Diana

 

Diana had her four year checkup. She was so calm at the doctor's office that it was like everything I said about her energy had no evidence. I was so happy to have her calm though that it didn't matter. She is 34lbs (37th%) and 40in tall (50th%). She is a bundle of energy and is pretty strong too. She absolutely loves her little brother! This week she is having the time of her life at gymnastics camp and loves to do rolls and other moves she learns.

6 Weeks

 

Nicole made up this way to tie her shoes and I thought it looked pretty cool!

 

Michael showing that he can fit a double cheeseburger in his mouth. He eats a lot of food!

 

I learned how to make and work with caramel and had some fun with this layered cake.

 

Diana helping John say hello

 

One way to keep the kids calm at church is to let them hold John.

 

Nicole is a great older sister! She helps me out so much!

 

Diana gave her first prayer in Primary and did it all by herself. You never know if an inner clown or sudden shyness will appear when kids do this, but Diana was just herself- loud and happy and sweet.

 

I've started working out again. Definitely taking small steps at this point, but the journey has to start somewhere and I wanted to get back into the habit as soon as I started feeling able to. Somehow within a few minutes all of the kids appeared and were blocking my view while working out too and it was quite hazardous when Katy and Diana were using soup cans for weights when I wouldn't share by real ones.

 

Some more caramel work. Totally fun!

 

I have no idea why Katy put herself in a box on the table. She's a little cutie!

 

John is 6 weeks old now. Still a big eater, but settling into a good night pattern of eating at 10pm, 2am, and 6am.

 

I've made a bunch of fun desserts and this was one of our favorites! The cake part was made whisking eggs and sugar over a simmering pan of water on the stove until it got really frothy and then folding in the rest of the ingredients. No baking powder or rising agent was used. Just fluffy eggs. Fun and different, and definitely a tasty way to enjoy a light dessert of tasty fruit!

 

Jacob dribbling away during his first soccer game. He scored a goal in the fourth quarter and I think he'll have a great season!

 

Couldn't help it. Diana is doing soccer as well this season. It was a slow first practice and scrimmage as all of the kids were getting used to everything from their new shirts to listening to the coach. I think Diana was bored out of her mind and just wanted action! When they scrimmaged the coach put each of the kids in a position and Diana though she couldn't move from that spot and then was totally confused when everyone was telling her to move. Worst was when the coach put her in front of the goal for a corner kick but they don't have goalies at this age. Diana has seen her siblings play and thought she was goalie. When the ball came she bent over to pick it up and as the coach was trying to get through the herd of kids to get the ball, all of the kids were kicking Diana. It was brutal! I was able to explain everything to D later, but it was quite the first practice!

 

Michael has found his niche as goalie. He is on a really good team this year but he is still the main goalie for the team and if you know Michael you know he doesn't mind being on the ground and falling all over the place for any reason :)

 

Nicole decided to play again this season and we have her in a less competitive league that should work great for her.

 

You know you are married to a musician when a microphone stand is in front of the toilet. I mentioned this to Jim (kind of hoping he would move it) and he said: "But love, the acoustics are so great in the bathroom." And apparently the stand in the bathroom is justified.

 

 

We've been brainstorming for unique ways to market Jim's business. Besides buying lunch, there's not much he is allowed to do. So we came up with a way we hope will have all of the office ladies at different referral sources talking. I've made special little desserts and Jim takes them in. I put the recipe on our Facebook page and direct them to it. So hopefully they are talking about the dessert personally made for them, about Jim's business, and if we get lucky they will like the company Facebook page and...continue to send us patients. Since I love baking, it's been really fun to try out desserts and send them in.

Four Weeks

 

One morning Katy got into my contacts. She broke one and drained the other down the sink before Jim saw what was happening. I've been meaning to get new glasses since the pair I had were beyond messed up and scratched up but hadn't been able to with the baby. So for a week and a half while waiting for my new contacts and glasses, I lived in foggy vision and got headaches from the strain of trying to see and drive. I was so happy to get my new contacts and glasses and join the world again!

 

Lunchtime with Katy while the older four were at gymnastics camp.

 

Peaceful slumber. Four weeks old!

 

Nighttime cuddle with our oldest and youngest.

 

Daddy trying to go to work and Diana trying to prevent it. She tells Jim "Don't put your work on" when he goes to get ready for the day.

 

A simple way for me to have a little fun while still handling all six kids is to bake a little something here and there. I've had fun trying some new British recipes. This Victorian Sandwich was delicious.

 

At the end of season swim party, Jacob was awarded the "Most Improved" swimmer award. He went from being worried he would sink to the bottom to being able to do the whole swim meet without help.

 

Mike and John. The love of family is such a blessing, and a little baby brings such a sweet spirit into the home.

 

Another tasty bake- Marble Cake.

 

Soccer season has begun! Michael has really improved and his coach (who was also Mike's coach during his entertaining first season of basketball) was impressed with his goalie skills. Mike isn't afraid to take hits and has a good defensive mindset. As Mike gets older, the league gets more competitive so it was awesome to see him do well!

 

They transformed the soccer field to an artificial turf field and it is so awesome! No more muddy spots in front of the goal for Mike to splash in :)

 

At practice, the humidity and heat made for quite a sweaty evening. Diana's hair felt like a Troll doll and was all over the place! A good reflection of her personality.

 

John is growing and staying awake a little more at a time. He gives me a few four hour stretches during the week at night, and has yet to settle into a nice sleep pattern. But he is healthy and strong, and eating a lot is certainly nothing new for the males in this house! :)

 

Diana loves to hold her baby, and I love how he looks slightly nervous. Diana doesn't have much of a volume switch, it's kind of stuck on high, so he always knows when she is around!

 

Chocolate Victoria Sandwich. British food is not usually as rich or sweet, and this was a classic example. The family agreed this was an almost nonexistent chocolate flavor and wouldn't make this one again.

 

So the next bake was a fudge chocolate cake and that was better! Still not an overly rich or overwhelming chocolate flavor, and with a nice glossy frosting.

John loves sitting in my lap staring at my face, lights and the action that goes by with his siblings. I'm sure he can't wait to join the fun! It's been a crazy four weeks but we're making it.