All or Nothing

Memory Lane

2011-12-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

We were driving a long distance home from a Christmas party and saw an impressive display of Christmas lights. When I pointed them out to the kids Mary replied, "I can't look now because I'll mess up on my game." The girls had their heads down playing games on my phone and the following conversation ensued:

Beth: "Mom, did they have Pac-Man when you were little?"

Mom: "Sure. I remember when Pac-Man first came out. Dad and I were little when video games were invented."

Beth: " You WERE?"

Luke: "Yeah, and we had to play them on the TV."

Mom: (Playing up the drama) And when we watched TV, there was NO REMOTE. If you wanted to change the channel or turn up the volume, you had to get up, walk over, and do. it. yourself."

Girls: "Ugggghhhhh!"

Luke: "You know, when we were your age personal computers were a new thing. People were just starting to get them."

Girls: "Really??"

Mom: "And NO ONE had cell phones."

Mary: "WHAT?!?!?"

Mom: "We were born before the internet was invented."

Luke: "Way before!"

Girls: "WHOA!!!"

(Momentary pause while they processed what absolute relics their parents are)

Beth: "You must've played outside a lot more than we do."

Mom: "Very true Beth. Very true..."

Say What?

2011-10-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Things I never quite imagined I'd say as a parent:

When they were toddlers: "it is not ok to lick a toilet"

When they were pre-schoolers: "Please get the baby's feet out of your mouth. Now get your feet out of your mouth.

Now that they are school-age: "The next person to sing a Selena Gomez song owes me 15 minutes of extra chores..."

And today pulling in the driveway: "Did someone stick a wad of cheese wax on my rose bushes?"

Lose and Win

2011-08-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

Today is one of those days when I am sitting here buried under the proverbial mountain of things to be done and feeling like a total loser because I haven't managed to do them (and seeing as how I'm still sitting here that situation isn't likely to change soon). I'm wondering why my house is a mess when I'm pretty sure I've already cleaned it abut 4,235 times and how come my children can't seem to remember to brush their teeth or clear their plates even though I've told them to at least as many times as I've cleaned the house. Then there's my dear old blog that has been sitting deserted for the past ten months, while all the photos snapped during that same time period are still on the camera, and the camera is - somewhere around here. Never mind the stack of other hobbies and home improvement projects lurking in the corners. What happened to that woman who used to willingly put her best foot forward, devise and execute a plan for the day, and accomplish something?

Oh wait. She had a baby. Yup. An absolutely adorable, heart-stoppingly cute, charm-your-socks-off-with-sweetness, realign the center of my universe, baby boy. He stole our hearts last October and nothing has been the same day or night since. (I will gladly show you lots of pictures of him, as soon as I find my camera, remember to charge the battery, get around to downloading them to computer, and eventually upload them to the blog) Add that to the three energetic, creative, expressive, clever, growing girls home all day and it adds up to a semi-supressed whirlwind that we happily call "this time of life." I wouldn't trade it, not for a clean house or a finished project or a quiet moment. Ok, maybe for a quiet moment, but not very many because I don't want to miss out.

It occurred to me this morning that while four children keep me reaching with both hands and both feet in opposite directions at the same time I have never wished for fewer children, only for more hands. It is true that I lose my keys, my patience, and the better part of my mind on daily basis, but with one look of their bright eyes my children completely win me over.

For Grandma and Grandpa: two weeks

2010-10-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

We went for his two week check-up and he measured in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 20."

I let Aunt Lynn, Super Nurse, be the bad guy who held him down for shots and I did the cuddling afterwards. He had his first bath before we left and he and I slept a lot after we got home. Lynn is taking good care of us and we are all doing well.

One Week and Wide-Eyed

2010-10-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

One week already. The days went by so fast and yet life before Gabe was here already seems far away. He has been all the joy we thought he would be, and then some. His sisters are completely smitten and never miss an opportunity to hold him, kiss him, or help care for him. It is delightful to watch them surround their brother with such enthusiastic love. Luke hasn't left my side all week. He has done EVERYTHING involving the girls and the house so that I didn't have to lift a finger and I am recovering well because of it, but just having him home has been a strength and a comfort in itself. I've been living in a bliss-filled bubble and though "real life" is bound to catch up with me soon, I expect to keep floating. There's not much that could bring me down with these eyes looking up at me!

Too Blessed For Words

2010-10-13T07:43:00.001-07:00

All We Need Now...

2010-09-24T08:57:00.001-07:00

Is the baby! The room is ready (aside from hanging a few pictures), the clothes are washed, and the bag is packed so now we wait. We're scheduled to be induced on October 9, which happens to be my birthday, and I can't decide if two weeks from tomorrow feels very soon or still so far away. In the meantime the girls are getting more and more excited.

When Beth walked in and saw what used to be her room all done up in blue and brown she gasped in delight and stared for a while. Later I heard high pitched squeals coming from in there when she opened the closet door and found all his tiny clothes. She visits the room almost daily to rock in the chair or lay on the bed. I'm not sure if she's wanting to be in her old room for awhile or if she does it to feel close to the baby, or both. She is convinced that when she talks to my tummy the baby hears her and does what she says. For example last night she said good night to him and told him not to kick so hard that I wouldn't sleep. This morning she asked how I slept and when I said I slept well she grinned, "See, I told him not to keep you up!"

Mary is planinng to feed him his bottle if he cries while I am making dinner and Beth said she would hold him and just practice her spelling words and math problems out loud if he wants to be held during homework time. Madeleine has become my right hand and a tremendous help already. Yes, these "little mothers" are ready to be involved, although I haven't heard much volunteering for diaper duty :) I'm ready for some quiet snuggle time and I think Dad is ready for a little sports buddy.

I hope this little boy is ready to be loved, doted on, and fought over, because we're ready for him!

Good Books For Girls?

2010-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Reading has always been a favorite past time of mine, and it's one of my favorite things to share with my children. I love to read to them and I love to see them love to read. Madeleine is an insatiable enthusiasts whereas for Beth it's currently more of a love/hate relationship (but it's coming around, slowly but surely!) and Mary is surprisingly willing to sit and listen when good stories, especially funny ones, are concerned.

This summer we developed a sophisticated, cutting edge family reading incentive program- a plastic jar and bowl of pom-poms. One pom-pom goes in the jar for every book someone in the family reads and when it is full...(drum roll please)... we go on a "family date" to the book store and each child is allowed to pick out a new book. Truth be told I neglected to determine an estimate of the number of pom-poms needed to fill that jar prior to launching the program. Had I employed such foresight, I can tell you I would've purchased larger pom-poms. It is likely that our summer reading program will extend far into the Fall before the jar is filled, but I am completely ok with that. It doesn't really matter when it gets filled, so long as it does.

In order to keep the fire burning until we achieve our lofty goal I am in need of LOTS of good reading material over the next few months and finding the right balance of interest and content is no easy feat for this crowd. Nothing too scary, too tense, or suspenseful, so mystery is out as well as science fiction and most fantasy (believe it or not, it's only the parents and not the children who have devoured Harry Potter in this household). Our avid readers are prone to vivid nightmares. Since many a night of sleep has been lost after one spooky story or dramatic movie scene, we tread carefully when making our media selections. Nothing too mean-spirited, bully-ish, or sarcastic. Our more sensitive and empathetic readers are easily disenchanted by such characters. The Diary of a Wimpy kid was closed before it was ever started around here. Nothing too boy-crazy, trendy, or faddish. Hannah Montana has her place, but it's not in my read-aloud bedtime books. It's all I can do to keep her TV show and her music from driving me bonkers.

Madeleine's been through Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and the Louisa May Alcott collection. Magic Tree House, the Pet/Rainbow/Weather/Jewel Fairies series have all been done, and so have Amber Brown, Cam Jansen, and Animal Ark. We have refused to let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and heard the demands of typing cows and superior ducks multiple times, while somehow Piggie and Elephant never fail to get a laugh no matter how many times we read the same story. Even so, summer is half over and we've got about 467 pom-poms to go.

So ladies (and gentlemen if that shoe fits), what do you suggest? I'm interested in your input on everything from picture books to early readers to (5th grade appropriate) novels and great family read-alouds. Do you have favorite audio books for long car rides? We've got a five-hour journey coming up and we'd love the company of your good friends. Funny, sentimental, or classic; what's your favorite, both past and present? I'd be grateful for your suggestions. In fact, for every worthy recommendation, we'll name a pom-pom after you.

It's a Boy!!

2010-05-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. We are having a boy. Every time I make that statement I have the feeling that our world is about to enter a new dimension altogether unlike anything we have previously experienced in our realm of parenting. It's like we're being inaugurated into a club that we didn't know existed.

As we anticipated finding out the gender of our baby I was honestly 50/50. At times I would envision Luke enjoying father/son outings and imagine a little buddy tagging along with me like my younger brothers used to do. My heart melted at the thought of a little guy coming to join us. Then I would remember tiny pink bows and dainty dresses and sweet little giggles and I would long to have a baby girl all over again. So despite having all girls already, I really didn't have a preference.

Even while we waited in the waiting room at the imaging center I tried to imagine them telling me one way and then the other, just to test how I would really feel when I heard the final word. Finally, logic prevailed and I decided, "It's a girl. It's always a girl. Every time we do this I get all antsy about finding out what it's going to be and every time they say it's a girl." A cloud of pink flooded my mind. I got giddy at the thought of embroidered flowers and was overcome by an urge to unpack all the little dresses I still have stashed away. Grinning widely as they called our names I practically skipped back to imaging room. We chatted with the technician for a minute and then black and white blotches filled the screen in front of us. One look and before the technician could say anything I blurted out, "It IS a boy!!!" I was genuinely surprised and somewhat bewildered. I remember looking at Luke with a feeling of something like, "Well...what do we do now?" On the drive home we talked about names, redecorating, scouting, and even preparing him to serve an LDS mission, trying to take in all the new concepts and responsibilities that will become a part of our family life.

A boy. Half the time I still can't believe I'm even pregnant. The fact that he's a boy seems something like the icing on the cake at this whole surprise party. So far I don't feel a strong inclination to start accumulating baby things. In fact I'm more inclined to avoid it. I haven't been motivated to shop and or felt really drawn to little boy clothes. It's not an unattractive idea for me because he's a boy. It's because he's not here. I don't want clothes and cribs and car seats. I want a BABY. I want that moment when I am holding him and his warm fuzzy head is against my cheek and I know that he is ok and so am I and nothing else matters except that he is here. A conglomeration of unused items sitting idly in an empty room seems more like a taunting reminder of how long this whole process really takes rather than a confirmation that it is really happening. Why do that to myself?

Well, because he's a BOY, and he is coming to a home that is inundated with ruffles, sparkles, and every shade of pink imaginable. Really, there is not a blue item or even a gender-neutral tone in this entire house. He's going to get here sometime and when he does we ought to have something for him to wear, and having a few diapers around would probably prove beneficial too. Therefore, let the nesting begin...

So little baby, I will try to be patient over the next 20 weeks while we wait for you to grow. I will not complain that you are taking too long. I will not worry that something will interfere between now and that moment when you are completely mine. I will not get teary looking at your empty bed wishing I could already lay you in it. Instead I will busily create a baby haven of blue and beige without a single lace ruffle or bow. And then finally, we will welcome you home, and you will always be our little boy.

Got Gas?

2010-04-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

Three times yesterday I thought I should stop for gas and didn't do it. Then this morning my empty light went on while I was driving to a doctor's appointment. Seeing it reminded me that I left my purse at home so I ran home, grabbed the purse, and hurried to get gas. So hurried that when I heard the pump shut off I didn't realize it was the pump next to me and not mine until after I pulled the nozzle out and sprayed my new shirt and the only pants that currently fit with gasoline. I had to drive to the doctor's with all the windows down despite that it was snowing because the fumes made my morning sickness even sicker. At the doctor's I tried to wash up in the public restroom - never a satisfactory experience, and I sat through the appointment with my coat zipped up all the way and my stinky shirt rolled up in my purse. Thank goodness no one lit a cigarette within 10 feet of me before I could shower and change. If only I'd gotten gas yesterday...

Expecting the Unexpected

2010-03-17T20:20:00.001-07:00

They say the best surprises come in small packages. Our package measures about an inch and 1/2 , is around 9 weeks along, and is due approximately October 15! Yes, we are happily expecting again. This wasn't an opportunity that we thought we would have again given some health challenges that I've had the past few years, but I have been doing very well lately and it appears that the powers that be considered it well enough to bless us with another baby. We are all excited for this new dimension of our family life.

Mary talks to my tummy daily giving play-by-play accounts to the baby, "You're in the swimming pool baby. You're soaking wet." "Mom is eating baby. Here comes your food!" "You have the seat belt over you baby. You're safe in there." She consistently refers to the baby as "he." When Luke stopped her and asked, "Are you sure it's a 'he,' or could it be a girl?" she replied, "Oh no dad. I am DEFINITELY sure it's a boy...maybe." Beth and Madeleine like to follow along with the week-by-week development. At week 9 we read, 'This week your baby is the size of a grape," and Beth noted, "Don't grapes come in all different sizes??" She would like to name the baby something that starts with a B so she won't be the only one without an M name anymore, and favors "Bonnie" if it's a girl. Madeleine is admittedly apprehensive about having more little people around here ("Two little sisters can be hard enough!") but she is a good sport, a great helper, and already in love with the baby.

Meanwhile, I can track a scent like a bloodhound, gag on my favorite foods, and feel like I could sleep 12 hours a day at least if only the day would let me. Nothing but perfectly normal bizarre behaviors for this stage of the game, and Luke is taking very good care of me. On my better days I enjoy complimenting myself on such achievements as managing to get to the bank AND the grocery store in the same day. On my bad days I am grateful to have a good reason for a bad day.

I marvel at the wisdom with which Heavenly Father guides our lives. So often I am certain that I know what I need, believing that I am in charge around here, and He patiently albeit sometimes painfully reminds me that He knows a little bit more about the grand scheme of things than I do. I trust Him, and I thank Him for having blessed me with the things I need and want the most, just when I least expected it.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-16T16:43:00.001-08:00

Our Valentine's celebration had three lovely phases this year. On Friday morning the girls giddily pranced to school loaded with Valentine cards and treats to share, and came home laden with more cards and treats than they knew what to do with. I love to see them excited about holidays and traditions!

On Saturday, flowers arrived at the door and mom and dad went out for a gourmet Italian dinner followed by visiting with friends at the church dance (which is more of a social for non-dancers like us:). I love being with Luke no matter what we are doing, and I love that we're in love.

On actual Valentine's Day we had our first ever family dinner in the dining room and even took some of the formal china out of the original wedding-gift packaging for the occasion. The girls each received a kit for growing an amaryllis with a heart shaped card that said, "We love watching you grow," from mom and dad. I love being home together as a family. Pot-luck dessert with cousins followed at the Spangler's house that evening and according to one little person, the basement was "exploding with kids." I love that we have cousins so close by and so much family to share fun times with.

Monday was President's Day (and no longer officially part of our Valentine's celebration, but still lovely all the same) and there was no school, so we spent the day at home relaxing, decorated our flower pots and planted our amaryllis bulbs, and ended the day with a "pizza-picnic" in the family room while watching "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs." The kids liked it, although Beth was put out that it deviated from the book:) I love having a day off now and then to spend however we want.

Sure, I totally blew my diet and the house is a mess and I'm still picking up candy wrappers, but after a weekend full of doing things I love with the people I love, how can I not love Valentine's Day?

PS. I love this picture

Making "Melonade" (October, 2009)

2010-02-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

I've decided to start a separate blog to chronicle our "adventures" with Beth having dyslexia. There's only one post so far - I've got a lot of catching up to do. Feel free to read along at http://adventuresofadyslexiamom.blogspot.com

One Day

2010-02-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

One day I lay looking out at the sleeting gray sky listening to you coughing from the other room.

What will we do on a day like today, with no sunshine, no friends, no going out to play?

If only we could get away, somewhere warm with lots of sun, where you could run.

We could leave today.

One day to get there, one day to play, one day to come home.

Is it really it worth it for just one day? Yes, it is.

On the plane, on the way, with you beside me. Coloring, singing, holding hands, playing games, watching movies. This is actually fun, to have you here by me on the plane today.

Here we are. Lots of colored lights, the ocean rolling to the shore, all of us together in our room.

And now it's morning, a brand new day. A day with no hurrying and no homework. A day with no rushing and no time table. A day with no coughing and no crying. A day to feel the sand, smell the ocean, hear you squeal, and see you smile. Just you and me and the sun and the sand and the pool, all day.

One more frolic in the ocean, one more splash in the pool, then hop in the shower. We're going home today. Back on the plane you sleep on my shoulder. I hold hands with your dad. I watch you play your games and you sing so loud the people near us smile. Home so soon, but it seems a little easier now. And in my heart I hold your smile, and the warmth, and the fun to look back on fondly one day.

Our Little Jaunt to the ER

2010-01-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

Last Monday Beth was feeling a smidge under the weather so I let her stay home from school. We spent the day together reading, cooking, sewing on her embroidery kit, and learning to knit. Before we knew it, it was time to pick-up her sisters from school, and as we drove home an argument broke out among the girls. Using story telling as an argument dispelling tactic I told them all about the time their 4 year old Uncle Tim put a fine-tipped crochet hook in his waist band to use as a Peter-Pan sword and jumped off the bed. I described how I found him laying on the floor crying with the needle poking into his leg, and how after we got it out he told me a funny story. That's what my English Lit textbook would call foreshadowing . . .

Only an hour later Beth jumped down from the counter, yelped, and whimpered, "Something is stuck in my foot." Absolutely not worried, I took a look and saw a needle poking out of Beth's sock. (Funny, I was just talking about this kind of thing) Figuring it was just stuck in the flesh of her big toe I gave it tug but it didn't budge. I gave it a yank and it still didn't budge. Perplexed, I eased off her sock, took a good look at her foot, and discovered the needle 1) had entered her big toe blunt/eye end first and 2) was all the way through her toe and bulging up on the other side. (Oooo, this is not your average splinter). My mind immediately reverted to my first aid text book:

Puncture Wound

- do not try to remove object. Doing so may create further internal damage and start excessive bleeding. (Oh, right. Oops. Well, it's her toe, not her eyeball, and I didn't get it out anyway so let's move on.)

