I love the conversations that I have with Jack (4) in the car when it's just the two of us. We have had some truly great ones.
Here is how one went recently:
Jack: Mom, bald people can't drive cars.
Me: Oh really? Why not?
Jack: (a sigh that surely included an eye-roll which I couldn't see) Because they can't see! They would crash!
Me: Oh, I think you mean BLIND people.
Jack: What does "blind" mean?
Me: It means you can't see.
Jack: Oh. What does "bald" mean?
Me: It means you don't have any hair on your head.
Jack: (incredulously) What??? (pause) Oh. (pause) So, can bald people drive cars?
Me: Yes.
Jack: So, what do you call it when you can't see?
Me: Blind.
Jack: Oh yeah. Blind.
(pause)
Jack: Well, when a blind man goes to work he goes with a dog. The dog knows where to go.
Me: Yes, that's right.
Jack: But then he doesn't know where he his home is so he has to stay home.
Me: Hm. (huh?)
May 31, 2008
May 30, 2008
Kids and TV
My parents were pretty strict about TV viewing when I was growing up. The TV (and I do mean "The TV"... it was the only one in the house) was housed in the basement, but the power was controlled by a switch upstairs in the kitchen. It was a crummy TV too; small and not very good reception. Most of the TV watching I did as a kid was at the homes of friends. (Yes, even "The Wallace and Ladmo Show.")
It drove me crazy at the time, but today I am very grateful that my parents were so strict about it. I have had some shocked responses to the fact that my kids are not allowed to watch television. Yes, it's true.... even PBS. Some have asked how we do it. Here is the scoop.
We have had the no TV policy for many years. When Collin (our first child) was about 2 years old, we started letting him watch PBS... things like "Teletubbies" and "Barney." But that didn't last long because I soon noticed there were some other shows on PBS they we didn't approve of ("Arthur" for one) so we just decided to quit it completely.
On our old TV, we simply deleted all of the channels from the remote control, meaning you had to punch the number in manually... otherwise there was nothing but the channel for watching movies... and we kept the remote in our closet and only got it out after the kids were in bed and Jay and I wanted to watch it. The kids never knew the difference.
Our new TV works differently, but all we had to do was program it so that all the channels (yes, even PBS) and all TV ratings are blocked unless you have the PIN, which the kids don't. They don't even ask to watch TV.... they are just used to it. Mary and Jack have never even watched PBS, and Collin was so young that he doesn't even remember watching it.
I always knew I didn't want my kids to watch commercial television (and not just because of the commercials) but I realized there was a problem with the concept of television itself.... there is always something on. (That's the problem I have with cable TV too.... too many options.) After one show is over, another one comes on, and another and another, and before you know it the child has watched it for hours and hours. A video or DVD has an end. Videos were even better because they had to be rewound before you could watch it again, where as DVD's can start over instantly. But thankfully my kids are beyond that stage where they want to watch something over and over and over and over in the same day.
During the school year, my older kids rarely even watch DVD's... they just don't have time. Sometimes Jack will watch a movie in the afternoon when there is no one else to play with and I'm working on something, or he is just exhausted and needs some down time (since he's kind of old for a nap).
During the summer they seem to watch a few more movies because it's so hot (and we don't have a video game system either, but that's another story), so they will put on an movie on a summer afternoon when they don't have anything else to do. But again, it's just one movie, and kids movies are usually less than 90 minutes, and I'm fine with that.
We have mostly Disney ones (including those great old ones like Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson, Darby O'Gill, and Mary Poppins, which are closer to 2 hours). We do own the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, but the kids are not allowed to watch them except (on rare occasions) with Mom and Dad (those are high up on our closet shelf) and absolutely no PG-13.
Obviously, it would be harder to institute this kind of rule in your home if your children are already used to watching TV. I'm very grateful that I started early. But if you really want to do it, you can make it happen... you will just have to be vigilant. Or you could do what Jay's parents did when he was a kid.... throw out the TV or give it away. Good luck.
