New Word

Jolie's new word is, "Dahlish."

A cross between darling and stylish I think.

Day Trip

This is about as good as it gets trying to get a photo of us all together.

Here we are in San Diego visiting Landon's Grandparents a few weeks ago. We had such a fun time spending the day with them. The girls love Grandpa "Beach" and Grandma Lois. I love that they are not in the least bit shy. It makes me happy when they get to spend time with their family. It is important to me that the girls know everyone who loves them. I still remember some of my great grandparents and I want my girls to do the same. Grandparents are an important part of who we are. And the larger the love and support group for children the better, don't you think?

Wow.

I am shocked. And a little sick.

Oil Change Confessional

I had an interesting conversation with a nice about 19 year-old ethnic (I couldn't tell which one!) girl working at the EZ-Lube the other day. It went something like this:

(My girls crawling all over the waiting room, getting into everything, being cute little monkeys.)

Girl: Are these your only kids.

Me: Yes, for now.

Girl: You mean you want more!?

Me: Yes.

Girl: Why?

Me: Because I love being a mom. It is wonderful.

Girl: Do you work?

Me: No.

Girl: Your boyfriend lets you stay home?
(My ring was on.)

Me: Yes, my husband lets me stay home.

Girl: Your married?

Me: Yes.

Girl: How long have you been married?

Me: 5 and a half years.

(long pause)

Girl: Well, how is that going?

Me: Just great!

Should I have been offended? Worried? I don't know. I am just glad we were the only ones in the room.

Pre-Schoolers At Play

Does your child have a friend that they just can't get along with? Mine does. It goes like this. She begs to have her over. Counts down the minutes until she arrives. Gives giant hugs that lead you to believe they haven't seen each other in years. Begin to play. Ten minutes later- screeches and cries coming from their direction. They fight over toys. Who gets to wear what dress-up. Who is the prince and who is the princess. Who is in charge of what game.

Basically I have a very strong willed (okay, bossy) child. And when she gets together with someone else who is used to being in charge it causes problems.

Not only that but this child I am thinking of plays differently than Jolie. She is younger yet she likes big kid stuff. She loves to watch Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. She talks about boyfriends and being cool. And she is 3 years old! And no she does not have any older siblings to show her this stuff.

I feel a little snobby that I don't like Jolie to play with this little girl. I just can't handle the fighting and the things this little girl talks about. It's not that it is naughty. It just somehow seems inappropriate for kids their age. Is it bad that I try to avoid playdates with this child as much as possible?

I guess the question is am I really opposed to the friendship because they argue, or is it really just that I don't like this little girl? I think she is kind of mean.

Yesterday I heard her tell Jolie they weren't friends anymore because she wouldn't do what she wanted her to. Jolie was so hurt! I just don't like that kind of manipulation in a 3 year old. Is that wrong? Why do I feel so guilty?

Oh well, I know I will probably let them play again sometime anyway. I am just not good at saying no. And I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

The Goings On

I hate labor day! It means to me, the end of the summer. And I love summer so much! This week was full of fun and barbecues. We had one with some friends here at our house. Then yesterday there was a big party at my Uncle Doug's house and also at my Grandma's. Busy busy. But I think that pretty much concludes our summer of fun.

I got Jolie registered for pre-school last night, or this morning I guess it was. Registration opened today so I had to stay up so I could get her into her class at 12:01 am. And those of you who don't know me Landon and I are early to bed kind of people so it was a late night for me. But my very sweet husband stayed up with me and kept me company while we watched Commando on TV and played Yatzee. Very silly. I felt 19 again.

We did the funniest thing last week. The girls share a room. They have bunk beds. Every night we bathe them, read to them, all that stuff and then we just put them in their beds and expect them to go to sleep. They do, eventually. We hear them giggling and playing for at least a half hour, sometimes more, before they eventually get back in their beds and fall asleep. Sp last week we set our video camera up on Jolie's dresser on a little tri-pod and taped them for almost an hour. It was the funniest, cutest thing I have ever watched! First they go into the closet and Jolie reads books to Lucy. Then They both climb into Lucy's bed where they talk and Jolie sings lullaby's to her sister. Finally Lucy yells at Jolie to "go up a bed." And that is pretty much it. You have to see it. It is so silly and cute. I had tears running down my cheeks as I watched it. So I will have Landon put a shorter version of it up here soon so you can see it.

Have I mentioned I am the new nursery leader in our ward now? It is a great calling! Very fun. I have a class full of little boys, and Lucy. She loves having her mom in there since she used to make her dad stay anyway. It amazes me how much little people respond to me. Before I had my own children, little kids were pretty much scared of me. I love it. I guess I must just have that maternal aura around me.

That is all for now. Happy September!