Legos...

Left to right: Sennika, Gavin, and Leland in the front

Written Apr 7, 2016

This is Gavin and Leland's room they share together.  The kids love to play/build (what would you call it?) with Legos.  It blows my mind as I play with them how easily and purposefully they snap Legos together.  "Lego land," as they refer to Gavin's Lego table, changes from day to day.  It has been anything from space themed to animal themed to a remake of our house.  If you haven't caught yet, we are enthusiastic supporters of creative play.  Their time playing Legos fits this bill.  They are all "master builders."  

I am lucky if my attempts pass the test to be used in Lego land.  Although I am not a master builder, I do have one advantage and it's persuasion.  Gavin is usually more easily swayed than Sennika as I describe the really cool thing I just built and how it may be useful.  Although I really don't like to play with Legos because 1. it isn't "fun" to me nor would I consider it "relaxing" like they do and 2. quite frankly I'm really bad at it, I play any way.  To me it's like playing Barbies or tea party or cars. We feel it's important to play with our children.  To let them decide the games, the rule, the details.  To tell us what to do. To let them be the leader instead of Mom and Dad "always bossing them around." Oh what joyful memories I have been able to soak up in this way...to be in on their little lives.

Meet Shipton

Shipton (almost 5) has grown into a confident preschooler with a budding sense of humor (thanks to big brother Gavin).  He is a busy little guy and loves anything silly.

Still needs updating!

Meet Gavin

Gavin is our witty 10-year-old. He loves to figure out how things work. He love to fold origami, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park (and combines the three by folding intricate origami dinosaurs or Star Wars figures). 

At the Aquarium

He is hilarious! If Gavin isn't building Legos, he is most likely out digging in the sandbox or entertaining Shipton. Because of Gavin's apprenticeship, Shipton can build all kinds of vehicles out of Legos (Shipton is now a much better builder than we as parents).  He is so good to share with his brothers and sister.  Gavin is very social and loves to play with the other kids, yet plays happily on his own if nobody is interested in his game.

These are cards that he meticulously and patiently lined up
and stacked to create a domino effect.

Gavin has an active mind, yet constantly surprises us because he doesn't tend to share while his thoughts are rolling like our other kids. Instead his ideas come out as well-thought-out ideas and expressions that we didn't know he was capable of stringing together. He usually can solve his math problems in his head faster than I can and/or without having to write it out like I need to. I remember watching him one day playing with his Geo-track (battery operated train set). He would run the train, then shut it off to excitedly adjust something then see what would happen, then tweak again, until he finally had the results he was working towards. He had hung string to catch it at just the right place and was also working to get the "right" weight loaded in the trailers for it to go down the hills at the desired timing. 

Gavin at his Christmas performance for gym

Gavin is consistently at the top of his class for Urban Gym. (It's a super hip, boy version of gymnastics). 

Gavin also participates in cubscouts and will be representing our pack as Cub of the Year in 2019.

Gavin's greatest gift to us is his sense of humor. He comes up with the most clever and well-timed things to say. Often, his humor is expressed in quoting lines from movies. He will either quote the line directly or alter it slightly to fit perfectly in context. Gavin has a light heart and can find the humor in any situation. His gift to our family is helping us to keep things fun.

Meet Sennika

Senn at the Grand Canyon

Sennika is 11 years old and quickly growing into an amazing young woman.  She is a major bookworm and loves to plan, then carry out art projects or other creative endeavors. She loves her chickens and family history.  

Sennika is the most beautiful of our children. :)  She reminds us constantly that she is outnumbered by "smelly" boys and looks forward to the possibility of one day having her very own sister.  She does hold her own pretty well with all the rowdy boys and Gavin even occasionally takes pity on her and plays Barbies or Polly Pockets when Mom isn't available and she is sick of Legos.  Mom and Sennika have "GT" (girl time) every week. We usually spend an hour or so together doing something fun, connecting, and that we can't sneak in during the day without brothers teasing or ruining it. :)

Sennika is radiant and confident.  I overheard someone complimenting her at church on how cute her new haircut is and she responded with, "I know."  I love that she walks with a bounce and approaches life with high spirits.  She has a big heart and cares for her toys with great love.

Senn with Mom and Dad on her first time in the temple! With the new
changes, Sennika is one of the 11 year-olds who qualified for a temple
recommend and the Young Women's program "early." (for our church)
She has taken her own family names most times. She has LOVED
learning about and finding her own ancestors.

Sennika's greatest gift to our family is her example of desiring things of the Spirit.  She was baptized last year and is learning to listen to the Holy Ghost more each day.  When she has a challenge or frustration, nine times out of ten she will come bounding into the room and announce that, "I prayed about it" then share the answer or solution.  One of our favorite times of the day has become tucking her into bed at night.  It has been a privilege to listen to her discuss her day and we cherish the opportunities it has given us as parents to speak on a spirit to spirit level with her.

Ready or not...? YW! <3

Out for milkshakes for "Mommy's Club." On the day of the month the kids were born they get to do something 1:1 with Dad. On the day for the month (ie- May = 5th) that they were born, we do something 1:1 with Mom.

Her favorite color is blue (Robin's egg blue like her bedroom).

Her favorite food is anything at Maddox.

Her favorite toy is either books or barbies.

Meet Leland

Leland is a busy eight-year-old.  He is as filled with energy as he is love!  Leland is best explained by a few minutes in his presence. 

He is so genuine and so tender, yet a firing ball of energy bursting to go, do, and experience! He gives the most love-filled hugs and kisses and stops his play often to pass them out. 

One of Leland's greatest gifts to our family is that he teaches us about love. When he helps in the kitchen he makes sure that everything has his "secret ingredient" of "love" in it (he blows kisses in whatever he helps to prepare). I agree with Leland, the food doesn't taste the same without love put into it.:) When we had our first garden I explained to him about weeds vs. garden plants. His idea of weeding the garden is, "being mean to the weeds so they won't grow." He reported, "I told the good plants that I love them and gave them lots of kisses so they will grow."

Oh how this sweet guy melts my heart and how we all appreciate his genuine wisdom! It's rare to see him walk; he gets around mostly by galloping or skipping. Leland is such a joy!  He is an extremely observant child and constantly asks what words or situations mean.  He pays attention to the details and wants to understand.  

He LOVES to play with his brothers...any brotherly mischief will do.  He loves to ride his scooter, play legos, and any activity outside.  He loves nature, gardening, and cooking. Leland does Tae Kwan Do, and already has two stripes on his belt. He also is Wolf in the Cubscout program.

Leland's favorite color is blue.
His favorite food is chili.
His favorite toy is his Legos.