It drove me crazy at the time, but today I am very grateful that my parents were so strict about it. I have had some shocked responses to the fact that my kids are not allowed to watch television. Yes, it's true.... even PBS. Some have asked how we do it. Here is the scoop.
We have had the no TV policy for many years. When Collin (our first child) was about 2 years old, we started letting him watch PBS... things like "Teletubbies" and "Barney." But that didn't last long because I soon noticed there were some other shows on PBS they we didn't approve of ("Arthur" for one) so we just decided to quit it completely.
On our old TV, we simply deleted all of the channels from the remote control, meaning you had to punch the number in manually... otherwise there was nothing but the channel for watching movies... and we kept the remote in our closet and only got it out after the kids were in bed and Jay and I wanted to watch it. The kids never knew the difference.
Our new TV works differently, but all we had to do was program it so that all the channels (yes, even PBS) and all TV ratings are blocked unless you have the PIN, which the kids don't. They don't even ask to watch TV.... they are just used to it. Mary and Jack have never even watched PBS, and Collin was so young that he doesn't even remember watching it.
I always knew I didn't want my kids to watch commercial television (and not just because of the commercials) but I realized there was a problem with the concept of television itself.... there is always something on. (That's the problem I have with cable TV too.... too many options.) After one show is over, another one comes on, and another and another, and before you know it the child has watched it for hours and hours. A video or DVD has an end. Videos were even better because they had to be rewound before you could watch it again, where as DVD's can start over instantly. But thankfully my kids are beyond that stage where they want to watch something over and over and over and over in the same day.
During the school year, my older kids rarely even watch DVD's... they just don't have time. Sometimes Jack will watch a movie in the afternoon when there is no one else to play with and I'm working on something, or he is just exhausted and needs some down time (since he's kind of old for a nap).
During the summer they seem to watch a few more movies because it's so hot (and we don't have a video game system either, but that's another story), so they will put on an movie on a summer afternoon when they don't have anything else to do. But again, it's just one movie, and kids movies are usually less than 90 minutes, and I'm fine with that.
We have mostly Disney ones (including those great old ones like Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson, Darby O'Gill, and Mary Poppins, which are closer to 2 hours). We do own the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, but the kids are not allowed to watch them except (on rare occasions) with Mom and Dad (those are high up on our closet shelf) and absolutely no PG-13.
Obviously, it would be harder to institute this kind of rule in your home if your children are already used to watching TV. I'm very grateful that I started early. But if you really want to do it, you can make it happen... you will just have to be vigilant. Or you could do what Jay's parents did when he was a kid.... throw out the TV or give it away. Good luck.
May 29, 2008
The Wholesome "Bean"
Jay and I have a few TV shows that we enjoy watching together, but our children are not allowed to watch TV, period, which they don't, unless it's at a friend's house. (We don't have cable TV.) However, they are allowed to watch G-rated children's movies, of which we own plenty.... probably too many.
(Note: I despise PG-rated kids' movies. I would rather have my children see a PG movie that isn't for little kids, like "Star Wars" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark" than the ones made for kids, which always seem to contain an excessive amount of toilet humor, rude behavior, and back-talking children. ARGHHH!)
With the exception of the Pixar movies, which are great, there aren't really any that Jay and I would want to sit down and watch with the kids. But we have recently discovered that our children love to watch something that Jay and I enjoy just as much.
Mr. Bean.
If you haven't been introduced the joys of "Mr. Bean," then go to youtube and watch any (or all) of the clips of Mr. Bean episodes. You can't help laughing. And your kids will too. You gotta love anything that's funny and clean and that the whole family can watch together.
We purchased this DVD set, "The Whole Bean." We also enjoyed "Mr. Bean's Holiday" which I will probably purchase in the near future (only buy books and DVD's from Half.com... way cheaper!). 
