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"I firefighter. Stand back!"

Yesterday we went to the Lehi fire station with our neighborhood play group. (Thanks, Mel, for organizing it!)

Teague was beside himself. I've never seen him love any activity more. He was trying on the helmets, climbing on the trucks, and telling all the other kids to stand back because "I firefighter!"


We were there for nearly an hour, but he still cried all the way home. I hated having to make him leave, but then I realized he probably would have cried even if we had stayed another hour.

He talked about it the rest of the day, and is still talking about it today. "Those trucks is so cool!"

Big Boy

"I can't make 'aggies,' Mom," is what Teague was calling to me from the kitchen in the middle of the morning. Oh, no. Not again.

This child has been in independence-development mode this week. I think it was Monday when I found the aftermath of his having used the potty without help.

Yesterday a broken-glass crash came from the kitchen; he had dropped his oatmeal while getting it into the microwave. He had found the packet, gotten it into a bowl, and added water all by himself.

And today was his second attempt to make eggs. At least this time it was only three eggs all over the stove, down the front of the oven, and onto the floor. Last time it was more like ten.

I can't say I mind cleaning up the messes. I'm just too proud of him to really be all that annoyed.

Proof: They're Friends

Few and far between are the moments we get to see our older two kids getting along. Tonight they found something fun to do with a freak spring snowstorm. (OK, I know it's technically still winter, but five inches of snow is still impressive for this late in the season.)

Braiden and Tatum spent a good two hours in Grandma's backyard building a snow fort. Its walls consisted of about nine giant snowballs, any of which would have made an impressive base for any snowman. A dowel rod propping up some tarps made a roof.

You create something that spectacular, and even if you're soaked and freezing, you'll claim your fort is warm, and you'll just hang out in there a while. You might even ask if you can stay the night in it. And maybe that annoying brother or sister will seem OK after all.

Keep That Toddler Busy

This morning, after Teague threw a stack of important papers all over the floor, and after he squeezed half a tube of Sensodyne toothpaste onto my bathroom floor (yeah, $4.72 a tube), I decided this kid needed something to do. So we wrestled, built with blocks, and made sugar cookies. Airplanes and hearts. He rolled, he cut, he frosted. And he licked and bit. Don't worry. We didn't give any to the neighbors.

Kristin's Head-Shaving Party

Kris started her official breast cancer fight with her first chemo treatment two weeks ago. Tonight was the official head-shaving party. Friends, co-workers, and family gathered for pizza. Then the brave ones headed into the garage, bowed down, and got buzzed. By the end of the night, there were eight baldies and one mohawk. Whitney and Karen had their hair cut short ahead of time in Kris's honor. Kris went last, and one word came to me: brave. Then one more: beautiful.

Karen & Kris, before

Proud husband, first in line

Teague didn't want to join in but liked feeling the buzzes.

Whitney and Jorden started with scissors.

Dagan did finishing touches with the clippers.

Hard to watch.

Brave girl.

Sledding in Almost Enough Snow

It had been snowing all morning, but not enough to really accumulate enough for powdery runs. The California cousins thought there was plenty of snow, and actually our kids didn't complain. They happily climbed up and slid down the brushy, dirt-streaked hill. Teague didn't want to sled, so he just played on a nearby playground. Snowbibs meant that it didn't really matter that the slides were covered in snow.

Jacob & Braiden

Carter

Tatum

Jacob & Sperry

Teague

A One-Night Camping Trip

We escaped to Gooseberry Friday night. Teague had never been camping before, and he loved the fire (Braiden built it). We made s'mores, doing our best to keep Teague out of the marshmallows, and then went to bed. It got COLD that night, ice-on-the-outside-of-the-tent cold. I think Quinn is the only one who slept well. He doesn't even wear a coat in the winter.




The next morning our friends, the Tippetts, joined us. It was so good to see Paula and the kids; we hadn't gotten together since before Jared died in July. It was definitely a change to get the families together without him. Paula and I sat by the fire and talked all morning about things that matter. I will never forget what she shared with me, and I thank her for that. Every time Quinn came up on us we were crying. So he kept busy teaching the kids to fish, and he even got in some fly fishing. We came home empty handed but with full hearts.

