CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Happy birthday babe!

I'll never forget the first time I met Reggie. He was sitting in the kitchen of his King Henry apartment, studying kanji cards. Bachelorhood muck surrounded him on every side (bowls of half-eaten ramen and dirty mismatched dishware awaiting its turn to be washed in the bathtub--but that's another story). I remember thinking that he was the cutest boy that I had ever seen even despite the tufts of hair peeking over his rugby shirt collar. I immediately assumed the worst, that he was too cute to be a nice boy. But, was I wrong.

Reggie is one of the nicest boys I know. He not only works harder than any one I know Monday through Friday, but he also spends week nights and weekends faithfully fulfilling his church calling as Young Men's Pres. (even maintaining control after one of his young men threw up in his truck at scout camp this weekend). His children adore him. (I loved that he pulled 7 year old Rylee up on his lap during sacrament meeting today.) And, did I mention that he is hilariously funny (not quite as funny as me, because I'm pretty darn funny). But anyway, Reggie is still the cutest boy that I have ever seen.

Happy Birthday Reggie, I love you!!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Book Report





















It hasn't even been two weeks since Mitch turned in his October book report assignment, a pumpkin, painted in the likeness of Harry Potter. And yet, we have already started constructing a turkey out of paper. It features colorful feathers covered with little known facts about this month's exciting read, "The Cay", by Theodore Taylor. It was a book that I happened to recommend as one of my favorites from my day's at William Penn.

Mitchell's feedback was positive. He decided that it was one of the better books that I have encouraged him to read (I was under the impression that every book I've recommended was fabulous).

I am trying to instill a love of reading in each of my children. I don't know if it's really working. How can Ramona Quimby compete with Wii games and Spongebob. As for me, however, I have a terrible weakness for printed words on paper: Caldecott award winners, young adult novels, self-help books, coffee table books, cook books, etc. That weakness has manifested itself in the way I spoil my children. I rarely make it out of the Barnes and Noble children's section without a new addition to our (my) library and let's not even talk about book-orders from school.

There is nothing I love more than reading to my kids. I often daydream about having an overstuffed chaise lounge chair, placed strategically in front of my bedroom fireplace. A cozy little spot to lose myself in an imaginary world while cuddled up to Mitchell, Rylee, and Tess.
I have wanted a quiet place devoted to books ever since I read the biography of President Hinckley. He talked of a small library in his childhood home that put all of the classics at his disposal. I always admired his intelligence and love of literature.

In D&C 88:118 it says, "seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom". That scripture is always at the back of my mind when I'm choosing something to read. I want to expose my children to books that inspire them to be better people. (I myself often get sidetracked with books about things like polygamy and vampires--November 21st is almost here).

Over the past year, I have received a few requests from friends to share my favorite books on goodreads.com. I tried to be faithful about posting good books, but I gave up. Most of the books I read are juvenile in nature, so I decided to compile a list of out family's favorites. Enjoy!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Simplicity #2880







So, I'm still wondering what's "simplistic" about it? Simplicity pattern #2880 that is. Don't you think that if a company is going to market itself as a brand that produces patterns that are "simplistic" that they should prove to be the opposite of complex? Well Simplicity pattern #2880 turned into anything but.

(I must warn you that the only way to tell this story right is to tell it in its entirety. Even though I'm usually a woman of few words.)

It all started in mid-summer. Right about the time that Manami went home and life on the ranch settled down. Mitch and I started hypothesizing about Halloween costumes. What if we did this? What if you were to wear that? What if we were to spend $80 dollars and multiple sleepless nights putting together the end-all be-all of Elvis costumes? No, the conversation didn't really go like that, but you get the picture. So Mitch and I decided that Elvis would be a really cool costume and since I like the family to have a theme, I decided the girls would be the cutest "Pink Ladies" ever.

I knew October would be hectic so I purchased all of my supplies in September so that I could get an early start. The first glitch came in the early stages. The first stage that is. I was trying to layout the pattern pieces on the material in the order that was illustrated so clearly on the pattern instructions. Unfortunately, I couldn't fit all the pieces on my material.

In desperation, I phoned Simplicity. After explaining my plight to Robyn, the customer service Rep, she told me that I had purchased a "defective pattern". The way she said it almost convinced me that I had won the grand prize (a tactic, no doubt, used to deflect disgruntled sewers). Her technique worked well enough that it took two more phone calls before I had the nerve to ask for monetary compensation for my trouble. Robyn saved the day by sending me updated instructions and a promise for future reimbursement. I continued with my project.

Fast forward three weeks. The kitchen is still a disaster, misplaced straight needles keep turning up in the carpet, Reggie cuts Mitchell's hair (even though we have been growing the Elvis coif for two months) and the costume is still not done. Mrs. Bridge(the teacher who presented me with the coveted Home Economics "Sewer of the Year" award in the 9th grade), would not be proud. So, I decide to stay up all night if necessary, so that I can put the finishing embellishments on the bodice.

The next morning, I arise early. Eager to show my handiwork to Mitchell before he leaves for school. I plug in the iron, anxious to put the final press in the white gabardine and red sequined masterpiece. All of a sudden, I feel a slight stickiness under the iron. To my horror, the silver "Shark" has a sudden meltdown and leaves a hole the size of a dime in the mid-section of Elvis' leisure suit. What happens next is also a meltdown of sorts. After composing myself, I realize the belt will hide the hole perfectly. Disaster averted.

I will now be renting out Elvis, in order to recoup my cost, if anyone if interested.

Black Magic




Mitchell and Rylee have spent the last two months perfecting their spooky piano pieces for last week's recital. I was a little nervous in the days leading up to the big event due to flashbacks of my own first recital. I still remember sitting at Tamera's (piano teacher #1) oak upright wondering where in the world was middle "C". I couldn't remember any of the song I had so laboriously memorized. It was all downhill after that. I still get anxiety attacks when I hear piano songs about swans(my recital piece was called "Swans on the Lake").

Anyhow, Mitchell and Rylee did great. Mitch performed "Black Magic" and Rylee entertained us with "Happy Halloween". They both received certificates for completing their first level. I am so proud of all they have accomplished in the last four months.