Basketball Fun

Logan is on a basketball team with some of his friends. I love to watch them play at this age. It cracks me up! This is their first time playing on a team, so they have been learning a lot...and still have a lot to learn! Caden and Brooklyn cheer on big brother and get into mischief, as seen here sitting in a tire on the side of the court.

The funniest thing Logan does is when he guards his guy. He keeps playing against the same kid who shares his passion for defense. While the game is going on all around him, he and this boy stand facing each other and sway back and forth with their hands up, in an attempt to stop each other...like they're dancing. The ball could be at the other end of the court and they will stand there for minutes at a time, doing this same thing.

Creating Some Structure

Since our kids are still fairly young, we are still getting into routines--chores, homework, bedtime, etc. I wish there was a manual that said "This is how you do it" and laid my day out for me. Since we got the Wii for Christmas my latest question is "How much time do I allow for video games?". I've been toying around with a few ideas, but I want to be consistent and reinforce limits that will help my children be balanced in their lives. The video games are a great reward for homework and chores accomplished, and the boys don't play unless they've done these things, but I thought I'd ask all you great moms what works for you. I'd love to hear your ideas.

If I Had My Child to Raise All Over Again

I ran across this poem the other day and I wanted to share. I love it because it inspires me to do the things that are most important and to worry less about the things that don't matter. It summarizes perfectly what my goal is as a mother this year (and always). I'm already realizing how quickly they grow up and I want to be a mother without any regrets. Here's the poem...

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again"

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!

We went out to lunch with two of my good friends and their families in Salt Lake on New Year's Day. This is becoming an annual event. We took a picture of all our kids in this same spot at Joe's Crab Shack last year. It's amazing to see how they've grown up in one year!














Brooklyn turned 2 on Saturday! What a big girl! We celebrated in Salt Lake with the Stott side of the family on her birthday and tonight with the Taggart family. She is definitely spoiled!











































We love our princess. She cracks us up with her independent spirit and the funny things she says and does. She's such a joy to have in our home.