The Silly Witch Chronicles

Not Catching Up

2012-01-23T09:34:00.000-06:00

Let's just sufficeth to say that we had fun at Disney World. I didn't want to come home...except I was running out of clothes...

We're Home

2012-01-10T22:09:00.000-06:00

Got home safely tonight. Put Boo in bed immediately in her travelling clothes and all. I couldn't bear to make her tired body move more. My body is a bit sore still from the half marathon. But I will run tomorrow...just a little.

If you see me collapse, please pause my Garmin

2012-01-09T00:43:00.002-06:00

Right now my parents are on their way home from Orlando and I'm in my hotel contemplating the weekend. We were all at the Walt Disney World resort, where we had a running festival of sorts. My mom ran her first 5k ever on Friday morning (in a respectable time, I might add). My dad and the Witch each ran their first half marathon on Saturday (again, respectable times). I ran the half marathon Saturday with the Witch (and will admit to pushing her pretty hard) and the full marathon today.

I don't know that we reached every goal we had set for these races - I always set three goals for every marathon, and I only got one of them this time - but the weekend was a rousing success. I'm particularly proud of my parents. My dad couldn't run a mile four months ago; now he's completed a significant race. Cliche though it may be, I think it goes to show you that you're really only as old as you feel and act; Dad beat scores of people in their twenties, and in every race I run I'm beat by somebody older than he is.

That's not to say that I'm not proud of the Witch; she's run this kind of distance before, albeit not in a race, so I pushed her pretty hard (without telling her). She learned a lot about racing and pacing, and she rose to the challenge of the last few miles admirably.

As for me - I'm going to be sore for a few days. And that's about it.

A Brand New Year--Resolutions, Female Style

2012-01-01T22:45:00.000-06:00

One October Saturday morning, the Warlock pulled me from my slumber, "You've got to see something. Bring the camera. Now."

Behold! This is what I saw; a new day coming in with all its glory. Who can think about yesterday when you have this in front of you?

This year:

I will run a half-marathon.
I will run a full marathon.
I will do a raw food detox for 14 days after I complete my marathon.
I will join Weight Watchers and lose 30 pounds.
I will be a little kinder, walk a little taller, speak a little softer.
I will read the Book of Mormon, twice.
I will get my Young Women Personal Progress award.
I will read 6 good books.
I will memorize one piece for the piano.
I will not hide from chaos, but strive to be an organizing force.

New Year's Resolutions - The Male Edition

2012-01-01T13:38:00.002-06:00

Goal time! The Witch and I are going to post our respective resolutions this year in order to increase our accountability. Also, to give you folks something to laugh at us about in twelve months, although I will warn you that I've done remarkably well at remembering and keeping mine over the last three years. This year, in no particular order, I will:

Run 1000 miles, cycle another 1500
Get down under 170 pounds
Finish at least a rough draft of my book
Do one triathlon

And a few others I'll keep private. Your turn, babe.

Pippi's New Haircut

2011-12-31T11:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas

2011-12-30T00:09:00.001-06:00

Daphne's friend who came for dinner and cake on her Christmas Birthday.

Quinn, trying to figure out how to skate. When Quinn opened this gift, Rebecca's jaw dropped in envy. She decided 2 days after Christmas that she would head to the store and get herself in line skates. Luckily she had a gift card left over from her birthday so she could afford to skate. Q and R are having a blast playing outside in our ideal weather with their skates. They'd keep them on in the house, too, if I'd let them.

Daphne opened a big box of fabric from my Mom. She thinks they are blankets for her babies. Rebecca's been designing dresses with the fabric, and Quinn chose this stylish pink fabric for his kingly robe.

Getting ready to build a "boogie buddy." It definitely boogied.

Stair -step Cake. Daphne grabbed a handful of one layer of her cake while it was cooling. We improvised. It still tasted good. I know I need decorating lessons. I also accidentally bought trick candles for my three-year old . Whoops. Luckily she had a brother to help her out.

The Beautiful Birthday Girl

We tried to downsize the Christmas craziness this year, and we think we may have gotten it just right. We were able to open all of our gifts before church at 8 am and get to church on time. I remember fondly that we were able to open all of our gifts 3 years ago before Daphne's Christmas morning arrival, as well.

This gift has turned Rebecca's room into the party room. The day after Christmas I had to hunt down my children . I always knew to look in Rebecca's room. And for a whole 2 days after Christmas there was no tattling, no whining. Really, even eating was a distraction from their fun.

The panda hat and the pink blanket

Rebecca, playing with Daphne's fabric

Daphne, completely pleased with her Disney Princess paper dolls.

This Christmas I was spoiled rotten. The kids carefully watched as I tore open a Cuisinart food processor and cookbook from them. Quinn was so excited about the cookbook that he told me about it the minute they got home from shopping. And then he asked to see all of my cookbooks. He picked out about 5 treats
he wanted to make for Santa and recommended some dinner choices, as well. Finally, I have a child willing to help me plan the dinner menu!

Grateful

2011-11-25T07:34:00.000-06:00

I'm tired, people. Sorry. Half my garage is in my room. The kids woke up at 5:40 am. Boo needed soy milk NOW. Bardo decided to eat ice cream for breakfast, but I'm STILL grateful!

I'm grateful for my piano which Pippi thought she would practice at 5:40 am.

I'm grateful for My Jacuzzi bathtub.

I'm grateful for funny funny Phineas and Ferb.

I'm grateful that the garage floor is epoxied and that the stuff in my room will be out soon. (Right, Warlock? We will agree on a shelf today, right??????)

I'm grateful for one more holiday season with the Pace family super close.

Grandmas

2011-11-17T08:47:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, Boo, Bardo, and I went to the park during Pippi's piano lesson. The weather was nice, and now that Boo's becoming a three-year-old she needs lots and lots of outdoor time. At the park, we always make new friends. Boo, after running around on the playscape decided that she needed to swing. Just has she hopped on the swing, another two-year old, with her great grandma right behind her sat on the adjacent swing. So I stood there, pushing Boo, right next to the great grandma. She suddenly says, "I'm so lucky that my granddaughter lets me do this. She's an attorney and she has a big case, and she lets me help her out, even at my age." So I told her she looked capable enough and asked her how old she was. She proudly answered 79. I asked her for her secret to a strong, long life. She replied, "Well, I take a lot of vitamins, and I love to work hard." So there you go. Good nutrition and hard work are the secret. But I could sense something else in this woman as she cared for her great-granddaughter: gratitude, love, and a fierce sense of independence. "My doctor tells me I'm wasting my money on all those vitamins, but..." Her voice fades off. She's doing what works for her. Oh. And she sprouts, too. Just like my friend's grandma.

So today, I'm thankful for grandmas. My own grandma is so beautiful, loves children and tells all of them to just call her grandma. She keeps herself busy gardening, quilting, reading, and serving in the church. I'll never forget going to the old folks home with her, where she served as a volunteer. She played the piano, and I sang behind her. Such fun! Whenever I bring my crew in for a visit, my grandma makes sure she's there with hot rolls and goody bags for my children. My grandma now bravely reaches outside her comfort zone, checking blogs and getting on Facebook all because she loves us. She's traveled the country helping out her kids and connecting with them. My grandma loves everybody and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. I love my grandma.

Kids

2011-11-09T23:19:00.000-06:00

Today I am grateful for Boo's artistic endeavors which led us to visit a friend. She also taped a portrait of Hunter (the dog) right where he could see it. I am grateful that I got to bake snickerdoodles with Boo. I just gave her her own dough to shape and roll in cinnamon and I kept dough for myself so I could make a few perfect cookies, too. Boo's cookies turned out great. I guess it doesn't matter if you mash them into the pan.

I'm grateful Tiff's back from vacay. Life's easier when we carpool.

I'm grateful Pippi dumped her backpack. Her writing delights me, and I saw a lot of it as I picked up her notebooks and papers off the floor. I felt as though I was in her head for a moment.

Sisters

2011-11-08T22:56:00.000-06:00

Today I'm grateful for sisters. I have 3 beautiful, strong, different sisters. I'm grateful to be the "big" sister. My sisters make me feel wise and strong when my children are bringing me to my knees.

I'm grateful for music. The Young Women are learning this song for Young Women in Excellence. My testimony is wrapped around the music I sang as a kid. I sit Boo on my lap as I play the piano. She demands primary songs and points to her favorites as we flip through the pages. I feel that same weaving of spirit and sound I felt as I child. I sat next to Pippi's piano teacher for a few lessons of my own this summer. I played a few notes of Dawn by Marianelli (Pride and Prejudice). I stopped. As if reading my mind, she commented on how she felt something really special in this music. I sat next to her again on Saturday as someone half my age played Dawn at the Music Festival recital. I'm grateful for this song. It is just right for easing me from sleep in the morning. I'm grateful for the unique singing voices of each of my children. They have a lot of music in their souls. And I'm grateful for the Warlock's funny songs. He doesn't share them often, but he is incredible! And funny.

2011-11-06T20:27:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful for morning church and all of the nice things the morning schedule provides, like afternoon walks, naps, games, and family dinners. I'm thankful for the nursery program at church. Boo glows when she emerges from the nursery room when church is done. I'm thankful for playful children who can "work it out" for themselves. I'm thankful for scented candles and reed diffusers. I'm thankful for vinegar. I like white for its many uses as a cleaner and balsamic for delicious salad dressings.

Grateful

2011-11-06T12:08:00.000-06:00

Today....

I'm grateful our house did not burn down when the Warlock left the last batch of waffles in the waffle iron for at least four hours while we attended the Piano Festival and a soccer game.

I'm grateful for a washer and dryer to aid me through Boo's (endless) potty training.

I'm grateful for my running partner.

I'm grateful for Pippi's recital. It was such fun to see our area's budding pianists.

I'm grateful for blogging and the way it connects me to my friends that live faraway.

I am grateful for my home

2011-11-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

Today I'm grateful for November 1st. I had an epiphany that day as I enjoyed a beautiful walk to the duck pond with Bardo and Boo. The streets were littered with post-Halloween debris. Bardo pointed out each piece of litter as he flew past it on his red Lightning McQueen bicycle. Boo and I started collecting the candy and trash and putting it in one of the used grocery bags we had stashed in the stroller. I was disgusted by the mess, but then it dawned on me that what happens to the streets is exactly what happens to my home as all the bodies that live there stash and then go about doing exactly what they want to do. The Warlock escapes to his media room or the computer for alone time; Pippi usually rounds up the kids to play some incredibly fun game that requires the deconstruction and moving of the furniture; Bardo likes to drop everything to rummage through the pantry or refrigerator, Boo likes to dump the book and toy baskets (to be used as baby beds) and run water in the powder room sink. So it's time for some changes around here. My children have probably noticed me asking for a lot more help and sternly asking how all the litter got on the floor. But this home, I'm grateful for it, and I'm tired of watching it fall into complete disorder.

I am grateful for my windows and the light that reflects off of my yellow walls.

I'm grateful for a table to sit and watch my silly eaters talk and sing and eat and paint and color at.

I'm grateful for chilly air and cozy beds.

