How Twilight Should Have Ended

Sweet Dreams

While walking up the stairs tonight, I remembered a vivid dream I had recently where someone asked me if they could vacuum my stairs while I cleaned the bathroom. It all came crushing back that it was only a dream. Sad. And weird. I need much more interesting dreams. And I definitely don't need to be scrubbing potties in my sleep.

Who Has It Worse?

Me or the landfill?

I was thinking this afternoon...

Crew has been home for over a year now. If he poops an average of 5 times a day for the last 365 days, that's... a lot of poopy diapers.

Zebra Week

Every once in a while, we pick an interesting animal and learn all that we can about it. We have done Cheetahs and Tigers in the distant past, but this is Zebra Week! We checked out Camilla the Zebra, On Beyond Zebra, and Zella Zach and Zodiac all from the story/picture book section, and several non-fiction learning picture books on zebras. We sure did learn a lot about zebras that we didn't know before! (Hint: do not read the non-fiction learning books. Skim the page and teach in your own mommy words. Kinley let me know repeatedly that this method was much more enjoyable.)

Did you know that when a male zebra mates with a female horse, the result is a sterile hybrid animal called a zebrule or a zorse? You can probably guess what zonies and zonkeys are... We can even pick out the desert-dwelling Grevy's zebras (the largest of the zebra species) by their distinctively large, round ears and their extra-narrow stripes that go all the way down to their hooves. Mountain zebras have plain white bellies and look like grannies with their little dewlap flaps of neck skin. I bet they hate family pictures. I'm just sayin'.

I found an african animals word search for Kinley to complete.

We found a zebra toilet paper roll craft.



Kinley made a rainbow zebra with macaroni noodles.
The best project, however, had to be the zebra nightgowns. I bought some plain white Hanes t-shirts in a package, adult men size small. I set the kids loose with a bottle of black fabric paint and this was the result:




It wasn't so much a week as it was a few days. Bring on the giraffes!

Fashionista

I had to twist Kinley's arm this weekend to run something over to the neighbors. She was resistant because she had already changed into her pajamas and it would be "so embarrassing" to be seen outside in her jammies.

I can kind of see her point. I mean, obviously pajamas would be the weirdest thing about this outfit, right?

Friends, Friends

Last week really ended on some high notes. On Wednesday, My DeAnna came for a visit from Colorado, bringing 2 of her children with her. I kept Kinley home from school that day to play with her long-lost friends. It's always such a treat when DeAnna comes to town.

Later that night my friend Anda flew into town from Washington and stayed with us for a few days. We became close friends in Latvia, ended up marrying within a month of one another, accidentally moved into the same Provo ward, and had our first children within weeks of each other. Alas, we haven't seen one another face to face in more than 5 years. It was so nice to spend time together again at last.

Such a pretty face. Miilu tevi! Atgadina sauliiti!
Crew was quite smitten with her, Kinley followed her around ceaselessly, and Tanner kept asking where my "sister" was.
I was also able to see some fellow missionaries that I hadn't seen in more than 12 years, including a much beloved companion that lives out of state.
Further surprise awaited me when Anda brought a long-lost Latvian friend to my very door. I couldn't believe it! Vera?? It was just one exciting reunion after another. Truly the perfect ending to my week.

This is what is important in life. Good friends and good feelings. It doesn't get any better than that.

Sveta And The Perfect Day

While serving as a Latvian-speaking missionary for our church in the spring of 1998, I was transferred to a new assignment in the port city of Liepaja, Latvia. On my very first Sunday in my new city, a 17-year old girl came to church services by herself, looking for more information.

We spent most of the day together that first day. With the name "Svetlana", she was of Russian descent and her family spoke Russian. I agonized for many hours, trying to speak with her in my very broken Russian while she let me to sweat it out. Finally, after half a day, I asked without much hope "Do you speak Latvian?" If you know Sveta at all, it won't surprise you that she gave me a gigantic smile, laughed hilariously, and answered, in Latvian, "Yes, perfectly." She thought she was so funny. I suppose it served me right for not asking earlier, but I hadn't met many Russian teenagers in Riga who spoke Latvian so fluently. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

Who would have ever dreamed back then that 12 years later, almost to the day, I would be privileged to be with her on her wedding day, when she was sealed to her good man in the Salt Lake temple. It was an amazing day, to say the least.

