Ethne's Attempt At Makeup

Ethne got into my make up Sunday and drew all over her face with black eye liner. In the video Garrett shows her what she looks like in the mirror and she looks totally shocked. So funny. Also in the beginning when he asks her what she put on her face she says "marker" but he corrects her with "make up".

Another Poem From Enoch

Enoch is really good at memorizing. He knows the first 6 articles of faith and can recite 6 poems from memory (he would be able to do a lot more but we have just recently gotten back to memorization after a long break). I love how cute he looks when he knows he is being filmed and those two front teeth missing make it really hard for him to say anything without spiting all over you and slurring his words. Sweet boy.

A Poem From Our Favorite Enoch-Man

This is Enoch reciting one of his favorite poems that he has memorized in the last year. He is so cute when he does it. I am going to try to start putting up some video's regularly now that I am using the latest version of blogger and finally have that option. Seriously I didn't even know that it needed to be updated and that it would make it so much easier to do everything.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

This morning Ethne is eating a roll and fruit salad for breakfast and she crumbled the whole roll all over her seat and the table and the floor. It was a mess. I just let her sit in it for a little bit so I could finish what I was doing and she was getting increasingly more agitated about it. She likes to make messes but like my Enoch she HATES to be dirty. She likes her clothes and hands cleaned regularly and frequently tells me in the middle of her meal "mommy mommy, hands dirty, hands dirty" until I wash them or give her  a napkin.  Finally she got really agitated and screamed "Mommy, I WANT TO CLEAN UP NOW!" We had a very brief conversation about how it just isn't that fun to make a huge mess out of your food and she went about her business of cleaning it up with me.

Boys Night w/ Ethne

Last night the boys found out I was going out and they would be home with dad and Ethne. They immediately declared it a "boys night". I said it's not a boys night because Ethne will be here too. Ezra replied without missing a beat "it's OK Ethne was here last time and we still had fun. She didn't ruin it or anything". I said but it's for her too so it's just a daddy-kid night. They weren't buying it-
Enoch expressed his feelings as such:
It's still a boys night cause Ethne doesn't do everything with us-just some stuff!

MOM, FEED THE DOG!

Last night I was making dinner and Ethne came running in with a bowl and a spoon and yelled "Mom, feed the dog!" Sounds like a reasonable request doesn't it? Well we don't have a dog so it was a little bit more mysterious to me but knowing my daughter I had an idea what she was talking about. I said What dog? She looked at me with intensity in her big blue eyes and pointed and said "THIS DOG!". She was pointing to herself and wanting to be fed and fed right then. It was so cute and funny to see her so desperate for food. I reassured her that dinner was on it's way and would be ready very soon. She kept staring at me and said "oh!" and ran back to the toy room.

Totally UNIQUE The Word of The Day!

My boys have had "Ratatouille" on the brain lately. This morning at Breakfast we had frittata wrapped in tortillas and fruit salad (all leftovers from last nights dinner). Ezra said "mom, what does totally unique mean?" This wasn't the first time this week he has asked me that question but he keeps forgetting. In "Ratatouille" Remy says "The flavors are totally unique" and this has left a big impression on my boys.  After we talked about "uniqueness" for  a while Enoch said to Ezra "Hey Ezra, taste your burrito then taste your fruit and then taste them both together and see what it tastes like". This was a repeat of Remy's experiment with Emile in eating a bite of cheese and then a bite of strawberry and then trying them together for a UNIQUE (how many times can we use the word of the day?) flavor.  They were very enthusiastic about the experiment and it was funny to watch them fussing over the food. Ezra showed very good taste however in deciding that instead of tasting a frittata burrito with fruit he would try a banana and an Orange together instead :)

A Week in the Life of A Child...

