Any guesses?

It is so hard to figure out what her favorite color is.

Vote Ben

Ben ran for Sergeant at Arms at school. Grant and I were so surprised that he chose to do this. Where Grant and I are so quiet, I guess it just surprises us when our kids do something so outgoing as this. But I guess Grant and I both ran for things when we were kids too; which surprises me. Why would either one of us do something like that? We were proud of Ben for deciding to do it. He wrote his speech all by himself. He had to give the speech in front of a group of kids and it was recorded. The top 5 got to move on to the next round. Ben got third place, so he got to move on; which meant that he got to campaign and make posters and all that fun stuff. He prayed every day for him and his best friend that they would both win.

On Monday they had the school-wide vote. Ben didn't win. My heart broke for him. I know it builds his character and he'll be fine, but he was so sad. He is one of those kids that would have taken the job to heart. Luckily Grant had the day off, so we spent the rest of the day as a family with the purpose to be happy. We played the wii (which normally only happens on Saturdays) and went and got pizza for dinner (which is a very special treat in our home). And as tradition has it when we have pizza for dinner, we have to have a picnic (aka--eating in the living room while watching a movie). To top it off we watched (an edited) Episode 1 of Star Wars--never had been seen by these kiddos, so the boys were very excited. I think by the end of the day, he was still bummed, but at least the second half of the day was better. We love Ben and are so proud of him and how he handled himself through this whole process.

Explanation of E.C.ing

I've had several people inquire as to what elimination communication is. So here you go...the gist is that babies come to earth having 3 needs: to sleep, eat, and eliminate (go to the bathroom--you know...eliminate...relieve themselves). And just as they will communicate to you that they are hungry or tired, they will communicate when they need to eliminate. I read this article that a friend posted on her blog when Lydia was about 5 months old:
http://www.dydee.com/Benefits_of_Cloth/Skin_Care/Toilet_Training_The_Complete/toilet_training_the_complete.html

After I read the article I took her to the toilet to test it out. And she went! I thought it was a fluke, so I tried it again later on. Then I just watched her and figured out what her sign was when she needed to go and I would take her to the toilet. After she went poopy in the toilet, I knew that we were onto something...and so then I confessed to Grant what I was doing(because really it was weird--something only hippies do).

Within a couple of weeks (of being 5 months old) I knew her signs so well that I stopped bringing a diaper bag places because I knew when she needed to go. And by the time she was 2 she was completely potty trained--and she did it all on her own. It works great and I've appreciated all the money we have saved on diapers. Okay, and now that you all know what it is, you can say I'm crazy! I'm okay with it.

Her 1st Pillow

Karmin got a little sewing machine from my mom for Christmas. She LOVES it! As long as I can keep up with the fabric supply, she is sewing. She started off by taking scraps of fabric and making pockets, then she moved up to sleeping bags for her babies, and then finally little blankets to match. I decided it was time for her to learn something new. I showed her (but didn't do any of it) how to make a pillow. She picked the fabric, sewed it together, and stuffed it. Even her corners turned out well. We decided to put some pretty buttons on the side. I started them for her and then she did the rest. I'm so amazed at the artistic abilities of this girl. She can paint amazingly, draw pictures to perfection, and now she is adding sewing to that list. She is oozing with talent! (and I'm a bit jealous.)

Racers, Start Your Engines

Ben and I had the opportunity to build his Pinewood Derby car together this year. The closer it got to the race day, the more nervous I got because I had no idea what I was doing. I'm just not good with tools--not even a hammer. So the daunting task of cutting out a car, was a bit much for me. So I called in some help. I asked Grant's dad if he would help us. Luckily, he agreed. Ben and Papa spent several nights working on the design of the car and cutting it out. Then Ben and I spent days sanding and painting. Then I realized I had no idea how to add weights--or even how to get weights--so back to Papa we went. He was a life saver. They made the weights look like lights on the front and the back. I think Ben enjoyed the late nights that he got to spend with Papa because it meant that he didn't have to go to bed as early. It was lots of fun to work on a project with Ben (on the parts that I helped with).

I think the car turned out great. It sure looked cool and I learned a lot. In one of the heats Ben took 1st place and we both were beyond excited. It was such a fun night. Ben did great and I am so glad that I got to experience this with him!

8 Months!

This sweet girl is 8 months old already. It always goes by way too fast. I think we might have a mover by the end of this month. She is wanting to crawl, but still not quite figuring it out. She is doing really well with eating--as long is everything is pureed to the hilt. Any solid as small as a crumb makes her gag and she pretends like she is choking (because apparently she can't choke on a crumb). She doesn't like squash, but she loves sweet potatoes. Piper lights up anytime Karmin or Ben come into the room. She is starting to dance and get into the music. It's adorable.
And now confession time (please don't judge me!)....I do elimination communication with my kids. There I said it. I know--I'm weird. I had a friend talk about it when Lydia was only a few months old, so I tried it. And it worked. I thought it was an accident, so I tried it again later and, again, we were successful. And from that point I never looked back. Although it took me 2 days to get up the nerve to tell Grant what I was doing! Lydia was potty trained over 13 months earlier than all of my kids, so I figured it was worth a try with Piper. Well it was easier with Lydia, for various reasons, but Piper is really catching on. She is now going potty about 4-5 times a day, and she actually did her other business for the 1st time. I'm hopeful that it continues. Again...please don't judge me!
So I think that is all the updates for this month (and last month too since I missed that 7 month one). She is adorable and we love her!

This is her trying-to-figure-out-how-to-use-these-lips-so-she-can-talk look

I love her eye lashes!

Graduation Day

Karmin and Miss Sherry

The fish tank that Karmin got to turn on every week

Karmin and Miss Jan

Karmin graduated from speech this week. (I'm not sure she is ready for this, but here we are) Because she graduated she got to have a party with her teacher--which included root beer floats. She even wore her "party dress" for the occasion. Karmin took flowers to "Miss Jam" (otherwise known as Miss Jan) and to the secretary there. The secretary at the school, Miss Sherry, was at the school when I went there. And I don't think she looks any different! Miss Sherry didn't know it was Karmin's last day. They have become good friends. Sherry just dotes on Karmin. She has even worn purple clothes on Mondays because she knows that it is Karmin's favorite color. She was in tears when Karmin gave her the flowers. Karmin has told everyone that she is going to "cry like crazy" on the next day after church day because she will miss seeing Miss Jam and Miss Sherry.

Hot Shot

Ben told us that he is the Hot Shot Reader in his class this month. I cried when he told me, and even now I get teary-eyed when I think about it. He has been working on his reading for a long time and has come along ways. So this was a huge accomplishment. I am so proud of all that he has done and the hard work he constantly puts towards school.