Temple Tour for Girls

This evening, Blythe and I joined the young women and activity day girls for a special tour of the new City Center Temple Bride's room.  On Sundays, the temple has been open only for this group of young women and their moms and leaders to go through the bride's room, the marriage waiting room, and a sealing room.  They have wanted girls to see how beautiful it is in the temple, how they'll be treated like a princess, and how important it is to make a temple marriage their goal.  Although Blythe is not yet eight and she really was supposed to be, she has continued to express some doubt about whether or not to she should be baptized, and I thought seeing the beautiful bride's room might inspire her a bit.

Going through was WAY busier than when we went for the regular temple tour.  The lines were like Disneyland and moving about as quickly, so we were there a long time.  But it was wonderful to be in the temple again and see the bride's room.  I included a picture of it in my other temple tour post, so I won't do so again here.  My only complaint was that they wanted it to be a silent tour which prevented Blythe from asking me questions as she had them, and then not being able to explain what she was seeing as she was seeing it.

When I asked Blythe what she felt about our tour, she said, "I felt like I should be baptized and that the Holy Ghost is true."  I hope that resolves continues until July.

Just as a funny side note, and as a true indication of our relationship, I must share.  Before going into the temple, there was a short video (wonderful!) and a couple who told the girls what it would be like to come to the temple and be married.  At one point, the sister who was talking said, "You'll come to the temple with your mother or another special woman who will help you get ready in the bride's room."  Blythe turned to me and said, "Mom, you and I do so many things together.  I think when I get marriage I want someone else to be with me.  Like Lilly (her friend)."  Of course.  We do too much together, and why would Blythe want me involved in the most important day of her life? 

Don't worry.  I'm not letting it crush my soul just yet.

Gorilla Girl

For three nights in a row, Blythe has slept on the floor in a nest of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals.  The first night she fell asleep on the floor, when we went up to bed, Kent moved her up onto her bed.  When she woke in the morning, she was incensed.  

"Why did you put me in my bed?" she demanded of Kent.

"I was worried you weren't comfortable on the floor," he replied.

"Was I asleep?" she again demanded.

"Yes," Kent said.

"Well," she continued, "if I was asleep that must have meant I was comfortable.  Don't ever move me again!"

So we haven't.  Last night, when I tucked her in, she was on the side of her bed that doesn't have more than about two feet of space.  She was all curled up like she was cold.  I just covered her up and shoved a blanket under the bed so that she could stretch out and still be warm.  When I went in this morning, she was very happy on the floor and delighted she was half under the bed.  She must think she is a gorilla.  I think she is a silly.

Best Dad Ever

It was a glorious, what felt like spring day, and we all spent much time outside, the kids both playing with friends.  Brandt, Jarom, and Sam were running around, and then had the most brilliant idea that they needed to build a fire.  Why?  Because they are boys.  When went to Kent and said, "Can we build a fire? Can we? Can we? Please! Please!"  And because Kent was once a boy and completely understands the appeal of fire, he said, "Sure! Why not?"

Together they constructed a fire pit with left over pavers, collected bits of sticks and dried leaves, and with a piece of newspaper to get it going, started a fire.  Brandt ran into the house, reeking of smoke and said, "Mom! I need one of those popcorn things you can pop over a fire."  I gave him one, and out he ran to make a tasty treat around the fire.  Unfortunately, when it came popping time, the boys didn't consistently shake the container so most of the popcorn burnt.  That didn't seem to dampen the boys enthusiasm, however.

While supervising, Kent had a visit from Jarom and Sam's parents, Aaron and Tami.  Tami said, "Looks like you're cementing your standing as 'Best Dad Ever.'"  Aaron said, "When you let the boys build a fire, I've got no chance of even making up some of my deficit in the Best Dad Ever contest.  Stop making the rest of us look bad."  Kent didn't let the flattery or his standing atop the podium go to his head.  He remains ever humble.  And apparently rather permissive.

Best Dad Ever

Best Boys Ever

Triple Date

Tonight, Kent and I had a super fun triple date with Lisa and Shawn Christensen, and Paula and Jim Hamblin.  As their Christmas present to us, the Hamblins got us tickets to the BYU men's volleyball game.  I love going to these games.  The Fieldhouse is a fantastic venue to watch volleyball, the atmosphere is always electric, and the BYU team played super well, beating CSUN in three games.  The men were very accommodating and let the three of us women sit together so we could talk.  Truth be told, I missed a lot of the match because we were talking.  Afterwards, we went for chocolate cake at Magleby's and talked and laughed some more.  It was wonderful to be together, to catch up, and to be out with other adults having adult conversation.  

Kent and I didn't go home.  We had arranged for Michelle and Brandon to watch Brandt and Blythe so we could have more adult-only time together.  We stayed overnight at the Marriott downtown, enjoying a romantic, kid-free night of uninterrupted sleep, late waking, and a delicious breakfast.  The kids had a great time with Michelle and Brandon, swimming at the Park Ridge pool, having ice cream, and staying up super late.  It was a great evening for everyone.

Field Trip Friday #58--Museum of Natural Curiosity

Today for Field Trip Friday we spent a couple of hours in the Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point.  Ellen's parents are out of town and her siblings get out of school after her on Fridays, so happily she joined us.  While the kids ran around, I sat and read.  They climbed and danced and got soaking wet.  It was marvelous good fun.  We stopped for tacos and churros on the way home, and sang loudly to the radio.  And I took one picture.