By the way, don't bother with the "Mr. Bean Animated Series." It's just not that funny. You have to see Rowan Atkinson doing his stuff.
(Note: I despise PG-rated kids' movies. I would rather have my children see a PG movie that isn't for little kids, like "Star Wars" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark" than the ones made for kids, which always seem to contain an excessive amount of toilet humor, rude behavior, and back-talking children. ARGHHH!)
With the exception of the Pixar movies, which are great, there aren't really any that Jay and I would want to sit down and watch with the kids. But we have recently discovered that our children love to watch something that Jay and I enjoy just as much.
Mr. Bean.
If you haven't been introduced the joys of "Mr. Bean," then go to youtube and watch any (or all) of the clips of Mr. Bean episodes. You can't help laughing. And your kids will too. You gotta love anything that's funny and clean and that the whole family can watch together.
We purchased this DVD set, "The Whole Bean." We also enjoyed "Mr. Bean's Holiday" which I will probably purchase in the near future (only buy books and DVD's from Half.com... way cheaper!). 
By the way, don't bother with the "Mr. Bean Animated Series." It's just not that funny. You have to see Rowan Atkinson doing his stuff.
May 25, 2008
Time for a break
May has been a busy month (does that justify my negligence in blogging?), but now that it's almost over, it's time for me to catch up on other stuff, like this blog. So, here is the month in review.
Collin decided to celebrate his 9th birthday at the Arizona Science Center with a few friends (which is appropriate since Collin frequently insists that he will be a scientist when he grows up). They had a good time.
One of the things that has been keeping me really busy this year has been the music classes I have been teaching.... 2 preschool classes (Jack), and a musical theatre performance group for school age children (Collin and Mary). I only agreed to do it because my own children would be involved. The preschool classes are fun and pretty low-stress. However, the performing group has been a lot of work, and quite stressful. But fun too! We did a performance in December, and did our second one a couple of weeks ago. It was called "Broadway Dreams" and I think it turned out pretty good. I was really worried that it wouldn't come together in the end, but the kids worked hard and did a great job.
Jack finished his first year of preschool (one more to go, and then kindergarten... yikes!) and they did a little program for the parents on the last day. It was really cute. Here he is with his wonderful teacher. 
Mary had her dance recital this weekend. She did really well. (Here she is with her cousin backstage.) This was her first year at this studio, and I was really impressed with the quality! The recital was fantastic!
Here is a video of Mary's ballet dance. She is on the far right in the beginning, the one experiencing the wardrobe malfunction. (The video is compressed so it's not great quality.)
Other things that happened this month that I don't have photos of:
- Mary received the "Excellent PE Student" award for the entire 1st grade (I know, kind of random)
- Collin finished his 3rd season playing coach pitch baseball
- We attended 2 family parties in the same weekend
- I enjoyed a nice Mother's Day with my family (it was especially nice and relaxing because it was the day after the big show, and I didn't have to attend any early morning meetings so I got to sleep in a little)
- Jay and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary by escaping for a weekend to the Mondrian in Scottsdale. We felt really old and "un-hip" surrounded by all the gorgeous 20-somethings. But it was nice to get away. We also enjoyed (finally) eating at La Grande Orange for dinner (YUM!!!), and at The Orange Table (service is very slow but the food is good) for breakfast the next day (yes, Arizona... especially Scottsdale... certainly has the citrus theme going). And when they found out we were celebrating our anniversary, the resort manager gave us a certificate for a free dessert in their restaurant, which was thoughtful.
The kids are excited to be out of school for the summer. I'm excited about having a less hectic routine.... I hope.
Collin decided to celebrate his 9th birthday at the Arizona Science Center with a few friends (which is appropriate since Collin frequently insists that he will be a scientist when he grows up). They had a good time.
