Sugar Coated

Last night as she was putting on her pajamas and I was feeding Sophie, Phoebe came to my room with a question.

Phoebe: Do you still love me even when I'm angry?

Me: Phoebe, I always love you. I may not always like what you do, but I ALWAYS love you.

Phoebe: (smiling) Oh.

Me: Do you love me even when I'm angry?

Phoebe: (still smiling) No, I only love you when you're nice.

Buzz Words

Sophie didn't want to sit still during Relief Society yesterday. She was bouncy and starting to talk in a not-so-quiet kind of way when I decided she and I should hobble through the halls. I waved to the Sunbeams (and Phoebe) in their classroom near Relief Society and made my way down to the foyer. Sophie and I sat and listened to a sweet older sister as she told us lots of personal information (as people in New Jersey are often wont to do) until the Primary President walked up.

She started to ask about my foot when a commotion at the end of the hallway caught our attention. She went to find out what was happening and quickly returned, walking past me, carrying a crying Sunbeam. Her own four-year-old trailed behind her and casually said to me, "Phoebe's crying about something."

I looked and saw a teacher holding an hysterical Phoebe by the hand, looking in the Relief Society room. Sophie and I walked as quickly as the boot would allow to come to Phoebe's aid. The teacher started in the middle of the story, talking about "flying" and "stinging" and "might be on her head, that's where she first said it hurt."

I looked at Phoebe. The left sleeve of her black velvet church dress was pulled back, revealing an angry, raised, white welt. The teacher was still talking, saying she didn't know if one had flown into her dress and maybe I should go take her into the bathroom to check. Another woman in the ward was suddenly at my side, asking what she could do. I handed Sophie to her and led the still-screaming Phoebe into the ladies' room.

I looked for stinging insects, because at this point the words "wasp" and "bee" and "yellow jacket" had all been thrown around. I found none. We went back out to the hallway and then to a classroom now swarming with confused Sunbeams. A Benadryl pen had appeared from the purse of the same sister who was holding Sophie. As I administered it, I realized that Phoebe was not the only victim. Three other children and the teacher all fell prey to the insects.

The Sunbeams had run out of lesson but not lesson time. They went for a walk in the woods-bordered field behind our church building. At some point the kids saw a large tree stump and decided it would be a good idea to jab sticks into it. The bees (we determined that they were, in fact, bees) did not like being poked with sticks. They retaliated.

Phoebe was by far the loudest of the injured. In pained wails she swore off the out-of-doors with declarations of, "I'm never going on another walk! Ever again!" Someone retrieved Bryan and suddenly Peter and Cooper were there, looking at the sting with awe and at Phoebe with new-found respect. Lollipops were procured and delivered to our girl, which seemed to help the malady significantly. Even so, we made our way to the car amid the sympathetic consolations of onlookers.

The drive home was spent discussing future safety measures, like identifying possible animal homes and then not bothering them. Once at home in our garage Phoebe said that her head hurt. I searched again and this time found a stinger lodged in her scalp. Bryan performed the removal surgery. We administered medicine and spent a low-key afternoon, watching for any other reactions. By bedtime she was back to her energetic self.

Moral: Don't shove sticks into holes. It won't end well.

Only One Volume

I mentioned that Phoebe received Frozen themed items for her birthday. Perhaps the most popular is the new Elsa costume that Nana Shari sent. Phoebe has worn it everyday since it arrived. She won't answer to Phoebe while in costume, only Elsa. Also, it leads to improptu musical numbers, but really, lots of things at our house lead to musical numbers.

I share this, not because of its inherent musicality, but to show the enthusiasm she (and the others) wield for Frozen. What they are missing in pitch they make up for in volume, right?

Nauvoo

On Wednesday morning of our trek across the country we started our day by crossing the Mississippi. Remember the first time I crossed that mighty river? Well, I didn't yell and whoop this time, but it was still pretty awesome.

Why did we cross the Mississippi? To visit Nauvoo. We started at the Visitor's Center. We saw lots of beautiful paintings and sculptures, saw pioneer artifacts, and watched a movie about life in Nauvoo.

Then, after we had all enjoyed the history, clean bathrooms, and AC, we headed outside to queue up for a wagon ride. We got to know the horses, Lehi and Nephi, before we began.

We boasted the youngest passengers on the wagon, which just meant that we couldn't pay attention to the stories being told because we were trying to stop our children from poking at each other and distracting our fellow travelers. I thought it would be a short ride around a grove, something to give us a pioneer-like experience. This notion (founded on nothing but my own imagination) is why I didn't bring the diaper bag. I was wrong. The ride lasted for 45 minutes. I loved hearing the stories of the pioneers that settled Nauvoo, and seeing where those stories actually happened. But poor Sophie, she was a hungry and tired girl. I bounced and soothed and calmed and very nearly nursed her on the wagon, sans blanket. However, the ride ended just in time. I'm sure everyone on the wagon was grateful.

