Jogathon

The annual school jogathon fundraiser this year was Andrew's first, and Max's last. (Here are two posts about previous races)

Having children in kindergarten, third grade and 6th grade means I was there for the whole thing. I was glad, too, because I have missed a bunch of the running in the past while at work.  They did it in grade order, so the 3 year old and the baby and I had to wait around in between watching the brothers.  JB came for Andrew's race but then had to go get more work done. Lots of parents in fact were there to watch the Kindergarteners; but the 6th graders had just a smattering of watchers. Old hat and all.

Anywho, Andrew ran a lot and I kept saying, "He's so cute out there!"

A couple times, he ran right by the ladies marking the laps on the kids' arms, so I had them give him two more marks. I knew Ben would ask him how many laps he ran, and demand the proof.

Doing red-faced stretches to cool down.

Here are James and Millie waiting around for two grades to finish before Ben's third grade turn.

Now Ben!

Competitive much? He's comparing marks with his friends instead of stretching afterward.

Then two more grades to wait through, before Max and the sixth graders.  Millie had nursed in the corner of the playground and was now in the front pack. James was mad at me that we were still there.

Now Max!

After a few laps, I called out to him passing by "Good luck! We have to go home before a meltdown!" and he ran over, grabbed my water bottle, poured it all over his head, and kept going. By this time it was close to noon and hot. I had a fleeting notion of running with the boys next year like some hip young moms in stretch pants, but, it may be more fun just to watch and cheer from the shade.

Potty-trained

Jamesy is....strong-willed. Others may have been potty-trained before him, but, the timing never quite right. When it appeared he may have been ready to start trying, I was sick and pregnant. When JB and I were ready, he was not. And kids win these battles.

As it is, I subscribe to my mom's approach to not really try before 3 years old anyway for a boy.  James's pediatrician at his 3 year checkup in early summer said to wait for a bit until after the baby came, to help him be settled into the change. I have potty-trained all the others while breastfeeding a new baby anyway.

Normally I hate detest and despise the process of potty-training. This time went much better. I think because we were both ready. And I did potty-training intense boot camp this time. We were getting 'er done!

On the Monday that Millie was 6 weeks old (so 4 weeks ago this coming Monday), I parked James in the bathroom with a sticker chart, tons of fun drinks and shows. Daniel Tiger take the wheel!

 

I sat beside him nursing the baby and reading books. Thankfully he prefers the toilet instead of the little potty, because cleaning that thing out is not my cup of tea.

Thankfully I have a 12 week maternity leave and not a 6 week one. I stuck by James's side for 2-3 days, pounding the drinks and praising every clearly well-hydrated drop in the proverbial bucket. We became very close.

(Happy about the praise for a poo)

By that Thursday, he refused a diaper at night and had no accidents so we walked to the snow cone shack to celebrate. JB and Ben were at the first U of U home football game so they couldn't squeeze into the picture below.

 

He still isn't 100% on poos -- he holds onto them for days (like Ben did) and needs coaxing and bribing with gum to finally get the whole thing out in the pot instead of underwear spots. But overall  I would say this was the fastest we have potty-trained a boy ever (here are some other posts on previous processes).  

PHEW!

(knock on wood)

Dads and Kids

The annual ward Dads and Kids campout was a few weekends ago, and I can't believe how much fun these boys had. Kids need dads and the outdoors. This place near Heber sounds amazing. There was a zipline:

And boating. This boy did not want to let go of that oar.

Happy as a clam.

But Andrew was nervous at first. He sat low in the boat, until he realized his dad would keep him safe.

They called me close to 10 pm to say goodnight. In the morning, James had moved up by Andrew's head.

This was James's first campout of any kind. He's 3, but our first boy we had camping much earlier.

Andrew was happy to sit and eat breakfast by his good friend Ryker.

All the Richards boys together.

And the Richards girls? We ran errands, bought new ankle boots for momma, and watched Gilmore Girls together.

I think she liked it.

Blessing Day

One week ago, our sweet last baby was blessed in church. It seems like time is flying by. I didn't want the day to end.  It was beautiful weather, and we had so many loved ones there.

Mother-daughter. I just cut 5 inches off my hair two days before this. Millie's hair hasn't fallen out yet, it is still tufty blonde in the back.

She was a great baby all day. She didn't cry, or spit up our blow out in her dress, and I hear she stared up at her daddy the whole blessing.

