Tiny Tori

We have lived in Mexico for 8 years. 

I have been teaching ballet from my own studio for 8 years. 

My kids have grown-up in tutus...trying on pointe shoes...hanging on my legs...dancing with the big girls...and counting to 8 over...and over again.

Tori was only 2 or 3 in this picture and she was trying on the big girls' dance shoes. 

All my kids have grown-up next to me in the studio while I teach ballet. 

Even Benton has a great knowledge of the (French) ballet terminology.

I love my little assistants. 

The Smudge

In our community there are many orchards.

It gets cold at night but it is warm during the day so the buds need to be protected from the frost.

These days  a sprinkling system is used to trap the warmth.

Every morning the orchards look like this.

This particular night the temperature dropped to 10 degrees.

There is nothing you can do for temps that low.

We kissed our apple crop good-bye and snapped some cool photos.

Now we are praying that our chile is fruitful.

Back in the day the farmers would light "smudge buckets" under each tree to frost control.

The town would be covered in thick smoke for most of the day.

Soot would get in the homes and stain the furniture and carpets.

The men would come home BLACK.

A more effective way was found to frost control....with water and a sprinkling system....but the process has always been known as the "smudge."

Plus, it sounds more manly than the "sprinkle."

The Newest Hatch-lings

Born the end of 2010 are the three newest Hatch-lings.

Can you tell who is who?

From left to right

we have 

Peyton (Greg and Kami)

Presley (Berkley and Margo)

Adalyn (Garrett and BJ)

The hatching started in October, then November, and last December.

There was a baby born each month. 

We like to keep our dear mother-in-law on her toes.

3 generations

Adalyn Hatch 

with her father

Garrett Hatch 

and grandfather

Gerald Hatch

Wordless Wednesday: cookie monster

Turn your frown upside down...

If you are ever having a bad day

all you need to do is start tuning IN to your kids and the things they are saying.

It is easy to tune out all the whining and crying but sometimes the sweetest little things are being said.

One day I was self-loathing and Benton said...from the back seat of the car..."Mom, you my best friend."

My heart melted and I forgot what I was stressing about.

Alex must be able to sense when I need a little boost because she will tell me that she is having the most perfect day on those days that are not going so well for me.

I need to take the time to see the world through the eyes of a child. 

They don't let the negative dwell within their little hearts. 

They are quick to forgive and forget.

They find beauty in the simplest things.

Benton will find me almost every evening and say, "Mom, come look. The stars are here."

I wish we, as adults, could get whacked in the head with a toy car...

cry until someone asks if we are okay...

then go back to playing with the same kid that whacked us without a second thought.

The world would be such a better place.

I know I was sent my four beautiful kids to teach me.

I often feel that they are teaching much more than I have taught them. 

I've learned

peace

comfort by a simple touch

kind words

patience

unconditional love

sharing

and so much more.

If I ever feel overwhelmed...all I have to do is stop and listen to my kids.

Usually it will put a smile on my face.

Swimming...farm-style

This Spring Break EVERYONE left town.

My good friend Jen and I were the only ones left in town.

We got together almost everyday and did something fun with our 12 kids.

One day we let the kids play in the yard and enjoyed lunch together.

The next day we took a picnic up the river and let the kids play in the sand.

This day we went to a neighboring orchard and swam in their pond.

They had a great rope swing that the big kids were so nice to help the little kids on. We only had 1 injury while playing on the rope.

The water is green but clean. It doesn't bother these farm kids in the least.

They couldn't be more happy.

The view was great. 

We were surrounded by hills and had a nice view of the orchard below.

The kids had a blast pushing each other in...racing...diving...and splashing.

We set up camping chairs...lemonade...and strawberries so we could sit...relax...and visit while the kids swam.

No trip to a water hole is complete without a 4 wheeler. 

The kids all took turns driving and riding the moto.

It was a great day of relaxing...laughing...playing...and visiting.

Thank you Jen for the wonderful "stay"-cation. 

We had a blast with your family this week.