One of the things that has been keeping me really busy this year has been the music classes I have been teaching.... 2 preschool classes (Jack), and a musical theatre performance group for school age children (Collin and Mary). I only agreed to do it because my own children would be involved. The preschool classes are fun and pretty low-stress. However, the performing group has been a lot of work, and quite stressful. But fun too! We did a performance in December, and did our second one a couple of weeks ago. It was called "Broadway Dreams" and I think it turned out pretty good. I was really worried that it wouldn't come together in the end, but the kids worked hard and did a great job.
Jack finished his first year of preschool (one more to go, and then kindergarten... yikes!) and they did a little program for the parents on the last day. It was really cute. Here he is with his wonderful teacher. 
Mary had her dance recital this weekend. She did really well. (Here she is with her cousin backstage.) This was her first year at this studio, and I was really impressed with the quality! The recital was fantastic!
Here is a video of Mary's ballet dance. She is on the far right in the beginning, the one experiencing the wardrobe malfunction. (The video is compressed so it's not great quality.)Other things that happened this month that I don't have photos of:
- Mary received the "Excellent PE Student" award for the entire 1st grade (I know, kind of random)
- Collin finished his 3rd season playing coach pitch baseball
- We attended 2 family parties in the same weekend
- I enjoyed a nice Mother's Day with my family (it was especially nice and relaxing because it was the day after the big show, and I didn't have to attend any early morning meetings so I got to sleep in a little)
- Jay and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary by escaping for a weekend to the Mondrian in Scottsdale. We felt really old and "un-hip" surrounded by all the gorgeous 20-somethings. But it was nice to get away. We also enjoyed (finally) eating at La Grande Orange for dinner (YUM!!!), and at The Orange Table (service is very slow but the food is good) for breakfast the next day (yes, Arizona... especially Scottsdale... certainly has the citrus theme going). And when they found out we were celebrating our anniversary, the resort manager gave us a certificate for a free dessert in their restaurant, which was thoughtful.
The kids are excited to be out of school for the summer. I'm excited about having a less hectic routine.... I hope.
April 21, 2008
April 20, 2008
Ladmo Bag
OK. Since I guess there are some people who read my blog who wonder about a Ladmo Bag, I will give you the scoop.
In the early days of "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" they would draw names of children who sent in their name and phone number, and they would get to choose a prize from the "toy wall." But this was live T.V. and it took a really long time for some of the children to decide. So, they got the idea to throw a bunch of junk from their sponsors into a paper sack and just give them that instead.
Everyday there would be 2 or 3 children from the studio audience who would receive a Ladmo Bag, chosen randomly from the seating chart. It always contained the same kind of coveted junk. Jay actually made a list of what was in his:
- Red Vines
- Cheetos
- Doritos
- Lay's potato chips
- peanut butter crackers
- Pixy Stix
- Twinkie
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Barg's Rootbeer
- Laffy Taffy rope
- Oreos
- Cheez-its
- Butterfinger
- Zinger
- signed photo of Wallace, Ladmo, and Gerald
- certificate for popcorn at Harkins Theatres
- admission to Mesa Historical Museum (where there is a "Wallace and Ladmo" exhibit)
And now you know.
In the early days of "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" they would draw names of children who sent in their name and phone number, and they would get to choose a prize from the "toy wall." But this was live T.V. and it took a really long time for some of the children to decide. So, they got the idea to throw a bunch of junk from their sponsors into a paper sack and just give them that instead.
Everyday there would be 2 or 3 children from the studio audience who would receive a Ladmo Bag, chosen randomly from the seating chart. It always contained the same kind of coveted junk. Jay actually made a list of what was in his:
- Red Vines
- Cheetos
- Doritos
- Lay's potato chips
- peanut butter crackers
- Pixy Stix
- Twinkie
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Barg's Rootbeer
- Laffy Taffy rope
- Oreos
- Cheez-its
- Butterfinger
- Zinger
- signed photo of Wallace, Ladmo, and Gerald
- certificate for popcorn at Harkins Theatres
- admission to Mesa Historical Museum (where there is a "Wallace and Ladmo" exhibit)
And now you know.
