A Preschool Graduate

 We're just speeding through May and trying to keep our head above water.

We finally fit in haircuts this week, which was long overdue. Camden did a great job as George Washington in his preschool graduation. We were so happy Michael could come, which was just so lucky thanks to a gap in his schedule at just the right time. We've been trying to find some new sitters for Luna and Rover meet and greets take lots of time and coordinating! I'd happily have two dogs in the future if it didn't mean leaving two dogs when we leave. That's the tricky part.

My favorite Asher quote lately:

"I'm going to try all the things in the world. You know, all the "besserts."

"Oh yeah, like what?"

"You know, cake. Ice cream. Apple cider. I don't know what else."

These cute quotes help make up for the aggravating times... like when he won't even get in the water at swimming lessons. He finally put some legs in when I bribed him with an ice cream cone... #fourthchild.

I can't believe Camden is done with preschool! He liked his two years at Harmony. He's such a cute guy.

Always wants to start the day with cards!

My karate guys. Plus Asher.

Haircuts are always such an event. 

I took this meal to some missionaries and I was wishing someone would bring me this :)
The macros are lost on those guys.

My little George Washington in his patriotic preschool graduation program.

Michael had an unexpected gap in his schedule right during graduation,
and it was the happiest bonus to have him there.

Haha they didn't want to drop him back at work.
They just want to keep him all day.

Someone got an ice cream bribe to just GET in the water at swimming lessons.
That face...

Learning Grit

This week's highlights were Westin's piano recital, having Gary over for dinner during his work trip, going to Denver to see Ben Rector, going to a Comma event in Denver and meeting some people I work with in person for the first time, and being with friends at Marta's graduation party this weekend. 

Friday was a teacher work day and I liked having the boys home. They're really playing so well together. I started physical therapy because I can tell I just really did a number on my ankle. It makes me really sad and I have not been my best self this week because of it.

Westin had SO much fun on Friday at a birthday party for Jensen. I love how much he loves playing with his friends. He went to tennis solo on Saturday -- our joint lessons were short-lived! I don't think any tennis or pickleball will be happening for me the rest of the summer. But nothing to do but rest it up then get a little stronger every day.

Westin wasn't too pleased with how he did at his piano recital and I was just so proud of him. I want him to see that effort is what matters and not the actual performance. He's come a long way and I just want piano to help teach him grit so that he can have that everywhere else he needs it in life. Sweet boy.

All the kiddos in our neighborhood made tie-dye shirts together on Sunday.
We're lucky to have such great neighbors.

Another piano recital for Westy boy. He did a great job!

Finally bringing home a Buc-ee's Beaver! 
He's been wanting to choose this as his prize for finishing 100 lessons to read.

These boys had a great time at a Jensen's birthday party.

This sweet morning guy. He adds such a vibe to our early wake ups and workouts.

Michael told me he was going to get rid of this shirt... that he's had since high school. 
I told him to give it a good thank you and send it off #konmari
He's so funny. Also how fun to have a cute big family with zero bodily changes.

We tried a new chicken sandwich place in Fort Collins (because Westin loves to keep mailed coupons) and they had a free play arcade machine. These boys don't see many video games and I'm fine with that :)

Some wrestling after a neighborhood tie-dye night 

Mother's Day with the Bad Ankle

We started this week with Bennett's Old Town Fort Collins field trip, which is a second grade thing here that I just love. They learn about our town's history during the year and in May they go on a walking field trip all through downtown, with parents at different spots all along the route to teach about the history of certain spots. My friend Jamie watched Asher so that I could go teach about the old train station that is now a Brazilian restaurant :) 

Bennett is loving karate. Westin is liking tennis and not loving piano. Asher is a hilarious chatterbox and Camden is such a sweet little guy. These guys all play with magnets together constantly and they're so creative. I think the little boys' favorite part of the week was when we rescued a bunny out of our window well. The cutest little thing!

On Saturday Michael had to go to Denver for the day for a CDA meeting. I ran Westin to tennis, ran him home, put Asher down for his nap, then rushed over for my tennis lessons. I was having SO much fun and just thinking about how happy I was to be doing something new and feeling healthy again after years of not feeling like myself. Then in the last two minutes of lessons I jumped up to return a ball, and came down completely on the side of my ankle. The sound will haunt me. I hit the ground with instant nausea and just knew I had really messed it up. I felt so, so sad. My first thought was, "I don't have time for this."

My tennis people (who are basically strangers, let's be honest) were so kind and helped me hobble over to a bench, then 15 minutes later someone helped me hobble to my car after my nausea had faded. My drive home was full of lots of pain and tears. And I hobbled to the couch and didn't leave it for the next 12 hours. Westin was so sweet. I had pizza delivered for the boys from the couch. I texted Michael a bunch of discouraged messages. I was just so sad that I sprained my summer. And going on walks does so much for my mental health. 

