Garmisch

Yeah, I know.

I'm behind in my Carter chronicling.

Stop your bawling! I'm on it! Sheesh!

This is Jake's new face when he's bossing me around.

As you can tell, he means serious business!

Ryan, Jake and I were supposed to have gone to northern Italy this past weekend particularly to see Venice at the height of Carnival. Cold temperatures, the flu, and a myriad of other little things had us cancel. We wanted to do something with the kids so Ryan scrambled and was able to find us a cabin at Edelweiss in Garmisch. The kids were beyond thrilled and it was nice to check out the cabins without having to reserve them for an entire week during regular season!

It was going to be a quick trip and with it being a big US four day holiday for President's Day around here, my scrambling to find a Primary sub wasn't panning out. So I told myself I'd just stay home and let them go. Ahhhh, to have the house to myself for over 24 hours would be a glorious thing, No? Ryan didn't like my idea so much and somehow he got me out the door. It's a good thing, because I would have missed out!

At the pool, Morgan finally left the safety of the steps and ventured out to follow her brothers in all their splashing fun. She was very proud of herself and so was I to see it!

As our dinner arrived at the Pullman Grill, Jake was in serious need of being put to bed. A loving older couple behind us caught my eye as I was trying to sooth him in the stroller. They'd been making eyes at Jake from the time they sat down. I asked if they wanted to hold him while we got the kids' dinners situated. I think I made that grandma's day! He was sweet and smiley for them the whole time and I got to eat my dinner while it was hot! I loved looking over and seeing Jake so content in this woman's arms and getting the attention he needed. And she intuitively held him the ways he likes to be held - even cheek to cheek! Often I'm not comfortable with this type of stranger handoff, but when it feels right and saves my sanity -- I'd say it was heaven sent!

After a good night's sleep in the fun cabin, the boys did ski school while Ryan and Morgan went swimming. I sat in the lobby and read, fed Jake and watched people. By the time they were done swimming, the snack shop's hot chocolate machine was back in business. YAY for Starbucks hot chocolate!

Then we ventured out to try an Indian restaurant's take out and hit the jackpot! YUM!!! We ate while watching the boys finish up their time on the slopes.

It was so thrilling to see Easton so confident on skis and proud of himself today! He's what they call an advanced beginner now apparently. He said rather than play on the playground after lunch, he hit the slopes and listened in on the advanced instructor giving pointers. Ryan told him it's in his genes to love skiing.

Both boys were thoroughly tuckered out from a day of fun!

McKay did really well in his class that used the magic carpet. His favorite part was when they had him bouncing up and down to get used to having good balance on his skis. He and his instructor said he was really good at it! This is right after I picked him up. He tells me he'll stop sucking his thumb when he's 8. Alright, buddy.

On the way home, Jake was not too happy stuck in his carseat. At one point Morgan began singing her version of Jingle Bells to him:

Jingo Ba-os, Jingo Baos, Jingp all da way.

Santa bwings us tweats and p'esents,

Jingo all the way! Hey!

Snow Man!

We got some nice fluffy white stuff after Valentine's Day and Easton immediately set to playing in it right after school. McKay was content inside with the BeyBlades all to himself. Jake was down for a nap. Morgan had a choice to make. McKay's a bit territorial with his tops so it was an easy decision. She wanted to suit up and help Easton!

Such a great helper, really digging deep to share the load!

This scene is pretty indicative of many efforts Easton makes around here. He works hard while others . . .

I sure love this kid! He's growing up way too fast!

The haircut

Last fall I seriously debated having Morgan's hair cut into a cute bob. Well, when I watched a couple extra kids for a week, they took care of it for me!

The Story

I had put the two girls to bed at 7:00 and headed back downstairs. Every once in awhile I heard them playing and would check on them or holler up for them to get in bed and no more talking. Finally, I didn't hear them anymore. But then around 9:30 I heard a series of romping or door closings that made me suspicious and I headed upstairs. I found them in the bathroom behind the door with Afton in the act of chopping off Morgan's hair. There were clumps of hair in the sink they'd tried to wash down the drain. Lots of hair on the floor. I was tired and speechless. All I was able to utter was quiet and real low toned, but deadly serious,"Give me the scissors. Get in bed. And do not get up again." They fled in fear for their lives, I'm sure!

After

Morgan's little friend, Afton (3 1/2), actually seemed to know what she was doing. She appears to have been trying to give Morgan the bob cut she herself had. First she cut bangs and was on her way with the bob.

Afton had first cut her own hair before doing Morgan's and when asked why, she told her mom that her bangs were in her eyes. Ha! She had these adorable little angel curls about her ears that were now gone and her bangs were much, much shorter and a bit more jagged than before. But no clips close to the scalp on either of them. I tell ya, the girl has a future!