April 15, 2008
Ho Ho Ha Ha Hee Hee Ha Ha.....
We had a very "entertaining" weekend. Friday night, Jay took the boys camping (Fathers-and-Sons outing), while Mary and I went to a "Family Fun Night" at the school to watch the amazing Craig Davis perform. (Way more fun than camping!) That was my 4th time seeing him perform, and I was just as blown-away as the first time. He combines comedy, magic, and juggling. He is very entertaining. For any of you who live in the area, if you ever have a chance to see him perform, take it! It's a lot of fun. My boys were so sad they missed it, but they had a great time with their dad.Then on Saturday night Jay and I went to see The Citrus Valley Playhouse put on their "Tribute to the Wallace and Ladmo Show."* It was so much fun! And Jay won a Ladmo Bag! (Finally! He has been griping about that for years! I won one at a book signing a few years ago.) Please post a comment if you are the proud owner of a Ladmo Bag, or if you live with a nagging feeling that you will never be completely fulfilled because you never won one. (I'm truly sorry for you.)
I guess you could call CVP the Arizona version of "A Prairie Home Companion"... except that it's way funnier, even if you aren't from Arizona. If you ever have the chance to see them perform, GO! I love this promo for the show. (This is for you Jen!)* If you have never heard of "Wallace and Ladmo" then you obviously didn't live in Arizona anytime between 1954 and 1989. (Poor you!) It was the longest running children's television show in America. And it was like no other children's show. There has been nothing like it before or since.
Moo.....
Jack and I visited a local dairy farm for a tour with some of his friends from preschool (and their moms). We had a great time. Jack particularly enjoyed petting this rabbit..... 
.... but he was very reluctant to pet the chickens... though he finally got brave and touched one. (The other kids were carrying them around!)
He petted the horse with no problem, but he was terrified of the goats.... especially feeding them out of his hand. (Didn't get a photo because I had to hold onto Jack with both hands in order to get him to do it.)
After a hayride tour of the farm....
... we had a refreshing drink of milk. Of the 12 flavors offered, Jack chose Banana, and I chose Peach. Both were delicious. I was proud of Jack for choosing something different when all the other kids were choosing chocolate. Now, I love chocolate, but why choose something that "normal" when you are offered 12 different flavors!??!
Jack also got to see a Turkey lay an egg , and he learned all about milk cows. He really liked the "hay maze."
.... but he was very reluctant to pet the chickens... though he finally got brave and touched one. (The other kids were carrying them around!) 
He petted the horse with no problem, but he was terrified of the goats.... especially feeding them out of his hand. (Didn't get a photo because I had to hold onto Jack with both hands in order to get him to do it.) After a hayride tour of the farm....
... we had a refreshing drink of milk. Of the 12 flavors offered, Jack chose Banana, and I chose Peach. Both were delicious. I was proud of Jack for choosing something different when all the other kids were choosing chocolate. Now, I love chocolate, but why choose something that "normal" when you are offered 12 different flavors!??!
Jack also got to see a Turkey lay an egg , and he learned all about milk cows. He really liked the "hay maze." 
March 30, 2008
March Madness 2008
I know I haven't been very good about blogging lately. But here is a quick month in review....
The kids have been enjoying playing in the backyard in the glorious spring weather. Collin has been teaching Jack to play football... or so he thinks.
The kids enjoyed an easter egg hunt with their cousins, and as usual, got more enjoyment out of the hunt than the eggs themselves.
Jack attended a "Pirate" birthday party for one of his friends and had a delightful time.
Collin earned his "Wolf" in Cub Scouts, along with 3 arrow points. He was thrilled. We are proud of him for working so hard. He takes it very seriously.
I already mentioned that we spent a few days at the cabin for Spring Break (and forgot the camera!).
