Ruby Elizabeth is 6!

Happy Birthday, Ruby! I love how Ruby appreciates tradition. I overheard her telling a friend about some of our birthday traditions. She told her friend about the balloons and gifts she finds in her room when she wakes-up on her birthday, and how she gets to choose her birthday breakfast. A great reminder that the little things make life good. 

Ruby started kindergarten this year and looks more and more grown-up to me. I have mixed emotions about this. I enjoy watching her blossom into herself and seeing her interpret and understand the world around her. But I can't help but mourn a bit about the childhood she is flying through, and realize that before I know it she will be all grown-up. 

Ruby loves having friends and playing with them. Her ears are fine-tuned to hear when Hazel and Maren from next door are outside playing. She races out the house to see if she can join the fun. Ruby needs a constant companion. "Mom, will you play with me." "Mom, what are we going to do next." "I can't play by myself!" (insert pouty face).   

Ruby is also helpful with Henry and Tildy. Lately I love to hear Ruby upstairs teaching Henry something or instructing him how to play a make-believe game. She always want to be to the one to get Mathilda out of her bed in the morning and gets mad when I tell her she can't wake Tildy up.

I also love being in Primary with Ruby. She radiates when she sings during singing time and like a sponge, soaks up the sharing time lesson. Occasionally, we make eye contact and I wink at her and she winks back...warms my heart every time and I feel so blessed she is mine.

Three cheers for Ruby!

Ruby Rides!

A few Saturdays back, Ruby learned how to ride a two-wheeler. No more training wheels for this girl! I don't know who is more proud, Ruby or Hugh. I was working that day and Hugh sent me the most awesome video of Ruby riding. I couldn't wait to get home and hear all about it. This is how it went down...as told by Ruby. 

"Dad was mowing the lawn and Maren (our next door neighbor) was trying to ride her two-wheeler with her dad. And I thought I could figure it out so I asked dad if I could get my bike out."

And the rest is history. Ruby pretty much taught herself that Saturday. She also describes this as "wobbling around a bit until I figured out how to balance." We had taken her training wheels off a few weeks back and Hugh tried a little with her, but Ruby would get frustrated and request her training wheels back. 

It has been so much fun riding around the neighborhood together. We've gone a few family bike rides with the two littles in the trailer and Ruby riding along side us (actually, she prefers to be in front :). I think my heart my burst each time I watch her in front of me pedaling away with enthusiasm and pure joy. I know that I feel joy just watching her! This has been a great reminder how wonderful it is to accomplish something because of hard work and dedication. 

Here's to many more family bike rides! Woohoo, Ruby! 

Ruby turns 5!

My Ruby turns 5 today. Especially since Mathilda's arrival, I look at Ruby with amazement at how old and big she is! Today Ruby is having a Hello Kitty party....which she has done most of the the planning for. It will be complete with pin the bow on Hello Kitty, face painting, a Hello Kitty cake, and let's not forget the piñata. Ruby loves throwing a good party! 

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Dear Ruby,

Today you are five. And as her mom, I couldn't be more pleased with the young lady you are growing into. You are my little buddy, and I often ask you if you will always be my buddy. You help me clean the house, you set the table, you are patient with your little brother, and you draw the best pictures which you give freely to all of us. I especially love how you write Ruby VW with a heart at the end on all of your school papers and drawings. You also like to help me in the kitchen and make your own "stews" and other treats. You are even planning your own muffin business called, "Muffins and More", complete with a walk through window for your customers to enjoy. You love pre-school and your teachers always tell me how much the love having you in their class. When you are away at school, Henry always asks, "Where's Rube?" He loves you just as much as I do! I especially love how lately, you ask Henry if he wants to play something and then the two of you go off to your room and close the door. It means a lot to me that you like to include Hank and he couldn't ask for a better sister. Mathilda's sI love watching you dance and listening to you play piano. Your favorite songs to play include, Star Wars Theme, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Peter Piper Pumpkin Eater. 

Ruby, we all love you! Our family wouldn't be the same without your spunky and unique personality. Thanks for making our world a better place! 

Happy Birthday!