Love you, Sveta! You are a beautiful bride and we're so happy for you both!



My many many thanks to Jennie, Kerrin, Lauri, and Susie, who cared for my children all day, making it possible for me to enjoy this unforgettable, priceless experience.

Pipe Dreams

Kinley: When I grow up, I want to be a professional basketball player!

Must I tell her?

Fairness

Sometimes life just isn't fair. Sometimes people are dishonest. Sometimes being friendly or charitable can leave you exposed and vulnerable. Sometimes reaching out to the lonely or "different" can bite you in the butt. Hard. Sometimes children discover this reality much too early in life.

I will say this for unfair situations when someone you love has been unjustly persecuted or maligned: it really puts life and priorities into perspective. In the last few days, I have found myself hugging each of my sweet children tighter and really noticing their abundant beautiful qualities. I have been reawakened to their unquestionably good characters and kind, forgiving, Christ-like hearts.

They are humbling examples to me.

Why Don't You Marry It?

Should I be concerned that Kinley announced this morning that she wants to marry our flat iron because he's her "hair's best friend"?

P.S. I use the flat iron on her hair maybe twice a month.

Upswing

I'm feeling on the upswing once again. Thank you for your concern, advice, and well-wishes, you sweet ladies! Here's hoping this was the final trip down this super-fun path. Feeling gross is no fun. But it keeps me humble. Or humiliated, depending. As so very many things do.

Mapleton Townhouse For Rent

My in-laws are renting out their beautiful townhouse in Mapleton. It's in a peaceful, growing area of Mapleton with lots of amenities. If you are looking for family housing while going to school, it's about 20 minutes from BYU campus.

It's 2150 square feet, including a completely finished basement. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

If you are interested or if you know anyone who is interested, please visit their website for more information and pictures.

http://mapletontownhouse.blogspot.com/

Not Again

I have had some weird fever/chills/fatigue/nausea thing trip me up three separate times in the last two months. It has raised its ugly head again, ruining most of my weekend and the days leading up to it. What's wrong with me? How are these episodes related, if they are? I spent most of today laying very crankily in bed. Web MD says maybe it's my gallbladder or pancreas or something. Sigh.... I don't have time for this.

And Furthermore

Crew is a masterfully balanced sitter these days, even without full support from his legs if they are, say, dangling. THAT means...

As long as they have sterilization wipes...

Crew has started riding in the front of the grocery cart like a big boy! He. absolutely. loves. it.

Now, I'm gonna find one of those grocery cart covers. Do I have it in me to be that mom? That germophobic mom? Yes, I think so.

Leaps AND Bounds

My little critter just started reaching very purposefully to be picked up. No more arm flapping and yelling. I get the one-arm lunge! Good boy!

He surprised us last night by rolling from his belly to his back to his belly in one motion. Whoa! He's gonna figure out soon that it's a viable method of transportation!

He slept for 12 straight hours last night. Ahhhhh.... that's a gift.

He's just doing a thousand new things a day! You crazy little miracle!

Blech

I am so over tax season.

OT Who?

We had a visit from Physical Therapist Julie today. After Crew's gross motor workout, we talked about the future and I asked some questions that had been brewing in my noggin'. Among the many questions I posed, I wanted to know what she may see now or in the future that would cause her to submit a request for an Occupational Therapist to work with Crew again.

Are you ready for the answer?

NOTHING.

What she meant by "nothing" is:

#1. He recently started feeding himself cheerios somewhat successfully with his little pincer grasp.

#2. He is working through his minor feeding/eating/chewing/swallowing issues without intervention, and

#3. The weakness on the left side of his body has completely disappeared.

No more occupational therapy in our future. I can cross that off my list and stop wondering about it. I just feel so giddy.

Now that's a milestone. And I didn't even know we hit it.

In other cool things that Crew can do: He picked up Tanner's hat off the floor and put it on his own head. And took it off. And put it back on. Big boy! There is no end to his cuteness. I called Justin to tell him all about it and Daddy is insisting that we prove it by having him perform on command tonight after work. Ha! Wish us luck.