The best part of the day? The night before we went to Nauvoo we sent Bryan's mom a message letting her know where we would be sleeping, updating her on our progress. On Wednesday morning she talked to Bryan's sister Melinda and said that we would be in Nauvoo that day. Melinda and her family decided spur of the moment to load into their car and drive three hours to spend the day with us!

We loved seeing Melinda and Jake and their two little boys! I got to meet Sam, my newest nephew, and the kids got to spend some time with their only first cousins on Bryan's side of the family. Nathan was my little buddy all day and he often sought out my hand to hold. He is so sweet. It's a rare privilege when I get to be the aunt.

Our time was limited, so we picked only a few places to visit. We heard stories and got cookie samples at the Scovil Bakery, walked where Joseph Smith once walked on the original wood floor upstairs in the Cultural Hall, and spent time learning about pioneer life in the Family Living Center. Below you can see the kids working under the tutelage of one of the Senior missionaries, making rope.

Then most of our group listened to a cooper describe, in detail, the process of making a barrel. Our Cooper was pretty entertained, despite the expression on his face in the picture below.

I only heard parts of the explanation. Sweet Sophie was loudly letting me know she was tired, so we walked around outside and enjoyed the gorgeous gardens. Walking through the flowers, listening to the insect orchestra, feeling that glorious humidity on my skin, I can understand why the Saints loved Nauvoo. After Sophie dozed off she and I returned to the group.

While the grownups probably could have stayed and learned more (I was itching to listen to the bread-making demonstration) the kids were all tired and hungry. We gathered ourselves together and left. And of course, it wasn't until we were away from beautiful Nauvoo that we realized we hadn't taken a picture of the whole group. So we found a nice looking brick wall outside of Wendy's and had a little photo shoot. Nathan's pose is my favorite.

Look! Bryan was there too! I think Sam is hidden, since he can't walk yet and therefore probably didn't wander off. Also, Sophie looks like she's just tolerating our shenanigans at this point in the day.

We sent Melinda and company on their way (thank you for spending the day with us!). Then we went back to Nauvoo to the most important place in town.

The Nauvoo Temple is gorgeous, but it is the wonderful feeling of peace emanating from it that makes it truly magnificent. It is not just a building; it is the Lord's house.

Next time I hope to be in Nauvoo long enough to spend time inside the Temple as well as out. No matter that we were only there for a day, I am so thankful that we pushed through those first few days so we could dedicate more time to this beautiful place.

Window Seat

Phoebe 4.0

We have a four-year-old at our house! She told anyone that would listen that it was her birthday and that meant she was now four. Four is a big deal round these parts. It's the age that you no longer have to have your hot dogs cut up in order to eat them. It's also when you can finally eat popcorn. I don't know any other families that follow that guideline from the AAP, which is why some of Phoebe's friends have looked at her funny when she's conspiratorially shared her delight at finally eating popcorn.

When I took the boys to pick out a new shirt for the first day of school, she asked if she could have a shirt as well. I spotted a display of birthday shirts and pointed them out. I felt silly buying a shirt for one day, so I told her she could wear it during the whole month of September. I had to make sure it was clean for her birthday.

We started the day with chocolate pancakes. Actually, I started the day the night before by preparing the pancakes, mixing pizza dough, and making pizza sauce. I also wrapped presents and put up streamers. That morning though, we began with the pancakes. This girl loves chocolate.

She also loves pizza. That was our other big meal of the day. Birthdays at our house do focus on food.

She enjoyed opening presents. Regarding her feelings on the gifts, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

She asked for a chocolate cake with purple frosting. She helped me decorate it and I can say without reservation that it's the best looking cake we've ever had.

Between the loads of chocolate, birthday clothes, Fancy books, and Frozen paraphernalia, she had a good day.

As is our tradition, I conducted a birthday interview. She added a few more categories this time. I don't think I'll ask the boys who their favorite princess is, but it's fun to hear that from Phoebe.
FAVORITE FOOD: chocolate cupcakes

FAVORITE ANIMAL: pony

FAVORITE CANDY: chocolate

FAVORITE PRINCESS: Rapunzel

FAVORITE QUEEN: Elsa

FAVORITE BOOK: Sesame Street Rhyming Rapunzel

FAVORITE COLOR: blue and purple and pink

FAVORITE SHOW: My Little Pony

FAVORITE MOVIE: Tangled
FAVORITE SONG: Let It Go
FAVORITE BOARD GAME: Candyland

FAVORITE CARD GAME: Memory
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: Disney Princess for the DS
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Watch movies and pick flowers
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING 3: When I dressed up as Cinderella for Halloween
FAVORITE PLACE: Disneyland
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Learning

FRIENDS: Johanna, Kate, Jeffery, Anna, Grizzette, Bekah, Eliza

ANYTHING ELSE? I like going to the park and big colorful slides.