- to prevent shock prop victim's feet up slightly and cover victim with a blanket (Madeleine dispatched to fetch necessary pillows and blankets. Shock prevention - check.)

- Stabilize impaled object with rolled gauze and wrap with gauze bandages to secure in place and prevent movement during transport. (Hmmmm. I don't happen to have any rolled gauze or bandages readily on hand and I can't very well go rummage some up seeing as how I'm currently holding my wailing, thrashing child in a scissor lock on the kitchen floor. Now what?)

The phone was in reach so I dialed 911, calmly explained the nature of the injury and asked what would be the best way to stabilize her foot so I could move her. The response was, "Don't move her and we'll send someone out to help you." Easy enough.

After a moment Beth begged to be moved to the couch (I know, 911 said not to move her but it's her toe, not her neck for heaven's sake). She was really crying and hyperventilating a bit and I wanted to get her comfortable so Madeleine helped me lift her to the couch. We settled her on the pillows, covered her with a blanket, and said a little prayer at her request. Then she started shivering uncontrollably and her teeth began to chatter. (What? Are you going in to shock? But I put a blanket on you!)

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and help came filing in. "Someone" turned out to be a full size fire truck, an ambulance, and 5 paramedics. (Oh my. There has been a bit of an exaggeration here. Certainly half of you will leave right away). I expected only two would hang around for a minute and either pull the needle out or wrap her foot and hand her over to me to take the ER. Nope. One glance at Beth and they went into action. One kept talking to her and taking her vitals, one kept her pinned down, one wrapped her foot (Yep, rolled gauze and bandages - I should really get some of those), one asked me a dozen questions, and one was on the phone calling in the incident. (This seems like a lot of precautionary, preventative, standard procedure. It's just a needle in her toe, not a car accident!)

Once she was wrapped and ready they determined she should go in the ambulance to the hospital (Really? An ambulance is bound to be expensive. But, I guess if you call 911 maybe a ride in the ambulance comes with the deal so I shouldn't argue). They asked me more questions and gave me a minute to make arrangements for my other kids. Concerned neighbors were waiting outside and my sister-in-law was already on the way so that was no problem. (I'd better change out of my house-cleaning T-shirt and put on a sweater and some lipstick. I'm bound to be asked all kinds of 'what sort of mother leaves needles on the floor and lets her kid jump off the counter' questions. I should at least try to look like I've got my act together...) Ok., time to go.

Once loaded in the ambulance, the paramedic turned on the heart rate monitor and gave Beth oxygen (these gentlemen are very thorough. It must be a slow night) He gave Beth some pain medication and kept asking her questions. That's when I finally clued in that it was hardly Beth's toe they were worried about. She was one upset, uncomfortable, frightened little girl and, bless his heart, the paramedic scrounged all over the unit looking for a stuffed animal for her to hold. She was gripping onto me with both hands and crying and asking for daddy. After she talked to him for bit on my cell phone, she started asking for for the next best thing; Grandpa. Talking with him helped take her mind off of her foot until we could get to the hospital where Daddy was waiting.

The next four hours were a snail-paced swirl of doctors, nurses, crayons, x-rays, Disney channel, orthopedics, cell phone games, stories, and finally an IV for sedation and antibiotics (cha-ching, cha-ching). After hours of discomfort and distress Beth was broken out in a rash, fitful, and inconsolable and Luke and I were so anxious to get the IV going I even called my nurse of a sister to ask what would be the most tactful way to request we get this show on the road. However, when the team arrived to provide relief Beth took one look at the IV needle and hit the roof. They talked her down, restrained her, and promised if she started counting she would be asleep before she got to 10. She counted to 19 before she stopped and even then she was still grabbing at the IV trying to pull it out. It took 3 people to hold her down and 5 doses to get her under before one of the doctors produced a pair of pliers and pulled the needle out (Why didn't I think of that? Then we could've avoided all of this...Not really. I would never have done that. I think. Yeah, she's really better off here. I should never do that).

She was so loopy coming out of the drugs I couldn't help laughing and taking a little video. Then she got to have some juice and go home. When we walked in the door I took a look around the house. Coats, shoes, and backpacks littered the front hallway. Playdough and crayons covered the kitchen table from one end to the other and underneath it. After school snack was still strewn across the counter and three meals worth of dishes were piled in the sink. (Of all days to bring in the neighbors, the family, and fire brigade! I suppose if someone were going to choose today to determine me an unfit mother, sweater verses t-shirt would hardly do much to plead my case. Wait. What's that glimmering on the rug? Another needle! And there's another - WHERE ARE THESE THINGS COMING FROM!?!?!?) There was a hole in the needle packet we were using earlier that day. We will be more careful about that kind of thing from now on.

I was so sorry Luke had to spend a late evening at the hospital the night before he had to catch an early flight, but so glad that he was still in town when it happened. The girls and I slept in the next morning and Beth stayed home from school, again. I imposed a "shoes on at all times" rule until I had scoured the house entirely and all needles were accounted for. Now we are all tidied, swept, vacuumed, washed, dried, and everyone's toes are still attached. Beth limped a little that day and returned to school in full form the day after that.

As I sat in that not-very comfortable hospital chair waiting with Beth I thought about two things. First of all, my heart went out to every parent who has, was, or will sit at the hospital bedside of their child worrying and waiting in a serious situation. Even with the simplicity of Beth's injury I was still cringing at her pain, and I couldn't help but be aware that many serious injuries happen in moments just as quickly as Beth's small one did. Knowing that there were parents there that night fighting for the life of their child or dealing with life-altering injury made our circumstance somewhat laughable. I can't help but selfishly pray I will never be in that position, but I continue to pray for those who are. I can't imagine anything more heart wrenching.

Second, I tried to think of what we could learn from all of this. It was such a simple little accident it seemed grossly disproportionate to have ended up in an ambulance and a hospital. How is it that she managed to land on it just right so that it went right through the joint and required all the x-rays, anti-biotics, and sedation? As long as we're here can we gain something from this?

For Beth, I hope she learned how many people are behind her. When she called for help it came, in literally teams of people who stood by her bedside and cheered her on. Professionals, family, friends, neighbors, and a dozen Facebook comments are proof that she is very important to some very important people. Maybe now when her Dyslexia gets her down and it feels like the world is against her she can remember that she is loved, we are rooting for her, and help is on the way.

It's painfully obvious that life doesn't go according to textbooks. There is only so much value in knowing the right answer and checking off the list. The rest is all about being there for the ones you love, doing the best you can, and asking for help when you need it. With any luck at the end of the day we'll have learned something, like to be more grateful or how to move forward in our challenges, and that earns an "A" in my book.

In the ambulance:

Trying to be brave:
The rash (it was a deeper red in real life. Beth just saw this picture and asked, "What's that stuff all over her face? Oh, it's me."
A little pain killer goes a long way:
I have a picture of the needle in her toe but it was requested that I not post it online:) Thanks to everyone who commented, called, visited, and asked about Beth. It meant a lot to her and to us, and special thanks to Amy and Seth for keeping our other girls entertained until WAY past bedtime.

Blogger's Block

2010-01-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

Something is wrong with me. Not seriously wrong, but odd for sure. For weeks now I have been walking around with ideas in my head of things I want to write about, photos I want to post, things I want to say. And yet as I sit at my computer and the screen goes on my mind goes blank and all the happy things I have to share are left unsaid another day. There's no true reason for it, other than that somehow the times when I have things to say, and the windows of time I have in which to say them don't seem to be corresponding. I will change this. I miss my blog, and the longer I put it off the more I'll miss what I didn't say because days are passing and the kids are growing and I'm starting to forget... Tonight won't be the night I bring my blog back to life, but I'll be back - soon.

Do You Remember the Kind of September?

2009-09-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

What is it about September that makes me wish I had fruit trees? When I was in elementary school there was an orchard up the hill that we visited every fall. On blue skied, sunny days we picked our own apples, saw the cider presses, and tasted the juice. We went back in October for a hay ride and to pick out our Halloween pumpkins. I remember what it smelled like and I remember how it tasted. It seems like I even remember how it sounded. I think those memories lie sleeping throughout the year until September comes and then they awaken a quirky need within me to pick fruit, make jam, or can something. Whatever the reason I am overcome by this compulsive behavior every year, and this year was worse than usual.

It all started when our neighbor brought over a bag of peaches from off of her tree. That night I couldn't rest until I made a peach pie and put up four jars of peach jam. Seeing those jars sitting there made me think of grape juice. Last year my sister-in-law canned grape juice she made from grapes hand-picked off her neighbors vine. My curiousity about that whole process kept nagging at me like an itch that needed to be scratched so I finally called my brother and asked him to ask his neighbor if they had any grapes I could come pick. A little obsessive I know, but it got results. We met up with my brother and his family in Orem and tromped over to his neighbor's yard, bowls in hand. We picked all the grapes we could find and moved on to the pear and apple trees. It was so much fun, just like I remember as a kid, and our kids had a great time.

I remember sitting by my mother watching her pour steaming grape juice into jars and I couldn't wait to give it a try. I ran out and got a steam juicer and set it up right away. I called the girls over to show them how the juice streams out of the steamer and gave them each a turn to open the clamp.

Once the grapes were all juiced, I moved on to the apples. With the apples from my brother's neighbor and more from a tree near my mother-in-law's house, I cut, quartered, and steamed out a couple quarts of apple juice. But then there were all these leftover steamed apples that just couldn't be thrown away, so I ran them through a food mill and made applesauce. The girls took turns helping me turn the crank and mashing the apples down, and Luke stepped in when they got tired.

That was pretty easy, and there were still all these pears...

So we steamed and sauced those too.

I ran to the store to get more jars and saw strawberries on sale. Hmmm. The apple-strawberry juice bar I had earlier was sure yummy and since I already had apple juice at home... I bought the strawberries and juiced those. Then of course that left all the steamed berries that couldn't be thrown away so I had to spread those on trays and make fruit leather.

The total for the days work amounted to 4 1/2 quarts of grape juice, 2 quarts of apple juice, 9 pints of apple sauce, 6 pints of pear sauce, and 3 quarts of strawberry juice (but no fruit leather - it didn't turn out). Whew. After that frenzy of preservation I can not look at bottled juice and canned fruit the same way again. I am grateful I don't have to rely on what I can grow and preserve to feed my family all winter. I am happy to see my children enjoy what we have made. I have satisfied my curiousity. I'm pleased that I learned something new. I am very tired, and relieved to be done with fruit for the year. I'm not sure if I want do it again next year, but when September does come around again I'm sure I'll forget that and find myself telling my family, "It's time to go pick apples, remember?"

Way to Go Idaho!

2009-08-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

Prior to August 17, 2009, I had never been to Idaho. Boy, have I been been missing out! (This is where you say "I told you so" if you are Wiley, Sarah, or Heather:). We spent nearly a week in eastern Idaho with varying combinations of extended family members, and it became my new favorite place. 6 days of boating, bear feeding, site seeing, and family-ness wasn't quite enough and therefore I have every intention of going back. Often. I took so many pictures during the trip I'll have to post them in separate slide shows, but here are a few favorites:

Madeleine on water skis - it was her first time up and she didn't want to stop!

"Twin" counsins - they wore these PJ's nearly everyday so they could match each other.
Super hero kids - The water was cold so when we were on the lake the kids wore wet suits. We called them "The Incredible Kids."
Pretty water - I spent a lot of time just looking at the lake, especially at sunset.
Yellowstone - this was a first time trip for the girls and me so we had to see Old Faithful. We waited and waited, and then when it erupted we happened to be down wind and it rained all over us! Everyone was screaming and running and trying to cover up their cameras and laughing all at the same time.

We really had a lot of fun. I thought we might run out of things to do, but instead we ran out of time to do them. That's ok - we'll just keep a to-do list ready for next year.

Class Lists

2009-08-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

Are your kids ready for school? That seems to be the chit-chat question of choice lately, and the honest answer is that I think they probably are. Our fun packed summer has fulfilled our wish for lots of play time, lots of family time, and lots of swimming. Now as summer winds down and the school year momentum picks up I think they are ready to see more of their friends and just a little less of each other. Even loving sisters need some elbow room, if you know what I mean.

Last night we pulled in the driveway after 9, and it was nearly 10 before I remembered that there was a little something waiting in the mailbox for us. Despite the hour, we scurried out in the dark to retrieve the long-awaited Class Lists. Before anyone opened theirs I paused and deliberately stated, "Now remember, it doesn't matter which teacher you have or who is in your class because it will all work out when you get to school. You don't know how things will turn out until you get there, so if you don't have who you expected don't be worried." Then they tore into their envelopes like they were Christmas presents. Madeleine gleefully announced she had the teacher she wanted and that her favorite friend was in her class. Beth shouted at the mention of each name that she recognized on her list. Mary looked around as though she knew she ought to be excited but she wasn't really sure why. All three of them were smiling and at ease.

When the commotion died down I collected all the lists and accompanying letters and leafed through them. Mary spent last year as one of a trio, and now that trio is down to a couple, and her favorite girl friend is not in her class (worry). Beth does have several kids in her class that she knows from last year, but her favorite playmate isn't one of them (Worry). Madeleine's favorite girl friend is in her class. So are three other girls that she had a really hard time with the year before (WORRY). Class orientations for three different kids on three different dates at three different times need to get put on our calendar. There are requests for photos from summer, grab bags full of items that "characterize you," and letter from mom and dad telling how wonderful you are that need to be met. Uniforms need to be ironed and we've still got to get to the dentist.

Yeah, I think my kids really are ready for school. The real question is, am I???

A Visit to Maryland

2009-08-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

There's no place like home, but Grandma and Grandpa's house is a really close second! This year I embraced the Sorenson Family "Girl's Trip" concept and we jetted off to MD, girls only. Poor Luke was loaded back at the office and we definitely missed him, but we sure had a great time.

Grandma Rosie led us on a tour of her favorite spots in downtown Frederick. The library, the art museum, the river walk, and the antique gallery kept us busy all day. (In the group picture above, everything on the wall behind us is painted - all the walls along the river walkway are painted like that.) In the evening Grandpa Dave pitched us some balls, and then we caught lightning bugs. Catching lightning bugs has always been one of my favorite summer memories and I think I was more excited than the girls for them to have a chance to do it.

A sunny day at the lake was a real treat. Complete with sandcastles on the beach, a picnic lunch, and lots of swimming, I thought it was perfect. We topped it off by stopping in at a candy store and picking out some more treats for after dinner. If only I had had my camera when the girls walked in and saw nothing but tables and tables of candy! Their awed expressions were priceless, and they wandered around and around gaping at everything,"like a kid in a candy store."

Swimming at the pool got rained out, but the fun at home didn't stop. My brothers and sister put on quite a soccer show in the front yard, and later the kids "rocked out the show" with the band in the basement. I got to visit with my best friend from Middle School, and my parents treated us all to a crab dinner - yum, yum! (The crab dinner was actually after we got home from the lake, but the picture ended up here).

Then it was time to wave good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa. Aunt Lynn graciously drove us to the Washington D.C. temple on our way to the airport. I really wanted to show the girls my favorite temple so I was glad we could fit that in. I was right in between Mary and Beth age-wise when I went there with my family to be sealed together. The girls were grumpy on the way there, but once inside the Visitor's Center they calmed right away. Mary was immediately drawn to the statue of the Christus and I felt a special witness of the Savior's love for her as we stood there together looking at Him. The copies of the Book of Mormon in different languages intrigued Beth, and Madeleine found the display of satellite images from space paired with scriptures about the creation fascinating.

From there it was on to the airport and off to Utah. The girls were really well behaved for the flight and Madeleine was especially helpful and sensitive to how tired I was. Going home to greet our dad and sleep in our own beds was the perfect conclusion to a great trip.

Happy Blog-iversary!

2009-07-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

It is official. I have been a Blogger for one full year. To those who me urged to become such, I thank you, and regret that I didn't heed your advice sooner. I have enjoyed every word I've written, every picture I've posted, and every comment I've received. To celebrate I'm going to have my collection of posts from the past year printed into a book I can keep and look back on. To my fellow Bloggers, I love what you do so please keep it coming. Here's to happy blogging!!

Did You Know?

2009-07-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know those hard shells that protect a snails' soft body really aren't that hard, and if you happen to kneel on a snail while weeding your flower bed and wearing shorts, the shell will smash and green oozy slime will smear all over your leg? I didn't... but I do now.

I'm just glad the neighbors weren't out to hear me screaming.

Tour of the Temple

2009-07-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Oquirhh Mountain Temple was recently built near our home and our family attended the open house together. We enjoyed it more than this picture indicates! (That's what you get for handing your camera to a complete stranger.) It is a beautiful temple and I was so happy we could take our children to see the inside. The artwork particulalry caught my attention, and I thought the interior of the temple in general was breathtaking. I thought I might get a little choked up walking my girls through the bride room, but instead it was the sealing room that got to me. We sat there together, facing the altar and the mirror beyond it and I leaned over and said, "Daddy and I were married in a room like this one. We knealt at an altar just like that one there, and you were watching us from heaven and cheering, "Yeah! That's my mom and dad!" Then I got all choked up because I felt the truthfulness of that in my heart. Our family was meant to be together. Our children rejoiced for the opportunity to be born to parents who were married in the temple and to have their turn on earth as part of an eternal family. I rejoice to have them, and to know we will be together forever.

Family Reuion on the 4th!

2009-07-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey, the gang's all here! Or they were here anyway. This year for the 4th of July, 23 people came in from 4 different states and met up at our house, and for just a snatch of time my whole family was together in the same place. We took a picture just to prove it. Reunions such as this happen about once every 5 years for us. In fact, the last time we did this at least four of the kids pictured above weren't even born yet!

Though we weren't together long we packed in a lot of fun. Eating, talking, teasing, playing, staying up late... and there were some organized events of the weeked as well. Whenever the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints builds a new temple, upon completion there is an "Open House," meaning that the temple is open to the public for tours. We're fortunate to live near to the newest temple and the open house there is currently underway. So, the out-of-towners took advantage of the opportunity and spent the morning together there. Then we met at our house for lunch, which was lucky for me since I needed a way to make good use of a 10 lb. slab of corned beef Luke received as a gift from a meat company. We took our family pictures (thanks again to my sister-in-law Amy for snapping the shots for us), and then headed for the lake!

