Degrees of Swimming

It was pretty warm today . . .

. . . so Joy decided to take a plunge in the pool.

Daniel (being a water wimp like his mother) never put more than his feet in the cool water.

Anna was content to stay on dry land and put her feet in the pool ring, instead.  Fine by me.

From Head to Toes

I got my hair cut today.

Pro: I love how it turned out.

Con: I smelled like hair styling chemicals all day.

Oh, and I think Daniel has been playing with the camera again.

A Matching Game, with a Twist and a Cake

For our home evening activity this week . . .

. . . we played a matching game to see if the kids could match up their ultrasound picture with their baby picture.

We then added a fourth ultrasound picture (taken yesterday), and asked who that might be.  Joy glanced at my tummy a few times, then finally guessed correctly.

In case you're not quite sure, here's a big hint (yes, I know--my cake skills are awesome).

We're excited to announce that a new baby will be joining our family sometime around Halloween!  Joy was so thrilled with the news that she took the ultrasound picture for show and tell at school today (her teacher later congratulated me, and said it's been the most interesting show and tell they've had all year).  Joy has also been sharing the news with every friend, neighbor, and random store clerk we encounter.  I'm glad she's so excited. :)

A Study of Joy

I know Daniel's gotten a hold of my camera when I upload recent photos . . .

. . . and find whole folders of photos like this.  Thank goodness digital film is cheap. :)

This week he snapped a series of photos we'll call "A Study of Joy."

No, that's not a psychedelic floral curtain; it's Joy's skirt.

Clifford is grinning because he thinks Joy has lovely toes.

Joy the Preschool Teacher

Inspired by her experiences at kindergarten . . .

. . . Joy has decided to teach Daniel to read . . .

. . . and write (looks like he's gonna be a lefty like Daddy).

Joy even hung the letters in their room so Daniel can practice reading them.

This being the 21st century and all, she is also teaching him to read on the computer.

I think he's getting the hang of it.

Order and Chaos in Art

The big kids were in the mood to stamp and play with stickers today.

Daniel made an ocean scene.  He pressed the entire blue stamp pad all over his paper to make the watery background.

Joy (who dressed up for the occasion) opted for a landscape.

I got into the act and made a colorful, geometric pattern.  It's nice and tidy (how mommish of me, no?), yet somehow not nearly as fun as the messy chaos my kids tend to produce.  I think they put more soul into their pictures, while I play it safe.

Conference Up the Hill and Down

Conference weekend is here again!  I always look forward to the inspiring messages (Elder Kopischke's talk was my favorite this session) and time with family.

For the Saturday session we gathered at Papa's cabin.  It was fun to see Papa ride up on his bike.

Between sessions, the big kids helped Red Grandma decorate cupcakes, . . .

. . . Joy introduced Papa to the game Plants vs. Zombies, . . .

. . . and Anna inspected the household cleansers.  Don't worry--Red Grandma and I kept an eye on her the whole time.

We watched the Sunday session with Pink Grandma.  The big kids added a bunch of animals to the marble track (note that they're all facing the screen so they can watch Elder Anderson's talk), . . .

. . . then after Conference we went outside to play with Poppy.

Easter with the Cousins

My parents hosted Easter dinner today . . .

. . . along with an Easter egg hunt for the under-seven set.

Since a lot of our relatives were there for the holiday, it was a nice opportunity to take a portrait with the Cousins . . .

. . . our big family . . .

. . . and our little family.  But hey, why settle for a typical old portrait . . .

. . . when you can take one like this?