A day at Huntington Library

One of the Saturdays in May we signed Henry up for a class through the Huntington Library. The class was on greek myths and the teacher took them around the statues and told them stories from Perseus to Athena and gave a little information on architecture. Henry's favorite architectural term he learned was 'dentils,' "because they look like teeth!" 

Henry loved the class and had no problem engaging in the material and class despite being the youngest one there. I'm glad he loved it so much. 

 Sketching ideas for his own myth

Working on his own tympanum for his myth.

The myth he came up with was how we got water. There was a giant serpent that was taking over and fighting against Zeus. When Zeus finally killed him his blood fell in spots on the earth then spread across turning into streams and rivers because this serpent's blood was water. 

Explanation of a natural phenomenon-check

Really graphic-check

Greek myth-check! 

While Henry and Johann were at the class, I had Thea and Leo with me in the greenhouse and children's garden. It was a little cool and overcast which was actually perfect for the three of us and didn't keep either of them away from the fountains.

 The green bean teepee sending out 'smoke' 

We headed back towards Henry and Johann and stopped by the drop-in craft table where the kids (and some adults) were painting sticks.

Once we met up we worked our way over to the Japanese garden for a little then had to head back home for Johann to go with the new converts for a baptism trip to the temple. It was a good Saturday!

Henry turns 7

Last month we celebrated Henry's 7th birthday. Someone on facebook pointed out it should be impossible for me to have a 7 year old when we hadn't been out of high school 10 years yet. haha! Henry is the best surprise we've ever been blessed to have! 

Henry's birthday morning he woke up to a few decorations in the living room and some balloons in the hall. We had pancakes per his request then did a few normal school things. 

After lunch I took the kids to Barnes and Noble to get Henry his free cookie and let him pick out a birthday book.

That night when Johann came home we went out to dinner at Red Robin for Henry's birthday dinner.

Back at home Henry had some little helpers with opening his gifts from Grammy, Abuela and Grandpa and Uncle Aaron. Our gift to him was going to Knott's Berry Farm the following week.

Then cupcakes and "Happy Birthday!"

Henry is definitely our most sensitive kid. He reminds me of me when I was young except without having been trained by three brothers (ie crying will get you teased and make your life worse so DO NOT SHOW EMOTION). That night after cupcakes while he was getting into jammies he just started crying and saying, "I'm so grateful for my birthday and everybody who loves me! I'm just so happy!" And probably exhausted and coming off a sugar high (cookie, ice cream, cupcake...). Either way, I'm glad he is remembering to be thankful!

We love you, Henry Dean!

Leo 11 Months

Leo was in the middle of having roseola when he turned 11 months and was too miserable to do anything other than cling to me 24/7. I wish I was exaggerating. My poor, poor wrists. So these pictures are from 11 months and one week. 

So far this month the biggest news is he has taken up to five independent steps but still no walking on his own really. You have to stand him up and he'll do his little toddle towards you. It's so adorable. I've yet to catch it on camera yet since he'll only give it a couple tries before he's done. Hopefully going vertical will spare his jammie knees which keep getting holes and allow him more outside time.

It's hard to realize the little baby time is about to be all but gone. Thankfully he's still quite the most 'baby baby' I've ever had. He loves to cuddle and is just goofy all around. He loves, loves mommy which can be a plus and minus.

 I'm looking forward to being able to give him milk in the hopes that Johann and I can get a trip to the temple in since I haven't been able to be away from him for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time. We'll see if he'll abide it.

What else is there to say except little Leo, how you are loved!

8 Years

  

We celebrated 8 years of marriage this past week.

Glad that the quality of our engagement pictures was not commensurate to the last 8 years, haha!

Love you!

Leo 10 Months

 Alright, I'm done with this...

The biggest change Leo made during 10 months was climbing. 

It began by finding out he could get on top of the lincoln log bin. 

Then the playroom couch.

The trunk in the kids' room

And the next morning, Dorothea's bed.

He is so proud of himself when he climbs up something. He can get on some other couches in the house if someone is sitting there and he can grab on to their leg and scramble up.

In addition to climbing it seems he might be getting ready to head towards walking.

He'll stand solo for up to 10 or 15 seconds before plopping down on his tush.

As far as eating, we try to just share whatever we have with him. He loves tomatoes, cheese and rice more than most other things. He's not really that excited by fruit yet and that makes breakfast more difficult, which is how Henry was (sans bananas) except Henry hated most food now that I think about it... Leo's favorite way to eat his food, however, is throwing it down then signing 'all done' and eating it off the floor. I know, I should prevent this somehow. But. Third child.

He still throws a fit to go outside any time anyone else is outside. Whenever he hears my brother come in he knows he's going to the back yard to work on his garden and positions himself to the side of the door in hopes of sneaking out. It's pretty funny.

But since he still puts everything in his mouth and isn't walking, he doesn't get to go out as much as the other two since I'll have work to do while they're outside. I still take him out daily though and while he use to love swinging, he'll now do it for about five minutes and then insist on getting out to play somewhere else and after about 15-20 minutes of keeping him out of trouble, I'm ready to take him in.

And that's Leo at 10 months!

Leo 7-9 Months

Seven Months

Signage became increasingly problematic. 

Eight Months

 Attempted remedy to previous month's problem. 

Nine Months 

 So sad

 Wait, happy 

Who doesn't shove dirt up their nose then sneeze it out? 

Leo is definitely the family baby. We just love, love that little cuddle man!