The finicky weather still lingering from June had me crossing my fingers and holding my breath, but we lucked out with a warm, sunny day and good water. I was too busy enjoying myself to remember my camera, but I have pictures in my mind of my mom and dad relaxing on the boat, my brother falling off the boat (in a funny way - he wasn't hurt or anything), and wake-boarding with my sister and sister-in-law. My favorite part of the day was when the whole lot of us piled on the boat for a "sunset tour" all together before we pulled out of the water.

On the day of the 4th, the group disbanded for a bit but reconvened in the evening at my brother's house for BBQ and fireworks. Cousins frolicked all over the lawn and monster pops and sparklers and fireworks were going off everywhere. Then after we caravanned to a secret spot to watch the fireworks from the BYU stadium, cousins bedecked with glow-bracelets and necklaces romped in the dark. We bailed a little early, but caught a spectacular display at Thanksgiving Point as we drove home on I-15.

Over the next two days our crowd dwindled down as family by family, people said good-bye and returned home. I was sad to see them go, but I suppose it's missing them when they leave that helps keep me grateful for the freedom and privileges that enable us to be together, even it's only for a couple days.

Mary's 4th Birthday

2009-07-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Our little Mary turned 4 years old on June 6th. We celebrated her "birthday day" at Grandma's, and then had her "Party Day" a couple of days later. She had been anxiously awaiting her "Princess Party" and let me know in no uncertain terms that there needed to be "princes" there so that there could be dancing at the ball. For weeks prior to her birthday, every time we went to the grocery store Mary would look over all the cakes and select two; one for her 7 year old birthday and one for her 4 year old birthday. When the big day arrived she gleefully made her final selection of her 4 year old cake and proudly toted it home, along with some rainbow ice cream and a boquet of balloons. Donning her blue ball gown our little Cinderella reveled in blowing out her candles, eating ice cream (melted though it was), opening presents, and dancing and playing with her little friends. The kids were so good and the party was so fun I actually called the parents and asked if the kids could stay a little longer!

Mary, you have been such a blessing and joy to us these past four years. Your lively, animated spirit endears you to everyone who knows you. Your expressions and infectious laugh are a light in our home and we are grateful everyday to have you in our family. We love you, "Little Bear Cub." Happy Birthday.

Here is footage of the Royal Ball, starring Mary as Cinderella and Carson as Prince Charming:

Ok, maybe not. Anyone else having issues loading video onto Blogger??? Hopefully the video will be coming soon.

Summer Survival Strategy

2009-06-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

This year in anticipation of summer I decided to establish a game plan with a few accessories to facilitate our summer fun. As wonderful as the school year was, I was really looking forward to some free time with my kids and I wanted it to go well. Here is my "guide book" for the month of June:

Schedule: Looking forward to free time does not equate to relishing havoc, so I thought long and hard about how to enjoy our freedom without lapsing into utter lawlessness. Mimicking the design of the homeschool curriculum my amazing friend created, we opened the "Princess Academy" on the first day of vacation. We have a motto, a logo, some objectives, and a general guideline that I loosely refer to as a "schedule." It involves doing some chores, spending some time working on school skills and piano, and intermittent reminders about long-standing, tried and true but still evasive virtues, such as using manners, (ie. not driving your mother insane with constant bickering). We are not infallible with our daily pursuits of harmony and order, but even loose structure holds life together better than no structure at all. Besides, the girls like the sparkly gem stickers they get to use to adorn their crown shaped chore charts.

School Camps: I know, did I not just say I was looking forward to being done with school??? And yet, the school offers some really fun summer programs that the girls were super excited about so I consented to them choosing one program each, so long as they were in the same week and at the same time as each other. Then the school called to notify me that certain classes hadn't had enough enrollment and the schedule was being altered due to cancellations and . . .What? How did we end up with three weeks of activities at school when school just barely ended? Despite the jolt to my careful planning, the school camps worked out great and the girls loved them. Madeleine basked in dance and science while Beth flourished in art and private tutoring with her beloved Kindergarten teacher. Mary had some "Mom Adventures," like visits to the library and playing with the displays at Lakeshore Learning while we waited for the sisters at school. I was a little surprised at how glad the girls were to simply be in school. All three were eager to mosey up and down the hallways, peaking in classrooms to seek out any teachers and friends who might be hanging around that day. They gave me a tour of every nook and cranny so familiar to them now, and enjoyed the playground as if they were reuniting with an old friend. I found it a pleasure to watch them, so at ease and confident in their school environment. Even I had to acknowledge there was something almost rebelliously liberating about being at school without wearing a uniform:)

Swimming Lessons: All three of our girls love the water and can hardly be restrained from splishing and splashing every chance they get. Really. Once I ordered them to sit at the side of the pool while I went to change and came back to find them all immersed neck deep, stretched out full body length with a few fingers grasping the wall edge. They claimed they were still obeying given that they were still touching "the side." Anyway, thanks to the recommendation of a friend we found a wonderful teacher who offers private lessons in her own, indoor swimming pool. Initially I considered it somewhat inconvenient to go over to her house when we have a pool right here in our neighborhood, but when the uncommonly persistent thunderstorms of June crashed and boomed outside I took delight in being warm and content while swimming indoors. Really, if it weren't for school camps and swimming lessons, what else would we have done in 3 straight weeks of stormy, cloudy weather?

Summer Bags: Given that our scheduling didn't work out according to my original specifications I had to create some impromptu coping mechanisms for the amount of time we were going to spend in the car and waiting for siblings. So, the school-year book bags were replaced with "summer bags," each one of it's owners choosing, and filled each morning with the necessities of day as dictated by the scheduled activities. Book to read while we wait for sister? Check. Swim suit since we're going directly to swimming lessons after school camp? Check. Well planned, carefully packed nutritious lunch? Check - or not check. We did have more than a few quality drive-thru meals during those three weeks, but hey, a girl has got to eat and a mom has got to do what a mom has got to do. Thank goodness for Kneader's, the drive-thru that dishes out a healthier option for lunch on the run.

Sleep: We don't seem to be getting any! Glad to be free of our early mornings and evening time constraints imposed by the school year schedule, I anticipated early bedtimes and later mornings. To my chagrin, the girls are up until 10 or 11 every night regardless of our 9:00 bedtime and, with the exception of Madeleine, who is exhibiting some pre-teen like characteristics including sleeping in, they don't sleep longer than 7:30. Just when I was becoming convinced that there was something chemically imbalanced in our children my friends nonchalantly assured me that it was "just summer." I suppose if the sun doesn't go to bed until 10 kids won't either. Oh well. The flexibility is nice at least, and it hasn't been hard to convince me to give up a planned wake-up time and just stay in bed until everyone is awake!

Magnifying Glasses: Although this unfortunately does not follow my alliteration it warrants mention just the same. On a whim I purchased some plastic magnifying glasses which kept a constant home in the bottom of the girls "summer bags." Then, as they waited for their turn for swimming lessons or whatever else, they were set loose with their magnifying glasses to explore. Insects, flower petals, even the sidewalk pavement held their interest under magnified examination. It just goes to show that even the most mundane appearance can prove extraordinary when given a closer look.

Slowing Down: Now June is over and we're glad to settle into slower, sunnier days. Well, sunnier yes, slower, maybe not. Despite being free from as many predetermined obligations the days fill up and fly by so quickly! It's all in fun though. We've spent more time with family, more time by the pool, more time on play dates. Sigh. The time is going so fast but I'm trying not wish for more time but just enjoy the summer time.

Did You Know?

2009-06-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that those silver foil bags that say "Will Keep Your Ice Cream Frosty and Frozen for Hours and Hours and Hours!" really won't and that if you buy your ice cream on the way to pick up your daughter from summer camp at school and then go pick up your other daughter, make a quick stop to drop off a signature, and then rush home to a birthday party the ice cream will all be melted by the time you serve it even though you kept it in the foil bag which was tightly closed? I didn't . . . but I do now.

The kids ate the ice cream anyway, even though it was more like a milkshake in a bowl, and the party turned out great.

Congratulations!

2009-06-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am thinking about the many different and wonderful women that I'm privileged to know and for many reasons altogether but for no reason in particular, I feel like celebrating. Celebrating you, and congratulating you for victories great and small. Those of you who have watched your children graduate, from pre-school up through high school, and those who have progressed in school themselves. Those of you who have spent hours cheering at baseball games and sporting events, and have hours yet to go before the season ends. There are those who have launched their own businesses, and others who have made things work in an economy that works against them. Mothers who have celebrated birthdays and gotcha' days for babies they yearned to have in their families, and mothers who are watching their babies marry and start families of their own. Some have coached their children through their battles and others have had their own battles to fight. Some have received miracles as answers to prayer, and others have found faith when they didn't receive the miracles they prayed for.

As the pressures of the school year fade away and summer days of family time and freedom stretch ahead I know I'm feeling a bit lighter, as though I've crossed a finish line and can enjoy a minute to catch my breath. Perhaps that's what brought on this congratulatory mood, but whatever the reason, I mean it. Good job!

I've heard it said that the essence of womanhood is guilt. Be that as it may, don't feel guilty by taking some credit here. Just for a minute, consider the numerous seemingly insignificant tasks you accomplish each day and marvel with me at the mountains that you've climbed by waking up each day and putting two feet on the floor. Even with all it's 15 letters "congratulations" isn't a big enough word to sum up the extent of what you do, but what word is? At this point I am oddly reminded of author Kate Dicamillo's little mouse Desperaux and his enchantment with the Princess Pea. In a fleeting moment as he grasps at the chance to express the abundance of admiration filling his heart he whispers, "I honor you." Maybe it's not one long word, but those three simple words I need right now. As I think of all of you my outlook is buoyed up. I am blessed by your examples. I am encouraged by your kindness. I am strengthened by your friendship. I honor you and the efforts you make daily to lead, love, and progress. In my mind THAT is the essence of womanhood and I rejoice to know women who live it, so here's to you ladies. Congratulations on a job well done.

Mother's Day

2009-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day this year was absolutely blissful. It started on Saturday when Luke took the girls out for the whole day and gave me the gift of some time to myself. That evening he took me to a nice dinner, and topped it off by buying me a new dress. I teased him that I was going to sleep until 11 the next day, but I was genuinely surprised when I woke up to see the clock read 10:30! He had been keeping the girls at bay the whole morning while they were chomping on the bit to give me my presents. Madeleine set up camp outside my bedroom door and waited so she could sound the alert when I woke up. I have no idea how long she was sitting out there! When I came down they presented me with handmade gifts from school, homemade cards, a new table cloth, a new spice rack, a salad spinner, a new salad bowl with matching tongs, and new pot holders. I loved it! Luke took them to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and asked them all to find things that they thought I needed, and they were exactly right.

I gave my mom a call before church, and after church we went to Liz's house, where the dads put on a dinner for all the moms. I had a bonus gift this year of having Ellie stay with us while her mom and dad were out of town. Having 4 children at the dinner table was just the right balance in my mind, and she and Mary were peas in a pod all weekend.

Motherhood is hard. It tries the patience, stretches the soul, pangs the heart, and expands the mind of each woman who embarks on the journey of raising children. But there is nothing I would trade for it and today was a perfect day to soak in the happiness that comes from little hands, shining eyes, and lots of kisses. What a blessing, what a joy, what an experience it is to be a Mother.

Madeleine's Birthday

2009-05-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

What better Mother's Day gift can a mother have than to bring her newborn baby home on Mother's Day? Nine years ago this month we brought our little Madeleine home. I felt such joy the day I became her mother. It has been a joy every day since to see who she is becoming. She is my little friend, my big helper, my darling girl. I love you Madeleine!

Why I Wouldn't Buy New Furniture

2009-05-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I went out on a limb had my carpets cleaned. Upon completion the carpet cleaning professional (or to be politically incorrect, the Rug Guy) lead me on a guided tour of the various extractions he had performed. It went something like this: "I got out the lotion, the sunblock, the lip gloss, the melted crayon, the marker, the silly putty, the gum, the grape-flavored cough syrup, and most of the baby powder, but the candy stains in the corner behind the arm chair and whatever that big red splatter is in the dining room we just couldn't get out. Do you know what that red stuff it is? Is it blood or something?" "No," I sighed, "No one has been bleeding profusely in my dining room to my knowledge so I don't think it's blood, but I don't know what it is." Then I added, "It's hard to believe that with 5 people living here, nearly all of the damage was incurred by only one person - the smallest one." He looked at me quizzically and declined to comment.

You may gasp in disbelief and disapproval at my seemingly apathetic response to carpet care but I do now and always will plead "not guilty." In my defense, I've invested in not one, but two carpet steamers and a vast collection of spot removing, stain lifting, allergen reducing sprays and foams in an effort to maintain pristine plushness underfoot. However, after the many carpet infractions and misdemeanors committed by multiple young children and in particular, one toddler especially prone to, shall we say, "tactile exploration," I simply threw in the towel. One can spend only so many hours a day sucking various substances out of the carpet, not to mention furniture, clothing, and the person responsible for the catastrophe. No, when it comes to our carpet I no longer have any qualms about closing the door, walking away, and eventually calling in the professionals. Let them deal with this:

Not only our carpet but our decor scheme in general readily advertises that very busy children live here. For the past 6 years our family room boasted a rather eclectic furniture collection comprised of family hand-me-downs older than my husband, cheap green leather we bought from what we're pretty sure was a mob ring in a back alley in Philadelphia, and an entertainment center that was tragically splintered and maimed in a mishap involving a Comcast serviceman and a very heavy TV. Hardly a layout for Better Homes and Gardens but it was comfortable and functional and virtually indestructible. Despite those advantages, I frequently felt inclined to consider overhauling the whole room and upgrading from our Get-Your-Garage-Sale-Item-Here look to an It's-Not-Fancy-But-At-Least-It-Matches kind of style. After discussing, budgeting, and debating I would consider my surroundings and find:

Crumbs on the couch left by an unidentified perpetrator of the "No Food In The Family Room" rule;

Pock mock scars left on an end table victimized by multiple stabbings with a fork;

The arm of a leather recliner converted to a pencil holder;

The back of said recliner impaled with safety pins securing blankets arranged to form a "hurricane shelter"

And invariably I would conclude that our family was simply not ready to appreciate and enjoy new family room furniture. To purchase such would be to expose it undeserved abuse and accelerated depreciation. So with resignation I would resolutely decline the opportunity to redecorate . . .until this winter.

Bogged down with winter blahs and feeling compelled to add variety to the chilled, gray landscape of daily life, the impulse to refurnish overcame me once again. It didn't help that a repairman glanced in our family room and asked, "Oh, do you run a daycare in here?" This time when I initiated my patented furniture conversation Luke was ready for it. I think he may have grown weary of the repetitious cycle of me asking for new furniture, him conceding, and then me saying I didn't want it after all. Or maybe it was simply the fact that with potty training and the bulk of toddler instigated chemical warfare behind us, it was time for our furniture to make a more grown-up fashion statement. At any rate, when I brought it up again he was prepared to take action. He had a day off so we seized the opportunity with swift momentum and embarked on a one day marathon of conferring, considering, and comparing. A myriad of fabric textures, wood stains, dimensions, configurations, and digital accesories swirled before our eyes until finally, 8 hours, 5 stores, 2 aching feet, and many dollars later we had surmounted the task of re-outfitting the family room.

Our couches are still leather but they were purchased from a reputable dealer with upstanding family values. The entertainment center has ample storage space and all of it's doors are in tact. Two of the chairs are still hand-me-downs but neither of them are older than either of us. An area rug dutifully attempts to salvage the majority of the carpet, and though drapes have yet to be ordered the room has really come together. Yes, the family room has proudly graduated from daycare/landfill status to a classic, comfortable room we can enjoy together. Everything is coordinated, everything is new, everything is unscathed. For now.

Did You Know?

2009-05-07T12:58:00.001-07:00

Did you know that if you take a child under the age of 5 swimming at a county rec center indoor pool an adult is required to be in the water with them at all times? I didn't . . . but I do now. Next time I'll bring my suit.

What would it take?

2009-05-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Downstairs in our basement is a room. Not very large, not very fancy, but yet a very particular room. This room was much longed for, long sought after, carefully planned, and meticulously organized. Something of a dream that gradually became realized, the room I speak of is my office. Destined to be a haven of quiet reprieve, it is well stocked with supplies and materials of every type to inspire creativity and promote personal development. It is MY space, MY stuff, to be used in MY alone-time. So why are my children always in it?

There sits the beautiful sewing machine, a pinnacle of machinery in a the seam-stressing world, so I'm told. I don't actually know how to use it and my intentions to learn continue to hover faintly in the distance like a mirage in the desert. And there stands the large screen monitor, perfect for designing photo pages and laying out albums, yet there is no designing being done, no albums to speak of. The screen sits blank, empty and wistful under a fine layer of dust. The carefully stacked shelves of paper organized by color are in a jumble. The drawers once filled with scissors, stencils, and crafting tools sit empty while the floor plays host to their former contents. My cloud-borne castle of creativity has been reduced to a shanty of disarray. What would it take to rebuild it? Time, energy, diligence . . .

I do attempt on occasion to sequester myself in that room. Quietly tiptoeing down the stairs, quickly darting in, softly latching the door, I ignore the calls of "MOM??" drifting down the hallway and busy myself in some pursuit, knowing my efforts will be halted before I complete my objective but stubbornly I persist. Inevitably they find me and suddenly my space is no longer a secluded hideaway of introspection but an open forum for little fingers to ravage like a swarm of ants on a picnic lunch. The paper comes off the shelves and is meticulously shredded with a paper cutter. The buttons and beads are spilled so they can be "counted" and strung. Skeins of yarn are unwound to construct "spider webs." Yards of fabric are unfolded and draped to mimic couture gowns. Stickers are stuck on everything and always, ALWAYS, someone (who shall remain nameless but has short, curly blonde hair and is under three feet tall), insists on sitting in my lap thereby blocking the keyboard and inhibiting my efficacy with the mouse. Then she repeatedly asks,"Can I watch a movie of me on your computer mom?" until I am so undeniably distracted that I consent with resignation. "Cottages" are constructed beneath the worktables and "animal hospitals" occupy the corners. I once found a stuffed rabbit wearing a baby sweater and a nearly empty bag of marshmallows in the closet. Perhaps my realized dream of a room of my own was in reality, too good to be true. For my children it has evolved into a type of playground while for me it has descended to a storage room. What would it take to reclaim this space? A baby-sitter for an indefinite amount of time, an extra dose of over-the-counter energy boosting painkillers, an unpredictable alignment of the universe . . .

