Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Things that make you go hmmmm...
Here are some "notes" from the Lloyd family last week...
We registered Nathanael for high school next year. I cannot believe that I am old enough to have one going to high school! Weird! Also, in in P.E. the boys learned how to shoot bows and arrows. They then held a competition for long-range and short-range. Nathanael was one of two that qualified for both the long-range and short-range as a finalist. Then he won the long-range competition the next time that they had P.E. It was kind of funny. (Too bad he didn't get a kiss from a fair maiden! J/K) Nat said that it must have been his Welsh heritage coming through because they are known for singing and being good bowmen. Hmmmm...
Lindsay played in her last soccer game for the year. She is now deciding what she wants to do for next year-to play competative soccer or recreational soccer or just be done. It is a difficult decision for her to make and honestly I am amazed that she has stuck with it all of these years! We have video footage of her playing in her first season. She and another little girl are holding hands, skipping down the field and singing. The ball goes by and they do not even look at it! Hmmmm...
Ethan continues to experiment with food. I found him the other day in the kitchen eating a graham cracker with Nutella on it and dunking it in a cup of milk. It actually looked pretty tasty- but a little odd! He also likes to salt and pepper hard-boiled eggs (not unusual) and put a little garlic powder on them as well. I don't know where he comes up with these ideas! Hmmmm...
Clarissa had to give a talk in primary this week. She usually has no trouble speaking in front of others, however, this time she became very nervous and instead of speaking-she started giggling! It took a little bit of time for her to settle down. It reminded me of how when I was young, I would giggle and laugh when I had to speak in school- and the worst was singing with my dad and brothers in church! We tried to sing, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light" and somone got the words a little mixed up. Well, that got me giggling as well as a couple of my brothers (you know who you are!) and left my dad basically singing a solo! Needless to say, we did not sing a lot together after that for awhile. (Thank goodness we got over that-for the most part anyway!) Well, it seems that Clarissa has the giggle gene. Hmmmm...
Zachary continues to be quite entertaining for our family. When he accidentally gets knocked over, he tightens his abs and his neck so that his head does not hit the floor. However, lately he has been doing little "protests" if he does not get his way. He falls forward on the floor and bangs his head. He then starts to cry because it hurts-go figure! Unfortunately for him it does not work, we all just kind of stand there and laugh to ourselves. Hmmmm...
My "moment of joy" came this week when I came home from helping out at a baby shower. (Travis was gone all evening as well for his calling.) It had been a very stressful night and I was not looking forward to going home to clean up the mess that had been left. When I got home, I took a deep breath before I entered the house to remind myelf to be calm and just "buck up" and get it done. When I entered the house, I was totally surprised to find everything CLEAN!! I instantly knew that it was Lindsay. I rushed to find her and tell her that I love her! She just smiled and said "Happy Mother's Day!" Wow!
I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I know that I am so grateful for my mom and all that she still does for me! She is such an amazing woman and such a good example of a woman of faith, strength, and wisdom.
Cathy
We registered Nathanael for high school next year. I cannot believe that I am old enough to have one going to high school! Weird! Also, in in P.E. the boys learned how to shoot bows and arrows. They then held a competition for long-range and short-range. Nathanael was one of two that qualified for both the long-range and short-range as a finalist. Then he won the long-range competition the next time that they had P.E. It was kind of funny. (Too bad he didn't get a kiss from a fair maiden! J/K) Nat said that it must have been his Welsh heritage coming through because they are known for singing and being good bowmen. Hmmmm...
Lindsay played in her last soccer game for the year. She is now deciding what she wants to do for next year-to play competative soccer or recreational soccer or just be done. It is a difficult decision for her to make and honestly I am amazed that she has stuck with it all of these years! We have video footage of her playing in her first season. She and another little girl are holding hands, skipping down the field and singing. The ball goes by and they do not even look at it! Hmmmm...
Ethan continues to experiment with food. I found him the other day in the kitchen eating a graham cracker with Nutella on it and dunking it in a cup of milk. It actually looked pretty tasty- but a little odd! He also likes to salt and pepper hard-boiled eggs (not unusual) and put a little garlic powder on them as well. I don't know where he comes up with these ideas! Hmmmm...