Like Daddy

This is the first time I've really thought Teague looks like Quinn. I've almost always been able to see his uncle Aaron in him (the first time Quinn said that, I thought he was making a sick joke), and I think he looks and sometimes even acts similar to his cousin Gavin. But this picture really shows that he's like his dad. I love that smirk on both them.

First Tooth, Lost (very, very lost)

Tatum has waited since January for this tooth to finally come out. It's been barely loose for months, then it became evident why: the permanent tooth was growing in behind it and not pushing it out.

She's wiggled it, tried to twist it, and has worked on it with dental floss. Finally I tied a loop around it, which either got frayed or she looped again. Either way, that floss was on there and the only way off was to pop that tooth. So that's what Quinn did. And the tooth went flying.


Tatum was excited, then devastated. We swept, mopped, and pulled the oven out. No tooth. So she wrote the tooth fairy a hopeful note and went to bed.

Festivities on the Fourth

The Fourth of July ranks with Christmas for me. I love it. The Star-Spangled Banner makes me cry. I love this country and what it was founded on, and I have a desperate hope that we can remember as a nation what has made America strong.

This year, all Wigingtons wore red, white, and blue. My awesome neighbor Alicia did Tatum's hair in messy buns and curled pipe cleaners. It was so stinkin' cute. I've got to get better little-girl hair skills. Tate is a tough one, though. She never leaves her hair-dos in. But while it lasted, she looked as patriotic as she is (she's annoyed that we don't have our own flag).

Our day started with a neighborhood celebration. The kids rode decorated bikes in a bike parade, then we had a flag ceremony before the pot-luck breakfast at the pavilion.

What took my breath away might seem simple. Rick Gardner in fatigues, little scouts marching at his side. I loved the example of service to country, respect for the flag, and teaching it to the next generation.

The morning went on with some patriotic performances and kids having potato-sack races and faces painted. Perfect way to kick off an Independence Day.

We ended the day at my parents' house for their annual barbecue. They're just across the field from Thanksgiving Point, a great spot for watching fireworks. Tatum's the only one who stayed that late, though. We had to get Teague home and into bed. Got to keep that kid healthy.

Girl Time

Such great timing to reconnect with friends from the dorms. The visit took my mind off of the cancer stress. Nicole came in from North Carolina, which prompted Susan to drive down from Washington, Shelley from California, and Kim from Idaho. Laughing, reminiscing, and catching up equal good medicine.

I never believed it when I was a teenager, but decades fly by. This fall will mark 21 years since we all moved into Budge Hall. I don't think I could have predicted what great people I would meet or how much growing up we were in for. I'm convinced that the people you grow most with always hold a special place in your heart. My friends, seeing the amazing women you are makes my heart swell.

Ants

He catches them. He eats them. I let him. He comes and shows them to me, pinched between his fingers and in his teeth. It's gross, I know, but I figure, if I had poisoned them, I'd worry. Since I haven't, he can crunch a few. He's a boy, and he's just hunting.

Little Miss Jump Rope

In her last few weeks of kindergarten, Tatum took to jumping rope. Talked about it all the time, and when I'd come up to the school, we'd have to go out to the playground so she could show me.

Until yesterday, we didn't have one of our own. We used to, but I remember throwing it out because Braiden kept tying things up with it and it was making me nervous. So Tatum has improvised with a plastic slinkie, a computer cable, and my pajama pants.

Yesterday Grandma Francie came to the rescue. She brought some jump ropes as party favors for the Braiden and Tatum birthday barbecue. Tatum is in heaven.

My baby is two

Two years ago tonight I had a newborn baby. Who wouldn't nurse. But that was really my only concern. Teague was a beautiful, healthy, 6 lb. 3 oz. boy, and it had been a beautiful day. The things I remember most are, of course, how quickly he got here, how much he looked like Tatum did at birth, and how much I loved him and wanted to get to know him.

Really, his birth wasn't quick; I'd been in labor since the night before, but since I wouldn't admit it to myself until about a half hour before he was actually born, it seemed quick. And we were blessed and lucky to have made it to the hospital in time. What a whirlwind that was, and how miraculous birth is.

