Last weeks highlights
We lived off of left overs the whole week. No grocery shopping for me.
A neighbor wrote Wiley's Primary Program talk for me.
Rosie cut her own hair just hours before the Primary Program.
Eva pulled herself to her feet using the couch and let go.
Wiley asked me, "Would you mind if I used a swear word.". . . "Oh my gosh, it was so cool!"
We finally found a chemical based formula that Eva is not allergic to.
Ben mopped the floors.
I went to bed on Saturday night at 9:15 p.m.
The Birds, the Bees, and Bill Nye
So Ben had a rather revealing conversation with Wiley the other day. He was in the kitchen making some of his world-famous potato salad when Wiley entered to show him one of his new LEGO creations. Ben congratulated him as Wiley showed him the various features. Then the conversation took a different turn:
Wiley: Dad, I think we should have another baby.
Ben: Oh really? Already? But we just got baby Eva.
Wiley: Yes. Only this time I think we should have a baby boy.
Ben: Well, I'll see what we can do about that.
Wiley: Do you know how to make a baby boy?
Ben: (somewhat panicked) Ah ...
Wiley: It's easy. You see, Mom has two X's and you have an X and a Y. If you want to make a girl, you have to give Mom your X, and if you want to make a boy you give Mom your Y.
Ben: (slightly relieved, but also intrigued) I see. And where did you learn this?
Wiley: From Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
Ben: (unable to resist asking the $64,000 question) So Wiley, how exactly do I give Mom a Y?
Wiley: (considers this for a long moment) Mmmmh. That's a good question. I'm not sure. I guess you would use a lot of words with Ys in them.
Ben: Is that the only way?
Wiley: Well, I guess you could also tell Mom that you love her. Or maybe you could just say a prayer.
Ben: You are one smart boy.
At that point, Wiley wandered off to make another LEGO ship. Ben relayed that story to me shortly thereafter. I don't remember seeing that episode with Bill Nye the Science guy.
Memorable Moment
Yesterday, all three kids and I were at the grocery store, something I HATE to do. Here is how things went down at the check out.
Rosie was climbing all over the cart and onto the grocery counter, she was manic, very anxious to get out of there. Even the checker asked her to get off the counter. I warned her of consequences and had her get back into the cart. Which she did reluctantly. It was a tense moment. I wanted to just be done shopping. She stood in the cart with her hands on her hips. Then she motioned with one little finger for me to come closer, I thought she would whisper something in my ear instead with her arms flailing in the air and in her loudest voice she screamed,
"I don't make deals with peasants!"
The checker and I busted up laughing. Apparently, she has seen The Emperor's New Groove one too many times.Kuzco: I got a little secret for you. Come here. No, closer. [Pacha comes closer
Kuzco: [loudly, in Pacha's ear] I don't make deals with peasants! ...
The Prize
Months ago the Dyer and Nilsson cousins entered into a "Family History Trivia" battle to prepare for a huge family reunion in Nebraska. You wouldn't think that we are so eager to engage in a challenge without knowing the prize but hey we've competed over stranger things, namely, the "first one to 1,000 pushups". . . but as I was saying. A prize for this challenge was promised and the challenge spanded more than a month and amazingly I won, but only by a few points.
Weeks past as I waited patiently by the mail box for my promised prize. Finally, the prize arrived and not by the mail man, but by one of our challenge sponsors, all the way from southern California! I know what you are thinking, what could the prize be that would warrant a trip up from Cali?? I tore opened the box, while Ben ran to get the camera, a unwrapped and unwrapped and unwrapped and to my utter delight found three great prizes.
First, a cute note from our game sponsor, but not just any note, one that used to belong to Grandma Ruth's stationary collection. She had cards for every occasion on hand. (I also collect cards like she did-so this was special to get something from her collection.)
Next, a cash prize! I know, great eh and not just a measly $5 bucks. When Wiley saw the money he yelled with the hugest eyes, "A hundred dollars, Mom, you got a hundred dollars!!" I know, what a great family trivia prize!!
Lastly, the best prize of all was unwrapping Grandma Ruth's recipe book. There is page after page of her handwritten recipes. Some of them her's, many of them collected from the people she loved. Many recipes had Aunt Dot written next to them. (Grandma's Sister). Her notable contributions are "Aunt Dot's Meat Pies", "Dot's Yellow Cheese", "Dot's Dill Pickles" "Dot's green bean salad". I also noticed quite a few from my own mother. Amazing, my mom's own Mother-in-law thought she had good recipes! That is saying something because of Grandma's own collection and skills are known all over the nation, and I mean that literally.
Grandma Ruth was notorious for her food (as well as service, but that is a blog for another time). But you should know that it is not just about having the recipes that make this prize so amazing, because I may not make her "Green Tomato Jam" or her "Sloppy Joes for 100". It is more about having something that she loved. Something that she carried EVERYwhere with her.
Thanks Amy and Aunt Kip for giving up such a huge prize. Please know that it will be cherished forever.
Meanwhile, I'm wishing rhubarb was in season so that I could make her incredible "Rhubarb Cake". But for now I will settle for her "Kentucky Hot Browns" and "Ruth's Bran Muffins".
Notes from a 7 year old.
Wiley pulled his own tooth out using dental floss.
Wiley was ecstatic that Trixie the Tooth Fairy wrote back.
13 days later Wiley pulled out another tooth.
Should I be concerned over his love for Trixie the Tooth Fairy?
Never mind that the handwriting doesn't match. He isn't bothered by that. He is just so happy to have a note and some money.
The Trip
Sept. 1, 2000-Sept. 1, 2009
It started with a trip to England 10 years ago. Since that time we have traveled to 9 different countries, visited 17 different states, lived in 5 residences, attended 2 colleges, endured 7 years of school (1 more to go!), and had 3 amazing kids. 9 blissful years of marriage, and 9 years of trips -- some of them we can plot on a map, some only in our imagination, but all of them have been incredible. Just so you know Ben, I'll follow you anywhere, through thick and thin. (See our pictures below for illustrations of "thick" and "thin.") We have changed so much over the years, but one thing has never changed: you are still my best friend. I love you. Happy Anniversary.
Coast of Wales, March 2000
Provo Canyon, Utah, July 2000
Seattle, Washington, August 2003
Reno, Nevada, July 2005
Wyoming, TREK June 2007
Nassau, Bahamas, May 2008
Braunfels, Germany, June 2008
American Fork, Utah, October 2008
A Wonderful August
(Notice the little finger marks in the fresh whip cream. . . Rosie did that moments after this pie arrived.)
I've been taught from a young age that you should learn to celebrate your birthday all month if possible and I'm doing my best.
Lauren made me this awesome peach pie from her special family recipe collection. We also stayed a night up at the cottages in Sundance. We saw the Fantastiks. Had breakfast at the Grill. We went out to eat at Buca di Beppos with Shane and Lauren (thanks Megan for babysitting) We went on several bike rides, thanks to my new bike (thanks Mom and Dad), we spent some quality time just as a little family, as well as spent some time at two family reunions. We managed a few trips to the cabin, a little bit of time on a canoe, two nights water skiing, and we have spent LOTS of time swimming -we've been to nearly EVERY pool in the area.
Thanks everyone for making August so great.
