Nurturing

I am a good nurterer. REALLY.
Okay, fine I'll present two sides and you decide.

Side One: So, it's that time of year again--REFLECTIONS. The PTA forum for kids to express their artistic creativity based on a theme. Mara wanted to do a song again; Asher wasn't interested in it at all. Maybe it was that the theme was "Beauty is . . ." which to boys, is a little girly. Once again, we did it the night before. I have a good excuse for my, oops I mean Mara's, procrastination. We were going to do it over fall break but unfortunately we all got the stomach flu. So, reflection's eve. I liked Mara's song last year better. It definitely took a little toning down from me before this song sounded more little-girlish and less "Hannah Montana-Teeny bopperish". (totally real words) Luckily, not many kids do it so she won first place again. She was really nervous at the awards ceremony and kept asking me-- is it me yet? I was really happy for her. Especially since last year we missed the ceremony. We won't go into that drama. Anyway, it was a great experience for her.But this was all her- the words, the melody, the piano accompaniment. Let me tell you- helping a 7 year old write a song is not easy. They sing one melody. And then the next time they sing it different. Here are the lyrics:

Beauty is a melody
Beauty is the sun
Beauty is a tree
Beauty is a butterfly
When the sun is shining
I shine as well
When it happens
I feel love
And beauty is always love
All of us together we feel beauty
And we create music and that’s beauty
And we feel the love and beauty
So try it.
And the world is beauty
If we all fall down that’s okay
It always happens, I don’t really care you see
I just think of beauty
But if death comes, that’s just the end.

If you listen to the song, you'll see that I managed to talk Mara into not doing the end of the song. You know, the death part. We just end it before that. Good call, right? I'm just helping her to hone her skills. Really. It's not about me, it's about her.

The recording isn't great but hey, it was the night before and we were very tired.

Side two:

Every night as a family as part of our bedtime routine we do our "blessing basket". We state one blessing that we had in our metaphorical "basket" of the day. I went to a parenting seminar ONCE (that's all I needed) that talked about teaching our kids gratitude- that it's a concept you have to literally teach them because they come to earth and grow up being fed, dressed, taken care of etc. They assume that's just how life is. So, I'm trying to teach my children gratitude. It's really working. Yesterday as part of his homework Asher had to "sound-spell" a list of 5 things he was grateful for. Here it is in all it's glory.

At least Eden made the list.

So, you decide, how's the nurturing?

The year of 3 costumes

Maybe, just maybe we went a little overboard with Halloween this year. You see, Jason had 1 costume for work, 1 for an adult party, and 1 for trick-or-treating with the family. By comparison, I only had 2 costumes. One for the party and one for family trick-or-treating. I don't think of myself as the kind of over-the-top person but maybe, just maybe, with Halloween I am. I like doing a theme. While my kids are young, I can get away with it. They also know, that's how we do things. So we decide together what the theme should be. This year's theme was decided a year ago. Star Wars. Everything in our house is Star Wars. Star Wars computer game, toys, make-believe, etc. So of course, that's the route we went. Mara chose to be Padme and I was Leia so for one night, she was my mother. She loved the role reversal! If only I could really give her a taste of her own medicine. Anyway, we had lots of fun. We won the best couple award at the party and a $25 gift card to Outback although I partially credit that to the fact that my friend and her husband left and he has an amazing Star Wars costume b/c he does Star Wars charity work as a hobby. So, thanks to her, we won. Trick-or-treating was a blast and for the 2nd year in a row, it was relatively warm. Eden walked around all evening saying "I Ewok, trick-or-treat" and was well-rewarded for her cuteness. All in all, an enjoyable holiday. Now onto Thanksgiving!

Popeye and Olive Oil

Star Wars clan at home getting ready to head out trick-or-treating.
The whole group out on the town: Jango Fett, Padme, "Vanilla" Mace Windu, Ewok, Leia

More pictures to be coming later of Jason in his "Captain Canuck" Costume.

To be grateful

1. I'm grateful my kids don't have the swine flu.

2. I'm grateful that they've thrown up 3 nights in succession (one at a time, taking turns like good kids should) and didn't spread it out over a few weeks or all get sick at once.

3. I'm grateful that I'm stuffed up so I couldn't really smell the vomit.

4. I'm grateful that my kids didn't have to miss school because of their sickness.

5. I'm grateful that I didn't have piano lessons the days they got sick.

6. I'm grateful Jason was home last night so I could get a break and some sleep.

So, as you can see, I have had a lot to be grateful for this week. What about you?

