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Fireflies...and slowing down

It was dusk. The kids were in their pj's and settling into bed. Kevin was at a meeting. And for some reason, in the midst of the bedtime routine, I sat down on the stairs. I didn't rush to finish dishes, fold the laundry, or clean up the messy post-bathtime bathroom. I didn't even grab my phone to check email. Instead, I plopped down on the stairs and stared out the front windows.

And there it was - a flicker of light, out of the corner of my eye. Then another. And another. Before long, my yard was aglow with dozens of fireflies. I just sat there for awhile, soaking in the beauty of a gorgeous night. I sat there remembering my first encounter with fireflies as a 14-year-old on a trip to Nauvoo, IL. Even as a moody teenager, fireflies were magical.

And then I wanted to share them with my children. So up the stairs I ran, and pulled them out of bed, to join me in this magical moment. We ran around, with that magical air and magical light all around us, and caught fireflies. We caught them and we let them go, over and over again. Dad came home and wondered what in the world was going on, and then he joined us in the fun. Because when fireflies are out, bedtime can wait.

 

 

  

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Grandparents Day 2012

There were a few years of elementary school that we lived within a few hours of my Grandpa & Grandma Johnson, and I remember them coming to Grandparents Day every year. I'm sure it was tedious for them, but it was a pretty exciting day in my book. In fact, one year I made a homemade bumper sticker for them that said, "Grandparents - the older they get, the better they are!" It hangs on their fridge to this day.

Well, we finally live close to grandparents! If you call 160 miles close...in any case, it was close enough to make the drive for Grandparents Day. It was kind of a sacrifice for them, but I know it meant a lot to Kyle. We live in a very close-knit community (sometimes a little too close?), and I think there was literally one kid in his class that didn't have grandparents attending. I know Kyle was happy to NOT be that kid.

It was short, but sweet. In typical boy fashion, Kyle didn't have much to say about the morning. But my parents' comments:

"We felt like such spry, young things walking up those stairs all by ourselves!" (the child-bearing age is much later here...I have friends whose parents are literally 90 years old.)

"Wow, Kyle's penmanship really is awful! And he could care less!" (Yes, indeed.)

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I've got music...

Kyle's a music lover. He's loves musicals, has been begging to take piano lessons for over a year, and is always up for a good dance party in the kitchen. So it doesn't surprise me that music is one of his favorite classes, second only to gym. 

However, he was quick to notice that most of his friends didn't share his opinion. In fact, music was their least favorite subject. So even though he kept quiet about his love, he looked forward to music class every week.

 

We were treated to a special show this past week. So we crowded into that music room, along with 24 other students and their parents. And it was...well, it was everything you'd imagine from 25 third-graders playing xylophones! There aren't words...

Marie loved it, though. She's spent quite a bit of time at the school this year, and is counting the days (no longer years!) until she gets to go. And she, quite obviously, loves her brother. And I'm loving those bright yellow tye-dyed shirts they got to wear over and over again towards the end of the year.

And for your viewing enjoyment:

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"I Know When I Am Baptized"

Kyle made the decision months ago that he wanted to be baptized and has been waiting eagerly all year long. We had many discussions and lessons on baptism and he was more than ready. He knew exactly what covenants he was making and was so mature and responsible about it.

This was his night, so we left all of the decisions up to him. What we were going to sing: "The Iron Rod" (not a baptism song? Who cares!) and "The Still Small Voice." Who was going to speak: Grandpa Turner and Grandpa Russell. The prayers: Grandma Turner and Grandma Russell. Kevin even left it up to Kyle as to who would baptize and confirm him, despite my concerns (What?! It has to be his dad! What if he chooses one grandpa over the other!?).

But I shouldn't have worried, because the night was perfect. Of course he asked his dad to baptize him. Why wouldn't he choose his best buddy? And I didn't need to worry that his pants weren't white enough. He was perfectly handsome. And I didn't need to worry that nobody in our new ward would show up, because the few that did were the perfect additions.

The spirit was so strong that night, and I'll never forget it. I couldn't take my eyes off Kyle as I watched him listen carefully to the special words his grandparents spoke to him. He was so proud, so happy, and felt so special. He knew that he was doing the right thing, and he knew that he was loved. All was right in his world.

And once again, I was shown how blessed we are to have this little boy in our lives. He's been through some big adjustments the past few months, and I've seen the growth in him. Not only does he navigate through his new world, but he's done all he can to help us in ours, as well. He tries to please his parents, is a kind and good example to Marie, and tries his best to make good choices. Yes indeed, lucky are we.

On the Wolf Track

Oh, the joys of scouting! The months of jealousy and drooling over his friends' scout uniforms are over because Kyle's day has come!

And he really lucked out, because his first two weeks of scouting were jam-packed with excitement. He experienced his first pack meeting and earned his Bobcat badge. He had about 8 days to earn it and took it very seriously. Anyone who knows Kyle knows that he likes instant gratification. Eight days is about as instant as it gets in the scouting program!

He also participated in his first Raingutter Regata. He had a blast designing and painting his boat with Dad. He also had a blast winning 2 or 3 of his races. What he didn't like was losing the other ones.

Oh, he was mature and had a good attitude about it, but he sure didn't like it. I'm pretty sure that award he's holding up says something along the lines of "Best Effort." Rest assured, there will be some serious research and design that goes into next year's boat!