A week in the life of a child is usually a complete paradox.  For instance for two days Ethne has done nothing but whine, cry, and have a total breakdown every single time something didn't go exactly right.  Today she is as happy as she could be.  Her favorite phase of the day is "Ezra did it!" and "mommy, I'n busy. I'n busy cleaning".  She is busy as a bee reading baby Camillna stories, flying like superman, being a pink cat, running around the back yard, cleaning up the toys, interrogating me when busy in the kitchen or on the computer, swimming in the bath, and forcing me to sit on the couch and climbing all over me. She is as happy as she could be and nothing much ruffles her feathers. Everything is a game and everyone is there to amuse her :) 

Growing Up Fry...

I often contemplate the question what does it mean to Grow Up as a Fry??  What are the goals and mores surrounding our family that are/will be a part of our children just from "Growing Up Fry"?

This morning there were some funny things said that gave me a few insites into what we are and aren't doing well.

1st Ethne is convinced that Samuel the Lamanite is "Superman". Right now we have pictures from the scriptures hanging up on our windows in the dining room and one of them is a picture of Samuel the Lamanite up on the city wall wearing a flowing red cape. By 2 years old the boys knew exactly who he was and what he was doing on that wall. But the Fry parents are slipping--Ethne just turned two and she thinks that Samuel is "Superman" up on the wall ready to fly. Not one of my prouder moments, but it sure makes me laugh.

2nd I asked Ezra what he wanted for his birthday and he said "oh I  don't know I guess I will have to look at some website."Funny boy! That is usually what we do when they are deciding what they want for birthday's and Christmas :)

3rd I wanted to cry AGAIN after feeding my kids oatmeal for breakfast and seeing how quickly it became a part of Ezra and Ethne. Pretty soon I wasn't sure what was oatmeal and what was clothing.  Eating oatmeal frequently is part of our attempt at giving the kids what they want (a warm breakfast) and keeping it healthy. We stuff it full of nuts, rasins, unsweetened coconut flakes, cinamon, nutmeg and other wholesome goodness depending on the day.  The problem though is ongoing-healthy warm breakfast = big, slimy, sticky mess to clean up everytime.

4th I was cleaning off the bar and bar stools after breakfast and was pleasantly surprised that the chair Enoch sat in was actually still clean and not in the least sticky. I said congratulations Enoch your chair is actually clean- to which he immediately responded "That's because I am growing up to be a man". To Grow up a male Fry is to grow up to be a "MAN" and more importantly a "GENTLEMAN".  Just like their hero Despereaux. Enoch is learning to take showers by himself and be more independent of his parents help toward this end. Garrett calls it their "man training" and gives them regular lessons as to what to do and how to do it so that they may become a man.  Enoch resents my interference in these little matters (my being only a female and all) and sometimes it becomes a little frustrating as the men are being a little too like men and I try to improve they way things get done and keep G from giving them responsibilities they aren't quite ready for. i.e. pouring out their own shampoo when they can't resist dumping 1/2 of it into the tub costing us $$ and making a massive mess :(

 5th  Growing up Fry means something bigger than these small events though. It means that you are part of something special. You are a part of a family that sticks together, that grows, and learns, and loves together. We take care of each other and we never forget who is looking out for and taking care of us-Our Loving Heavenly Father.

6th Growing up Fry is about constantly learning. We travel, we read, we go to any and all places of learning together to grow and expand our minds.

7th Growing up Fry we worship the Lord our God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Our religion isn't just about what we do, it's who we are. It's our life's goal to return together as a family to live with our Father in Heaven for eternity. We are an eternal family.

I regret that I never finished this post. I will just have to publish it unfinished ;) Better late than never.

A First For Enoch

In the last 24 hours we have had a wonderful experience with Enoch.  We got to see a small vision of what he will be like when he gets older and it was a really sweet and proud moment for Garrett and I.  He is such a great kid. He tries so hard all the time to do what is right. He has his little melt downs and his mischievous side as well but his whole little self wants more than anything to do what is right and to please his parents and his Heavenly Father.  He got an invitation to go see a movie with one of his friends from church for the friend's birthday and he was so excited. He loves birthdays and celebrating and giving presents etc... But he has a bit of a fear about going to the theatre to see movies and he is skeptical of every new movie that comes out. He knows that we don't see most of the movies that come out and that a lot of the kids movies are full of potty humor which we don't really like.  We are quite picky about what the kids see and both boys are completely fine with this.