1 month and some thoughts.

Time is gong way too fast. As I'm posting these 1 month pics....sweet Tildy is actually almost 2 months.  She is a little sweetheart and such a welcome addition to our family. I love her bright eyes and how she has a furrowed little brow a lot of the time. It is almost as if she is concerned about what that brother of hers might do next...it concerns me too, Tildy :). Although, he does love you. All day he asks, "Where's Tildy, Mom?" and when you cry, "Tildy sad, Mom. I go get her." So he may be rough around the edges, but he sure loves you...just like the rest of us.

Some days I feel overwhelmed by the thought that I am in charge of these three little human beings. The transition to three kids has been busy and exhausting...but it is pictures like this that remind me it is all worth it. I love these kiddos...and I love this picture of them. Hank is being his silly self, Ruby is being her sweet, helpful self, and Tildy is hoping for a nap. After looking at this picture tonight, I hope to have more patience and less frustration with my kids. Life is going too fast not to slow down and enjoy them. They won't be little forever and one day a clean and orderly house will seem way over-rated compared to the joyful chaos of these three youngsters ruling my world. 

Ruby. Soccer. 2013.

"Soccer Girls" and their head coach, Hugh Van Wagenen.

Esther, Liesel, Jaycee, Ava, Izzie, Ruby, and MJ.

Warming up.

Pep talks from the coach. Hank had to be in on the action.

Ruby had the best fan base around! 

And that fan base was often needed to keep this kid out of trouble!

Once again, Hank in on the action with muffin in hand. 

Hugh was great with the girls. One mom even asked if he was coaching next year and if her girls could be on his team again. Never been prouder of Hugh :).

Ruby loved having Hugh as her coach. Even though she wasn't always the best at listening to him. These two are twins!

Halft-time snacks and breaks quickly became Ruby's favorite part. Especially so she could hang-out with the afore mentioned fan base. 

Ruby's soccer season concluded with a week long BYU soccer cub camp. I loved watching her run around the IPF and make new friends. I especially enjoyed listening to her tell me about the "cute Colin" as she put it, on her team. "He is 3 and so small and cute!" I did clarify with her and she told me he was cute like Henry is cute, not boyfriend cute :). She was also so sweet to walk him over to me one day so I could meet him. I over heard her say, "Do you want to meet my mom?" I love that she wants to include me in her life. 

Gearing up for soccer season.

Ruby is playing soccer this year...her first time! She is so excited and even more thrilled that Hugh is her coach. She's been telling everyone she is starting soccer and her dad is going to be her coach. She's even invited some of our neighbors to come watch her. Last Saturday, we took a family outing to Scoreboard Sports and she picked out some soccer cleats and shin guards. I loved watching Ruby and Hugh in the soccer store together...I'm not sure who was more pleased, Ruby or Hugh. Each time she tried on a pair of cleats she had to run around to "test them out". She originally wanted a pink pair of cleats...I encouraged her to find some that her brother could wear as well. I'm glad she decided on the yellow ones. I kept questioning if she really needed cleats and Hugh (the more thrifty one of the two of us) said she did. Once she put them on, I was sold too!

Tonight, Hugh held a little practice with the girls so everyone could get to know each other. All day Ruby kept reminding me she had soccer practice tonight. She couldn't wait to get all her gear on to go. Once again, it warmed my heart to watch both Ruby and Hugh. Ruby listened intently to Hugh, with her hands in her pocket, so eager to kick the ball and interact with her teammates. Hugh was so sweet with the girls...a proud wife moment for me. The whole time, Ruby had a little skip in her step. I know it's in vain, but I hope she always likes doing things with her mom or dad this much. One can dream.

The past week Ruby has been intent on coming up with a name for her team. "What name should we do, Meg?" she would ask. I kept telling her to wait until practice so she could ask her teammates too. Once the practice was over she ran over to tell me about the name they decided on..."soccer girls, well actually, I think it is soccer girls rule," she told me.  Hugh clarified that the "rule" part is their cheer and their official name is soccer girls.

Here's to a fun season, Soccer Girls!

 Buddies.

