Tree Swing

Swinging on a regular swing set is fun, but something magical happens when you hang some ropes and a wooden seat from a tree.  The high branches afford a greater pendulum, the leaves shade and shelter, the flat seat doesn't squish your hips, and the tree limb gently bounces under your weight.
If you want to make your own, try these sources for information: here and here.

Turtle

Check out this cool turtle Alvin found in our back yard.  

He was fast . . . the turtle, that is!

Cold Season

 Ahhh, sleeping soundly.

What it took:

• NoseFrida
• bulb syringe
• saline spray
• infant Tylenol
• humidifier

Watering the Baby

Now that it is so warm outside, Miles' new favorite pastime is building rivers and waterfalls in the backyard. Basically playing in the mud.  Alvin (the geologist) helps him dig a river in the dirt, then they turn on the hose and drench the earth.  The other day I was inside using the computer when Alvin came in from just such a geology project.

"Where's Clay?" I asked.
"Oh, he's outside in his chair.  Miles is watching him."  I raised my eyebrows, but went back to work.
A few minutes passed, then we heard a shriek from outside.  Then another shriek.
I headed downstairs to assess the situation.  Just as I got to the back door, I met Miles rushing inside.
"Mom!  You have to stay in here while I dry off Clay!  Go get me a towel."
I was flabbergasted (my grandma uses that word a lot).  I tried to continue outside to see just how wet Clay was, but Miles blocked me!
Alvin handed him a towel, shrugged his shoulders at me, and said, "Miles wants to do it himself.  Just let him."  Defeated again.
Well, Miles "dried off" Clay, but the baby was still sopping when we finally got to him.  But not crying - what a good sport of a little brother.

Thank you, Mr. Nibley

This is Miles' favorite bedtime CD.  It's a lovely collection of classical piano music, soothing enough to put a boisterous toddler to sleep.  You can listen to some of it here.  My favorites are #1, #2, and, of course, Clair de Lune #14.  Reid Nibley is a sensitive, accomplished pianist.

Every night before we can leave his room, Miles instructs:
"Hug and kiss and my music on and 'bye.'  And I want the music with the leaf and the rose."

This may not seem related, but . . . I got a piano on Friday!  My future seems so bright and complete now!  I really was pining without a piano.  You know, I took lessons from age 4 to 17, and I even taught a few students over the years.  But I have been without a real piano since 2010.

Since we moved to Oklahoma, I've been thinking about getting a used piano.  And now the timing was right, we had a good tax return, and I found a quality instrument on Craig's List.  The man selling it was asking more than I planned on spending, but as soon as I tried it out and heard the tone quality, I fell in love.  (The seller even turned out to be a piano mover and delivered it to us for free!)  This piano has a mellow, bell-like sound, and the key action is good - not too loose.

Tonight I played Clair de Lune.  My fingers still remember it!  After a few measures, Miles' face lit up, he ran upstairs, then came back carrying his "leaf CD."

"Mom!" he said.  "That's the song on my music!"

What is your job?

Last night Alvin gave a great Family Home Evening lesson on prophets and apostles.  We will listen to modern-day prophets speak at General Conference this Saturday & Sunday, and we're trying to prep Miles to watch and appreciate it.  (Well, watch some of the four 2-hour sessions.  How do you keep young children interested in watching Conference talks?  Or at least keep them from distracting you?)

Presidents Eyring, Monson, and Uchtdorf of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Alvin concluded his lesson by saying that a prophet's job is to talk about Jesus.  To illustrate what "job" means, Alvin asked Miles about our jobs.  I got a kick out of the dialogue that ensued!

Alvin: What's my job?
Miles: Mmm . . . work!
Alvin: Yep, that's right.  What's Mom's job?
Miles: < pause > To cook and eat.
Alvin: What's your job?
Miles: Obey and do my Morning Chart.
Laura: < laughing hysterically because he really captured the essence of our jobs >

The famed Morning Chart.  It's a great way to keep Miles (and me!) focused on getting dressed and ready for the day.  He likes to put the clips next to each illustration after completing the task.  Miles even asks to do his Morning Chart throughout the day so he can earn back trains that have been banished to the Naughty Bag.

Does pregnancy give you cavities?

Now I will reveal my oral history.  In thirty years I have had 2 cavities: one in a baby tooth, and one in a permanent molar.  I was very proud of my healthy teeth, and thank my mother for diligently administering fluoride tablets to me in my childhood.

Two weeks ago I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning.  I was nothing less than astounded when the hygienist claimed I had 5 cavities.  She said, noting my sidekicks (Clay and Miles), "Yep.  Kids'll do it to you.  They suck all your nutrients.  Plus, you tend to be less diligent about tooth brushing when you are chasing them around all day."

Is that true?!

Whether it is or not, I had 5 cavities filled Thursday.  I suddenly feel ashamed that I laughed at Alvin's limp cheeks when he had dental work done a year ago.  What would you say is the worst torture: the shots, the drilling, or hours of numb, sagging cheeks and tongue?