What Are You Reading?

Well, judging by my hit counter there are quite a few people actually reading this little blog. Surprising! So, tell me...what are you reading? I read Lucky , by Alice Sebold, this week. I'm still not finished with Inkheart, which I started quite awhile ago and carry in my purse.

We were at the library this morning. I know it's library day when my shoulder feels broken by the afternoon. We can't go into a library without coming out with 50 items. I can never fit them all in my library bag.

I got Magic Street, by Orson Scott Card today. It got mixed reviews. My two favorite Orson Scott Card novels are Enchantment and Saints. I highly recommend those. The former for everyone, the latter for the LDS crowd primarily. LOVED THEM!

I looked for Twilight, since Nancy recommended it. There were 60 people on the waiting list for it! I guess I'll have to buy it, or wait awhile to read it.

Well, nap time is almost over. That means we'll be off to the water park shortly. If you're reading this, please leave a comment with the title/author of your favorite book. All you need is a google/gmail account, (which is free). I'm always looking for recommendations. Thanks.

Quick Random Thoughts...

We had a busy day at home. There was a lot of laundry involved, and I worked a long shift this afternoon/evening. Daniel worked at home today. He also took J & L to his home teaching appointment at 7pm. It was supposed to rain, but it didn't. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow. I promised to take the peas to the pool in the afternoon. In addition, I need to be at the pool at 5:30pm for a YW/YM activity. I think I'll take them in the afternoon and then have Daniel pick them up from me before the activity.

J thought she had filled up the compact flash card in her camera again (turned out her batteries needed to be reconditioned). Sometimes I wonder if it is strange that my 4 year old can tell me about her compact flash card being full, and then explain which series of buttons you should press to prove that she is correct. She knows how to use quite a few features on her camera, and fills her card regularly.

I desperately need to go grocery shopping tomorrow. Some of us had to eat our BLT's at lunch on tortillas instead of toast, due to a bread shortage. I think we will also go to the library. We'll probably stop by and see Grammy tomorrow too, if she's home.

I miss my brother. I wish we got to see him more.

Goodnight.

Family Day Out

We were literally out all day today from about 9am to after 5pm.

First we went to the zoo. It turned out it was free zoo day. Not a good day to go. Especially when you already have a membership. We had fun anyway, but only stayed 2-3 hours since it was so crowded. Here's a picture of the gang. Also, a picture of the meerkats. They are my favorite.

We made it back to the car just as a huge downpour was about to start. We tried to go to Costco to pick up a couple of things. That did not work out since it was closed for Memorial Day. So, we went to the mall for lunch. The new theater had just opened at the mall we were at, so we decided to see Shrek 3 after lunch. I said I'd never be the person who brings a baby to a movie theater. Unfortunately, I decided to give it a shot today, since we were no where near home, and the girls have been begging to see Shrek 3. It was not fun wrestling the baby on and off for 2 hours. She only slept about 30 min, I spent the rest of the time standing near the exit while watching the movie and bouncing her to keep her quiet.

On the way home Daniel needed to stop to get, "just one piece of wood" at Home Depot. Famous last words. I was in the car with J and L for 45 min waiting for him to come back out.

While we were killing time in the car, I took a few pictures. The peas each have a few characteristics that are little pieces of Daniel. Here is an example of one that they all share.
I am the only one in this family who doesn't always have one big toe sticking up and the rest of my toes folded down. Most of the time if you look at their feet they've got this look going on.

After Daniel was finally done in Home Depot, we stopped and got Blizzards at Dairy Queen. Now we are finally home. It was an eventful day. We are all tired. Tomorrow we battle a laundry mountain and start doing some academic practice work and some fun craft projects.

Memorial Day

I'm grateful today to the men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Here is a lovely Memorial Day Tribute

Sunday

Weekend Photos

Lots of standing...no walking

This Sunday I am grateful for:

- The end to this crazy week. I feel like I ran a marathon.
- The beginning of summer.
- A Happy Family.
- A husband who is super handy.

Goals this week:
-Take the peas to the library and pool.
-Finish painting the kitchen (how many weeks has that been on my list?)
-Get house back into shape after a LONG and crazy week.

"A Stud in the Wall"
(ha ha)

Daniel inside the wall above the fireplace...running wires, and making it possible to center the TV. There wasn't a stud in the right spot for it to be centered originally. He said there was a "stud in the wall" when this photo was taken, hence the title. Once the wires are run, the shelves/cabinets can be built in the niches.