Let's see.... what else? Jay celebrated his 30-something-th birthday. Collin finished the basketball season and started baseball. Mary learned to ride a 2-wheeler bike and is doing very well. Collin and Mary sang a special musical number in sacrament meeting with a few other children, and did a great job.
And I had an asthma attack! I have never had asthma before, but apparently this was a really bad year for allergies. But after a few weeks on 3 different medications (argh!!!) I'm better and extremely relieved. There is nothing worse than not being able to breathe!
Among other things, I have been keeping busy lately transferring old video tapes to DVD. It has been fun watching footage of when I was a kid. I have been having some good laughs.
The kids have been enjoying playing in the backyard in the glorious spring weather. Collin has been teaching Jack to play football... or so he thinks.
The kids enjoyed an easter egg hunt with their cousins, and as usual, got more enjoyment out of the hunt than the eggs themselves.
Jack attended a "Pirate" birthday party for one of his friends and had a delightful time. 
Collin earned his "Wolf" in Cub Scouts, along with 3 arrow points. He was thrilled. We are proud of him for working so hard. He takes it very seriously.
I already mentioned that we spent a few days at the cabin for Spring Break (and forgot the camera!). Let's see.... what else? Jay celebrated his 30-something-th birthday. Collin finished the basketball season and started baseball. Mary learned to ride a 2-wheeler bike and is doing very well. Collin and Mary sang a special musical number in sacrament meeting with a few other children, and did a great job.
And I had an asthma attack! I have never had asthma before, but apparently this was a really bad year for allergies. But after a few weeks on 3 different medications (argh!!!) I'm better and extremely relieved. There is nothing worse than not being able to breathe!
Among other things, I have been keeping busy lately transferring old video tapes to DVD. It has been fun watching footage of when I was a kid. I have been having some good laughs.
March 21, 2008
Random Stuff
It's spring break for the kids. We spent a few days at the cabin, which was fun. There was a fair amount of snow when we arrived, but it melted the next day. At least the kids got to enjoy it before it was gone. Even though we went home, Collin stayed at the cabin for the rest of the week with his cousins.
Yesterday was Jay's birthday. He and I went out to dinner to celebrate.... sans kids! Hooray! He had to drive to Tucson today to speak at a convention, but he is on his way home... early enough for lunch. Double-hooray!
I got my haircut yesterday..... 4 inches off! People would never consider it short by any means, but it feels short to me because I have been wearing it long for the last several years.
The kids were watching our new DVD of "101 Dalmatians" and laughing their heads off. I couldn't figure out why until I went in and listened.... they were watching it in French, or "Francais" as Mary informed me.
Collin informed me recently that he and his best friend at school are making a movie. Every day at recess they work on writing the script. They are very serious about this and have every intention of seeing it through. I don't have the heart to tell them that it's not very realistic, but who knows.
We rented some DVD's from the library. What a great resource! My favorite one was "Howl's Moving Castle." If you haven't seen any of Hayao Miyazaki's movies, then you absolutely must! The others I have seen are "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Spirited Away," and I loved them both.
Yesterday was Jay's birthday. He and I went out to dinner to celebrate.... sans kids! Hooray! He had to drive to Tucson today to speak at a convention, but he is on his way home... early enough for lunch. Double-hooray!
I got my haircut yesterday..... 4 inches off! People would never consider it short by any means, but it feels short to me because I have been wearing it long for the last several years.
The kids were watching our new DVD of "101 Dalmatians" and laughing their heads off. I couldn't figure out why until I went in and listened.... they were watching it in French, or "Francais" as Mary informed me.
Collin informed me recently that he and his best friend at school are making a movie. Every day at recess they work on writing the script. They are very serious about this and have every intention of seeing it through. I don't have the heart to tell them that it's not very realistic, but who knows.
We rented some DVD's from the library. What a great resource! My favorite one was "Howl's Moving Castle." If you haven't seen any of Hayao Miyazaki's movies, then you absolutely must! The others I have seen are "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Spirited Away," and I loved them both.