Clarissa had to give a talk in primary this week. She usually has no trouble speaking in front of others, however, this time she became very nervous and instead of speaking-she started giggling! It took a little bit of time for her to settle down. It reminded me of how when I was young, I would giggle and laugh when I had to speak in school- and the worst was singing with my dad and brothers in church! We tried to sing, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light" and somone got the words a little mixed up. Well, that got me giggling as well as a couple of my brothers (you know who you are!) and left my dad basically singing a solo! Needless to say, we did not sing a lot together after that for awhile. (Thank goodness we got over that-for the most part anyway!) Well, it seems that Clarissa has the giggle gene. Hmmmm...
Zachary continues to be quite entertaining for our family. When he accidentally gets knocked over, he tightens his abs and his neck so that his head does not hit the floor. However, lately he has been doing little "protests" if he does not get his way. He falls forward on the floor and bangs his head. He then starts to cry because it hurts-go figure! Unfortunately for him it does not work, we all just kind of stand there and laugh to ourselves. Hmmmm...
My "moment of joy" came this week when I came home from helping out at a baby shower. (Travis was gone all evening as well for his calling.) It had been a very stressful night and I was not looking forward to going home to clean up the mess that had been left. When I got home, I took a deep breath before I entered the house to remind myelf to be calm and just "buck up" and get it done. When I entered the house, I was totally surprised to find everything CLEAN!! I instantly knew that it was Lindsay. I rushed to find her and tell her that I love her! She just smiled and said "Happy Mother's Day!" Wow!
I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I know that I am so grateful for my mom and all that she still does for me! She is such an amazing woman and such a good example of a woman of faith, strength, and wisdom.
Cathy
Thursday, May 5, 2011
random spring things
I am having a hard time being as consistent as I was when I first started. Oh, well! Just a few "notes" from the last week...
Nathanael's soccer season finally started and he was able to play in his first two soccer games for the Lone Peak freshmen team. The very first game was against Pleasant Grove and his coach was unable to be there -so he asked Travis to coach that first game. It was cold and rainy but they came home victorious! I think that it will be a great memory for both of them.
Lindsay has been working on her Personal Progress goal to help plan meals, help at the grocery store, and then cook dinner for the family for two weeks. She has done a fabulous job and I am sad that it is now over. I enjoyed having a break from making dinner all the time! Cooking is definitely not my favorite things list!
Ethan's soccer season has also started. He is a good little player on defense. In his first game, Ethan got hit in the face and came home with his nose a tiny bit swollen on the tip. He said that he was tough and was able to keep playing even though he got hurt. Poor Ethan! He is always getting hit in sports. One year he was quite a ball magnet by getting hit with the soccer ball (more than once), the baseball, a baketball, etc. It did not matter what he played, the ball seemed to be attracted to his face!
Clarissa has been totally looking forward to Easter! She wrote a letter to the Easter bunny asking him to bring a brother and sister for Jenny in her Loving Family dollhouse family. Jenny is the only one with red hair and she specifically asked that the brother and sister also have red hair. The Easter bunny left an older "cousin" and her horse in Clarissa's Easter basket with a note. It explained that the Easter bunny had a little hole in the bottom of his bag and that he would send the dolls by post (it kinda rhymed with lost)-anyway, that seemed to please her and she is excited to receive a package!
Zachary loved Easter this year! We learned that he loves jelly beans and that anytime he sees a plastic egg, he thinks that there is candy in it! He also enjoyed moving all the eggs out of the basket and putting them back in over and over! It was fun to watch!
My "moment of joy" this week was when we were driving back from my mom's house after doing some fun Easter traditions. Travis put on the group, They Might Be Giants, and all of us started singing along to "Make A Little Birdhouse In Your Soul". It was fun and it was the end of a great day!
