May 2011

One day for Family Home Evening, Dallas was teaching the lesson.  He got pictures of the First Presidency and taught Brooke and Caroline their names.  We hung the pictures of the First Presidency on a cabinet and occasionally we quiz the girls on who is who.  There is video somewhere of the girls reciting their names days after this lesson.  Perhaps if you all ask nicely, Dallas will post the video. Trust me — you cannot say you’ve lived a full and happy life until you’ve heard a not-quite-two-year old say “Uchtdorf.”

Anyway, with the names President Monson, President Eyring, and President Uchtdorf fresh on the mind, Caroline gave us a good chuckle today.  Dallas had been sorting through some mission things, and he came across the picture of him in his suit and tie that he used for his mission plaque.  Caroline found the picture.  Dallas asked her who it was.  She took a look and said, “President Dad!”

The past few months Caroline has become quite fearful of…well…everything.

She stops dead in her tracks when she’s outside playing and she spies a bug.  She immediately puts her fingers in her ears, says, “Eww!  I’m scared!” and slowly shuffles away.  (Who knew a paranoia of insects crawling in ears can be inherited?!)

She is scared of getting her hair washed in the bathtub.

She has developed athlete’s foot and is scared of the spray that we use every night to get rid of it.

One day I was cleaning the toilet.  She walked in the bathroom and saw the toilet bowl cleaner dripping down the sides of the bowl.  Guess what?  She was scared.

She’s also scared of sitting on the toilet which is severely hindering any attempt at potty training.

She’s scared of dogs.  She’s scared of the vacuum.  She’s scared of the blender.  She’s scared of the swimming pool.

And now she’s scared of her summer clothes.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I have a child who is afraid of shorts and sandals.

This is getting ridiculous.