Faith for the Faithless

2011-11-01T20:36:00.000-05:00

Today is the day when I should be doing something like posting pictures and stories about how awesome halloween was (it was) or how much fun I had running with the kids from door to door (we literally ran, on the theory that the faster we went the more candy we'd get) or why the remote control fog machine was awesome (I used it to terrify more than one little kid).

But today, with the Witch's blessing and encouragement, I want to talk about something else that happened this weekend. It left as lasting an impression on me as anything in recent memory, and it's part of the family life we've not really talked before. A major part. This post will be long, and perhaps more than a bit egocentric, and somewhat irrelevant to any readers that are not LDS, and for that I apologize. But more than a few people who have profoundly affected me read this blog, and I hope they'll read this.

Three weeks ago I was asked to speak in church, which is not a problem. I am comfortable with public speaking and teaching. I was asked to speak on building a foundation of faith. This was a problem.

It's been a bit of a secret to the world (but not to the Witch) that I've been struggling with my faith for the better part of a decade. The specifics as to why are not important (although I'm willing to discuss them); let it simply been said that my thirst for knowledge and willingness to study have let me to some areas of difficult intellectual resolution. Maybe this has been obvious to others and maybe this has not, but it's been a constant theme since I started law school at least, and all the while cognitive dissonance has been my faithful companion. The full truth is far more complicated than this but the full story isn't important. I suspect this will come as a surprise to many of my friends.

It took me the better part of three or four years to come to accept this new state - not resolve it, but accept it - on a personal level. It was several more years before I gradually started opening up to the Witch. And another couple until I could talk to one trusted leader about it. And until Sunday I had not opened up to just about anybody else.

Under the theory that honesty produces the best talks and lessons, I put together a talk (backed by scripture and sermon) that accurately portrayed my faith: built on a lot of hopes and desire, with a couple of true and real convictions based on some pretty special experiences. These are the things that keep me putting one foot in front of the other in religious darkness. For the first time, I was publicly honest about my struggle and skepticism.

I was very nervous about this. It's hard to admit doubt and skepticism in a place where we don't often talk about it. But I've been touched by the number of people who have emailed/talked/called me to say that they appreciated it, or have similar struggles, or otherwise offered support. Sometimes I think I judge people too quickly and assume the worst. Other times I know I do.

And I don't mean to say that everything I've been experiencing is negative. One thing about doubt is that it removes all pretense of know-it-all-ism, at least as far as the particular subject is concerned. It has made me understanding of others and has made me a much better teacher in my class than I otherwise would be.

I write this because a number of people have asked how I am, or have noticed that I've been distant, or otherwise thought something is up with me because I haven't been to X meeting or participated in Y activity. The answer is that, yes, there is, and I'm not offended if you ask how I'm doing (it changes from day to day; today is fine), and I probably didn't do X or Y because I'm trying to eliminate things that elevate negative emotion. I'm actually happy to talk about how I'm doing. Or why I struggle - or not, because there is a burden to knowledge, and I'm not interested in sharing things that other people don't want to know. In the end I'm the same person you've known over the last 10 years, but now you know something about me you did not.

The real hero of this is the Witch. She of all people deserves a gold sticky for being compassionate, for listening, and for being a friend. She's offered to do things to help that are far beyond any duty she has, and while my troubles are beyond her ability to fix, her support has been more than I could ask for.

Gettin' Halloween On

2011-10-30T22:17:00.001-05:00

Friday night we kicked off Halloween with a Trunk or Treat with our ward. Pippi is pictured here with her pirate friend, Mary.

Today I stepped back, made chili and watched the Warlock work his magic. We turned on The Nightmare Before Christmas, cut open 2 pumpkins and submersed our hands in the goo. Bardo counted all of the seeds in the small pumpkin for his school project. However he would. not. say that his pumpkin was small. Would. Not. It was medium. (I thought it was small.)

But mostly, I just think he's cute.

For the carving this year, the Warlock pulled out the dremel tool. Might as well. We don't want tools just sitting out in the garage, taking up space, after all.

Pippi designed the large pumpkin. Bardo designed our small pumpkin. The Warlock added a few of his own artistic touches.

At one point, the Dremel ran out of battery. The Warlock went upstairs to take a nice, relaxing break (read: went to play Modern Warfare). The kids at the same time found a lizard in our backyard. Suddenly the lizard became their new friend. They made the half-carved pumpkin a house for him and named him Jack Skelington. Then, they tired of that game, went up to the play house and named their lizard Jack Sparrows. I stayed inside, peeking out the window at my three children who play so very very well together (with a lizard) on a happy Sunday afternoon.

Then, we (meaning, the Warlock) decorated the front yard. Spiders webs, black lights, gravestones, bones, a ghoul to greet trick-or-treaters, and a fog machine...

Boo had no problem playing with bones and trampling on the graves. Oh, the disrespect!

When it got dark, we photographed our scary pumpkin.

If you live close by you should come trick or treat at our house. You will be richly rewarded.

3 Key Habits I Need to Work On

2011-10-22T06:51:00.000-05:00

Forget New Years resolutions; I need monthly resolutions.
1. Do Not Eat Sugar. Ever.
2. Follow my 9 pm scripture reading schedule. (It works. My life is awesome when I do it at this time. It makes me powerful.)
3. Go to bed at 10.

I think I need a sticker chart.

The Party

2011-10-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Pippi's party was yesterday. She made out the invitations and brought them to school this year. I had people I'd barely even met RSVPing on their way to the party. A few even informed me that they'd be bringing siblings along, too, shortly before the party. I politely had to say "sorry I'm not prepared for extra children." It was awkward. Anyway, I need more practice at the party giving thing, nevertheless the children all seemed to have a great time...except for a couple of the younger girls who I found in tears intermittently. I knew just how they felt since I was suffering from sensory overload, too. In addition to a few simple party games, Pippi and I made up a game of Quidditch for safe backyard play. Some people wanted to change the rules, and others weren't willing to try. A couple tried really hard. So if anyone wants to come play Silly Witch Quidditch please let me know. I'm anxious to see how it works out. Several of the children were amazing pianists, and a group of girls were outstanding singers. I think next year Pippi should do a talent show with her friends, and perhaps I will plan more low key games. It's really fun to see the children progress. They really only need a little direction now. Here's a photo collage if you are interested in checking out some of Pippi's friends.

Power

2011-10-11T23:55:00.000-05:00

I've been in a blogging lull. I still have lots to say and have been recording my unedited thoughts in a handwritten journal. My edited thoughts are better, but I'm trying to get to bed on time. I could spend hours writing. Oh the things that come to my head as I write. My ideas morph into new, better ideas when I write. When I write, I figure out what I believe. Talking does this, too. And so does reading. Oh the power of good words...

I was listening to NPR, today. It's my station of choice when I wish to assert my adulthood on the children. The author of Ten Letters was on the air, describing the kinds of things people write and send to the President. It inspired me to write a little more, to put my voice out there. Each of us has a unique perspective on life and we should share it. I learned and still learn a lot from my mom as she voiced/voices her opinions to me. I feel close to people who share their thoughts with me. So tonight, when a concern popped into my head about a personal progress experience I was working on, I wrote about it...to the Stake President. Hopefully it will turn out better and create less emotional trauma then the letter I wrote to the principal and had multiple people sign Pippi's kindergarten year.

My day started at 12:01 am this morning. I was awake with dear Bardo who was in severe pain with an earache (Amberly, I'm now kicking myself for not taking you up on your essential oils class...) He would only be consoled by Phineas and Ferb. Unfortunately Phineas and Ferb even at volume 5 is an exciting sound to even a sleeping Boo. She was quickly put back to bed with 2 extra fuzzy pillows. I woke up on time to get Pippi on the piano and out the door. While driving her to school I discovered that the clocks in our home were somehow ten minutes fast, meaning she would be extra early to school.

This picture, that has nothing to do whatsoever with this post, is here in recognition of the fact that most of my readers do not come interested in my ideas, but want to see my beautiful children.

We went to the doctor where Dr. Gilley found a rip-roaring ear infection in Bardo's right ear. She prescribed $70 of medications to take care of this ear infection. It must have been nuclear, or, she has a contract with the drug companies.

Boo was very clingy all day. She was very jealous of the medicine that Bardo got that she couldn't have. She was jealous of the extra hugs and cuddles Bardo got today, and she was tired because she woke up in the middle of the night.

Pippi made out her own invitations for her birthday party this year. She also filled goodie bags and made up some activities to do at her party tonight. I LOVE her ideas. I'll let you know how everything goes.

2011-09-24T08:55:00.000-05:00

The activities have begun: dance for Pippi (and homework...), soccer for Bardo, laundry for me, and football season (spectating) for the Warlock.

Church callings, school activities, time with friends, carpooling, etc fill our days.

I started training for a half-marathon a couple of weeks ago. I ran the ugliest five miles of my life today, pushing a Maclaren, stopping at intervals to allow Boo to run her wiggles out. And yes, the dog was with me, too. When will I ever learn that I don't always have to be multitasking?

Here are some pictures of Bardo at soccer. As I watched him, I noticed how he puts his whole body into his movements.

Boo hates getting her picture taken. But I sneak a few photographs anyway. She swore off underwear yesterday after 2 weeks of steady progress with the potty training. She can even sing a stirring rendition of the "I'm Proud to Wear My Underwear..." from the the Potty Power video we're borrowing from Netflix. I think her sudden step back may have to do with her recent refusal to nap.

Boo talks about Rapunzel often. She doesn't like the wig aspect of her costume, and I personally cannot coax her to wear it. However, Bardo talked her into one day.

Disneyland Picture Series

2011-09-12T22:05:00.000-05:00

Do You Love Art?

2011-09-11T00:10:00.000-05:00

I do. Music, books, dance, paintings, pencil sketches, cartoons, photography.... Good art is food for the soul. Check this out and tell me what you think. Does it move you, just reading about it?

DPS: Pa and Grandma

2011-09-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

When Pa and Grandma came I had to ride rides alone! Nobody needed/wanted Mom.

Proud Pa looks on as the Warlock reads where he is quoted in this month's issue of Runner's World.

Eyes in the back of Pa's head

Disneyland Picture Series: Picture Number One

2011-09-08T15:31:00.000-05:00

This picture series is dedicated to my best friend, number one blog reader, a master vacation planner and video editor, a man who can spin the tea cups faster than anyone I've ever seen. Thanks for a great vacation, my Warlock. I think you look awesome in this picture.

Bardo in the Kitchen

2011-08-24T15:58:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we were whipping up pancakes before school. Bardo insisted on operating the beaters. He started the beaters and commented, "Mom, look, it's like there are two whirlpools, in love."

Yesterday the YW Presidency meeting was at my house. Before the meeting I'd locked up the pantry and refrigerator. It was getting to be lunch time, so Bardo found my keys, pulled out apples for everyone and some bow tie noodles. We were surprised when we saw Olivia, age 1, wandering around with a Fuji apple half the size of her head. I was afraid she had picked it up out of the backyard as I'd seen one under the play set, but no, Bardo was taking care of her for us.

I introduced Bardo this summer to a few different knives. He loves to slice tomatoes and cucumbers for our salads. He also loves to sharpen knives. One day I found him running around the house with the knife sharpener tucked into his pants. He thought it made a great sword.

