In fact, hated it.  Too violent, gory, and depressing.  Wish I didn't spend hours and hours of my precious time waiting for it to get better.  Wish I just shut the last book and threw it in the garbage.  Bummer.

We're BAAAAK

Well... I've finally decided to tiptoe ashamedly back into the blog world after a LOOOONG blog vacation for several reasons:

1. I've felt horridly guilty every day I haven't updated all the fun stuff going on and cute, ever-changing faces of the kids.
2. I'm not allowed (this is a self-imposed rule) to read anyone else's blog unless I update mine first.  It is an understatement to say I have missed reading many uplifting, funny, and sweet posts written by friends who I can't keep in touch with any other way (and even those I see on a regular basis:).
3. I won't allow myself to read the last book of the Hunger Games trilogy unless I just get it over with and POST ALREADY!

So, a little grudgingly (because the sun is shining, the breeze is softly blowing, and the birds are calling me to come outside, put up my feet, and enjoy a good book while the girls are sleeping) I've decided it's time to write an update.  But, you can probably bet I won't be such a steadfast blogger since the warm weather's finally here...

We had a fun and eventful trip to Utah where my mom threw a super surprising 60th birthday party for my dad (it was SUPER surprising because my dad's birthday isn't until May).   She wanted to involve us out-of-towners and March was the only time it would work.  In true Grandpa Webb fashion, instead of getting teary eyed at the show of love from everyone (some relatives traveled hours for the event), or blubbering about how lucky he was for the honor, he just chuckled grumpily and kept saying, "It just doesn't make sense."  I love my dad- there's no pretense or fuss, there's just him- love him or don't (most choose to love the guy).  I CAN'T forget my mom in all of this- we witnessed first hand how hard that lady worked to pull it off.  Yay Mom!

After the fun party we said goodbye to the kids as they went to stay with their cousins for the next few days.  Bry and I were off early the next morning to Texas to find a house.  It was super stressful locating a great place we could live in for the next three years in just THREE days, but thanks to our awesome realtor we did!  I can't wait to live here!  The people were super friendly everywhere we went and already many ward members have reached out to us, so awesome.

Our new Texas house

When we flew back to Utah it was great to spend time with everyone without the house stress hanging over us.  As always, I DIDN'T TAKE ENOUGH PICTURES!  I never do and I always get so mad at myself.  Between keeping track of all the kids and visiting with everyone, the camera somehow gets forgotten.  Luckily we're heading back in May so hopefully I'll capture more then.  These will just have to do for now:

Hair Admiration

All played-out



Cousin fun



More cousin fun

Rare time with Aunt Kristin from California- she's DELIGHTFUL

Ella and Issac were so sweet to indulge Ivy in her favorite game (ring around the rosies).

When we came home, already missing our Utah families and exhausted from too much travel, it was quite a treat to find our Spring garden waiting for us:

I can't say enough thanks to the Grandparents for opening their doors for us to eat all their food and take over their houses, the families who watched our kids so me and Bry could have an awesome Texas vacation, and everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to catch up with us- even though we're totally boring.  We have such an amazing family, I will never, no NEVER deserve them.