national geographic meets sweet valley high

Eve came home from school last Thursday with a skinned knee.

Me: What happened to your knee?

Eve: Oh, Logan tried to pick me up but then he dropped me and I scraped my knee.

Me: He tried to pick you up? Why?

Eve: Yes... (pauses to think) I think he was trying to mate.

(I was very good here and didn't laugh. Yet.)

Eve: My teacher explained to me that boys do things like that when they want a girl's attention.

And so it begins. Yikes! I think Eve's been reading too much of her Childcraft encyclopedia! In other news, Logan missed 3rd recess AND had to go to the office. Apparently Eve's school doesn't mess around when boys try to mate!

And last night at dinner -

Eve: (sounding all annoyed) Today Ethan and Tyler kept chasing me and Abby at recess.

Me: That's just how boys say they want to be your friend.

Eve: Oh. Why can't they just say it with their mouths?

Wise words, Eve. I had no real answer for her. I just told her she and Abby should turn right around and chase them back. If I remember elementary school correctly, they'll run for their lives!

a deal so good it's scary!

I discovered yesterday that all of Old Navy.com's children's Halloween costumes are on sale for between $10 and $20. Plus, they have a 20% off discount this weekend! Plus, they have a free shipping deal this weekend! Hooray!

I was able to get Eleanor the princess costume she has been lusting after for a sweet $8 and not have to worry about figuring out how to sew one this year. I'm very excited about this. So if your little one wants to be a kitty or a pirate or a princess or wizard or a banana (yes, a banana!), go check it out. I think the deal ends on Sunday.

silver lining

Yesterday was not so much a good day. We almost single-handedly destroyed the Jackson County Public Library system yesterday with the spectacles that were Eleanor Selecting a DVD and Gwyn's Library Bag Exploding All Over the Checkout Counter. What, you don't have almost five dollars worth of loose change in the bottom of your library bag? It turns out I do.

Sam, as usual, decided that taking naps in the crib is for chumps.

And Eve came off the school bus sobbing because she was worried that we wouldn't all be able to go to the circus on the free circus ticket she won at school. A note to elementary school teachers: DO NOT hand out free circus tickets to children! Do they know how much an adult ticket costs (not to mention the tickets for siblings?) Do they know that the ticket was only good for the day they handed it out and then the following day? I had the heartbreaking task of informing Eve that this was probably not the best year for going to the circus, free ticket or not. Luckily, she took the news well, but I felt like a heel the rest of the day. Until I found out that this happens at her school every September. Maybe next year then.

Jared went to the church to take care of some clerking business (thankfully after the girls were down - and he even bathed Sam while I was tucking them in), Sam took a little coaxing to get into bed, and I decided to be a martyr and work on my ever-present Laurels lesson instead of doing something fun. Bleh.

So here is something good that came out of yesterday. I found a great book at the library for my kids.

This is a translation of a series of French books called Le petit Nicolas by Rene Goscinny with hilarious illustrations by Jean-Jacques Sempe. (You may know Goscinny as the author of the Asterix comic books.) These funny chapter books tell the story of Nicholas and his daily antics at his all-boys school. And, while funny for the kids, I think they are even more hilarious for the adult reading them to said kids. Win win!

My sister-in-law owns them in French and, when I was feeling ambitious several years ago, I borrowed them and read them. (La de da! She read them in French! They are children's books, after all, and I did read more of my French/English dictionary than I did the books.) But they were so funny, they had me laughing at loud. So when I saw this recent English translation at the library yesterday, I snapped up the first one, thinking the girls would love them. And I love it when I'm right! They begged for an extra chapter at bed and are excited to read Nicholas again tonight.

I thought I'd pass the tip along to those of you who may have been in a storytime rut, like I was. And if any of you have some recommendations, I'm all ears!

roughing it is not so rough after all

I learned this weekend that camping with two small children and an infant is actually easier than being at home with two small children and an infant. Here's why:

• The girls were endlessly entertained. Not I single "Can I watch a show?" or "Can I play computer?"
• Everyone was allowed to get as dirty as they pleased and I didn't have to care.
• I didn't have to spend the evening picking up the disaster that is my living room and family room after everyone went to bed.
• There were friends everywhere! Because it was a church campout, there were adults all over the place that I could chat with. I love talking to my kids - most of the time -but it was great to not have to for a few hours.
• Likewise, the kids didn't have to talk to me either. They had all sorts of buddies around. In fact, Eve disappeared shortly after we got to the campsite, running of with some giggly friends, and I have absolutely no evidence that she was even there because she is absent from all the pictures we took.
• Jared made dinner. Thanks, portable grill! Oh, and Jared!
• Brushing teeth is much more fun in the woods than it is in your bathroom. No bribery necessary to get the girls to get ready for bed.
• I ate several roasted marshmallows - not as many as I had hoped, but still more than I would have eaten at home! (And roasted Starbursts, too - our bishop's idea.)
• And the best of all... Sam slept all night! In a tent with all five of us, sleeping on a rather rocky stretch of ground, I had the best night's sleep in two months! Hooray!*

*Offer not valid in all locations. Like, anywhere in my house.

All in all, a great trip. Sadly, not many pictures were taken because my hands were mostly full of Sam the whole time and, when they weren't, I was wiping faces or setting up, etc. Here's our fabulous tent and two of it's occupants:

Jared snagged our huge tent at a garage sale in Maryland for like $30 (Jared says it might have been $40 - either way, an awesome deal.) It comfortably fit all five of us and has some nifty features, like a little two-way pocket for your shoes. Amazing! We love it.

I have always wanted to be a camping family, mostly because Jared has fond memories of camping as a kid. I, however, grew up in a family that went camping not at all, so it just doesn't come naturally. But this last weekend's adventure showed me that it can be fun and easy and even the clean up isn't all that bad when you make your kids help. Go camping!