And now for a poem that reminds me of Bardo:

This Is Just to Say

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold

by William Carlos Williams

Third Day of School

2011-08-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

Today we fell back into our old habits: Pippi taking forever to roll out of bed, me having to make her lunch because she forgot to do it after dinner last night because the babysitter came over. But this photograph is a gem, way better than the picture I took of Pippi alone at the door. I'll never forget the way Pippi called Hunter to come sit next to her for the photo. This picture is a fitting end to our vacationless summer. These three friends who happen to be related to each other played (and fought) all summer long. Pippi read at least one book a day, sometimes lots more. We swam. We shopped. We baked. So long summer vacation. Now if we could just get a reprieve from the heat.

Cornstarch

2011-08-24T15:28:00.001-05:00

"Mom mom mom!!! You need to come and take a picture right now!" Pippi urgently cries as she bursts in from the back door.

I ran out to behold this:

A spider's web enhanced with cornstarch for my photographic convenience.

Bardo also was enhanced with cornstarch. Perhaps by Pippi's hand?

Two Weeks

2011-08-15T19:52:00.000-05:00

In two weeks, just before my kids are going to take me to fly away to yet another race away from the family, they are going to see this video. Shhhhh! Nobody tell them!

(contains partial almost-nudity; watch at your own risk)

The Well-Check

2011-08-01T07:04:00.000-05:00

Bardo had a well-check this past week. He passed his vision and hearing tests with flying colors. He weighed in within the 87th percentile and measured in the 97th percentile for height. His BMI is in the 47th percentile.

Whenever we go to the doctor for well-checks they ask us a series of questions. About 50% of them concern the child's risk of being exposed to lead poisoning. Another 25% of the questions concern the child's habits. Does he get 1 hour of exercise everyday? How many ounces of milk would you say he drinks each day? Does he dress himself? etc. I'm grateful for Dr. Chin and her nurses that help me take care of my kids. I should have taken a picture of her asking Bardo if he could touch his thumb to his wrist. She could tell just by looking at him that he is double-jointed, just like his Daddy. I'm grateful for nurses that can give four shots before a child even has time to cry. Bardo, walking out of the doctor's office said, "I thought I was going to get more shots, but then I realized she was giving me band-aids." And he laughed out loud, and he bragged about how he didn't cry for the rest of the day.

Quote of the Day

2011-07-31T08:42:00.001-05:00

"I lo-ove to play with all my heart."

Today...

2011-07-23T22:57:00.002-05:00

Today, I feel like I look old, but I figure it's not going to get any better so I post this picture of myself, editing out the bump on my nose that Boo asks about every day. I look like my mom. (Not that your old or have bumps on your nose, Mom.) I went to the gym, dropped off the kids in the child center and worked out for an hour on the bike and the treadmill. Then I came home and soaked for forever in the bath (after feeding myself and the kids lunch). Boo found me in there and started crying because she wanted to go swimming. Right away. She walked away and when I came out of the bathroom I found her in a heap, asleep on the floor.

Today the Warlock went out and biked for hours. He amazes people when he says he's only been biking for a few months. He's a natural, I guess. The Warlock looks young. He's in the best shape of his life right now. After his bike ride, he did some computer stuff and then took Bardo and Pippi to the store to buy fishing poles. Bardo was so excited to show me how he could cast--in my room. Pippi was thrilled with the adult-size pole, in the color black, that the Warlock bought her. The Warlock grilled chicken and made corn on the cob for dinner. We discovered today that chicken tenderloins are the perfect grilling size and cook through all the way without getting to dry on the outside. The Warlock also served pie and ice cream for dessert. I ate some, but I shouldn't have.

Boo is getting so big. Her favorite books are Where the Wild Things Are and the Hungry Frog. She also likes Owen and The Seven Silly Eaters. She can recite many of the phrases in them. Her favorite bedtime song is The Church of Jesus Christ. It feels good to sing that song to her at night and know that I am part of something bigger than myself. Boo has dark eyelashes and bright blue eyes, just like the Warlock. She has a violent streak (I blame Bardo) and sometime will hit her siblings or her mother and sometimes house guests, but she is quickly apologetic and sounds cute when she says sorry. She also gives warm hugs. She's trying to figure out if she really wants to grow up and use the big potty all of the time. She loves baby dolls, especially the noisy baby that she got from the Warlock's parents.

Today I'm afraid that Bardo will eat ice cream for breakfast tomorrow and have a terrible day. I think he hid half of the bike lock I've been using to keep him out of the refrigerator.

Bardo had a great time fishing today, even though he only brought in a clump of moss.

Pippi started the morning by begging me to allow her to make French toast for everyone. How could I deny her? She even cleaned up afterwards. We've been having a lot of talks about self-care, lately. Pippi does such an incredible job keeping Bardo and Boo entertained that she gets tired and forgets to do things like brush her teeth or hair or practice the piano. The Warlock also always has little errands for her to do like fetching his laptop or blackberry from remote rooms of the house. I explained to her that sometimes we have to do things for ourselves. I wish I would have looked in the mirror and given myself that lecture, yearly, from the time I got married. "But I'm not selfish, am I Mom?" she asked me, her eyes bright. Dear Pippi you, my dear, are the most unselfish person on the planet... All summer I've watched her spend her allowance money on little toys and gum balls for Bardo and Boo. She spends hours each day playing with them and refereeing their behavior. That girl is such a helper to me.

Rainy Day Play

2011-07-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

Bardo--Five!!!!

2011-07-10T23:13:00.001-05:00

So, I think Bardo's just lived the fastest five years, ever. It took Pippi much longer to reach five years.

We were all so happy to have him join or too-small family! We didn't even care that he required constant holding and attention. Oh the laughter he brought to our home with his engaging smiles and stunning facial expressions!

A Roly Poly Baby

An Adventurous One-Year-old

A Curious Two-Year-old

A Happy Happy Two Year Old

Three Years

A Fierce Four-Year Old

Fabulous Five!

Happy Birthday my dear dear boy. I love you more than words can say.

The Locks--A tale of exerting control

2011-07-10T22:26:00.000-05:00

Ever since Bardo was old enough to crawl he's been getting into food. For some reason, I've just allowed it. You would think I would have learned after this, this, and this, and more.

Lately however I've been feeling somewhat out of control as the messes pile up around me. So last week when Bardo, while I was on a morning run, spilled a couple pounds of chia seeds on the floor and tried to clean them up by dumping water on them, I felt in the "depths of despair." Was this truly to be my lot in life until my sweet boy was hold enough to kick out of the house?

The Warlock, ever my hero, quickly installed the locking door knob we've had for a year on the pantry door. And then, I went to WalMart and bought a bike lock for the refrigerator. The cashier's jaw dropped when I told her what it was for. It looks a little excessive, but refrigerator locks don't work against my hungry boy. We needed a high security bike lock. And it works like a charm. Within two days, Bardo was eating meals instead of filling up on fruit and crackers from the fridge and pantry. It's a beautiful thing. Maybe we can even start buying ice cream again.

Bardo is channeling is refrigerator obsession in a new and interesting way in this picture. Check out that shine!

Food Matters

2011-06-23T14:40:00.000-05:00

I found a new cookbook at the library, The Food Matters Cookbook, by Mark Bittman. I've been cooking out of it here and there, trying new things. I like Mark Bittman's cookbooks, generally, anyway. He doesn't have staged photographs of pretty foods. His books have only instructional drawings, and the recipes nearly always have a long list of variations at the end. His cookbooks inspire, showing that cooking is an art, or an adventure and that there really are not rules, but techniques.

Last night's dinner was from the book, Baked Curried Rice with Apples and Coconut, and Gingered Tomato Salad with Shrimp. As I squeezed fresh lime juice over my salad it dawned on me how much I loved cooking at that moment.

Sometimes I do not love cooking; I always want to love it and I usually plan my menus with care. Also, I have high hopes for the cooking experience and results. But often, when it's time to prepare meals, my kitchen is not a happy place. Boo loves to hang on to my legs if she in a bad mood, or climbs up on a chair and puts her hands in everything if she's in a good mood. Bardo works quietly behind my back during meal preparation, quietly sneaking into the pantry and dipping his fingers in the brown sugar or sneaking out any snack food we might have stashed in there, usually completely spoiling his dinner. Pippi wants to, and often can, do anything that I'm doing.

Lately I've begun allowing only one child each day to be a kitchen helper. It's the coveted chore because food matters greatly to my children.

The past couple of years I've been studying, researching and occasionally practicing veganism. If you delve into the world of vegan literature you are going to find a lot of very passionate people, people that say animal products are evil. They'll tell you that when you eat a dead cow you are eating all the fear and anxiety that the cow felt. They'll tell you eating any meat causes cancer. You'll learn about farming and food production processes in the United States and won't ever want to walk through the meat isle of the store again. You'll learn that eating meat is not "green," and you'll feel that if you care about the earth, you ought not eat meat, especially red meat, ever. You'll learn that there is plenty of protein in plant foods. Some books have scientific evidence, some are just pure dogma, and ultimately you will have to choose what to believe.

The Food Matters Cookbook takes his hat off to plant-based eating and uses meat as a condiment, not the basis of a healthy meal. Bittman, a food lover and a food critic, admits that plant-based is the way to go for health. It's the cure for heart disease and its many related physical ailments. Clearly, food matters on so many levels, nutritionally, physically, sensually, spiritually, traditionally....

The balance presented in The Food Matters Cookbook closely aligns with my own food philosophy. Rarely are our meals planned around a meat dish anymore, and the meat dishes are smaller. Cheese and yogurt are not staple items any more, but treats. I can say now with confidence that my children eat more plant foods than animal foods. And for now, that's good enough. Yes, we're still eating meat. We, especially the children, like it sometimes.

To the ocean!

2011-06-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

Tons of playing. Zero fighting. My favorite day of the summer, by far.

2011-06-07T14:18:00.001-05:00

-I sprained my ankle yesterday. So I'm lame, literally.

-I finally started filing again yesterday. The kids dumped out my filing cabinet years ago, and I've been functioning in piles every since. It was a workable but inefficient way to live. It took hours and hours to put the filing together, and filing is never completely done until the whole house is in order, but I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I came across some of Stacy's things while filing--her birth certificate, her ss card, her kindergarten questionnaire, her death certificate. I paused a teary moment, made a spot for her stuff in my cabinet, and moved on to the next thing.
-Quinn and Rebecca are resting together with headphone's in their ears while Daphne naps right now. I love summer.
-My sprouted bread turned out beautifully. It's a little too sour for my taste, though, so I'm going to make some adjustments.

-I'm taking piano lessons this summer. I had my first lesson today.

Little Blueberry Picker

2011-06-05T23:12:00.000-05:00

NASA--Our Memorial Day Activity

2011-06-05T23:10:00.001-05:00

I have mixed feelings about this trip. The wait in line for the tour was hard but doable with 5 kids under the age of five and an extremely thirsty nine-year-old. The tour was inspiring, but a little sad. What's happening with the space program anyway? The tour didn't give any inkling of its cessation. The children learned a lot, and my niece was able to show off some of her awesome home-school knowledge. The playground and games were quite fun for all. And the men, they rocked the pbj assembly line.

Blueberry Picking Expedition 2011

2011-06-03T10:00:00.007-05:00

I put the Frenchies to work when they visited this week. We managed to get 10 lbs or so of blue berries Tuesday night. And we had a great time. Here's my favorite picture from the expedition. Which way do you like it better?

