Nash is 6!

My baby boy turned six last week. He's a little excited. The next day he walked up to everyone he knew and announced, "I'm six!"

Thanks to a kind friend (Apryl!) with an extra ticket we got to bring Nash's buddy, Timmy, for an evening traversing Disneyland and California Adventure. I love the genuine excitement on their faces in this picture!

 I don't know what's cuter these boys or their pirate ears.

I had to make this pic bigger so you can see both Emma and Dedan's head sticking out of their Autopia cars. Fortuitous picture! 

My babies will keep growing up, but at least I'll always have someone to go to Disneyland with.

Rotten Eggs

Oh the possibilities...

Divide and conquer: one parent per overly crowded age group

If you frown when you're upside down does that make it a smile?

Or maybe he just knew the outcome.

Nash and the contents of his one egg. Note his enthusiasm.

Dedan managed to grab 4 whole eggs.

One had a temporary tattoo

...of a flower.

Best of 2010: Nash



photo by Dejah Morris

 * Playing with the puppies at Auntie Rachel's house.

* Being in preschool with my friends.

* Playing in the waterfall on vacation in Colorado.

Nash's Day of Crime

Apparently, the cat burglaring was just the beginning.

Har and I took Nash (or as some call him "the Legend") for a quick trip to the grocery store. We promised a treat for good behavior - not an every trip occassion, but we knew it would be neccessary yesterday. As we were walking out of the store he realized he didn't have his treat. Har followed him back into the store to pay up for the appearance of Good Nash. Alas, Good Nash was long gone. By the time Har caught up to Naughty Nash he was out the door with Airheads in hand making a break for his getaway mini-van. Husband took him inside, made him fess up & apologize, and told him there would be no treats today. It was a fun 2 block ride home in the car.

Fast forward a few hours. I'm making dinner. Har is watching something about football (or maybe it was actual football, I'm not sure). The phone rings. I check the caller ID and wonder why the Sheriff's Department is calling. Then go back to work as someone else has answered. Apparently, the someone else was Nash. Naughty, naughty Nash. He'd highjacked a phone and been hiding in his room calling 911. I guess he needed someone to talk to.

The phrase "lucky to be alive" comes to mind.

Cat Burglar...?

On a recent afternoon, I locked some children out of my house. Believe me they deserved it. 

Wicked older children decided to get the younger child with the smaller arm to try to unlock the door...as if he didn't already find the mail slot useful.

I'm A Sucker...

...for these three new freckles. They are only a slightly lighter shade of brown than his gorgeous eyes, they form an charming triangle, and they sit just off center on his perfect little nose.

If I look at them too long I can't say "No"...and we all know Nash needs to be told "No" on a regular basis.

Cute to the power of 3

So what if I'm a little prejudiced being their mother and all. You cannot argue with this picture from last August. The dentist's office took it when they were all cavity free. We got to take the picture home this time...and we're still cavity free! Woohooo!

da baby bruder

My Nash is not a baby. Just ask him. I do.

Me: Nash are you my baby?

Nash: Nooooo. I'm da baby bruder!

(getting tattoed @ his party)

Well, now my not-baby is 4. Four. FOUR!

Don't get me wrong. I am so over (ala Rachel & Ross) diapers, midnight feedings, carrying car seats, and smelling like puke all the time. My neighbor thinks this is the best time in their young lives and I'm starting to agree. No diapers. No school schedule. He can entertain himself, but still likes to snuggle. He can ask for what he wants and I'm strong enough to restrain him when the answer is no (even if there are occassionally black eyes). His curious little mind is focusing more on letters, numbers, books, and he LOVES preschool days. He can go on playdates...to someone else's house.

His birthday party was going to get rained out, so we took it indoors...to the church. Turned out to be a great location. We had a cheetah theme (I'll have to post the story of Nash's fascination with them). Of course, my mom made a fabulous cake....that we still have leftovers of. Come over. I'll fix you a plate.

Heather Kiel took this - my favorite photo of the party. I love all the kids lined up by height in the background waiting for their turn.

...and the madness that ensued.

Thanks to all Nash's good friends for making his party...well, his whole birthday, FANTASTIC!

The Last Time?

The other day Nash wanted to go outside to ride his trike. As usual, I told him to get his socks & shoes on. Before I could meet him at the stairs (our shoe puttin' on place) he already had one foot taken care of and he was putting the sock on his other! I didn't know if I was more proud or sad.

Immediately, a lady from my exercise class popped into my mind. Just last week she was talking about how we do little things with our kids, like kiss their feet as we're changing a diaper, but eventually we stop doing it. The behavior, the act of love just fades away as they get older. She remarked that the last time you kissed their little feet you probably didn't even realize it was the last time you would. My heart aches as I think of all the "last times" I've had in my mothering years.

A.C.H.E.S.