March 13, 2008
March 06, 2008
Lego Star Wars
I got a kick out of this video. I enjoyed the fact that the feet of the stormtroopers don't touch the ground.
This is pretty cute too.
This is pretty cute too.
February 27, 2008
Brain Power
Because people are so afraid of getting alzheimer's disease, there has been a lot of interest in puzzles and other games that are supposed to keep your brain sharp. Some people do sudoko, some do set puzzles, and I'm sure there are dozens of other such activities.
Those are great, but all you really need is a boy who recently turned 4-years-old, and who prefers toys that are made for children over 6 years old.
Currently, Jack is obsessed with Transformers. As you probably gathered from the name, they transform from some kind of vehicle into a robot... and back again.... like a puzzle.
This one is pretty easy, and he can do most of the transforming himself. I only have to help with the final step in transforming from truck to robot.
This one is a little bit harder, so Jack needs a little more help with it.... though he doesn't play with it that much because he informed me that it's a Decepticon ("bad guy"). 
This one is a bit more complicated. Jack tries, but he gets frustrated and pops the pieces off. So, I have to put the pieces back on and then transform it.... from robot to jet.... and back and forth again. (He likes this one, even though it is also a Decepticon, because "it's a cool jet.")
This one is his favorite though, and it's really tricky. (OK, it's not as bad as a Rubix cube, but it's pretty complicated.) Jack doesn't even try. He just hands it to me and says, "Mom, can you transform this?".... about 20 times a day.
I'm getting pretty good at it, but it still keeps me (and my brain) on my toes.
Those are great, but all you really need is a boy who recently turned 4-years-old, and who prefers toys that are made for children over 6 years old.
Currently, Jack is obsessed with Transformers. As you probably gathered from the name, they transform from some kind of vehicle into a robot... and back again.... like a puzzle.
This one is pretty easy, and he can do most of the transforming himself. I only have to help with the final step in transforming from truck to robot.
This one is a little bit harder, so Jack needs a little more help with it.... though he doesn't play with it that much because he informed me that it's a Decepticon ("bad guy"). 
This one is a bit more complicated. Jack tries, but he gets frustrated and pops the pieces off. So, I have to put the pieces back on and then transform it.... from robot to jet.... and back and forth again. (He likes this one, even though it is also a Decepticon, because "it's a cool jet.")
This one is his favorite though, and it's really tricky. (OK, it's not as bad as a Rubix cube, but it's pretty complicated.) Jack doesn't even try. He just hands it to me and says, "Mom, can you transform this?".... about 20 times a day.
I'm getting pretty good at it, but it still keeps me (and my brain) on my toes.
February 25, 2008
The Lesson of the Lock
Last week, as we prepared for a Primary Quarterly Activity Day, one of my counselors, Catherine, was at the church with the ward librarian making copies for one of the activities. As they were finishing up, the librarian had to be somewhere else, and since Catherine was just finishing cutting and folding some papers, she said she would go ahead and lock up.
The librarian left, and when Catherine finished a few minutes later, she closed up the library, and went to lock the outside door of the church. The key fit in the lock, but it would not turn. After trying for several minutes without success, she called me and asked if the building had been re-keyed. I wasn't aware of that happening, but since I live just across the street, I said I would be right over with my key and maybe we could figure it out together.
I tried my key and the same thing happened... nothing. The key slid into the lock easily, but simply would not budge. I struggled with it until my fingers were sore. We tried our keys in the other doors and they worked just fine. Obviously something wasn't right with the particular lock we needed to lock!
We knew we couldn't leave the church unlocked. I finally suggested we should call one of the counselors in the bishopric and hope someone was around and that they could help us. Since it was the middle of the day in the middle of the week, it wasn't very likely that we would find any men home since they were probably all at work. But what else could we do?