Summer Break Day One

2011-06-02T22:29:00.001-05:00

-Woke up at 6 AM hoping for a run. Bardo, of course was already awake, working his way through a box of graham crackers. So I worked on last night's kitchen mess. I have Mutual on Wednesday nights and sometimes I'm not so good at coming home and getting straight to work cleaning.
-Pippi woke up and got herself ready for 8 am swim practice, cap and all.
-Ran around the lake pushing Boo in the stroller. Sometimes Bardo chased me on his bike, but most of the time I chased him.
-The children decided that they did not want to clean. Instead, they tied a rope to the balcony and passed books back and forth to each other in a basket, Pippi on the balcony, Bardo on the floor.
-Picked up Pippi's report card and best-reader award at the school since Pippi chose to skip the last day of school so she could play with her cousins.
-Folded and put away 3 loads of laundry.
-Practiced the piano.
-Vacuumed whole house.
-Went to the Swim Shop since Pippi's outgrown her fins and needs a kickboard for practice.
-Went to the grocery store--twice. Pippi purchased play phones for herself and Boo and Bardo.
-Made a lame dinner that I'm ashamed to record.
-Bathed Boo and found Bardo in the bathtub with her when my back was turned.
-Sang songs to Boo while she sat on my lap at the piano.
-Started Reading the 2nd book in the Fablehaven series to Pippi.
-Started making sprouted bread. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

Boo's Week

2011-05-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

Boo was a pretty good girl this week. She has decided she doesn't need clothes anymore and she takes all of them off whenever she wants. She also learned how to unbuckle herself from her car seat. She colors after the manner of scribble scrabble (Bardo's terminology). She tried to cut her hair again, but I caught her with the scissors just in time. She made a trip with me to Costco this week. The samples helped us get through. We only forgot one item. She used the potty five times or so this week. She's perfected the art of the tantrum and is learning to sit in time out. She wants my attention every second.

She is very smart, very wild, and very very adorable. She has a couple of chores, emptying the silverware and feeding the dog. All I have to do is set the utensils out and she sorts them without being told. I supervise her carefully when feeding the dog because she wants to feed him too much.

Spilling Gatorade all over herself at the swim meet.

Pippi's Week

2011-05-22T09:14:00.000-05:00

Wednesday

Pippi went to Austin, TX for a school field trip. The Warlock followed the bus in his truck so he could be a chaperone. One of the boys in his group said his favorite part of the field trip was hanging out with Pippi's Dad.

Friday

Pippi had a field day. I could only go and snap pictures for 15 minutes. When I was in elementary school, field day was much different. We had a fifty meter dash, a softball throw, a long jump event, three-legged races, sack races. The whole school went in the morning and in the afternoon we had a lunch of hot dogs and went to Mrs Bock's plant sale, and then maybe watched a movie. Pippi's field day was in the afternoon. The three events I saw were:

The parents buy their kids T-shirts and then the kids sign them before field day begins.

Right before I leave, Pippi let's me take her picture and gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Any bets on how much longer she will embrace her mama in public? I'm hoping for forever, but I will take whatever I can get.

Saturday
Pippi had a swim meet, so the whole family had a swim meet. Pippi beat her previous time in the backstroke. She also raced the 25m Freestyle and the 25 m butterfly.

My Graduate!

2011-05-22T01:26:00.000-05:00

Well, Bardo donned the cap and gown Thursday for a ceremony commemorating his graduation from preschool. It was darling. The children sang a song about building on a rock and being obedient. His teachers gave him a bucket full of summer toys and a scrapbook of all the special events they had at school together. The teachers gave each child award. Bardo received a reward for being most creative. Bardo is the first of my children to attend a formal preschool and it has been a wonderful experience, helping make up for the busy-ness that comes with having more children and more house.

Boo's Zoo Favorite

2011-05-10T18:49:00.000-05:00

Bardo Sleeps

2011-05-09T13:59:00.002-05:00

Growing Up

2011-05-08T10:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the day arrived for Pippi to switch out her earrings. She did it about ten times. And then cried when her ears started to bleed a little.

Yesterday Pippi "hiked" 5 miles with N and me and a couple of young women from our ward. She kept the hike interesting for Mary, a thirteen year-old with Down Syndrome. And then when Mary was finished with the hike, she was a fun companion for Karsyn, a bright fourteen year-old with a silly sense of humor.

Friday Pippi came home from school and told me all about the growth and development video she saw at school. I think it stresses her out a little. She took the puberty checklist and circled the things that she's starting to go through. The nurses said that if you are the tallest in your class, it's likely you will start going through it first. She's covering her stress with excitement, and forging forward full of self awareness. She's so much better than I was.

Pathetic

2011-05-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

2011-05-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

Wanted: Someone to go on a walk with me and tell me the names of all the trees, flowers, and weeds and pond scum around here.

Today little Boo and I went on a walk off road and off trail. I found some saplings that I'm tempted to dig up and plant in my yard. Boo notices everything. Weeds, flowers, grasses, rocks and sticks are all equally interesting to little Boo. It's frustrating to me that I don't know their names. I'm tempted to just make names up so my children can grow up calling them something. I think you connect to nature better when you know the names of her gifts.

Cycling Footwear

2011-05-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

Dear Boo,

2011-05-04T22:59:00.000-05:00

I love you even though you're two. It was upsetting to see my lip gloss all over your eyes this morning. Lip gloss really isn't a sharing thing, and I'm sure you don't need my lip germs in your eyes.

I'm impressed with the way you handle scissors. We'll work on staying away from Pippi's dolls' hair, though. She was pretty upset since she'd saved her own money to buy that black and blue wig for her doll. I'll get you some scissors though, and we'll find something for you to cut. I know you like it because I heard you giggling as you were doing it.

I accidentally deleted the picture of you with my lip gloss all over your eyes. Perhaps it's for the best. The picture of you with hair in your eyes, after your bath tonight will have to do.

Love forever,

Mom

Mothering Moments

2011-05-03T23:20:00.001-05:00

I suppose it's redundant to post this, since my blog is and has always been just a fruit bowl of my experiences being a mother. It's my best, and sometimes my worst moments put down for all to see. I will not commit to writing a moment every day, but I would LOVE it if everyone else did. Thanks for the assignment dear Amberly.

* * *

Today I tripped over a couple of kids to get into Bardo's class room in order to spend time at a special Mother's Day celebration. Just as I arrived, the teachers instructed us to go to a table and make flowers. Bardo decorated his black. and red and yellow while all the little girls at the table drew hearts and curly cues on their flowers. Bardo then introduced me to a bird puzzle. After we played a few puzzles and games, Bardo served me a special snack of cheesecake and strawberries. As we ate our snack the teacher began a game where I had to guess which drawing was of me. 3 questions accompanied each drawing: What your mother's favorite movie? What's her favorite restaurant? What's her favorite store. Bardo immediately pointed to his drawing of me. He was so pleased, and I could tell he had really worked hard on it. I had short spiky hair, was brown all over, and had a body, a head, legs and feet, and arms and hands. I was touched, because Bardo usually still draws circle people. Bardo's mischevious eyes were shining as his teacher held up his drawing and read the three answers to the questions. Favorite movie: Cars, Favorite Restaurant: McDonalds, Favorite Store: HEB (All the kids thought their mom's favorite store was the local grocery store.) The thought crossed my mind,what if these mothers really think my favorite restaurant is McDonalds? I pushed the thoughts aside and then graciously received Bardo's masterpiece. He hugged me and told me I smelled like pepperoni (his favorite food, not my favorite smell). I cringed and smelled my shirt but only smelled laundry detergent. I tickled him a little and said, "You think you and I are just alike! Is your favorite movie Cars?" He just laughed and hugged me and said, "Your favorite movie isn't Cars! Haha!" Then the teacher passed out little books the children put together. The first page was a questionaire. Apparently Bardo thinks I'm 100 years old and that I have blonde hair and brown eyes. He must have another mother somewhere or he's teasing us all. The book also had a poem comparing children to kites that nearly made me cry, and then we released the butterflies the children had been watching from the time they were caterpillars. I almost cried again. I hurried Bardo to the car and wondered if I needed to shower to get the pepperoni smell off of me.

Today...

2011-05-02T22:39:00.000-05:00

I bought art supplies. Pippi came home and used them all. She also made Liv doll clothes out of some old socks and pins, no sewing was required. I also signed Pip up for swimming. I wasn't planning on doing it, but she seems really excited about it this year, so I completely changed my mind. Practice starts tomorrow. I'm grateful she can ride her bike to and from practice so that I don't have to disrupt Boo and Bardo's eating schedule too much.

Bardo set himself up to run through the sprinkler. It was cold today (70s) so he really didn't last long. He also analyzed my face with his hands when I was resting on the floor. Oh how I wish I had soft skin! We read George and Martha a bunch of times today and made pretend hot air balloons out of balloons and plastic bowls. For snack today, Bardo pulled a mango the size of his head of the refrigerator and started digging in with the skin on.

Boo gave her Goofy toy a spanking and a verbal lashing for eating her baby dolls face. She also ate 3 whole wheat tortillas at dinner tonight. Boo wraps her dolls in dish towels and burp cloths and sings to them. She makes sure they have little toys to play with and loves pushing them in the stroller. She also likes Curious George books. Boo's grammar is strange. Instead of saying "She's wearing pants," she says, "Hers wearing pants." I don't remember any of my other children mixing that up. Boo started walking to her friend, Aliya's house on her own today when I was unloading the groceries. I had to drop everything and chase her. Bardo got to her first and trapped her behind a bush for me. She has her own plans these days and lets me know of her dissatisfaction when I ruin those plans.

I'm in the middle of John Steinbeck's East of Eden. The book is due at the library today, but I'm going to have to renew it for the 3rd time. I work my way slowly through books sometimes.

Our nomadic friends, the Broadbents dropped in on Friday just as we started running through the sprinklers. I love that they felt like they could do that.

Bardo and me

2011-05-01T22:41:00.001-05:00

Bardo's figured out how to operate the computer and the television independently. It's annoying and a lot of work to keep him busy doing brain-growing, rather than brain-numbing activities. It's also annoying to make sure that I log out every time I get off the computer. But I like to think that he enjoys the bike rides, cooking, and learning to read with me just as much as PBSkids.org, BellaSara, and addicting games because I adore this boy.

Also, please note that Bardo, though only age 4 has lost his first tooth.

Also, it is of note that my kids and I have been experimenting with Healthy Bread in 5 minutes a day. I was so excited about this book, but bread can never ever take an average of five minutes a day. It's not possible. Additionally, the bread-making method in the book did not work for me, leaving the gluten undeveloped and the bread dense. Thank goodness I did not buy the book and just checked it out from the library.

I did get the idea for pizza rolls from the authors' website. They were a huge hit with Bardo and the Warlock.

In which I give in

2011-05-01T22:22:00.002-05:00

Last week Boo and I went shopping. I bought her a swimsuit and a pair of flip-flops. When we got home it was time for lunch. Suddenly, Boo, gave me one of the finest tantrums I'd ever seen. Now, I wanted her to eat lunch and take a lengthy nap because I had chores to catch up on. So I pulled out the new suit she was screaming for and put in on her. And then I let her eat lunch outside while wearing it. And then I let her sleep in it.

