This sober looking character is my big helper. His favorite thing to help with is Caroline. While I don't doubt that he loves her I think there are alterior motives. You see he has also discoverd that he LOVES to read (YEA! YEA! YEA!) and he figures if he can get the baby to calm down while he is holding her he can help mom and pursue his favorite pass time. No really he is a good helper. He is enjoying school this year he has a teacher that has really got him excited about learning! He is an excellent math student much to his father's delight and could do with out history much to Ryan's shagrin. He is working on his Webelows and is excited to move on to 11 year old scouts (Yikes!) but is disappointed that there are no more pinewood derbies in his future. (Darn)

Benjamin loves to sled and snowskate. His favorite pass time though is to annoy Scott. He is doing great in school and loves Scouts he can hardly wait to be a Bear Scout because then I'll be the den leader. {Kiss up} He is nearly counting down the days until summer when the cousins start coming. He has a Daddy date tomorrow and they (Ryan and Benjamin) are threatening to bring home another dog. I'll let you know if either of them live to see Sunday!

This very scary bear is Joshua. You could say he's been type casted. Big tough guy on the outside marshmellow inside. I can't keep up with this kid! He runs from the time he gets up in the morning until he litterally drops at about 7:30 where ever he happens to be. I went in for parent teacher confrences and Mr. Byrd told me how well behaved and helpful he is, how he is always on task and gets his work done. I told Mr Byrd I thought he must have the wrong mom. My dad on the other hand has another take on the situation. He is a primary teacher and informed me one Sunday that Joshua really was very good there as well. Dad said he{Joshua} just sat back and watched a couple of the other kids and thought to himself they're causing enough trouble I can take it easy here.

Sweet Caleb is never tired as you can see. This was his 4th birthday and the first and only day of spring here in Idaho. It was beautiful the boys got out and played on actual grass he road his bike and had a visit from Grandma Wilson and Uncle Brent. All that excitement would tire any kid. He absolutley adores his two younger sisters and looks forward to his date to the library with Grandma M. Every week. He can't wait to be a big boy and comes home from the library every week in a different grade.

In many ways Xela is a tomboy she is always trying to keep up with her big brothers, basket ball, jump rope, scaling the cupboards or building tents, she's up for it. Baby Caroline has brought out the inner mommy, suddenly she also wants to hold the baby, feed the baby but thats not all. She's begun helping with all the other mom chores. She unloads the dryer whether there is a basket or not. If not she just unloads it to the floor. She trys to wash dishes by filling a large bowl with water from the refrigerator dispenser and adding shampoo. She is very creative. She also loves to color and adores nursury.

Am I smart enough to do this? It's doubtful. I must be crazy, hence the name of bedlam. Since I am sitting down it is immediatly obvious to my children that I have nothing to do. Joshua is asking if a "Hydra" a 9 headed snake is a dragon. I have to reply or there will be no peace. So "Of course it's a dragon. It's in a dragon book isn't it?" What else can I say? Xela has come to sit in my lap which would be fine, but... In her persuit of being just like Caleb, she has shed her diaper and is now wearing a pair of "Jimmy Neutron" underwear. I'll probably end up in a puddle. Caleb is being mommy's little helper and trying to entertain the baby with his awesom Jedi skills and a light saber. Caroline who is having "tummy time" is of course not impressed with her knight in underwear.