Topic Dearth

Look at this, another cheating post. I need to be careful that these don't become commonplace.

I didn't post yesterday because we were traveling. We were traveling all week in fact, which is why I had to post from my phone. I'm usually very careful to not mention the fact that we're not in town, but by Friday I was all out of non-traveling ideas. I even skipped talking about my birthday on Thursday (happy birthday to me!) because we spent the whole day in the car and I couldn't figure out how to talk about that day without giving away that we weren't home.

So, last night while I was wracking my brain for something to write about, I fell asleep. I know, it sounds like I'm becoming narcoleptic with all this sleeping-instead-of-blogging that I've been doing. Really, I was just exhausted from travelling and trying to get the kids to sleep. And going from the cool of the Pacific Northwest to the heat (or rather, HEAT) of the desert probably added to my state.

The good news? We have a place to live for next year. Perhaps I'll write more about the trip next week, as long as I can stay awake.

Fashion Experts

Phoebe was lucky enough to recently inherit some dress up clothes from a friend. Our Miss now spends large portions of most days in at least one of her princess dresses. On this particular day, the boys wanted to help, so they did her hair and gathered accessories for her.

Isn't it swell to have such attentive brothers?

Bryan's Not-So-Big Day

Bryan recently had his birthday, which means that we entered into that brief time that happens every year when it appears that he is two years older than me rather than one. I think I've mentioned before how Bryan and I are birthday opposites: I like a big fuss while he prefers little to no fuss.

In years past I've agonized over how to celebrate his birthday without really "CELEBRATING!" his birthday. This year, I think I hit a happy medium. The kids and I picked out gifts for him (candy from the kids, BYU paraphernalia and Legos from me), we each wrapped what we picked out (or had the happy people at the BYU bookstore do it), and we delivered them to him on his big day. We also ate pizza, drank soda, and (except for me) partook of a cake so sweet I'm surprised any of them could sleep that night. Bryan also hooked up the Wii (which had been sitting in it's box for a year) and played MarioKart with the kids.

And that's it. We didn't go out, we just kind of chilled at home. We did sing Happy Birthday, which is required, but we didn't do much else.

It's only taken twelve years to figure out his birthday...

Smart Phone

At about 11:20 last night I realized my internet wasn't working. I probably would have discovered this sooner if I hadn't fallen asleep doing bedtime with the kids and had a nice three-hour nap. Once I saw I didn't have the connection I needed to post, I went to work to fix the problem.

I couldn't solve it.

Then Bryan tried. Surprisingly, he came up empty handed as well. It was now 11:50 and I was feeling a little panicked over not having posted. Then I remembered the Blogger app I had downloaded while we were at Disneyland. I grabbed my phone and typed up the quickest story I could think of. And that's how yesterday's post, and today's, came to be written on my phone.

What You Talkin' 'Bout Willis?

Phoebe: Mommy, do you know what you're talking about?

Me: I usually do. Do you know what you're talking about?

Phoebe: No.

I dig her honesty.

I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See?

Tonight we were driving home from something when Cooper announced, "Mom, I really wanted to go to bell pepper for dinner."

I looked out the window and there was Chili's.

Perhaps I should buy a larger variety of peppers?

In Stature Little, In Number Three

What's that? You'd like another thought-provoking YouTube clip? Okay.

This will make your brain work in a different way than yesterday's did. I think my dad and my brother Jordan might especially enjoy this piece. Oh, he does employ a prop at the end that I don't care for, so be warned. Otherwise, pay attention to the words and enjoy.

Reveal Your Dignity

Have you seen this?



You should. It's worth nine and a half minutes of your time.

Angry Bird

Phoebe decided to be grumpy today. She found several reasons to be in a bad mood. She humphed around making angry noises and scowling. She even made up an angry dance. It included her galloping up and down the hallway and pumping her fists toward the ground.

After she'd been doing this for a while I told her I'd rather be happy than grumpy. She said she'd rather be grumpy. She finally did change her mind and she made up a happy dance to balance out the grumpy dance.

I thought we'd have a few more years before the moodiness set in.

Fish

We went swimming today. I don't usually take the kids swimming because I'm outnumbered. And they don't always listen so well. And they run a lot. But Bryan was available to join us. That meant that we had a great time swimming while Bryan had a somewhat uncomfortable time as the only guy at a play date. Such is the life of a fellow waiting for a job to start.

The kids were thrilled when I informed them we would be swimming, until Phoebe came and told me that she didn't "know how to swim, only how to splash." I assured her that she would hang out with me and be just fine.

This morning before we left I made sure that we were all slathered up with sunscreen. Peter, with pale skin like mine, was a good sport. Cooper was exceedingly wiggly. I honestly had no idea how ticklish he is until today. Still, we were covered. Bryan missed out, but he mostly stayed in the shade and acted as lifeguard from the deck.

We swam for about two hours. Peter did a pretty good job of faux swimming. Cooper borrowed an inner tube and paddled his way around the pool. I spent the whole time holding onto Phoebe and pulling her around the pool. She loved it; I'm feeling aftermath of the workout in my legs and arms now.

Speaking of feeling things later, it wasn't until we were getting the kids into pajamas at bedtime that we discovered the real damage. Despite that sunscreen, they were all burnt, even Cooper who tans like Bryan. Phoebe had the lightest sunkiss on her shoulders, the boys arms and shoulders were a darker shade. They didn't appear to be in pain, but I still felt bad that they were burnt. I should have applied a second layer, but I didn't.

Oh, and I'm a little burnt too. But we all expected that, didn't we?