Counting down

2011-05-01T21:52:00.001-05:00

About 5 weeks and 1 day ago Pippi and I made of visit to our local Claire's. She met the requirement (brushing her teeth without being told) for ear piercing sometime ago, so I had no excuse to hold her off any longer. Above is a picture of Pippi with her freshly pierced ears and cotton candy ice cream face. She's been counting down on every single calendar in the house to the day she can put in "dangle-y earrings." 6 more days...

12th Anniversary

2011-04-24T00:54:00.000-05:00

The Warlock and I celebrated our anniversary this weekend. We snuck away Friday night to Mark's. The Warlock had the duck; I had the lobster. (The Warlock even put aside his OCD calorie counting.) We talked and talked, went through all of our special memories. We have a lot of them now. It seems that all of my most important memories have happened with the Warlock. It's as if my life didn't really begin in earnest until I met him. I remember his smile on our wedding day, and that he was happy to be married to me. And I don't get it. How could I be so lucky? But I am lucky, blessed, charmed, whatever you want to call it, to be married to this caring, intelligent, fun-loving, thoughtful man.

Twelve years leaves me filled with hope and only compounded my romantic notions. It is good to be married.

Haircuts

2011-04-18T22:23:00.008-05:00

I like Bardo. He lives life with such force. The kid is unstoppable. He takes after his dad. I await the day when he discovers a worthy goal and just goes for it. Last Wednesday Bardo had a goal. That goal was to get the clippers and take them for a buzz. He saw his chance when I picked up the phone to call Natalie. He first went upstairs and removed Boo from her crib. She was the decoy. My eyes were occupied with Boo and my ears and mouth were occupied with my phone conversation, so Bardo creeped behind me with the haircutting kit and headed to the powder room downstairs. Boo ran to the powder room to wash her hands. I didn't even hear the buzzing as he removed the top layers of Boo's freshly cut bangs, but I caught him in the act of taking a couple of chunks out of his hair. The clippers didn't even have a guard. So good bye shaggy hair. I thought shaggy was adorable, but I guess I let it go a little too far into the eyes, and Bardo felt he needed to take things into his own hands.

Perhaps he learned his lesson, though. His eyes dripped big alligator tears during his haircut at the Bella Sorella Salon. He looked so different with short hair that I think he didn't feel like himself. The above photo was taken right after his haircut. He was still grieving. He's come to terms with it now, and enjoys using the gel to stick up his hair to conceal his mistake.

And he has a new smile now because he lost his first tooth even though only four!

Boo's little bald spot is beyond fixing. She'll be sporting a front of the head piggy tail this season to conceal clipper lines. Lovely.

Dear Stacy,

2011-04-18T21:20:00.000-05:00

Bardo asked me today if they have birthdays in Heaven. I told him I didn't know. He thinks they must have birthdays, and he's decided to get you a remote control monster truck with butterflies on it. Would you like that? I asked him how he thought we could get that package to you. He said that we would just give it to the mail carrier and that he'd know what to do. According to Bardo, he has a magic partner that can get a package to Heaven. I really wish I would have known! You would have been getting packages all the time.

We all feel so connected to you even though you are not here. Boo and Bardo remembered you in their prayers tonight. Pippi the other day cried because she can't remember what your voice sounds like. Sometimes she says she's tired of being the oldest. We all look forward to the day when we can be with you again. This week we remember especially the resurrection of Jesus. We are so grateful for the Savior who made it possible for us to feel peace, a peace laced with both sorrow and joy, about your passing.

Love you forever,

Mom

Coulrophobic moment of the day

2011-04-14T22:44:00.000-05:00

Me: I'm going to try to make a pie tonight.

Bardo: If your pie doesn't turn out right, will you throw it in my face?

Weeds

2011-04-10T21:27:00.003-05:00

Bardo is into weeds, as in, "any undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted," lately. He'll jump off of his bike while we're out travelling on our local hiking/biking trail, start crawling on the earth and just pull weeds. He loves it, especially on that shady trail where they are profuse and the ground is moist. He gets them by the root every time there, and that is satisfying for him. The last time he did it I tried to explain that they weren't considered a problem there and that there were some places it was okay for weeds to grow. I convinced him that we should go home and weed the lawn instead.

Today Bardo found weeds in the church parking lot after church. "Heavenly Father does not like weeds." He knelt on the ground and started getting to work. Pippi thoughtfully replied, "But Heavenly Father created weeds. They must be good for something."

And then I said, "Sometimes I think Heavenly Father created things for what they will teach us..." But I kept thinking about what Pippi said. Victoria Boutenko says there are many weeds good for blending in green smoothies. And surely the weeds produce oxygen for us to breathe. The problem occurs when there are too many weeds and they overtake our fruitful endeavors. I have plenty of natural characteristics of my own that just pop up and aggravate and distract me and others unless I tend to them and conscientiously put them aside for use in appropriate times and places. Sometimes it's hard to show off my beautiful landscaping because of all of my weeds getting out of control. My weeds are good for something, but the problem with weeds is that they have to be tended to or I get out of balance.

This is For YOU!

2011-04-01T22:32:00.000-05:00

A Good Day

2011-04-01T21:27:00.001-05:00

-Woke up at 5:30, but only fit a 20 minute run in.
-Boo woke as I walked in the door. Threw her in the tub for a bath while I showered.
-Cleaned like crazy all morning long. I can't imagine what my house would look like now if I hadn't done that.
-Fed Boo and Bardo 2nd breakfast at 9 am and first lunch at 10:30
-Contacted two mothers of children that go to Bardo's preschool class. Arranged one play date for next week.
-Discovered at 11 am that the library doesn't open until 1 pm on Fridays.
-Went grocery shopping. Saw two friends there. Bought Bardo and Boo a chocolate muffin to split.
-Got home after shopping and discovered the Warlock's truck in the driveway. Received chiding about not bringing my cell phone with me.
-Fed kids 2nd lunch and unloaded groceries.
-Built a lego monster with Bardo during Boo's nap time.
-Folded clothes
-Got Nutrimill in the mail today.
-Made Pippi practice the piano after receiving a lecture from her about how I made her practice too long yesterday and so now she didn't want to practice today. Heard her play her piano tournament piece very very well as I put clothes away and vacuumed my room. Complimented her as she played and then heard her say, "I'm going to play it again. This is fun!"
-Read the Nutrimill manual and ground my first two cups of wheat as children watched with fascination.
-Cleared off counter of school papers and garbage.
-Requested Bardo pick up all of his pistachio shells.
-Watched Boo pick up and throw away all the shells.
-Received call from Warlock, telling me he had dinner for tonight.
-Requested children clean up back yard.
-Trimmed tall grass around play set with hedge trimmers.
-Pushed Boo in the swing. Pushed Bardo in the swing.
-Found socks and dishes found in the backyard all over the kitchen floor. Quickly picked them up and put them away. Thought about reminding kids that moving messes to a different room was merely redistributing mess, and then saw my baskets full of stuff to put away and decided I didn't have any right to issue that reminder.
-Greeted the Warlock and A, E, and M at the same time. Sent A, E, and M with my own kids to the backyard.
-Cleaned pantry floor while the Warlock put the kids to work preparing dinner outside.
-Heard Pippi rebuff someone for the first time. The conversation went like this:
   A (age 8)-"You like pickles? I like pickles, too. We like the same things. We could be a couple!"
   Pippi- "Uh, no." (with a smile and deep laugh)
-Discovered Boo was hoarding additional pistachios in her tricycle "trunk."
-Chopped vegetables for about 30 minutes while bunning hotdogs, helping children roast hot dogs, disciplining kids for teasing the dog, retrieving cups from the high cupboard for little people, and locating peanut butter. I wonder how fast I could have made the salad without the distractions?
-Watched Boo eat a s'more while eating my salad. Great entertainment.
-Put movie on for the kids.
-Loaded dishwasher.
-Watched Boo dump water on the couch right after I'd told all the other kids that they could not bring water in there. Doh.
-Sat on couch and watched the movie (Tangled), next to the wet spot with Boo climbing all over me.
-Turned A, E, and M back over to their parents. Snuggled their squirmy baby sister.
-Put my kids to bed with a super short story.
-Announced to the Warlock that I was going to go read in bed and then ran down the stairs, saw the computer and decided to blog.
-Now....onto that book...after I upload a few photos.

Dear Warlock

2011-03-26T23:07:00.001-05:00

I like that you love to run. I'm happy to see you obsess about something that's so good for you. You now are a more conscientious eater than me. I had to beg to eat out last night for our Friday night date. And you were satisfied when I asked to go to Panera. Sometimes you go to bed earlier than me, and wait up for me watching Netflix on your computer. I used to go to bed alone, and it was really really lonely. I like this new arrangement much better, although the best arrangement would be for you to help clean the kitchen with me (to my standards) and then we could go to bed together. But I don't expect to live in fairy land. You are nicer to me now and more supportive of my workouts. Exercising makes me feel good, too.

I think the way you lay your clothes out before a race is super cute, ahem, I mean cool.

Love you forever,

SW

Concentration

2011-03-24T22:27:00.000-05:00

Hygiene

2011-03-24T22:12:00.000-05:00

I'm constantly impressed with Bardo. The boy believes in wearing socks with his shoes. And I'm so grateful.

And if he can't find any of his own socks, he just steals his baby sisters.

Nothing

2011-03-24T22:07:00.003-05:00

That's what we did for spring break. We didn't go anywhere. We didn't have any special foods. I did a lot of cleaning up after my kids who went for the mud pit in the back yard. I'm not sure how many times I screamed, "Take your shoes off!" However, I'm sure it was enough for them to develop a filter to my voice. The kids all became accustomed to playing together again. Bardo is the biggest school addict. School regulates his system, keeps him going, and he felt a little lost and out of sorts without it. He wasn't really interested in the activities I was offering. He kept climbing the armoire to get the remote controls to the TV. I had to severely restrict his time limits on the computer because every time I turned around to do something in the kitchen he'd be logging on to netflix to watch Phineas and Ferb. I envisioned him playing outside, and with friends, coloring, pretending. And he did do some of all that, but the siren song of electronics drew him in when he started to tire.

So Friday, Spring Break was drawing to a close, and Bardo looked up at me with those eyes I love so much and requested to run the hose down the slide and make a water slide. I consented. And the kids had a blast. And so did I with my camera...

Not so sure about this

Pippi used our water slide as an opportunity to beg for a bath in my bath tub. Of course I couldn't let just one of them in my bath, so we turned it into a "hot tub." Then Pippi requested massages. And I obliged; all 3 got a post-bath massage.

And then Pippi wanted cucumbers on her eyes. She sliced a pair for herself and a pair for Boo, and they lounged quietly on the couch for 2 seconds (Boo) and 5 min. (Pippi, in her bathrobe).

So when people ask me what we did for spring break, I just tell them that we ran the hose down the slide. Woohoo!

The Book Thief

2011-03-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

I simply loved it. Who knew "death" could be such an interesting story teller?