You can compare these with her answers from last year.

Happy birthday Phoebe!

The Rest of the Story

I left out a few big pieces of information about last week. The first is that Bryan was out of town. He had to be in California for work. When I hurt my foot we both freaked out a little knowing that I would be unable to walk and on my own with the kids for seven days. Bryan spent the day before he left making sure we had everything we needed. I spent the first day he was gone trying to maintain order. The second day he was gone I made a call. That night my sister-in-law-in-law Melody flew in from Utah to rescue us.

She drove us where we needed to go, prepared food, did laundry, held kids, walked to and from the bus stop, and kept me company. She also insisted that I stay off my foot as much as possible. I am so thankful that she came to help us.

She went home yesterday. Before she left and after Bryan got home we went and had a little adventure. Today is officially the last day of summer, but we had a little autumn outing anyway.

Thank you Melody!

Pictures In Your Head

Last night I finished reading The Boxcar Children to the kids. They loved it. They talked about what life would be like if they lived in a boxcar. Today I picked up Little House in the Big Woods and started reading it aloud at bedtime. The kids were fascinated by the work that went into growing, preserving, and storing food for the winter.

I do love reading to them.

What are other good read aloud books that you know?

How To Curl Your Hair

First, ask your mom to curl your hair. Tell her you want to use curlers, but when she actually buys them from Walmart throw a screaming tantrum for the remainder of your store visit because you really wanted a curling iron instead. Remember that your mom is ridiculously stubborn and never gives in to tantrums. Ever. Buy the curlers.

Next, ask your mom every day, several times per day, if she'll curl your hair. Wait until she's injured herself and has to sit down all the time, then ask again. Slightly fidget while she tells you over and over to look at some boring spot in the corner. Wait a long time while she pulls your hair.

Then, sleep in those curlers. Wake up the next morning and ask your mom to take them out. Your hair will be surprisingly short and you'll be fairly certain your mom did something wrong.

Next, sit in front of your mom again while she separates the curls. Proceed to mope around the house for a certain amount of time (how long is up to you) and complain about how much you hate your curly hair and threaten to get your hair wet to make it straight again.

Then, continue about your day as the curls relax into adorable springy-ness. Decide you like the curls. Walk by your mom repeatedly so she remembers that she doesn't have any hair spray and can't keep the curls like this for long. You may also want to refuse to get dressed for most of the day.

Finally, let the curls relax even more. After many requests, let your mom put a clip in your hair. Oh, and get dressed.

Bonus: Invite your baby sister in on the fancy hair action by lending her one of your bows.

Not Quite Homeschool

Phoebe and I were invited to participate in a mom-taught preschool with some families in the ward. I was apprehensive to say yes, but I know that Phoebe is a social creature and would enjoy the company. And I get to be one of the teachers, which makes it more appealing. Cooper liked doing Joy School when he was little and this is similar to that.

The original plan was to meet twice a week for three hours each day. That felt like a lot to me, so I started asking the other moms how they felt about only meeting once a week. Turns out I wasn't the only one that thought six hours per week was a lot. There are eight kids (wowzers!) and, because our ward is spread out and the travel time between some of our houses is forty minutes, we'll meet once a week. Yesterday was the first day.

I thought Phoebe would be excited, and she was, kind of. She was also nervous. She wouldn't let me take her picture until we had arrived and she was out of the van.

When I went in to get her afterward she was much more enthusiastic. I tried to glean information about how the three hours had gone and this is what I got.

Me: What did you do?
Phoebe: I learned.
Me: What did you learn?
Phoebe: All the preschool stuff.

And that's about all I know. They did puzzles and sang a welcome song and talked about days ("What kind of days?" "Rainy days and sunny days.") and had recess and lunch, but I suspect that those activities did not take all three hours.

She was in such a good mood when we got home that she invited me to take her picture, quite an improvement from earlier in the day.

Step, Clunk, Step, Clunk

I saw the doctor today and got his diagnosis. He says I partially tore the ligament in my foot that connects to my arch. His nurse removed the splint and now I have to wear one of these bad boys.

I can put weight on my foot (though I need to ease into it) and I can go up and down stairs (which means I'll be able to sleep in my bed instead of the couch!) but I can't drive for at least two weeks. That's going to be tricky, but we'll figure something out.

The boot kind of makes me feel like a cyborg...

The Hobbler

I'm still hobbling around on my crutches. Good news though, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning! I'm hoping he'll say I've had a miraculous recovery and am free to go about my normal activities. That might not happen, but it would be swell if it did.

