PreK

This is a bit of a back track, but I never did share Sam's first day of pre-school pictures. He loves school so much. Mostly I hear about cool toys and such. He was a bit sick this weekend, but has told me multiple times today that he is well enough to go to school tomorrow. He said, "I'm going to tell my teacher that my tummy hurt, but it doesn't hurt anymore so I can go to school." We'll see Sam.

So much

We had a curious end of the summer. Most parts were lovely; some parts were very hard.


We had to move from our lovely neighborhood with good neighbors. We thought we were moving to a new home, but then the house we are selling in South Carolina didn't close and our landlords found new tenants much too quickly.



We cried a bit and had a lovely farewell party and then started packing and packing and packing.

Ben, lover of tractors, turned two.

Fairy girl was almost seven, so we threw an early fairy party with the friends. Outside, of course, as our house was in uproar. We had a similar thing happen for her fourth birthday in St. Louis. We move around Miriam's birthday a lot.

We now live in the country with my mother-in-law. We're a bit crammed, but the kids are in heaven. What's better than living with your pancake making grandma? And there are tractors everywhere.

Still no end in sight to the closing process in SC, but Miriam has started school and is happy to have a nice teacher. She's taking the bus, a first for us, and insists on home lunches, not so new. Sam starts pre-school next week and every day keeps coming same as before.

Moving

Just need to unplug the computer and we'll be outa' here (with plans to move to a more permanent location shortly thereafter). I would write more, but I'm just too tired. It's a wonder I'm even typing this.

Pan Boy

Peter Pan suits Sam. The high spirited energy and adventure of it all. Sam came into this world ready for an adventure and has always followed his own pixie (Miriam), sure that she'll provide it.
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Sam recently cracked his head on the cement, providing a nice this-is-why-we-wear-helmets moment. The doctor thought staples would do the job nicely.

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"Staples?" I questioned.

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"You know, staples, like in your stapler staples," was his response.

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This explanation didn't quite register until he pushed in the first staple in the same manner you would staple some fabric to a chair or a thick stack of papers. Disturbing. It wasn't even numbed, poor thing. He was quite brave and only wanted a Pace's peach popsicle as consolation for getting "poked."

It is not fun when your children are injured, but it is amazing to watch their response and to see how they face pain and fear. Their reactions are raw and honest and somehow full of faith.

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So much to learn...

Teddy Bear

I finally finished this teddy bear for my sister (she's having a baby this week). I can't tell you how many times I had to take it apart and start over. I'm so excited to meet my new little nephew. I thought about him with almost every stitch.

I hope all goes well, Jess. Love you!

In Just-

In Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
sweet mommy

whistles........................far.............................. and wee

andsammycomes riding with
no training w h e e l s . . .

Hawaii was...

paradise

family

Mimi

hula

laughter

roosters

frogs

lizards

grandma

luau

swimming

happiness!

Okay, so there were moments that weren't perfect (puking the day before our flight comes to mind) but mostly it was an absolutely lovely trip. Everything just slowed down when we got settled into our room. We soaked up the lovely moisture in the air and the beautiful surroundings. We laughed and played and explored to our hearts content. The kids were delightful to travel with and great at adjusting to the time changes. My parents invited a family friend along to help with the kids, which made everything a bit easier. We wish we could have stayed another week. It was hard to come back to a rainy, cold Utah, but it's been nice to buy food at reasonable prices again.

Before the trip Sam had a birthday and after the trip we celebrated mother's day and our 8th anniversary. It's been a party at our house for a few weeks now. Not such a bad way to enjoy the spring.

Plane to Paradise

We're going to Kaua'i in the morning. I'm so excited. I'm also a little exhausted at the moment. Good way to start a vacation? Why not. I have high hopes that all the coughing and the tiny bit of puking happening within my family will come to a miraculous halt tomorrow morning. Just a warning to my extended family who will be joining us, you may not want to touch any of us.

Good Eats

I love food. I love to read about it, talk about it, buy it, prepare it, smell it, and I love to eat it. If you happen to call or run into me during any of these food activities, you will hear all about my dinner for the day. If you're really lucky you may hear about the entire week. My neighbor is particularly blessed to know what my family is eating on most days. For her patience, I do balance this oversharing of information with many delicious things to eat.



I not only talk about what I am enjoying foodwise, but I also share little food tidbits with those around me. Did you know that you dip your home-made, soft pretzels in a baking soda/water mixture before baking them? Did you know that you can get a complete protein in the grain quinoa? The grain was recently mentioned in Friend magazine. I must find quinoa and look up all possible recipes. Two that come to mind from recent browsings: quinoa stuffed bell peppers and a hot, breakfast cereal. Anything with the word "stuffed" in the title has to be wonderful. Stuffed pork chops, stuffed artichoke hearts, stuffed mushrooms, zuchinni, pastas.



