Tween milestone, part two

It's possible that in my first year of junior high I wasn't very confident and my base of friends was quite limited. It's also possible that the D.J. at our first dance was my gym teacher. The combination of these things would explain the lameness of my experience.

As soon as the girls got in the car they were raving about the dance, "IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!" Apparently they had not only a D.J. with excellent music but also some inflatable activity dealios. They danced. They sang. They jumped. They hurdled inflatable obstacles. They ate Skittles. They claim they didn't find any new cute boys (hmmmm). And they didn't even have ugly boys ask them to dance.

How could they not have fun? Yes, I might be a little jealous.

Tween milestone, part one

I remember my first junior high dance. It was right after school - like put your stuff in your locker and go to the gym. I think it cost $2. That's about all I remember. That and...it was lame.

Perhaps, this is why I was ok with Emma going to her first dance. Her first dance. I swear it was five seconds ago that I got her all dressed up in a cute little denim dress for her first day in the nursery. I picked Emma and her friend, Amber, up from school so they'd have less time on the bus and more time to primp. They primped...a little. We stopped at Albertsons so they could buy a treat and headed up the hill.

I turned the volume down on Taylor Swift and asked the girls the most important question they needed to consider as they entered their first dance. "What do you say when someone you don't know asks you to dance?" I wanted to say "someone ugly" but I figured that answer'd be an automatic: NO!

Luckily, Amber is the right kind of influence on Emma. They both hesitated a little and then Amber said, "Say yes?"

The conversation ensued and we discussed that always say: Yes. It's important to kind to everyone even at a dance. We can say, "Is it ok if my friend dances with us?" if we're uncomfortable. Or if they're "bumping and grinding" (the girls words, not mine - ack!) we can politely excuse ourselves.

The next question, "What if they ask you to go behind the building over there and make out?" was answered quickly with a loud and resounding: NO!!! Thank heavens.

I'm picking them up in half an hour...

Read the book...

Don't be fooled by his tough guy exterior. My brother, James, is a big ol' softy. Whenever I see him he hugs me so tight I can't breath. He was the one who called me to tell me when my grandpa died unexpectedly and I think trying to comfort him on the phone was the only thing that kept me from waking up the neighbors with my sorrowful wailing. And when he plays with his sweet baby girl, Riley, everyone in the room will smile and laugh. Glad we got a few days with you two. 143!

Great to be 8!

Happy Birthday, my beautiful boy!Things I love about Dedan:

~ He has the best sense of humor...even when the rest of us are serious.~ I always know what he wants to eat: chicken, french fries & chocolate milk...even at the Olive Garden. (Thanks, Grandpa, for a great dinner!)

~ The boy can tell a story.

~ He can be a very patient, loving, fun big brother to Nash.

~ He is always trying to improve his skills. This week it's doing wheelies on his bike.

~ He can fall asleep anywhere.

~ He is a great snuggler.

~ He makes friends everywhere he goes.

~ We have a neighbor we call "The Cranky Lady" and he is always suggesting nice things we can do for her....maybe I should listen.

143, Son!

Le Brea Tar Cake

Papa baked and frosted this beautiful cake for Dedan's 8th birthday. Then Dedan decorated it and Har named it.
Papa (the baker) & family look on as Dedan makes his wish.We came home too late on Dedan's birthday, so we had his chocolate cake for breakfast the next day....remind you of Bill Cosby?

Friendly Food & Thirsty Boys

Emma was helping me in the kitchen this morning and found this...

...smiling potato. It got spared from being our dinner and it's sitting in our fridge.

In an attempt to prevent the "I'm thirsty" or "I have to go potty" excuses to get out of Sacrament meeting I made the kids go to the water fountain and the restroom before it started. It didn't help. 15 minutes into the meeting Dedan started asking to go get a drink. No. 3 minutes later. No. Another 10 minutes later. No. Finally he handed me this...

The answer is still: No.

Vacation is in the air

The kids may have gone back to school (pictures to come in a later post), but if you ask me it still feels like summer. Maybe because it's still 90 plus degrees everyday, maybe because my sis just left on Tuesday, & maybe because we're not used to our earlier days. So while I'm still feeling summery, I'm avoiding school posts and talking about more of our summer fun.

My nephew, Tristen, turned 9 while he was here. He is a planner. He made a list of gifts he wants on his mom's phone and went over the schedule of the day with each adult at least once. Things on his wishlist:

Donuts for breakfast - check

Swim party at Grandma's pool - check

Pizza for lunch - check

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (before dinner)- check

Macaroni & Cheese for dinner - check

Legos - check

Survival kit - (thanks to Uncle Har) check

Sometimes cousins are all you need for a good birthday party...And a checklist.

Family History

Fourteen plus years ago I shared a house with my friend, Alisha, and her brother (but he's unimportant for the purpose of this story). Alisha is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She listened to all sorts of cry baby talk on my part. She was my visiting teaching partner - the first one I remember having. She rocked as a roommate.

A.B. and Alisha

Because she so totally rocked I wasn't surprised when one of the girls she'd been coaching in city volleyball started hanging out at our house...a lot. Lisa (said girl) had a less than ideal home life. We loved Lisa. She stayed with us lots. Eventually it was obvious that Lisa needed more than a friend. She needed a mom. A real mom...with a capital M. My beautiful, single friend was obviously the best choice for the job. They had that kind of great relationship, so I gave a "here here" when she confessed she was thinking of adopting her.

Around the same time Harland and I got engaged, and so Alisha and I started our families at the same time.

Lisa and Craig

Nowadays, Alisha's getting promoted much faster than me. She became a Grandma in May when Lisa and hubby, Craig, welcomed adorable baby Harris. We were honored to be there for his blessing. The Lord creates families in many ways. I am grateful to know this family and be a part of it's beginning...and now to watch as it grows!

Alisha's grandbaby, Harris and his cousin, Tiana.

A Day at the Beach

Tressa (best sister ever), Mom and I took the kids to the beach we remember going to all the time as kids. The one in Ventura with the park and the big pirate ship....fond memories!

It was a little chilly. Emma and Tressa wore jackets the whole day, but the wind didn't stop the boys from.......being boys.

Baby powder is the secret weapon we use for keeping the sand out of our car. Thanks Tami!

Great day!