When it comes to my so-called office, I don't know how to establish an inviolable sense of forbidden territory in my children. There is no deep and abiding respect for boundaries or recognition of ownership. What would it take to teach them to stay out, leave things alone, don't touch, and don't interrupt? Threats, bribes, gruff reproach . . .

With summer fast approaching I'm considering an attempt at a more open mind and less closed doors, a space with figuratively softer edges and rounded corners. Maybe I should demolish my concept of a den of isolation and reconstruct a more harmonious center of productivity. While I am absolutely a proponent of personal space and privacy I cannot deny that my previous failure at achieving any has lead me to suppose that devising a treaty rather than issuing a decree may actually serve me better, both in my pursuit of personal development and in my relationship with my children. What would it take to create a shared space where they are welcomed in and invited to participate within the bounds of certain limitations? Patience, compromise, a soft answer, more patience . . .

It is MY space. It is MY stuff. But they are MY children, and they are only little for a little while. During that while my office will just have to be an area of give and take.

The Red Ants

2009-04-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

Beth began her soccer career yesterday. On a team made up mostly of girls from school, they named themselves the Red Ants and adopted the coach's puppy as their mascot. They scored several goals (Beth got one!) and they really did a good job, especially considering most of them have never played before. It was hilarious to hear them when the other team started scoring - "It's not fair! That team PRACTICED!" "I was going to score a goal but I got scared that other girl would kick me." "Those 4 year olds are tough!" That's ok. The Red Ants are tough too, and we'll get 'em next time.

We run, we kick, we pass, we score!

We are the Red Ants and we've got more!

We go for the goal with all our might.

You better watch out, 'cuz these Ants bite!

Easter 2009

2009-04-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday gave us the much welcomed gift of a sunny day. Those have been in short supply this spring. After Easter baskets, pictures in their new dresses, and church, we had some friends over for dinner. It was nice and low-key this year. Mary decided that when the girls had their Easter dresses on they were Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Belle.

It's Safe Now

2009-04-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Just so you know, I went back and had my hair bleached to lift out some of the color. You can actually see some brown and even some red in it so I've relaxed considerably. It is now safe to mention :)

On the dark side

2009-04-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me at all know that I am anything but adventurous when it comes to my hair. Sure, I went through a frizzy perm phase in the early 90's (who didn't?) and there was that one uncharacteristic episode in college where my roomate and I stayed up late and dyed our hair with Kool-Aid, but everyone knows that washes out. Beyond that, the variation in my hairstyles for the past 30-something years has ranged from medium to long, blunt or layers, and brown or . . . brown.

At the end of the summer I decided my flat-toned hair was screaming "I went to the swimming pool everyday!" and needed a little help. I talked myself into adding a few subtle highlights to put some depth back into it, but even as I sat in the salon chair I thought to myself, "I am going to regret this. If not now, then later." That "later" is now.

The highlights have long since been colored over to match my natural color, but just as flower petals fade with the waning light of winter so does artificial hair color, and those pesky highlights were re-emerging. In an attempt to suppress them again, I found myself back in the same salon chair and thinking, "I'm going to regret this," as the stylist said, "I'm pretty sure this is the color we used last time. I forgot to write it down." No. It was most definitely and inarguably NOT the same color we used last time.

My daughter's comment at first sight was "Mom, why is your hair black?" You may call it raven, molasses, deep mahogany, or any other sugar coated version of a tactful adjective but regardless of how you label it, it is d-a-r-k dark. Much too much so for a hair-color chicken like myself. Sigh. Moan. Wipe a tear. Wash it for the fourth time in 2 days. Sigh again.

I think I'm stuck with this for a while so consider yourself warned. Don't be startled when you see me (although I wouldn't blame you -everyone else has been so far), and be assured that any resemblance to Elvira, Morticia Adams, or any given member of the Osbourne family was completely unintentional and wholly unwelcome. So please, for the time-being, comment on my blog, comment on the weather, just don't comment on my hair, OK? The mirror is reminder enough. Give me a week or so. Hopefully by then my attitude, as well as my hair, will have lightened up bit.

Blast From the Past

2009-04-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

I used to practice the piano before school, wearing my green, plaid uniform. This was the first song I ever learned to play.

Spring Break:The Recovery

2009-04-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

I know, Spring Break was officially over when the kids went back to school, but somehow life didn't seem quite back to normal. My sister flew in on Monday evening, which happened to be her birthday, and stayed for the week. Here's a hint; if you're going to get really sick right when you come home from a big trip, do it when your sister is coming into town. She took good care of me, as well as the rest of my family, and we had a great time. We talked, shopped, cooked, watched movies, traded computer tips, and folded laundry. I know, hardly exhilarating entertainment for a swinging single lady, but she was a good sport about all of it. Having her close for a while made it harder that she lives so far away.

My brothers and their families joined us at the end of the week and the house was full of siblings and cousins, all happy to see Aunt Lynn. We had a group birthday cake for the four March birthday-ees in attendance. The weather was nice enough to spend some outside time at the park and exploring the creek. Then before I knew it everyone packed up and headed home to their various abodes.

After traveling, Dr.'s visits, unpacking, company, and two school presentations, a new week started and life resumed it's normal pattern of turning in circles. I think we're finally home from vacation.

Spring Break: The Adventure

2009-04-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the generosity and graciousness of Luke's dad and his wife, our whole family (and I mean everybody) was treated to Spring Break on the Disney Cruise. The Disney Magic, to be exact. After a busy day of packing and a long flight, we arrived in Florida late Friday night and stayed over in a hotel. Our travel worn and over excited girls had a hard time settling down for bed until their dad conjured up a bedtime tale starring three mysterious princesses with mystical powers. Laying there in the dark on that bumpy sofa bed watching them give their dad such rapt attention while he entertained them was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The girls loved it too, and the story continued each night at bedtime for the rest of the vacation. The next morning we shuttled over to the port and we were on our way. All aboard!!

We spent the first day swimming, eating, and finding our way around the ship. The weather was sunny and the kids were lovin' the pool. The ship was beautiful and very clean. To help prevent the spread of germs, we were asked over and over to wash our hands and were constantly given wipes to clean up with. The service was impeccable and our room was thoroughly cleaned twice a day. The food was good. There was lots to do. We were going to have a great time.

That night we bunked down to the sound of waves splashing outside our window, and then lo and behold, we woke up in the Florida Keys, just like Magic. The excursion guide led us to a butterfly conservatory and shared some history and interesting information about Key West on the way. The beautiful garden and fluttering butterflies made the girls feel like they were in some kind of a fairy land. Madeleine asked me, "How hard would it be to put something like this in our backyard?" I don't know, but I can't say I didn't think about it.
A big, blue one landed right on Beth's head!
Time for lunch, and then we walked over to the aquarium. Madeleine made friends with an enormous hermit crab and Mary pet a baby shark. Key West was a fun stop, but the ship and all it's food and entertainment awaited . . .
One fun thing about the cruise was that there was a different show performed on stage every night. Sometimes it was was magician type performer, sometimes a musical performance. After a few nights of watching Princesses whirling and twirling Beth seemed to forget how to walk. She skipped and danced all around the ship, leaping and kicking while she sang. Every little girl has a princess inside. She just couldn't help letting hers show.

The girls spent the next day playing with their cousins in the pool or in the Kid's Club while we sailed away through the ocean blue. At that point motion sickness was starting to get the better of me so I spent some quality time in the stateroom while Luke put the fitness room to good use. Then it was time for another yummy dinner, another fun show, and another bedtime story. Bright and early the next day we pulled into Grand Cayman.

We vacationed in Grand Cayman when Madeleine was nearly 3 and Beth was a baby. (If I was really awesome I would find one of the pictures from that trip to post here, for the "Then and Now" effect, but I'm not that awesome so just picture it for yourself. ) We were excited to go back and we weren't disappointed. The turtle farm we visited 6 years ago had relocated to a better facility in a big park. We made friends with the turtles, snorkeled in a lagoon, and played in the sand. Mary didn't love the snorkeling because she kept getting salt water in her mouth, but I think she did pretty well for a 3 year old. Beth swam halfway around the lagoon with her mask fogged up, but once Luke cleared it she excitedly discovered there were fish down there!
It was hard to leave the sandy beach but the boat waited for no one so our happy day came to a close.

Next stop: Cozumel and the much awaited Swimming With Dolphins excursion. Madeleine counted down the days until this event for months. She was so excited she could hardly eat breakfast. Luke took Beth and Mary to more shallow waters to meet the dolphins, and he said Mary enjoyed petting the dolphin and gave it a kiss before she climbed out of the water to join her cousin on the pier. Beth got a kick out of dancing with the dolphin and kissing it's nose. Meanwhile, Madeleine and I jumped in for a swim. It is difficult to describe the sensation one experiences when a dolphin pokes the bottom of your foot with it's nose and then pushes you across the water! We also rode on it's tummy, and "surfed" with it on a boogie board. It was incredible. Smelled like fish, but incredible. The national park where the dolphin excursion took place was pretty great too - restaurant, swimming pool, and a beach so we spent the afternoon there relaxing and having fun while the dolphins flipped and flopped in front of us. (Pictures need to be scanned so they will be posted later in the slide show. )

Back on the ship, Mary wasn't feeling too hot. Actually, she was feeling a little too hot. Too much sun? Too much swimming? Hmmm. After a dose of Tylenol her dad asked her if she was feeling a little better. She replied, "No, I'm feeling A LOT better." We hoped that would be the worst of it. We sent her off to the Kid's Club with her cousins and her sisters while all the adults enjoyed a scrumptious dinner in the ship's gourmet restaurant. Several parent's pagers went off during dinner, but ours wasn't one of them so we figured Mary was feeling fine. The next morning she woke up and went to breakfast looking like this . . .
Until this guy showed up!
Even so, we popped into the ship's doctor. Slight fever, slightly irritated ear, nothing some Motrin couldn't handle. She was up when the Motrin was working, down when it was wearing off. Then Madeleine said her throat hurt. Hmmm. Then Mary started coughing. Then we bought more Motrin, and then some cold medicine. Wanting to save our energy for our big day on the Disney island, Castaway Cay, we tried to lay low and get the kids to bed early. I really wanted them to have fun on the Island.

Friday we left the ship in cloudy, cool weather. Madeleine struggled to walk from the ship to the beach and once we got there she shivered on a beach chair with her cover-up on and two towels laid over her. Luke dutifully obliged to seek out some hot chocolate for her at my request, his effort gaining him some strange looks but no warm beverage. Mary played in the sand for a bit and then joined her oldest sister. I was beginning to think our day in paradise was a bust when the sun peeked through the clouds and started warming everybody up. Beth was busy in the sand and the ocean, and late in the afternoon Madeleine perked up and joined her.
Mary did not budge.
At the end of the day we trudged back to the ship and were nearly there when Mary commented, "My shoes are back there." So, I trudged back to the beach and back to the ship again. By the time I got to our stateroom I felt like the life was being sucked out of me and I couldn't wait to lay down. Hmmmm. Luke observed, "You look like you just got hit by a truck . . " and took over with the kids. We ordered room service for dinner - 8 bowls of chicken noodle soup and some popcorn. As Luke phoned in the order he said, "I always have to make the weird orders . . ." We passed the Motrin and cold medicine around, listened to a "Daddy story" and drifted off as the boat turned towards Florida.

Saturday we left the boat early but the whole process of disembarkation, customs, etc. took a little bit of time. I became frustrated with Madeleine because she kept sitting on the floor whenever we were waiting in line or standing around somewhere. After a week of constantly washing our hands and using sanitizer, sitting on the floor looked like an invitation to a germ fest to me. Finally we got her in a car where she could just sit and rest. We stopped on the way to the Kennedy Space Center to buy a box of Kleenex and more Motrin. We saw alligators in the ditches along the roadway as we drove. At the Space Center all the kids were in good spirits and seemed animated enough. We passed the time there until we needed to leave for the airport.
At the airport Madeleine was once again dropping down onto the floor while I cringed and frantically groped in my purse for the hand sanitizer. Mary was drooped on Luke's shoulders, and Beth was perfectly fine. That is the first time I felt relieved to get my kids on a plane for an extended period of time. Madeleine and Mary slept most of the time while I huddled in the corner, coughing and shivering under one of the oversized handkerchiefs the airline calls a blanket. Poor Beth was tired and bored but at least she wasn't sick. We went directly from the airport to the Instacare. Mary's temp was 103 and she had double ear infections. Madeleine and I both had a "nasty virus." We limped in from the doctors at nearly 10:00 and realized we left a bag at the airport (the one with the kid's blankies and teddy bears in it, of course) and we still had to pick up a prescription. What a day. It finally ended well though, with all our bags claimed, family members medicated as needed, and everyone cozily asleep in their own beds, blankies and bears in hand.

Sunday morning I woke up sicker than I have ever been. I mean it. This was not your run of the mill body aches and fever. This was throbbing pain everywhere - too tired to move-irrational frame of mind kind of sick, and all I could think was, "Did my children feel this awful and I was yelling at them for sitting on the floor while I dragged them through the airport??" It occurred to me that I didn't know where my children were or what they were doing but that it didn't matter since I couldn't get out of bed. Enter stage right, one Super Man of a husband, ready to save the day. Luke brought me a mega-dose of Advil, took care of breakfast for the kids, and got them all squared away before he left for his early church meetings. I spent the next four hours in bed. By that point I thought I felt good enough to shower and get dressed for church. I wouldn't have gone except it was my last week as a leader in the Young Women's program and I wanted to be there. I left for church when Luke walked in from his meeting, leaving him to make lunch and care for the sick kids. When I got home I saw he had also cleaned the kitchen, picked up the family room, unpacked all the suitcases AND started the laundry. What a guy! I crawled back into bed feeling sooooooo grateful for such a wonderful husband and confident that I would soon be over the worst of this bug.

Maybe we didn't end our trip on the highest note, but it was a great vacation and we don't regret it a bit. Madeleine told me,"this vacation fulfilled all my dreams - to snorkel with turtles, to swim with dolphins, and to find a hermit crab in the wild." Having family time together and watching my children have so much fun made the trip a dream come true for me too.

Spring Break: The Beginning

2009-03-22T08:08:00.001-07:00

The girls had two weeks off for Spring Break and we were really excited about it. I had this "now or never" feeling about them learning to ski, so our first day off we headed up the mountain. Madeleine and Beth had one lesson earlier in the year while Mary stayed home. That plan didn't really meet with her high approval, so this time I figured she ought to come too. I'll admit I felt like I was getting in a bit over my head by attempting this whole shebang. I'm not yet a skier myself and I was pretty clueless where rentals and lift tickets were concerned. But, we bundled up just the same and asked a lot of questions along the way. It was a bit of a haul to get all three girls and their equipment to the right place for their lessons, but we made it! The hardest part was over and the fun began.

Madeleine and Beth were in classes according to their age group and level. Mary was with me and a private instructor. The instructor was a really nice guy who greeted Mary with a big smile and friendly words. He started explaining to her how we were going to get her ski's on, etc. She stood absolutely still and refused to speak. Then, without bending at all, she flopped over backwards and lay on the snow as if she had passed out. At that point I thought, "Ooooo, this might go badly," and intervened. I prodded Mary to her feet and coaxed her through the first little steps, like how to make a "pie" with her feet and how to put the skis on. Still silent and sullen, she followed my promptings. Then she looked up at the instructor and demanded, "I want to go on the lift!" Using a chance to go on the lift as incentive, he took over from there and got her going. He had his work cut out for him, let me tell you. She took to the skis right away and LOVED riding up the lift. She kept laughing and yelling to people below and at one point she started singing as loud as she could up to the tree tops. The instructor was working really hard to teach her speed control and wanted her to ski down in a snowplow. She thought it was hilarious to start in a slow snowplow and then bring her skis parallel, zoom forward, and smash into him. She would throw her head back and laugh every time. He was smiling but his face was clearing saying, "How much time is left in this lesson??" She quit goofing around eventually and by the end of the two hours she was following him down the hill and was able to stop, speed up, and steer on command. At the end of the lesson her instructor happily confessed that he was amazed at how well she had done. He said they rarely have a child that young come for lessons and they've never had one take a two hour lesson - the little ones are usually cold and crying at the end of 45 minutes. (I wondered why they looked at me funny when I scheduled the class. I guess not knowing what I was doing paid off in this instance. Lucky for me.) Although she held up well throughout the lesson she was one worn out, grumpy little bugger afterwards and fell asleep before I pulled out of the parking lot. I have to say I felt pretty much the same, but I waited until we got home to fall asleep. Totally worth it though.

Madeleine and Beth started off on the same hill as Mary and I was glad I could see them coming and going on the lift. They were doing great and before long they moved on to bigger hills. I was disappointed that I couldn't watch them anymore but their teachers said they did great and they both advanced a level. (In the photo below they were taking a break in the snow before their classes began). I feel like we got the girls off to a great ski start this year and next year, while they are all in their respective lessons, it will be my turn to give the slopes a try! We'll see how well that goes when the time comes:)

For our second Spring Break outing, we went swimming at the rec center (sorry, no photos). There is something about going swimming in the middle of the winter that makes you feel like you are getting away with something. The girls love it! Navigating them through the whole process of bathing suits, showers, etc. used to be overwhelming. Now they are nearly self-sufficient in the locker room and it's a pretty manageable activity we enjoy every now and then.

On day three, we met some friends at a tea shop downtown and had a tea party lunch, British style. Then we headed over to the Children's museum and joined the art class. The artist of the day was Jackson Pollock. With bare feet and their pants rolled up, the girls had a blast splattering and splotching while music played. It is an activity I will definitely recreate at home - in the summer, outside, in bathing suits, with very washable paint, and a hose near- by.

The next two days were full of cleaning and packing in preparation for our big Spring Break adventure. Stay tuned . . .

First Day of Spring Break, Last Day of Snow?

2009-03-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

Our house looked like this when we woke on our first day of Spring Break. I'm hoping it's the last snow of the year since I am getting anxious to get our garden going.

Suddenly Things Are Clearer

2009-03-21T08:25:00.001-07:00

Spring is a lot brighter for Madeleine this year. She got her first pair of glasses at the end of February. The first day she had them she kept exclaiming, "I didn't know everyone could see like this!"

