Holidays

For school, I get kids up and dressed
They're never fast, but do their best

They read their scriptures, eat at eight
Run off to school. They're never late.

On holidays, why is it then,
That no one's even dressed till ten?

Just Checking

Rebecca: "Mommy, we don't have a dog, right?"
"No."
Rebecca: "But after we go to the airport five times" (holding up fingers) "will we have a dog?"

Addresses

I just went through my address list and saw Hulterstrom, the address for my grandparents who passed away this spring. I'm so glad there's still family living at that house, so I don't have to delete the address entirely.

Distracted

How on earth did I let my son talk me into math problems, times tables, and crosswords tonight to the neglect of piano and homework? I was determined we'd clean up the toyroom together, but instead ended up filling in square with words like ZOOT and ELSA as Alex urged me on.

Bumper Bikes

A game in which Alex stops his bike ahead of Rebecca, and she slows her bike to tap her wheel against his. Involves lots of giggles.

The Right Guy

If there was any doubt that my husband was a perfect match for me, he dispelled it a few nights ago when, for my benefit, he invented, conducted, and recorded a new science experiment. Who else would start vacuum-packing steaks for Sous Vide cooking (the do-it-yourself way, with a hot water poured into a cooler and carefully monitored) and realize he could use the vacuum pump to degas a glass of club soda on film?

In Her Dreams

"Mama!" Rebecca cries out late at night. "Mama!"

I run into her room to find her half hanging out of bed, head down, legs twisted into the blanket holding her to the mattress. As I stuff her back into bed, she whines, "Mommy, I can't do it."

"Do what?"

"A backwards flip-over."

Is she doing gymnastics in her sleep?

How to Stop Rebecca From Speeding Away on her Bike

Me (yelling): "Rebecca, slow down! Slow DOWN!"
Ineffective.

Me: "Alex, go behind Rebecca and tell her to slow down. But don't pass her!"
Ineffective.

Alex: pulls ahead of Rebecca and slams his bike into a full-on body block.
Complete stop.

Words I Never Thought I'd Hear (from my two oldest)

"Mmm...kale! Can I finish all the kale, Mommy?"
"No, that's not fair! I want some too!"

(Bacon helps.)

Unpardonable

Rebecca has been crying for the last twenty minutes because I chose and opened a peach yogurt for her, when she wanted blueberry.

Prayer

Rebecca: "...And thank you I could throw dollies down the stairs, which Mommy and Daddy don't like, but Katherine and Alex do."