Enoch, wanted to know right off what the movie was. I told him and he said "oh, I don't know if I want to see that movie." I said oh really why? He would only say "because, I don't like ________".  I let it go until it was time to email an RSVP. Last night I said Enoch I need to know if you are going to the movie so that I can tell them. He said "I'm NOT going if there is any potty humor".
I showed him the trailers and explained that there would probably be some intense parts but that I thought it would be fine. We looked up the parental ratings and it didn't show any potty humor so he was OK there.  Then he said "just tell her I will let her know tomorrow". I said OK you sleep on it and I will let her know that you will tell me tomorrow.

He went in for Scriptures and prayers with Garrett and Ezra while I put Ethne to bed. I heard part of the conversation and had mixed emotions to what Garrett was telling them.  Garrett has strong feelings against this particular movie and I heard him say "If the man who made the movie was a good man he would save his political agenda for the adults and not try to brainwash little children".  They actually had a long and really good discussion about it all though and it led to Enoch praying asking his Heavenly Father if he should go to the movie. 

This morning when I asked Enoch what his answer was he said "I have prayed about it last night and today and Jesus isn't answering me. I guess if he doesn't say anything to me then I will just go."  I said OK, you know what you can do if you don't understand the answer, is ask Heavenly Father to give you an answer that you can understand. We talked about how answers to prayers come and how we feel them and how people get them in different ways.  Then I told him he could pray one more time and tell Heavenly Father that he was having a hard time understanding and ask if he would give him the answer in a way he could understand and know what to do.

I got in the shower and Enoch prayed in his room. When I got out he was waiting for me to tell me that "the answer came in the weirdest way that I wasn't even expecting. It was so weird" I believe that things like this are sacred and don't want to share the full experience here but I was surprised how the answer came too. Both Enoch and I felt the spirit as he told me his story and he asked me what I thought it meant. I told him that it was his answer given to him and asked him what he thought it meant. He said that he thought it was a yes and that he should go.  He said "do you think that is right mom?" and I answered honestly that I thought he was right. I could see no other way to interpret it.  I felt so happy inside that Heavenly Father looked down on one of his ninety and nine and gave a little 6 year old the answer to his sweet and innocent little question. 

The whole experience was a window to Enoch's soul and we were very pleased to see what we found there. What a great kid. I am relieved about his teen years. A child that has that much wisdom and that strong of a desire to do the right thing is astounding. I may have said this all ready but I am so very proud of him and of Garrett for all the constant teaching he does about right and wrong and good and bad and choosing for ourselves.  Enoch was given the choice and I would have supported him and not tried to sway him either way, but I know now that in matters of great consequence when he is older that he has the wisdom to know how to make his decisions.  Way to go Enoch-you are certainly living up to your name!

Midnight Rendezvous...

Last night in the middle of the night Ezra woke us up for a very particular reason. He asked Garrett if he would go to the bathroom with him. Garrett said "no, Ezra it is the middle of the night" to which Ezra cutely replied "But Dad, it's not as fun if you aren't there! Can you at least come and fix all my blankets?"
Later Garrett told Ezra that he had been in his room crying and Garrett had come in to check on him. Ezra was sitting up and wide awake and said "oh I didn't even know I was crying *giggle giggle**"


A little after 7am Enoch came out of his room and saw Garrett passing in the hallway. He noticed that it was still totally dark outside and said "oh I thought it was morning. Then walked back in his room and shut the door"  The days are really short here now. It is 8am now and still not very light outside. Part of that is due to the short days and the other part because it is so dark and rainy today. It was like this all night last night. The wind kept me awake for a long time. It is strange to live in a place where the wind is so loud all night long it can keep you awake. This morning 4 of the 6 heavy wooden deck chairs had blown away. Crazy!

Sydney Day Three

Day Three in Australia with Camilla.

River cruise was beautiful with afternoon tea.

The Rocks

Royal Botanic Gardens

This guy plays around Sydney and we loved his music so I bought his CD for Garrett. He loved it. 