The Day Before Spring Break

2009-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

Friday was only a half day of school, and since it was the last day before Spring Break, some of the classes made it a bit of a party day, concluding their units of study with a grand finale of costumes and treats. For the third grade, it was Greek Day, and for the Kindergartners it was "Favorite Fairy Tale and Nursery Rhyme Day." So, it was not a typical get-ready-for-school morning at our house. Instead of three girls dressed in uniforms, this is who I sent to school:

Athena, Goddess of Love and Beauty

Little Bo Peep, who really did lose her sheep and we had to find another one in time for school

Neglected Child, who nearly went to school in PJ's because mom was so busy with costumes

All three had a great day and now we are happy that Spring Break is here!

Girl Party

2009-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Back in January, Luke was gone over the weekend and we decided to have a "Girl Party" while he was away. We decorated with pink shiny ribbons and pink tableware and each girl invited one friend. The giddy guests arrived resplendent in their pajamas and ready for some party action. Mary kept marching around exclaiming, "No boys allowed! No boys allowed!" We don't usually have any boys here anyway except for Luke so I'm surprised she even cared, but she got a real kick out of emphasizing that. Anyway, we started the night making individual pizzas and decorating cookies. Then we had a little "glamour time" where everyone put on pink and purple hair extensions, sticker earrings, and lip gloss. You can't be all dressed up with no where to go, so the girls spearheaded an impromptu tea party and spent the rest of the evening coordinating costumes and pouring tea. Truth be told, I was worn out by the evening's end, but the girls had a glorious time. I really enjoyed watching them interact and learning more about what they like. Maybe girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, but good food, giggles and everything glittery make a Girl Party!

WANTED: Two Front Teeth

2009-02-22T20:10:00.001-08:00

This One Is For Grandma

2009-02-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Still Catching up from Christmas, here is a clip from Madeleine's concert. She is standing at the foot of the blue bed, wearing a bright red skirt.

Beth has been working really hard with the jump rope Grandma Rosie sent for Christmas. She is already way better than she was in this video, and proud of it! She made up the little skipping rhyme in this one. (This post was her idea. She asked me to take a video and send it to Grandma)

I snuck up behind Mary with the camera while she was putting on a recital of her original composition . . .

The girls have started a tradition of putting on dresses and dancing every Sunday morning. In this performance, they are wearing the dresses we brought home from Hawaii.

Light and Dark

2009-02-15T08:55:00.003-08:00

We are encouraged by our church leaders to make an effort to strengthen our families by setting aside one night a week to stay home together and have a little gospel lesson, followed by a fun activity. Referred to as "Family Home Evening," or "Family Night," I enjoyed this tradition growing up and it's something that we try to make a priority of with our girls.

Last week a friend of mine recommended a great idea for Family Home Evening, and she was kind enough to let me copy it. Luke read us the verse in John where Jesus is described as the "light of the world,"(John 8:12). With the help of an object lesson, we talked about how having a light on helps us see what we are doing, so it's easier to accomplish what we want to do. Then we talked about how Jesus is like a light because His example helps us to see what we need to do so we can live with Him again. The girls participated well and paid good attention - something of a rarity!

To go along with the light theme, our activity was to turn out the lights and dance around with glow sticks, while I took pictures with a slow shutter speed. I got a real kick out of watching the girls prancing around while we made "dark and light art." It was a fun night, made better because it started with the help of a friend. Thanks Wylie!

A light -saber battle between Madeleine and Beth

Writing their names (M B M)

Hair cuts

2009-02-15T07:58:00.001-08:00

For months Beth has deliberated about getting a haircut. Initially she was intimidated by the whole process of going to the salon. Then she decided she wanted long hair so she could do more braids and curls and such. Last week, after a discussion with me about the possibility of bangs, she made her decision and was raring to go! After school we headed over to Fantastic Sam's for her little "make-over."

Before

Beth was proud of her long hair, but she was getting tired of combing out tangles and decided it was time for a change.

During - she groaned and rolled her eyes in mock embarrassment while her mother took pictures. She discouraged me from speaking to her during her haircut as well. A haircut is much too grown-up for that kind of thing.

After

Beth LOVES her haircut. At the salon she was grinning and giggling at herself in the mirror. When she got down from the chair the first thing she said was, "My dad will be so proud of me!" The puzzled stylist queried, "Does your dad really like bangs?", "No, I explained, "he really likes Beth!"

When we got home Beth disappeared for the better part of a half an hour. When I finally went to look for her I found her in gazing in the mirror. She agreed to pose for a "photo shoot" and anxiously waited for her dad to come home. She fell apart when he called and said he would be late, and then she slept with a pillow over her head so that when he came in to kiss her while she slept, he wouldn't see her haircut! The next morning she made me hurriedly comb and curl her hair before Luke came upstairs and then she popped out and surprised him. Writing about it may make her sound a bit conceited, but in actuality she was very sweet and cute about the whole thing.

Now for Mary. As a baby Mary developed an interesting habit of twisting her hair in knots to lull herself to sleep. When her hair was little more than an infant fuzz, we had to cut the knots out each morning, which perpetuated her baby baldness for months. As her hair miraculously managed to grow, we managed on occasion to untangle the knots and spare her hair it's daily trimming. However, just as her hair had nearly filled out to a legitimate head full, she took up the scissors by her own volition and whacked off her bangs back to the scalp. Throughout all of this, she didn't like having short hair and once quietly moaned as we sat in church, "I have a BOY head!" Trying to reconcile not tying knots or cutting her own hair with growing hair long enough to have a "girl head" was a heart-felt conflict for little Mary. Now, her hair is long enough that she can twist knots into it and "tie them out" by herself, most of the time. But, her hair is curly and she likes it "smooth" so the daily trimming has evolved to a daily battle where I try to persuade, cajole, and trick her into showing off her cute curls while she heartily insists that I slick it down as smooth and straight as possible. So, as we took Beth to the salon for her haircut, I offered Mary a trim. She confessed that she was scared of "the black thing." "The cape?" I asked, "That is just a great big apron that they put over you so that your clothes are covered up and the cut-off hair doesn't get on them and make you itch." "Ooooooh," she sighed, "I thought it was a cave with a black bear inside, and then I saw a Beth-head poking out of it!" No wonder she didn't want a hair cut! With fear of caves and bears resolved, she eagerly climbed up into the chair while I explained the knot situation to the stylist. . .

Before

Mary was prone to "crazy hair" in the mornings.

During

She was less concerned with the outcome and more concerned with equality as she proudly announced, "Now Beth AND me got to go in the chair!" Cutting some layers evened out the areas where knots had been extracted . . .

After

The stylist sprayed Mary's hair and used mousse to activate the curls. Mary scowled sullenly into the mirror and refused to speak to her. When we got home and the curls loosened up a bit, Mary relaxed too and let me take her picture.

I never though taking kids for a hair cut could be so much fun! Between the two of them their reactions had me laughing all day. I'm sure there are bad hair days ahead and lots of drama to go with them, but for this mother of three girls, today was a great hair day!

Aloha!

2009-02-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

This month Luke and I spent 9 wonderful days in Hawaii, thanks to Grandma Liz, the Galloways, and the Spanglers, who pulled kid duty for us.

We had a fantastic time. We spent our first evening there watching the sun set while whales spouted and breached out in the ocean.

Throughout the trip, We had lots of golf time, spa time (well, I had lots of spa time), reading time, and pool time. We ate at several great restaurants (Mama's Fish House was our favorite), and spent too much money on presents for the girls (I'm the one guilty of that).

One morning we did a scooter dive from the beach. Because we held on to scooters which propelled us, we could forgo a boat ride and just leave from beach, but still get far enough out to see cool things. My favorite things from that dive were some spotted damsel fish swimming around an antler coral, and hearing whale song. Just when I thought I was too cold and had to head in, we saw a red pipe fish, which is quite rare according to our guide. Another morning we rented a kayak and paddled around. Just when I decided to head in, Luke spotted a big sea turtle that surfaced right by us. A different day we decided to snorkel for a while and, just when I decided to start heading in, Luke spotted an octopus. I'm afraid I will expect him to spot some grand finale in all our excursions, from now on, just when I'm ready to quit.

If I had to pick my favorite day, I would say Sunday. We attended church with the congregation in Keihei. For lack of a better description, it was just really nice. The people there were so friendly and listening to them refreshed my perspective. After church we went for a walk in the Iao Valley, checking out the native garden display there and hiking around in the rainforest. Then we met up with our friends for a bit of scripture discussion, and concluded the day eating dinner on the balcony, watching the sun set.

If I had to pick my favorite moments they would be seeing a whale breach at sunset, and walking along the beach in the mornings while listening to performances of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on my Ipod- that may not sound like very invigorating music but it fit the scenery perfectly. My favorite activities were the ones I did with Luke, like snorkeling and golfing. I played lousy, but the course of beautiful and I loved it when a little mongoose ran right across our path.

We slept in in the mornings, laid by the pool in the afternoons, and relaxed in the hot tub in the evenings. I missed the girls, but I didn't worry about them. I was surprised by how much I missed their hug and kisses, but they gave me plenty of hugs to make up for it when we got home!

Overall it was just great - great company, great food, great scenery, great weather, and reuniting with our girls was a great conclusion. I'm already looking forward to next year. . .

Christmas Chronicles 2008

2009-01-20T09:17:00.001-08:00

On Christmas Eve we had a "Casserole Christmas Dinner" at Grandma Liz's, where the kids acted out the nativity and we sang Christmas Carols. It was rowdy but wonderful at the same time. Then we headed home to open our "night before" gift - the inevitable pajamas, and to exchange the gifts the kids chose for everyone. Mary was delighted that Madeleine picked out the exact make-up set that she coveted in the dollar store. Mary gave Beth a clipboard to draw on. Beth gave Mary a cell phone that sang songs in Japanese (and drove us nuts the rest of the night). There were also pink head bands, Barbie Dolls in "appropriate clothes," and a bag of sour cream and onion chips in the mix. Madeleine gave me a notebook "because you're always saying, 'I have to write that down,' " and Beth gave me a little photo album "because you always want to take pictures of us." This is the first year none of the kids gave Luke a bottle of Diet Coke - he's kicked the habit. Then there were cute things that the girls made at school for Luke and I. The kids little gift exchange is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. After the gift exchange we traditionally read a few scriptures from an illustrated book and then listen to "Away In A Manger" while following along with the words in another illustrated book. I was surprised this year by the close attention the girls, even Mary, paid to the scriptures and pictures and I loved when they started to sing along to "Away In A Manager." Mary didn't know the words but she chimed in on the chorus and we ended up all singing together. Then, snuggled up in blankets and laying on pillows, we listened to Luke read "The Night Before Christmas" for our good night story. The girls went off to bed and Luke and I watched "A Christmas Carol". I was caught off guard when I headed for bed after the movie but Luke didn't come with me. What was he up to?

Christmas Morning - poor Madeleine woke up at 6:00 and tried to contain her excitement. By 6:45 she could bear it no longer and woke up Beth and they came to get us. Not wanting to wake Mary and have her grumpy all day and hoping to let Luke sleep a little longer, I tried to hold the two of them off by reading to them. By 7:30 Madeleine was so frustrated she was in tears, but Mary woke up just after that and by 8:00 we were heading downstairs. They dashed into the family room, dumped out their stockings, and tore into the presents. Three of my favorite moments: 1) when Mary opened her first present, a book, and said soberly, "Mom, this is not a lipstick," 2) Beth hugging her bear and pronouncing him "almost exactly" what she wanted 3) Madeleine opening her rock polisher and proudly introducing us all to her silicon carbide and aluminum oxide grit. I unwrapped a box from Luke to find my Iphone inside. His mysterious late night project turned out to be downloading hours and hours of talks from LDS General Conferences and music to my Ipod for me to use in the car. What a husband! I've made good use of the gift since and I love it.

We had a huge breakfast at home (seriously, I cooked enough for 12 people without even realizing it), relaxed a little bit, and then headed to Grandpa's. We had a truly white Christmas at our house (just what Madeleine had been hoping for), so Luke had to clear 6 inches of snow off the driveway before we could leave, but the roads were clear and we had a nice drive.

On the way we called my family in Maryland and had great visit via speaker phone in the car. They thanked Madeleine for the tree shaped ornament she sewed, Beth for the glittery pinecone ornament she made, and Mary for the wooden Christmas tree that she painted black.

At Grandpa's, Nina served a yummy lunch, we opened more presents and the cousins ran rampant while the grown-ups lounged and visited. By late afternoon the whole crew loaded up and caravanned back to Grandma Liz's for more food and more presents. You'd think the kids would've had enough already but within minutes of arrival the family room was strewn with paper and the kids were changing into new outfits and looking at their new pop-up books. We lingered a bit, talking and winding down, and then drove home through more falling snow. We all went to bed happy, tired, and thankful for family.

Each girl received a range of gifts including multiple toys, books, art supplies, music, movies, board games, and Wii games. However, they spent the vacation days following Christmas playing with broken up bits of styrofoam packaging and shreds of gift wrap, or building "huts" out of blankets and furniture. Remind me of that next year when I'm ready to go Christmas shopping!
On New Year's Eve day, Madeleine, Beth, and I took a ski lesson all together while Luke enjoyed the slopes on his own. I'd always heard how kids learn so fast, but seeing it happen still amazed me. When we arrived at the Brighton Ski School, they didn't even know how to put their boots on. When we left 2 1/2 hours later they were both getting on and off the lift unaided, skiing down the slope, and stopping without effort. I, on the other hand, was being told that I needed to "try going for the extreme and then pull back." Whatever. I wasn't about to ruin the rest of our Christmas break by ending up injured while pursuing "the extreme." I had fun though and I did learn a lot. In fact, I felt like I was just starting to really get the hang of it, which means that we have to go back soon before the girls and I both forget what we learned.

After skiing we went to the Spangler's for a "New York New Year's". Amy and Seth treated us to a yummy dinner and a fun movie and kid games. Then we watched the countdown on East Coast time and went home to bed at 10:00. On the way up to bed I explained to the girls how people here were still celebrating until midnight so they shouldn't be alarmed if they heard shouting or fireworks in the middle of the night. Unbeknownst to Luke and I, the little buggers faked going to bed and then spent the next two hours decorating Beth's room and having their own celebration while they waited for the fireworks to start. Madeleine enjoyed them and said they were great. Beth fell asleep at 11:50 and just had to take her sister's word for it.

The best part of Christmas overall was getting to be together and having Daddy home. Along with activities mentioned above, we spent some time swimming at the rec center, Luke and I had a day-long shopping date, we had a pizza-picnic movie night, and played in the snow. Christmas gives us reason for a lot of excitement and fun surprises, but at this time of year when we think more about the influence a baby born in Bethlehem has had on the world, I am so grateful that He gave us families. To be together, to be secure, and to be able to enjoy fun times are truly blessings worth celebrating. Here's to family and finding joy in simple things for 2009!

Gingerbread houses

2008-12-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today we did one of my favorite Christmas traditions - gingerbread houses! Thanks to those especially convenient kits you can buy in any grocery store, we've done a gingerbread house every year. We always put it together, go read Christmas stories (starting with The Gingerbread Baby) while we wait the 15 minutes for the icing to set, and then go back and decorate. Today we lit the fire, turned on the Christmas music, and went to it. In order to avoid any squwaks and squaffles over decoration placement, I got three kits and surprised the girls by having them each do their own.

12 Chances to Regain Sanity

2008-12-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

'Twas two weeks before Christmas and mother was busy,

Christmas shopping and cards had her all in a tizzy.

Despite planning and simplifying and cutting things back,

Her list seemed to grow longer with each day that passed.

Bogged down with the parties, events, and gift-wrap,

What she wanted most was a long winter's nap!

She was tired and grouchy from sunrise to nightfall;

And she felt she was missing the point of it all.

Where was the feeling, the joy and the bliss,

The bubbly excitement unique to Christmas?

"Something needs to be done," she decided, "right now!"

"We should start a 12 Days of Christmas countdown.

We'll give small gifts of kindness to each family member,

And my gift to them all will be keeping my temper.

I'll try hard to be sweeter, more gentle, and calm,

Instead of a frazzled, mean, stressed-out mom.

I'll thank Him for the blessings He sends from above,

by showing my family more patience and love.

Then my preparations won't feel like a chore

but be a lifting reminder of the birth of our Lord.

With love in my heart and His spirit within,

Christmas will bring me nearer to Him.

It's been 8 days since I wrote that, and since we started doing 12 Days of Christmas just among our family members. I assigned each day to one person in our family, and we all do or say something extra special for that person that day. It doesn't cost anything and it doesn't take any time, but it is helping. I really think it is, at least for me. Besides, only four days to go, and then I will be taking that nap!

Spencer Playing Wii Boxing

2008-12-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

I've been trying since Thanksgiving to get this video to load. This is my nephew Spencer playing boxing at our Thanksgiving Wii party. He has kind of a 'box dancing" thing going on . . .

Christmas Wish List

2008-12-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

For Family Home Evening on Monday night we had a Christmas lesson and then we lit a fire in the fireplace, turned on the Christmas music, and put out our Christmas decorations, but I forgot to have the girls write their letters to Santa. I like to do that right after Thanksgiving so Santa's elves have more time to work away in their magic workshop. I had a few hours set aside today so I could write the letters for the girls and mail them, just to help Santa get going on his work, but I had no wish list. So, I brought it up in conversation this morning. Here's what I got:

Madeleine: I know what I want but I don't want to ask for it because I think it's expensive.

(Beth interjects) "Santa's going to MAKE it so it won't cost anything."

Madeleine: I know, but I don't want to ask for anything that's too much, so I'll have to think of something else but I don't know what. Maybe a stuffed rhinoceros since I don't have one of those.

Fortunately, I once overheard Madeleine confessing her secret desire for a rock-polisher and I will be sure and notify the elves if she does not come forward in the immediate future. (Catherine and Emma, if you're reading this please don't tell Madeleine that I am going to tell Santa that's what she wants so that he can surprise her, OK?) Moving on to Beth:

Beth: I think I want a teddy bear.

Mom: Really? You have lots of teddy bears. Is this a special kind of teddy bear?

Beth: Well, not really special, but I see it in my mind and I really like it.

Mom: Oh. Uh, what does it look like in your mind?