Cathy
Nathanael's soccer season finally started and he was able to play in his first two soccer games for the Lone Peak freshmen team. The very first game was against Pleasant Grove and his coach was unable to be there -so he asked Travis to coach that first game. It was cold and rainy but they came home victorious! I think that it will be a great memory for both of them.
Lindsay has been working on her Personal Progress goal to help plan meals, help at the grocery store, and then cook dinner for the family for two weeks. She has done a fabulous job and I am sad that it is now over. I enjoyed having a break from making dinner all the time! Cooking is definitely not my favorite things list!
Ethan's soccer season has also started. He is a good little player on defense. In his first game, Ethan got hit in the face and came home with his nose a tiny bit swollen on the tip. He said that he was tough and was able to keep playing even though he got hurt. Poor Ethan! He is always getting hit in sports. One year he was quite a ball magnet by getting hit with the soccer ball (more than once), the baseball, a baketball, etc. It did not matter what he played, the ball seemed to be attracted to his face!
Clarissa has been totally looking forward to Easter! She wrote a letter to the Easter bunny asking him to bring a brother and sister for Jenny in her Loving Family dollhouse family. Jenny is the only one with red hair and she specifically asked that the brother and sister also have red hair. The Easter bunny left an older "cousin" and her horse in Clarissa's Easter basket with a note. It explained that the Easter bunny had a little hole in the bottom of his bag and that he would send the dolls by post (it kinda rhymed with lost)-anyway, that seemed to please her and she is excited to receive a package!
Zachary loved Easter this year! We learned that he loves jelly beans and that anytime he sees a plastic egg, he thinks that there is candy in it! He also enjoyed moving all the eggs out of the basket and putting them back in over and over! It was fun to watch!
My "moment of joy" this week was when we were driving back from my mom's house after doing some fun Easter traditions. Travis put on the group, They Might Be Giants, and all of us started singing along to "Make A Little Birdhouse In Your Soul". It was fun and it was the end of a great day!
Cathy
Sunday, April 17, 2011
My growing garden
Yes! We are still alive and kicking (some of us screaming as well)! I have been a slacker and not "noted" anything the last two weeks. It has been a little crazy (I dropped a ten-pound weight on my foot!)-but I have found that my children are continually growing -like tender plants in a garden. I hope and pray that I am providing "good soil", enough "sunlight", and enough "water" for them to grow strong and happy!
Nat is getting ready to register for high school next year. I can't believe that I am old enough to have a child that will be attending high school! Yes, I am in complete denial. He also recently turned 15 and is anxious to get his permit so that he can start getting his 40 hours of driving. HE is anxious-Travis and I are not! Oh, the joys!
Lindsay is growing up into an amazing young woman. Last week I was extremely tired after a rough night with Zachary,who had a virus, and slept in (I don't get to do this too often). It was spring break and Lindsay heard Zac and got him out of his crib, fed him, and took care of him until I got up. I am so grateful for her! She had also tried out for the dance company at her junior high for next year and did not make it-she was so disappointed, but was able to quickly get over her sadness. Another sign that she is growing up! It was a lesson that I am afraid will happen at other times in her life-we don't always get what we want and things don't always work out for us the way we think that they will-but somehow things always work out for the best. Whenever my children try out for things, I pray that if it will help them and be good for them, then they will make it. However, if they do not need that experience or if it will not be good for them, I pray that they don't -and obviously, this was not for Lindsay next year.
Ethan is growing up a little bit as well. He is learning that sometimes we have to follow through when we have made a committment, even if something else comes up that we would like to do as well. It is difficult to choose between good, better, and best.
Clarissa is learning that just because we want something, it does not mean that you can just get it when you don't have the money to pay for it. We recently watched "Tangled" and I told her that she looked like Rapunzel at the end of the movie (I won't spoil it for those who have not seen it!). Anyway, when we were at the Disney store, she wanted the Rapunzel doll but did not have enough money to buy it. She was very angry that I just did not buy it for her! However, when we got home, we had a great little talk about not spending money that we don't have and that it is okay to wait for things that we want. When we get them, it makes the object that much more appreciated. This is a hard lesson for a little girl and sometimes even when you are an adult!
