Animated Ruckus Turns 4!

Taking a ride with Dad to begin the celebration

We partied at the park and Little C was trying to prove he could move the picnic table all by himself.

It turned out he needed a little extra help - I'm sure it was all the Baby.

Dressed in some of his b-day spoils that he so kindly shared with Lou. (p.s. Lou is wearing the present he  picked out for Ruckus - I know with a surety this was more than likely a premeditated-Lou-plan)

All Ruckus wanted for his b-day were lollipops. No joke. He was thrilled when he received a larger quantity than any 4 year old should be in possession of.

Little C sitting atop his perch at the park.

Finishing the celebration off with a "personal ice cream cone cake".
(Takes zero work and the title makes your child feel like a million bucks :)

Insistent upon eating his serving from the bottom.

There's my sweet ham face boy! 

Dear Little Ruckus,

You simply melt my heart you little stinker. I think you make me laugh at least 57 times a day. You are so clever and witty... you were born with an art for the comedic and it lightens my load.

A couple months ago we had to shave your head completely bald after you decided to do a self makeover with a pair of scissors. About a week after that you got the worst - absolutely no warning - diarrhea when we were in the middle of Fred Meyer. I whisked you off to the bathroom stall where we threw away your very non-salvageable underwear. Once you realized you'd have to put your pants back on without an under garment you freaked....

because...

this meant that you must be an alien.

Because aliens are bald and they don't wear underwear!

You were crying.

I was laughing.

Trying to explain to you that you were very much a human...

and no lack of hair, or underwear

would ever change that.

Your creative mind.

I love it. 

You cannot get enough of dressing up in various costumes and you must have a container filled with all sorts of treasures with you at all times. 

You are an observant fellow; silently, almost secretly learning.

When we do "school" at home - you sit there, sometimes responding but mostly it appears as if you couldn't care less about what we're discussing until a few days later you bring something up, or we're reviewing the previous lesson taught, and you know all the answers like you'd been an obvious active participant the whole time.

It amazes me.

You're a very smart boy.

You could play all day with your brothers. You enjoy them immensely but you're not a follower. If there's something else you'd rather be doing you're not afraid to say so which can be quite bothersome to your older brothers. But mostly you're just easy going -and want to play, play, play.

You are the last one... the very last one to finish all of your meals. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner - it doesn't matter.

Eating is a social event for you and you must be chatting the whole time. :)

You like to draw little pictures of characters with markers on the tips of your fingers. You call them your puppets and are so excited when I let you draw more than one so they can have friends.

You are tough and can hold your own in this little household. You'd rather play than fight... but if someone (a brother) ticks you off, you are a solid opponent.

You love candy, pop, SUGAR... anything sweet. While your siblings are picking out toys, you are drooling in the candy aisle. 

Every month you can pick out something to earn that we place in the very top of your closest until you have twenty stickers on your chart. A few months back you chose Cheetos as your prize to earn. It was the perfect motivator. 

You are a lover and protector to your family.

When any of us are leaving to run an errand, going to school, or when Daddy goes to work, you must receive a hug and a kiss and also say - I love you, goodbye.

If this for some reason doesn't happen you are so very distraught. 

And there is only one volume of distraught from you. Loud. :)

The other day you were going outside to play and shut the door quickly behind you.

Not a second later you opened it and said,

I love you Mom.

You closed the door again and then swung it back open adding,

And don't forget to floss. :)

What? So funny. Plus I really need that reminder. :)

You are a sensitive,wonderful little spirit who meshes with everyone you meet. You just love everyone. You for sure can be head strong, but you are a lover at heart and so kind.

With your b-day money from Buckabu and Papa you made sure you spent your money in such a way that you could afford to get your brothers something as well. You want everyone to be happy.

You have a gift for making us feel loved.

I love you sweetheart. I love that our Heavenly Father sent your spunky, hilarious, tender self to our home.

Love,

Mama

Mother's Day

The Beloved's last day to turn in homework was on Mother's Day so I knew the attention wouldn't be high...

but he was prepared in advance -

making sure I received surprises throughout the week prior and on the day of.

Thanks for the spoilage and your love.

Want to be Her Friend -

My sister shared this hilarious blog post with me.

It made me want to move next door to this author and be best friends forever. (Did you know you can still type out those words - doesn't have to be an acronym :) 

Loved it.