Rosemary Chicken Pasta

Sigh... This is a dish that haunts me in my dreams at night until I make it. I love it. I mean I really really love it. I originally swiped the recipe from my friend Heather W. and it's one of their family favorites too. My kids go bananas (in a happy way) when they find out Rosemary Chicken Pasta is on the menu. It doesn't look like much, but the flavors are unique and addicting. It's crazy good.

If you tried it before when I posted it, it's a little different now. I used a technique from the sesame chicken recipe to streamline the battering and eliminate gooey fingers. I also finally tried it with the (angel hair) pasta that Heather originally recommended. It's perfect with the angel hair!
Ingredients
3 breasts of boneless, skinless chicken
2/3 cup flour
4 tsp olive oil (divided)
4 tsp butter (divided)
1/4 cup diced onions
4 minced garlic cloves
2 cups water
1 cup unsweetened white grape juice
4 cubes chicken boullion
1 tsp ground or regular rosemary leaves
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
12 ounces angel hair pasta*
fresh chives (optional; I have never used them)

Directions
Cut thawed chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and put into bowl. Pour flour into bowl and stir until chicken is well coated with flour. In a wide, deep skillet, combine 3 tsp olive oil and 3 tsp butter and heat over med-high until bubbly hot. Add chicken and cook, turning until lightly browned and cooked through (approximately 5-10 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.

To skillet, add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp oil. Add onions and garlic cloves, saute until softened (about 2-4 minutes)

Add water, white grape juice, bouillon, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer covered approximately 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and simmer covered approximately 8-10 minutes. Sauce will thicken slightly and chicken will be heated through.

Before chicken is added to the pot, get started on the pasta. Cook angel hair pasta and drain as suggested on package, but do not rinse (tip I learned from America's Test Kitchen). One idea for this recipe is to break pasta into 2-4 inch pieces before boiling.

When pasta is ready, slowly add pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Cover and simmer for 1-2 minutes, serve warm.

Serve with fresh chives (optional, and I keep forgetting, so we never use them)

For more of our family's most favorite recipes, visit Vittles Divine.

The Ticket System

My friend Bethany is full of all kinds of great ideas, not just delicious recipes. She recently introduced me to something that has revolutionized their whole family dynamic. There are a number of reasons that "chore charts" haven't worked in my house and for years I have lacked a viable alternative. I haven't really cared much because my children have historically had very helpful attitudes around the house. I have started to care more recently as these very attitudes have been disintegrating of late. You may know what I'm talking about: heavy sighing, negotiations, meltdowns, complaints about inequitable division of labor, selective deafness, etc.

Enter: The Ticket System.

I bought a gigantic roll of tickets at a party supply store for $3 and introduced Our New Life to the children during FHE. It's very simple: My kids earn tickets for fulfilling their responsibilities. On Saturday morning, we open "The Family Store" and the kids redeem their tickets for stuff.

There are all kinds of things in the family store, ranging from a few cents to a few dollars each. There are also privileges like "computer time" or "campout in the basement" available in the Family Store. On Saturday morning the children have three options, or some combination of them: Spend tickets, save tickets, or put tickets in the Family Bag. (When we have 200 tickets in the Family Bag, we are going to the zoo.)

It. Is. Working. Marvelously. We've been doing this for a month and the excitement about it is only growing. I can let my kids earn tickets for anything I want, and it can change from day to day. Homework, opening the blinds, helping with laundry, reverence in church, practicing the piano, washing hands after using the bathroom, putting your plate in the sink, etc.

Self-Motivation
We have a very special component built into the Ticket System. I don't remember whose idea it was. If it was Bethany, THANK YOU. If it was me, I'm brilliant! My kids generally earn 1 ticket for each job. HOWEVER, if it is their own initiative, they get 2 tickets. For example, if Tanner washes his hands after he goes to the bathroom, he gets a ticket. When I don't have to remind him, he gets 2. He is finally willing to wash his hands without drama and without prompting! It's a modern day miracle! He races to me and shoves his sweet-smelling little fingers in my face before running to get 2 tickets for his stash. I never ever have to remind him anymore to wash his hands and he is always happy to do it. F.i.n.a.l.l.y. When Tanner takes a nap, he gets 1 ticket; When Tanner takes a nap without complaining, he gets 2. When Kinley does her homework, she gets a ticket; if I don't have to remind her, she gets 2. See?