He was born at 1:58 p.m., and today at his naptime, I snuggled him longer than usual. I felt so nostalgic about this little boy that I'm so blessed to have in my life. He is a joy, a miracle, a bright spot. Thank you, Teague, for being my son.

Her official first day

Quinn and I went together with Tatum to her first day of kindergarten. She wasn't nervous at all; she didn't even expect us to go in with her. But we did, and we took pictures. We even got one of her with her teacher, Mrs. Hiatt.

After school she hopped into the car and said, "Recess is awesome!" I noticed that she was minus her tights. She said it was way too hot on the playground. We'll save the tights for colder weather.

She also told me that the principal read them The Gingerbread Man, and then they made gingerbread cookies. Tatum got to put the butter in. She had a delightful first day.

Thoughts on Kindergarten

It's just hitting me now, the night before my little Tatum starts kindergarten, how fast the time has gone. I have so many thoughts that are just now surfacing. I've been so focused on making sure she has school clothes, shots, registration, and meet-the-teacher night taken care of that I haven't had time to realize what a momentous occasion this is. Didn't we just barely have her? Weren't we just remarking that she was walking? And now, school. The little-kid days are over. The home-with-Mom days are over. Starting tomorrow at 11:30, Tatum is in school, and life is different forever. It's her official transition to becoming a big kid. I'm so proud of her and nostalgic at the same time. This is the first time I've really felt the way it tugs on my heart to know that everything I'm teaching her is preparing her to leave someday. It's bittersweet. I've been so excited for her to start school, and now I don't know if I'm ready to let her go.

Football Camp Rocks

Braiden did four days at BYU football camp this week and loved every second of it. It was two hours a day, which he said was not enough. "It went by too fast," he said. The night before it started, he was so excited at bedtime. I wanted to be sure he knew what to expect, so I said, "Braid, you know this isn't just playing. They're going to drill you and run you and work you; they're going to be teaching you football techniques." The whole time I was talking, a growing grin crept across his face. This kid has the spirit of a competitor!

At camp, they drilled for the first hour and a half, then scrimmaged for the last half hour. Ethan was at camp, too, which made it all the better for Braiden. They got into the same group and on the same scrimmage team, and had a great time.

The last day, Bronco Mendenhall spoke to the kids. For Braiden, having him sign his T-shirt was good, but an autographed belly was even better.

At one of the popsicle breaks, Braiden commented, "I can't believe Bronco Mendenhall allows red popsicles..."

Teague's Top Ten Rules for a Happy Day

10. Fingers. I use two pointers to show you where my nose is (one for each nostril). Same goes for ears...

9. Noise. Anything worth anything makes noise: lawn mowers, ambulances, and anything I can bang on. And if you growl at me, I'll do it back.

8. Drinks of water. If you give me some of yours, be warned that the first drink is a drink and the second drink is for blowing bubbles.

7. Gadgets. If you're watching TV, the remote is for me. If you're on the phone, the phone is for me. And if I just find the phone, I might call 9-1-1.

6. Playing catch. I'll do it longer than any dog. Besides, I laugh.

5. Sleep. If I wake up in the night, don't come get me unless you want me to sleep on you.

4. Light switches. If you carry me by one, pause so that I can flip it.

3. The bath. I love it, so don't get me out. I'll start climbing out myself when I'm done.

2. Drawers. What's in them (and I mean everything) must come out.

1. Tooth brush. Mom thinks I should put it back in the cup when we're done with my teeth, but that's for the birds. I like to take it to bed with me.

She didn't even flinch

Tatum got her ears pierced on her 5th birthday. Quinn had always said she had to be at least 12. My opinion was that if she's old enough to want it, starts to ask for it, and if she understands that there's pain involved, I'm fine with it. But I had to defer to Quinn on this one. And Tate didn't really bring it up all that often. Then suddenly one day Quinn said, "Well, how about we do it for your birthday?" and surprised us both.

Braiden held Tate's hand the whole time, even while they were marking her ears. He also gave opinions on which earrings she should choose. He suggested plain diamond-looking ones, but Tate chose pink.

She held perfectly still, was thoroughly excited, and didn't make a peep. No flinching, no wincing, just a slight nervous look in her eyes, but she was all smiles as the earrings went in.