Sunday it was feeling and looking worse so I went to the Urgent Care, but they luckily told me it wasn't broken. Just a sprain that I'm sure will take a while to heal. I sprained my summer.

That was the shortest tennis career... dang it.

But Mother's Day was still really sweet with my cute boys. I think it was considerate of me to need extra pampering on a day I am supposed to have extra pampering. Well-planned. Michael doesn't usually carry me up the stairs on Mother's Day but maybe it's a new tradition.

Morning chatterbox.
I love tired eyes and stories of dreams.

This new mural downtown warms my heart. I love where we live.

One of my forever favorite meals.
Just a greek chicken salad, but always happy to eat it.

Nursery trip with the little dudes.

Asher always tells Michael to stop at Starbucks and check for coffee grounds for the garden.
Michael almost always obliges.

Just want him to fit on my lap forever.

We have never seen anything like this!
We cross this bridge every day to school and the ditch never has any water in it.
SOMEtimes there will be just a tiny bit. 
It rained and rained and rained and the water almost reached the bridge. One of the trees got struck by lightning at the school. Such a wild storm and I just LOVED it.

Oatmeal buddies. Asher wanted to eat like that.

Camden had a farm field trip and he had such a good time.

Spinning cutie. A little girl came up to help me spin him and he immediately shut it down haha.
This kid trusts mom and dad, MAYBE brothers, and that's it.

A new little window well friend! I kept thinking I saw movement when I was vacuuming in the basement and sure enough, there was this little guy. 

I climbed in and rescued him (with gloves and a fast-beating heart because #creatures) and Camden and Asher cheered me on. Really such a cute little thing.

These boys are train obsessed so we went to Sugar Beet Park and had a few good sightings.

My view... swollen and bandaged and feels like I sprained my summer.

I love this bench crew of mine.

Best Mother's Day flowers

End of a (Stroller) Era

 I love these boys.

This week we packed away our stroller and our rocking chair and those are no small things.
So many sweet moments in both. And both were given to us, which just shows me how carried we were through all those busy baby years.

Our little guys play games all day. Westin and Bennett are seeming bigger and busier. When I run errands or go to parks or libraries, I'm fully aware that these are the last few weeks of just Camden and Asher at home. Soon the crazy summer comes and after that we'll have to share Camden.

This is a sweet stage.

Camden was so brave this week. For literal months we've been meaning to take him to Michael's office and numb up his cute little foot and get rid of a couple warts. But we've learned life never neatly gives you the moment that feels right to do that. You're either too busy to do it, or you have time and you decide you'd rather not trade watching the Great British Bake Off with all your cute boys to drive to the office and traumatize one of them. 

But finally we did it, and he was so sweet and brave. He just wanted to hold my hands and kept telling me to do the ABCs with him. I can't believe how my heart feels when I watch one of my boys do a hard thing. Those hard things will look like many different kinds of hard throughout their life but they're always them doing their best at something really challenging. My heart. I just love them so much.

These guys play games SO much and I feel sad when I think about Camden in Kindergarten next year!

My last picture with my rocking chair.
This chair was given to me by a coworker in Indianapolis. We were so grateful for it.
I rocked all four babies in it, nursed them a million times at all hours of the day.
I have endless pictures taken from this angle with a sleeping baby on me.
Today this rocking chair is headed to our youth fundraiser garage sale to live another life.

Annnd the stroller.
I cannot believe I am done with this stroller.
This was given to us by Michael's sister, Shelley, and I have put miles and miles and miles on it.
Babies on top and toddlers in the back. Two toddlers. Or one toddler in front and a diaper bag and balance bike in the back.
Just last year I was using it on our walks for when Asher couldn't quite do the two miles on his balance bike. But now we're all done with stroller walks. I still have one little travel stroller I'll keep for long zoo days or Disneyland, if we ever get the energy for that, but this sweet double stroller has finished its busy life with us. I cried giving this away... I wish I knew all the miles it has done.

These big boys obviously don't need that stroller anymore!

Little library days

Changing sizes of clothing is SO MUCH WORK.
Seasons and different body types and brands that do sizing differnetly.
It just should not be the job that it is, I'm convinced.

He picked out this tiny turtle at our ward rummage sale and he loves it very much.

Brown butter rice crispy treats for the bake sale.
I never would've guessed these would be one of my favorite treats but they are.

I would like to never do a ward rummage sale again. Ever.

Asher asked that all of his brothers come get him when his nap was done,
so all of his brothers did. So sweet.

My sweet guy. We've been meaning to head to Michael's office forever,
and get some warts on his foot taken care of. But there's just honestly never a time where that sounds convenient or appealing.

Finally got it done. And he was SO brave. Such a sweet boy.
He kept asking me to please hold his hand and do the ABCs with him. 
I just love him so much.