I was wondering why they were so quiet while I was making dinner. Ruby set-up a "bow shop" under the desk with Hank as her handy helper. Reassured by this scene I left them to finish dinner. Only to come back to find Hank using a pen to draw all over the computer keyboard. 

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while mom showers...our new morning ritual. One of the few shows that keeps Hank's interest the entire time. (as you can clearly see by his posture in this pic)

These two cute kids are becoming little buddies. Don't get me wrong, they still have their fair share of arguments, but overall they love each other. It is fun to watch Hank follow Ruby around and mimic all she does. Many a morning when he wakes up before her he asks, "Uby?

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Ruby frequently asks me to tighten the ponytail in her hair throughout the day. She usually asks me while holding onto her pony. The other day Hank followed right after her, with his tiny hands holding the wisps of his hair, and looked up at me with asking eyes.

 I asked, "Do you want me to tighten your pony too?"

Hank replied, "Yea" 

And so I pulled his wisps of hair and sent him on his way, to follow his sis to her next adventure for the day. 

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And on another funny note, the other night I was lamenting to Ruby how tired I was and how she needed to hurry up and get ready for bed. While putting toothpaste on her toothbrush, she nonchalantly started this conversation:

"Do you know what you need, Meg?"

"No, what?"

"Five hour energy. Then you won't be tired."

"Where did you hear about that?"

"On a commercial."

From the mouth of babes!

So glad to have these little buddies to keep me on my toes. 

I turned around...

...and she's all grown-up!

The other day, I was busy in the kitchen making dinner. Of course Ruby asked what we were having, and was not happy with my response (no big surprise around here...she likes a handful of foods). She then proceeded to tell me she wanted a pb&j sandwich, and that she could make it herself. I said okay, with my back to her while making dinner at the stove. When I turned around, this is what I found...my cute Ruby all grown-up. Making her own food, in the outfit she picked herself...bows and all. 

Where has the time gone? I sure love this Ruby of mine...she really is such a gem!

 January Shenanigans...trying to get through this bitter cold!

Cheering on our Utah Jazz! Ruby loves Gordon, and when she sees him playing says, "There's my boy." One morning after a game I told her that the Jazz won last night and that Gordon played great, she responded, "Yes! Thanks for telling me Meg, I wanted to know if they won."

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I couldn't help but smile when I saw that Ruby had found homes/beds for all her mini animals. I love how she so neatly set them up on the book shelf.

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Ruby soliciting us for money. She set this up all on her own. She doesn't mess around when it comes to filling up her piggy bank.

"Mom take a picture!"

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Hank carrying around his box of cereal. This is an on-going obsession for him. It is pretty cute to see him haul over to the pantry, then look at me with his wide eyes (his request to open the door), all so he can pull out the cereal and carry it with him everywhere. One evening, I was busy making dinner when Ruby informs me that we have a problem....kix are everywhere! I should have known Hank couldn't be trusted alone with a cereal box. 

These kids wear me out, and some days take me to my wit's end! But I sure do love them...and wouldn't trade them for anything.

Santa Claus is coming to town...

...and Ruby hopes he brings a few things from her list.

Ruby turned 4 and wanted to celebrate in true Ruby fashion...Star Wars style. She had fun celebrating with all her cousins, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. Ruby loves a good birthday party.

**Note: Ruby started the night in her Leia outfit (not pictured below) but once she started playing with Smee and Astrid, she quickly went through a number of outfit changes....also in true Ruby fashion. And a big thanks to Call and Cory for the Luke stand-up...it was a hit!

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 Ruby eating her breakfast of choice on her actual birthday

She enjoyed a blueberry muffin and about six breakfast sausages!

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Ruby ended her big day with a J-Dawg and a family movie night watching "The Adventures of Tin Tin" while devouring the ice cream and licorice from Aunt Mal. As I sat next to her on the couch, I was overcome with gratitude for this special little girl in my life. I loved how she narrated the entire movie for me and how content our little family of four felt snuggled up on our small couch together. Happy Birthday Ruby! You are one-of-a-kind and I hope you always know that you are loved.