My kids are actually looking for ways to earn tickets (particularly on Fridays.) Words that almost made me pass out this week: "Mommy, when I'm done with dinner, may I do some laundry please?" They know that if it's their idea, they get twice the tickets. Even when they only get 1 ticket for those things I ask them to do, they are far happier emptying that dishwasher than they ever were before.

My children are happier because they feel better about their contribution to the family and I am not feeling so much like the House Elf around here these days. Nor do I feel like the overbearing taskmaster. I feel so liberated!

One unexpected side benefit is that Tiny Tanner is becoming quite the accomplished accountant. He is adding and subtracting in his head... accurately.

The Problems
Sometimes I ask Tanner to do something and he responds, "No thank you. I don't want to earn a ticket right now." I then say "well, you can either do it and earn a ticket or do it anyway and not earn a ticket. Which would you prefer?" It works.

The children have gotten so excited about earning tickets that the Family Store has already had to experience inflation... But that's a good thing.

Examples of ticket-worthy responsibilities:
Getting dressed
Putting shoes away when you come home
Reading lesson
Hanging up coat when you come home
Writing in journal
Homework
Laundry
Dishwasher
Cleaning any room
Picking up Crew's toys
Throwing away diapers
Putting dishes in sink
Opening blinds
Wiping door handles (Kinley's great idea)
Making bed
Taking a nap
Drinking a tall glass of water
Eating dinner without complaining
Reverence in church
Obedience at the grocery store
Playing games with Crew

Bethany gave me a cool idea that worked for us: I promised the kids 5 tickets for the Family Bag if they kept the sink tooth-paste-free for one week. It worked! It can be adapted for any scenario; the possibilities with this flexible approach are endless.

Thank you, Bethany, for revolutionizing our family dynamic. I owe you (yet another) one. Kisses, hugs, and a million trillion "thank yous".

Popsicle Peer Pressure

I was inspired by this video of a certain tiny girlfriend.

Our own attempt started off promising enough.

Yummy popsicle!The inspection...
I. Will. Eat. This. Whole. Thing.
Suddenly, things took a very sharp turn for the worse. It was cold! Can you say "Brain Freeze?!!!!"

Mmmmm..... Pizza

Basket Boy

Our Basket Boy is making progress. He is willing and able to kneel beside the basket these days for sometimes up to 5 minutes at a time without toppling or flinging himself. He can also self-correct when he leans a little too far in any direction, including backwards. It's thrilling to see when he is able to catch himself just before he passes the point of no return. I get a little shiver inside. He still doesn't love the process, but he didn't love learning to sit either.

I didn't get any pictures of it, but he took both hands off the basket this morning at one point. He played with a toy in one hand while waving the other around. Progress, progress! I did, however, get a picture of something else pretty cool farther down this post...

Enjoy these first.
Do you see how he is sitting low on his knees in this picture? Do you see how his bum is touching his feet?
Ta-da!! Up and off his feet! We've been working to strengthen his core and his hip flexor muscles to get him to lift up on his own. It's yet another of the four thousand pieces to pre-crawling. Yay, Crew!

Meeting Maggie

We were able to meet our friends' new daughter, Maggie! These two little peanuts are both only a measly 16 pounds. Crew is 16 months and Maggie is 22 months. They've gotta get to growin', but they sure are cute, don't you think?Sharing. They were very amused by each other and shared the toy pretty well.

Daring Girls

I'm thinking of starting a Daring Girls Activity Club for the spring and summer. Email or comment if you would like to participate.

Welcome Home, Baby Lincoln!

After 4 intense months in the NICU, we are so thrilled to extend a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to tough little Baby Lincoln and his wonderful family. Welcome home, little guy!

Check out the video of his journey so far!

Kinley-isms

Kinley: Ya know, God really has a lot of creative ideas. He made all of us and we're all just so different! That's crazy! How does He do that?

----

Kinley had been relating to me some schoolyard drama and the manner in which she handled herself and defused the situation as well as her impressions of the contenders and their psychological profiles...