Zachary is growing and learning constantly. He came with me to singing time in nursery today at church (just to get him used to coming little by little). The nursery that he will attend in a few months invited him to stay and have snacks. He sat up to the table just like he belonged there! I can't believe how fast they grow! It seemed like Nat was just that age-where does the time go?
My "moment of joy" during this last two weeks came when we finished cleaning out the toy room and reorganizing it! Whew! Spring cleaning is awesome!!! We also cleaned out and reorganized the bedrooms-which is partly why I have been such a slacker in posting this blog. However, the work is well worth it! Learning to work and accomplish goals is just another lesson that I am trying to teach my little garden.
Cathy
Nat is getting ready to register for high school next year. I can't believe that I am old enough to have a child that will be attending high school! Yes, I am in complete denial. He also recently turned 15 and is anxious to get his permit so that he can start getting his 40 hours of driving. HE is anxious-Travis and I are not! Oh, the joys!
Lindsay is growing up into an amazing young woman. Last week I was extremely tired after a rough night with Zachary,who had a virus, and slept in (I don't get to do this too often). It was spring break and Lindsay heard Zac and got him out of his crib, fed him, and took care of him until I got up. I am so grateful for her! She had also tried out for the dance company at her junior high for next year and did not make it-she was so disappointed, but was able to quickly get over her sadness. Another sign that she is growing up! It was a lesson that I am afraid will happen at other times in her life-we don't always get what we want and things don't always work out for us the way we think that they will-but somehow things always work out for the best. Whenever my children try out for things, I pray that if it will help them and be good for them, then they will make it. However, if they do not need that experience or if it will not be good for them, I pray that they don't -and obviously, this was not for Lindsay next year.
Ethan is growing up a little bit as well. He is learning that sometimes we have to follow through when we have made a committment, even if something else comes up that we would like to do as well. It is difficult to choose between good, better, and best.
Clarissa is learning that just because we want something, it does not mean that you can just get it when you don't have the money to pay for it. We recently watched "Tangled" and I told her that she looked like Rapunzel at the end of the movie (I won't spoil it for those who have not seen it!). Anyway, when we were at the Disney store, she wanted the Rapunzel doll but did not have enough money to buy it. She was very angry that I just did not buy it for her! However, when we got home, we had a great little talk about not spending money that we don't have and that it is okay to wait for things that we want. When we get them, it makes the object that much more appreciated. This is a hard lesson for a little girl and sometimes even when you are an adult!
Zachary is growing and learning constantly. He came with me to singing time in nursery today at church (just to get him used to coming little by little). The nursery that he will attend in a few months invited him to stay and have snacks. He sat up to the table just like he belonged there! I can't believe how fast they grow! It seemed like Nat was just that age-where does the time go?
My "moment of joy" during this last two weeks came when we finished cleaning out the toy room and reorganizing it! Whew! Spring cleaning is awesome!!! We also cleaned out and reorganized the bedrooms-which is partly why I have been such a slacker in posting this blog. However, the work is well worth it! Learning to work and accomplish goals is just another lesson that I am trying to teach my little garden.
Cathy
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
warm Sunday dinner
Finally, I have a little time to sit down and write a few "notes" about last week...
Without going into any details, Nathanael has realized that he needs to do his homework even if he can Ace his tests!! Travis and I honed in on his "currency" and we have seen dramatic improvement! Only time will tell...
Lindsay enjoyed the start of the soccer season. Her team won their first game 1-0 and Lindsay was the one that scored the goal. They lost their second game 0-2 but she felt really good about her individual performance! She didn't make the Student Council for next year but I am so pleased that she is confident enough to put herself out there! I regret not having more confidence in myself at her age to try to do more things that I had an interest in-I am pleased that my children all seem to be more confident than I was and that is a great thing!
Ethan asked for and received a mini-doughnut maker for Christmas this last year. This week he has been "The Doughnut Maker" by putting on a Krispy Kream hat and making batches of mini-doughuts! They are especially tasty with a little Nutella on them! Ethan has been telling me lately that he wants to be a chef when he grows up. Why not? He loves to experiment in the kitchen!!
