It's getting colder around these parts. Our temperatures may be nothing to those of you rolling in snow, but it's still cold enough to make us shiver. It must be mitten time!

I have plans to button them onto a ribbon that will thread through the sleeves of their coats. Very cheesy, I know, but soooo effective. (And the fourth mitten's in there, it's just hiding behind the pile.)

Very Cute Boy(s)

All day-time naps must be taken with someone, apparently. This poses no problem on Saturday afternoons, when Daddy gets home.

It's a lion! This picture was taken shortly before James The Lion chased the older kids up to bed, accompanied by much giggling.

Sunday afternoon, here. And yup, this is our pacifier child. Since Mommy has run out of hands, and Elena and Joseph can operate the pacifier themselves (and are thus huge helpers) James gets silicone love. Plus, we're hoping it'll stave off the finger addiction that Joseph developed at about this age.


I sat James in the chair so he could get a better view of the room and the others crawled in with him.
Not James, but they are the rest of my very cute boys.

The Hair

A few of you have asked about my hair, since I'd mentioned that I'd found something to do with it. Here you go:(2nd picture courtesy of Elena, thus the focus issue)

It's a bit more Sarah Palin than Kasmira (the girl in the inspiration pictures) but it turned out nicely. It'll work better as the hair grows, too. Yes, I cut my bangs myself and I like how they came out, but I'd like to be able to get a real stylist to do Kasmira's fuller side-swept bangs for me so I can see how it's done.

Author, Author

I was told by the author that it says "Elena wants to go to Sesame Street."

Don't Let This Be a Sign

Joseph, Today:
split forehead open on drawer
1 face-plant & 3 rear-plants off swing at park
self-guided tour of staff-only area of library
climbed to top of bookshelf at library
"chomping" (jumping) through parking lot and off wall overlooking creek
started colored-pencil sword fight
washed coating of toothpaste out of hair

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Previously, on Joseph:
"Rawr, rawr, rawr!" all day long.
Finally, "Are you a dinosaur?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Are you a monster?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Are you a hippo?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Are you a elephant?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Are you a bear?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Are you a lion?"
"No!" he rawred.
"Well, what are you?"
Still rawring: "I'm two!"

Primarily Speaking

I couldn't stop grinning during Sacrament Meeting, today. When it came for the Primary kids to go up to the front, Elena dashed up to her teacher and stood right up at the front of the stand, right next to the pulpit, ready to sing. I could just hear her voice through the crowd. The Sunbeams ended up on the back row, the half-a-row of the choir loft, since there were only three of them but Elena sat on her teacher's lap for a good portion of the presentation so wee could see her smiling at us. When it came time for the Sunbeams to say their speaking parts, Elena popped right up to the microphone and said her part ("Heavenly Father knows me and loves me. He will answer my prayers.") without any prompting, then literally bounced back to her seat. I'm so proud of my big girl! Joseph watched the whole thing in rapt attention. None of those boring grown-ups for him, but he listens to kids just fine. He even sang along with some of the songs.

Meetings

It's been a busy day. It started with James' two month checkup. He weighed in at 10 lb 15 oz and is 22 1/2 in tall. He's been snuffly for a few days, but nothing that would prevent him from getting his first round of shots. Baby boy does not like the shots and screamed the whole time.

After the doctor, we dropped Daddy at work (he has a lead on a second job and could start on Monday, if he wanted!!!) then headed on to Andrea's for a play date. Andrea's house is apparently the play to go, though, because two other friends were there, as well. The kids had a blast, which is good because they've been asking all week "when do we go to Mackay and Beckett's house?" We set up the play date not just so the kids could play, but so we could trade pants. We each bought the same style of awesome coral colored bermuda shorts on clearance from Old Navy but in each other's size because that's all they had. We discovered the funny coincidence last week and decided on a swap.

Joseph actually took his nap, today (he refuses about 20-30% of the time, now) and when we went to pick up Daddy of course the kids wanted to go in and get "bites" from the food court. While we were there, they waved to Santa. Elena now asks when Christmas is about every hour. We also saw a friend that recently moved back from Houston, there with her sister-in-law, whom we see at the library story time.

While discussing dinner, Elena offered up hot dogs, hamburgers and pancakes as options. Joseph voted for pancakes, and Elena flipped most of them all by herself.

So, there's my day. Talking to friends was wonderful. I'm amazed I don't do it more often.

Tactical Reassessment

Have you ever realized, years later, that a crucial piece of equipment, which you've happily done without until now, is becoming more and more necessary? I'm there. I have too many full skirts made of cotton. I have too many sewing projects with seams to press. I have too often delayed hanging my husband's dress shirts, even though I carefully fold them after washing. That towel on the bathroom counter just isn't cutting it, anymore. I need an ironing board.

Change

I feel like I ought to comment on the election, but I'm not sure what to say. McCain was super-classy in his speech, last night, as was Obama. I'm disappointed by all the vitriolic insults toward candidates (I've heard it from both sides, just this morning) but they have their right to do so. I guess it'll just take some time to process it all. This is going to be huge, and I'm very interested to see how it'll go.

Six Years

Yesterday was our anniversary. It's been an interesting, and sometimes rough, six years but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Here's to another sixty years up ahead.

Man, we look so young (and thin?) in that picture.

Reflection

I found out, today, that my good friend Susan died of cancer this morning, just a few days after another friend, also named Susan, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. My heart goes out to both their families. I know that pain and relief are tightly interwoven for both of them. We love you all and pray for you.