I'm a Visual Learner

Purple People Eater

Remember the purple potatoes? Peter and I pulled up six more yesterday. We needed potatoes for a roast that we're having today and this particular plant was right next to a summer squash plant that isn't doing so well. I thought that by pulling up the potato plant I might give the squash some room to grow.

So we have seven purple potatoes. As I mentioned last week, I didn't plant purple potatoes. I cut up one of the Russet potatoes we had in the pantry and I planted that. I didn't even know purple potatoes existed until I unearthed one. Back when the potatoes were flowering I thought it was odd that four of the plants had white blossoms and one had purple blossoms.

Bryan wanted to make sure they were safe to eat before I added them to our dinner. So I went to the source of all knowledge for the answer: I Googled it. And what do you know? They are real. And they're purple on the inside too. I guess whoever had this garden plot last year (these are plots available to the people in our complex for a small fee since no one has a backyard) must have planted them and not dug up all the potatoes.


Now the question: will I be able to convince anyone at my house to actually eat them?

One Step Closer to Living on a Commune

We made homemade yogurt in the crockpot and it was delicious. Bryan blended blackberries in, then we sweetened it with sugar (Bryan) and honey (me and Peter).


And as an added bonus, no one was poisoned.

Hurray for growing bacteria!

Try, Try, Try

Last week at church Peter was given the assignment for the following Sunday to recite the First Article of Faith in Primary opening exercises. We started working on it early in the week so that he would know what he was supposed to say, but given his two previous attempts, I wasn't getting my hopes up. I would recite it and then he would recite it. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

On Sunday morning before church we set up a mock podium for Peter to practice. He said the whole thing without any prompting. Then I had him practice it again, but louder. Then I had him imagine that all the Primary kids were staring at him while he spoke. That sounds cruel, I know, but it can be an important technique to prepare yourself to speak in public.

Bryan, Cooper, and I parked ourselves in the back of the Primary room, ready to see what Peter would do. We had already decided that Bryan would be the helper this time and that I would stay in my seat. We sang along with the opening song (which Cooper loved), listened to the announcements and watched three other Sunbeams go up to the podium for their assignments. The little boy that was asked to give the prayer wouldn't even climb the steps, while the two little girls that gave the talk and the scripture delivered their parts nicely.

Then came the moment of truth. Peter's name was announced. Would he speak?

He bounced out of his seat, walked to the podium, climbed the steps, and smiled. Then, as Bryan whispered in his ear, Peter spoke loudly and clearly. He did it! And he was happy about it! Later, the Primary President told me that she was so excited that Peter spoke.

Me too.

One Foot in Front of the Other

Yesterday at church I watched many of Cooper's peers walking and running around the foyer. I was out there holding my own wiggly and very loud 16-month-old in an attempt to preserve the reverence in Sacrament Meeting. I've been concerned for the last few weeks that I would have to send him to Nursery in a month-and-a-half without the ability to toddle about with the other nursery children. According to his pediatrician, Cooper's walking isn't delayed until he hits the 18-month mark, but he did suggest that physical therapy might be a good idea. We haven't done any official physical therapy, but we have been encouraging him to cruise and walk while holding our hands more.

Behold, the fruit of our labors:



I know it's only a few steps, but he took a solid three in a row before we got the camera out, all of his own volition. I was so excited that my eyes filled up with tears. He loved the cheering and applause that we poured out each time he lifted his feet. Maybe I won't have to send a non-walker to Nursery after all.

It's Too Darn Hot

Ten points to whomever can name the musical reference in the title.

Seriously though, it has been wicked, crazy hot this last week. I'm really feeling this heat wave because we recently spent two-weeks four-miles from the Pacific Ocean, breathing in a delicious breeze. I didn't realize that my internal thermostat could be so easily reset.

It's been so hot that we've spent our days inside with all the windows shut and the blinds closed. I am a lover of sunshine, so keeping the light out is rough for me. Consequently, the last few days have been hard. Really. Really. Hard. The golden glow that usually streams though my windows helps me maintain a firm grasp on patience and sanity. The crazy has definitely been threatening to fly free this week. I've kept it in check, but it's been close.

Why does my favorite season torture me so?

Listening Skills

Me: Peter, what should I write about for tomorrow?

Peter: I want you to know that truth is good. Write that.

Me: Wow. Okay. What about truth is good?

Peter: That juice is good.

Me: Wait, juice or truth?

Peter: I said juice.

Me: I thought you said truth.

Peter: No, juice.

Maybe I should get my hearing checked...

The Art of Sharing

Funny things happen when I give Peter goldfish crackers and then walk out of the room for two minutes.