Clarissa has been "practicing mommy" this last week. She has asked me to babysit her dolls several times. When she gets home, she grills me to find out whether or not I have fed her children and taken good care of them!
Zachary has been learning so much lately but he has also tried to give me a heart attack! He has been saying so many new words and also signing to communicate some basic wants. It has been so fun to watch him grow and develop! He says, "hello", "let's go", "I love you", and "thank you" (Sometimes they are a little hard to understand-but most of the time I get it!) I just cannot ask him to do it on demand-he is as stubborn as all my others! However, he is definitely my most wreckless child! Last Saturday he almost made himself pass out throwing a fit, fell down the stairs and cut his mouth, fell off a step stool, and tried to drink some dishwashing rinse! In all cases, I was quite near-I did not just leave him to entertain himself! He is going to make me turn gray and I realized that I need to be right on top of him every minute!!
My "moment of joy" came this week when we were eating dinner at my parents' house just after general conference on Sunday. My mom finally sat down to eat dinner and my dad leaned over to her and whispered, "Very good Dearie!" referring to the dinner of course! Then he told her that he loved her! What a good example! They have been married for 37 years! I felt so grateful to have such great parents and it gives me something to shoot for in my marriage. Thanks Mom and Dad! (Lindsay saw this little exchange as well and said that she thought that it was really cute. She said that it is cute when people are young and when they are older. I then asked her about the middle-age people like her dad and I-she didn't say anything and looked away! There was my answer! Middle-age couples-especially Mom and Dad-are not cute!)
Cathy
Without going into any details, Nathanael has realized that he needs to do his homework even if he can Ace his tests!! Travis and I honed in on his "currency" and we have seen dramatic improvement! Only time will tell...
Lindsay enjoyed the start of the soccer season. Her team won their first game 1-0 and Lindsay was the one that scored the goal. They lost their second game 0-2 but she felt really good about her individual performance! She didn't make the Student Council for next year but I am so pleased that she is confident enough to put herself out there! I regret not having more confidence in myself at her age to try to do more things that I had an interest in-I am pleased that my children all seem to be more confident than I was and that is a great thing!
Ethan asked for and received a mini-doughnut maker for Christmas this last year. This week he has been "The Doughnut Maker" by putting on a Krispy Kream hat and making batches of mini-doughuts! They are especially tasty with a little Nutella on them! Ethan has been telling me lately that he wants to be a chef when he grows up. Why not? He loves to experiment in the kitchen!!
Clarissa has been "practicing mommy" this last week. She has asked me to babysit her dolls several times. When she gets home, she grills me to find out whether or not I have fed her children and taken good care of them!
Zachary has been learning so much lately but he has also tried to give me a heart attack! He has been saying so many new words and also signing to communicate some basic wants. It has been so fun to watch him grow and develop! He says, "hello", "let's go", "I love you", and "thank you" (Sometimes they are a little hard to understand-but most of the time I get it!) I just cannot ask him to do it on demand-he is as stubborn as all my others! However, he is definitely my most wreckless child! Last Saturday he almost made himself pass out throwing a fit, fell down the stairs and cut his mouth, fell off a step stool, and tried to drink some dishwashing rinse! In all cases, I was quite near-I did not just leave him to entertain himself! He is going to make me turn gray and I realized that I need to be right on top of him every minute!!
My "moment of joy" came this week when we were eating dinner at my parents' house just after general conference on Sunday. My mom finally sat down to eat dinner and my dad leaned over to her and whispered, "Very good Dearie!" referring to the dinner of course! Then he told her that he loved her! What a good example! They have been married for 37 years! I felt so grateful to have such great parents and it gives me something to shoot for in my marriage. Thanks Mom and Dad! (Lindsay saw this little exchange as well and said that she thought that it was really cute. She said that it is cute when people are young and when they are older. I then asked her about the middle-age people like her dad and I-she didn't say anything and looked away! There was my answer! Middle-age couples-especially Mom and Dad-are not cute!)
Cathy
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