Poor Dallin catches everything. Porter has the immune system of an ox. Hyrum is rarely sick. But Dallin, he is constantly sniffling and sneezing. The latest cold is a doozy. He was so sick today, he would have to take a break from playing to rest every ten minutes or so.

Then he would get a small burst of energy and keep working on his latest project – Flips. He would take two Nerf gun bullets and stick them together. When one of these engineered missiles is shot from a gun, it does just what its name suggests. I think he’s making plans to market them.

Later, when we ran to the store for more Kleenex, the kids got to pick out a treat. I think Mini Oreos could make anyone feel better.

 

My boys can’t just pop bobbles, they have to destroy them. Whether it be by karate chop, roundhouse kick, or head butt – those  bubbles are busted! Popping bubbles at my house looks more like a violent action movie than the serene scene it should be. Last night, they decided to use some kitchen utensils to get the job done. Dad would blow the bubbles and the boys would patiently until they fell close enough, sneak up behind the unsuspecting spheres and WHACK! Those bubbles never stood a chance.

Of course, it didn’t take long before the littlest stopped hitting the bubbles and started hitting his brother. This picture was taken right after Hyrum whacked Dallin with his whisk. You can barely see him, but Dallin is screaming his head off.

This is Dad telling Hyrum, “Don’t hit your brother!”

And this is Hyrum laughing hysterically about the damage he inflicted. We put the bubbles away after that – too dangerous.

Who knew? I’m actually a hockey fan. Jared, Porter and I attended a game thanks to my sweet sister and awesome brother-in-law and I actually, really enjoyed it. It’s hard not to get into the excitement of the game. The music, the speed, the JumboTron! I was amazed at how fast those guys move. It takes some serious skill to move that fast on the ice. The Grizzlies won the game 3-0. I loved the whole experience and would definitely do it again.

 

Because every good day absolutely must end with “the brother pile.”

 

Porter has been accepted to the Utah Virtual Academy. His last day at public school is Friday. Wish us luck!

My, how things change in one day. Yuck.

It reached a balmy 41 degrees today, so we did what any self-respecting, cabin-fevered, sunshine-starved Utahns would do – we headed outside to play.

Hyrum was thrilled to finally be outside after months of being cooped up in the house.

Dallin borrowed a stick from the neighbor boys to use as a weapon.

Porter emerged from the house wearing only a soccer jersey, shorts, shin guards and cleats. I made him add the coat, hence the pained expression on his face.

Then we played. Soccer, tricycles and superheroes. It was a fine January day.

 

Because sometimes you just gotta crawl into a box.

 

Last night at 9:45, there was a loud, urgent knock on our front door. When Jared opened the door, this is what we discovered sitting on our doorstep:

We stood there for a few minutes in dumbfounded silence staring at the giant leopard on our porch then hauled him inside. There was a note pinned to him that said:

This is Lucky the Leopard. He has been with us for a while.

We have enjoyed his personality and his big happy smile,

But now it is time for him to visit with you

And he hopes he’ll stay and have fun with you too.

We ask that you share him once his visit is done,

So others can meet him and have tons of fun

 

Here are some rules for his care.

Take good note of them or BEWARE.

Lucky likes to wrestle and play circus.

He needs daily loves and kisses.

He is a fierce security leopard (your home will be safe)

He loves hot dogs, cupcakes, and orange juice.

Lucky hates water, pink tutus (don’t even get him started) and socks.

Have Fun!!

 

We left him in the living room, and early this morning Dallin came tearing into our bedroom. “Mom. Dad. Wake up. There’s a bear in our house!” Once we explained who Lucky was and read him the note, they became best friends. Dallin talked about that leopard all morning and I even caught him trying to get the hot dogs out of the fridge to feed Lucky. He cried when it was time for preschool because he didn’t want to leave him. So thank you, to whoever brought us Lucky, he has a friend for life.

This is not a great picture. You can’t see anyone’s face and the lighting is terrible. And yet, it is one of my favorites. After ten years of basements, apartments and leases, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to look out my own front window in my own home and see my three-year-old outside playing Star Wars with our sweet, funny neighbor boys. This fuzzy, distant view of my Dallin fills my heart with overwhelming joy. I am grateful every day for the blessing of having this home and the happiness it brings my family.