Eddie's #8

Our sly boy is 8!  Eddie is the best strategist, the scrappiest wrestler, the most gentle tutor, and the finest baptism boy you'll ever meet (except you won't because we are home loving life with the corona quarantine).

We sang him "awake" this morning, but his sheepish grin and eyes that popped wide open would suggest that he'd be awake for hours. 

 He received his very own scriptures this year. 

 Eddie ordered crepes for breakfast; no one complained.  Then he "convinced" his best friends to play "SMASH" with him.

 We gathered for a taco lunch; no one complained.

 Then we spent three hours in the yard: We jumped.  We played football.  We played capture the flag.  With lots of chances to win or lose, and lots of chances to be a good sport, only six major fits were thrown, so we pretty much won.  The weather was brilliant, and we are thriving together.

 My apple trees are almost done blooming.

 Oh, we played kickball as well.

 Dinner was lasagna; no one complained.  Eddie wanted an ice-cream roll cake.

 Grandpa B. came and dropped off his gift.  We are so sad they don't get to come over.

We went around the table to tell our favorite things about Eddie.

Austin: He is meticulous about his toys and never leaves them out.

Me: Eddie is very strategic in every game, consequently, he wins most.

Meg: He is a good leader.

Andy: He is always ready to follow my command.

Maisie: He is hard working.

Nick: Eddie is always fun. 

Maddie: He creates the coolest things.

Ryan: He draws the best pictures.

Molly: "Eddie is the best boy in the whole world!"

Eddie is full of huge emotion.  When his is good, he is very very good.  When he is mad, he's very very mad.  We are still learning how to help him work through his anger, but he is worth every bit of fire.  His love language is words, so when we use them to build him up, he stands taller everyday.  We love this baptism boy, and he is ready to begin patient covenant keeping.  God blessed us when He gave us Ed.

Corona Quarantine Week #3

Everyday is our own.  This week the sabbath began by watching New Testament videos in my bed.

 We held our meetings, complete with the emblems of the sacrament, talks, Hymns and prayers.

 We then gathered to listened to Elder Taylor Cleverly testify of his missionary miracles via ZOOM.

 Our weekly Sunday walk beautified Maddie's braid.

 Ryan and I worked together to make a writing plan.  I love his spelling and letters.

 Austin picked up a burn permit and burned five years of yard scraps.

 Maisie made "poop" cookies for April Fool's Day.  They were tasty.

 Ryan and I read an excerpt about a yellow teddy bear, then we drew one via a Youtube tutorial.

 Maisie and Meg pulled out the paints and they gathered river rocks to adorn.

 I propagated some charly and philodendron.  I can't even wait to put it a perfect little planter.

 Austin and the big girls gardened.

 Eddie and Ryan helped me make some chia seed pudding.  They didn't really like eating it.

 Austin took the kids on a hike.  I stayed behind to fold laundry and just breathe.  Most people in the world are underemployed right now.  Me?  I'm working double and triple overtime.

 Wrestling happens after dinner most nights (I do forbid it on Sunday).

 Maisie prepared Ryan's birthday board.

 Meg and Molly often dance during dishes.  Molly surprises us all by the words she knows to "hit" songs.  Poor, little lady.

We're just loving life.

Corona Quarantine -- Week 2

Our bishop gave us permission to partake of the emblems of the sacrament.  We held our sacred meeting around the piano where we testified through song.  Then we each gave a talk about Joseph Smith and the Restoration.

 The back of Ryan's talk was his illustration of Joseph Smith.

 Eddie taught us about when Joseph and Oliver were baptized in preparation for his baptism.

 Maddie spoke of three new things she learned.

 Nick read from the scriptures and testified boldly.

 Maisie made connections with here and now and then.

 Andy used "Preach My Gospel" as the basis of his talk.

 Meg gleaned her talk from her BYU classes.

 Molly and I each spoke.

 Austin read to us about Joseph Smith's character -- he was a prophet, seer and revelator in every action and deed.

 Together.

 The week passed quickly.  We spent time schooling playing and enjoying our endless summer.

 This perfect rainbow was right behind our house.

 We spent many hours drawing.

 These girls tried on Meg's prom dresses -- they must have been really bored.

 Sunny lunch picnics kept us all happily entertained.

 We are all ready for Eddie's baptism.

 Molly got a black eye from Ryan's knee while jumping on the tramp.

 We made a giant cinnamon roll and ate it for lunch.

 Austin and Andy spent hours in the yard.  The spring cleanup was a success.

 Molly has the prettiest natural curl in the bottom of her hair.

 Eddie tutored Molly.

 Andy led his three younger brothers in lynching Maddie's stuffed animals.  They were outside for hours erecting a flag and hanging her poor creatures.

 Nick is on the mend.

 We spent one afternoon baking mini pies.  Each of the children squealed with delight the entire process.

 Naturally, we ate those little pies with heavy whipping cream.

And the week is mysteriously over.  We are just so happy.