The cracker throwing lasted just long enough for me to document it. Shortly after I took the video Cooper climbed into the plastic drawer (it had his toys in it when I put it in his bed) containing the goldfish and started stepping on them.

Awesome.

It's nice that Peter wants to share with Cooper. It would be nicer if it didn't involve food flying through the air.

In the Beginning

Here is our first harvest from our little garden. Actually. the zucchinis came from a generous friend, but we grew the rest.


Something of interest: we didn't plant purple potatoes, but we appear to be growing them. Hmm...

Hitched

We're home. Did you know we were gone? I don't like to talk about our vacations before we take them, just in case some crazy person finds my blogs, deduces where we live, and decides that our absence is the perfect chance to rob our house. Paranoid much?

Anyway, we're back from a two week trip to my hometown in San Diego county. It was only supposed to be a one week jaunt, but our car insisted that it needed to spend some time in the shop and we relented. Luckily Bryan was able to work remotely from my parent's house.

I'll talk about our trip another day, but I will show you why we went down there in the first place.
This is my brother Jordan and his wife Allison, just after they were married in the San Diego Temple. Allison was stunning and Jordan's smile was so big I thought his face was going to break.

Congratulations you guys. Welcome to the family Allison!

What Happens When Mommy Makes Us Stay in the Stoller For Too Long

Harry Potter and the Indecisive Review

Whenever Bryan and I see movies, we spend time afterward discussing them, talking about their strengths and weaknesses. Last night we debated the newest Harry Potter film. I think I need to see it again to really solidify my opinion of it. I won't say much because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I will tell you this though: when I told my dad that I didn't want to give anything away he said, "We've read the book. Did they change the ending?"

Yes, yes they did.

Some major events are still in place, others are not. I'm so conflicted. There were scenes and line deliveries that I loved. ("Sir!") And there were parts that made me squirm. (Could someone please tell Emma Watson to think ON the lines and not between the lines? You could drive a bus through some of those pauses.)

I want to like it. No, I do like it. I want to love it. I want to recommend it to all my friends and tell them that they'll love it. But I'm not sure I can. This is how I felt after the fourth movie. I had to see that one a second time before I decided that I did in fact like it.

Here's my theory: the books that I like the most are the movies that I have the hardest time with. Books four and six are my favorites, books three and five are okay. Movies three and five, however, are tied for the coveted top-spot of favorite Harry Potter film. If I use this measure, I should LOVE the last two movies based on the seventh book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows or, as Bryan calls it, Harry Potter Goes Camping.

Has anybody else seen this? What are your thoughts?

Math Problem

Just something to think about...

Cousin Pictures: A Valiant Attempt

At least we tried...

The Standard

I love the Ensign, did you know? I'm almost giddy when I discover a new one in my mailbox. It is full of spiritual nourishment that I need during the month.

I didn't always feel this way about it. I remember watching my freshman year roommate read her newly acquired copy of the Ensign and wondering how she could get through all of those grown-up articles. It wasn't the reading itself that tripped me up (I'd been reading at a college level since I was eleven), it was the seemingly heavy, dry subject matter. I preferred the New Era; I could polish off one of those babies in two or three sittings.

The change was gradual, but by the time I got married I knew that I wanted us to have that monthly bundle of inspiration in our home. I became more engaged by the articles, I discovered that many of them were written by normal members of the church that had gained a specific scriptural insight or had a special spiritual experience they wanted to share.

Recently I started wondering if the editors are clairvoyant. At the beginning of each month I flip through the articles to see what I've got to look forward to. For the last year or so it seems that each time I do this there are a number of articles just for me. Last month it was the gardening section and the wonderful articles about the family. This month it's the article on modesty and the beautiful artwork about the Saints in Ghana.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go read.

Goodie Roster

This is what we went with:

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake, aka Texas Sheet Cake



Four in One Cookies, aka Cowboy Cookies

We weren't trying for western themed treats, but that's what we ended up with. These won't be needed until tonight, so I might add a third item. Or I might not. It depends on whether or not I get a nap today.

How about Cyclone Swirl Fruit Tarts? Or maybe Longhorn Baklava?

I really need that nap.

Watch Cooper's Face

America's Got What?

I usually avoid talent shows on TV. American Idol was taken off my must-see list years ago because it just made me sad. All those people that think they can sing, but really truly can't, hurt my soul. Well, last night I watched part of an episode of America's Got Talent. The acts ranged from the ridiculous (a guy who juggled running chainsaws) to the sad (a nurse who wanted to be able to sing, but her want exceeded her ability) to the inane (a toe dancer, seriously).

Who told these people that it would be a great idea to go on a nationally televised program and shimmy? Did they decide on their own? Did their supportive but artistically unaware pack of poodles bark their approval?

