Conversations with a 5 year old

(in the car)

Drew: Why are we listening to church music?
Grandpa Dance: Because I like it.
Drew: Why?
Grandpa: Because it makes me think of Heavenly Father.

(pause)

Grandpa: Why do you like to listen to church music?
Drew: I don't.
Grandpa: Why?
Drew: Because it freaks me out.

I have never wanted to be a Seminary teacher. In fact, I have even said that it is the one calling, that if ever offered, I would seriously consider not accepting. But of course, I would never turn down a calling. I know the Lord knows me better than I know myself and there is something in every calling for me to learn. Although Seminary is very exhausting and I initially feared teaching teenagers so early in the morning, it has been the students that make me love my calling. I actually look forward to seeing those 4 sleepy faces every morning. I have a great group of kids and they make my calling very enjoyable. If we could have class about 12 hours later, that would be better but I really can't complain. The fact that they make the effort to wake up and come (almost) every day is really a testament to the diligence of our youth. They are faithful, valiant young people and I admire their strength. Anyhoo--a couple of days ago, after mutual, they made me a sign and put it on the chalkboard for me to find when I came in the next morning. So sweet. These are the kinds of things that drag me out of bed in the morning. That, and the weekly donuts. :)

Counting Down

We are going to Seattle to visit Grandma and Grandpa for Spring Break next week. This is normally the sort of thing I do not tell my kids until we are on our way to the airport. That way I can avoid a month's worth of "Is it time to go to the airport? How 'bout now? Has it been a month yet? When do we get to go? Is this like the time when you said we were going to Grandma's house but we were really going to get shots?!" (No, I've never really done that.)
But Drew happened to walk into the room while we were booking the flights so he was on to our plan. The only way he can understand time is to have a chart where he can mark off the days. Every night we mark off one day and then he knows we are one day closer to our trip and he can see how many more days we have to go. He doesn't ever let a day pass without checking it off. After today, we are officially down to 5 days until we leave. We can't wait! (That's his Star Wars drawing at the bottom with the blue and red light sabers and R2-D2 at the side.)

Shear Genius

On the days the kids have Mother's Day Out, I have about 15 minutes from the time I get home from Seminary to the time I have to leave to take them to "school." The time is usually filled with making lunches, finding coats and printing coupons off the computer for my day of shopping with no kids! (Yay!) Needless to say, getting the kids ready falls squarely on Brent's shoulders. I don't take any chances on apparel so I lay out clothes for the kids so as not to end up with red plaids paired with orange stripes and a pajama shirt thrown in the mix. Drew generally picks out what he will wear but we all know what Avery does when she gets to dress herself so that's out of the question. It's the baby version of What Not To Wear.
This task includes doing Avery's hair and I must say he is getting pretty good. The other day, I came home and he had done this: Not bad considering this is what he has to start with. I think he's getting pretty good!

LEGO

The other day, Drew got to pick out a toy at the store because, well, I'm a sucker. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I let him pick out a LEGO Star Wars Space Ship. The picture on the front didn't appear to be a major production so I thought, how bad could it be? The fact that it had 163 pieces didn't really register with me and I thought it would be a piece of cake. Boy was I surprised when I opened it up and it was basically 163 pieces the size of peas and directions meant for a member of Mensa.
I managed to get it done in under 2 hours and only had 6 extra parts. Whatever.
Drew was excited and now after all that hard work, the LEGO space ship is back into 163 pieces waiting to be eaten by the vacuum. Note to self: No more LEGOs for my kids.

Fun in the Snow

As mentioned before, we came home from Hawaii to a pretty good snow storm which I loved!! The kids loved going outside to play and build a snowman. A couple of months ago, we bought a 4-wheeler and we got to take it out for it's first run in the snow in the field behind our house.
(After the snowman was built, Avery walked up to it and gave it a hug and a kiss. We had to build a baby snowman next to it for her.) (Brent caught some serious air off the ramp they made.)
(Too cold for this snow bunny.)
(Drew tried several times to make a snow angel. He just wasn't heavy enough to make any sort of indention in the snow so I finally had to press him into the snow and then he was finally able to make one.)

Houston

While we were in Hawaii, my sister-in-law Kat watched Drew and Avery for us and we are so thankful that she did! The kids had a great time at her house and I got to visit Kat and Jon in Houston for the first time. Kris helped me make the drive to and from Houston and was also able to stay and help Kat out. We were able to stay a few extra days to spend time with Kat and the kids and do some fun things around Houston. Since Jon is in the middle of school, he was pretty scarce, but it was fun to see him too. While there, we were able to go to the zoo and to the NASA space center.

(As we were leaving the zoo, Drew was our guide, reading the map. I thought it was cute so I was laughing and trying to take a picture of him to which he said very seriously: "Could you not laugh at a little boy while he's trying to read his map please?")

(Isn't this the cutest picture?! This is Drew and Sevy. They would just walk around and then stand there and look at the exhibit holding hands. It was so sweet.)

A good time was had by all. Well, almost all...

It was about a 13 hour drive to Houston from Hereford and when we made it back home, Drew said "Wow! That was a long ways from Houston. You should call Kat and tell her to maybe fly next time she comes."
Good Idea.