Nothing to blog about

The only thing I've been updating on my blog are my kids' quotes because really, there is nothing to blog about.

I can't blog about my FIL cussing me out over the phone and then hanging up on me after giving me the whole "after all we've done for you" spiel.

I can't blog about how a mother publicly bawled me out at church on Sunday for "publicly humiliating and shaming the children over a song". (The irony isn't lost on me.) Apparently my best isn't good enough.

And really you don't want to hear about how I lost my wallet- well, really I think Eden tossed it or something- so I'm starting from scratch. Good news- new driver's license picture.

Or how I'm becoming a pioneer woman trying to use up all the fruit on my fruit trees- 2 types of fruit leather, 2 types of syrup and Asian plum sauce.

Our day to day activities like camping over Labor day weekend, coaching soccer, going to BYU games with my gorgeous sister, helping at school, playing games with friends, storytime, working out, etc. are really boring to hear about.

That's all pretty boring. So- just look at my kids cute quotes and check back for something much more interesting. I'm sure.

To my neighbors

Dear Neighbors-
Just to clarify, yes, that was me lying on the driveway with my bike on top of me. In my defense, I was clipped into my bike and thought I could make it up the hill (that is my driveway) if I went really fast. I didn't have enough momentum and by the time I was going down I didn't react fast enough to clip out and catch myself- so yes, that was me you saw fall over, on my bike, in my driveway.
I'm glad you thought I was the kind of person who can laugh at myself. Only, small problem, I wasn't actually laughing so in reality you were just laughing at me. But don't worry, I'm okay with it.
Also, thanks for not coming over to check and make sure I was okay because really that would have just embarrassed me more. I know I was laying there a while but it would have taken you so much longer to walk over to help, I understand. I just needed a minute to catch my breath and my strength to clip out and get up. And I'm fine. Really. My pride's a little hurt. I'm a little scraped and the whole right side of my body is bruised, but I'm good.
Yes, you are also correct in thinking that my daughter was standing there watching the whole thing. But it's good for her to see that mom falls too (and doesn't cry or swear!) and is totally okay with the neighbors laughing and not helping.
Thanks for helping me to find the humor in the situation and teaching me self-reliance. I'll be sure to return the favor.
Your neighbor,
Luisa

confessions of a foodie

(Picture of one of my recent favorite recipes. When I get around to it- I'll post it. They're divine. Kind of like shortbread with lemon meringue pie filling. I did it once with lime too. ahhhh.)

I like food. I like to eat. I like to talk about food. I like to plan out what to eat. I dream about food (just the other night- icecream sandwiches) And so on, and so forth. I'm lucky I work out and have a fast metabolism. Here are a few confessions . . .

* I think part of the reason I like to eat squash and zucchini is because of the butter on top. I love butter!

*As a kid- I loved to eat the fat on meat. I know-disgusting.

*I get excited about cooking new recipes. Even more excited if they are good and easy. I'll tell the world about them. (So if you have any-bring them my way. Especially if they are funky.)

*Fresh produce is exhilarating. That's why I love Sunflower Market.

*I hate wasting food so if my kids don't eat all their food, I'll usually finish it. Just yesterday I debated whether I should save what was left of their oatmeal from breakfast and eat it for lunch. Don't worry, the voice of reason won out. I tossed it.

*Growing up my dad would give me the skin off his chicken if I would do the Sunday dishes for him. And I did.

*I don't consider candy food.

*I don't like most sweets in general but I enjoy making cookies and all that. Then I give it away.

*If I was to grow fat on one thing it would be bread. I love good artisan breads. Oh wait, 2 things-bread AND cheese. I love good cheeses.

*I love pizza. Really any kind. Even the .89 Totino's party pizza. That's why I think it's worthless to pay for gourmet pizzas because I get just as much satisfaction from an .89 one as I do an 8.99 one.

*Chocolate, no thanks. (This coming from a girl who used to eat fat. Incomprehensible, I know.)

*Orange juice is like coffee to me. It gives me a jolt of sugar in the morning and gets me going.

*I hate syrup. I always eat my pancakes plain. Well, with butter of course. (As a kid I always worried about getting it in my long hair- yes, I'm vain too!JK)

*I get excited when I make a good dinner and have leftovers. Usually I can't wait until lunch to eat them and eat them for breakfast. Cold.

