Little Stuff

Max shows some regression, sucking on the binky that

was given Leah in the hospital. Leah never liked it so

Max promptly claimed it as his and sucks on it periodically

Sam merges science with art. He was burning holes in leaves.

Leah is all smiles. She continues to charm everyone.

Okay, maybe I haven't updated in awhile. Maybe I've been busy. There is the daily cleaning of Leah and her car seat after she has a blowout. There is also four different school start times for five children attending those schools. There is the daily running of children to gymnastics, horseback riding, football, Scouts, and Young Women. And of course the daily struggle involving forcing children to practice piano, viola, chores, and homework. And then of course feeding the kids and husband, cleaning the house, and yard (ok, I let the yard go this summer), exercising, laundry, clothes shopping, season ski rental, and what else? I thought I was not quite on top of it, but surviving. WRONG!!

Sometimes, all the little things come to a head and you realize, something or someone, is falling through the cracks. So my biggest stress at the beginning of the week was my dishwasher. It's leaving hardwater deposits on everything. It's supposed to be a time saving appliance. This week it turned into one more research project. I've been running vinegar cycles and searching the internet for solutions. I found another one today and I will try it out after I go to the store for some supplies.

Max is not the one slipping through the cracks. Despite his pacifier, he has adjusted to life as a five-year-old very well. He loves kindergarten. I went to his class this week to help and noticed that not only is he the tallest in his class, but he is the tallest by a long shot. Maybe he was right and he could have skipped kindergarten. I myself could do with having him at school all day. He adds in his head (told me how many tacos I would need to order a couple of weeks ago when I was at the drive through) and is ready to start reading. Does his own science experiments on grasshoppers. Has now become Max the Magician and is constantly wowing us with his tricks. He even manages to stay on the offensive line in blocking position during his flag football games. But I'm really determined that peeing his pants in first grade might just be a defining life moment (in the negative). I think his kindergartner buddies will tolerate his pee problem better.

Cara has adjusted to life as a high schooler quite well. She gets herself up early for seminary. Her knock on the door in search of my straightener every morning serves as my wake up call. She practices piano and does most of her chores voluntarily. If not on her own, then as soon as I ask her to do them. She keeps track of her homework and gets it all done. If she needs to retake a math quiz, she does it. Basically, she is absolutely the perfect teenager. She doesn't want a cell phone because she says she doesn't need it. She is not preoccupied with boys, in fact, she barely tolerates them.

So it must be a hard act to follow for Sam. I was the seventh child. I came after my older brother, Richard. No offense, Rich, but thanks for making it easy for me. All I had to do was be a little better than him for my teachers to love me. Honestly, it wasn't difficult. So that is why it was easy for me to cut Sam a little slack last night when the walls came tumbling down. We were on our way to his football game. In an effort to follow the lesson of a recent RS meeting, I turned off the radio and tried to connect with Sam. I asked him about homework and was informed that one of his projects was a little late. He had forgotten his binder so he couldn't turn it in. I asked if he had any more missing assignments. He didn't think so, but he would check his grades when we got home. Well, after we got home, and we read as a family and I was putting the little boys in bed, Sam checked. Let me just say that Cara's B- in history was not a concern. In fact, it was downright comforting. Let me just say that in a few of his classes, Sam skipped the first three letters of the alphabet. Not because he's not smart, the kid is brilliant, just check out his perfect math score, but because he's disorganized. After the fallout, I checked out his habits. His binder is a mess. He doesn't write anything down regarding assignments and when they are due. So sweet Cara (who is always the bunt of Sam's jokes) came down after her shower and proceeded to organize Sam. I told Sam to tell his teachers he would be working on his assignments over the weekend and turn them all in next week. He said, "So you want me to suck up?" I said, "No, I want you to tell your teachers you are working on catching up. So they know you care." He said, "That's sucking up." I said, "Then, yes, I want you to suck up." So Sam will be working on making up assigments for the next while. Not sure if he will see the outdoors. Which means, I will be working on making Sam make up his assignments. I will be even busier for the next while. Wish me luck.

And yes, six children is definitely more work than five!