Mommy: Wow, Kinley. I'm very impressed. You were very mature and you really have a great understanding of why people behave the way I do.

Kinley: I know. It's a gift.

---

Mommy: Kinley, I thought that you and C. were friends now after you had that big talk with your teacher together.

Kinley: We were for a while but then she started being mean again. I didn't want to tattle on her to my teacher because I'm just not that kind of girl. I'm not the "tattle-telling type".


Folks, if you could even imagine the hand gestures and facial expressions that go along with these little conversations...

Hobby Lobby Boredom

Tanner: Mommy, I think I'm gonna be sick. This store is so boring. All the stuff is boring. The song I hear is boring. It even smells boring.

Montreal Roast

Nobody loves roast beef like my Justin and I don't mind bragging that I make a great one. When we have it on hand, he'll eat it on sandwiches. It also goes great with potaters, of course! My friend Bethany helped me take my old roast to the next level with the recommendation of Montreal Steak Seasoning to wake up the flavors for "a party in your mouth"!

Ingredients:
2.5 - 3 pound Roast
3 cups water
Montreal Steak Seasoning

Directions:
Place roast in crock pot with water. Season the top liberally with Montreal steak seasoning. Cook on high for 8-10 hours. Shred with fork on a cutting board or platter and serve.

Tip: It's extremely, delightfully moist, but it will dry out fast if you don't serve or store immediately. The moisture will evaporate from that super-hot meat if you aren't careful. If you plan on using it for next-day sandwiches, put it in a ziploc bag immediately after shredding to keep it moist. Once it cools with the moisture, it will remain moist.

For more of our family's most favorite meals, visit Vittles Divine.


Update from Miss Bethany herself!
"Mmmmm. This is our VERY favorite roast. We add garlic powder, parsley and seasoned salt to it as well. TIP- my hubby hates meat warmed in the microwave 'cause it gets rubbery. For moist leftovers, heat it in the oven (covered) for about 10-15 min. Tastes good as new, especially if you save any juices from the crock pot with it! We also like to mix leftovers with bbq sauce mixed with mustard and a little vinegar for a bbq sandwich on yummy kaiser rolls- kinda like a pulled pork sandwich, only beef. My mouth is watering."

Friendship Tokens

Kinley received a very special gift from Prince Charming himself. (I thought perhaps I should change names to protect the irresistible.) P.C. and his mother did a classroom chemistry demonstration and gave out samples for everyone to take home. Nothing thrills first graders like their very own baggie of slime.

Right away, Kinley and Tanner broke it into tiny pieces and made a starting line for race-around-the-kitchen-island.I put the kabosh on their next activity: hiding balls of slime around the house. I made them track down their distributions.
They missed a few.
"Mommy, I'm afraid I can't go with you to pick up pizza. I have Pink Eye!!"
I was too exasperated to take a picture the entire wad tangled all through her hair after a failed attempt to create her own line of designer slime earrings.

The goo is in the trash now.

V-Day Fallout Revisited

I just returned home after picking up Kinley from school.

Her teacher called me.

Kinley missed the bus.

She lingered too long in the hallway talking with a friend...

That friend was Michel.

Major Milestone

Crew had a great meeting with PT Julie this afternoon. He showed off his basket skills and only threw a little tantrum when she forced him onto all fours. She brought along a speech therapist trainee to observe our session. She does that sometimes because I'm her favorite mommy with the most agreeable little critter. Blush... She always calls in advance to make sure it's OK to bring visitors -- and to ensure that I know to shower and locate a bra before our appointment.

The big success of the day, however, came at dinner time. Crew ate his first true meal with the family tonight in a surprise Rock Star Crew Move (R.S.C.M.) We bypassed smashed fruits and oatmeal, his usual fare. Instead, I fed him endless teeny bites of sundried tomato pasta! He loved it! And more importantly, he swallowed every bit without gagging, vomiting, choking or aspirating. (Ok, maybe a little gagging, but I'm not complaining.)

And that, my friends, is Big News around these parts.