Rainy Saturday Ramblings

It's a rainy Saturday here. B and I (with J in tow because she didn't want to be left out) went out to Kohls to try and find her some new church clothes. She also needed a couple of pairs of shorts. It's difficult to find shorts that aren't super short. Luckily we had success in that department. It's also hard to find things that fit her because she is right on the borderline between 2 different size categories.

I've had a recent love affair with Kohls. I love all of the "Candies" stuff. B's bedding (see below) is Candies and most of the clothes that I have bought her recently. I stopped shopping for her at Gymboree about 6 months ago because everything just seemed too "babyish" for a 6 year old.


We had fun. Spent too much money, despite the good sales prices. B got 3 church outfits and 2 pairs of shorts and t-shirts.J and I each got a new outfit too. We spent over 2 hours just in Kohls. We replaced B's aforementioned "scruffy" shoes, and replaced J's new church shoes which she had unfortunately decided to use as everyday shoes.

I used to laugh about people who dressed their kids in matching outfits. Sadly, after I had J, I caught the disease. Luckily I only do it with church clothes, and only on occasion. I know it's stupid. It happened again today. I found 3 of these dresses on sale for $8 each and couldn't help myself. So, we are now the owners of 3...yes 3 of this dress. I picked up little white tee's to go under them. The color is a bit bolder in person than the picture and they look super cute on.

So, we had a fun day out. We went in the big dressing room and tried on a huge pile of clothes. The peas tried to talk me into a dress that they liked, but accentuated my baby belly too much. I started to realize how grown up B&J are getting. Scary. It was female bonding at it's finest.

J's Big Show

The cheering section
Strong Man competition

Today was J's big show. She did very well with the audience. A big step from her first few weeks of gym last fall when she pretended to be part of the wall.

In other news something took a large bite out of one of my red tomatoes and left the other half hanging off the vine. A mystery.

I'm off to take the peas to the park. Have a great day!

B's Big Show

Here are a few photos of B's big show last night. She did very well. She was a little shy about performing in front of the other parents. Daniel, Grammy, J, L, and myself were in attendance.

Field Day 2007

Excuse the blotches. I photoshopped out identifying info on their shirts. I'm paranoid.

B making yet another weird face after she got her field day shirt.

Today was field day. I of course was the only one (in the class) who didn't remember to order B a field day shirt. I'm so incompetent sometimes. Luckily Mrs. M was able to snag us one. So, fortunately I was saved.

I worked the "funnel frenzy" station. This station involved carrying a funnel full of water from a garbage can to a bucket. It was like a relay.

Fun was had by all. Now tonight is B's "big show" at gymnastics. Stay tuned for yet more photos tomorrow.

Kindergarten Awards Ceremony

B and her beloved teacher Mrs. M

Musical portion of the program.

B getting her awards.
B (making a weird face) and her "best friend" C

Today was B's kindergarten awards ceremony. Daniel was presenting at a conference downtown this morning and wasn't able to attend.

My accomplishment for today was managing not to cry during Kindergarten Awards. I'm going to be a mess when J starts 2 day preschool next year.

B announced yesterday that she needs new tennis shoes. She said, "these Nike's are getting old and scruffy." I think this is the beginning of her caring about her clothes. It's true though. She has recently grown out of all of her clothes, again. She has practically nothing to wear on Sundays. I would have gone shopping for her myself, but suddenly she's full of opinions about what she wants to wear. Her taste is a bit gaudier than mine. So, now that school is getting out, we'll have to go shopping. Hopefully we'll be able to agree on some things.

Scariest Wildlife Experience Ever

Yesterday, I saw one of the baby birds that were born in our backyard, in the grass chirping. The mom was feeding it bugs. I took a picture of it. Then, I figured I would put on some garden gloves and try to get it back in it's nest. So, I carried it over to the nest and as I was about to put it in, a BIG SNAKE was staring me right in the face. I screamed! Then, I carried the bird back over to the opposite side of the yard. I called my mom for advice. Daniel was in a conference.

Then, I took a rake and started hitting the tree. I thought that I had heard the snake hit the ground and assumed I had scared him away. So, I waited a few minutes then tried to put the baby back in his nest, but there was the snake again.

I went over to my neighbors and asked him what I should do. He came over and looked all over but couldn't find the snake. He said to come back and get him, if I saw it again. We put the bird back in the nest. About an hour later, I saw the 2 parents wildly chirping. I saw the baby leap out of the nest again, and saw the snake flailing around in the grass.

