Did I Say That?

Lately, I've heard myself saying things like "You can't eat your donut, it's taking a nap right now."

Not A Box

Have you ever read this book? It's a pretty good description of what's going on around our house these days, with phrases like "It's not a box, it's a...

"Bed for napping with my friends"

"Place for playing peek-a-boo!"
"Picnic bench for my afternoon snack"
(Again with the Asian-baby eyes! How did I never see this before?)

We haven't even bothered pulling out the toys that came in the box yet- we'll wait until the box has lost it's appeal first!

Book-stravaganza!

I love free stuff, and I love this website:

http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/

Check out the latest deal from Borders- $5 off a $5 purchase! I just bought this book for 56 cents!

And "Jason" just bought me this book (which I love and highly recommend!) for $5! Thanks honey!

Family Pictures 2008

So many thanks to Lauren for taking our new family photos.
Check out more of them here!

We... Went... Camping...

And actually enjoyed it!

This is the 5th ward campout we've been around for (yes, fifth, starting in 2004- only one more to go!), but only the first that we actually decided to stay the night for. Okay, we're actually the activities committee chair-people, so we pretty much didn't have a choice. But after lots and lots of planning, it's over and we lived to tell about it! Jason kept very busy with the in-charge end of things, and Leah was stuck to my hip like a candy bar all night long and again this morning.

We've never been camping before. In fact, I cannot actually remember a time that I ever intentionally let Leah stay up so late. We don't do that around our house, (sleeping isn't exactly Leah's forte) and even most vacations lend themselves to a quiet, dark room that she can go down in. Not so much in the middle of a canyon.

There were a few mishaps- my shoe broke 5 minutes after we got there, so I spent the whole time there shuffling around like a gimp. And Leah had a short-lived but intense affair with a "shmellow", resulting in a cold late-night sponge bath.

But all in all, we all did great- I was sincerely concerned. I especially loved being snuggled into the tent with my sweet little family. We might even do it again sometime, but don't tell Jason I said so!

Memories

I've noticed that this is the fun thing to do on your blog right now, so I figured I'd give it a try. I've had a lot of fun thinking of memories to post on others blogs!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember. If we're only blogging friends write about a post that is most memorable.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you....either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you one back.

3. If the memory happens to involve my husband, please include him.

4. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all.

That's a giant moose sitting behind me, in case you're wondering about the cheese!

A Few Choice Words

Monkey Show...

Yucky Buggies... sideways

Favorite New Phrases

Leah has added lots more 'big words' and phrases to her vocab- these are a few of my favorites:

* apple tree

* library

*get down

* monkey show (Curious George- so cute!)

* bunny town (she watched 5 minutes of this silly show once two months ago, but still asks for it, somehow)

* elephant... messy!

* ocean

* hot dog

* side chalk-chalk

* right there!

*airplane

* yog-urt

* mickey cheese

* candy bar (oops!)

* yucky buggies

* goldfish crackers (almost as clear as day, if you know that she would actually be saying that)

We've had lots of friends over lately, and there's been a whole lot of mischief going on around here!

Family Bike Ride

Fancy bike trailer... a rental....
A stop at the big-kid swingsPlaying in the Provo River
Selecting a few good rocks...
And tossing them in!
We made it all the way to Utah Lake!

"No, peanut, you don't want to go 'wimmin in this water!"

Hidden Talent

This is what I found after leaving Jason alone with the Play-Doh this morning:

Yes, those birds are pecking away at imaginary bird seed. How clever!

Rocks In My Dryer

I really enjoy the blog "Rocks In My Dryer" for so many reasons- especially this new series "What I'd like for you to know". Check it out!

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Excuse me, I Farkeled

We also went on a quick-but-so-fun trip up to Lava Hot Springs this weekend with my family. We were gone just long enough to feel like we had a mini-vacation, but not so long that it caused any major damage to Jason's school schedule or Leah's sleeping schedule- my two biggest concerns.

Leah got to play with her four favorite cousins- who she loves and prays for every night! We stayed up late, ate lots of good food, screamed our way down the river, and went 'wimmin to our hearts content. It was a great trip, and so fun to have everyone together!

I didn't get many good pictures- so any Henscheids that have more- email me a copy!

4th of July Parade

This is what we call Leah's "learning face".

She won't crack a smile at anyone or anything until she fully understands what they are all about. This parade stuff is serious business.

But eventually, once she realized the parade was fun, she really got into it. She waved at the princesses on the floats, and I'm pretty sure this is when the ponies went by.

Other 4th highlights included a fun trip up to Grandma's, with all the 'wimmin, swinging, and snacks we could ask for. We came home in time for Leah to get to bed, then climbed onto the roof with our neighbors to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks.

I'm Proud to be an American

If tomorrow all the things were gone

I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again

with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom

and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American

where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee,

across the plains of Texas,

from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston

and New York to LA,

Well, there’s pride in every American heart,

and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American

where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

Maturing as a mother

I was holding Leah and her juice cup this afternoon, and after snatching the cup out of my hand three times, she promptly dropped it square on my toes. A younger, less mature version of myself (ah-hem) might have screamed, swore, and chucked the cup and possibly the child across the room.

Instead I just set her down, went into another room, and breathed... loudly... for about a minute. That's progress, right? I'm proud of me.


And here is my yogi-baby, demonstrating downward-dog.

Just a bunch of pictures

We helped the Nelsons move this weekend, after spending one last fun evening together. We are so sad to see them go, and I have no idea how to explain to Leah that some other people are living in their apartment now... Just a cute face.
Relaxing after a long day of playing...

With temps in the high 90's (and into the 100's this week!), we have spent a lot of time around water lately. Leah loves 'wimmin, and the hose- especially taking drinks from it!

And my favorite moment from this weekend. Leah and Jason were playing, and Leah got a little hurt. When I asked her what happened, she tearfully replied... "Daddy". Yeah, poor outnumbered Daddy does get blamed for a lot of what happens around here!