Beth: Well, it's kind of a lightish dark brown and it's not too big or too small or too medium.

Mom: Hmm, do you have anything already that is the same color and about the same size?

Beth: Yes, it's like my Build-A-Bear bear color, except it's different, and it's about an inch from the size of that bear, but I don't know if it's bigger or smaller.

Mom: Oh. That sounds like a really nice bear. (Mom begins mentally plotting subtle propaganda strategies to persuade Beth to choose a less "visualized" and more widely marketed Christmas present. Those elves may be magic, but they're no mind readers.)

And then of course there's Mary. I asked for her input just as I was about to leave to run my errands.

Mom: Mary, what do want Santa to bring you for Christmas?

Mary: A changing room

Mom: A what???

Mary: A changing room.

Mom: Um, what do you mean, a changing room? Can you tell me what it is?

Mary: ( with tone and expression slightly implying a "DUHH!") It's a room with two doors and it has clothes inside and you go in the doors and put the clothes on.

Mom: Oh. That does sound like fun, but is there anything else you'd like for Christmas (pleeeaasse?!)

Mary: (matter-of-factly) You only get one present mom.

Mom: Well, I know, but I don't think Santa can bring a room. I think he only brings toys. So, is there something else you can think of you would like him to bring you?

Mary: Yes

Mom: Really?? What?

Mary: A lipstick room.

Mom (sighing with resignation): Oh. Well, anyway, what do you think Grandpa Dave would like for his birthday?

Mary: A chicken.

I think the changing room fascination stems from something in an episode of Dora the Explorer when she changes into a fairy Princess. If anyone out there is up on their Dora trivia and could elaborate, the elves would appreciate some further detail so as to better prepare them to work out a compromise.

I think Santa has his work cut out for him with this crew this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with to make these little girl dreams come true. I wish him the best of luck.

Kind of our First Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T14:54:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for the many things the Lord has given me;

my food, my clothes, my ears that hear, and my eyes that see.

I'm blessed to have a warm, safe home and to live where I am free,

But most of all I'm thankful for my wonderful family.

This Thanksgiving was "kind of our first Thanksgiving" in that it was the first time we've had Thanksgiving dinner at our house. It was also the first Thanksgiving I've had with my brothers Michael and John since we've graduated from High School. John and his family drove down from Idaho to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us. Michael and his family came from Orem for Thanksgiving Day.

I was excited to have Thanksgiving here. I started testing recipes about a month ago and after 4 practice runs with turkey recipes, I concluded that practice doesn't make perfect. It only proves that no matter what you do something is bound to go wrong, so don't worry about it. Even so, the practice was helpful and the turkey turned out great. 5th time's a charm I guess. In the last 30 minutes before dinner our kitchen somewhat resembled "Iron Chef America" as Luke and my two brothers took orders from me while we scrambled to finish everything up. It was fun cooking with Luke. He hefted the turkey for me and kept an eye on the creamed corn. He persuaded me to spare the green beans when, convinced that the onions were too caramelized, I was going to throw them away and start over. Michael was the assistant gravy chef and John was the table runner. Everyone chipped in in lots of ways, and if it weren't for all of the help I got from all of my gracious family dinner never would've happened.

While dinner preparations were under way, the kids colored their own Thanksgiving placemats for the table and everyone wrote what they were thankful for on a paper leaf and put it on our family tree. After dinner we had an impromptu Wii party, followed by dessert.

Growing up, my mom had a tradition of making everyone their own pie, flavor of their choice. I was not about to do that, but rather chose one dessert in honor of each our Smart Family groups. We had my mom's favorite dessert (brownie pudding) to represent the family gathered together in Maryland, my sister-in-law's favorite dessert (berry cobbler) to represent the family in New Hampshire, and a pie that my brother brought for the Utah Smart Family celebration. After dessert we welcomed in the Christmas season by turning on our Christmas lights.

One of my favorite things about this year's Thanksgiving was actually the day before Thanksgiving. I had a rose-colored idea that I wanted all of my girls to be involved in the dinner preparations. I selected some menu items that were simple enough for them to legitimately participate in the making of and I invited them all into the kitchen to pursue my goal of achieving family togetherness through culinary cooperation. Even with that goal in mind, there came a point when all three of them were sitting on the counter arguing, one with soapy water up to her elbows and the other with her finger in the brown sugar, and I almost said, "You know what, go watch TV and let me take care of this."

Earlier I spoke with my mother about traditional Thanksgiving dinners. She offered that working together to make the dinner is the part of Thanksgiving traditions that bond a family. We discussed how the trick is to do enough work to create the opportunity for group cooperation and individual contribution while not overworking the people involved. With that in mind, I bit my tongue and regrouped and you know what? I had fun.

Each girl had one dish that they "made" and they were proud to see it on the table and to show it off to our guests. They were genuinely helpful, especially where washing dishes was concerned. In fact, Beth was so dedicated to washing dishes she spent the better part of an hour at the kitchen sink and used most of a bottle of detergent. At one point I handed a dirty spoon to Madeleine and asked her to please put it in the dishwasher. She surprised me by handing it to Beth, assuming I was referring to Beth as The Dishwasher. The whole morning was well worth a little chaos.

There are more years to come where we'll work together in the kitchen, making dinner while creating memories. Someday, I may even sit back and let them do all work! For this year, I am thankful for soapy dishes, chocolate splatters, sticky fingers, and licking beaters. True, it took longer and made a bigger mess than if I would've done it by myself. It is also true that we each have something to give and something to gain by doing things together. Whether they will remember it or not, my girls were a part of Thanksgiving this year and that matters. I think they learned something about cooking and hopefully that will prove useful in their futures. More so I hope they learned something about how it feels to be part of a family and what it means to work together and serve each other. I did, and that made this "kind of our first Thanksgiving" the best kind.

(see slide show for pictures)

My Tips For Shopping At Costco

2008-11-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us and that means lots of shopping. I've done most of my Christmas shopping already and in so doing have frequented Costco more than usual. In the process, I learned the following lessons the hard way:

There is no such thing as going to Costco "for just a few things." No matter how carefully you plan your list, inevitably you will find a few more things that you need and few things that you don't.

If you think limiting your shopping time by going to Costco right before you have to pick your kids up from school will likewise limit your spending, you are wrong - and you will be late picking up your kids.

When loading your purchases into the back of your car, it is helpful if you don't have a bucket of old raspberry canes and a plastic bin full of Halloween costumes in there already.

Be careful about shopping there when you are hungry. Buying something that looks good at the moment means you will be eating it for the next two weeks.

FYI some of my favorite things to get at Costco are paper products in bulk, discounted books, the Ottavio's tomato basil soup, the Del Monte bottled peaches, and the Posada Chimichangas. What are yours?

To all you Costco shoppers out there, happy shopping!

I Feel Kind of Old When. . .

2008-11-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

At first glance the 20-something mother pushing her baby in a stroller strikes me as a teenager on a babysitting job

There are only two dinner glasses left out of the set we got as a wedding present

My daughter asks, "What's a VCR?"

My other daughter explains to her sister, "A long time ago there used to be phones with cord-things on them."

Oh well. I've been wanting to buy some new dinner glasses anyway, and who needs to be tethered to a phone by it's cord? As far as my kids go, someday their kids will be saying things like, "a long time ago there used to be this thing called "email" and you actually had to TYPE the words . . ."

Uncles, continued

2008-11-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

It turned out that Uncle Jake DID end up going to the Thanksgiving Feast with Beth. I had plans to be out of town with Luke and Beth could not be consoled that I was going to miss her Thanksgiving celebration. She cried and cried until finally I asked, "Would you feel better if you knew that Uncle Jake is going to try and make it to your Thanksgiving Feast?" The water works stopped and the little sun in her world was shining again. Thankfully, Jake was able to make it and Princess Pink Feather had a wonderful time. Having family around to cover for you when you spread yourself too thin - that's something to be thankful for.

Thanks Jake!

Uncles

2008-11-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

Lately comments about Uncles keep popping up in the bits of conversation around here. For example;

Beth: When will we ever see Uncle Paul again? Maybe we can go on vacation somewhere and he can be there. (I think she is remembering last Thanksgiving when we met him in California)

Madeleine: There are phones where you can see the people the you are talking to. Deaf people use them so they can sign to each other over the phone. Uncle John has one because he is deaf.

Beth: Uncle John is deaf??

Madeleine: Not mom's brother Uncle John. Grandma's brother Uncle John. Mom's brother John isn't deaf, but Uncle Michael is color blind.

Beth: Color blind?

Madeleine: He doesn't see color right. When he looks at colors they look different than how you and I see them. Like when your eyes see blue, his eyes see purple.

Mary: My blue eyes can see Spencer.

Beth: Oh darn it! I forgot to ask Uncle Seth about the problem I'm having with my tooth.

Madeleine: Don't worry Beth. If mom can't come to your Thanksgiving Feast maybe Uncle Jake can come, like he came to Science with me last year.

They still brag about how Uncle Josh let them to drive a bulldozer, and how they can play soccer because their Uncle Chad taught them. They try to keep tabs on their Uncle Eric's dating life and they always hope he will be at Grandma's house when we go there. To all you Uncles out there, I hope you know whether you are down the street or across the country, you are in the hearts and thoughts of three little girls. What lucky girls to have so many great men in their lives!

Balloon Volley Ball

2008-11-14T10:31:00.001-08:00

Madeleine needed a balloon to demonstrate a science experiment for us during family night so I bought a package. By the next day, the whole package had been blown up and the girls have been engaged in balloon volleyball matches ever since.

Here is how Mary plays:

Here is how Beth plays:

Elections and Veterans

2008-11-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

One day last month Madeleine surprised me with the following conversation:

Madeleine: "Religion is pretty much the biggest thing in the third grade right now. That, and the elections. Are you going to vote for Obama or McCain?

Mom; "I'm not sure yet."

Madeleine: "I'm leaning towards McCain. I think he's nice, and it seems like all Obama cares about is America.

Beth, with a sideways glance:"Well, doesn't he LIVE in America? And shouldn't you care about where you live? It's not like he's going to be President here and go live in some other country!"

Madeleine: "Yes, but you still have to want to help other people. You can't just care about yourself all the time."

And so a political debate ensued between our little Republican and our little Democrat. It cracked me up. Mary chimed in, asking, "What's Oba?" "Obama" Madeleine corrected, "Like a bomb, that explodes, O-bomb-a." That struck me as an hilarious pronunciation guide for his name. Mary liked the sound of it and started running around singing '"obAAAAAAma! obAAAAAma!"

Politics is rarely a prevalent topic of conversation in our house so I was surprised how much the kids thought about the elections and getting a new President. Madeleine's class had been reading Time For Kids, the school news version of Time magazine, and she was pretty concerned about foreign policy. On Nov. 4th, different grades at school voted within their own classes and graphed the results. Madeleine came home wearing a personally made "I Voted" sticker on her jumper and she wanted to stay up on the night of elections to see who won. We sent her to bed with the promise that we would wake her up as soon as we knew.

The next morning I asked her if she was disappointed that McCain lost. "Not really," she said. "I'm glad that he was so nice about losing. He was like, 'well, that's ok.' I think Obama will do a pretty good job - but I hope he doesn't just care about America and people. I wish he cared more about animals and forests too. . . " Besides that, the girl's only reaction to the election results was wanting to find out what kind of puppy is going to move into the White House.

Freedom is a pretty amazing thing. Hundreds of thousands fight to obtain and preserve it while those who inherit it hardly realize they have it. I'm sure my children don't know how fortunate they are to live where they can receive an education, where they are free to voice their political opinions, and where their parents and someday they can take part in an election. I'm not sure I fully appreciate our privileges myself, but I am thankful for them. I'm thankful for people like my grandfathers and my father who served in the military and helped to provide those privileges for me and my children. I'm thankful to know that come what may with health care, taxes, and the war on terror we are still part of a great nation with the potential to become greater. I'm proud that we have a who leader was chosen by the people through the democratic process. I hope that my children will learn to appreciate the privileges they have. I hope they'll feel indebted to those who serve our country. I hope they will grow up to be people who care about America.

Halloween Week

2008-11-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Grandma Liz threw a big Halloween Bash. Last Saturday we went Trunk-or-Treating and got a big stash. Then at the Spook-tacular there were lots of games to play. At school we wore PJ's or crazy socks for a day. Last night we went Trick-or- Treating and had lots of fun. Now our candy's nearly gone and Halloween is done!

Happy Halloween from Madeleine the Bride, Beth the Goldfish, and Mary the Unicorn (costumes designed and made by Luke's amazing mother, Grandma Liz)

6 Ways to Celebrate Your 6th Birthday

2008-11-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

1. The week before your birthday, snuggle next to your Grandma while she reads you an original story about her childhood that she brought to you all the way from Maryland. Then go have dinner with your cousins and open the hand-made gifts they drew for you.

2. Two days before your birthday, take treats to your class, let them all sing to you, and have "free choice" of anything to play with in the classroom while the whole class makes you birthday cards.

3. The night before your birthday, go on a date with your Grandpa and his wife, fulfilling your life long dream of going to Build-A-Bear. Take your bear with you everywhere all week.

4. The day of your birthday, wake up to a "breakfast party" with your family. Eat your favorite breakfast foods, open your presents, and blow out the candle on your cinnamon roll. Take your mom to school with you for "Mother's Visiting Day," and sit on her lap during story time. After school, bring home a friend. Have a tea party lunch and decorate cupcakes with her, her little sister, and your little sister.

5. The night of your birthday, go to dinner with your Grandma and open presents at her house. Try on the Halloween costume that she designed and made for you while you're there.

6. The Saturday following your birthday, have a party with all your friends at The Little Gym. Spend the afternoon pasting pictures of your friends into your new scrapbook.

And One To Grow On; Plan a Daddy-Daughter Date to go spend the birthday money you got in the mail from your Great-Grandmother.

Thank you, everyone who wished Beth a happy birthday. Beth is a lucky girl to have so many people to love her and make her birthday special. We are a lucky family to have such a special little girl. Happy Birthday Beth!

October Overview

2008-10-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Another month that is flying by! The leaves are changing, the garden is harvested, and the weather is consistently cool enough for me to put away the kids summer clothes. Mary is resisting the change in season and repeatedly retrieves her pink shorts and pink short sleeve shirt from the storage box. I used to carry extra diapers everywhere we went. Now I carry a change of clothes for when she decides it really is too cold for shorts. Sometimes she puts the shorts over the pants. Mostly she won't wear the pants and walks around muttering, "Freeeeezin'! "

My birthday was earlier this month. As cliche as it is to say, I don't feel any older. A local cosmetic surgeon disagrees apparently. He sent me a "birthday discount certificate" for botox treatment. How's that for rubbing it in? Even with that reminder of the inevitable effects of aging, I had a great birthday. My parents and brothers were in town and it was nice to celebrate with them. More than the celebration, it was just nice to have them here. Then Luke treated me to a birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, followed by the question, "Don't you want to go shopping?" I'd say that's worth getting a year older!

Also earlier this month was General Conference weekend. Twice a year, the Prophet and other general leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hold a conference to make announcements and give updates that are of general interest for church members world wide. They also share different faith-inspiring messages and give counsel. The conference is held in a large conference center in downtown Salt Lake City, but it is also broadcast on TV and internet so that anyone who wants can listen in at home. We like to try and involve our kids in this significant occurrence. We also like to actually listen, and the two don't coincide very well. We compromise by requiring the kids to come in for the first hymn, the opening prayer, and to hear the Prophets introductory message. Then the deal is they if they leave us alone for the rest of the time we won't make them sit and listen any longer. Here's how the Saturday morning session of Conference started for us:

(music playing, scenes of the Salt Lake Temple are being shown) The announcer states,"This is the 178th semiannual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . . ."

Madeleine, with annoyance, " WHAT! I thought it was the 178th last time! (explanation of semi-annual and annual being in the same year and hence the same number given by dad)

The Morman Tabernacle Choir begins to sing the opening hymn. The camera zooms in on the Sopranos, dressed in magenta gowns adorned with a cluster of glittering sequins at the neck.

Mary: Ooo, look at all the purple girls!

Beth: They are wearing grapes on their dresses

Everyone is quiet while the opening prayer is said. After the "Amen". . .

Beth: (sigh) "I'm bored already!"

That 5 minutes is as far as we got with the kids. No matter. Luke and I enjoyed the rest of the speakers. There is always something said that makes you feel good about what you're doing, and something that helps you want to do the things you're not. I really liked this comment from Elder L. Tom Perry:

There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: “The best is yet to be”

I don't think that means difficult things won't bother us, or that we should pretend things are great when they aren't. But I do think looking forward with hope can make the difference in what we learn from our experiences. Life's not perfect and neither am I, and I find that believing in the possibility of improvement keeps my head up. When I think of my husband and our daughters, I look forward to making each new phase in our lives the best yet. Of course, when I think of how blessed I am to have them, it's hard to believe life could get any better.

We Did Better This Week

2008-10-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

This dress was mine when I was little. Mary wore it begrudingly because it didn't match her lipstick.

"OK, I'm dressed for church!"

2008-10-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

The shirt is dirty. The shorts are inside out. That's a hair scrunchy around her waist. Oh, and it's snowing outside.

Complaint for the Day

2008-10-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

I seem to be a magnet for phone solicitors, no matter what I do. We registered for the National Do Not Call list, I ask everyone who calls to take us off their list, I do not give my phone number out to anyone except people I actually want to talk to, and still my phone is plagued on a daily basis with aggravating interruptions from people who incorrectly pronounce our last name and try to manipulate me into buying things I don't want. It is 11:30 a.m. and there have been three already this morning. One insulted me for not agreeing to buy anything from their supposedly charitable organization (incidentally, I bought something from them before and I'm pretty sure their organization is a fraud, hence the refusal), the second tried to scam me into using their long-distance service, and the third I didn't answer.

I try to be nice, I really do. I used to work at a call center and I know they are just starving college students trying to earn some money, but honestly! If you're going to get me out of the shower and then ask for my husband by the wrong name, and tell me I already want what you have and you just need to verify my address, don't be surprised if I hang up on you with no further explanation than a curt, "No thank you." If I wanted to change my phone service, my cable service, my mortgage company, or get a warrantee for my car I would initiate that process myself and do it at some time other than in the middle of eating dinner. And why is my phone number, my phone bill, and how many long distance calls I make per month anyone else's business in the first place?

