Community Theater

Last night we got to take the kids to a small-town community theater production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It was my first experience with community theater. I've been to high school productions, plenty at Tuacahn, and a production of Princess and the Pea done by kids. I've enjoyed all of them. And I now have a new love for community theater. The acting was alright, the stars of the show did a good job, but some of the ensemble didn't look to comfortable on stage. The stage was small. Very small. The sets had to be simple. There were very few special effects, certainly none that were dazzling. By no means was it a Broadway production, and it even ran much simpler than the high school plays I've been to.

But that didn't make it a less enjoyable experience. First off, it was affordable. For less than the price of ONE normal ticket to a Shakespearean Festival or Tuacahn production, the whole family got to go. Goodness, it was cheaper than a movie! But more importantly it showed off what people with a desire can do when they put their minds to it. The set was fairly simple yes, a few trees moved on and off stage, one 2-sided building, and a couple different pieces of furniture made up most of it. But the costumes were so fun! Using simple things that are readily available- fabric, plywood, some craft supplies, they created the medley of living objects at the palace. And the character of the humans was magnified by their costumes too, I think Le Fou's was my favorite. The show has been shown to a full house every night, and only ran for a week. Obviously, it was popular. But what I really found impressive, is that the people doing this aren't paid. They do it for the fun of it, the passion. It gives anyone in the community who might be interested a chance to be part of a play. If you aren't super talented yet, no big deal, come participate in this, become more experienced, gain confidence, have fun, improve!

It's a little bit of a drive for us, but this experience was such fun that I'm sure we'll be back. I don't think the larger town I'm living in has a community theater, as they have many theater options on the higher end, and I don't know if we could rouse the volunteers to do it time after time. Such a shame, I could be mistaken of course. We do have a place that it could be done, and if I ever hear of an honest-to-goodness community theater around here, I'll see what I can do to participate. Do you have one near you? Have you ever been directly involved in the production of a play, musical or otherwise? I haven't, but someday I think I will...

A Special Day

This last Wednesday started Spring Break for us. Our first official-have-a-kid-get-out-of-school Spring Break. We started it off on a very special note. I, as Mom, really needed it. I hope the kids benefited too. Abby had two days of school this last week, and they were hectic. Monday was a field trip, she was overwhelmed, and Harvey had to go see the orthopedist about his arm. Tuesday was her class party, and we filled eggs for her to take, then she came home with lots of treats. My mom wanted to know what I was planning for Easter Sunday, and I really hadn't figured it out yet. I did realize that if I wanted to go use my coupons for diapers at Costco I needed to do it Wednesday so we could decorate eggs and get ready for a busy Saturday ahead of time. So Wednesday morning, off we went.

Our errands in St. George did not take the time I had thought they would, and I wasn't ready to go home yet. After visiting Auntie Annie in the care center (in which the kids actually had a good time) I decided a trip to the Temple grounds was our best choice. It really was. The kids fell in love with the beautiful flowers, bending down to smell them, stroking the soft petals of the pansies. Seeing a toddler bend and 'sniff' at a flower could just melt any body's heart. It certainly brought a smile to my face. We walked around outside for a while, then went into the visitor's center. They had a lovely display of art by Del Parson illustrating Christ's life for Easter. And they has video clips that the kids could choose to watch. But their favorite part was the map/replica of Jerusalem during the time of Christ. Abby pushed the buttons and absolutely loved seeing and hearing about where special things happened. I did too. Then we tried to listen to the Christus, but Willie fell off a bench and bumped his head. The sister missionary gave both of the kids a pass-along card with picture of Jesus leaving the tomb. Abby got extra for her cousins, but we forgot to take them to the party.

After leaving the Temple I took the kids to the Washington Cemetery. Maybe that sounds creepy. But all of our dearly departed happen to be there, and the kids never have been. Besides, Abby asked what those rocks were when we drove by the St. George cemetery. We used it as a family history trip. Abby got to identify the names of people she knew, and realized that Willard is indeed named for his Grandpas- it's the very same! We found my Grandpa and Grandma Langford's headstone, and identified my mom's name (mine and Abby's middle name) on the back. Then we found Jeff's dad's stone, and found that Willie was named for him, and Jeff's name on the back. Lastly we found Great-Grandpa Pectol's, and found the name Willard Pectol again! Then it was time to go. We got home in time for dinner and to get ready for bed. It was a busy day, but a very enriching one.

Update on Harvey's Arm

Well we went to see the specialist today. All that anxiety was for nothing? The appointment lasted less than 10 minutes. There is a green fracture of the arm, just below the shoulder. The good thing about that is it is relatively easy. No setting or cast needed, because the break isn't really complete. But the bone can sometimes heal crooked there, so they will monitor it with X-rays. Jeff will take him back next week to get one. No point in me doing it, because they won't let me near the machine. They didn't say anything about the shoulder. Maybe we should have brought it up, but I feel pretty confident that it's fine. We tried letting him out of the Ace-Bandage and use just the sling for a while tonight. Yeah, that won't work, he went right back to using his arm. So he's tied back up again for now. I'm definitely grateful that things are looking so good for now. He's feeling fine, or at least his arm is. He keeps hurting his feet, toes, and head. But the arm, it's fine.

First of Many Incidents Like This... or Mother Guilt

Yesterday I was doing a good thing. Vacuuming the floor. Harvey, monkey that he is (most four year olds are right? was playing on the computer chair. I rolled the computer chair a few feet to vacuum under it. Crash! Harvey fell right off, and landed on his upper arm. Howled gloriously. I hugged him, apologized, and deposited him on the couch so I could finish.