Then there was this guy:



Fast forward to 1:46, close your eyes, and imagine you're listening to a Broadway show. That's what I did.

Something Sweet

If you had to make dessert for 25 people, what would you make? Or if you were going to a family gathering, what kind of dessert would you like to eat?

Seriously, I need suggestions.

The Boy Who Cried Gretel

Are you familiar with The Last Minute Shuffle? It usually takes place shortly before home teachers, grandparents, and play-date participants come over. Much of The Shuffle revolves around moving the normal amounts of clutter from visible to non-visible rooms. Our non-visible room of choice is the office. After the removal of books and, well, more books, we wipe down counters, sweep floors, and make sure the bathroom is not frightening.

Shortly before our friends, Will and Gretel, came over on my birthday we were elbow deep in The Last Minute Shuffle. Bryan was manning the kitchen while the boys and I were prepping the front room for vacuuming. I had the vacuum in one hand and the Cooper in the other. I have a knack for not hearing the doorbell, so I stationed Peter at the front window to watch for our guests. I told him to look out the window and tell me if Will and Gretel were there, then I turned on the vacuum.

I had vacuumed for ten seconds when Peter called out "They're here! They're here!"

Really? I turned off the vacuum and looked. No one was there. I explained that I couldn't see anyone and could he please tell me when they were really here. Peter smiled at me and reassured me that of course he would only call when they were really here.

Repeat three times.

I finally finished my much-interrupted vacuuming duty as Peter announced their arrival yet again. I looked out the window and what did I see? Nothing.

Me: Peter, there's no one there.

Peter: Yes there is.

Me: Where?

Peter: (pointing to empty space outside our front door) Right there.

Me: Why can't I see them?

Peter: They're invisible.

Luckily they materialized shortly thereafter and we could all see them.

Maybe next time I'll give him a different job.

Gleeful

Have you seen this yet?

Disclaimer: It has a few uncomfortable moments, but it still speaks to my soul.

A Life of Ease

Someone recently commented that I was lucky I didn't work. Let's see, yesterday I:

• Read my scriptures
• Showered
• Changed, dressed, and fed the boys
• Prepared Bryan's lunch
• Finished loading dishwasher and started it
• Took the boys on a walk
• Convinced Peter to help me weed the garden
• Weeded the garden
• Nearly killed our most productive tomato plant
• Experienced guilt over near-death of tomato plant
• Washed mud off gardening tools
• Washed mud off Peter
• Transferred laundry to dryer
• Started folding laundry
• Put Cooper down for a nap
• Got Cooper forty minutes later
• Folded laundry
• Implored Peter to stop driving his suitcase up Spook Hill, aka laundry
• Folded laundry
• Talked soothingly to Cooper while he threw a tantrum
• Folded laundry
• Made lunch
• Served/ate lunch
• Read scriptures with the boys
• Emptied dishwasher
• Loaded dishwasher
• Cleaned aged food out of the fridge
• Cleaned kitchen
• Noticed ants on kitchen floor
• Moved furniture out of dining room
• Swept kitchen and dining room floors
• Applied ice to Cooper's forehead
• Clipped both boys' toenails
• Mopped kitchen and dining room floors
• Let Peter help mop
• Almost got hit in the face with a mop
• Moved furniture back
• Started another load of laundry
• Warmed up leftovers for dinner
• Negotiated Peter into eating his dinner
• Cleaned up dinner
• Got out hair cutting supplies
• Tried to set-up DVD on laptop to keep boys occupied so I could cut their hair
• Almost went crazy because of unresponsive DVD player
• Finally started a movie
• Cut Peter's hair
• Cut Cooper's hair
• Soothed an hysterical Cooper
• Bathed and dressed Cooper for bed
• Tried to convince Peter that he was done watching his movie so he could take a bath
• Carried a kicking and screaming Peter into the bathroom
• Continued to wrestle a flailing Peter while getting him into the bathtub
• Bathed a sobbing and angrily splashing Peter
• Dressed a suddenly calm Peter
• Calmed an again hysterical Cooper
• Called Bryan at work and said family prayers
• Read bedtime stories
• Sang bedtime songs
• Kissed two sleeping boys goodnight
• Transferred laundry
• Started another load of laundry
• Worked on church calling
• Folded laundry
• Comforted a crying Peter
• Comforted a crying Cooper
• Left the rest of the laundry for today
• Called it a night

I agree wholeheartedly that I'm lucky to stay at home, but my non-work is exhausting.

Those Three Litte Words

Me: I love you Peter.

Peter: I love you. What does that mean?

M: It means I love you.

P: But what does love mean?

M: (Pause to consider before answering) It means that whenever I think about you I get really, really happy inside.

P: (Smiles) Oh. Okay.