Funny Picture Discovery

I found two strips of photo booth pictures from weddings we've attended.  Photo booths at weddings are a silly thing, but we jump right in, goofy stuff on head, right along with the other guests.  Here are my two favorite pictures.

Kent as grey-haired airline pilot

Blythe as pink hatted Carnival attender.

Katherine in silly hat with plastic glasses.

Brandt as ax-wielding poop head.

Swami Kent ready to tell your fortune.

Bowler sporting Katherine with big mouth.

Actually, it's hard to tell that I'm holding a fake mouth because my actual mouth is probably that big.

Tooth Fairy

Our Blythe has lost one of her front teeth.  It has made a large and delightfully cute gap in her smile, and given her a bit of a lisp.  The tooth was loose for several weeks, something unusual with Blythe as she likes to wriggle her teeth lots and lots so they come out quickly.  This one didn't.  It held on for a long time, and it bugged her.  She asked for dental floss help several times, but it just hung in there, firmly.

When it finally came out, Blythe was delighted and, with Ellen's help, wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy.  I will include the contents of the note, neither adding nor subtracting from its contents.  On the cover it said, "to the best tooth fairy in the world. from Blythe. PS. Ellen helped me." with a smiley face.

Inside it said:

Dear tooth fairy, my tooth fell out on february 23, 2016. plese come and collect it. In retren I would like 2 strawberry candes.  Thank you so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much!!

For the record, that's 101 "so"s.  She left the note outside her bedroom door on a wicker shelf she has. Unfortunately, the tooth fairy must have been very busy that night, because she didn't show up.

Oops.

However, tonight, the tooth fairy came and left a nice note with a dollar bill.  Here is what she said:

Dear Blythe,
That you for the wonderful note!  You have asked so nicely for me to leave you candy, but as the the Tooth Fairy, I am sorry to say, I can't do that.  Candy causes your teeth to rot.  Please accept this dollar instead.  You are so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so terrific.  I think your toothless smile is beautiful.
With much love,
The Tooth Fairy

Blythe did accept the dollar and seemed to understand about the two strawberry candies.  The tooth fairy didn't seem to have the time to include 101 "so"s in her note, so there were only 15.  She's a busy little person, the tooth fairy.

And speaking of busy little people, here is our beauty with her gap-tooth smile.

Funny Children

Of late, I've been trying to record the funny things the children say, because, really, there are lots.  Here are some examples.

Brandt: "Did you see me warily eyeing my meatloaf?"

Blythe:  "I don't like to be forced to do things."  In this case, I was trying to get her to eat her salad.

Kent: "Who wouldn't like our Blythe?  She's cute, and funny, and fun."
Blythe: "And forgiving."

Brandt: In response to the neighbor saying, "We're a sporty family."  "Well, we're a reading family."  I love that he associates our family with reading.

When I asked, "If you don't have shoes, what are you?" expecting to get the answer, "Barefoot." Brandt replied, "Homeless?"

While watching the 80s movie The Three Ninjas, there is a scene where a bad guy takes off his shirt.  He's wearing a tight tank-top underneath.  Brandt, enthralled by the movie and the impending fight scene, said, "Oh, he's a yoga teacher.  I want to do yoga! What!? Yoga is over already?" as the bad guy was rapidly defeated and the three ninjas raced out of the room.

While talking to Kent, I suggest I could bike home from Heber (practically all downhill!).  Kent doesn't think that's a good idea and says so.  From the backseat, Blythe says, "Kent, Mom is a woman.  She can do what she wants."  Truth.

Brandt, to Kent:  "Focus your attention on me!"

Blythe told me all about a game she and her friends Lilly Bradford and Maggie Davidson play.  They are the Love Squad (or something).  They spy on other students who are "in love," and if they are spotted, they race to the bathroom and hide in a stall.  They spied on Danny and Adrie who told everyone they were in love and even agreed to be each other's valentine.  Lots of giggles as Blythe recapped the Love Squad's silly activities.

Conversation with Blythe in the car.
B: Mom, when I get married and have children, I'm going to name them all after their birthstones.
K: Like Tourmaline?
B: Huh? What's that?
K: That's a birthstone.
B: I like that name.  (Minute long pause)  Actually, I'm only going to name the girls after their birthstones.  I don't know what I'll name the boys.
K: Some girls are named after birthstones.  Ruby, Pearl . . .
B: Amethyst.
K: I was thinking Opal.  Do you think Peridot is a good name?
B: Of course.

Brandt, to me and Kent as he's bugging his sister, "I like to annoy Blythe."  Spoken like a true big brother.

Blythe has been saying things are "literately impossible," like learning a new piano piece.  Literately.

Blythe exclaims, "Holy colossal!" then follows it up with "What does colossal mean?"  While it was funny once, after the 67th time of her saying, it was less than funny and I was ready to shriek.

Brandt: Do you have to say excuse me when you hiccup?

Hang Time Birthday Celebrating

It was Guy's birthday this month (earlier than today), and he wanted to celebrate jumping around at Hang Time.  The kids love Hang Time, and while they all ran and jumped around, the adults talked and watched the littles.  Blythe did the rope swing over and over and Brandt played dodge ball.  Everyone was in and out of foam pits and up and down (literally), and at the end of our two hour jumping period, everyone was pooped.  What a great time!

I have been known to say to Cora, "You have two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two chins."

Turns out, I do too.

 

 

 

 

The birthday boy