While I'm at it, let me also note I spent almost an hour at the bank yesterday opening a fraud investigation on some unauthorized charges to our debit card. I'm sure everyone else was previously aware of this, but I only learned yesterday that allowing companies to take a monthly draw through your debit card is a bad idea. If you set up that arrangement for paying your bill, and then you cancel your service or subscription, they still have your card info and can make withdrawals without the bank flagging it as unusual activity. Fortunately for me, the bank believed my claim without asking for any documentation (and without chastising me for not noticing the charges sooner, which would've been deserved) and they are recovering the money.

Moral of the story: keep your credit information to yourself as much as possible, and don't bother making a mad dash to answer the phone; it's just a telemarketer.

I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

South of The Border

2008-10-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

(Sorry Amy R., you already know all this too :)

Just as I started getting into the swing of things with school, Luke and I left for the Mexican Riviera. Seth and Amy (Luke's sister and brother-in-law) joined us and we had a great time. We went for a whole week, which made me nervous in respect to leaving the kids, but they held up alright.

Despite hurricane season the weather gave us no problems and the resort was great; I love all-inclusives. We enjoyed golfing, swimming, reading, relaxing, snorkeling, site seeing, and eating - a lot. The first day we were there I slept in, took a nap, and went to bed early. In between I ate and read books and hardly moved from my pool-side lounge chair. All that sitting around wore me out so I slept in the next day too :)

A really cool place we went was a state park called Xel-ha. We rode bikes through the jungle to get to the mouth of the river. Then we snorkled down the river to where it met the ocean. We saw the largest school of fish I've even seen. It was almost hypnotizing to see how that group of thousands of fish could move and turn all together. Suddenly I decided it would be fun to try and swim into the middle of the school and be surrounded by all those fish. I started to swim slowly down into the center of the mass only to be met by a jelly fish swimming slowly up out of it. Mental note to self - trying to swim through a school of fish is a bad idea.

On the same day, we toured the site of some Mayan ruins. They were amazing and the scenery was beautiful. It was just so dang hot and there were mosquitos everywhere so we didn't linger too long. One morning we enjoyed riding ATV's on the beach and in the jungle (well, mostly enjoyed - I was holding on for dear life most of the time). We saw an alligator in a marshy spot in the jungle but I was without a camera. Oh well. We took some wave runners out on the ocean and the water was so clear I got an irresistible urge to go snorkeling again. We joined a short afternoon snorkel excursion and it turned out to be one of the best snorkel experiences we've ever had. There was so much to see everywhere and several species I don't believe we've seen before. I kept a nice distance from any large schools that time.

One of the highlights for me was the sea turtles. We were walking back from dinner and this baby sea turtle was flip-flopping it's way across the side walk. Seth tried to point it to the ocean but it kept turning around, so he picked it up and started carrying it to the beach. Then we saw another, and another. When we got to the beach hotel security was there with a bucket full of baby turtles they were taking to the ocean. Without the moon on the water, the turtles were confused by the hotel lights and couldn't find their way to the water. We picked them up and held them and took pictures. Then I thought, "Aren't these endangered, and therefore illegal to touch?" Woops. But at least we were trying to save them while we were touching them.

It was a great week but like all good things, it had to come to an end. Home was waiting and in some ways I was glad to see it. What can I say? There's no place like home. Although, when you're not home, on the beach in Mexico is a very nice runner-up.

A Smart Mother

2008-10-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

When a child in bed with a stomach ache promises, "I don't need a bowl. I'm not going to throw up," a smart mother would not believe them and go get the bowl anyway.

When a birthday party invitation arrives, a smart mother would write down all the information in her planner and post the invitation in a prominent place as a reminder, instead of misplacing the invitation and then wondering, "Was someone supposed to be somewhere today?" on the day of the party.

When her husband is out of town and her children are asleep by 8:00, a smart mother would go to bed herself and not stay up until midnight blogging.

When she hears herself say, "I don't know if this is a good show for you to watch. I don't like the way they talk," a smart mother would go change the channel despite her children's cajoling protests.

When thinking back over the things she wishes she'd done differently, a smart mother will learn from her mistakes, laugh at herself, and above all, just be grateful that she is a mother.

My Side of the Story (this is my longest post ever, but I wanted the details for myself. Sorry.))

2008-10-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

August was one of those brief phases in life that you don't want to end but can't wait until it's over. I was so glad to have time with the girls all home and I felt like the summer went too fast, but I was happy anticipating the great experiences they would have once school started. Mostly I needed to get all of us to the point where we were in a routine and over our fears. Particularly me.

After the class assignments came, I talked a lot of brave talk to my anxious little Madeleine, and then I found a quiet minute alone to personally freak out. Last June, a parent I met in a random encounter felt compelled to unload her negative opinion about Mrs. Johnson on me and encouraged me to take pains to avoid her. Since then I had feared the worst in regards to Madeleine's class assignment and now the worst was happening. I was also sad that Madeleine didn't have her friends in her class because I knew how important that was to her. I didn't know how help improve her perspective when the view didn't look too great from where I sat either. My first course of action was to email Luke in a panic. He replied in his typically unruffled tone, "Everyone has at least one weird teacher. She'll be fine." I sat on my bed in tears telling myself three things; 1) just because one kid and their parents didn't hit it off with this teacher doesn't make her a horrible person and an inexcusable educator. WE might like her even if they didn't. 2) I believe with all my heart that our Father in Heaven knows my daughter, her situation, and her needs. I have faith that He will watch over her and teach her what she needs to learn. If that means being in a class with a difficult teacher then He will help me to know how I can support Madeleine and bring to pass His will for her. 3) I'll watch that teacher like a hawk and if she makes one wrong move toward Madeleine so help me . . .

Beyond concern for Madeleine, I had been apprehensive for weeks about simply being able to pull this off. Getting everyone up, dressed, fed, out the door, homework done, papers signed, snacks packed, uniforms clean . . . for all three kids everyday - the thought of the physical demand had me scared sick. I became fully convinced that if I didn't live up to all of it everyday then their adjustment to school would be difficult and I would be at fault. How would they feel if they got to school and they didn't have what they needed? What would they do if I dropped them off at the wrong place or at the wrong time? What would they think if all the other kids knew what was going on and they didn't because I had forgotten to tell them? Going from one child in school to three gave me a new empathy for the parents of twins. Instead of gradually easing into the next phase one child at time, we were jumping in two at once. On top of that, the one child who should already be comfortable regarding school was the most disconcerted! For the next two weeks I tried to appear at my best and braced for the worst.

I became an expert in subtle propaganda tactics. Suddenly, there were all kinds of reasons we needed to stop in at the school. I guided the girls through the hallways with butterflies in my stomach, hoping each visit would put them more at ease. When we went to the family picnic I was so tense I was literally sore by the time we got home. On "class gathering" day I was too anxious to go to the "parent reception" portion of the event. Who could eat a muffin at a time like that?!

By the conclusion of the back-to-school social events, I had stacks of forms to fill out and pictures to send in and the kids had "homework" that was supposed to go with them on the first day. The night before school I stayed up until midnight working on all the paperwork and printing photos that the teachers had requested. Finally, I made a decision; I was not going to do it. I would not be the mother who had everything completed, in order, and delivered on the first day. I would not. My kids would be there with or without their paperwork and the world would keep turning. Come to think of it, there's still a sheet from Mary's class I need to fill out around here somewhere . . . I set aside what was yet unfinished and tried, unsuccessfully for the most part, to sleep.

I teetered through the morning of the first day as though I was keeping my balance on the edge of a cliff. Ok, maybe it wasn't THAT bad. More accurately, I felt as though I was only one wrong move away from completely unraveling. But, as you discovered in my post about the first day of school, we survived. I didn't even break down when I realized I was supposed to have brought Mary's book bag, although I came close for a second. All in all, I really enjoyed the first day. I found it delightful to watch each girl as their distinctly different personalities were reflected in their reactions. Even with all my mom-guilt and fears of inadequacy, taking them to school was a joy. I am so grateful for their opportunities and so hopeful for the possibilities in their futures. The element of drama took it's toll though. I brought Mary and Beth home at 11:00 and I went back to bed at 11:05 :)

Dropping Beth off for her first day of class in Kindergarten was far less nerve racking than the previous day. She CELEBRATED going to school. Her expression was adorable beyond words as she entered the room, found her cubby, and went to her seat. She gushed and giggled and sighed blissfully, beaming with pride that she was now, officially, in school. I reveled in the moment and was so happy for her. I smiled all the way to the car and out of the parking lot. Then I cried the whole way home. My little girl, off to school and so big now. Exactly what do you call that feeling when the joy derived from loving your child squeezes your heart so tightly it hurts? Mary heard my sniffles and asked what was wrong. I answered, "I'm just a little sad because I am going to miss Beth while she is at school." (pause from the back seat) "Well, we're going to go get her and bring her home today!" "I know," I laughed, "I'll stop crying in a few minutes." (another pause) "You don't have to stop crying," Mary offered practically, "You can still eat when you are crying." Later, I noticed a message from Tori's mom. She had kindly called to commiserate with me, sharing that she was "having a sad moment" as she drove home. Her thoughtfulness in that moment couldn't have been more appreciated.

The next day Mary had her first day of class. Her demeanor was subdued as she approached her cubby and she would not be coaxed into a smile for my ever-clicking camera. Not until I led her further into the classroom did it occur to me that I never prepared her for "extended day," the extra hour after her class when she would stay and have lunch. I hurriedly tried to explain the procedure as well as the reason (so I could collect her at the same time that Beth is dismissed), and finally left her in her teacher's hands. Confident that Mrs. Kristie had things under control, I headed home, alone. The car had never felt so quiet. My thoughts seemed so loud they virtually echoed in my mind. I made a mental note to start bringing my IPOD in the car with me. In the five years that I'd had it, I'd not yet connected it in the car. The girls chattering away from the back seats always provided enough background noise before. Without them the silence was odd. Entering the quiet house was different though. I looked around, sighed with relief, and smiled slowly. Three hours, all to myself . . .

We've been in the school mode for several weeks now. It's a daily scramble, as opposed to the controlled and orderly process I continue to envision, but we are happy. The routine is demanding but the structure is good for us. So far no one has gone without an essential item and I haven't forgotten to pick anyone up after school. And guess what? Madeleine's teacher is really great! (Moral of that story: if you don't like your kids teacher, keep it to yourself so you don't cause other people to lose sleep! ) Madeleine really likes her and I have found her to be professional, qualified, reasonable, creative, and helpful. Beth is thriving and constantly announcing the beginning of new friendships. Mary has the "extended day" leaders wrapped around her finger and though she drags her feet and insists "it's boooring" she is smiling when I pick her up from school.

Thus begins a new phase for me and I'm not %100 sure how I feel about it yet. Previously, the next step was laid out before the last was taken - each school grade proceeded another, college followed high-school, a mission followed college, getting married was ahead as I left my mission behind, and after each baby I anticipated another before long. Now here I am, dangling from the last link in that chain of events and wondering what comes next when your baby was your last. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm at no loss as to how to fill my time. My question isn't with what, but in what order? Perhaps I should get my Master's, or start a part-time career, or become engulfed in a new hobby. Someday, maybe. For now, I'm beyond content to enjoy my children in this new phase of theirs, and occasionally take a nap:)

After (the Big First Day and the First Week Reaction)

2008-09-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

The night before school the girls were so keyed up they could hardly sleep. Madeleine was up past ten, just "thinking about school." We had practiced getting up early and getting ready quickly, but it was hardly necessary. I went to wake up Beth and she blearily smiled, "Today is my first day of school mom!" and was up and at it in no time. Madeleine was less enthralled since waking up for school holds no novelty for her, but she still jumped to it. Mary was caught up in all the excitement but looked as though she still wasn't quite sure what all the excitement was about. There was some hustle and bustle, but all went according to plan and we had plenty of time to snap a few pictures before we loaded in the car. The first day was different for both Beth and Mary. Instead of a typical classroom day, they each had individual appointments with their teachers. When I reminded Beth that she wasn't going to have class or recess, her face turned stony and she yelled,"That's not fair!" That's not fair!" She was good and ready for some kindergarten action and by golly, she was not going to be content until she got some. She toned down pretty quickly though.

We dropped Madeleine off first. Her steps slowed as she got near the door, and she needed three hugs good-bye, but then she headed in like an old pro and didn't look back. Beth and Mary explored the library with me until it was time for Mary's appointment. Trying to keep Mary entertained and relatively quiet while reading a book to Beth was a feat in and of itself, requiring my cell phone, a pack of gum, multiple lipsticks, and promises of food.

Finally it was time to take Mary to her teacher. I was asked to stay in the room and fill out paperwork while Mary was guided around by one of the three teachers and introduced to the classroom routine. I didn't bring her little blue and yellow nursery-school standard book bag (it's not like she had anything to put in it yet anyway -cut me some slack!) so she used my purse to practice hanging her bag in her cubby. I had to smile when I heard her explain to the teacher, "There are lipsticks in there. That's ok."I was glad the teacher agreed that it was ok to have lipsticks in your bag or Mary may have formed a lasting grudge. Mary seemed comfortable enough and was her usual talkative self. Before I could finish filling out the forms they had given me, she was done. We took a break at a nearby McDonald's to wait for Beth's turn, where we called Grandma Rosie and played on the playground.

Then it was time for Beth to go to her sort-of-first-day of Kindergarten. As we approached her classroom She literally skipped down the hall and bounced through the doorway. Her teacher remarked, "There's enthusiasm!" and for the next 30 minutes she had her teacher and her classroom all to herself. She was a proud little piper and I was happy for her. Appointments complete, we went home for lunch and quiet time and before too long it was time to get Madeleine. She came bounding out grinning and exclaiming all kinds of things about her wonderful first day. (sigh of relief) One day down - one hundred and seventy nine more to go. . .

Since that first day all three girls have done tremendously well adjusting to school and the routine. At the end of the second day (and her first day of class), when I went to pick up Mary, she greeted me by scolding "You weren't supposed to drive off without me!" I guess I didn't really explain that when she went to school I wouldn't be going with her. The third day she greeted me by moaning, "You leaved me and leaved me and leaved me here!!" Once in that first week she did wake up and claim she didn't want to go to school, but the reminder that she needed to go trade her library book snapped her out of it and got her going. Last Friday I went to get her a little bit early, thinking she would be relieved not to be "leaved" there, but when I walked in she indifferently stated, "I haven't had my lunch yet" and left me waiting while she ate.

Beth's expectations of Kindergarten so far have been met and exceeded. She likes to sleep in foam rollers and go to school with her hair curly. She looks forward everyday to going to her "specials" and she is pretty proud to have homework. She has a best friend in class, Tori, and she is making more friends everyday. One day out of the blue she sighed, "I love school," and she told me that she can't believe she is in Kindergarten - that she tells herself over and over, "I'm in Kindergarten. I'm in Kindergarten and I'm not even 6 yet!" When the weekend finally came around Beth woke up on Saturday and was dissapointed to be reminded that it wasn't a school day. On Sunday night she exclaimed,"I'm so glad that in the morning I can wake up, get dressed, and ship right off to school!" She told me yesterday, "I had a fun day, and I get to keep having fun days, because everyday I get to do the same things!"

Madeleine's reaction to the first week of school was similar. One afternoon in the middle of homework she blurted out, "I LOVE third grade!" She always comes home with something that she is excited about from one of her classes - currently her hot topic is tracking a whooping crane re-population effort. Most of her friends from last year are not in her class this year so socially she is trying to get a feel for where she fits in with this new group, but that will come. She loves her teacher and says she is "sooooooo nice."

We are soooooo glad that they are doing soooooo well. We're definitely off to a great start . . .

Before (The Weeks Leading Up To The First Day)

2008-09-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially over. I don't know which was harder; saying good-bye to summer or saying hello to school. Thanks to uniforms, school shopping was painless, but the emotional fluctuation around here was more drastic than a theme park roller coaster. Throughout the summer Beth would cringe and whine whenever she heard mention of school. One morning she took something from Mary and got reprimanded. When I asked her why she snatched from her sister, she wailed, "Because she took it from me first and I DON"T WANT TO GO TO KINDERGARTEN!" Upon any such outburst, Madeleine would come to her aide with confident words of comfort and encouragement about how wonderful school is. She personally couldn't wait to get back to school. Any time we mentioned to Mary that she was going to go to school she reminded us that she was NOT going to school. Then, one fateful day, a fat envelope arrived containing the much anticipated class assignments. Madeleine was so excited you would've thought it was her college acceptance letter or something. She literally trembled waiting for me to open it. I read Beth the letter from her teacher first. She whimpered and sniveled through the whole thing, but the second that she heard her little friend Tori was in her class, her face lit up and she beamed, "I don't even know what all that fussing was about. I can't WAIT to go to kindergarten!" She happily skipped off to go try on her uniform. Madeleine read her letter with enthusiastic haste. She exclaimed, "I got Mrs. Johnson!" but while her face was smiling, her eyes were panicked. Of the three third grade teachers possible, that was the one she didn't want. Her grin became even more forced as she read through the class list and didn't recognize many names on it. She tried to act excited still, but by this time her eyes were brimming. She walked away soberly, and returned tearfully to confess that now she was afraid of school and didn't want to go. From then on SHE cringed when we mentioned school and she couldn't sleep for worrying about it. I read Mary's letter to her and she asked, " You mean I'M going to school??" Boy, did I have my work cut out for me. Over the next two weeks the tension mounted. Beth was still excited, Madeleine was still not, and Mary was still bewildered. I started finding reasons to stop in at the school and walk the girls through the halls. We called school friends and set up play dates. The Saturday before school we attended the family breakfast so that the girls could meet their teachers. That helped a little bit. Then during the week each girl got to attend a class party, with their teachers and classmates in their own classrooms. That helped a lot. By the weekend before school Beth was counting down the days and reminding me what she needed to bring for the first day. Now Madeleine couldn't sleep because she was missing school so much and wanted to go back so badly. Mary was all matter-of-fact about going to HER class, acting like it was something she'd been doing everyday for years. With that roller coaster ride out of the way, we're ready to move on to the next attraction. I have a feeling the weeks to come are going to be a cross between go-cart racing and bumper cars - a lot of "hurry, hurry, hurry" and a few jolts along with all the fun.

