Mini Milestone

We’ve reached a mini milestone with Matthew. (I love alliteration!) Last week when I told him he couldn’t eat something, he asked, “Why?” (His common response to pretty much everything right now.) I told him that it would make his mouth itchy and, wonder of all wonders, he actually understood and quit asking. I’m not delusional enough to think that this means smooth sailing from here on out, but I am hoping it results in fewer lactastrophes.

And speaking of avoiding anaphylactic shock, I have discovered that someone out there does in fact manufacture a soy based frozen dessert with nary a hint of dairy. (Rhyming’s fun to!) So when the big boys got a little scoop of ice cream with their apple crisp this evening, Matthew got a little scoop with his to. He was pleased as punch to be able to have some “I meem” of his very own.

Now I just have to work up enough courage to try the sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) or the soy butter to make faux peanut butter cookies. I have a perfectly wonderful recipe that has completely gone to waste over the past year. And if I’m really feeling courageous, I might just try the soy cream cheese substitute, although there are not many things in this world that sound more appalling.

And by the way, to my family who goes out of their way to accommodate Matthew's dietary needs, you guys ROCK!! It really helps. Thank you.

Muppet Love

Matthew has a new best friend. In addition to his "My-ie," (that's blankie for those of you who don't speak Matthewese) Matthew has become emotionally attached to Kermit the frog. According to Matthew, "Mermit" says, "Bubbit! Bubbit!"


Guess who will be on Matthew's birthday cake next month?

The Gospel For Little Children

Last night Nathan was in charge of the lesson for family home evening. He choose the lesson "A Child of God-No Matter What!" from this month's Friend. After telling the story, the boys got to make a crown to remind them that they are all princes because they are children of God. They had a grand old time.

Matthew took the whole lesson one step further and put on the whole armor of God.

Well Coiffed

This week is spirit week at the elementary. I don't remember having such things until I hit junior high, but apparently that has changed. Anyway, Daniel has never been terribly excited to do all the crazy stuff that spirit week entails, but Nathan has really been enjoying himself and I think Daniel has decided to jump on in because otherwise his little brother will be showing him up. Today was crazy hair day and Nathan was so excited about it that he told me he would get up early so we would have time to do his hair and that if he got up before me he could get his own breakfast if I left him a piece of bread in a little plastic bag. I told him I would get up early with him. It's probably a good thing he needs a haircut. If his hair was its normal length, I don't thing I could have done much to make it crazy. I asked Nathan if this was crazy enough and he said it was.

Matthew took one look at Nathan and offered to brush his hair.


Daniel's hair only needed a tiny bit of encouragement since it sticks straight up all by itself anyway.

Thoughts On Why My Asthmatic Children Are Struggling

(To be sung to the tune of “O Christmas Tree”)

O mucky air! O mucky air!
I hate you with a passion.
You make it hard for folks to breathe;
You should receive a lashin’.
They’re wracked with coughing, wheezing to.
From time to time their lips turn blue.
O mucky air! O mucky air!
I hate you with a passion.

Things That Happen Because I Live In A House With Only Boys

Last night was the opera (Regina-not my favorite, but there were some parts I enjoyed) and as I was getting ready to go, the following conversation occurred:

Nathan: "What are you wearing?"
Me: "A dress."
Nathan: "Is it like a really long shirt?"
Me: "It's like a shirt and a skirt hooked together."
(brief pause)
Nathan: "I think Allie has one of those."

Perhaps I've been a slacker in educating my children about girly stuff. After all, someday they are probably going to want to date someone who wears "one of those."

How Can I Be Behind Already?

It seems that welcoming in the new year has done nothing to decrease my sneaking suspicion that I'm always running behind. This evening we finally got around to putting together the gingerbread Christmas tree. Maybe it is more of a New Year's tree . . .

Nevertheless, we had fun!

Festival of Lights

Last night we rode the train downtown and took the boys to the church history museum and then saw the lights on Temple Square. Nathan thought it was the best Festival of Lights ever. Matthew was thrilled about the train ride. Both Daniel and Nathan were more interested in the museum than we thought they would be. Kev and I discovered that we need to go back to the museum when we can devote more time to it and found a print of some art work that we want to hang in our future (hopefully not too far in the future!) home. It wasn't too cold and there weren't an overwhelming number of people. In short, we had a great time.