Worst End of School Year Mom Ever

by Jen Hatmaker on May 30th, 2013

 3670  340578  2211

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http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

Mostly Dancing... and Brotherly Fighting

Last night the boys had  a little dance party to some old school music...

but I think I took this footage too late because arguing and teasing started to be involved. 

I was so surprised.  

I Love Lamp.

I love carpet.

Sentences related to nothing happening at the present moment that I repeat over and over in my mind when on the brink of tears.

Sometimes I add in a  - 

I love light fixtures.

Change the focus.

It allows me to LIMH (laugh in my head - must take this moment to protest LOL) and makes the seriousness of my emotions drift away.

I hate to cry.

My parents recently embarked on their 18 month adventure of missionary service to Washington, D.C.

I support this decision fully and loved hearing the title of Elder and Sister Craner placed upon their heads. 

How cool to have your missionary companion be your best friend!

I look forward to the time when The Beloved and I can serve together.

My parents bless the lives of everyone they meet - how unfair for this gift not to be shared with as many people as possible - even if it means departing from Idaho - :)

My parents are my pals.

I am awfully proud of them.

But miss them greatly.

But to this note - 

I love lamp.

I love carpet.

And I love that they are serving the Lord.

We had a tiny family get together for my parents the day before they left and here's a shot of  the "calm room" - where my parents were visiting with family after the festivities were over. 

 Not sure why I only took two random photos of the event. :)

Sister #1 - thanks for all of your amazing help with the par -tay.

Love you!

The Fam 2013

About a year ago The Beloved's cousin and his fam moved here from Utah. I knew them a little bit but have grown to love them a lot a bit! The Beloved's cousin's amazing wife became my instantaneous friend and I adore her profusely. She recently captured our family perfectly with her outstanding photographer skills - that I, of course, must share.

Thanks Candice!

Visit -

http://www.candiceandrus.com/

to see more of her marvelous work.

My Family -

a day at the park.

We're Still Doing the Same Old Things....

and a few new -

1.We help each other:

2.Ruckus is notorious for clogging the toilet with the mighty excess coming out of his very own body. 

When this event occurred a few weeks ago, he and the Baby decided to be proactive and plunge away.

After folding a load of laundry I walked up the stairs - curious and nervous when I was greeted by splashing sounds and much laughter.  Ruckus was plunging his heart out and the Baby hands were dancing in that toilet bowl water - any and every direction - having the time of his life.

Somehow toilet paper was also involved.

YUM to it all.

And a few tears from the mother.

3.Little C came to me the other day concerned with the amount of toys cluttering our basement. He suggested that we have a group meeting, allowing the boys to pick out a few beloved toys and then deliver the rest to the local thrift store.

Unreal.

And perfect.

Gotta love him.

Toys to be donated.

4.Little C came to me one day and said,

"Mom, Ruckus is looking at his hair in the bathroom"

I said,

"Okay.... that's kind of weird but really not a big deal".

"But he's cutting it all off!"

I had misunderstood Little C's first comment. 

What he had really said was, "Ruckus is cutting off his hair in the bathroom."

After my brain caught on, I grabbed Ruckus swiftly and put him in time out.

Then a few minutes later Lou walks out and proudly says,

"Mom, look what I did."

He had also cut his hair.

I think he had heard me respond to Little C's first statement that I had misunderstood  and just went to town.

My boys have pretty great hair... I dig it... so I was sad that evening when The Beloved had to shave it all off.

 5.My baldy boys on Easter Morn.

The Baby concerned about how The Beloved could possibly fall asleep during our festivities.

One word.

Okay  - maybe three -

All. Night. Homework.

6. I looked out the window and what did I see?

Not popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

But Little C and Ruckus gardening in their skivvies.  

 They really were creating a garden - notice the gardening gloves. :)

I guess the sprinklers came on while they were hard at work and the easiest solution was to dress down.... to their underwear... and continue working.

Playing it cool with a few poses after they were caught :)

Little C is extremely proud of the muscular appearance his arm is taking on. Funny.

Super underwear-boy?

We are barely just expecting Baby #5....

hopefully this explains my blogging absence.

But... energy, non-barfy-ness, and motivation is returning so you should be hearing from us soon. :)