* I like my own cooking so much that sometimes it is quite a disappointment to go out to eat. I'm annoyed that I spent money on food when I make better stuff at home. Not that I'm saying I'm amazing but most people like their own cooking. I do.

*Garlic. Mmmm. Lots of garlic.

* I like all ethnic foods and have "holiday" meals for different countries just for an excuse to eat different food. My kids have eaten many weird meals. They're still alive. So we're okay.

YAY, my internet is working. I would've posted this DAYS ago when I started it but my internet has been junky. It's very frustrating. Anyway, I didn't even read over this so I'm going to call it good.

What makes you a foodie?

6 months- a photojourney

March: Montreal, Quebec
Eden and I tagged along to Jason's business trip to see beautiful Montreal. So much fun and not too bad in winter. Gorgeous, good food, good company. I only saw one guy peeing in the subway. Not too shabby.
Eden got the hang of riding the metro. She even has the look of indifference down. Don't worry, afterwords I sanitized her hands. UGH!. Us at the waterfront.

April: Grand Canyon and Phoenix, AZ
The whole lot of us drove to visit my sister and her family over Easter/Spring Break. We stopped at the Grand Canyon on the way and I left with all my kids, thankfully. Of course, we managed to visit Phoenix when it was raining- go figure. But we still loved the heat and hated coming back to more snow storms. The zoo was particularly fun but getting a letter in the mail with my picture saying I was speeding to get there was not so fun.

I promised my mom an Easter photo and the rest of you have to deal with it. Sorry.
May: Kolob Canyon, UT (part of Zion)
While Jason was livin' it up in Florida, Mindi and I had a campout with just us girls and the kids. It was wonderful weather, terrific scenery, and we stayed up late talking like girls at a sleepover. The only downfall was Sunday morning (which was also Mother's Day) our girls were planning a great Mother's Day surprise and were so excited to do it that they came in at 5 am!

Kolob Canyon with Mindi and kids.We went to a park in Cedar City Sunday for a picnic before we headed back. It was amazing!

June: Bear Lake, UT
We had a mini family reunion for the Bear Lake 1/2 marathon. I was the official driver/cheerleader for my 3 siblings that ran it. Weather- not so great. BUT we still managed to have fun. The Seadoo was surprisingly not too cold with a wet suit- even with the rain and wind. No pictures of this. Oops!

July: Oregon, New York, Canada
July was a whirlwind. We went to Oregon for my spectacular sister's wedding. She was stunning as usual and he was demure. They are terrific together-yay for them. The pre-wedding prep:crazy. Then I came home for 2 days and flew to NYC. I went with another sister for her 30th birthday and my mom. We had a blast trying to fit in as much as we could and eating lots of good food. If you go- let me recommend a few things-- Shake Shack and Magnolia Bakery's key lime cheesecake. Also, don't forget the most important sightseeing- ratwatching on the subway. Lastly, Canada for Delbert's (FIL) 80th b-day. (No pictures of this-- while I went to the car to get a diaper for Eden, they took all the family pictures. Apparently they are embarrassed to have me in their family.) I flew in from NYC and Jason picked me up at the airport to hit the road. All in all- it was a good trip. Not without the typical family drama but we got to see lots of people, play games, go hiking, great hospitality. Fun all around.
Henderson lake in Lethbridge-Jason grew up there. Takkakaw Falls in B.C.

Rat watching- yes, I took this photo myself. On the bike tour- which I HIGHLY recommend.Where else in the US would you find a yiddish bus?
Lastly, one of our celeb sightings. In case you can't tell who that is in the background with my big head, another photo I took. That ain't from no fancy magazine people. That's from my little camera! Forest Whittaker. Alive and well.
August: Manhattan Beach, CA
After all our traveling we needed a trip to unwind! We were also celebrating Jason's b-day and our 12th anniversary. (Can you believe I'm that old?) So we took the kids to the beach for a few days. It was sublime. Sun, Sand, Warm water-- delicious. We even stopped in Vegas for the Bellagio Buffet on our way. I've never eaten so many crab legs. The drawback: it was too windy for the water show. I guess we might have to go to Vegas again.


Well, that's it. For now. I love to travel so I'm sure we'll do more but with school coming- we'll have to tone it down. Now back to reality. Maybe I'll post more. Maybe-- only if you want me to. . .