A Preschoolers Point of View

I just read Brenna a bedtime story and in the story there is a mean Aunt.  I said to her, "I'm glad that we only have good Aunts in our family.  She replied, "Like Aunt Shara, and Aunt Nick".

When I was leaving her room she called me back to tell me that Heavenly Father sets out the stuff in the sky like the Sun.  Its interesting to hear how a 4 year old makes sense of the world.  She sets stuff out like her dishes or barn animals.  This must be how the sky works too.

Lip Hair

Today I took Matthew to the dentist for a cleaning.  The hygienist asked him if he wanted a kid toothbrush or an adult toothbrush.  I quickly inserted my opinion that he should have an adult toothbrush (sorry Matthew, no Dora brush for you). He quickly nodded that was the correct answer.  The hygienist glanced at me with understanding and said that she should have known and that he was getting pretty old and might have to start shaving soon.  Matthew was all over that and mentioned in a very serious tone that he had lip hair.  As the hygienist checked out the smooth as a baby's butt space above his lip, I mentioned that blond hair is difficult to see.  Thank goodness the lady was wearing a mask because her eyes were tearing up from laughing.  After much throat clearing to compose ourselves the hygienist wished me luck and we went on our way.  If only I could will the fine blonde prairie grass growing above my lip to Matthew, all would be right in the world.

Ah Ha Moments

Erin found a ruler today.  She held it up against a few toys and then said "hey mom, this thing is good for measuring stuff".

Up Chuck a Grandma

I was thinking about some of the funny things that get passed down from one generation to the next.  Here are some that I have passed on to my kids.  I have clear memories of these when I was growing up and now my kids do too.

Up Chuck a Grandma  My kids don't ask to go to Chuck-A-Rama.  They ask to go to Up Chuck a Grandma.  When I was young my grandparents took each grandchild out on a dinner date for their birthday.  One of the favorite places was the local buffet (What kid wouldn't want all you can eat scones and ice cream).  My grandma who is a pretty funny lady always called it Up Chuck a Grandma.  I'm sure others call it this as well but thats how it started in our family.

Soda Towers

We are all familiar with water towers.  When I was little we often went on Sunday drives to get out of the house and as we passed water towers my dad would comment about what kind of soda might be in that tower.  Red towers were Dr. Pepper, Green towers were Sprite, and Root Beer might come in a variety of designs.  We haven't quite decided what flavor exists in the tower by the depot.  Its still up for debate.

Singing In The Car
Now I know many people sing in the car but I have such vivid memories of this.  There are 8 kids in my family.  We would drive along singing with parts divided, solos designated, and a clear beat to keep us going.  Some of our favorites were "Elvira" a song by the Oakridge Boys and "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers. My kids love to sing and some of our favorites now include High School Musical Songs, They Might Be Giants, and of course anything Michael Jackson.


Bird Church
I think this is my favorite.  On those Sunday drives as a kid my parents would point out the power lines with hundreds of birds sitting on them.  We asked why they were all  lined up there and they said "They must be having bird church"  A particularly large gathering of birds must be Stake or General Bird Conference.  Any time Brenna sees this she excitedly says, "Mom, its bird church!"  I think she really believes it.

What quirky things from your childhood have you passed on?

Sigh...

You know those days, weeks, months (insert your own time period) when you just feel...I don't know the words to express it.  A prolonged sigh maybe is the closest way to describe it.  I'm there.

The Year of 6

I have a funny little 6 year old that cracks me up.  Recently she turned 6 and proudly declared that it was the year of 6.  She was turning 6, she had 6 friends, and there was something else 6 that I can't remember.  She thought that having so many 6 things happening at the same time was spectacular.  So did I until her uncle David mumbled under his breath that it was great, except that if you put those three 6's together it was something else entirely (thanks David).  Anyway, since she turned 6 she has openly declared her love of Sam a boy in her kindergarten class.  Today on the way to dance she giggled uncontrollably at the thought of kissing this young man.  To this I responded that there would be no kissing until at least 16.  Which has a 6 in it so its a good number.  We then polled the other 6 year olds in the car as to what an appropriate age would be to kiss a boy.  Reagan said 22 and Ella said 20.  I liked these numbers even better and thus declared to the giggly 6 year old clan that there would be no kissing boys until age 20.  They all agreed and I plan to hold em to it.

Happy Birthday Peter

Yes, it's Peter's Birthday today.  I thought I would post a few things about Peter that you might not know.  Plus a few things I love.  And yes, a few incriminating pictures of Peter over the years.  I'm sure I am going to hear it when he sees this.

Did you know...

• That Peter was blond when he was little.
• He was an expert fisherman when he was a kid.  They lived near a small lake and they fished almost every day some Summers.
• Finished high school a half year early
• He worked at Dairy Queen 
• He joined the military at age 18 and served in Germany for 2 years
• He was in a small band named Rumble
• He served a mission in Seattle
• He is a poet (we have volumes of his original work)
• He went to USU! and Brandeis
• He owns his own online business

Things I love...

• He is a great dad and husband
• He very organized and patient (opposites attract)
• His love of music - all kinds
• His sense of humor
• His ability to quote just about any movie
• That he loves me even with all my flaws 

And for the fun part...some awesome photos.

Gotta love those glasses

In Germany, yes he was old enough 

I chose this one because you just can't ignore that shirt

yeah, well...what can you say

In the beginning

First time dad

A few years later...

Happy Birthday Peter, I love you.