Helping Hands Service Project

This year the prophet has challenged each stake and ward in the church to participate in "helping hands"service projects. Last year our family helped out cleaning up a cemetary. It felt really good to work together where we could make a difference. On our way to this year's project Nathan shared with us something that really touched me. Earlier that week one of his good friends from work asked him about his weekend plans. He mentioned the service project and told him about the work we'd done in the cemetary last year. His friend got teary and thanked Nathan for the work. He explained that he has a baby buried in that cemetary and it meant so much that strangers would take the time to clean it up and honor his loved one. Wow! what a great experience. It feels so great to make a difference to someone. That is the gospel in action.
This year the service project was cleaning up a junior high.. Some people repainted lines, some had gum scrapers, others did general repairs, and we helped a huge group that trimmed back, cleaned out, remulched, and replanted some huge planter boxes.

It was a full long day but the boys worked the whole time. They really got into it.

Liam and Caleb loved planting flowers at the end.

Daniel loved shoveling the bark into the boxes.

The school looked so much better when we finished. I was so proud to be a part of it. Service is such a testimony builder. I hope the boys will always remember this experience. I will.

Caleb's Chinny Chin Chin

Sends My 3 Little Boys to the ER

Yesterday, I told the boys to grab their helmets and scooters so I could video tape Daniel for a class talent show. Caleb came running up the steps from the back yard and THUD! He hit his chin on the top step. I saw his mouth full of blood and didn't know how serious it was so I picked him up and put him on the counter to get a better look. I tried to give him a popcicle, but he was too hurt to be interested. His head had been down, so I didn't see the big cut under his chin at first. When I did see it, I knew our evening would be rerouted to the ER. Yikes. The gash was over an inch wide. I tried to apply pressure which made Caleb totally freak out. I told Daniel and Liam that we needed to go to the hospital and they got really upset for Caleb. Liam started crying. He was so worried that Caleb would need stitches. Daniel kept saying that they needed to sew Caleb's chin back on. I had to mellow them out and told them that their job was to keep Caleb calm so he wouldn't be scared.
Caleb fell asleep in the car on the way to the hospital and I know that you're not supposed to let people with head injuries sleep (maybe that only applies to bigger injuries, but I worried a little, since I don't know how hard he hit the step). I had his brothers trying to talk to him and moving his legs around to try to keep him awake. It didn't really work. We drove to the ER and drove around and around and around, looking for a parking spot. Finally I flagged someone down who was leaving, and followed her out to get her parking spot. (I kept thinking, I know Caleb will be fine, but what if this was a much more urgent emergency?? I guess I'd just have parked next to the ambulance. It also reminded me of comedian, Brian Regan's skit! "No, no, after you!")

I stood in line with Caleb and sent the boys to some seats where they colored. (Good thing we always keep the bag of paper, crayons, and books in the car--Sunday entertainment.) As we stood in line and then waited for a few hours, a few things became very clear...First of all, I love my family. Secondly, I wouldn't trade our "owies" for anyone else's. The ER is quite a collection of crazy people. One guy tried to threaten the security guard if he didn't let him in immediately to see his sick sister. (He was escorted from the building along with about 30 others of his very vocal family.) The boys were a little scared by this. Daniel was our comic relief when he accidently leaned against the emeregency exit door too heavily and set off the alarm (he was watching crows out the window)! He was pretty embarrassed, but no one seemed to care.

Finally, we got in and Caleb was telling everyone he got a chin owie. He seemed totally fine, so I had to laugh when Daniel kept hovering, stroking his arm, telling him to, "Stay calm, you're doing great, stay calm." (I guess he took my lecture to heart.) I think Daniel was truly impressed by Caleb's bravery. Liam and Daniel couldn't get close enough. They were so curious about what the doctor would do. The doctor decided that Sure Close, a glue bandage would be enough. The nurse washed out the cut with cold water (Caleb didn't cry but he started shivering). Then to keep it clean they taped a gauze bandage on his chin. We told Caleb it looked like a Santa beard, but he didn't like that. That made him cry. The doctor glued him shut, but we are all wondering if it will last. Part of it was already peeling off that night. Today it looks like it is half off. It's not supposed to come off for 5 days. Hopefully, we won't have a return appointment anytime soon. Nathan and I were laughing that his chin cost us more than bringing him into this world!

More than once our pediatrician has told us how amazing it is that we hadn't had any ER visits with three boys. I guess it was inevitable.

P.S. Poor Daniel had to change his talent, because it was too dark to video tape. He decided to make cookies to bring as his talent instead. I think his class enjoyed it, but he was really disappointed. Poor Daniel.

Springbreak

Since Nathan didn't get work off, we spent Springbreak close to home...

The boys spent time at the park throwing rocks in the river.

We went up to the temple for a picnic and to climb in the trees.

We tried to go to Folsom Zoo, but it was closed so played at the park next door.

With the zoo closed, there was no train running, but the boys were just as happy exploring the tracks.

We threw pennies in the fountain at the mall.

I took the boys to their favorite...The Train Museum in Old Sacramento. We met Daddy downtown and went out for lunch together. We didn't travel far, but we wore ourselves out!

Chasing Butterflies

Caleb became my running partner one day when Daniel and Liam were gone at school. I don't currently have a running stroller, so it wasn't exactly a smooth run. Caleb was excited to see all of the geese in the river and the squirrels and butterflies along the trail. There has been an explosion of black and blue winged butterflies. I took a rest and let him chase after them. He wanted to touch them, which I thought was impossible, but he really did touch two. He said they tickled his fingers. It was nice to have his company while running. When we went up a hill on the way back, he kept me going by saying, "Go Mom!" I can always use a bigger cheering section. (It might be worth investing in a running stroller.)

Dying Easter Eggs...Among Other Things

Last night we dyed Easter eggs...among other things.

I decided to try something new that I'd seen online. First I dripped rubber cement in swirly designs over some of the hard boiled eggs (Very sticky, but not horrible). After they dried, the boys helped dip the eggs in lots of colors. I was really amazed when we only had two egg casualties. (Last year it felt like half the eggs were cracked before we were done.) Caleb did drop one too hard into the dye bowl (one's not bad).

The boys learned how to mix the colors to make stripes and plaid. The eggs were really pretty. After dipping, we peeled off the rubber cement to show a clean white design. We tried to redip some of the swirly ones, but I like the crisp white contrast the best.

Things were going smoothly until the last three eggs. Caleb was having a lot of fun, dying and redipping an egg. Then he accidentally stepped off the edge of his chair. He fell down and grabbed the papertowel that the bowls of dye were sitting on. The green bowl overturned, landing on Caleb's head, dripping down his face, filling his ear with green dye. It splashed everywhere. So much for the mess-saving papertowels! Needless to say, we had our second egg casualty (third, if you count Caleb). Caleb was upset. I decided that we had to pause for a picture of my green alien son. Followed by a good soaking in the bath. He's a good egg!

I didn't know if I'd get the egg dye out of Caleb's clothes-but I googled it and was amazed to have the answer pop right up. Very hot water in the sink with a cup of vinegar before the laundry. The marvel of the internet for moms! It's so great to have instant answers when you need them (before the stains dry in).

Despite the mishap, I think this was our best year of Easter eggs thus far!