Vomit

Last week Ashley vomited on my laptop. My first reaction was, GROSS! Of course, I helped my child first and sacrificed the computer. My hard drive survived, but the keyboard didn't. That meant I could check all of my favorite blogs, but wasn't able to comment or create a post of my own. I was paralized! It was frustrating at first. I felt like I had Blogger laryngitis. I got the spirit of geek in me to plug in another keyboard, finally. Now I'm back.

You all seem to be doing well. Oma, I'm glad you got to Gab's house OK. Having common interests with strangers really can bring you together. I remember getting jipped at a vending machine at Costco one day. I watched another woman put her money in right after me, hoping she'd feel the same way and, as a result, become my best friend. Unfortunately, her fingers magically worked the machine and she took off with TWO Diet Cokes! Miggs, thank you for showing us all the way to blogging. You are always ahead of your time. It's good to read what you have to say, witty git! After the Gollum comparison I realized my judgement of you being a true geek is right! Welcome to the club! Kelly, Anna, Marta, and Christie (and Aunt Jo). . .your athletic ability is an inspiration to me. I can't run because I'm top heavy, so marathons are out of the question. I can't spin because of my bad mission experiences and the rhoids. So, I'm thankful to have my elliptical. I can work out without a bra! Woohoo! Kelly, you definitely should call BYU to get your friend in! I had a non-member roommate at Deseret Towers. The sister missionaries were at our doorstep the second week of school. Owen is adorable, by the way. Scott, I'm glad you're over the rumbles in your bronx. That was no fun for all who live with you as well. Centerpiece idea: cute flower pots with easter grass and piles of colorful eggs!

Sorry to vomit my ideas and words all over your computers. Hopefully there was no harm done. Getting that out makes me feel a lot better.

Jessica Dee

My girl Jess is the most nurturing girl I know. She loves all sorts of animals and adores babies. Every morning, Jess must give her baby sister a morning hug. When she sees her mom is sad, she demands that I get happy. She doesn't like seeing someone upset. It usually puts tears in her eyes. However, with that said, she can easily defend herself against others. Her voice is louder than anyone else's so her victim cry is easily heard. With this loud voice, she can really belt out her primary songs and is heard by all.

After having Chloe for about a week I realized that she needed a sibling. I wanted my children close so that they could entertain each other and go through life together. I got my wish. Jess is the yin to Chloe's yang. When things get too serious the Jesster always makes things light with a joke. Her favorite is "knock knock, who's there, banana, banana who? etc. . ." She is a little more free in the way she thinks. She doesn't always have to color in the lines. And she's very into recycling right now.

She has eyes like a doe caught in headlights. They are beautiful and she really soaks up everything around her with them. She is very expressive and emotes her mood very clearly. I love her. I need to help her find her own strengths so she doesn't have to be in competition with Chloe.

Jessica's favorites:
Book: Pooh Bear books
Toy: Big Pooh Bear
Movie: Nightmare Before Christmas
Food: Corn Dogs
Place to go: Playground
Thing to do: Bake cookies and eat the dough
Website: barbie.com

Chloe

When I got married I had a very romantic vision of being a mother. I was excited to be pregnant and have that "glow". I was excited to meet this new little stranger. I wondered what my children would look like. I wanted these new friends to get here. When I found out I was going to have a little girl I couldn't believe my luck! A shopping partner, someone to chat about hair with, someone who could learn from my experiences! At the time I didn't know that children come with their own personalities. They are not extentions of yourself, but rather separate entities with a life and will of their own!

Chloe definitely has her own way of doing things. She is 5 going on 18! As a very fashion-forward girl, she creates wonderful outfits with her Target wardrobe. Layering is her signature. . .along with everything pink. She is a perfectionist in many ways. Her Mega-Block structures are perfectly symmetrical. She can make her bed better than me. And her piano playing gets better every week because of her good practicing. Once she gets it in her mind to do something, she goes all the way. For example, her reading ability. Once she started recognizing words, she couldn't stop. Now she can read anything you put in front of her! She is truly amazing.

With a fierce stubborn streak I have found the best way to get through to Chloe is to get her to laugh. If you can make the air light her exterior softens and we can get on with our day. I have to remind myself that she has a right to live her own life. If she wants 5 ponytails for ballet and I try to talk her into only 2, her stubborness comes out. She knows what she wants, she knows who she is, and I should be her greatest support in that. I love her.

Her favorite things:
Books: American Girls
Toy: Pooh Bear
Movie: Parent Trap
Food: Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Place to go: Merry-go-Round and Dinosaur Dig
Thing to do: Crafts
Favorite website: noggin.com

Thanks J&J

I think I might have the best in-laws ever, except for those who have my parents as their in-laws.

I've had a cold for a few days, but today it took a turn for the worse. My eye started seeping puss and my sinuses started to ache. My self-diagnosis is that I must have a sinus infection. Realizing that I couldn't see well enough to drive my girls to ballet, I called my mother-in-law on her cell phone. I caught her at the quilt shop (where she was buying fabric to make me a quilt). I asked if she could drive the girlies to dance. "I'll be there," she said.