Under the Blue Umbrella

2008-09-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm under my blue beach umbrella watching my children splash in the pool. I've been here in this very spot almost every day since June. We'll stay until we've had enough of the afternoon sun and then we'll go have popsicles on the porch while we wait for Dad to come home. Dinner will be late, and though I know I should probably enforce bedtime, I won't. I'll let them stay up and play - it's still light outside after all. The long, slow days of summer ironically seemed to fly by this year. It feels like it should be July when it's well into August. We're making our final check marks on our list of goals ( Summer Goals 2008 post). We did pretty well, all things considered. We visited This Is The Place, the petting zoo, and the aviary, along with the Children's Garden and Wheeler Farm. Madeleine worked on riding her two-wheeler until an high-velocity encounter with a tree squelched her enthusiasm. Uncle Chad came over and gave Beth her first soccer lesson. Mary spent many a blissful hour with her little friends. Luke improved his golf score significantly.

As for my goals, I did ok. If you only count the first and last week of the summer I get credit for the goal of keeping the kids on a routine. I thoroughly enjoyed our little pioneer adventure. Mary is in fact potty trained - it was the lipstick incentive that did the trick. As far as my blog goes, well, what you see is what you get. I also read a few books and started learning to play golf. Some day I may even be good enough to have a score. And of course, I've been here, under the blue umbrella, watching my children laugh, play, and sometimes cry. I forgot to bring my camera this year. I usually video them swimming and doing tricks so that the next year we can see how much they've learned and how much they've grown. But they grow so fast. With or without the videos I can't keep up.

I already miss them, the ages they are right now I mean. I miss the thought of waking up in the morning and having the whole day open to spend with them however we want. I miss the freedom of sending them out the door in nothing more than a playdress and sandals. I miss the anticpation of all the fun things we'll do together over the summer, because now summer is over. But, there's always next year. We'll make new goals, and have more adventures, and we'll be here, splashing and playing almost every day. Come join us - you'll find us under the blue umbrella.

Beautiful Birds by Madeleine

2008-08-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

One of my goals this summer was to go to the Tracy Aviary. Today, I went with my mom, my sisters, and my Grandpa's wife, Nina. We got to feed birds, watch ducks, take pictures by a pelican, find lots of feathers, and go to a bird show. At the bird show we saw a golden eagle, a hawk, a crow, a macaw, and a cuckaboro. The golden eagle was my favorite. She got shot and couldn't fly so that's why she lives at the aviary.

Then we went and had a picnic at the park. We saw lots of ducks, and rolled down hills. Then we went to the 7 Canyons Fountain and played and waded in the fountains. It was a fun day. I can't wait until I'm 12 and I can have a bird.

(more photos from the aviary and Maine are on the slide show)

The "Maine" Event

2008-08-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

With Grammie Millie at her apartment

Sitting on the dock

On Uncle Larry's boat

Swimmers brave the cold, cloudy day to go down the slide

At New Castle Beach on the only sunny day

It's been awhile since my husband and daughters have been to see my extended family in New England, and we decided this year was the year to make it happen. It was a - fog delayed, unexpected landing for refueling, rental car mishap, little girl with a runny nose and a fever, driving in a rainstorm- kind of trip to get there, but we weathered it well (the girls even better than I) and happily arrived at Little Sebago Lake in Gray, Maine. My parents, most of my siblings, and their families were able to join us so it was one big Smart Family bash out there by the "watah."

The kids reveled in swimming, blueberry picking, frog catching, "crystal harvesting," cousin sleep-overing, s'mores making, hot tubbing, boat riding and ice cream eating. One thing Madeleine and Beth learned about Maine is that you get bit by leeches when you play at the water's edge, but a little bit of salt takes 'em right off. One thing I learned about Maine is that when it rains, IT POURS! Day and night for most of the week. Even so, the rain let up enough for us to do all of the above as well as visit a Wildlife Park, eat some lobster, and spend a day with our G.G Millie down in Portsmouth (G.G stands for Great Grammie).

Wouldn't you know, the very last day was a bright, sun-shiny, blue sky day so we ran back to Portsmouth for a quick visit to the beach before we headed to the airport. Despite the weather, all in all it was well worth the trip. The week was full of reliving old memories and creating new ones. With your family there to share it, what more can you ask for? The kids are asking, "when can we go back to Maine?"

Sorenson Boating 2008 -The Dawn Of A New Kind Of Fun

2008-07-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend some really great friends invited us to go boating. We gave it a shot and discovered our kids love it!

The girls got a run in the tube . . .

And Luke got to brush up his wake boarding skills.

We had so much fun we decided to go again this weekend. So, we rounded up more friends, borrowed Jim's boat (THANK YOU JIM), and headed to the lake!

Madeleine wanted to give wake boarding a whirl . . .

And she came close to getting up!

The kids could've ridden tubes all day .

Mary kept a close watch on everybody.

We're convinced that boating needs to be a part of our family summer activities from now on. Anchors away! (see slide show for additional boating photos).

Ode to Grandma Rosie's Visit

2008-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

(Due to technical difficulty, the photos that accompany this post are currently not available)

Earlier this month, our Grandma Rosie came!

We swam on "noodles", hiked to a waterfall, and went to a baseball game.

She took a tour of our school, met Dad's work friends,

came to our Little Gym class - we wished the fun wouldn't end!

She and mom went to the temple and they talked for hours.

We walked around the yard and showed her all of our flowers.

Our cousins came for dinner and we got to celebrate,

Grandma's birthday and Emma's. The cupcakes were great.

For Family Night Beth taught a lesson, and then Madeleine did one too.

After a yummy lunch at Kneaders, Grandma had to buy new shoes.

We had "quiet time", story time, and snuggle time as well.

She stayed up late with mom and dad to discuss the gospel.

We were so thrilled she could come.

It's been more than a year

Since the last time that she and Grandpa were here.

We're lucky to have her. We know that she loves us.

We miss her and can't wait 'til we see her in August!

A First Time For Everything

2008-07-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

It is evident everyday that our girls our growing up. Here's how I can tell the babies are all big girls now:

- Earlier this month I took my children on an outing and I didn't bring a stroller.

- Earlier this week I took my children on an outing and I didn't bring a diaper!

- One afternoon Luke and I put Mary down for a nap, took our cell phones, and left Madeleine and Beth alone while we visited with a neighbor. (I found leaving my kids alone to be a strangely liberating yet disconcerting experience!)

- Madeleine came downstairs on a Sunday, got the "church bag" out of the closet, and loaded it up with snacks and color books. When I asked her what made her think of doing that she said, "well, I was all ready so I just thought, 'what else needs to be done so that we're ready to go?' "

- When I take the girls to the pool I can sit in chair and watch them swim without needing to get in with them.

Sometimes I'm sad to see them changing so fast, but I can't deny that it is easier to have them be a little more independent. Besides, I know as well as anyone that sometimes even big girls still want their mommy!

Fourth of July Fun

2008-07-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a little blurb to let you know how we celebrated the birth of our nation: The morning of the 4th, the girls went out to the garden and picked a bowl full of raspberries. We ate them on top of pancakes, along with some blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream so that our breakfast was red, white, and blue. Then Dad surprised us by taking us to the zoo. It was surprisingly uncrowded and the cloud cover kept it from being unbearably hot so we had a fantastic time. After the zoo it was nap time, and then we headed to the Spangler's. There was a big inflatable water slide, lots of yummy food, root beer floats, and fireworks. When we got home the girls watched fireworks out their window until well past bed time. It was a great day. We're lucky to live where we are free and safe and can enjoy such fun times with family.

Bye Bye Bosom Buddies!

2008-07-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, a three year old girl named Beth skipped up the front steps to "Miss Diana's" house. She was pleased and proud to be a new friend in the Bosom Buddies Pre-school class. Beth was excited to go to school and to have her turn to feel "big." As she went through the door, her mom couldn't help feeling happy for Beth and she didn't even cry watching Beth walk away. Beth learned songs, played games, did art projects, and had parties. A year and a half later, Beth wailed, "but I already KNOW everything!" whenever it was time to go to school. Nevertheless, she persisted in attending so that she could spend some time with friends and keep doing those art projects. Now, a five year old fully prepped for Kindergarten, Beth is a proud graduate of Bosom Buddies Pre-school. She is excited to go to school and she is certainly a big girl now. It's a pretty sure bet that when Beth walks through the Kindergarten door next Fall, her mom will cry watching her walk away.

The Rules To Being A Kid

2008-07-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

One morning I came down and saw that Madeleine had written these out and posted them in the family room:

The Rules to Being a Kid

1. Not being a cry baby

2. Try to be kind

3. Love your parents

4. Always have something to do

5. Look nice when going to a friends house

6. Love your friends

7. Always have FUN

She inspired me to make some rules of my own:

The Rules to Being a Mom:

1. Not being a cry baby, especially when your husband has to work late or go out of town

2. Try to be kind, no matter how many times someone whines, complains, or argues (note to self - TRY HARDER)

3. Love your parents - They taught you well and they're rooting for you

4. Always make doing things with your kids more important than getting something done

5. Look nice when going on dates with your husband

6. Love your friends - they'll keep you sane

7. Find ways to make life FUN

One For All

2008-06-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have a fairly complicated relationship with food. I typically enjoy cooking, I certainly albeit unfortunately enjoy eating, yet I never enjoy cleaning up after meals, or preparing 6 meals a day, or preparing one meal only to discover that no one wants to eat it. Therefore I am on a constant vigil to find meal options which require simple preparation yet generally please the palatte of our entire household population. That quest for simplification influences even my fast food selections. My drive thru window approach is to buy 1 value meal, Super Size it, request extra drink cups, and divide the spoils among my three girls. Ordering three separate kid's meals impedes my efficiency and annoys me. Happy Meals are a privilege reserved for when Daddy is at the order counter.

Yesterday while running errands I realized lunch time was rapidly approaching. Something about Mary jumping up and down in the checkout line at the library yelling, "I'm hungry I'm hungry I'm hungry I'm hungry . . ." must've alerted me. I considered my options. Returning home to fix lunch would inevitably exacerbate the problem by prolonging it's resolution, but the prospect of nuggets and fries (again) registered as unsatisfactory to my innate maternal nutrition monitor. I determined that an experiment with a new lunch option was in order.

We pulled up to Subway. After a censored description of the menu items and a briefing on expected behavior the girls consented to give it a shot. What choice did they have? I was already out of the car and they were already hungry. I stood in a lunch-rush sized line waiting to order while Madeleine and Beth pouted at a nearby table. Mary lay prostrate in protest on the floor behind me, blocking other customers from proceeding through the line. The moment I saw her on the floor was the precise moment I realized I did not have any hand sanitizer with me. Eventually I ordered one foot long sub on wheat bread with turkey, bacon, cheese, and lettuce, requested cups for water, and added 3 sugar cookies for leverage.

The girls had the wrapper torn off of the sandwich before I could fill their cups. They eagerly inspected their 1/3 of the sub while I observed. Madeleine took the cheese off of hers and ate the turkey, bacon, and lettuce. Beth took the lettuce off of hers and ate the turkey, bacon, and cheese. Mary took the lettuce and bread off of hers and ate the bacon and turkey and then rifled through my purse trying to find my lipstick. They all ate the sugar cookies. Everyone was happy. There you have it! One reasonably nutritious entree, readily modified to satisfy three individual appetites, at a relatively low cost/energy output. Ladies and gentlemen, lunch is served.

Thanks Everybody

2008-06-28T06:06:00.001-07:00

I want to say thank you to all of you who, at one point or another, encouraged me to start a blog. Now that I've finally done it I really, really like it! I'm afraid all of your compliments in reply to my initial posts have gone to my head a bit and convinced me to become a bona fide Blogger. I'm looking forward to making regular entries and improvements. Coming soon: a photo slide show (this is for the Grandparents). Thanks for reading!

Summer Goals 2008

2008-06-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

A really great friend gave me the idea of having each family member set goals for the summer. Madeleine wants to ride a two-wheeler and visit her great-grandparents. Beth wants to learn to play soccer and go to the zoo. Mary wants to play with her little friends as much as possible and one of Luke's is working to improve his golf game. Here are mine:

Meredith's Goals for the Summer

1. Downsize my list of goals to a number that a normal, rational person could reasonably attempt to accomplish in a 12 week period of time.

2. Actually post something on the blog I created two months ago but has heretofore remained blank (one check mark for me!)

3. Take my girls to the This Is The Place monument and museum so they can live out a "Little House on the Prairie" fantasy for a day.

4. Maintain some semblance of a daily routine with my children in order to prevent absolute shell-shock when school starts.

5. Potty train Mary and show no shame in employing various methods of coercion and bribery in order to do so.

And there you have it. The bulk of my time and energy will be directed to the pursuit of these goals for the remainder of the summer, which is already passing too fast. Primarily I just want a lot of quality time with my children. They are growing so fast and I want to feel that I was a part of their childhood instead of wondering where it went. The trick will be to pull it off without losing my mind or running myself into the ground. We'll see how I do . . .

Champions Challenge

2008-06-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I was able to go down to Thanksgiving Point and watch Luke participate in the annual Champions Challenge. It's a local golf tournament and charitable benefit featuring past and current pro's, hosted by Utah's Golfing Great, Johnny Miller. It was a gorgeous day, Luke was at the top of his game, and I had a great time buzzing around in the golf cart with my sister-in-law, Amy Spangler.

Luke played the first nine holes in a group including Annika Sorenstam, the greatest women's golfer there's ever been in history, and the second nine with Jack Nicklaus, the ultimate golf legend.

He had this to say of his day with the pro's:

"It was great playing with Annika because she was so personable and in her prime. There was a large gallery that followed her everywhere so being with her made it feel like you were one of stars. Also, I was playing well so it was pretty cool."

"Jack is the ultimate legend in golf so I was awestruck being with him. One funny story;

We had a chip about 60 feet out and one of the amateurs hit the perfect shot where the ball stopped three inches to the side of the hole. Jack said, "Well, my goal then is to hit my ball between your ball and the hole.' So he got up and stroked the ball and it rolled exactly between the amateur's ball and the hole. Jack's reaction was to say, ' I guess that shows you've got to be careful about the goals you set, because you may end up acheiving it but having set the wrong goal'."

I have to add that I saw several of Luke's swings and there was more than once when he hit the best shot of the group. Since they were playing, "best ball" the rest of the group then played off of his shot. I couldn't resist teasing, "So now you can tell people that Jack Nicklaus plays off of your ball." Overall it was a great day which Luke describes as "awesome."

Zoology Camp For Madeleine

2008-06-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

Before summer began I told each of the girls they could chose one activity to be involved in over the summer. Madeleine immediately opted to participate in the the zoology summer camp held at her school. For one week, she went up to school everyday and learned more about animals and animal care. They visited the Humane Society and a veterinary clinic and did an activity where the kids doctored their own stuffed animals - that's something she's had a lot of practice with! The grand finale was to spend the night camping out at the zoo. After a trip to the store for new sleeping bags and an air mattress pump, she and I headed up to the zoo just at closing time. Her class had the place to themselves and enjoyed playing games in the education center, having a "get to know you session" with some small animals, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows next to the elephants, and finally taking a "nocturnal animal" tour after sunset. Due to projected rain, instead of tents we slept inside, which was fine with me. Before we left the next morning Madeleine spent her own money on a stuffed wombat from the gift shop to add to her ever growing menagerie. Madeleine couldn't take it all in fast enough. She said she had "a great experience." Sharing it with her made it great for me.

Beth's Turn at Summer Camp

2008-06-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to sign Beth up for a week of summer camp at school as well. I really wanted her to have an experience there so as she anticipates starting kindergarten she has something to associate the idea of school with. It was well worth the driving time. She really enjoyed the pre-school literature program, but more importantly she made a friend. Tori and Beth hit it off from the start and were side by side throughout the week. At the end of the week Tori invited Beth to her birthday party where Beth was able to meet more girls who will be in her kindergarten class. Now she really looks forward to kindergarten and talks about it as"her school," rather than "Madeleine's school." I am so pleased the experience was such a positive one for her, and so grateful to Tori's parents for being so friendly and understanding.

New Found Fascination

2008-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

In the past year or so Mary has moved through phases of fascination with various objects. Elmo was the first of the fascinations, followed by chewing gum, while the cell phone phase holds the record for both intensity and longevity. However, lipstick is coming up a close second. I don't know how or when Mary discovered lipstick but it has become an integral part of her everyday. In the morning she waits until I'm in the shower and then climbs up on my bathroom counter to inspect my lipstick collection. She will claim, "I'm just holding it" while she simultaneously smears it from ear to ear. At one point she systematically located and demolished every tube that I owned. I had to call a Mary Kay consultant to ask for some disposable free samples which I used in lieu of full size tubes in order to prevent further lipstick annihilation. Now that Mary has learned to regulate her lipstick application with some degree of self-control, she can infiltrate my supply without mass destruction. I've replenished my stock and she regularly reviews the inventory. Gloss, matte, frost or pencil - she is no respecter of sheen or color. If it resembles lipstick in any way she will wear it, hold it, sleep with it, and has been known to eat it on occasion. In Mary's 3 year old world if there is any problem to be solved, any woe to be comforted, any need to be met, lipstick is the answer.

Comments from Kids

2008-06-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself a real collector, but one priceless collection I like to keep is a list of cute and funny things that my kids say. Here are some of my favorites from the past months;

Madeleine: (On the way home from school on a rather warm day) Can I please take off my jumper? It's collecting too much heat from the sun.

Mom: Beth, please close the door you little monkey.

Beth: OK mom, you big huge rhino.

One morning Beth climbed into my bed for a snuggle. When I asked how she slept she responded with, "Well, I slept good but there was nothing to dream about so I was bored the whole time."

Mary has taken to using the third person plural. For example,

To Luke: "Can I hold your gum? 'Cuz Daddies let Marys hold their gums."

Mary recently developed an aversion to being praised or applauded. If we cheer she frowns, "I don't like that sound." The other day she was climbing into her bed and I said, "Good job!" She groaned, "Don't SAY that! I don't like that sound either." I asked her what I should say when I want to tell her she's done a good job at something. She thought for a moment and replied matter-of-factly, "say 'Boom Boom'." Now whenever she does something praiseworthy I say, "boom boom" and she stoically nods in acknowledgment.