After three days stuck on the couch (including sleeping here since I can't go upstairs to my room) I've come to an important conclusion: I do a lot. All day long I pick up little things here and there, I tidy, I prepare, I straighten. A few days of not doing them is starting to show. Those meals I make? Even the easy ones require many steps of instructions to a six and eight year-old. Also, my kids drop A LOT of trash on the floor. And dirty clothes. One child who shall remain nameless throws their dirty clothes all over the place. I've had to employ my crutch to push debris out of the way so I can amble by.

It's good to have a reason to sit though. I can't run errands. I can't rush here and there. I must sit and hold Sophie and play games with Phoebe and maybe even nap when the stars align. I think being still is important and something I don't do enough.

Still, I am looking forward to being mobile again soon.

Don't Worry, It's Not Broken

It's just really sprained. At least, that's what the doctor at the ER told me. I'll see a specialist next week and find out for certain.

I tried stepping off a curb and tripped. Pesky lack of coordination...

Heavenly Aroma

We're inching closer to having a functional home. As of this week we have a working dishwasher, two working garage doors, a garage empty of moving boxes, and now today a sealed foundation that will (hopefully) stop the source of moisture for the mold. I celebrated by making my first batch of bread in this house. We had BLTs for dinner, so my house currently smells like bacon and homemade bread.

I think heaven will smell like baking bread, fresh laundry, newly cut grass, and Dove soap. Probably not like bacon, but in combination with the bread it created a lovely bouquet.

Girliness Abounds

We have a dilemma. Because we knew we would be moving often, and because we have small children who are tough on furniture, we've opted to stick with our old, inexpensive furnishings. That's fancy for "our stuff looks like we're college students." This week, looking at the mismatched everything, I decided I was tired of it. 

I'm not great at decorating. I'm good at functional, but not so much at pretty. I've been looking at each room in my house, trying to see them for the beauty they could possess instead of how much use I can squeeze out of each one. If you have any good make-your-house-look-like-grown-ups-live-here websites, feel free to send them over. I'm sure I'll be spending time on Pinterest learning how to make our old beat-up stuff look slightly nicer.

I think the first step is making sure everything has a home. The final resting place for some of this stuff will be a thrift store. But for the lucky few that survive the purge, they will be organized. Now let me say that again, but this time imagine I'm saying it like a great general, fist in the air, calling my troops to arms. Ready? "They will be ORGANIZED!"

I spent time on Pinterest yesterday looking for organizational tips. I compiled a shopping list then told Phoebe we were going to the store for things to make our house fancy. She was thrilled. I started with her mountain of hair accouterments. I showed her several options and let her pick what we would do. My inspiration came from here. Phoebe chose the color palate and I got to work.

There was a time when making something like this would have given me heart palpitations, and not just because of the explosion of sheer girliness. I still don't consider myself crafty, but now that I've got a few creations under my belt, crafts don't stress me out as much as they used to. I had this put together in thirty minutes, sixty if you add the ironing and cutting of the fabric and batting.

And look! It's even functional.

Two Left Feet

I really must start checking Phoebe's shoes before we leave the house rather than when we arrive at the store.

Monday and Tuesday

We got on the road surprisingly early on Monday August 4th. Our goal had been to leave Bryan's grandparents' house by 8 in the morning and we were on the road by 8:40. That's really good for us. However, it pushed back a few things we had planned for the day.

The first was meeting some friends at a park in Wyoming. We happened to drive through their town and they were gracious to delay some plans so they could play with us. My friend Andrea and I got to  catch-up and swap food-allergy-mom stories.

The rest of the day was spent driving. We had planned to meet another friend, but our late departure and a bad traffic jam on her end led us to cancel those plans. I was sad that I didn't get to see her. 

On the bright side though, we drove much further that day than we had originally planned. Our intended stopping point was Sidney, Nebraska, which would have been an almost eight hour drive. But there were no rooms available in Sidney for a family of six. Nor were there any in North Platte. We had to drive an additional three hours to Kearney to find a place to sleep that night. While this made for a very long day of driving, we were glad to get so much out of the way. And one long Monday made a very fun Wednesday possible.

Tuesday we stopped at the Visitor's Center in Winter Quarters. One goal I had on this trip was to visit as many pioneer/church history sites as we could squeeze in. The kids enjoyed wearing pioneer clothes and pulling a handcart at this stop. And we had a very attentive sister missionary following us around, telling us stories.

Also on Tuesday our car went from this:

To this:

That's a lot of miles in one year.

Our last important stop on Tuesday was to have dinner with my sweet cousin Elise and her family. We last saw them on our drive out to Wisconsin and I'm so glad we got to visit again! And no, we didn't intend to coordinate for the picture.

That night we rested our heads in Keokuk, Iowa and looked forward to a day of adventure tomorrow.