Well, during lunch I kept thinking that it was possible, however unlikely, that a fall like that could break something. So when crawling, a high five, and shaking hands all resulted in exclamations of pain, I took off his shirt. Eww that looked weird. Kind of squishy right at his shoulder, with some swelling just below it Maybe he dislocated his shoulder. And Insta-care visit was certainly in order. I gave him some motrin (because OW) and sent him with Jeff. Because I knew they wouldn't let me stay with him for the x-rays. A few hours later he arrived home with a sling and an ace bandage.

The report? Insta-care Doctor is very disturbed by the x-ray. There is a bulge in the bone just below the shoulder indicating a green-stick fracture, possibly multiple hairline fractures of the shoulder!! She can't properly do anything about it, so we need to immobilize for now. Call the Orthopaedic specialist first thing Monday, and get him checked out. So that's what we've done for now. Fortunately, Harvey seems minimally bothered by his arm. Good sign I hope. Our home teacher came over tonight to assist in a blessing that Harvey will heal completely, and the doctor will be able to help him do that best.

So tomorrow, I will be on pins and needles until we know what we need to know. I do kind of wish we were close to Primary Children's. A pediatric bone specialist would be good. We're supposed to keep Harvey from falling. That is definitely the hardest part right now, he's as bouncy and energetic as ever. Running all over and crashing into plenty of things. Well, we are doing our best. He may need a cast just for extra protection, but a shoulder cast involves most of the upper body. He may need surgery. I really hope not, but I'm sure it will all be fine in the end. I will definitely be posting again when we know more.

Announcing!!

Baby Number 4! Healthy heartbeat was found last Wednesday, so now I get to tell everyone. Pure joy, I'm super excited. I'm due October 22nd. How I feel depends on the day. Tired, mostly normal. Abby is definitely wishing for a girl. Harvey thinks a brother would be better. Jeff and I agree- either would be great, but it would be nice to have another girl. Those boys don't need another collaborator, lol.

Boys Will Be Boys!

Well the month of February has been one to really enjoy my boys. Harvey turned 4 years old on President's Day. And Willie turned 18 months on Valentine's. He hasn't gone to Jr Nursery yet, he's come with me to Sr. Nursery, and been sick. Here's some of what they've been up to:

Harvey getting ready to blow out his birthday candles. What a precious boy he is. He carefully blew out each candle, one at a time.

The rug was a present from my younger brothers and sister, as soon as it was spread out he got his fingers running over the road saying vroom, vroom. Who needs cars? Not Harvey.

Willie is growing so fast, he is always hungry. I need to feed the boy every 2 hours at least, often more. He's rapidly turning into a toddler, but keeping his sweet disposition too.

Harvey was tired. We took Abby to school, he came home and fell asleep without even taking off his jacket. Polly was happy to have someone to lie down by.

What fun these brothers are having. I'm so glad that Willie came along, right now Harvey doesn't fully appreciate it, he's not even sure he likes Willie yet, but I can see the brotherly bond forming. They are going to be great friends.

Harvey wanted to show my Aunt his Super-Harvey Costume, so he put it on for her

Then Willie decided he needed a cape and helmet too. I absolutely adore how Willie looks up to his big brother (sister too). He is really a uniting presence in our house, freely sharing his love with all of us.

Between the two of them I don't think any mother has ever been more loved. They both love to cuddle. Sometimes it is frustrating when great-big-four-year-old-Harvey insists that he not be put down. But mostly it's incredible. This morning Willie wanted to lie on my lap and Harvey hung on my back, alternately sticking his face over each of my shoulders and saying PeekABoo, silly boy. Willie loves to give hugs, and if for any reason I need him to come to me (diaper change being one) I just open my arms wide and say HUUUG!! And he'll come running right into them.

Harvey's imagination is sometimes just downright funny. Currently he has some (imaginary friend??) spiders that are actually having a birthday today. The spiders? They are his hands. They feed him, but sometimes they'd rather play in the food, or feed themselves. With Abby in school half the day, Harvey is sometimes frustrated and bored. He doesn't think that Willie is fun to play with, I'm trying to show him that Willie can play now too. If we get out the wooden blocks, Harvey will build something creative and Willie will stack a tower to knock down. They both love to play with cars and kitchen toys. Whatever Harvey is doing, Willie wants to try too. If I can just teach him to let Willie follow him around, I think we will have great success.

Willie, oh he's growing. He's not a little baby anymore, but a curious toddler. His vocabulary is growing rather inconsistently, but growing. He recently learned the sign for food, and the word. So I hear a lot of Bfoo Peeese. His favorite new term seems to be ME. Which functions well as Mine, Pick Me Up, and more. He is learning to make animal noises, although the only one that is easily recognized is Mooo. Even it comes out Booo. He makes a cute little squeaky noise for a kitten. And can growl and grunt pretty well too. He's also learning to respect boundaries, if I teach him. He really likes to pull all the movies off the shelf, and I was getting aggravated with always putting them back on. Then one day Jeff told him 'No, leave that alone' and he did! Why didn't I think of that? Sometimes I have the most obvious DUH moments as a mom. I forget the simple things, lol. But as long as I remember to love and enjoy my children, I think we'll be ok.

Sweet Cheeks

Tonight I was completely lazy. I got cold and buried myself under blankets on the couch. Then added a layer of sweet cheeked children. I wish I had pictures, but at least I can now say I understand more fully the term sweet-cheeks. Pectol kids have them, super sweet ones. They are so very kissable. Even better, they don't seem to mind being practically slobbered on when Mommy gets a bit enthusiastic in her kisses. Soft and plump little cheeks. Squeezy little children, generous with the love and hugs. So generous that at one point Abby got off my lap and informed me that Daddy had not had enough Abby cuddles yet. Then she relocated. That was alright, Mommy had to get up anyways.