Eleanor, getting as dirty as she pleases.

the great outdoors

Call me crazy, but I suddenly decided yesterday that we were going to go on the ward campout tonight. I remember refusing to go when Eleanor was 5 months old and sending Jared and Eve without me. But, for someone reason, it sounded like a great idea to go with my 2 month old! And in those few seconds where it sounded like a great idea, I just had to tell Jared. And the kids. So no backing out now! Wish me luck. I just hope the activities committee provides enough roasted marshmallows to make this worth my time.

tidbits

A few things we have been up to this week:

• Our front yard looks like this

We are gradually getting closer to having a fabulous new front yard! I'm excited to have a smaller, terraced version of our previous huge wall. And I'm excited to put in some new shrubs and plants on said terrace. Jared has been sweating and toiling for the past week (and all summer over landscaping books,) hefting those huge blocks and digging away. He's been getting up early and staying out late - he can't get enough of backbreaking manual labor! Thanks, hon - you're the best!

Not only has he had to heft those massive blocks, but he also discovered that when the previous owners built this eyesore of a retaining wall, they chucked in the concrete posts from the old front porch, as well. That pile of gray stuff in our yard is all the concrete he's excavated so far. Yikes!

He has also excavated many bulbs that I can't wait to replant.

He has also excavated...

• This guy!

This, in case you didn't notice the bright red hourglass on the spider's tummy, is a charming black widow! Jared has found many of his friends and relations while taking down the wall and has kindly introduced all of them to the bottom of his shoe. Fun for Jared! Just another reason why I owe him big time when this is all finished.

• We have a crappy napper.

Oh, he may look all cute and sleepy right now, but don't be deceived for a minute! That's just what he wants you to think! His genius master plan is to wake up 20 minutes after being set down, cry pitifully until I pick him up and rock him, fall asleep in my arms 15 minutes later, trick me into setting him back into his crib... repeat 30 times and you will have a very good idea of what I've been up to for the past few afternoons. What gives, Sammy? Do you need a binky? What say you, readers of the blog? How do you get your teeny babies to take naps?

• I "get" to teach the dating and chastity lesson to my Laurels on Sunday. Hooray! You seasoned youth leaders and anyone who remembers getting this lesson as a youth, any pointers? I need some help here.

• Jared and I began watching Lost this week. All I can say is Scariest. Polar bear. Ever. Riveting and compelling, but maybe a little too freaky for someone who has to get up in the middle of the night and sit alone in a dark room (okay, I'm not alone, but Sam really is no help here.) You watchers of Lost, does it get creepier? And, even if it does, should I still persist? I'm just more of a Jim and Pam girl, I guess. But I really want to know what's up with the Koreans...

Vincent doesn't scare me so much. I'm a little more worried about the bald guy.

• And a picture of Nora on a horse. She insisted.

palinpalooza

Two hilarious posts about the upcoming election and Sarah Do-These-Frames-Go-With-My Hair Palin, the first comparing all of it to reality TV and the second on how we really decide who to vote for. They are sure to amuse!

my new crush

I have to admit it. I have a bit of a crush. I heart Sarah Palin.



She's so dreamy! I watched Wednesday night's "episode" of the Republican National Convention, thanks to a fussy Sam who didn't want to go to bed - who knew the RNC was four days long? Or four long days. I was pretty weary by the end of three hours until Mrs. Palin took the stage. Kapow! It was love at first sight. I know I've just been sucked into the machinations of McCain, but I can't help myself!

I'm not really talking about her actual political experience (yawn.) I just love that she had great hair, cool frames, and actually wore heels. And I love that she wasn't the shouty, trying-to-be-like-a-man kind of woman politician. I want to call her up and ask her where she got her shoes, how does she get her babies to sleep through the night, where to get the deals on groceries... oh, and maybe ask her about her questionable energy policy. I'm not so much into hunting, but I bet we could still be friends.

I told Jared that Sarah Palin is going to appeal to a lot of American women. His response, "She's going to appeal to a lot of American men!" I guess I'm not the only one with a crush.

first day success

Hooray for school!

Eleanor had to get in on the action. She wanted to also carry a lunchbox and it had to have food in it, too. So there are two cheese sticks in that lunchbox. Also, Eve wanted me to point out that she looks like a real first grader in this picture because she is actually wearing her back pack.

Eve had a fantastic first day of first grade yesterday. There was some worry the night before from both her and Nora - "I'll miss mommy!" and "I'll miss Evie!" - but it was a terriffic day for both. Eve's likes include:

• her new teacher


• three recesses


• the cafeteria and her lunch box


• the goody bag her teacher made for her - "It is like a party!" she told me


• her name in various locations throughout the classroom

but most of all....

• the long awaited DESK complete with name on top and cubby hole underneath. That is what finally being a first grader is all about.

It was so great to see her smiling little face in the morning and to see that same smile come home in the afternoon. She had so much to say, which is always a good sign with Eve. I was so proud of my confident little first grader!

Eleanor also seemd to enjoy her day, despite aforementioned concerns. Over sandwiches at lunch, I asked her if she was missing Eve or if she was doing okay. "I'm doing okay," she assured me before running off to play with Eve's Barbies. Looks like she's doing great!

They had a joyful reunion in the afternoon, however, over celebratory pudding packs.

And how am I doing? Pretty great, I have to say. I only felt a vague twinge watching her climb up those bus stairs - they are so huge and she looks so small! - but I spent a very happy day with just two kids. It was fun to see Eleanor have such a good time being my "big sister helper."

Now we're on day two and everyone is still doing great, aside from Sam who was being stubborn about his nap. We had such a lovely summer together but hooray for school! In the words of my dear friend Rebecca: 123, 123, I like school and school likes me!