Big's Breakfast Order

Big came into the kitchen yesterday morning and requested breakfast--


Big: "I'm hungry. Can I have breakfast?"


Me: "Sure. What do you want?"


Big: "I'd like chocolate muffin, with a sucker while I wait."


Me: "Ummm... yeah. You're not getting that."


Big: "Awww! I'm not? Okay, then I'll just have the sucker."


At least he didn't ask me for a steak muffin like he used to-- I never quite new how to fill that order.

Almost There

I find it hard to believe, but I'm almost done with the photo challenge. Yup, I'm almost there. Today is day 353, which means I only have 12 days to go. Wow.


I'm pretty proud of myself-- I haven't missed a day, even though some days it has been really challenging to get a photo. To be quite honest, not all of the photos are that good. But, not all of my days have been that good. All that matters is that I did it. I made it.


Well, I've almost made it-- twelve more days to go, you know. I can't count my chickens before they've hatched. I think I'd like to have chickens, actually. If they didn't stink so much. Stinky chickens.


I've experienced tremendous growth over the past 353 days-- both in my photographic abilities, but also in how I view my life and my surroundings. That was the whole idea behind the challenge, so I'd say it worked. Mission accomplished. I can't even express how happy I am with that. 


The best part is that even though not all of my photos are good, some of them are! I have some great shots of my kids, and some great shots of STUFF. Enough that I don't even have wall space for all that I'd love to frame. Enough that I'm even thinking of selling some of my pictures online. I mean, I may not have enough space to frame them to enjoy, but maybe someone else does!


It's a big risk, though, to put myself out there that way. I mean, what if no one wants to buy something like this?

This one is nice and bright, too, but I'd have to say it's just for my archives...

I don't think anyone would buy this one, but it's a photo that I am proud of myself for capturing. Some days, from the car, on a rainy day, on the go was all I could manage. This is a product of one of those days. 

And it's quite possible that I'm the only one crazy enough to want to put this on her wall. But I've always consoled myself with the thought that I'm not the only crazy one out there. I hope I'm right.

I thought this one might look cool inside a matted frame. You know, kind of a matted-frame-inside-a-matted-frame effect. But that's just me.

Anyway, selling my photos is only an idea I'm tossing around. Most of the photos I take are really just for my enjoyment...

And this one? Well, I don't know what to say about this one. There's really no reason for it.

Um, yeah. Sorry about that. 

Using Tools

It has been said that man's ability to use tools is a sign of intelligence. Pencils are tools. Multi-use tools. With one end you can write. With the other end you can erase. 


But, wait! There's more!


Clever and resourceful girls use them to hold makeshift hair buns in place. Itchy people use them to scratch difficult to reach itches. Moms can curl their lips up and make a pencil into a mustache to amuse their ornery children. Boys like my husband use pencils as pretend drumsticks as they air drum.


Boys like the one who sits across from Pen at school stick their pencil eraser up their nose and then lick it off. 


Oh, yeah. That's intelligence.

Stick to the List

I have often wondered if making a list of New Year's Resolutions is really a good thing. Does it just set us up for disappointment and a feeling of failure? Or keep us from stretching and improving in areas that aren't mentioned on the list?


The other day I asked Bud if he could please do a better job of listening to me, and told him that I'd really like it if he could work on being more patient. He responded, "But it's not on my list of goals!"


Hmmm. I guess that answers my question. 

The Fishing Buddy

One of my dad's fishing buddies came over so they could go try to catch a few together. He's rather funny, and often sets the kids into fits of giggles with his wordplay. He and Big had a funny conversation. 


Tex: "Well... how are you, little girl?"


Big: "I'm not a girl!"


Tex: "Your hair's a little long, so you must be a girl!"


Big: "No, I'm not."


Tex: "You're not? Well, how do you know?"


Big: "I have a penis."


Tex (cocking his head because he's hard of hearing): "What? What did you say?"


Big (louder): "LITTLE BOYS HAVE LITTLE PENISES!"


Tex (laughing): "Well. You're right about that."


Yes, yes he is. 


Big wasn't about to be pulled in to some confusing conversation with Tex. He knew what was up and decided to nip the whole thing in the bud with some cold, hard facts. He knows what's what.

The Play Date

Bud had a play date yesterday with his best friend from school. Their first one. This friend is no ordinary friend-- their friendship is the type where glances and blushes are exchanged when they first see each other as they arrive at school. The kind where Evie told her mom that she doesn't love her brothers and that the only boys she loves are her dad and Bud. They really like each other. Really.


I took them to the park for their play date, and it was awesome. A thing to behold. I still smile when I think about it.


The amount of giggling didn't quite rival Ginger's birthday party, but it was pretty constant and impressive.


I know it's kind of hard to tell from this photo, but they really do like each other. 

As they sat to share a snack, they got to practice their adult-like kid conversations. It was truly fabulous. 

Especially the portion that revolved around the graham sticks. 


Evie: "Mmmmm! These are really good!"


Bud (says very knowingly): "I know! They're like bark chips, only tastier!"

I just about died when Evie had some hair blow in her face and Bud brushed it out of the way for her, giving her cheek a caress as he did so. So tender. (Yikes!)


A change of snack-eating venue, for more privacy (should I be giving them more privacy?!?)...

Bud and Evie spent a lot of time on the swings, too, switching constantly to face the same way and then opposite ways. At one point they were swinging side-by-side, in tandem, and Bud proclaimed, "We're married!" (Double yikes!) He must have learned that one from his sisters.

Needless to say, the play date was a huge success! They are already making plans for the next one. I can't wait.

Really Good Water!

Big was excited (as usual) to partake of the sacrament water in church yesterday. He drank from his little cup with relish and said, "Mmmm. That's good water... really good water! Better than in the bathtub this morning!"


The sacrament water was pretty darn gross tasting but, having seen the boys' bath water this morning, I think he's probably right.