Part of the Vernacular

I may be mistaken, but I'm fairly certain that Cooper has the lowest voice in nursery.

And Primary.

Ha Ha

Me: (after seeing Peter doing a tell-tale dance) Peter, you need to go to the bathroom.

Peter: No I don't.

Me: (emphatically) Yes, you do.

Peter: (more emphatically) NO, I DON'T.

Me: Peter, why do you ignore your body?

Peter: Oh, it was just joking.

Marge in Charge

I think I have control issues.

On Saturday Bryan picked up lunch from the Golden Arches for our family. Included in his order were two Coca-Cola glasses. Peter thought they were really cool and immediately wanted to drink out of one of them. I told him they had to be washed first, so he started emptying the dishwasher of clean dishes. I helped him and soon that big magical box was ready to wash our new breakable toys. I even let him (very carefully) place the glasses in the dishwasher. Then Peter reached for one of the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink so he could put it in the dishwasher as well.

And I asked him to stop.

Let's review this, shall we? My child voluntarily emptied the dishwasher and attempted to fill it up, but I wouldn't let him.

Crazy much?

I'm not sure why I stopped him. He was picking up a plastic dish, it's not like it would have broken. Was I afraid he would fill it up *gasp* wrong? I work really hard to have the boys help me around the house, even if it means projects being done differently than I would do them.

I think I need a new mantra. Maybe something about letting things go or not having to always have control. How about "If you let them, they will clean." That has a nice ring to it.

You Can Dance If You Want To

Since the park is not a desirable option when it's twenty degrees outside, we have been burning off our energy indoors. Dancing is our favorite activity, followed closely by throwing tantrums. Both are effective ways to tire a body out, although the first is significantly more pleasant than the second.

I can totally see these boys busting a move at stake dances in ten to thirteen years, can't you?

The Look

I have seen this same look on Peter's face multiple times. So, is Bryan wearing Peter's face, or does Peter wear Bryan's face now?

Paul looking composed, Melinda looking angelic, and Bryan plotting something awesome

I squeal every time I see a picture of Bryan as a child. He was just so cute. I told him once that if I had known him when I was little I would have chased him around the playground.

He told me he would have thought I was weird.

Touché.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hudred Minutes

Over the past two weeks a specific thought has been floating through my conscience: I'm so glad we're not moving right now. This time last year we were knee-deep in boxes and thankful that we had found a place to live.

I just re-read the posts that I wrote around the time that we moved last year (it was fun, I'm quite humorous). It's hard to believe we've been here a year already. And it makes me wonder where we'll be a year from now. Bryan and I like it here, and we don't love moving, but our lease is up in March, so our future living arrangements depend on whether our landlord decides to raise our rent or leave it where it is.

The best thing about living here? It's a tie between having a house big enough for our family to come stay with us when they're in town and the garage. I really love the garage.

Hurray for not moving during Thanksgiving this year!

Face Off

Yesterday morning while putting the last of the decorations on the Christmas tree, Peter reached for this homemade decoration.


He held it out to Cooper and the following conversation took place:

Peter: Oh look Cooper, it's you.

Me: Actually Peter, that's you.

Peter: (taking a closer look at the picture) Oh, that's me, but I'm wearing Cooper's face.

Counting Your Blessings

Here's a funny coincidence, I don't care for snow, but one of my favorite Christmas movies is White Christmas. It's not the winter weather that I love about the movie, it's the music (and Danny Kaye, of course). And really, I want to focus on counting my blessings this year instead of worrying about who's getting what under the tree.

I'm making a goal for this Christmas season:

I will spend more time focusing on the Savior and my family, the greatest blessings I have, than I will shopping for gifts that people probably don't really want anyway.

How do you keep your focus on the Savior during Christmas?

Rhapsody

During the course of this last illness, we introduced the boys to the Muppets. While watching Muppets From Space (not my favorite, but The Great Muppet Caper and A Muppet Christmas Carol were unavailable) Bryan told me that he identifies the most with Animal. Huh. Is it because Animal is the drummer? Perhaps because they have the same hair in the mornings? I'm not sure.

Perhaps it was our recent Muppet exposure that made this music video extra delightful. Or maybe it's the naturally occurring awesomeness of the Muppets shining through. You decide.



Happy Black Friday everyone.

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for:

• Bryan's patience and voice of calm. I often call him at work during the day. Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone who's not screaming at you, you know? Bryan has a wonderful knack for keeping me sane, and often making me laugh when I thought I was going to cry. I think he's swell.
  
• Peter's ability to articulate what he's thinking and feeling. The other day he looked at me and said, "You know what? I love you." I'm continually amazed at his intellect and his ability to learn new things.
• Cooper's snuggliness. (No, that's not really a word.) He loves to be held. He loves to give hugs. I remember that for a long time when you asked Peter for a hug he would back into you and wait. When I ask Cooper for a hug he walks toward me with arms wide open. I love it.
  

I'm going to spend the day giving thanks. And maybe I'll eat some turkey too.

Happy Thanksgiving!