Thankfully, I still get to help Nash with his stinky feet every once in a while, but I can't stop myself from wondering when it will be the last time. Tonight, I push it out of my mind as I get ready to put candy in Easter eggs and anticipate one of the few innocent Easter mornings I've got left as a Mother.

Damn. I'm crying.

Reverence Child?!?

In our church/ward they ask a child to be on the stand before church as an example of how to be reverent when we enter Sacrament meeting. The child stands quietly with their arms folded for about 10 minutes as people come in and take their seats. When they called to ask if Nash could do this I was shocked. Our ward is light on small kids and Nash has a reputation... it's not necessarily a good one. Nonetheless, I accepted on his behalf.

Today was his big day. He reluctantly let me walk him to the front as we arrived (early!) and stood in front of the Bishop. Our very smart and loving Bishop, whose youngest is Nash's buddy, immediately showed Nash what to do and gave him some words of encouragement. We sat right in front hoping to help him out. He smiled, waved to a few friends as they entered, played with his Superman tie a lot, but overall did a great job. As Brother Leishman (our Bishop's 2nd counselor) thanked "Superman Nash Carpenter" for his good example you could hear a chuckle roll through the chapel. If it had been any other meeting our loving ward family might have stood up and cheered. It only took a few minutes for him to be back in his seat asking questions at full volume, playing games with the cute girl sitting behind us, and generally just being Nash.

Those 10 minutes gave me shining hope for a day when it won't be so shocking that Nash is asked to be the reverence child.

Along those same lines...Nash moved into Sunbeams today. A big day for him moving onto Primary with the "big" kids. And a bittersweet day for me as my baby leaves nursery. Emma and Dedan reminded me yesterday of how old they will be turning this year....pain and joy watching them grow up. The motherhood conundrum.

Headstrong...to say the least

My 3 year old, Nash, woke up this morning sick of his hair - like smacking himself in the head, angry at the world, sick of his hair. He wanted to go straight to the "hair cut place". I offered to cut his hair since it's Sunday and his "place" is closed. He immediately started riffling through the bathroom drawers looking for the "suitcase" that has my hair cutting tools.

We got him all set up in a chair with the drape around his neck and I pulled out the scissors. "NO! I want the big thing. I want a Hollywood haircut...like Emma said." Emma had no idea what he was talking about, but we figured out he wanted me to use the clippers. He wanted a H.A.I.R.C.U.T. Nash has beautiful curls and I didn't know if I had the strength to buzz them off, so I called Har for reinforcement. Har explained to Nash that his hair would be really short, shorter than Daddy's. "YES!" Alright.

Our favorite neighbors came over for Sunday dinner (again) and as after dinner entertainment pulled out their copy of Fortune-Telling Birthday Book. Every month/day has a description of the personality for people born that date. Nash's was pretty accurate:Your positive and headstrong ways will carry you over many obstacles to success. You expect others to step aside or be trampled on. You are influenced by praise and flattery, rather than by direct appeal or command. You have your family's respect and devotion.

As I type this Nash is chasing Har in circle around the kitchen island, screaming "I already ate my lasagna!" while Har carries his plate of untouched lasagna in one hand and the pan of brownies in the other and replying to Nash's screams with, "You can have a brownie if you eat your lasagna."

Respect and devotion.

Sick Kid

This morning Nash woke up feeling icky. Then he puked. Then he puked again...and again...it went on for a couple of hours. But somehow...I think he's feeling better now. This is a different kind of sick.

Nash meets Dr. Chris

Nash in the chair at his first dentist appointment. He was a GREAT patient. Side note: 3 kids, no cavities! That was a first for us.

Easter was full of all the usual: community egg hunt, new Easter dress, waiting at the top of the stairs, goodies, egg decorating, brunch at home, church, more egg hunting & turkey dinner at Grandpa's.

Nash turned 3! We had a small celebration at our house after church with Nash's favorite neighbors, Mike & Dejah. Nash directed Grandma J.R. in every aspect as she made his birthday cake - the cake he had talked about EVERY DAY for a month. Notice all the sprinkles. Nash loves sprinkles.

Then he played so hard that he banged his head and got a small but deep gash. Mike helped convince him to put a bandage on by wearing one himself. We love Mike!

On his birthday Har & I took Nash park hopping at Disneyland while the big kids were in school. He got to pick all the rides and activities without having to sit around. We saw the Playhouse Disney show, stayed cool in the 100 degree weather and best of all got to meet Mater!

Nash the toddler

Check out Nash cruising the hallway. He's 13 months and walking like....a gorilla...no frankenstein. Whatever. He's cute!

Nash's First Haircut

I borrowed some hair scissors from the neighbor, practiced on Emma & Dedan, sat on the kitchen floor with Nash on my lap and gave him his first haircut. It wasn't as easy as it sounds, but he looks good! Maybe he won't get so many people asking if he's a boy or a girl. Now they'll just ask why his skin is so orange...it's all the carrots and sweet potatoes! We make him eat the green veggies that he doesn't like, too. Honest!