Hyrum is 5

Hyrum turned 5 on the 7th. We had a party at the house. We live in a neighborhood with a lot of little kids. We handed out 8 invitations and had 19 kids come. I told the parents that siblings who wanted to come could. I loved it. I used to not like throwing birthday parties because they are so much work but the last couple of years I have realized that I don't have to try to impress anyone and kids are going to have fun no matter what I do. So we play a couple of dumb games, open presents, and eat cake. I don't do a theme, I don't spend very much money, and the kids love it. It is a blast and very stress free.

The night before we make a cake of the kids choosing. This is supposed to be a "Little Einsteins" rocket ship. I figure the worse the cake turns out the funner it is to remember it. :)

It was cold but most of the kids ate outside anyway.
Ah the party is over and the sibling fights over the gifts has begun. Happy Birthday Hyrum. We love you!!!!!

Euphamism.

A friend of mine recently had a daughter turn their thermostat up to 90 degrees to keep her doll from getting a cold. He says: "I tried to suggest that roasting her dolly to death was not a viable alternative".

As I read that, I wondered what methods of suggestion he actually used, and whether I should be using similar language when speaking in public of my discourses with my own children.

(Note: I'm not suggesting my friend did anything other than what he wrote. It's just that as I read what he wrote I figured that if I had written it that it could have a completely different meaning.)

So, turning over a new leaf, here's some of the disciplinary action I've had with my own kids recently.

On Saturday, Hyrum and Caleb were rocking so hard on the grandparents' rocking chair that they tipped it over backwards right into the grandparents' curio. It was a beautiful looking curio similar to this with curved glass on the front and glass shelves inside:


They smashed the curved glass to pieces. Luckily, nothing inside was damaged. The grandparents were very gracious about it, and pointed out that it was a blessing that neither of the boys had been hurt. While true, I was more ambivalent. I tried my best to impress upon Hyrum the importance of listening to his elders when they tell him that they shouldn't be rocking on that chair at all.

I'm usually the one to put the two older boys to bed at night, while Amy takes care of Tanner. Putting the boys to bed involves tucking them in and then singing two songs: each of them gets to pick one. Afterwards, I go to my own bed, and the rule is that if they get out of bed again after I've left, I persuade them that getting out of bed is a bad idea and that they should stay in bed. Caleb especially seems to need a lot of persuasion in this area, nor do I think he has gotten the point yet. He seems to be especially thick bottomed headed.

There is hope though. Kait, my oldest with whom I have had many discussions in the past, hasn't needed any of my particular brand of hands-on presentations in quite a while.

Tanner's Blessing and Sledding

Tanner was blessed on Febuary 5th by his Dad. After wards family came over for dinner. It was so nice to have family around. It was a really nice day. Tanner is such an easy baby. He is so easy going. I've never had a baby that wakes up and just plays and coos until I come and get them, but that is Tanner. His blessing was short and simple and the impression I got with Tanner is that he will be unassuming and content in life. The kind of person that blesses those around him just by quietly doing and being but people hardly even realize the blessing came because of something he did or said. He has renewed my love for all of my children in the 2 months he has been here. We love you Tanner.


Rob's work took their employees to Soldier Hollow to go sledding. They had a blast. Thanks Circle Pics

Christmas 2011

Adams Family Christmas Party

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! It was fun.

James Family Christmas Party

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Tanner John Adams

Yeah, he is finally here. Tanner was born November 30th at about 8:25 in the morning. He weighed 9 lbs and was 20.5 inches long. Everything went well with the delivery and both Mom and Tanner are happy to be home. He is cute. Welcome Tanner!