I have another neighbor that addresess my little quirk head on to get it out of the way before moving on to the point of her call. She says, "Hey Annie, what are you baking today?" I know she is making a joke--teasing me a bit, but I can't help but rise to the bait. My response will go something like this, "(chuckle) Well nothing, but did you know that milling popping corn through your wheat grinder makes the most divine cornbread? I think I milled it a bit finer than the conrmeal you get at the store...." Her response, "Wow. So I was wondering...." It's nice to have such kind and indulgent friends. I also make delicious things for her.



The point of all this? Nothing really, but look at this lemon, oregano roasted chicken resting on some nice orzo (with a hint of dill).







After our post dinner walk it was a joy to step into our still fragrant home and know that the source of those wonderful smells sat snug in my belly.

Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do has been a very good outlet for our strong, active Sam. His instructor is great--very strict, but good on the positive feedback.

Sam said in a conversation today, "C---- had to sit in time out because he tried to kick me. He was being soft, but we shouldn't kick. We should only kick in Tae Kwon Do class. I can kick really hard. When I kicked, Master S---- said, 'I really heard that snap.'"

Green Apple Scarf

I've finally finished my scarf (my first knitting adventure). It took me a few tries to get the width right, but I finally did it! I used a lovely hand-dyed wool and a seed stitch for the "pattern." It's a shame that it took me so long. The weather is warming up just when I'm ready to wear it.

The color isn't quite right in these pictures. The first picture is probably the best representation of the color.

Washington

Miriam came home from school the week of President's day with the old George Washington/cherry tree story. We all know that's false, right? Out of all the stories that could have been shared, and I'm pretty sure ol' George had an interesting life, her teacher chose to share a myth. They missed school for this holiday, so we have there attention. Couldn't we tell a true story about the man? Maybe she could have mentioned something about the Revolutionary War or the constitution. She could have even told of his greatness in refusing the office of President for a third term, showing that he believed in a country that didn't give too much power to only one man. If those stories seem too boring to captivate first greaders, I'm sure the woman could have found something else.

I can't decide if her teacher meant to tell this story. Maybe she explained that the story is told to show the honesty and integrity of our first president. Is it possible that this strong image of honesty will help Miriam as she learns more about him in the future? She will believe all his other great deads because she knows that he is honest. Or, will she ignore history in the future because some of her first lessons included myths taught as truth. She may think, "What can I believe, you make up stories." Which is more important, stuffy old facts or lovely myths? We revere Washington, so why not make him into some kind of legend? I'm thinking that Washington doesn't need made up stories to show his greatness. He did some pretty amazing things. Can we please teach our children about his real accomplishments.

Red Velvet Valentine

~success~

Lucky You

{Lucky you!The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!}

How Do I Love Thee...

happy valentine's day.

Sam and I decided to make some valentines on this snowy day. We also made them on Monday and I'm sure that Miriam will want to have a go when she sees glitter all over the kitchen table. It was fun to take a minute to make something for my children and husband and to write a little love note.

And tomorrow, red velvet cupcakes. Mmmmm, any dessert with the word velvet in it is all right by me. It's a good thing there are holidays to finish out the winter.

Here are the things I am happy about on this grouchy, not enough sleep kind of day:

-Crunchy peanut butter on a spoon with chocolate chips
-nap time/quiet time
-carpools (on the weeks that I don't have to drive)
-homemade bread rising on the counter
-and a new The New Yorker in my mailbox

Here I come to save the day

Miriam ran through the living room in only her underwear hollering, "Super Girl to the restroom!"

December

These are some of the things we have enjoyed this month.

Playing Samuel the Lamanite and dodging marshmellows. Sam said, "Repent!"

Playing in the snow. Ben loves all things outside.

Making delicious molasses candy (on the second try).


Watching Miriam tap, tap, tap, tapioca.

Singing Christmas songs in the tabernacle.

Christmas Lights

For a family night outing, we went to the Layton City "Lights Before Christmas." Yes, they are a tad cheesy (mermaid and peacock displays), but the kids loved it. Ben was especially excited. He kept yelling happily, telling us all about the lights around him.

We have been having a lovely Christmas month so far. The shopping is done and the cards are almost done. I only need to make some molasses candy to send out to our neighbors. The smell of molasses candy cooking on the stove signifies the real beginning of Christmas for me. I hope all my Christmases can be this simple in the years to come. I feel like we've been able to enjoy many quiet evenings, lovely outings, and simple discussions about the Savior. All is well in our world right now. I hope you are all enjoying this season as well.

Window Shopping

I have enjoyed thinking about this necklace today. Now, I'm not usually one for jewelry and I'm not usually a fan of words on jewelry, but this necklace makes me smile. It makes me think of all things little girl.

The close up picture is a link to the site with this necklace, and other such things.