The Primary Circus--Er, I Mean Program

Today was our Primary Program during Sacrament Meeting, but I have to admit that is was the most entertaining program I've seen yet. There are two reasons why.

THE FIRST REASON: The actual script was hysterical, and there were more than one child that really hammed up their role. For example, Ben's class each had a part that began with "What if..." and ended in various scenarios. One boy went on about what if he had the best batch of brownies in the world and didn't share them. This boy licked his lips and went on and on about his tasty, warm, gooey brownie that he wasn't going to share with ANYONE.

One girl talked about how she could show her love for the Savior by being nice to the babysitter so her parents could go on a date.

THE SECOND REASON: Kids will be kids, and these kids were a hoot. For example, while one brother and sister were singing a duet together, the brother decided to play with the microphone. He grabbed it and moved it around (and he's not a little kid, he's 8). His little sister sent daggers at him with her eyes and moved it back toward herself.

One girl on the front row kept winking and sending a thumbs up sign to the audience. She'd even stop singing to do it.

One boy said his part and then finished with, "Now I'll go sit down and stop talking."

It never seems as funny on paper, but it was hard to get through the entire program without busting up with laughter. There were three teen girls directly behind us that couldn't do it. They laughed through the whole program.



Ammon, Ben and Daniel did a great job on their parts. Ben had remarkably clear diction and had his part memorized. Ammon did, too. Ammon was especially nervous because he wrote his part himself and I think he was a bit afraid to share his innermost feelings with so many people. But he did a great job. Daniel needed a little help on his, but I have to admit his was very long and not easy to say.

Ammon sang really well and paid attention. So did Ben. Daniel, feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the adults looking at him, frowned through the entire program. Not a smile, not a song, nothing left his lips (except for his part, of course). He told me later that he didn't want to do it again. He was tired of it and scared. Poor kid. He was thrilled when I told him it was over. I didn't have the heart to tell him he'll be back at it next year.

And Elizabeth even participated. They had the nursery kids come up for the last song and sing the first verse (It was "I am a Child of God"). It took Elizabeth until verse three to finally sing the chorus. At first she just looked around in confusion. One of the nursery leaders had a microphone that he kept shoving in front of one nursery child at a time. Once the little kids wizened up they would screech or yell out once the mic got in front of them ("blaaahhhh!" was heard more than "lead me, guide me").

It was a fun program. A little chaotic, but a whole lot of fun. Don't you just love little kids?!

Ben's Birthday

On Friday Ben turned the big 7.

He was so excited!

We took the day off of school in honor of his birthday. Actually we finished our schoolwork early so we could take a day off. The kids just spent the day playing together and hanging out.

We held a low-key family party after Greg got home from work. Ben got to choose his favorite food for dinner. He chose pizza. We also made homemade breadsticks which were totally and completely scrumptious.

He wanted a Spongebob Squarepants birthday cake, so this is what I came up with. The image is just a piece of paper I printed off the computer and cut out.

He had a great time opening his presents, but he especially liked the Speed Racer track his Grandma and Grandpa sent. Just look at that face!

The kids spent the rest of the evening devouring the cake and playing with Ben's gifts. I don't think we went to bed until 11pm!

It was a good day.

"Oh, I Love Trash!"

Ben's primary teacher brought cupcakes over in honor of his birthday today. One of the kids didn't finish his/hers and the remains were thrown into the garbage.

Think low trash can. Crawling baby. Chocolate cupcake.

Yes, I can see you know where this story is going.

I found our darling little Grace digging in, with a smile on her face and chocolate all over. I bet Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch would be so proud if he saw Grace going at that trashy food! She not only got it into her mouth, but on her hands and arms, shirt and pants, and all over the floor.

But--oh!--it tasted good! We could tell by the "mmmmmmm" sound coming from her little lips.

I guess it is time to invest in a larger (ie taller, enclosed) garbage bin or move the one we have under the sink.

