Drip Drip Drop

A friend gave us an avocado tree seedling a few weeks ago. It's been sitting on the deck in the pot she delivered it in. The night before last we had our first frost warning of the season, so I brought the little tree inside and set it on the bench at the kitchen table.

Yesterday, after Topher got home from school, he saw the plant in the kitchen. He loves watering it, so he filled up a cup and gave it a drink.

And that is how we discovered that the pot it lives in has holes.

The tree and pot have a new home on a beach towel.

It's True

Topher and Sophie both bore their testimonies in church on Sunday. Topher wrote his out on his drawing board and carried it up to the pulpit so he would remember what he wanted to say. He got halfway through and couldn't read his handwriting, but I was there to help him.

I'll write both what he wrote and what he said. It says:

I no the chrch is chure and ao hevinly fothr and Jesus is real in the nm of Jesus Christ amen

I know the church is true and Heavenly Father and Jesus are real. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Amen, Topher, amen.

Bon Appetit

Bryan made an amazing dinner tonight that I don't want to lose, especially because we want to make it again. He emailed the sauce components to me so he would remember what he'd added.

Sauté half a diced onion and 2 diced bell peppers in canola oil until cooked. Add two 12 oz kielbasa sausages, sliced into one inch pieces. Cook until the sausage is browned. Transfer onions, peppers, and sausage into a warming dish. To the drippings in the pan add:

• 1/2 cup OJ
• 1/2 cup cider
• 3 pinches salt
• 1/2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 TBSP yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp brown sugar

Cook sauce until it reduces. Add onions, peppers, and sausages into sauce. Toss to coat. Serve over rice or egg noodles.

We went the egg noodle route because it was quicker than rice. It was delicious!

Wardrobe Malfunction

As we were in the van tonight, ready to drive to a friend's house for a movie and dinner, Topher announced that he'd torn his pants. I looked back to see what he was talking about. He had a significant rip in his pants. We ran back in the house to get him some pants that would preserve his modesty. I asked when they'd ripped, wondering how getting into the van would have caused that.

He tore them during recess.

Several hours earlier.

Oh well, at least he told us before we got to our friend's house.

Jump Around

Topher had his annual school Fitness Walk yesterday. I enjoyed all the hugs I got from him as I hung out with the other parents and watched the kids be active.

Matchy Matchy

Topher matched his Spiderman backpack on Monday, which was both unintentional and awesome. And we realized when we got to the bus stop that his glasses were still at home. Oops.

You Oughta Be In Pictures

With Topher and Cooper's school pictures done, we now have a complete set of updated photos of the kids. These are two handsome boys.

And yes, I did let them choose their own backgrounds.

Live From Salt Lake!

General Conference was this weekend! While we loved hearing the inspiring talks and glorious music at home, Peter attended the Saturday morning session in person! He'd never seen a session in the Conference center before. I asked how it was and he reported on the many cameras he counted. Thanks to Aunt Kate for getting the tickets!

Cooking for Many

It was our turn to bring breakfast to seminary this morning. Our standard offering is breakfast sandwiches. Bryan has perfected these by using sheet pan eggs, half with bacon, a quarter with cheese, and the last quarter with just the egg and English muffin. I was the delivery person, but Bryan was the chef. 

One of the young men hopped and clapped with glee when he saw we'd brought the sandwiches that we'd provided a few times last year. It's always nice to be appreciated.

Keep to the List

Phoebe made a to-do list to keep herself on task on Saturday. Sophie followed her example. And then Topher did too.

Yes, Sophie's does say "slay the day away." That's how she says, "be awesome."

In case you need a translation:

Topher to-dos

Play

Make up games

Games