Summer, Please Hurry. April 16, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Kansas, Little Man Dallin , 2commentsDear Summer,
Please hurry.
I must investigate these folds further.
I don’t get to see these fat little thighs often enough.
Which is a shame.
In no time, they will disappear.
And it makes me sad to think about all this chubbiness disappearing.
So, you can see, that we really, really, need you to come and warm us up.
Because I love to see him crawl like this.
Which only happens when he’s in a onesie.
Which, of course, he will be wearing a lot more of when the weather is hot.
Smoldering hot.
And . . . Dallin has been practicing Popsicle licks.
A lot.
I can’t wait to see his little face shiver in shock when he licks his first tarty Popsicle.
So Summer, could you please hurry?
Asian Child April 15, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Asia, Princess Hannah , 5commentsSometimes, I wonder if my child is part Asian.
Because she certainly didn’t learn to squat like this from watching me.
She can squat with the best of them.
And look, she’s even wearing “Dora
Our Sleeping Arrangements – Explained April 14, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, My Handsome Husband, Princess Hannah , 5commentsI overheard this conversation the other morning while David was taking Hannah to the potty:
Hannah: “Daddy, where are your glasses?”
Daddy: “They’re on the nightstand in my bedroom.”
Hannah: “No, that’s not your bedroom. It’s mommy’s.”
Daddy: “Why do I sleep there then?”
Hannah: “Because mommy has a spot for you.”
“Chalking” April 13, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, Little Man Dallin, My Former Dog Children, Princess Hannah , 5commentsIf you have a toddler, you need sidewalk chalk. The two go hand in hand, like diapers and newborns. Really, you can’t have one without the other.
Or, better said, you really shouldn’t have one without the other.
This is sidewalk chalk. It promises hours of entertainment and learning. It won’t disappoint.
After careful consideration, Hannah selects just the right color to kick off the “chalking” fun.
This is how I get her to practice her penmanship. It’s lots of fun. See?
This is her favorite letter. Obviously, “H” is for “Hannah.” But don’t be too impressed just yet, this is the only letter she writes.
Ever.
“Hop Scotch” is also a must when “chalking.” This is her new favorite game. It’s right up there with hide and seek, running around the house screaming, and watching “The Twelve Dancing Princesses
She loves it so much, she talks about “Hop Scotch” almost as much as she talks about “Dora The Explore-Her
So you know it’s a lot.
And look, if you have a dog, (preferably a stinker-dog, but any dog will do the trick) they too will be completely entertained by this invigorating activity.
No promises on the baby though. I think Dallin wanted to drill a hole in his head . . . being strapped in the stroller, bored out of his brains.
What the World Needs April 10, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Family, Thoughts , 3commentsWe could use a lot less talk about the world’s imploding financial crisis and a lot more of this:
. . . and this
Kitchen Must-Haves April 9, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Favorites , 7commentsI don’t spend that much time in the kitchen unless I’m baking something yummy, cleaning up a mess, or helping Hannah build a fort with my kitchen chairs.
All this time in the kitchen has made me think about what I absolutely could not live without in that room.
I need to share:
First, I love this cookbook, More-with-Less
Possibly the best recipe in this book is the pancake mix. You will never buy pancake mix again after tasting this one from scratch!
Combine in large bowl:
- 6 C. flour
- 1 T. salt
- 6 T. baking powder
- 6 T. sugar
- 2 C. powdered milk
Mix it well and store it in an airtight container.
To use:
Combine in a bowl:
- 1 egg
- 1 C. water
- 2 T. oil
- 1 1/2 C. pancake mix
Second, a bread maker is a MUST HAVE. I hate touching anything sticky or dirty, which makes kneading bread a huge problem. (as well as yard work because I can’t stand to touch the dirt) With a bread maker
This machine was invented for someone like me.
It only makes one loaf at a time, but that is plenty for our little family.
Third, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, my double decker vegetable steamer
You can steam rice, veges, fruit, fish, and meat!
Everything tastes better steamed.
Everything.
Fourth, I could not live without Clorox® Wipes
Your counter tops will smell clean and no longer like nasty mildew from wiping them down with the cold wet wash rag sitting in your sink.
YUCK.
Fifth, I love this cookie scoop
Nothing says “I love you honey!” like perfectly shaped cookies that you didn’t have to touch. (See what I mean? It’s the whole “I don’t touch sticky/dirty things with my hands that drove me to this purchase!)