I think about people who are able to maintain who they are in the midst of personal catastrophe. I think about broken hearts struggling to heal. I think about the sweet, brief moments of life that bring tremendous meaning when recalled and written down. This book puts those beauties on a pedestal, where they belong.

Never Bored

2011-03-14T07:40:00.000-05:00

While the Warlock was waiting in line for our fried junk food.
Bardo made up a game using the shadows. I think he's a ninja.

Bardo's also become a budding artist. He drew this picture of himself and his buddies holding balloons. he was SO proud.

Bardo and his buddy playing dragons

Hiding from his invisible friend

Bardo actually hides from his invisible friend frequently. Yesterday while he was looking into the refrigerator he nearly closed himself in. I asked, "Bardo, what are you doing?" You can guess the answer. Sometimes I find him in strange place just sitting. "Bardo, what are you doing?" Again, you can guess the answer. Apparently his name is Quackie.

And while we're talking about Bardo. See this beautiful head of hair? I do NOT highlight it or color it in any way! It's completely natural. People keep asking me. I can tell they feel silly as they do it, but they ask anyway.

Activities

2011-03-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

We're busy. School, Church, and just the daily necessities (laundry, mealtimes, exercise, reading, going to the park) fill up our schedule. Luckily Boo can occasionally miss a nap (like on Sundays, every week) without too much of a meltdown.

Bardo was as pleased as can be with his Valentine box last month. This kid loves school. He carefully wrote his name on every single valentine. The valentine he chose this year were sticker puzzles. He did about half of them before the party, and I felt we were lucky to have enough left to give to classmates. There weren't enough for the teachers. Whoops.

Last weekend Pippi's school had a carnival. My kids spent nearly all of their tickets in the bounce house/slides and on the petting zoo and pony rides. Boo didn't ride the pony, but she loved the petting zoo. There were pigs, goats, ducks, chickens, sheep, goats, and even a fawn. It was hard to get the kids out of there--so hard that I missed bidding on the classroom baskets and items they were auctioning. I was a little disappointed because I discovered one of my neighborhood friends was an artist and had donated a piece of artwork to the auction.

Luckily, we won this at the preschool auction fundraiser that was last weekend.

We also managed to hit The Rodeo and Livestock Fair this weekend. Mostly we just go for the food. We started with this:

Corn and Pickles

And it all just went downhill (healthwise) from there.

Would you believe me if I said we only got the Jalapeno Lemonade?

I didn't think so. We also tested out the fried Key Lime Pie and the Fried S'more. I didn't get pictures because I had to prevent the children from eating the spilled pieces off of the table and the ground. In case you were wondering, Bardo did not finish his sausage on a stick. He tried hard, but gave up after I asked him how his belly was feeling. He replied, "I have a tummy ache and a belly ache now."

Boo was delighted by the chicks.

Everybody loves bunnies

Pippi with guinea pig

After the petting zoos at the children's school I really didn't think we'd need to see more animals. But my kids are always game for more animals. Bardo and Pippi liked ALL the animals. Boo liked all the animals accept she wouldn't touch the worms. She's the first of my children to not like worms. Wimp. Or maybe she just thought rodeo worms were unsanitary because I'm sure I've seen her touching our backyard worms.

The children also enjoyed watching some pink piglets be born in the birthing center at the Livestock show. I could hear Boo, from my shoulders ask, "Can I hold one?" They were super cute.

Watching Boo with the chicks reminded me of this moment with Stacy.

This week is spring break, so we're thinking of more activities to do besides cleaning the house. Any suggestions?

What is a nightmare?

2011-03-01T16:46:00.000-06:00

This was a question posed by Bardo's friend in the car today. Bardo confidently replied, "A nightmare is a really loud dream. It's so loud it hurts. One time I had a nightmare." Wow. I never knew! His friend said he had a bad dream once about spiders crawling all over him. I would call that a nightmare.

Not Writers Block

2011-02-27T22:13:00.000-06:00

Just so you know, I do not have writer's block. In fact I have so many things to say I can hardly stand it. The rote tasks of my line of work afford me plenty of deep thinking time, and I do believe that I will have all the problems of the world solved by the time Boo has graduated from highschool. Unfortunately I do have time management issues and have not found the time to blog about my ideas. Blogging takes a lot of time, even when you have a brain full of ideas waiting to be explored via the vehicle of thoughtful writing. So you'll just have to settle for family updates and unedited photos. Truly I'm in the thick of it right now with kids in school and kids at home and a husband who deserves to be listened to. Naptime is spent cleaning and cooking. I spent my mornings working out and getting into shape hoping that my feet will hold up and give me many long years of service. My battle against disorganization is being waged, and I'm choosing to be proud of myself for even the smallest of victories. My bathroom counter is cluttered but my linen closet is organized. I find myself waking up earlier and earlier, trying to get more mileage out of my day, but only really feeling more tired. My books call even when the dishes need to be loaded and the counters cleared. (Clear counters are good for the soul.) Sometimes I look around me and think, "Is this really what I was meant to do?" And then I get sweet Valentines from Pippi or weed flowers from Bardo and Boo hears music and starts hopping around and twirling, and the Warlock bursts through the door chattering about his day, and I realize that I wouldn't be anywhere else. And even if I'm not becoming as organized as I want or developing all the skills I want, I do see I'm heading in the right direction. I feel close to God and see His hand in my life constantly. I love and am loved. My life is so very very sweet.

Rodeo Run

2011-02-27T21:48:00.001-06:00

Yesterday we woke up too early, piled in the car, and went downtown. It was 10k race day for the Warlock. He's been very excited about this race for weeks. Friday he did some test strides in front of the video camera with the race day outfit and shoes he had picked out. (All this running as introduced me to a new and interesting Warlock. He'd better be careful or I'll have to think of a new name for him.)

When we arrived downtown we found optimal viewing location number one and planned out viewing locations 2 and 3. We were the first spectators to arrive. (The only time the Warlock is late is when going to church, and that's usually my fault.) I chatted with the announcer, and he told me to let him know when the Warlock was passing and he'd give him a hard time. I was having fun now. We staked out a spot and waited and waited... until Bardo had to go to the bathroom. We hurried to the nearby Burger King, bought some bottle waters and hashbrowns, and hurried Bardo into the restroom. When Bardo was finished I found Pippi holding the Burger King receipt, mortified. "Mom, we did not order coffee. Look! It says coffee on the receipt." Assuring her that it didn't really matter what the receipt said as long as we were charged correctly for our bottled waters, we rushed out the door. The street wasn't empty anymore, but there we still plenty of optimal viewing locations left. And so we waited... and snapped some pictures.... and ate snacks...

And waited some more...

Finally, it was 9:31. The race was to start in 4 minutes. And then, of course, a sweet little voice says, "Mom, I need to go potty." Pippi was set up with the video camera. Boo was situated. The Burger King, holding the nearest bathroom was across the street and the race was about to start. I knew I would not be able to get to that bathroom once the race had begun. And I had no idea where another bathroom was, so I scooped up Boo, took Bardo by that hand, told Pippi I'd be back, explained what was going on to the mother-stranger sitting next to us and ran to that bathroom. The line was long for the women's restroom, so Bardo was lucky to be a boy. We were in and out, but by the time we got out the race had begun; Pippi was sitting alone across the street from me with a video camera carefully watching for her Daddy to run by.

I calmly (because I'm always calm) walked to a police officer, told her that my nine-year old was across the street, and asked that she let me know as soon as I could cross. She got her partner, a really cool guy, who held out his hand to Bardo. Bardo cautiously put his hand into the police officer's, and they carefully maneuvered us across the street.

Pippi was unperturbed by my absence. But none of us had seen the Warlock racing, and it was clear that we would probably be late for viewing location #2. So we walked until we saw the really fast runners heading toward the finish line. On the way we saw this cup-o-saurus.

And hooray! We soon saw the Warlock, running past Bail Bonds.

And there he goes, on his way to the finish line. If you want the full race report from the runner's perspective you can get all the dirty details on Blackened Toenails.

If we do this race again, the Warlock's gonna have to come hunt us down when he's done because we're staying for the parade.

A Mouseketeer, A Ballerina, and A Little Mommy

2011-02-27T11:43:00.000-06:00

Ice

2011-02-04T13:39:00.000-06:00

Today has been quite an exciting day for my Houston-raised children. The outdoors has presented them with a couple of treasures.

icicle delights

Pippi's finding these sweet babies all over the play house, fire pit, etc. And she's preserving them in the freezer.

And look! It's a pan of frozen water. Bardo immediately put a car on it. And then they were interested in eating it. And then it froze Pippi's hands and she decided to never go outside again.

What's the weather like where you are today?

An Email Exchange

2011-02-04T13:07:00.000-06:00

Bardo has been telling me stories about yesterday. It sounds like it was a terrible day. Thank you so much for all that you do for our children. Bardo loves preschool so much and asks me everyday if he gets to go to school. Also, Bardo is so much easier to manage because of the lessons you reinforce at preschool. You guys are amazing. Thank you thank you.

Hi Witch, Sorry, I forgot to email you back. I had to work at the college Wed night and then Thurs we had school. I am not sure what Bardo was talking about actually. What do you mean by terrible? the teacher

Oh Bardo just told me that a child spilled fish food all over the floor multiple times, and that one of the children vomited on the carpet. It didn't sound very fun. Hopefully Bardo was just telling stories, but I just wanted to say thanks for what you put up with. Thanks!

HMMM! I think we know what career path Bardo should take! Creative writing! We did not have any fish food problems. We did call a mom to pick up a little girl with a temperature! But no vomiting. She did not even eat lunch! We made banana groundhogs with choc. chip dirt and almond slice ears! That was fun! And we learned how to write the letter Y. Probably our day was not as much fun since we couldn't go outside and Bardo added some stuff to fill in for that! See you Tues!

Blackened Toenails

2011-02-01T21:08:00.000-06:00

The title sounds gross, doesn't it?

Anyway, for those of you who are Warlock fans, he's back to blogging. He's blogging more than me, but he didn't think my blog was good enough. (Actually, he didn't want to clutter up my blog.) You can find him here.

Read and comment or he may feel sad and never blog again!

A Fly on the Wall

2011-02-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Last night I was sick. Body aches, headaches, sore throat, and general yucky feeling. Through the baby monitor I listened to Pippi manage bedtime. She made Boo and Bardo feel so special with songs and stories. She made sure the lights they like on were on and that the door was open just so. Then she came down to my room for story time. She read Anne of Avonlea, the book I've been reading to her, to me. I fell asleep before she was through. But it was almost worth it to be sick to hear how sweet and loving Pippi was with her siblings.

Thinking Positive

2011-01-29T21:35:00.000-06:00

I think I'm an intelligent person, but when I see disorder, I just want to go on vacation or read a book, or go for a run, or blog...

Nevertheless, this week I've turned our junk drawer into an organized drawer of miscellaneous things. I now know where to go for the finger-nail clippers, post-it notes, batteries, scissors, tape, etc. It's a beautiful thing. So, when I had company over for book club, my floor may not have been vacuumed, but when someone needed I pen, I could get it, and a pad of post-it notes, confidently, without unloading the whole drawer. This is progress people. I see order in my future.

Last night I cleaned out and organized our downstairs TV, DVD/video game drawers. Again, more progress.