After the fix

A friend from church is a stylist and makes house calls! Phew! She came over Friday after I got the boys from school. She was able to work her magic while I had all mine plus the two extra kids swirling about the room. Still some chunks that will have to grow out but I can clip them back until everything evens out. She's a cutie!

You better believe the bedtime routine had me more vigilant after this episode! The rest of the week had me sitting right outside their door until they were asleep. My threat was "You talk, I close." As in, I close the door and you're in the dark. Worked wonders! Each peep and I'd close the door a couple inches. Didn't take them long to figure out I was serious. They were out within 20 minutes each time!

Loverly Days

We started our Valentine's on Saturday. Making cards for class and baking sugar cookies, it was a busy, tasty day! We sacrificed cute and classy on the alter of practicing fine motor skills. But why is it that when we do an all out baking day, someone gets the flu hours later? Hmm . . . This time it was Morgan and McKay with Ryan following on Valentine's Day itself. Humbug.

A conversation with Morgan as I got started baking:

Mom, what are you making?

Cookies for us and our Valentines.

Mom, I be your makers helper, awight?

And a great "maker's helper" she was! She insists on pouring every ingredient in for me. Then she watched as I began rolling out and cutting the cookies. After my first go, she wanted her own space to make some. She loved playing with a handful of my scraps and it was just too cute! She had paid close attention to my process and I was surprised at how well she did! We pitted two favorite sugar cookie recipes against each other. Ryan has a favorite and I have mine. Both are tasty, mine has lemon extract in the dough and coconut extract in its icing. YUM!!! Ryan's favorite dough uses powdered sugar and almond extract. It's a tough call!

Here's our FHE and getting ready for giving cookies with their class Valentines. The kids were all about the frosting and sprinkles!

Jake turned 6 months old on Valentine's Day! Where does the time go?!!!

On Valentine's Day Morgan, Jake and I went to help with McKay's class. They did creative stations about magnets before decorating our cookies. Morgan loved joining McKay's class and it was very cute to see him lead her around.

That evening, we enjoyed a special red candlelit dinner all together and I'm happy to report it went off better than a sleep-deprived busy mom could ever expect. On the menu: Five cheese pasta, cherry jello, strawberries and fresh whipping cream, and Martinelli's sparkling cider. I forgot the spinach salad in the bewitching hour that surrounds dinner. Grrr. But everyone eagerly ate what was on the table and not one tear was shed over this meal. "It's a Christmas Miracle!" Alright, wrong holiday, but seriously, HURRAY!!! We went around the table spotlighting each person and why we love them. Besides the wonder created by eating by candle light, seeing the kids' big grins from feeling loved by their family members was my favorite part of the day!

This Week

It's just the little stuff that is our life right now but I see big things in it too. Things that I want to remember and savor . . .

Easton has officially begun Scouts! He participated in his first Pinewood Derby last weekend and thought it was pretty cool. Tuesday night this week he went to his first scout meeting. They learned to fold the American flag and leg wrestle. Easton said he beat all the other Wolves in his den. Since I'm in Primary each Sunday, I get to witness the ladies keeping all the kids in line. It was so fascinating to see these fathers manage lively boys and not get frazzled! I'm so excited for Easton to participate. He looked up to the boys as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Scout Oath. So great to have a good bunch of boys learning to be leaders. When Easton heard the words "scout camp", he officially decided if this group camps, he's IN!

This also begins us trekking up to the church building for youth night. The scouts don't meet each week, more like every other week. I really enjoyed having the time to just talk to Easton without Morgan interrupting! On the way home, I mentioned something about their Carter cousins moving back to Seattle probably this summer. Easton got real quiet and then he tearfully said, "It's like someone is dying . . . Mom, they're my best friends." Oh man! Just typing this again makes me teary! I hope we're able to find good times for the kids to Skype or maybe even play some xBox Live together. I can't believe I'm advocating for video game time, but it's something Easton loves to do with his cousins and Uncle Eric.

The boys get out of school each Wednesday at 12:30 and have tennis lessons at 3pm. This past Monday, we have declared Waffle Wednesdays and we're really enjoying it. Each week I learn a little something new about my parenting. The first week was just for fun. The second week I learned I needed to surrender control of what they put on their waffles and just go with what they wanted. (I'd made a really yummy fresh strawberry sauce and they didn't want it - just the Zarbitter chocolate spread, peanut butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and whip cream - spread separately on different portions of their waffle.) Another week it was about showing the boys and starting Morgan on better using their utensils to spread stuff, cut, and eat their own waffles. They were highly motivated and at lunchtime I have more energy and patience to teach than I do at dinner. I can't remember the other couple of weeks specifically, but yesterday I found I needed to start teaching better table etiquette. How to ask for, pass, and thank people for items needed. It's been such a great experience for us and I'm sooooo grateful for our Waffle Wednesdays!