High Waisted Granny Panties Never Looked So Cute April 8, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, Parenthood, Princess Hannah , 5commentsWe are DONE with diapers!
At least the size six ones.
Don’t even think of offending Hannah by asking if she would like to sleep in a diaper (12 hours is a long time for any bladder) like I did tonight.
If you ask her about her old diaper days she will yell, “I don’t need a diaper to GET IN MY WAY!”
Have panties ever looked so cute sticking out of little pants?
And what about her cute big girl panty bum?
Potty success would not have been possible (well, possible, just not probable) without the following books:
Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day
We are very excited around here. Especially me. I only have one in diapers now.
PHEW!
The Post Where I Talk About Something I Know Nothing About April 7, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Projects , 8commentsYou want to know how to get your bra to fit just right? How to get the static out of your hair? How to get your clothing to fit properly? Which pant style fits your body? Do you want to know how to put on a fashion show? How to alter a wedding gown? Do you want to know where to shop when you visit Dallas? Need to know some useless celebrity gossip? I’m your girl.
No one has ever asked me how to beautify their home, which color to paint their walls, or how to to do a create-it-yourself project.
No one.
I am not offended. I wouldn’t ask myself either.
So, I would probably stop reading now if I were you because I honestly don’t know what the heck I’m talking about.
But.
The weather has been cold. Really cold. And rainy.
And I have been busy doing stuff in my house that I would never think of doing if the weather was nice and warm.
So, in lieu of being bored, I decided to create.
Behold, my first ever project (or close to it, because honestly, I’m not a closet crafter):
I went to Walmart and bought some frames. Then I painted them white. (So complex, I know!)
After the paint was dry, I applied stickers that I bought in the scrapbook section at Walmart.
See? I applied them.
Then, I took double sided sticky velcro (I don’t actually know what it’s called) and stuck it to the little wooden basketball and football things. They were also purchased at Walmart.
Here they are here.
And here . . .
And here . . .
And here.
Project total:
- Frames: $3 each
- Paint: $1
- Stickers: $3
- Wooden balls: $1 for both
- TOTAL: $11
Then, while I was feeling all crafty and such, I got a little carried away in Hannah’s room as well.
These big white chunky frames used to be black. After 45 coats of white paint, I was happy with them. The embellishments were purchased from the scrapbook section at Walmart as well.
I also picked up a few flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies to accent the frames.
I used velcro to attach the wooden designs to the wall.
Project total:
- Frames: Free
- Paint: I had already, but it was $1
- Embellishments: $3
- Wooden things: $3.50 for seven of them.
- Total: $7.50
If you’re reading this now, that means you read this whole post where I talked about something I know nothing about.
Either we are good friends, or, we should be good friends.
Who’s Smarter? April 6, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Little Man Dallin, My Former Dog Children, Princess Hannah , 4commentsI’m not sure what the magical age is when your child understands more than your dog. All I know, is that when Hannah tackles Paris and she whines for her life, I reason with Hannah. Tell her to stop squeezing the daylights out of our dog and walk away.
When Dallin decides to attack Paris with his little pincer fingers (which have a very strong death grip), I reason with Paris. Because she understands, listens, and obeys.
So as of today, I’m not sure who understands more English, Dallin or Paris.
The jury is still out.
How In the Heck Do You Say Your Son’s Name? April 3, 2009
Posted by Emily in : Church, Little Man Dallin , 8commentsThere seems to be a world of confusion over something that is very straight-forward, at least to me. My son’s name has been the primary topic of many questions.
Let me just say this, we never intended his name to be so unique. So different. So unheard of by so many.
How do you say it? Dallin rhymes with TALON, like an eagle’s talon. It’s not Day-lon, or Dillon. Just plain old Dal-lin. Pronounce each short vowel and consonant, and there you have it.
Where did you come up with that? There is a great leader in our church named Dallin H. Oaks. He is one of the twelve apostles. David and I have always admired him. He is a great, wonderful, servant of the Lord. Many years ago, (while I was struggling with infertility) I was listening to a talk by this Apostle. I can’t remember what he was talking about, but I do remember this overwhelming feeling that one day I would have a son, and that I should name him Dallin. It was never a question what we would name our first son.
Does it mean something? It means, “from the dell,” which isn’t very exciting. And what is “the dell” exactly? How should I know . . . I’m from the city.
UPDATE: My friend Rebecca just sent me this link! Click here and then press the little speaker to hear his name outoud! Thanks Rebecca!