Also, since the new year, I have created and maintained a workout schedule. I feel awesome and really think I'll be looking awesome in the future.

I've also set my life up on Google calendar, which I can access from my phone. It's convenient, and now I feel like I have a little more control over my life. I can see how full my days are and just say no sometimes. I am busy with good things, important things. I still haven't figured out how to schedule cleaning in, but I'm confident it will come.

Little Boo flirted with potty training this week, but she has a lot of attitude, takes hours to pick out underwear, wants to dress herself, so after four days of steady progress, Boo refused to have any potty time. And if you you don't sit on the potty, Mama will not allow the panties. We are taking a break.

Tips

2011-01-22T22:48:00.000-06:00

This "winter" Pippi decided to try a new sport, basketball. Of course the Warlock and I were thrilled. And we are even more thrilled that Pippi seems to like basketball, a lot. She's a real hustler, especially on defense. She is very fun to watch, mostly because she is so cute and having so much fun. She likes to give her opponents "tips." "Mom, I gave Jeremy a tip; I told him to run around a lot to get open." Pippi is very very good at running around a lot on the court. Next year, if she decides to play, we are certain that she will know where the ball is as she runs around. Of course the Warlock and I like to give her a few tips of our own. My tip: "Pippi, if you stand under the basket, you're not going to get any rebounds. The only time you'll catch the ball is if it's going in." The Warlock is full of tips: hands up on defense, stay between your man and the basket, you don't have to run all the way to the basket before finding your man, and probably more. He's the main person driving her to practice and is of course full of basketball wisdom. Pippi seems to take our advice to heart, and is improving rapidly. Look at her! Before her basketball pictures, she braided her own hair. Her coach asked her for a big "Harry Potter" smile, and of course, she obliged.

Watching these games brings back such good memories for me. It would only be better if my Dad, chock full of wisdom, could come and watch her, too. Do you remember the adjustable basket in the "big basement" Dad? Do you remember teaching me how to shoot and dribble? Do you remember how good I felt about myself because I could play basketball? I will never forget.

Solitude, with 17,000 of my closest friends

2011-01-13T20:30:00.002-06:00

The Witch already gave her blurb about the getaway. Dads need the getaway too, if for no other reason that to get Moms away from clingy kids and for both to remember why they decided to start this crazy journey together in the first place: they are best friends.

As for the race itself....

This was easily the most fun I've had in a marathon. Part of that is that I'm no longer a marathon virgin (I've seen seen a number of running shirts that claim marathon promiscuity using words not appropriate for a family blog). I have a lot of experience and have been in some sort of training mode for the last two years. So I set a PR (3:55:20) despite having a number of factors against me.

But I would have had a fun time even with a bad race. This marathon was exceptionally well done in the way only Disney can do it. And there is a camaraderie that we runners have when race day approaches. Other activities have it as well, but there's nothing quite like having a few hours to yourself and your own mental health - and sharing it with 17,000 of your best friends.

Hygiene

2011-01-13T19:53:00.001-06:00

Bardo burst into my room this morning, nude except for one of Boo's flowered muslin receiving blankets flowing from his shoulders like a cape. Boo followed close behind, completely naked as well. He explained to me that he was feeling gooey when he woke up and so he decided to take a bath. Yeah right, I thought to myself. This is the kids that would go around with orange hands if I let him. You see, I know the truth behind the bathing fetish. This is the truth--a temperature sensitive Lightning McQueen. Why not dip yourself and your sister in warm water while trying to get your McQueen to change colors? It makes perfect sense...to a four-year old. Boo loves it, though, so I helped unfasten her overalls for the second color-changing session after dinner.

The Getaway

2011-01-12T21:48:00.001-06:00

There is a time (really, several times) in every mother's life when she must escape and remember what it is like to be alone with her husband, for days, not just a date night but at least a night and a day. I've been needing such a break for quite sometime; I just didn't know it.

If you ever want to attract attention to yourself, just wear these out in public they are great conversation starters.

The marathon medal also proved to be a fabulous conversation starter.

Hanging out with The Warlock is wonderful. Sometimes we talk to each other, sometimes I would just sit an listen while the Warlock converse with random strangers about training programs and running gear and experiences; sometimes we'd sit, silent, cuddled next to each other in bed, the Warlock watching a football game, me totally engrossed in a book. (I finished The Good Earth, Far from the Maddening Crowd, and started Thrive this weekend.) He is my best friend! I love him mucho.

A Chef

2011-01-12T12:27:00.000-06:00

Bardo specializes in dragon cuisine. I am the dragon. First he fries the dinosaur in the fryer (his laundry basket). Boo, as the sous chef, places the dinosaur on the counter in preparation for chopping. Dragons are always hungry.

December (in pictures)

2011-01-12T06:30:00.000-06:00

Fun at Home

Temple Square Trip

We left Sunday evening to view the Christmas lights at temple square. Boo fell asleep in the car and then screamed during a good chunk of the time we were in Temple Square.

Bardo was not happy to be riding in the car again, even to Temple Square for just 45 minutes.

Fun at Uncle Drey's House

The kids hardly wanted to go anywhere once we got to Drey's house. Once they met Winston the dog, they did not want to do anything else. In fact, one day, I had plans to go see my grandmother in Malad, ID. Pippi was upset because she had plans to play all day with Winston. Becca was a kind and understanding host, helping us to make ourselves at home.

Boo was tired, but she had a great time.

Bardo embraced the Santa hat look this holiday season. Festive, yet not overdone. Maybe that's what we'll have to try for our family photo next year.

Uncle Drey was so fun, letting the kids climb all over him, playing games with them, sawing Bardo a pirate sword and then showing him a tiny bit of candy in his "treasure box."

Bardo loves loves loves to be tickled.

The Museum of Ancient History

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

In the Car

Every time we do this road trip we never ever want to travel by car again. It's very hard on the children (and us).

November in Pictures

2011-01-11T23:26:00.000-06:00

(That's a greenish smoothie all over her face.)

The Thanksgiving Crew--most of them

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with the Warlock's parents and our dear friends the Lewis's and the Pace's. It was a HUGE feast thanks to everyone's contributions and help. The Warlock made 3 turkeys. He goes a little crazy every year with the turkey, but I can't tell you anyone that makes a better roast or fried turkey than him. The Warlock wasn't feeling well after dinner, so I didn't take any pictures of him. And Pa ran off to the airport before I could catch pictures of him.

It's race week!

2011-01-05T06:52:00.003-06:00

It's race week here in Warlockland, and that means that everything is extra exciting. Even - especially - the nasty cold I've got that is messing with my tapering. I have no illusions that I'm going to do anything grand and spectacular as far as the actual race is concerned - I've had too many hiccups in training - but what is grand and spectacular is that the Witch and I are using this as an excuse to have a vacation. Without the kids. For the first time in seven years.

So the Witch and I are off to an undisclosed location (rhymes with "Blisney Furled", and you can bet the kids were happy about that one) for a long, long weekend. And if I have to run 26.2 miles on Sunday morning as a cover story, so be it.

Resolutions

2011-01-01T15:32:00.000-06:00

This year I'm going to organize my house and my time so I can really do the things that are important to me. And I'm going to drink more water.

Last year I tried to go to bed by ten. It was hard, and I couldn't make it every night. So I'm going to continue with this goal, adjusting it to 10:30. I am stronger and nicer when I get enough sleep.

So I guess my focus this year is self-discipline. I'll need it to stay away from time-wasters like internet surfing, mindless eating, catalog shopping, unscheduled reading, and other distractions. This is year I want to stay on track instead of constantly being side-tracked.

Pippi has decided she wants to be more organized.

Bardo should be able to read, at least a little by the end of this year.

And Boo should be potty-trained by the end of this year!

What are you focusing on this year?

Dress clothes and Garbage disposals and other stuff

2010-12-12T23:03:00.000-06:00

The children's Christmas clothes came in the mail this week. I've been so excited all week to take pictures of them in their cute new clothes. The first thing Bardo said when I opened his box was, "Mom, I hate those clothes. I hate those shoes." He's also having a hard time transitioning from shorts to pants now that it's a bit chilly. And he's struggling with the change from toddler clothes to little boy clothes. I guess he's change-adverse--unless of course the new shoe has flashing lights or the new shirt has a big picture of a truck on the front. He's also willing to wear new basketball shorts. Unfortunately, I couldn't find light-up church shoes.

Boo and Pippi were beside themselves with excitement at their new clothes, especially their cute black T-strap shoes. It's the first time Boo and Pippi have ever matched, and Pippi was excited, even if it was just at the shoe. In fact Pippi was so excited that she dressed for church 4 hours early. So of course her tights formed a hole somehow and then a large ugly run appeared. She begged to wear her black footless tights promising to pull them down around her toes. Boo happily dressed in her new dress, a black velvet with roses on the hem, topped by a mixed soft yarn sweater with a faux-fur collar. I put a large black bow in Pippi's hair in the back, and a small black bow Boo's side from pig-tail. Bardo looked sharp for about ten seconds. He threw his tie off immediately. I decided not to battle for the tie this day. I was nearly ready to take the picture when the Warlock suggested we wait until after church when his hair looked better. (I'm just telling it like it is, here. I don't understand that train of logic at all.) I copped an attitude, by looking at the floor, and saying something slightly smug, knowing that after church would not work at all. Does anything besides dinner work for your family after going to church for three hours in the late afternoon?

So we rushed off to church. I got a new calling today, Young Women's secretary. It was an answer to prayer, I'm choosing to believe; I want to think that the call was a huge vote of confidence from the Lord telling me that he knows I can learn to put things in order and help manage things. Besides, I love YW. It will be a good place to be.

Bardo removed his vest during sacrament meeting. Pippi and Bardo had a fight over me (isn't that just sweet...) during the sacrament. Boo doesn't have the words for fighting down yet, but she sure has the angry, stern tone that is suitable for telling people to back off. The Warlock scurried Boo out of the chapel.

After sacrament meeting I made my primary class come and watch while I helped Bardo recite the thirteenth article of faith. Bardo is extremely shy, and I count it success that he manage to do some of it. Last time, he refused to get up there at all.

After teaching my class, I popped behind the primary piano to fill-in as the primary accompanist. I looked over and saw Pippi with a hole in her footless tights. When she was called to help out in primary I noticed that she went up there without shoes on, breaking her promise to conceal the footless nature of said tights.

When we arrived home we of course were not in top picture form, so Pippi tried to clean out the bowl she borrowed from the kitchen to wash and examine the rocks she collected during our geological excursion (a.k.a.-walk) we went on yesterday. While doing so she accidentally dropped some very small pebbles down our garbage disposal, jamming it. She quickly escaped to her "laboratory" where she was "attending to scientific matters." I just attended to my "womanly duties" and removed the tiny piece of gravel stuck in my disposal with a mini screwdriver, fixing it so it will live another day to eradicate more pieces of uneaten food. Now I will swiftly prepare this for breakfast tomorrow.

Happy Sunday everyone, may you rest well.

Journaling

2010-12-09T20:02:00.001-06:00

My day began at 5:45 am, catching the dynamic duo of Bardo and Boo in the act of making limeade out of lime juice. Many tears were shed when I put the kibosh on their plans, throwing the lime juice/water/sugar mixture down the drain.

