General Conference Conversations

Today on the drive home from church I made the announcement that we would have lunch, for those not fasting, then an hour to play. After the play time we'd start listening to the first session of LDS General Conference because we will be at the Pinewood Derby during the time we normally should be listening. I was blown away when Ben and Maddie both gave an energetic "Okay!" I was so taken back, I asked Ben why he was so happy. His reply surprised me, "I'm trying to have a better attitude about stuff." Awesome!!

Then silly mom fell asleep and slept almost three long, wonderful hours so our schedule was shifted a bit (thank you baby Ashlyn and her teething for the exhaustion). We ended up eating dinner and while we waited for the computer to reboot I asked Maddie, the musical talent in the group, if some day she would like to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She asked if they always get to wear purple. Brian and I told her sometimes they wear white clothes, sometimes red clothes, sometimes black clothes whereon everyone chimed in with colors they may all wear. Jacob said, "And sometimes they wear see-thru clothes." I heard it but didn't process his comment until Brian got my attenttion and asked if I had heard him. Hilarious!

Farewell Snickers

Today is April Fools Day so when I picked up Jacob from preschool I asked his teacher if they had done anything fun to celebrate it. Nope. They did something else. Their classroom pet, Snickers the Guinea Pig, passed away Saturday night. Ms. Jennifer and her three children came up to school and buried him in a quiet spot Sunday afternoon.

During class today they read a story about a dog that gets old and his body is tired and he dies. Then the children gathered leave and little flowers from the school grounds nearby and took them and decorated his grave. Jacob was fine when I picked him up until I asked the question of his teacher and he was reminded of poor Snickers. He asked Jennifer to show him how to find it so he could show me.

We went out and he showed me and burst into sobs. Poor Jacob was so terribly sad. I did my best to give him hugs and reassure him it would be okay while juggling shoeless Ashlyn who wanted to attack the flowers on the grave and walk all over it. I wish there was something I could do to make it better. I know it's hard for kids. Ben still sobs over each fish he loses.

Good call by Ms. Jennifer not to do April Fools on a day like today. It would just be way too confusing.

April Fools Intermediate School!

Today after Jacob got on the bus I had to deliver a cub scout badge to one of my bears. That meant I was wandering around the intermediate school as the morning announcements were being broadcast. The started out with an energetic welcome back from spring break and an announcement that there would be no homework today as the kids eased back into school again.

 

Cheers of jubilation were heard ripping through every one of the 13 classrooms on all three levels of the school. I heard their excitement as I was crossing the open air space with all the doors facing me. I thought it was a bit of weakling move by the school, but at least I wouldn’t have to arm wrestle Ben over rechecking the answers on his math assignments tonight.

 

I found Gabriel and as I left I heard the final announcement of the day. April Fools!! What did you think? You silly students, that no homework thing was a joke. There was no cheers over that message, but I was laughing out in the hallways.  Well played, Administrators. You got me too.

I'm Thinking About It

I have a long and colored history, so I've been told, of weird things said in a groggy sleep. Tonight was finally the night I caught Brian. He rolled over in his sleep, propped up on one elbow and boldly declared, "I've been thinking about it." As the last word came out he began to look confused and I burst out laughing. Totally lost he laid back down and went back to sleep. I'm glad I finally have just one simple thing to throw back his way when he teases me about making soup in the garage in college to earn enough money to pay rent...

Invisible Ear Plugs

Today at dinner Jake was trying to show off his new found skills in math. He said, "1 + 1 = 2" and the other two big kids started in with riddles and jokes about it being eleven and other silly things. Brian stood up for the little guy and told him he was right and not to listen to them. His reply?
"Okay. I'll put in my invisible ear plugs."

This morning he asked me to style his his hair with lots of gel. I made it look nice ms off he went. He's not the trusting sort these days though and seems to have an opinion daily on his appearance. On th drive to church Brian noticed him in the rear view mirror and asked if I did his hair "like that" today. Umm....well I did his hair but it was nice and tidy....why would he ask? Well, I do believe my hairdo was edited. Nice. And we were already at church and I had used copious amounts of gel so it stuck in position the entire three hours of church. Rock on little primary kid.

Invisible Ear Plugs

Today at dinner Jake was trying to show off his new found skills in math. He said, "1 + 1 = 2" and the other two big kids started in with riddles and jokes about it being eleven and other silly things. Brian stood up for the little guy and told him he was right and not to listen to them. His reply?
"Okay. I'll put in my invisible ear plugs."

This morning he asked me to style his his hair with lots of gel. I made it look nice ms off he went. He's not the trusting sort these days though and seems to have an opinion daily on his appearance. On th drive to church Brian noticed him in the rear view mirror and asked if I did his hair "like that" today. Umm....well I did his hair but it was nice and tidy....why would he ask? Well, I do believe my hairdo was edited. Nice. And we were already at church and I had used copious amounts of gel so it stuck in position the entire three hours of church. Rock on little primary kid.

Maddie Photo Shoot

Maddie had a little photo shoot of her own self while we waited for Disney on Ice. I found out she has a long tongue.