Strawberry Days Festival

So I suppose it's a carnival to celebrate the strawberry harvest. This was a while back too. Back in late June I believe. Wow, I'm behind. Here's Chrysa with her butterfly glitter tattoo her auntie got for her.

Matching tattoos. Gotta love it.

She loves her aunt.

And with Orion's bug obsession, I wasn't surprised when he asked for a spider tattoo.

Orion and my dad riding the sizzler together.

In his condition, he probably shouldn't be riding these, but I know he wanted to ride one so bad so I went against my mom's will and shoved my dad onto the ride with Orion before she could say anything. He came off laughing and just plain having the time of his life. I know he loved sharing that experience with his grandson. So much for having a weak heart.

And here's Orion and Chrys on the kiddie dragon coaster. Fun day!

Sticker Projects

So if you were like me as a kid, you loved playing with stickers. Back in April of this year, we bought a big box of foam stickers and the kids went mad making collages like crazy on paper after paper. Above was one of the Easter collages.

This one was made with a different box of Crazy Critter stickers. I was kind of jealous that my kids seemed to be having so much fun doing this that I decided to sit down and create along with them. I remember my mom having stickers on occasion for her sunbeam class that she taught way back when and I always wanted to play with them and wasn't allowed. So I really took advantage of the fact that these were my stickers.

Sadly, I believe I may have gotten a little carried away. I think I may need to channel my creativity in a different direction. I was actually pretty proud of my collage. So proud I took a picture of it. As if this sort of art would really be worth anything. I keep thinking, maybe if I made it really big. Like mural size it might be worth something. Who knows. Some artists these days get paid for peeing in a cup. Kid you not. I saw this in a museum once. I don't know how anyone can call that art. Anyways, here is my sticker collage.

Things I Missed

Some things I missed that I wanted to record here were cousin Taylor and Austin's last days in Utah. I wish we'd arranged more time to play with these cousins of ours but sadly they are now in Connecticut. We sure are happy for them and wish them luck on their next journey in life. And as you can clearly see in this pic, this was April's last days being pregnant with Baby Lillian. More pics to come.

I took my parents to one of Robyn Openshaw's classes and finally got a picture with her. April was supposed to come and meet us there, but this was also the day Baby Lillian decided to make her grand entrance into the world. So this was back on May 26th I believe. I guess I'm finally catching up on some of my blogging.

A Sweet Spirit

They say children are special spirits. I truly believe they are. In just the last few months, Orion's drawings have really developed and now seem to have significant meaning. Perhaps this is something only I, myself as his mother will ever truly appreciate, but I love it nonetheless. So I thought I'd share some of my sweet little boys art some more. These are things I'm sure I will lose over time and so I think this will be a great way to keep it always. In case you can't read what I've written, the above is labeled as Daddy, Baby Hinckley, a Rainbow, spider, and bubbles. Every time he draws things, I ask him, "What is that?" or "Who is that?" And these are the answers he gives me. So I've penciled in the answers. The drawings are all from him. No help from me and no guidance really. I just give him some crayons and paper and tell him to draw me a picture of his favorite things.

This one he said was Jesus on the cross. He's been drawing this one a lot lately. Ever since our FHE on the resurrection during the Easter week.

Here, apparently, was another one.

This was a bunch of red balloons. I know. Random. But I still love it.

And this is Lehi with his Liahona. I guess he loves his Book of Mormon heroes. So there you have it. Four year-old Orion's artwork. Call me a proud mama, but I think I have a special little boy here. And I can't get enough of him.

Why Nap Times Get Tricky

While my parents were still living with us (they've moved out into their own place about five minutes away from us btw, so this makes them permanent Utah residents. YAY!) my three babies were all in one room. Chrysalis is quite the climber. Needless to say, I've had a hard time getting Hinckley down for naps and bedtimes.

What can I say? I think she just really loves her brother and wants to cuddle with him. This obviously makes her happy enough to go to sleepland but Hinckley on the other hand . . . well, let's just say, he finds this too amusing to get any shuteye whatsoever.