Rotten Eggs

Oh the possibilities...

Divide and conquer: one parent per overly crowded age group

If you frown when you're upside down does that make it a smile?

Or maybe he just knew the outcome.

Nash and the contents of his one egg. Note his enthusiasm.

Dedan managed to grab 4 whole eggs.

One had a temporary tattoo

...of a flower.

Best of 2010: Dedan



photo by Dejah Morris


* The field trip to the zoo with my class at my new school.

* Having my first sleepover at my cousin Sean's house.

* Dad got a job.

Cute to the power of 3

So what if I'm a little prejudiced being their mother and all. You cannot argue with this picture from last August. The dentist's office took it when they were all cavity free. We got to take the picture home this time...and we're still cavity free! Woohooo!

3 Projects & A Baptism

Project 1

This week Har and Papa had to rip up 30% of the kitchen counter tiles because ants were living in the broken grout {Gross}. Of course they had to re-lay said tiles once the problem was fixed. Papa stayed up all night Friday to finish in time for all our Saturday afternoon guests. Thanks, Papa!!!

Project 2

Dedan got a K-Nex toy for his birthday from Grandpa Santa - similar to legos but way more parts plus this one has a motor. Har & I took turns helping him over a couple of days but it got finished in time to be the moving centerpiece at his party on Saturday.

Project 3

This was the first knitting piece I finished (I'm still working on a cabled scarf for myself): a white & silver tie for Dedan to wear on his baptism day. There were many late night knitting sessions in order to finish it in time, but my handsome boy was worth every minute of it.

DEDAN'S BAPTISM!

My fantastic 8-year old chose to get baptized. The sentence alone brings tears to my eyes. Partly, because several times during the weeks before his baptism I gave him an out "If you 'hate' church then you shouldn't get baptized", "You know, bud, this is your choice", "The Bishop wants to interview you for baptism. Would you like to go talk to him?" Maybe that sounds strange to my fellow church members, but I needed Dedan to know he wasn't doing this to please me or Har, but he was doing it for himself. We had a talk about what it means to get baptized, what it means to receive the Holy Ghost, and how important those decisions are. My boy decided for himself.

See his proud parents (Har & I aren't normally ones to be all matchy, but we dressed separately and Dedan even picked out Har's shamrock tie. At least it isn't super obvious,right?).

The day was a whirlwind of wonderful. The morning was spent in preparation for the after party (is was quite a party). Our Vista guests arrived early (good traffic - yippee!), so we all got to the stake center in plenty of time (because I padded the time frame when speaking to those in my immediate household), took some pictures, and staked out our seats.

They ask the families to participate (of course) for the services, but I refused to speak since I could barely choke out the words to my talk when Emma was baptized 4 years ago. Emma stepped up and volunteered to sing When I Am Baptized. She called her two BFFs, Caitlyn & Amber, and asked them to sing with her. They did a beautiful job of representing our family. Here's my handsome, freshly baptized boy with his super amazing handmade tie standing in front of his own illustration of his baptism which he drew earlier this year.

I {heart} Dedan.

Congratulations, son!

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?

Story Telling

One night near the campfire Dedan started telling me this elaborate story. As I sat there watching my nearly 8-year old middle child I was struck by how truly beautiful he was. As I listened, I couldn't help but notice how the expression on his face and the light in his eyes showed his passion for not just story telling but for entertaining - he kept trying to involve me in the story by giving me choices as to what a character should do next. I was so overwhelmed that I grabbed my camera and started snapping away. He was so engrossed creating these pictures for me that it took him a while to notice I had my camera. It's times like this I wish I had more skill with a camera, but maybe the spirit of a child isn't easy to capture. You'll have to trust me: his soul is unmatched, alive, the essence of beauty.

Easter was full of all the usual: community egg hunt, new Easter dress, waiting at the top of the stairs, goodies, egg decorating, brunch at home, church, more egg hunting & turkey dinner at Grandpa's.

Dedan was running with Lula on a leash. She went one way around the lamppost, he went the other. Face meet sidewalk. A baby tooth popped out and you can see the cracked adult tooth above.

This was a Saturday. I left a message with our dentist, he called back to find out how he was doing and let us come in first thing Monday without an appointment. Then fixed it on the spot Monday.

Dr. Chris Ezzat, pediatric dentist. He rocks!!!