Our month of January (that has just flown by way too fast!) was full of smiles and joy. Don't be fooled. We also had our share of sad faces, loud discussions (isn't that what you call fights in your house?!), and grumpiness...but we are pointedly choosing to remember the joyful things this time. The real stuff can be documented next time. Anyway...
Margaret was so excited that her hair is once again long enough to put into ponytails. I haven't figured out why she is so excited since she doesn't like having her hair fixed. She doesn't even like having her hair brushed. Like was mentioned earlier, we are focusing on the joy. She likes to grab a chunk of her hair and hold it out to show us how long it is getting.
She chose to celebrate her discovery by allowing me to put her hair in pigtails. Cute little girl!
It was time for a girl party. Maggie got a makeup kit for Christmas and was very generous, letting her sisters join in the fun.
Can you tell who has had more practice?
This is what happens when brothers get involved. Abby's face says it all. Pure joy for all.
No girl party is complete without tabletop dancing. Wait, what?
Any way you look at it, it was an afternoon full of smiles, laughs, giggles, and fun times.
It rained!! We get overjoyed anytime we get rain. The kids came home from their first day back at school and begged to play in the rain. Before I could even make a decision, they had their swimsuits on and umbrellas at the ready. I guess the answer was meant to be "YES!!".
I find it slightly hilarious that the big kids had umbrellas out (it was only drizzling by this point) while Lizzie just went for it.
Abigail thought that I would give her extra time outside in the cold if she put a coat on. Forget the cold, wet feet...it's all about the coat. Silly goose. We've got to keep these kids healthy somehow.
Zebediah doesn't understand what winter means. He comes downstairs each morning dressed for school as if it's still 80 degrees outside. (Nevermind the fact that is has been by the afternoon)
Shorts and no-sleeve shirts just won't cut it this month, son. At least I get a smile from this. He puts up quite the fuss. Who knew that wearing long pants and a shirt with sleeves could make life so miserable?
Zeb is such an amazing helper around the house. He is (usually) very willing to help with anything I ask of him. This day it was his turn to mop the floor.
Go-getter that he is, he got right to work. Too bad for him he would have to do the job twice because he filled the mop with dish soap and water instead of the floor cleaner. We all got a good laugh from this one. Lots and lots of joy going around (and lots of bubbles!).
What brings more joy that good food?! The possibilities could be limitless, but food is pretty high up on our list. Abby apparently gets joy from having more butter than bread.
She gets that from her daddy.
Lizzie gets joy from putting underwear on her head. She also gets that from her daddy.
Not that he puts underwear on his head...but he plays around with the kids and puts it on their heads while helping them get dressed. I can't believe I just had to explain that. Oh the joys of parenting. I could get some serious joy from reading a list of things I have to say on a regular basis.
No words needed for this (but here we go anyway)! These two love to make each other laugh.
Oliver just loves to eat the pillows.
It's all about finding joy in the small things. Right?!
Family scripture study time is always full of joy. (Remember how the real stuff is saved for later?)
Joy is being covered in pillows. Joy is being so cozy and soothed by the family reading that you just fall asleep. Joy is letting it all happen and learning what you can anyway. Joy is having questions being asked by the children because they were paying attention.
Oliver is sitting up on his own! He is also scooting on his head (funniest way to get around we've ever seen!) by putting his head down, lifting his back end and pushing off. He is so strong for 5 months old. Ollie has constant smiles (as constant as they can be for a baby that doesn't know how to communicate yet). He babbles and babbles.
So much joy!
Joy in playing around.
Abby is a little mom-in-training. Ever since Zeb had a turn holding Oliver in the wrap (remember that from a bit ago? I do), she has been begging for a turn. Enter our family walk on the last Sunday of the month. We decided to walk around our community lake for some joyful family time.
Good chats by the lake.
Fun trying out the exercise equipment. Being fit brings joy for sure!
I finally got a turn holding this handsome boy (funny how some days I hold him all day long, then the next day I can hardly wait for my turn).
Lots of laughs while Dad made Mom have moose ears. Not just bunny ears. Full on antlers. (small sidenote - notice how Zeb is wearing my sandals?! When did he get so big!?!?!?)
Told you so.
Zeb has gotten joy from this dump truck since he was 1 year old. And he still fits in it somehow.
He is regularly getting joy from riding around the floor.
Elizabeth got a small bit of joy from some good snuggle time with her Daddy. The part leading up to it wasn't so great, but the end result was still joy.
Liz has taken to climbing on our bar stools (my guess is trying to be like big sister). She isn't quite as cautious as she could be and falls on a semi-regular basis. This time ended in a split lip. Poor girl. She recovered quickly and was right back to smiles and giggles. Love the joy in our home!
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