Morgan had to have a cavity worked on and in two previous attempts, she wouldn't let the dentist do the work so we had to put her under general anesthesia. Good grief what a long day! Arrived at 9 for the appointment and didn't leave until 1:30 - and she couldn't eat before or until we left. The observation period of two hours after the procedure were torture because she was needy and hostile. Good thing I love her. The best part was after they gave her the silly juice before the anesthesia. She got real dopey and had me sing to her for a half hour. At one point she looked up in to my face and said, "Mom, you have two eyes." Thanks, sweet girl!

I've officially given up for now on putting Morgan in German kindergarten. The daily battle to get her out the door and to stay there was wreaking havoc on my psyche and my love for her. I often expect too much of her and need to tone it down. So I've started doing "preschool" with her at home for the past few weeks and she loves it. I love it because I'm trying to make more attempts to spend quality time with her. We do a couple different things, but the easiest part of it is starfall.com each day. A homeschooling friend showed it to me a couple years ago. We do our calendar, letters, numbers, colors, and stuff on there together. Once I let myself let go of German kindergarten for now, a sense of sweet peace swept over me. We might try it again next fall and I've requested she be put in the class with our German neighbor and with the teacher who speaks English for me. We'll see if it comes about, but for now this decision is saving my relationship with Morgan at this time.

The kids got Christmas money from my parents that they've been eager to spend. We were at the PX and looked for BeyBlades - the newest craze to hit their schoolyard break time. Essentially they're tops with a ripcord. They each bought two and were so excited! McKay is obsessed and I love overhearing his battle conversations, even with himself as he talks to his battling tops. McKay has a hard time focusing on anything because he can't get enough -- eating meals, getting ready, and so forth. It's real fun for a busy mom, but a great threat or bribe! Ryan returned from a short trip to the States for a conference and brought the kids 8 + the stadium. Easton declared it the best day of his life AND in another moment of sheer joy dopily said, "I love my family!"

Jake has officially left the carpet -- that is, the small area rug we having in the living room or playroom. He is a scooting machine! He also had his first table food -- mashed avocado. Yep, this kid is growing up! He's still nursing like a champ and we're still trying to get the sleeping through the night routine down. I often wonder if my milk is good enough, if I sit still long enough, and all sorts of "enough" evaluations that I have to tell myself I'm not messing him up. Yet. There's still plenty of time for that. The pediatrician hasn't raised any red flags yet so we'll take his word for it. I love that Jake loves to kiss and snuggle in now and then. Man I love babies!!!

I'm learning to make tasty dinner rolls from a friend who's an expert. My first attempt on my own wasn't the greatest, but they were yummy still. Guess I'll just have to try again!

I've also started playing soccer once a week with some German ladies. It's just indoor pickup essentially, but I love it! I get a real thrill out of a well-executed attack and score, a good defensive delay and steal, the feeling of working together with a team. I'm soooo out of shape that I have to keep my expectations of my body in check, but it's got me pulling out the workout videos to help with that so I can enjoy playing soccer that one night a week. They play Mondays at 8:30pm and while it may sound less than ideal, it's perfect. I don't have to wrestle kids there or find a sitter - except when I had my neighbor come over to watch this past Monday while Ryan was out of town. I wish they played twice a week but this is probably for the best. I just enjoy playing so much more than "working out."

I'm also really enjoying preparing my lessons each week for my primary class. Fun to be back in the Book of Mormon! I love having the weekly deadline pushing me toward daily scripture study. I love applying the things I read to myself, my family, and the lives of the girls in my class. I have 11 girls with another moving in soon and the set of twins bring their neighbors. It's a full room and I have to bring my A game to keep them engaged but they seem to enjoy my efforts. Ryan's got Elders Quorum to direct so we often are swapping Jake week to week. Good thing he loves the sling so I can have my hands free! My girls are eager to pass him around, but I'm not eager for the distraction or a host of new germs to join our family. A couple of the girls also have serious food allergies so I'm stumped on what I can bring for treats. Oh well, I've never been good about that being part of my repertoire!

I should write something about what Ryan's up to but he just got back from his work trip and has a "table top exercise" this week so we haven't had much time to catch up. He's still eyeing tennis lessons because we really like the boys' instructor and he loves that workout. We haven't gotten in much skiing as we'd planned, just too much going on. We're both wanting to shed some pounds and trying to figure out our approaches. He's been calendaring our travels for this year and has conceded that I'll take the kids home for a good chunk of this summer. I'm soooooo excited!!! Down time with my family is much overdue and I had a hard time justifying asking it because, Hello! We're in Europe with all its destinations and the expense of going home! I did such a good job selling the trip to him that now he wants to come too, at least for Matt's wedding when he'll get to see everyone and be present for family pictures. Again, this became about me -- sorry. Ryan, you'll just have to write on this here blog if you want your life story told ;)