And as a side note, I'm pretty sure that we won't have any trouble with Grace getting her hands dirty when her first birthday cake is placed before her. She's already had practice.

Greg's All in Stitches Over This

I bet you were expecting something funny, right?

Actually, this is all about the stitches.

Greg went in this morning and had his sebaceous cyst removed from the top of his head. That sucker was getting big so it needed to come off.

For those who don't know what this is, you can read all about it here. Apparently its genetic since his mom and brother have also had to have cysts removed.

And though I think this is quite disgusting (and I would like to apologize profusely to those who don't appreciate the gross-out factor), here's a photo of the stitches, taken by Greg or someone at work. He emailed it to me. Yuck.

Sunday Seven

1. We watched General Conference today from the internet. Maybe it's my Utah roots showing, but General Conference just isn't the same when you aren't parked in front of the television. Our entire family crammed into the computer room (which is only about a 10' X 12' room) and tried to focus our attention on the computer screen for four hours today and four hours yesterday. Instead I kept hearing:
"Can I play this computer game now?"
"Well, can I play X-Box instead?"
"I have a headache from looking at the computer screen for so long. Can I go now?"

Geesh.

2. One of the talks today by one of the Twelve (I can't remember which one right now) talked about how short time with young children is. He mentioned the handprints on every surface and the piles of laundry. Boy, can I relate. But he was right about quickly they grow and you find them gone, and you miss it. I looked at little Grace (who isn't so little anymore, she's standing and trying to take her first tentative cruising steps) and realized how true that statement is. I already miss her newborn baby smell and tiny fingers and toes.

3. I've really been trying hard to do better as a mother (who doesn't). So recently I spent time rereading Sister Beck's conference talk awhile back titled "Mothers Who Know." Y'all know the one I'm talking about, but if you don't, hopefully the link works and you can read it here. I took some time, also, to ponder the scripture she mentions (D&C 109:7-9). And in the end I made up my own list of things a mother should know (and do) to become a Mother Who Knows. It's a long list, but there is one point for every letter in the "Mothers Who Know" phrase. I'm currently working on the first one. Maybe sometime soon I'll post my list, though I would recommend doing one on your own. It is definitely worth the time.

4. I decided this week that I really needed a new skirt for church. I've lost weight (shocking, I know) from breastfeeding and all of my clothes are looking very baggy and some are not even staying up. About two months ago I my favorite skirt started to ride down as I was taking the baby out of Sacrament Meeting to nurse. I was so embarrassed as I caught it around my thighs and had to pull it back up where it should be! Definitely time for a replacement.

But I don't have any money for new clothes, so I wasn't sure what to do. Friday I needed some time out by myself so I left the kids at home with Greg and went on a mission to find that ever elusive skirt for cheap, cheap, cheap (I was actually out to find Ben some birthday gifts, but I figured it was a good time to shop around for a skirt for me, too). I found a dress I adored at Target but, alas, it was nearly $50 and way out of my price range (besides, it is hard to breastfeed in a dress). But then I headed to Kohl's because they often have killer deals on their clearance racks. And there I found the perfect skirt in my size. The cost? $3.60! It was 90% off! WHOO-HOO!!!

5. Those of you who know me well know I hate cooking. Just wanted y'all to know I baked my first pot roast in the oven today. I normally use the crockpot. It's ridiculous that I've been married so long and have never done this before.

6. Ammon was asked to write his own part for the primary program. He was asked to tell about his experience at the primary quarterly activity. For the activity they searched for one family member on Family Search and then went to a cemetery and cleaned headstones. This is what Ammon wrote (all by himself--no coaching from me or anyone else):

"I liked learning about the lives of others by looking at their birth and death dates. And while I was cleaning the headstones, I felt the Spirit and knew I was doing a good deed."

Awww. It brings a tear to my eye. What a good kid he is turning out to be.

7. You may not believe me, but I'm looking forward to heading back to church next week. We missed last week due to kids and Greg being sick, and now I feel out of touch with everyone. It will be nice to be back among friends and have real, adult conversations with others.