More beautiful views

Very expensive housing right on the water. 

Lighthouse 

Government House in Royal Botanic Gardens

Sunset from the water

Feeding the cockatoos

In the gardens

This was right before the cockatoos attacked me

My darling husband and children think these are the funniest photos ever. 

My pain was their amusement :)

Not just their's, Camilla thought it was so funny instead of helping me she took about 200 photos

They really liked Camilla. Just ate from her hands nicely

Day Two Sydney Australia

Wonderful times together in Sydney. I sure miss this girl. Can't think of anyone better than one of my sisters to travel and play with. Too bad it doesn't happen often enough these days.

The famous Sydney Opera House

The just as famous Sydney Bridge

This area is called the rocks and it was probably my most favorite part of Sydney. I loved just being down here and seeing all the amazing buildings and the bridge and the opera house and the church. It was so beautiful down here.

other views of the rocks

all of these buildings are now fancy restaurants.

The church and the rocks.

a view across the harbor

another view across the harbor

this one one of the coolest buildings as well

Down by the bridge-lovely view of the opera house

Palm trees are so beautiful. I hope I always live somewhere where they grow.

Sydney night life-

Camilla and I kind of sneaked into this building. She wasn't very happy with me for doing it huh Camilla? But it was so cool I wanted to see it.

It is a hotel (a really nice hotel) and it has at least one restaurant and a whole bunch of high end stores for shopping.

And the weirdest thing was that this wall was inside the building. It looks like the outside of another building but it is an inside wall in this same building with all the shops etc... It is a really unique and interesting affect.

Getting Ready For Church on Father's Day

Just finishing brushing my teeth mom. If only I could get these buttons figured out.

Maori tongue:

She is such a doll and so full of personality. She was having so much fun jumping around the house and singing and dancing we were all cracking up at her.

Thoughtful:

Mom and Ethne girl-this picture is for you Camilla so you could see the scarf:

Rain coat and backpack complete with her lunch for nursery, nappies and wipes, and paper and a pen to color :)

She loves to accessorize-the backpack, the jacket, the gum boots, it is all so Ethne-

Thanks Grandma fry for the backpack. She loves it and looks really cute with it on :)

On Mt. Victoria With Camilla And Island Bay

The gang on top of Mt. Victoria
The view on Mt. Victoria

My comedians laying on the rock pretending to be dead.

More great view

Again more great view: *sigh* doesn't it take your breath away. It is so beautiful here!Enoch, Ezra and Ethne pretending to be seals on a rock. Ethne signing seal.

More signing seal:

Ethne was so wild when we were up there she was singing and signing and dancing around. I think she thought not only am I on top of the world, but I also own it :)

More boy seals: notice the look on seal #2's face. Cracks me up.

Asleep on the rock in each others arms-how sweet:

At some point when they were laying on the rocks Ezra went spread eagle and said "mom take a picture of my dead bones."

Camilla and Enoch:

Ethne wanted her sweater off so we turned her into a 50 year old Ralph Lauren model ;)

Island Bay Photos. This little bird from up on the road driving by looked like a penguin. We stopped to get a better look and it turned out it was just this bird :( Camilla really wanted to see one before she left.

We have penguin crossing signs all around where we live and all around Island Bay here too but we have yet to see any.

Island Bay is really a gorgeous place. Garrett said if we hadn't moved to Seatoun he would have loved to live here. Oh and by the way, speaking of penguins, they have had the first Emperor penguin in recorded history to reach New Zealand shores from Antarctica in June. It landed 60Km north of Wellington according to one report. A lady saw it while walking her dog. People were advised to leave it alone and they expected that it would just swim back where it came from. It didn't have any injuries or anything and looks quite healthy in the videos. But last night I heard on the radio that it was currently in the Wellington Zoo because it had eaten a bunch of sand and sticks and needed some procedures to remove them. Next year it will be taken back to it's home on a boat expedition :)

Watch the video of it here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/5172214/Rare-NZ-emperor-penguin-appearance