Latergrams: in which March, April, and May things happen like a blur

I think it's been a pretty good date night. He chose to go to Joanne's to get stuff for his Shrek costume, and of course, to get frozen custard sundaes with a cherry on top. #oneonone #ellisandme #lotsoflaughs

Um, trying to stay positive about this... but it kind of feels like we opened a bunch of presents and then had to give them all back. #somuchforspring#giantstepbackward #snow

I like to invite the elders over for dinner on Monday nights...and then kindly inform that it's their turn for the FHE lesson. 😉 This was a great one for my boys about preparing for missionary work! #ldsmissionaries

Costume expert knew exactly what he needed to look like a spy: glasses, bowtie, white shirt, and black pants. Then he asked, "And Mom, do all scientists wear glasses, or is it just most?" #dressupguy #scientistorspy#samo

Sprinkled Donut Crunch: Because Cap'n Crunch just isn't sweet enough.

"There's two reasons why I wanted a yellow bath drop today: first, because yellow is my favorite color. Second, so that I don't have to get out of the tub to go to the bathroom, 'cause it's so cold." #raisingboys#joking #ihope

After watching a friend perform a role in "Annie" last weekend, Ellis has dreamed up his own version of the play. It involves boy orphans, angry singing, and lots of towel-throwing. He then begged and finally paid me three dollars to print the 86-page Annie script so he can start practices. #hardknocklife

I definitely don't take enough advantage of this giant lake right next to Chicago. #cohosalmon#notthebiggestfishinthepond #kayak

Here are the bigger ones.

Sam's very first purchase ever with his own money: Thor's hammer. He couldn't have been more proud to hand over his money to the cashier at Target, and he couldn't believe it when she gave him some change back!

Just enjoyed a delicious scoop of "The Tonight Dough starring Jimmy Fallon" with this guy. Might need to go back for more... It was amazing! #benandjerrys#freeconeday

@byumikey wins the best uncle prize for not only going way out of his way to see us, but also bringing awesome toy airplanes for the boys. Thanks for dropping in, Mike!

I think the career of "Mom" produces the most diverse list of job descriptions ever. #momresume#costumedesigner #gingyfromshrek #ellisdebut

Sam finally got over his prejudice against younger people when he realized it's much more fun to play with Andrew than Mom. I think Sam might be a good big brother someday. #buddies #littleknights

Perfect weather for...feeding and entertaining 12 kids. It was nice to keep the wrestling, sword fights, ketchup, soccer, and baseball outside! #babysittingcoop#kidparty #happyspring

Thanks to a gift card from @lindawiverson and@nediverson and a tax return from Uncle Sam, we no longer have to be embarrassed when hosting a cookout. #readyforsummer

Ellis came home from school with a recipe for "beehives" made from peanut butter, honey, dry milk, and corn flakes. He insisted on making them and did it pretty much by himself! Then he and Sam gobbled them up (right after sam gagged and threw up my delicious dinner. Go figure!). #thelife

Ellis decided it was a good day to start reading The Bible, and at Henry's suggestion, he started with Chronicles. The two of them were cracking up over the names in the lineage chapters. #enlightened

Ben getting serious about Luck Be a Lady at rehearsal tonight. Getting ready for our Broadway concert in less than two weeks! #allvillagesingers

Ellis' plan for getting invited to sit at the exclusive "Allergy Table," complete with his reminder note to me.#nopeanutbutter

Heaven help the Kindergarten teachers tonight, who are hosting 60 kids at the sleep-under and movie night.#ellisinhiselement

Good times with Ben's cousin "C," who is in Chicago for work this week. We are so glad he came to spend time with us!

Gingy in costume (and stage makeup) ready for the Shrek play! He could hardly contain his excitement about his first time performing in a real play on a real stage! #dreamcometrue

An impressive bunch of 5-7 year olds, each with memorized lines and lots of great singing and dancing! Each kid had a microphone headset so we could hear them all. So fun! #winnetkacommunityhouse#skylinedrama #shrekjr

Little Shrek brother. #supportivesam

That time I tried to take a nap during Screen-Free week. #markerwar #boysboysboys

Book fair + 80 degrees + ice cream + solitude = Henry's paradise. #mybookworm

Obligatory post-church Mother's Day photo. I'm feeling grateful for these boys of mine! #mothersday#myfoursons #lovethem

Flexing his manly muscles. #fourthboy #21weeks

Ellis absolutely could not get his church clothes on this morning until he had labelled the stage (our living room) for his next self-directed production: Annie. This is down-stage right. We also have stage right, up-stage right, down-stage left, stage left, and up-stage left plastered on our walls. Now all he needs are 40 willing cast members to play all the parts. Who's in?

This boy loves a good theme, and tonight's FHE lesson was no exception. We read "Cody and the Campout," which meant we had to have s'mores for the treat. And of course, he had to wear a scout "costume" to teach properly. #familyhomeevening #samo

Because I love you, @sarahseversonfam. 😊#jennsbakeshop #choosetheright #edibleart#baptismtomorrow

Forget looking at the animals! My child was more interested in picking noses and "smelling the sewer" at every manhole cover we passed. Should I be concerned? #boystuff #kindergartenzootrip

Because I'm sure you're all dying to see the latest on my belly. #bellyupdate #23weeks #photobyhenry

During free writing time, they were allowed to write about anything they wanted. Ellis chose to write a list of all his classmates, in alphabetical order by last name.#classicellis #peopleguy