I was about to run home to get the cell phone numbers of the bishopric, when I realized how ridiculous I had been. I had forgotten to do what we teach the Primary children to do. I said to Catherine, "I need to try one more time." As I walked back to the door, I silently pleaded with Heavenly Father for help.
Once again, I put the key into the lock, and just as I expected, it turned smoothly without any effort at all. I was very humbled and grateful. I needed that.
It was such a small and simple thing, but I was anxious to tell my children about the experience later that evening after family prayer. I saw the hand of the Lord in my life, and I needed to share it.
The librarian left, and when Catherine finished a few minutes later, she closed up the library, and went to lock the outside door of the church. The key fit in the lock, but it would not turn. After trying for several minutes without success, she called me and asked if the building had been re-keyed. I wasn't aware of that happening, but since I live just across the street, I said I would be right over with my key and maybe we could figure it out together.
I tried my key and the same thing happened... nothing. The key slid into the lock easily, but simply would not budge. I struggled with it until my fingers were sore. We tried our keys in the other doors and they worked just fine. Obviously something wasn't right with the particular lock we needed to lock!
We knew we couldn't leave the church unlocked. I finally suggested we should call one of the counselors in the bishopric and hope someone was around and that they could help us. Since it was the middle of the day in the middle of the week, it wasn't very likely that we would find any men home since they were probably all at work. But what else could we do?
I was about to run home to get the cell phone numbers of the bishopric, when I realized how ridiculous I had been. I had forgotten to do what we teach the Primary children to do. I said to Catherine, "I need to try one more time." As I walked back to the door, I silently pleaded with Heavenly Father for help.
Once again, I put the key into the lock, and just as I expected, it turned smoothly without any effort at all. I was very humbled and grateful. I needed that.
It was such a small and simple thing, but I was anxious to tell my children about the experience later that evening after family prayer. I saw the hand of the Lord in my life, and I needed to share it.
February 19, 2008
Favorite Kitchen Gadgets - Part 3
When it comes to butter... real, sweet, creamy butter... I don't give a hoot about fat or calories or cholesterol. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to substitute it for anything else.
The Butter Bell is the ONLY way to go. It keeps a cube of butter at the perfect consistency safely for 30 days (as long as you change the water every few days). [Though who would ever need to keep it that long.... eat it!] There is nothing better than a slice of warm whole wheat bread just out of the oven, slathered with butter. Mmm.
And for those times when you need to melt that butter and brush it over something, you must have a silicone pastry brush. I would never dream of using a bristle one anymore... those disgusting old germy things.... ewwww!
I mean, really. After you brush melted butter over your lovely [raw] rib eye steaks (and then rub with a mix of coarse salt, fresh ground pepper, crushed garlic, rosemary and thyme; grill and then think you died and went to heaven while you eat it.... which I only do once a year) will you EVER be able to use it to brush butter on dough to make cinnamon rolls? With a bristle brush, no way. (I don't care how much you wash it.) But with silicone, just throw it in the dishwasher and you're good.
Thank you silicone!
The Butter Bell is the ONLY way to go. It keeps a cube of butter at the perfect consistency safely for 30 days (as long as you change the water every few days). [Though who would ever need to keep it that long.... eat it!] There is nothing better than a slice of warm whole wheat bread just out of the oven, slathered with butter. Mmm.
And for those times when you need to melt that butter and brush it over something, you must have a silicone pastry brush. I would never dream of using a bristle one anymore... those disgusting old germy things.... ewwww! 
I mean, really. After you brush melted butter over your lovely [raw] rib eye steaks (and then rub with a mix of coarse salt, fresh ground pepper, crushed garlic, rosemary and thyme; grill and then think you died and went to heaven while you eat it.... which I only do once a year) will you EVER be able to use it to brush butter on dough to make cinnamon rolls? With a bristle brush, no way. (I don't care how much you wash it.) But with silicone, just throw it in the dishwasher and you're good.Thank you silicone!
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