A Christmas Letter 2018

I will write all about Christmas in another post, but first off...THIS ADORABLE LETTER. Christmas morning I noticed a red letter I hadn't noticed the night before, laying on top of all of the presents under the tree. It said, "Mom, from Deac." It turns out that Deac woke up at 2 am this Christmas morning because he remembered that he forgot to finish this present for me. He couldn't think of anything to buy me and I kept telling him that he didn't have to do anything, and even a home made thing would mean so much to me. Lucy heard Deac awake and asked what was wrong. She ended up helping him draw part of the Santa. How adorable is that story? I can imagine them both, in the middle of the night doing this for me. When I read Deacon's note I cried. It was the best thing he could have given me. Thank you so much, Deac. I love you!

Iron Man Paper Doll

Made by Deacon

Kids Artwork and Lucy Strikes Again

Watercolor art dinosaur by Deac

and comic by Lucy.

Yet another hilarious comic by Lucy.

In Deac's words, "Mom Lucy drew all these super hero's. The boy shoots fire out of his belly button, the grandma shoots dentures out of her mouth and the girl can fart confetti."

The Inventor

While the girls were at piano lessons this afternoon, Deac and I took Jack for a walk to see Kevin Bacon, the pig. On the way Deac was running full blast back and forth in front of me on the sidewalk trying to make his kite fly. He learned how to make handmade kites at scouts a couple months ago and made this one today all by himself out of newspaper, sticks, yarn, tape, and a popsicle stick as a handle.

It was just windy enough that he was making it fly up just a foot or two above his head. He was so proud of it and was telling me on the way how much he likes making things. He wants to become even better at making and inventing things. He now has made 2 cars(one of which his friend at school partly smashed), a top that can also fly, 2 flying spinners, a regular top, and a Frisbee that really works.

The determination and excitement on his face during our walk is what kept my attention. That, and how handsome, smart, and kind he is turning out to be...I can't even believe it. I couldn't stop smiling as he was speeding past me like a young "flash". 

Welcome Home Sign and Valentine Boxes

No matter how many times I have tried to save one of the many cool signs Lucy makes for dad or any one of us to reuse, she doesn't want it. She likes to make new ones. I guess it is all in the doing it that means something to her, which I totally understand. It is never expected, but I love that she does that for us. The kids spent the evening doing crafty things...

 Lucy and Deacon's Valentine boxes for school.

Deacon's Exhibit

The Wolf

Because we have been watching Peter and the Wolf over and over again...I present to you the wolf.

By Deacon - drawn precisely at 6:23pm.

Sick Day and Artwork

Deacon stayed home from school sick today with a fever and a cold. He occupied himself by reading, doing homework, playing Wii, watching Kung Fu Panda 3, and coloring. I asked him to color these pictures for me. I love them so much Deac!

Monsters Are Coming

Birthday Recap

LULLABY

Have you ever heard the song of a whale? Sometimes the sounds can be haunting, hypnotic, or even eerie; I believe only because they are foreign to us. Most times though, I get chills all up and down my spine and I experience the most serene calmness; it almost brings me to tears. I wonder what they know, that we as humans don't?
***
Another life form.
Innocent, pure, exalted.

Strange unfamiliar sounds, never before comprehended.

Smooth audible vibrations lull me to another place where the world is different.

I step out of my realm and enter theirs.
Steady tranquility...

I feel light.

Floating...gazing upward.

Glimmering sunshine breaks through the crystal blue like splashes of yellow fire.

Sunlight penetrates my eyes, comforting my existence beyond anything I've known.
I dive deeper and deeper toward the dimness and the sound that draws me in.
Towards a language only my subconscious understands.

Soft echoes pass through my body, reaching to the end of time and space as I know it.

Like an ethereal lullaby.
Then I see them.
Immense figures in perfect calmness...

Poem by Annie, picture by Deacon.

Supers

Deac has super heroes adorning his walls in his bedroom. He thinks they are so cool.

Do you know your SUPER HEROES???

Starting at the top, left to right: Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Captain America, Batman, Wolverine, Ironman, and Flash.

Rudolf

An angry looking Rudolf

-Colored and drawn by Deacon for the second grade art wall.

I Like: By Deacon

And there you have it...All the fun things in life.

Specs on Summer and Idaho

Deacon's journal has become VERY descriptive and colorful lately. I love how he takes time to show all the details.

A "Me" Paper Doll

All of the kids have done this school assignment in first grade. They were supposed to decorate a paper doll to look just like them, clothes and all. Deac was so proud. First he chose and laid out what he was going to wear the next day. His favorite clothes; his ZAP shirt, some cool shorts, and of course his black checkered shoes. It looked just like him and he did it all himself besides a little help from Lucy with the "ZAP". 

Train Ride On My Birthday

Highlights of my birthday...
Woke up to love notes all over the house.
Train(Trax) ride to Salt Lake city to see the chalk festival.
Walking around down town.
Cooling down at the splash pad.
The cool ride home in the evening.

(Art page by Deac) 

Boise, Idaho

We did go to Idaho, Boise in fact...Not by plane. I found out that Boise is fabulous and I wouldn't mind living there one bit. The atmosphere there felt so ALIVE and active. We had such a fun time. Deac was right as he mentioned in his journal...We went to an antique store, the biggest most amazing one I have ever been to, and I wanted to buy a "thing", but didn't. But, he didn't mention that I did buy one thing. It is a big, beautiful green(my favorite color) distressed wood picture frame that I am going to use in the family room. It's so cool!!

 Touring downtown Boise.