By 4:00 Scott's parents were at the door ready to take over. They relieved me of all duties. After ballet, they were ready for more. They cleaned my basement, vacuumed my entire house, put my kids to bed, and helped Scott fix the water filter.

Sometimes Janice will call herself "the Mother-in-Law from Hell" because of this neat-freak nature she possesses. I call it a great strength.


So three cheers for J&J. I love you, Sco loves you, the girls love you, too. I just wanna thank you for all you do!

Not all hand-me-downs are created equal. . .

Easter is coming. This year my girls will be styling hand-me-down dresses. The only one to get a new dress is Chloe. As a middle child I feel this a huge injustice to Jessica and Ashley. As a mother, I am happy that these "used" dresses can continue to be used. All I can say, Jessica and Ashley, is to thank your lucky stars!

I remember wanting to wear the hand-me-downs from my older sister. It wasn't her old clothes I wanted to wear, it was usually the old dance costumes. Leg-warmers, sparkly-off-the-shoulder tank tops with jeans. How cool I thought I looked, until I remembered that I was wearing hand-me-down tuff-stuff jeans with patched knees from my BROTHER. Way to ruin the look.

Sistas

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

One of the best things about being an adult is the realization that you can share with your sister and still have plenty for yourself. ~Betsy Cohen

Sister to sister we will always be,
A couple of nuts off the family tree.
~Author Unknown

It's hard to be responsible, adult and sensible all the time. How good it is to have a sister whose heart is as young as your own. ~Pam Brown

You keep your past by having sisters. As you get older, they're the only ones who don't get bored if you talk about your memories. ~Deborah Moggach

If Planted, It Will Grow

Jess brought home a sunflower seed from Primary last Sunday. She carefully kept track of it until we were able to plant it Monday afternoon. Chloe and Jess had a conversation about planting that seed during our car ride home. Chloe was telling Jess all the things needed for a plant to grow: sun, soil, worms, rocks, and water. Jess added that the most important thing for a plant to grow is love. Chloe profoundly answered, "Yes, love." Cutest girls ever! It was a momentous time when Jess dropped that seed in a hole I had made with my finger in a bucket full of potting soil. The process is so simple. She waters her seed with delight. She gazes over at the kitchen window sill with pride. Her plan is to let it grow into a flower and then pick it so that we can put it in a vase. Every few hours she wants to see it, just to see if anything has happened yet. Jessica's lesson on Sunday was about faith. Without even knowing what that word means, Jess has it. She knows that her seed will grow.

Gamers Unite!

Sco and I absolutely love to play games. I think we fell in love over a game of Speed (Nerdville, USA). I know there are many in the family who claim the discovery of the Settlers of Catan. But we have gone far and above in great game exploration:

1. Starfarers of Catan
2. Ticket to Ride (European version)
3. Hoss 'n' Pepper
4. Carcasonne
5. Settlers of Catan card game (for two players)
6. Sequence
7. Acquire
8. Jinni Zeala (pinball)
9. Marble Blast Gold
10. Balderdash
11. Guess-the-Google (see Scottoman Empire)

Game on!

Can you spot the two paintings by the same artist?

One of my favorite games. . .

Studying Art History was so much fun. I pretend I'm an art professional able to name an unmarked painting just by studying the style.
Guess the artists.

My Sunshine Heed

You are sunshine in my life, it's always fun when you're around. . . .
You make me happy when skys are gray. . . .
Sunshine always takes me high. . . .
Ain't no sunshine when you're gone. . . .
With a smile you bring me light, you can make my whole world bright, you bring out the sun at night, you're my sunshine. . . .
A little sunshine makes me feel okay!. . .
You seem to make me glow, like beautiful sunshine, that makes the flowers grow. . . .
If I had a wish that I could wish for you I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while. . . .

Happy Birthday Heidi!

Keeping it Simple

Yesterday the girls and I stayed home. They refused to go to the store, even when I bribed them with a prize! After that strike I decided they were not in the mood to behave in public so we wouldn't go anywhere. What a lovely day it turned out to be. I've been afraid that if we don't leave the house every day I will lose what's left of my sanity. Yesterday proved the opposite to be true. Taking cues from June Cleaver, I put on my apron and started to cook. The girls were not rushed to finish their coloring, they went downstairs and got lost in imagination, and I wasn't stressed at nap time. Paper dolls were cut out, video games were played, my house was cleaned and the laundry was put away. I was in domestic heaven. It makes me wonder why I am always in such a rush when we really have no place to go. It's probably because when I get a shower in the morning and put on a cute outfit, I HAVE to go somewhere to show how put together I am. Not so. Another cue from June Cleaver, you can look pretty just to stay home. I love this concept! Even though I had a lot to get done yesterday, I never felt rushed, stressed or out of control. I can tell my kids felt the same way. I'm glad I listened to them.

P.S. I can't wait for them to go to preschool today!
P.P.S. Albertson's delivers!

How did she do that?

Fifteen minutes into her nap, Ashley started screaming. I went to check and this is how I found her! Next she'll learn to take off her own diaper. . .