I got Bardo to school on time today, rushed to the grocery store, and then made it to the elementary school just in time for the jingle bell jog with Pippi. Boo walked 2 laps around the track by herself and then rode in the stroller for three more before she started to nod off. I was hoping I could count the jingle bell jog as my workout for the day, but it did not even come close to getting my heart rate up. More and more I'm seeing that the only way I can get a workout is to "ditch" the kids and go to the gym. As soon as Boo got tired I put her in the car and took her home to bed where she slept another 3 hours. I busied myself with laundry, cleaning, and starting dinner so I could actually spend time with the kids when they got home.

I picked up Bardo from preschool in the afternoon. He was in a state. He demanded a movie when he got in the car. I usually let him watch, but the way he asked rubbed me the wrong way. He hit his sister, then told me I wasn't his mom anymore. I concentrated on the road, trying to deflect all that negativity, "He's just tired. He's just tired..." When we got home I took him to his room. He laid down on his bed for a few minutes while I changed Boo's diaper. He started to feel better, and we played house boat on his bed. He took me on a little trip and caught fish for me to eat. He even spoon-fed me fish in bed. As Pippi came home the kids sat down for a snack that really seemed more like a meal (since Boo skipped lunch for sleeping).

Bardo ran outside in his bare feet. I ran after him with his shoes and socks making him put them on. I'm trying to be firmer about shoes now that it's coldish outside and their feet really do get super dirty. Not five minutes after Bardo put on his shoes he found some mud to wallow in. I showed Bardo how to use a stick or a screwdriver to get the thick mud off of his shoes and then we took the scrub brush after them together. Boo thought it would be nice to drop the shoes in the bucket of water. I think I saved them before the water had a chance to soak in. While I was doing all this, Pippi was busy making a sculpture out of foam for my Christmas present. I came back in to practice spelling words and cleaned up the snack so I could get ready to serve the dinner I was just baking in the oven.

Bardo came in from the outside. He thought he should remove all the food from the fridge and put it on the table. I stopped him, but Boo had already disappeared with the applesauce underneath the table. She opened our giant bottle and started eating out of it with a spoon. I quickly put dinner on the table. Pippi said the prayer. The kids finished off the jar of applesauce. Pippi ate the meal I made, but she was the only one

Bath time followed dinner, then story time, and little bit of play time; the kids even managed to squeeze in a squabble over a plastic horse before I decided they needed to go to bed.

A Peaceful Sunday, not a frantic Sunday

2010-12-05T21:22:00.001-06:00

I've decided 1:00 p.m. church is just what I need. This morning Pippi and Bardo woke up, got Boo out of bed. Pippi must have even changed her diaper while I slept all the way in until 7:15 am. Pippi and Bardo busied themselves building blanket forts in the play room (with the Lewis's chairs ;-)) while I made a quick breakfast. We all (except for the Warlock, who believes that Sunday is a day of extreme rest after a hard Saturday of play) sat down to a joyful breakfast. I even read a couple of stories to the kids out of the Book of Mormon readers. Boo and I walked the dog quickly after breakfast clean up, leaving the Warlock to more sleep and Pippi and Bardo to their tents. We got home, made a lunch, put Boo down for a morning nap, played around, got ready and were actually early to church, thanks to Pippi and Bardo accepting a bribe of chocolates to work together to get Bardo ready.

The kids spent their after-church time cleaning up the huge mess they'd made with the play tents. Pippi made up games to try to get Bardo to help. That girl is so good at getting Bardo to work while he hardly realizes he's working. She reminds me of my sister Lisa in so many good, fun ways.

We had salmon for dinner with green beans, carrots, guacamole (for dipping carrots in), salad and spaghetti. (My secret's out: my meals are usually healthy but the menu lately has been a little random.) During the meal, Bardo showed me that we did not have a salt and pepper shaker, but a salt and pepper rocket. When you visit us you'll have to ask him to explain its mechanics.

After dinner, the kids cleaned more, but got a little side-tracked when they discovered the snowflake lights we hung in the yard last year. After I finished bathing Boo, I helped them hang the lights in their play room window.

Boo needed her bed, so Pippi, Bardo, and I huddled together on the couch, covered in a big blanket, watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I started to feel more in the spirit of Christmas. During the devotional, Bardo stood up. "Where are you going?" I asked.
"To get something."
"What kind of a something?" I asked just knowing he was getting into some food.
"Something that won't make a mess..." He answered, knowing me better than I thought he did. He reappeared with a bag of frozen pecans, asking, "This won't make a mess, right mom?"
"Not if you let me hold the bag and you eat one at a time." I replied. So we parked that bag on my lap Pippi on one side, Bardo on the other. Bardo ate pecans until he was satisfied and then started pretending they were airplanes and flying them quietly around his head.
The kids watched the Orchestra on Temple Square with fascination. Pippi wants to play the oboe, flute, clarinet, and violin along with the the piano and recorder that she's already learning. She told me she might need to do both band and orchestra. I told her she'd probably have to choose one thing at a time. Bardo told me that he was going to be a singing Dad, and that he would be able to juggle six instruments, and play 21 instruments. Pippi and I grinned at each other. I told him I would like it very much if he would grow up to be a "singing dad."

Cute Things

2010-12-04T20:07:00.002-06:00

-Boo, holding out her arms while Bardo's crying, saying, "Bardo come sit on my lap."

-Pippi, walking around reading and spelling every word she sees to Bardo and then quizzing him on letters and their sounds.

-Bardo, wearing high water pants. He's growing like crazy.

-Pippi, galloping around the basketball court, taking care not to double dribble or travel.

-Bardo, holding one finger in the air, telling the dog to sit and stay, and when he does giving him a huge hug.

-Boo, everything she says and does: "I wuv you Daddy," she says as she tackles the Warlock with an energetic hug." "I need my bed," she calls, a few minutes before bed time after she's been washed and pajammed. "Where's Pippi?" she asks as we sit down to dinner when Pippi's at a friends house. She sings to her babies, makes little beds for them in drawers and step stools, and gives her babies "milk." She tells Bardo her baby is poopy and then shares her doll with him for the diaper change. She'll share her food as long as your not trying to take it off her plate. She says hi to everyone she sees and keeps saying hi until you say hi back. She waves to everyone,even the doggies, and says, "Bye bye see you waiter..." She understands pecking order and likes bossing around the dog. He usually listens; I guess he understands pecking order, too.

2010-11-29T21:45:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful for quality time spent with the Warlock taping Pippi's homework together after I found it torn to shreds by the Christmas tree during my evening sweep of the house.

I'm grateful for the tree--the hours of enjoyment Bardo's gotten out of it, hiding baby Jesus in the branches, wrapping all the garland around it over and over again. He also placed chairs all around it so we can just sit and gaze at it's beauty. Do you love your classy looking Christmas tree as much as my boy loves our tree with the cheap decorations and mismatched garland?

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T21:33:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful the Warlock held down the fort today while I ventured to the Woodlands to run 5 miles in a race.
I'm grateful for all those Airforce ROTC kids cheering for me.
I'm grateful for my mother-in-law, who steps in wherever needed, and oh I did need her today.
I'm grateful the Warlock makes amazing turkey (actually, he made 3 amazing turkeys) so I don't have to do it.
I'm grateful Natalie makes amazing rolls so I don't have to do it.
I'm grateful Julianne made stuffing so our meal would have that true Thanksgiving feel.
I'm grateful Pa shared the sherbet with fruit cocktail tradition with us and offered a meaningful Thanksgiving prayer.
I'm grateful Bardo and Grandma found Boo asleep in the closet.
I'm grateful for Pippi who spent hours laboring over place cards.
I'm grateful for my mom and dad and brothers and sisters. I kept thinking about them today, but now I'm just too tired to call. Tomorrow...
I'm grateful my kids had fun today. (Bardo said today was the best Thanksgiving ever with dramatic flair.)
I'm grateful for little girls who walk into my house and present my children with cute pictures full of fall leaves. I'm grateful to sit and enjoy an incredible meal sitting between 2 friends (both past running partners) who I love so much and who talking to feels like therapy to me.
I'm grateful for kids (not my own) who feel comfortable with me at my house and come and tell me that they are afraid of my dog and allow me to ease their fears with Natalie's chocolate mint cookies.
I'm grateful Pa's business is doing well even though it stole him away from us early.

I am thankful for today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T21:54:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful for company, for yummy foods to look forward tomorrow, my nose so I can smell all those yummy foods, for my dog who always comes when he's called, and my sweet sweet family.

Questions

2010-11-22T21:31:00.001-06:00

I'm grateful for questions and the things they reveal about the brains behind them.

"What happens if you put the driver on one?" asks Bardo in the car.
"How did that happen?" Boo asks as the mixer turns on.
"Is the tooth fairy ever going to come?" asks Pippi when her tooth remained under her pillow for the 3rd night in a row.

2010-11-21T21:38:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful for beautiful young voices. I subbed for the primary chorister today, and hearing their voices sing "For Health and Strength" in round was good for the soul.

And I'm grateful for patient kids, good books especially the scriptures, positive ward changes, and my vaccuum which I will quickly use tomorrow.

2010-11-21T00:08:00.000-06:00

I'm grateful for new friends.
I'm grateful for good babysitters.
I'm grateful for my refrigerator, even though it really needs a good cleaning.
I'm grateful for my dog who always provides an excuse to get out the door and walk.
I'm grateful for my bed.

2010-11-19T20:55:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for the Warlock. He's nice, he put the kids to bed tonight, and he doesn't expect perfection.
I'm thankful for Pippi. She's so smart, so kind, so intent on doing what's right. I simply couldn't do without her.

2010-11-18T20:29:00.001-06:00

I'm thankful:

-for the Warlock's job. I found myself complaining about it today, but really our family has a sweet deal.

-for peaceful nights. The Warlock took Pippi out to dinner tonight leaving me with just 2 kids. Easy!

-for a kitchen to clean.

-for family coming for Thanksgiving

-for pure, clean, cold water.

Notes from today:

Bardo had a rough day at school. After he got home I noticed the chocolate chips container open and that many of them were gone. I wonder if he got into them before I woke up and then crashed. He was fine when he got home, though. He's really starting bond with Boo and look at her has a playmate rather than competition for my attention. Yesterday I caught him taking a pancake out of her hand. He talked her through what he was doing. "Here Boo, I'm taking your pancake, and I'm going to tear it into two pieces. Here. I'll take the bigger half." Surprisingly, she was totally cool with that. I suppose it's all in the delivery when you're speaking to an almost-2-year old.

Boo and I spent a lot of time running around today. She took it like a champ.

Pippi and I are now reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. We haven't even finished the first chapter yet, but we both already love it.

I took broken screens to Ace Hardware to be repaired today. And I had the paint store shake the paint I bought 2 months ago. I painted our powder room last Saturday. I was disappointed to discover that I'm not a good painter. I watched the professionals very carefully and tried to do it like them but still got paint on the ceiling and base boards. Hopefully I'll get good, because we still need to paint bedrooms and bathrooms around here. I'm dreading this next painting project because I allowed Pippi to pick the colors for her room, and one of the colors she picked is call Feverish Pink. It's an extremely hot red. Why did I agree to this?

Oddly, my dog enjoys guacamole.