So, I ran to get my neighbor again. He took the hoe and chopped the snakes head off, while the birds, L, and I watched in horror. He said it didn't look poisonous. Then he threw the dead snake over our back fence.

It turned out there were still 2 baby birds alive. I put them back in their nest 4 more times. But, they kept jumping back out. I don't know if they were afraid of the tree now or what. One of them can hop pretty well, but the other mostly sits there. The parents keep feeding them, but I don't know how long they'll last out there. I'm so upset!

Memory Lane Monday

Here is the first picture ever taken of Daniel and I together, 5th grade, 1988. It's been a long road already, and we haven't hit 30 yet. Can you find us? (If you click on the picture it will get much bigger.)

I remember this picture being taken. I just wish that I could remember Daniel from that year. My earliest memories of him are probably 7th grade. I had a crush on a boy named Chance in the 5th grade (the red haired boy in the middle standing row). One day we were playing kick ball, and he split his shorts open kicking the ball. That was the end of that crush. 5th graders are so fickle. ;-)

Sunday

This Sunday I am grateful for:

-B's 6th Birthday, and the wonderful little person she's growing up to be. Her teacher says that she is the most loving and kind person in her class. She is very compassionate and helpful to ALL of the other kids. That is all a mother can really ask.

-Sisterhood. Watching the girls play together makes me wish I had a sister too. Not that I don't love my brother, I DO! I mean I sometimes wish I had a sister, in addition to the brother that I do have. Luckily, my mom does a pretty good job of being like a sister most of the time.

-Being the ward photographer. It helps me learn people's names and faces. Too bad it conflicts with my duties as YW secretary sometimes.


I am still working on my goals from 2 weeks ago. Sad, I know. If only there were about 6 extra hours in a day. Oh well. I'll get there eventually. I have so much on my schedule for this week, it's frightening. Kindergarten Awards Ceremony, Field Days, Last Day of School/half day, scoring sessions Thurs & Fri afternoon/evening, Home Teacher's coming Friday, Visiting Teacher coming Tuesday, Teaching Laurels class Sunday, 2 Gymnastics Shows (B&J), Daniel's got a big Conference this week to present at (including a mandatory dinner thing). Plus, I just found out a lady that I VT is pregnant so I need to call and see what help I can be of there. Busy, busy, busy.

Happy Birthday Baby

I can't believe my sweet baby turned 6 today. I had "Catch the Wind" playing in my sidebar, while I was watching a slide show of the pictures of today's party. I started crying like a baby. Where has the time gone?

Despite a lot of stress getting ready for B's party today, I think it went well. She had fun. Now, if I could just get her to stop growing up so fast....that would be great.

Marianne and Pete and kids, Grammy and Grampy, and Uncle Wendell and kids were able to join us to celebrate. Also, 7 of B's friends and their families. Here are some pictures...

Quiet = Trouble

I was in my closet putting together a balloon formation of sorts to hang at B's party tomorrow. L was "helping". This is what happens when you don't hear her. That is a box of red nerds. She found them to be delicious.

Yesterday at the Park

A couple of pictures of the peas at the park across the street from our house.

What's Blooming in My Backyard?

These pink roses are my favorite. I have no idea the variety . I didn't plant them.
I believe this is a chaste tree. But, I'm not sure.

Here's a close up of the flowers starting to pop. These purple cones stay on all summer. There is a cute mama bird with a great nest living in it right now.

I have 3 of these rose bushes. I don't know their variety either. They grow in clusters like this. I guess that means they are some variety of floribunda.

This lantana was hiding under a large shrub. It started growing like crazy, so I cut back the ugly shrub to uncover it.

Baby Pictures

The offending teeth which bit my nose today. How could you get mad at this face. Note the double dimple on the left cheek, and lack of dimple on the right. That's her signature.Baby safety violation: standing on chair. Ma'am, I'm going to have to issue a ticket for this.

Jellybean toes. You know you want to nibble them too. I can't be the only one.

Ok, I know I said that I would be brief today. However, I couldn't resist posting some pictures of my sweet baby.

I seriously kiss these little cheeks at least 100 times a day.....minimum. When she gets sick of being kissed on the face, I move to the little jellybean toes. It's amazing that she has any toes left at this point. Today while I was smooching on the cheeks again, she took those 2 little adorable teeth and chomped down on the tip of my nose. She thought it might help free the 2 top teeth from the prison of her gums, and relieve her angst.