We left Houston for our Davis family reunion in UT. We were armed with Magic Tree House, Hank the Cow Dog and other books on CD as well as a complete season of I Love Lucy. When the kids watched James and the Giant Peach, Elizabeth kept whining, "I want Lucy!" We also brought loads of junk food that I was certain would be ample to last for even the trip back. Quickly learned that more than a 24 hour supply can't fit in a mini-van. On the way Paul wanted to stop at some places he went last year as an intern. Here are picutures of Carlsbad Caverns (largest cave in the US?). Cameras weren't allowed at the bat exit, but we saw nearly half a million bats fly out of the cave at dusk to get food.

Inside the cave.

Only Elizabeth didn't mind the 1+ mile hike in the cave. At the end, a one-minute elevator ride takes you to the top.

School's Out
I felt more excited this year than before to have the kids OUT OF SCHOOL! We finally have time to do fun stuff together and work on projects without the confines of the school schedule. I love staying up late playing games, enjoying their individual personalities, when the pressures of the day are over and I can just make memories (hopefully good ones) with them. When a few tears came when that last day of school was over, closing that chapter of our childrens' lives, Paul asked if I was going to cry when he's done with school, too. I admit every time I hear Pomp and Circumstance I do get a bit choked up imagining him walking across the stage with the five of us clapping with joy. Hope to experience that soon.
The last day of school also brings feeling of gratitude for the people who I shared/trusted my kids with. Mrs. Nickles was calm and firm and recognized Benjamin's compassion hidden under his roughness. She taught for years, spoke with a kind voice and is one of those people who just makes you want to be better. And she made good on her promise to race him before school ended. Even with her black runners, Benjamin couldn't be beat! Mr. Purcell made Leah feel special. He loved to talk and only had good things to share about Leah. He trusted her to be the class helper and made her feel important by giving her additional assignments for being on top of the work. Isaac hit the jackpot when he got put in Mr. Nguyen's class. He must have spent every bit of discretionary money for items to offer in his classroom store that can be purchased with Nguyen World Money the kids earn. Aside from buying a handful of nose-shaped pencil sharpeners, Isaac saved his money all year for the aucion on the last day of school. For months he had his heart set on a hard-bound World Records book and was not disappointed when he had twice as much as any other kids in class (thanks to those boxtop donators: Kris, Mandy, Sonora and Naomi). After winning that auction he still had enough to win the big prize: a $20 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. (The Hogan blood in him convinced me to trade it for $20 at Half-Price Books.) Isaac performs much better when he has something concrete to work towards. Thanks Mr. Nguyen for offering that to Isaac, as well as an even temperment. I'm grateful for the good people the Lord sent to bless my childrens' lives. As Benjamin wouls say, "Hal-Ay-YOU-Ya!"

Tutti Frutti and Spot

I heard Paul laughing tonight as he listened to Benjamin excitedly explain how he will get a silver tooth tomorrow, just like Isaac.  "Twins" is the word he used.  Accompanying his explanation was that white toothy Benjamin smile that is a window into personality.   It's not really that great to have a silver tooth, I told him.  As I spoke those words I thought about dental conversations with Isaac.

Although I schedule dental visits weeks in advance, I can't tell Isaac until we are ready to get in the car for the five-minute trip.  He will worry about it and ask over and over why he has to go, even though he can answer the question himself.   It's really not that bad, I tell him.  When he feels scared we talk about past visits and he admits that it doesn't hurt, but that doesn't take away the anxiety.   Last time, he didn't want to get into the car so I told him one of the other kids could take his appointment instead, but that we needed to show up because the dentist was expecting us.  Once we got there and talked together about the alternatives, he decided he could go through with it.   Agency worked better than force.  (In this instance, anyway.)

I marvel at how different these two boys are.  I can count on Benjamin's affection lifting me throughout the days when I need it.  But I treasure a single hug from Isaac because each one is rare.  Benjamin has no concept of personal space and Isaac thrives on being in open areas where he has more control over how close he is to the noise and movement of others.   Isaac can talk about facts and information from his well-loved non-fiction books, keep his personal thoughts to himself; Benjamin will tell me I got out of bed on the wrong side of the bed and wears his heart on his sleeve.  Benjamin asks for thirds on most meals while Isaac picks around his plate and tries to sneak chips and salsa later.

A few years ago we tried a second dog, Spot, so Tutti-Frutti could have a non-human playmate. (My mom told me Ceasar Milan says it's a dog's right.)   They nipped  and chased each one another in circles around the couch.  They barked and rolled.  We tried to keep them apart since it was obvious they just fought.  But there was some kind of magnetism between the two.   They made such noise and created more chaos than I could handle so we had to take Tutti Frutti's right away and give Spot to a friend (He still makes annual visits for the dogs' birthdays since they're a few days apart.  Weird, I know, but the kids remind me to do it and Benjamin says that doggie b-day cake we make is yummy.  We all took his word for it.)  

Our boys are not unlike these dogs.  They wrestle and yell, push and accuse, intimidate and punch.  But we can't keep them apart.  "Benjamin, come here!"  I heard Isaac yell on Saturday so he didn't have to try to turn over the bigs rocks and catch the snakes all by himself.   And I caught them sitting together underneath the living room window going through the Lego tub to find more "special" pieces.   It's no fun seeing how high you can climb a tree if there's no one to compare it with.  

No amount of chaos could get us to part with either of these boys.  At least not permanently.

Ma-Do-It

Getting on pink suede zippered boots, powdering herself after a diaper change, letting Tutti-Frutti in from the back yard, Elizabeth is an independent two-year-old: we now call her Ma-do-it.

Benjamin loves a good story and was thrilled when he recognized an old gen. conf. story Paul told him then heard it at bedtime on CD (my mom says when she can't sleep she puts conference on so we thought we'd see if it had the same effect on our children).

Leah likes putting Ma-do-it to bed at night. She reads to her, spoons with her and gives her a stuffed animal to hold. Usually it just keeps them up longer, but it's fun when Elizabeth actually falls asleep in bed with Leah.

Isaac loves food. He's been self-medicating (truly, it must be a feel-good food for him) with grapefruit. He'll eat four at a time and stack all eight empty halves until they look like the leaning tower. Benjamin has caught on and we now officially have theater floors around the kitchen table.

That's gross.

Here is Leah at Authors' Tea. Several times a year a student is picked from each class to invite parents to listen to them read their writing (over the microphone!). Juice and cookies are served instead of tea.

The biggest compliment I received after getting my haircut was from Leah: "I want my hair just like yours, Mom." We pulled her hair into a ponytail and measured. It was (barely) long enough to donate to Locks of Love. Off we went to the stylist.

After it was done the other kids looked at the hair and all of a sudden the hair that was deemed so lovely while connected to her scalp, suddenly elicited a reaction similar to seeing a cockroach. Even after I packaged the braid to be sent, Isaac didn't want to handle the padded envelope. Leah filled out the paperwork that includes a line asking for monetary donations. She ran and got her $2 from the tooth fairy to stuff inside, next to her "gross" braid.