Little Lindsey

The other evening without Marshall I was less-than-patient with the older kids about a messy bedroom. I brought them downstairs for the promised movie and Lindsey plopped herself down on the couch. I was getting the movie ready and she said "Mommy, even though you just got mad at us I still love you." When we are taught in the scriptures to be like little children, I think this is what Heavenly Father means. I sat next to her, snuggled her and gave my apology. She smiled a big, knowing smile. She knew she had turned my tide. I planned to do busy "house stuff" druring the movie, but instead sat and snuggled and watched with all those delicate little faces, and big glossy eyes. I think I watched them watching the movie more than I watched the movie itself.

I love their innocence right now. It won't last forever, one day they will have the eyes of an adult, critical and judgemental, quick to find fault, yet full of fault the whole while. It almost makes me weepy to think of them growing in that way. I love our little bubble of a life right now. The kids hear bad words on the bus - the "s-h" word is shut-up, the "s" word is stupid and the "h" word is hate. I love that they don't really know how damaging words work. I love that their little eyes tell the honest truth even when they try to slide a quick one by. I love the bursts of laughter that come at mom's seriously dumb joke, some pun or play on words. I love this stage right now. Despite the endless laundry, the house that never stays clean, the kitchen that never closes, and the long bedtime routines. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Cannon Beach

We moved to Oregon a little over a month ago although it feels much longer. We had the perfect trip to the beach - Cannon Beach where Goonies was filmed. I have to admit I found myself picturing those awkward teenagers riding their bikes along the streets of this charming little town. The kids were so easily satisfied to dig and build and collect treasures. We came home with a bucket full of stinky little goodies - bird feathers, sea weed, and plenty of broken sea shells. Lindsey found every little thing in her path to be something special.







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Chelsea Came to Visit

We were so tickled that Chelsea came to make our Spring Break! Our neighborhood was completely deserted, not a soul to find. Chelsea Duerden is our friend from California, currently attending BYU Idaho. She used to watch the little munchkins for us but has become much more than that! The kids were so sad when she had to go. I wasn't sure she was going to make it out the door.


This was the good-bye group hug - completely unprompted. They did not want to see her go. And neither did I!

Among other things we went on a worm-hunt/puddle-splashing-walk. Those interested in worms were "catching them". Due to tons of rain you had to watch your step there were so many worms on the sidewalks and roads. Our neighborhood was so deserted we just walked down the street without worrying about cars. It was nice but a little erie.

Lindsey was very interested in getting lots of worms, but not in picking ANY up. Hailey, on the other hand, was more than pleased to hold her slimy friends and add them to the top of the pile of worms in the trap.

Chelsea was a good sport and picked up worms, despite the gag reflex. If you look closely in this picture you'll see she gave this little wormy the chance to fly! That little blurb by Lindsey's knee is the worm. Don't worry, he wasn't harmed.

Those not interested in worms found puddles to splash in. Jacob especially enjoyed this and his new rain boots that he has been wearing every day since then.

Madeline liked it . . . .

Until she got cold. Chelsea was nice enough to keep her warm - thanks Chels!

By the end we had pleanty of worms - no, I did not count them. They got to go outside and stay on the deck. Then, it snowed and I'm afraid they didn't make it. Sorry, little worm enthusiasts!

After Chelsea left we did "toes on the line." This means I hollar "toes on the line" and their job is to come put their toes on the line where the carpet meets up with the hardwood floor for further instruction. They do pretty well at it with the exception of Jake (usually) who then lures Hailey away to play. Usually I have to hold the little fellow.

Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's

We were so lucky to have a little cousin gathering this Easter. Matt flew in from California with his kids - Lauren, Nathan, Kate and Madison. We finally got to participate in Grandma and Grandpa's annual Easter Egg Hunt. The kids had a lot of fun and we were armed with enough cameras to be a small group of the papparazzi!

The before picture; before the hunt, the sugar high, the colored sugar dribbled on sweaters, the tears from missing eggs, before the excitement and the obvious signs of friendship!

Nathan and Jacob had an immediate bond. I think they were commiserating that they were the only boys in families of many girls! Nathan was really sweet and took great care of Jacob. I got to snap this one when Jacob was trying to snuggle into him with his head on Nathan's shoulder.

Nathan was awesome! He took Jake around and helped him find all of his eggs (the green ones), hand in hand!

Madeline had found all her eggs but one. She'd searched long and hard and it was no where to be found. Just as she was beginning to feel discouraged - viola! There it was. I love it when you catch genuine excitement!

Lindsey was the hero of the day! She had found all 12 of her eggs and everyone was eating and enjoying when Landon was sad because he couldn't find his last egg. Lindsey said "I know where it is!" It had fallen inside one of the juniper bushes (the really scratchy pine kind). Uncle Paul parted the bush and she went in and got it. Way to go Binz!

Hailey was so cute. She quietly went about collecting her purple eggs. I don't think I heard one word from her the whole time. She was just content to be on the hunt!

Jacob - you could tell he was mostly excited to be doing wheat the big kids were doing. I was glad he didn't know there was candy in there until the end.

Even at an early age all the girls gathered in one spot and the boys in another. No one said anything like "Eeeeewe! Don't sit over there by the boys!" They just did it!

Butterflies and Crazy Hair!

Madeline got to "hatch" butterflies in her second grade class. She was so lucky to take them home! Since it was the Friday before Spring Break there weren't many kids there (yes, everyone was off to their exciting vacations except for the McCauleys) Madeline got to take home 2 of these lovely creatures. The next day we took them to Aunt Megan's house and they started to act a bit lackadaisical so we thought it was best to selflessly release them into the wild. It was a hard decision. . . . . . for some.

Madeline's last picture with her and her lovely friends. They say they are butterflies but they look a lot like moths. Whatever they are they're outside now!

It was crazy hair day at school this past week. The girls woke up very excited and it helped them to dress and eat a little faster - thank you Deerfield! Lindsey asked for pony tails all over her head!

Madeline wanted a surprise! She felt very spunky and it was a little scary, she reminded me of a teenage punk! I'm glad to know she is a sweet, tender one and won't actually be a little punk!

Two cute sisters! I have to admit Madeline's idea for this pose brought back many memories of doing silly things with my own sisters and posing for the camera in star-quality ways! They are fun little stars!

Jake fell asleep on the floor like this. I find him kickin' back with his hands behind his head a lot, especially in his car seat. He's such a fun little guy!