Daisy's Birthday. Summer's Concert.

Mette and Summer spent some time being quite at odds Sunday morning. I don't recall what it was all about, but I do recall Hans, from the sidelines of their squabbling, quietly interjecting an "Excuse me, but should we calm things down a little?"

Nice try, Kid.

Summer ignored. Mette shot him a look of scorn. And the arguing continued.

At some point, after Mette had hurled an accusation at Summer, Hans tried again with a concise "forgive and forget, Mette". 

She rounded on him with a furious, "HANS!"

But Summer spat back at her, "It's a GOOD SAYING, METTE!" And then, with an air of woundedness, was gone.

Haha. Oh these children. Heaven knows what they are learning growing up with each other! (Perhaps they are simply learning to watch themselves! [See below. A lovely note Jesse left next to something in his room.])

But! Here's something pleasant: Daisy's birthday! She's 21!

Goldie gifted her a Lord of the Rings RISK! (If you can even imagine!) Daisy was thrilled. (And, apparently, it doesn't go on quite so dreadfully long as the original RISK. Something about Mordor ending it. [Or so I heard them assuring Abe when he expressed skepticism about wanting to play it with them.])

She couldn't think of anything she wanted, so we just got her two pair of very cool shoes. And it seemed, afterwards, that very-cool-shoes actually had been just what she wanted! 

Arm-wrestling before birthday cake.

Daisy had a bad cold, so she gave candle-blowing duties to Anders. He almost got her wish for her. (He would've had it for certain, but somehow one of those blasted re-lighting candles had snuck into the mix.)

And some other pleasant things:

A sleepy, little Starling. With a Ziploc-bag full of pinecones. 

I don't usually take pictures at church, but Starling resting on Summer's lap and both of them looking so happy about it was just too dear to pass up. (Also, you can see Melyssa next to Mette. She entertains my kids through most sacrament meetings. I will really miss her when we are no longer here. And I think she will really miss us.)

This Starling is just so lucky! I can't get over how much love and adoration she gets to grow up with. 

Her siblings are so good to her.

This was just Sunday after dinner. I'm not sure what was going on. But I liked my view of all of these people scattered about in front of me. 

And perhaps the pleasantest thing of all. Summer had a performance with her elementary-school choir; and her older sisters made such a great fuss about it! Both Daisy and Goldie came home from college just for the concert (even though they both had to get right back for work and finals). Goldie brought her a treat and Daisy brought her flowers. Mike and the middle boys had to be at a mutual activity, but looking down this row at all of the support and love Summer had made me just feel so happy. 

Oh they are lucky to have each other. Even with all the squabbling. (And even with Hans covering his face and crying after running too forcefully into the brick on this bench. And even with both Starling and Mette falling and skinning their knees on the way home.)

And, long past the little folks' bedtime, here they were arranging Summer's flowers just so.

The End.