Pauline made her dress and worked on it for a long time. I cried when I saw it. It has a dainty design stitched on the top, sleeves, and bottom hem.

Here is what she wrote on Facebook about the process: "I made Millie's dress, slip and panties. I used embroidery designs from My Fair Lady and and they stitched out perfectly. The woven, heat away stabilizer was perfect. And every trace of the stabilizer came out when it was pressed."

It is on display in her room for a while (because I love to look at it) but I ought to see about safely storing it for her as she grows up. She may have a daughter some day.  After all, our four boys were all blessed in JB's same blessing outfit.

Here are both sets of grandparents.

I didn't expect any Missouri family to come, because that is a long way to go, and my mom's health isn't the greatest, but my parents, a sister, and two brothers all made the trip out. My brother Joe was also there not many days after spinal fusion surgery.  And JB's sister and family came from Idaho, and almost every one of his other siblings came, too. Plus all those cute cousins on both sides!

My mom brought the sweet crocheted dress to show me that she made for my younger sister's first baby girl. It is dainty and reminds me of Emily.  When Millie wears it to church she will have something to share with her MO family. 

misc

Football season is here! Apparently the primary children thought JB and I were ready back on May 14, when I was still pregnant, and we went to the ward Senior Luncheon. The primary made placecards for everyone...and gave me a BYU one and JB a Utah one. Rivalry game is tonight, so, we will see who is smiling afterward :/

Here are other miscellaneous photos I found. This one is July 11, 7-11 free slurpee day.

And July 13 waiting for Lagoon to open.

 

Dressed up for church in August.

She is so much bigger now. It is amazing how fast babies grow. This one on the front porch on August 8th, says my iphone.

And this one of Jamesey is from August 9th. My cousins in CA have an online shop called Little Dainty Darlings and they sent me bows.

Max is a very good baby-holder.

 

I have two carriers, a Bjorn front pack I got years ago from Kid-to-Kid, and a Boba wrap my friend gave me.

I find the Bjorn is good for a quick trip, but for the longer walks I am trying lately, she can cuddle in the wrap and sleep like she is swaddled.

Baby weight with number 5 is slow to leave. She is 8 weeks old on Monday, so I know I should be patient, but man it just flew off with my first baby, and I gained the same amount. I figure I have the rest of my life to have a smaller chest and fit into all my pants, but I only have now to feed a baby. 

Richards boys

For many years now, when it is time to get gathered up to go somewhere, or if we need to get the boys' attention, we have said "Richards boys!" We still say it even we now have a girl, because she's not running around like they are.

But when they are staying still, and I look into their eyes, I see their spirits shine through more easily.

James Byron, age 3

aka Jamesy, J-Dog, little JB

Andrew Rockwell, age 5 1/2

aka Andrew-alligator

Benjamin John, age  8 1/2

aka Benihana

Maxwell David age 11
aka Max

The older three Richards boys didn't complain during Valeri's photo shoot, especially because she had her almost-11-year-old daughter with her as an assistant to help make the boys smile.  And when James threatened not to cooperate (he was all flopsy and nope-y), she suggested he ride his bike over to her.

It's the same red trike JB rode at that age. I expect American Pickers to come knocking for it some day. Perhaps when the next generation of Richards Boys comes along.

The Richards at home

We have the sweetest couple in our neighborhood: the Hallidays, Jill and David. She was one of the very first to come say hi and welcome us as we were painting the kitchen in our newly purchased home 12 years ago. Their daughter Valeri is a photographer, and when she was visiting recently she said she wanted to take pictures of us as a gift. So....OKAY!

I love everything about these pictures. The bright colors, the composition, the background (our backyard), the framing and focus -- and of course, the subjects themselves.

Well, ok, since you asked, yes I did crochet that headband. She looks so angelic with her blonde fuzz of hair forming a halo of sorts.

These two Valeri just snapped on a whim when she saw Millie's sweet face. That's our soccer net resting out of the way in the background in the picture above, and in the picture below I think that's Max's leg.

This is in front of our snowball bush, where many a soccer ball and basketball have gone flying. I can't remember if Andrew voluntarily put his arm around Ben, but it is a cute gesture. These two are getting along better lately (as long as Ben doesn't hustle Andrew out of his cash or Pokemon cards. Or tell him what to do).

Lest you think it was all smiles the whole shoot, I present hangry Millie:

As a matter of fact, I think I hear her now. So many thanks to Valeri! If you are in California, you should have her do your pictures. And be her friend. I will post the boys' individual shots next.