tidbits

On Thursday, Eva got this Olympic-style medal at preschool. I was there a little early to pick her up, and all the kids were walking up the stairs with matching medals. I complimented them, and they all started talking at once: "We walked on the balance beam! We went on the slide! Eva has one, too! We thought she was too little, but she did it!"

So, I got more information out of the other kids than she was willing to volunteer, but I could see that she was proud of her medal and even posed for some photos with it. Her teacher said she did great, so hopefully she won't be a problem student after all?

The second day of preschool was delightful for me -- I ran errands, put away my groceries, and vacuumed. When she got home, she played on the computer for awhile and I cleaned my bathrooms and did some laundry. I even found some time to get out some good mail and read. Delightful.

Potty training update: since I made the sticker chart 10 days ago, the girl has only gone 21 times. That's an average of twice a day! Only one accident, so she's staying dry, but... twice a day?? Should I be concerned? She gets quite angry when I suggest that she try to use the toilet, like when it's been 8 hours or so. Good grief.

On Friday afternoon, Lucas set up a game for Eva in the family room, consisting of multiple forts which are homes for each of them, a restaurant, a shop, etc. It includes good mail (he sends her money to use in the places of commerce and for daily "fees"), pretend sleeping and even sleep-overs in addition to the shopping and eating.

They played it for hours all weekend. It's hard to say who likes it more, Eva or Lucas! Eva is so thrilled that Lucas is playing with her, and I think Lucas is enjoying being in charge of all the details of the game. I'm definitely getting tired of the mess in our main living area, but I'm also reluctant to make them clean it up because it's given me a lot more free time!

Max auditioned on Saturday morning for the Utah Valley Youth Symphony. He is hoping to get into the Sinfonia, which is kind of an entry-level symphony that prepares them for the higher level. I hope hope hope he makes it because he really wants this and I think it would be a great experience for him! (photo of him warming up before the audition)

While we were there, we made some contacts and were able to procure a list of possible cello teachers. We were so sad that his teacher moved unexpectedly and we now have to find him a new one.

While we were at the junior high, Max showed me some of the places he took pictures when his digital photography class was let loose to shoot the class digital Rebels around the school. I thought this one was so cool I had to reproduce it for myself! That kid has got an artistic eye. (shot through a hole in a locker that is missing its lock)

Lucas informed me this weekend that his favorite drinks, in order, are:

1. root beer
2. amoxicillin

Yeah, that's right, amoxicillin. Which is convenient, really, considering how often he has to drink the stuff, but -- gross...

Today we attended a regional conference. It was held at the Marriott Center but broadcast to 175 stake centers! I didn't get to take very thorough notes, due to Eva entertainment issues, but I enjoyed the conference. The speakers were Marlin K. Jensen, Anne M. Dibb, Boyd K. Packer, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

I especially enjoyed Sister Dibb's talk about making hot, fresh rolls for the Young Women. She told them the reasons she wanted to make rolls for them were: 1 ) because she loved them, and 2) because she wanted them to taste the real thing! She was afraid they had only ever had counterfeits. I loved her take on the adversary's attempts to counterfeit every good thing. (not that store-bought rolls come from Satan!) But it resonated with me.

I finally booked my flight to go help Jessie after her baby is born. I leave in less than 3 weeks! It's seeming so real now.

Off to read more of my book club book and get ready for another busy week!