Nature vs. Nurture

I am always fascinated by the nature vs. nurture debate, and love to find examples to support each. ( Can you say Psych major?)Anyway, today we met a friend from our ward and her twins, a boy and a girl, at our new park. Ben and Grace were super excited. Grace kept telling Ben that he has to play with Jared and she has to play with Lydia. I thought that this was just Grace talking, but it actually worked that way. The boys had started wrestling in the grass, and Grace thought they were dancing, so she and Lydia started playing ring around the rosy. Watching the boys wrestle and play the "Mean Game" while the girls danced and sang was so funny, and got us Moms talking about the whole debate. Both boys are only boys, and Jared has a twin sister and two older sisters. Yet they are both such little boys, rough and tumble. How does this happen? How are those traits instilled in someone? It was really funny!

Funny, Funny Boy

OK, so Ben is a very funny boy, especially when he is not trying to be. A few weeks ago we were talking about moving, you know the "we need a bigger house and better neighbors, etc." discussion. This did not make Ben happy at all-he suggested that we just make our house bigger. He then siad "if you talk about moving one more time, I am going to say a naughty word". "Which one?" I asked. He put his hands on his hips, glared at me and said "Shut Up". (read this with the most attitude a 4-year-old can give) Seriously, that is the worst word he knows? Shut Up??!!!! I will take that anyday!
Fast forward to yesterday, another day, another argument with a feisty four-year-old. Ben was mad about something (as usual) and looked at me and said "If you do that again I am going to go potty somewhere that is not the potty OR a tree". I guess that in his mind there are TWO acceptable places to go to the bathroom. Thank you, Papa Jim!

memory tag

This is from Melissa's blog- Here is what you do:
1. Post a memory that you have of me (all good, of course). It doesn't matter how long you have known me-it could even be a blog memory
2. Post these instructions on your blog and wait for the responses-should be fun to see. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours. I will come to your blog and post my memory of you!
Have fun!

Ben and the Violin

Ben started violin lessons about 1 month ago and is learning to play using the Suzuki method. This method is great for little ones, like Ben, because you go at their pace and do not push them. However, the child does not get to have a violin until they pass three tests- they have to hold a marker like they would a bow, they have to hold a macaroni box like they would a violin (with proper foot positioning), and they have to be able to clap 4 different rhythms. It is hard work for a 4-year old, but it teaches them the importance of practice and makes it very special to get the violin.

Tonight Ben passed all 3 tests and got his first violin! He was so excited, he kept kissing it throughout the practice.

Here is Ben with the violin-

It is truly the cutest instrument I have ever seen. It is 1/32 size, the smallest there is-and it is not much longer than the above mentioned macaroni box.
We are so proud of all of the work that Ben has put into learning his lessons in order to get his first violin, and share in his excitement. Yay Ben!!!!!!

Rainy Evening

Last night was a gloomy, rainy evening-outside. Inside, however, was a different story! We had to go to Target in the morning and Ben and Grace had 4th of July money they wanted to spend. Ben found a wooden model rocket ship that he and his dad could build together (baseball season is getting a bit long for Ben-daddy is gone too much!). The model came in 6 pieces, with glue and paint. It was perfect for a 4-year old, and they had a blast! Thank heavens for Target clearance- $3 goes much further when things are half off!

Dad and Ben painting the rocket ship-very serious business, the painting of rocket ships.
Ben and the finished product. He was so proud of the rocket ship he built. Ben picked out all of the colors and decided where they would go. The very bottom was even painted black, as that was the muffler. While Ben and dad painted the rocket ship, Grace needed a fun project as well, so she painted paper bag puppets. She loves to paint, and takes it very seriously!

It was a great way to spend a rainy evening, and everyone had a fun time! Ben has been playing with the rocket all morning, with Grace getting to hold it "for a second". The puppets have been fun as well.

3 months and a blessing

On Sunday, July 6 Emma was blessed by my brother, her Uncle Nate. It was a beautiful blessing, and Emma looked so sweet in the gown that my mom had made for Grace. I loved seeing it on her and remembering how Grace looked in it as well. I am going to keep the gown and hopefully my granddaughters will be blessed in it (in many many years, of course).Both of my sisters and my parents were able to be there, and of course my brother Nate. On Monday, July 14 Emma turned 3 months old. She is the sweetest baby- I love to see her smile. It totally melts my heart. Emma loves to watch her brother and sister, and the louder they are the better. We love our Emma so much, and look forward to each month that we get to be with her.
Happy 3 months Emma Margaret! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Wedding

My brother Nathan married his high school sweetheart on Saturday, July 12. Ben and Grace were in the wedding, along with their cousins Connor and Isabel. Ben and Connor were ring bearers, and Grace and Isabel were flower girls (aka princesses).

The bride, Alli. We are so happy that she is part of our family now! Ben and Grace have known her all of their lives, so it was a bit confusing that she is now AUNT Alli. My brother, Nathan. We love him so much and are very happy for him! (But seriously, how is he this old? He should still be 16 and playing high school football. Not married!!!!)

The wedding was so much fun- the kids had a ball dancing with the bride. Grace would not leave Alli alone, and we finally had to take her away so Alli could dance with other people(like her new husband:). The weather was not great- mid 60's and windy, but at least the rain held off until the outdoor ceremony was over.

Nate and Alli are on their honeymoon in Maine- they flew into Boston Monday morning. Their parting words were "don't call us, we'll call you".

The week leading up to the wedding was great, as both of my sisters and their families were home, as well as Nate and JJ at some point. The 4 older cousins rode the firetruck in Buhl's 4th of July parade, as well as Nate and Alli. We spent time at the cabin and played as much as we could. The cousins had so much fun playing together-it was sad to see Melissa and her family leave! Kristina and Nolan are staying until the 26th, so we will still get to spend time with them.

It was a beautiful wedding and a great week with our whole family!