You want some of this?!

Let's see if I can re-tell this story in all it's glory:

First, the background.  Bailey has been upset the last week or so that his friends who come and play everyday are listening to Emma more than him.  Well, this is definetly not the case since Emma comes in crying many a day about the boys not playing with her.  Apparently, when Bailey tries to ride Emma's bike, Malachi and Isaac try to get it back for Emma.  Well, they only do this because as soon as Emma sees Bailey riding the bike, NOW she wants it.  So Ben told Bailey to not give it up and just tell them to basically "back off." I guess this is boy speak as girls do not play this way and remain friends, but for boys it's nothing, just being assertive.  Today, Bailey comes in crying because again, his friends are trying to take the bike.  He says he did exactly what his dad said and it didn't work.  I told him to keep trying until it does and that it isn't anything to really cry about and sent him back outside.  About ten minutes later, Emma comes running back inside shouting "Bailey is going to give Malachi and Isaac a black eye!!!! He's chasing after them with a mean look on his face!!!"   I told her no he wasn't, Emma and go back outside.  Then, a few minutes go by and Isaac comes in "Bailey is going to give us bloody noses and a black eye."  Hmmm, dilemma at this point, because I knew Bailey could not physically do this, nor did he really know what that meant doing.  Although if something did happen, then....  Well, since I was dealing with a puking Nathan, I opted for the "work it out" answer.  And that's what they did--no black eyes or bloody noses.  It instead turned into a wrestling game on the grass.  They were all laughing and taking turns fighting each other.  (I did check through the window just to make sure)  Bailey was as proud as a peacock when he came back inside and before he went to bed, proudly proclaiming that no one was going to mess with him.  Thankfully, the Morgan boys also know that no one messes with them either and they aided Bailey in progressing in his boyhood:)  No children were harmed in the making of this lesson.....

Our Wonderful Saturday

Yesterday, Ben didn't reeealllly have to study, so we took a day off!  Emma had a birthday party in the morning, and we hung out together and Ben worked in the garden and backyard.  We picked up two bumbo seats off of craigslist for way too good of a deal and the girls are loving them...

 

Outside, hanging out in the shade.  

 

This is what I did while watching the kids ride bikes.  I must say, no matter if you are a fan of Dr. Laura or not, I am enjoying this book.  It's called "In Praise of Stay-at-Home-Moms." My friend lent it to me and I'm about half way through.  Emma took this picture of me:)

 

Emma enjoying her hand me down bike from Bailey

 

Nathan is a true maniac on wheels.  I'm hoping to get good video of him soon.

 

Kate and Addison pondering what Daddy is reading. (He's reading about the best place to plant our garden)

 

BEFORE

 

AFTER.

Our salsa/spaghetti garden.  We have everything you need for both!  We're excited to see what happens this year...

More Pictures of us!

 

I love this picture of me and Addison.

 

Addie with "that look"

 

The boys stick together

 

They were not happy to be taking a sibling picture...

 

Look at those blue eyes!

Family Pictures...What is your pick?

So, the story of getting our family picture taken... Well, let's just say that now it will probably not be for a very long time!  Our kids are just in that stage (mostly Nathan) where they are not so interested in me getting that perfect shot.  Here are my two favorites (thanks, Stephanie who could even capture these!)  Which do you like better? Leave a comment...

White Trash Jammies

Ben modified these pjs for Nathan.  It's all about making your clothes work for every season, right?

 

As for the reason he has a jump rope in his mouth, I cannot answer that one!

She's a Smooth Operator....or 'Aint Nothin' But a Gold Digga...

 

OK, so old picture of Emma.  But, I remember this day-I bought her the crown for Halloween and she insisted on wearing it throughout the entire mall and all day.  We all know Emma likes the finer things in life....

WELLLLLLL....

Today, when I picked the kids up from school, Emma told me she found some money on the play ground.  She said it was five cents.  I thought she found a quarter or something until she held up a $5 bill.  I hadn't yet left the parking lot, so I pulled into a space.  After asking her a few more questions, I learned that she did not "find" it on the play ground, but little J Oliver gave it to her.  Apparently, since there is a Book Fair at school, many of the kids are coming with money.  Emma was upset that she didn't have any so J Oliver gave her his money so she wouldn't be sad.  Luckily, my brother had come with me to pick up the kids so he stayed in the car while we took the money back to J Oliver and I told him he was very sweet but he should keep his own money.  Emma was of course upset, but we had a talk about not taking money from people.  *Sigh* At five, already getting boys to pay for stuff for her...

If Ben Dies, I will kill him...

Went to Church by myself with all five kids today. I lived to tell the story.  So, here it is.

Ben started his one week, all day class today.  This meant I had to brave the three hours of Church on my own with the kids.  As I woke Nathan up to put him in the car for Church, I had a thought of how much nicer it would be if I just let him sleep and we all stayed home.  But a little solo flying never scared me before.  I mean, I can grocery shop with all five, so what's Church?! 

I was quite the sight walking in.  I was walking with Bailey and Emma, had Addison in the sling, Kate in the carrier, and Nathan by the collar.  I think that's the real reason for dress shirts.  I got lots of let me know when you need helps from everyone as we walked in.  I told them, sure I'd let them know.  But in reality, when you are in the middle of Church, you can't call out and say "Hey, you over a few rows, will you take a few kids?"  Thankfully, my friend, Tana was sitting behind me.  Her husband had stayed home with their youngest, and her mom was there visiting.  So, when Kate and Addison wanted bottles at the same time and Nathan needed to be wrangled that very minute, she jumped in.  We had a few back and forths, trading out twins for one who would be still with her, and then before I knew it, it was time for Primary. 

Again, I was quite the sight, walking down the hall with Addison in the sling, Kate in one arm, Nathan by the top of his head this time and Bailey and Emma falling in line.  I got the first three dropped off, and then headed back in to the Chapel to get my bag so I could head back into Primary to get my secretary stuff done.  Another friend of mine, Tonya, took Kate for both the second and third hour, and Addison was generally a good sport. 

In shifts we made it back out to the car, and then back home.  We were all in one piece.  But now, my arms hurt, my back hurts (hint to Ben if he reads this tonight!) and I think next time we'll just go to my mother in laws ward:)