Following the wisdom of someone who gave this idea to Family Fun magazine, I've started making my brownies in muffin tins. All the delectable taste of a corner, crusty piece in every delightful cupcake-sized serving. Needless to say, I'm making some more for dinner tonight.
Remember my twee? The twig/tree Zach gave me (which I picked out) for Mother's Day last year? Yes, well, I decided to take it out and plant something a little larger . . . you know . . . that we would be able to see grow somewhat before we die. So . . . anybody want a free twee?
Just kidding. You can't have it. I left it out after removing it and it's all shriveled up and useless now. Farewell, twee o' mine.
10—Little Adam’s vocal range is improving dramatically. His screeches are getting up there in the range that only dogs can hear. Though it makes for difficult daily communication, it should make him an excellent tenor someday. (Look at that—always looking on the bright side.)
9—M: Lucy, why are all of your socks in your bed?
L: Oh, ummmmm. I was trying to count them instead of sheep to help me fall asleep.
8—I (after a particularly nasty knee scrape): I don't bewieve it. I think my hawt's bwaking and since my knee stings.
7—Kye participated in a Grandparent’s Day Program at school and he invited his AZ gma and gpa to come. When I told him 10 hours was a long way to drive for a program, he rolled his eyes dramatically. “Sheesh, mommy. Ten hours isn’t that far.” (His Grandma Dana DID surprise him by making it to the program—ten hour drive and all. He was so thrilled. Thanks Gma D! We loved having you visit.)
6—I (in a dinner prayer): Pwease bwess my brother that he won’t call me any names he’s not awowed to call me.
5—A: Ah hug-ee. Mah behwee. Bupthuss. (And here I will provide interpretation in case you don’t speak toddlerese: he said, “I’m hungry—my belly. Breakfast!!”)
4—K: My hair looks terrible! It looks like your hair, dad. (From a six year old boy? Seriously??)
3—I gave my kids Golden Grahams and Oreos for snack one day. After that they got on a kick of Fruit loops with whipped cream on top. I am an awesome nutritionist. (I’m happy to report the Fruit Loops and Golden Grahams are now gone and we are back to boring snacks like apples and graham crackers.)
2—I: Mom, I know why tea—not herbal tea, but the other kind—is bad for you. And since it has coffeen in it.
1—Our little man Adam turned 2—and it’s looking very promising . . . for him. He’s determined to be as 2 as he can. So far he has: covered himself, Elmo and his bedroom carpet with blue toothpaste; spilled a full cup of water on my scriptures; opened 4 boxes of pudding and jello and ripped open each bag to have a taste—then spilled it on the food storage room floor; refused to eat his bday cupcake or frosting; repeated, “Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?” 17 billion times; repeated his first prayer (Hemnee Pah-tuh); learned NOT to scream hysterically every time I leave the nursery room at church for a minute; refused to eat bread in any form; stood on top of the couch to “pet” Goldie a dozen times; and done 5 push-ups for standing on the couch a dozen times. He’s busy, that one. We love you, kiddo.
You know you have a good thing going when your 6 year old starts asking excitedly when it's time for Conference. He's been asking for the past 2 weeks. Lest you think we've spawned a miracle child who sits obediently and reverently through 8 hours of Conference talks, I must share 2 words with you . Conference. Candy. It works for us. It really, really does.
Excluding our 2 year old, of course. He sees candy and wants to eat it RIGHT NOW! He talked through the entire 1st session of Conference, except for a few minutes when he found some dry skin on his foot and picked at it. Disgusting? Yes. But it was still purely, blissfully quiet for 10 whole minutes.
Anyway, we pick 3 words every session that the kids listen for. When they hear it, they get a small piece of candy. Of course, during the first session they are so very excited about the possibility of eating candy that they bounce off the walls for the first hour. (I had to take them upstairs to have another little talk about appropriate behavior about 1/2 way through the first session.) By the second session, they've calmed down a bit and Sunday usually goes very well.
I also print up the activity packets that make their way around the world before Conference, but unfortunately it only keeps my children's interest for approximately 3 minutes. (Slightly longer for older children.) We're still working on that part. And also the part where I don't get exasperated at bouncy, sugar-filled children while I'm trying to listen.
I enjoyed all of Conference, of course, but like many others, I was extremely touched by Elder Holland's pure, bold testimony of the Book of Mormon. There's nothing quite like listening to an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ bear testimony to the world of certain, undeniable truths. I am so thankful for the words that were spoken, the testimonies that were given, and the desire I feel to be a better person.
