All I Want for Christmas is my...

Britton's First Cello Recital

This has been a Britton week. As the first child, Britton gets to accomplish many family firsts, the first step, the first word, the first to read, the first to go to school. Because he is the first, I tend to remember his milestones a little more clearly - which is why I have started to blog. Hopefully I will have a record of all of the firsts - even those of child number two and three. But this week was all Britton. He lost his third, but biggest tooth - finally. This one took some work. I must say, he is the cutest toothless first grader I have ever seen. Second, he had his first cello recital. He was first on the program, and a little nervous, but did a good job. I have looked forward to the time when my children would start to play an instrument since before I had children, and was tickled when Britton chose the cello. I always wished I had played the cello instead of the violin, so now, at least someone will carry on that secret wish. I must say, it takes years until listening doesn't hurt your ears and getting him to practice is a challenge, but I think he is starting to enjoy it. He does ask if there is ever going to be such a thing as "Cello Hero" so he could practice and play video games at the same time, but I have to tell him that I don't think it is going to happen any time soon. Britton also sat through his first full-length orchestra concert. There was a cello soloist playing with the Orchestra of Southern Utah and Britton really wanted to go. I was nervous that he would be done by intermission, but he enjoyed it and wanted to stay the whole time. Britton also wrote his first story today. It took him all of sacrament meeting, but at least it kept him occupied. It was about a good sherrif that had kept a town crime-free for many years, but he died. The town proceeded to hire several other sherrifs, but the crime just got worse and worse, so the finally hired 50 sherrifs to take the place of the one good sherrif and everyone was happy again. Every word was written out and it ended up being about ten first-grade handwriting pages long. there were quotes from the townspeople and narrator insights and lots of backwards "j"s, but I must say I was mighty impressed. I always tell Britton I am grateful for him because he made me a mother. I truely am. I love you Britton.

"Happy Valentimes Day"

Wow! It is amazing how quickly my memories pass if I don't write things down! It has only been two weeks, and my mind is nearly blank. Last weekend we traveled to Salt Lake City to visit Jeff's family. Even short visits are refreshing and I think our children actually remember their grandparents and cousins from visit to visit now! We took in an R.V. show, a trip to Cafe Rio, a little shopping, a quick visit with Brett and Marissa, Jeff's mom's Spanish food, sledding, and a visit with old friends JoAnn Stevenson and Kelly Small, and did it all in two days! My favorite event of the trip, however, was when Gardner, our seven year old nephew pulled his tooth out in sacrament meeting. Jeff's mom just happened to be speaking and mentioned it in her talk and Gardner was so embarrassed, he kept his head ducked under the pew for the rest of the meeting. Britton, on the other hand, must have been a bit envious of the public mention and spent the rest of church wiggling his loose tooth in hopes of gaining the same recognition. Alas, his attempt failed, and he is still a nearly seven year old with only two lost teeth.
This week has passed in a flurry, however, Valentines Day was great. If ever a child was made to enjoy holidays, it was Emily. She spent the days prior to Valentines day cutting out hearts, making cookies, planning a list of whom she would like to send valentines to and learning about the valentines colors, who cupid was, and why we celebrate love, then informing the rest of the family about her findings. The whole day, whomever she passed she would offer a cheerful "happy valentimes day" to. She was so excited about wearing pink ( her favorite color AND a valentines color), delivering valentines to her friends, and answering the door just in case someone was dropping off a little something for her. Jeff and I give the kids books for Valentines Day. Emily received a "Princess Primer" as her book and has loved reading about the various aspects of being a princess. Jeff gave me a very romantic gift of flowers in a blender. This may sound a little odd, but it is what he gave me on our first Valentines Day when we were dating. The flowers came in a blender because he didn't have a vase, this year, I actually needed a new blender, so it worked out well. I was impressed that he remembered. You know how husbands are about remembering that kind of stuff... I gave Jeff a tackle box to organize his fly tying supplies ( Jeff's new hobby). Jeff had to work that evening, so we were able to go on a date the next night. We went to St. George and hit the parade of homes ( I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance) and ate dinner at a Thai food restaurant called Benja. It was a fun day! I feel so grateful to be married to a man that I love AND like.

We took the kids sledding on Saturday and had a great time. We are all just happier when we are outside. Britton's first word was out! Emily kept saying "this is the best day ever", and "this is the most fun ever" and "I love sledding the most of all"! ( She has her mother's gift for exaggeration or optimism, which ever you prefer to call it.) However, I must say that Brock enjoyed the trip more than any of us. As soon as he gets a hint that anyone is leaving the house, he starts to wave "bye-bye" and heads for the door. He is easy to put on a lap, so got to sled down the hill with whoever was going, but if we weren't fast enough getting back up, he would sit down and attempt a bum slide. He had seen the older kids do it and figured he could too. Once again, I love living in Southern Utah where it can snow eight inches one day and be 45 degrees and sunny the next!