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken

This was another Allrecipes.com success story! This is supposed to be a grilled chicken, but it's barely March. And we're out of propane anyway. Sooo.... it was fantastic broiled in the oven!! Can't wait to try grilling it outdoors this summer!Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2/3 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup honey
4 tbs mayo (fat-free is ok!)
2 tsp steak sauce

Directions
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 5 minutes.

Cut chicken into chunks and set aside.

Mix mustard, honey, mayo, and steak sauce in bowl. Separate in half.

Pour half of the mixture onto the chicken and stir well, until chicken is nicely coated in sauce. Thread the chicken on skewers. Place skewers on greased cookie sheet. Broil on one side for approximately 20 minutes. Turn over, baste with remaining sauce and broil for additional 10 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked.

It's great for a main dish, sandwich innards, or to use in a salad. Great reviews over here!

For more of our family's most favorite dishes, visit Vittles Divine.

Crew Cut

Get it? "Crew" cut? Come on. It's funny.

Little Beast needed a new 'do. I know, I know, he's rockin' the peyot, but still. This was the most enjoyable hair cut I have ever given. He was so happy, so patient. As my new favorite customer, he was perfectly content to play with the clipper attachments while I whacked away endlessly at his baby fines with scissors.
Awwww.... he's a big boy now! Daddy thinks he looks weird. Silly Daddy.

Are We There Yet?

This is my daughter.This is where she moaned and groaned all morning with acute chore-induced nausea. (I should mention that she is decked out in full ballerina gear underneath this blanket.)

I am desperately hoping that we are on the far side of this nasty little bug. All of the known afflicted parties have been up and down in their progress toward wellness. Justin returned to work in time for Cougar Club Luncheon. Kinley is headed back to school tomorrow. Tanner is clearly in a questionable place, since he's not known for vomiting unnecessarily. All eyes are on him for the next few days. If he makes it through the night without incident, I'm on toilet-cleaning duty tomorrow. Lookin' forward to that. Not.

Mom of the Year

Tanner has a nasty habit of refusing the initial food offering at every meal. If it's not chicken nuggets with a side of gummy bears he's "too tired" or "not hungry" or "gonna be sick". His protestations never work, mind you, but the Wolf Crier is unrelentingly consistent in his attempts.

Tonight my patience had worn very thin. I'm no Florence Nightingale and my intestinal fortitude for mollycoddling has really waned in the last 5 days. When Tanner informed me this evening that he wasn't hungry for his sloppy joes, I lost my temper. I used my demented quiet voice and my less creepy hollering voice to get my point across: eat. your. sloppy. joes. NOW or you'll be SORRY!!

As he tearily finished his final bite of dinner, he started gagging. The faker. Then... he started convulsing in the all-too-recognizable pre-vomit dance. Dang it. I plucked him from the stool and raced him down the hall to the toilet. Just in time. I'll spare you the details; just know that we were both in tears. He hasn't puked since Sunday so I thought we were in the clear with him. Oops.

As I penitently cleaned up the white-faced little guy, Kinley leaned against the doorwell, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. "I thought you were going to figure out that he was serious before he actually threw up. But, you didn't."

She followed me down the hallway back to the kitchen where I realized much too late that I had been mentally composing my blog post out loud. In my mad dash to the toilet, I had unwittingly abandoned a full bowl of smashed bananas and oatmeal on Crew's high chair. When Kinley saw the complete disaster that the tiny Picasso had quietly made with his windfall of organic art supplies, she burst into maniacal laughter and announced, "Wow, you are mom of the year!"

Germies, Ew.

I cannot determine whether we have two separate illnesses going on around here or one really bizarre bug.

It was looking like Kinley and Justin shared a really nasty/creepy cold virus over the weekend and then it seemed to turn very suddenly into what I had last week. Er? They were throwing up into separate toilets all night; I lost track at some point. Kinley has been astonishingly brave and independent for someone who has thrown up violently 7+ times in as many hours. Tanner, as usual, seems to have weathered it already and moved on, having a sore throat for half a day and throwing up only twice on Sunday morning, long before anyone else did. I've been shuttling Otter Pops back and forth and trying to keep Crew away from the germs. Kinley seems less nauseas this morning and I think she may be finally on the upswing. Justin, however, is laying miserably, grouchily in bed, taking his first sick day in 9 tax seasons.