A Package and some Thank You's

The kids got a package in the mail from their Great-Grandma Evie. She emailed me a few days ago and told me that she was sending us some old art supplies that she had in one of her closets. I was expecting dried-out markers, but knew that the kids wouldn't care. . . they LOVE mail--especially packages. It was a kid's dream come true! There were books, paper, crayons, markers (not dried out!), more crayons and markers, paint, googly eyes, and Christmas-themed toys--just to name a few. The kids looked at the huge box of crayons in amazement, "Mom! Look how long and sharp they are!!!" (Ours are all broken in little pieces with the wrappers pulled off. And markers that actually write? Nonexistent at our house.)

I got up too many times to count last night with a sick Grantee and a mad-to-be-woken-up Ammon, so I was kind of disappointed surprised when everyone got up even earlier than they usually do (today it was before 6:00). So I told everyone to get ready for school and trudged downstairs to make banana muffins for breakfast. When I called everyone down to eat, this is what I was greeted with:

Written exactly the same except for backwards letters, it reads:

The Best one ever.

Thanckyou for the 

prezents Grat gradmu they 

are very fun i like them a lot 

you brot lots uv them.

I will give you sum prezents 

sumtim or on chrismis eavy.

I Just cant wate for ckrismis it 

is cuming fast

i cant wate to put the

deckrashons.

oring porpol red

thancks.

I Love You.

(Mady)

Dear Grandma Evy,

thank you for

the presents.

My favorite one

was markers

and stickers

and cards.

(from Logan)

As soon as the kids left for school, Grant eagerly pulled out the paint and came up with this. Not bad, huh?

I was a pretty happy mama that the kiddos showed so much gratitude for their surprise package--I will definitely be sending these thank you letters to my grandma tomorrow. If you are wondering about the names in parenthesis. . . that is what we have been doing on our turkey feathers each morning so we know who wrote what. I guess they think that is how we sign our names on things, lol!

Little Moments Like That

Can't say this is the best picture of Grant, but the story behind it is pretty good. On Sunday morning he spent over half an hour insisting that he did not need help with his buttons. He finally, and proudly, walked into our bedroom and said, "Well that was easy." 

Dad helped him get the buttons right and then Grant tucked in his shirt. . . all the way into his underwear. 

Joe made me this Turkey four years ago when I was the Primary chorister, and we've been using it every November since then. Everyone gets a feather to write on during breakfast. It has been fun, funny, and sweet to see what everyone is thankful for. Today, for instance, Logan wrote "awsomness" (sic)--probably the one we laughed hardest at, Grant's was "Sheeps, cows, and animals." Madison wrote "Little Elm," Joe wrote "digital scripture tools" (new seminary teacher talking),  and mine was "sleep!"Some other favorites include "hot chocolate on rainy days" (Grant), "healing from sick" (Logan), "good friends" (Madi), and "Mommy" (Joe). I find myself thinking throughout the day about all the blessings we have. I love this time of year, and we truly have been greatly blessed by our Heavenly Father.