Reduce, Reuse, ReOxygenate

Bradley's been learning about recycling and other nuances of enviromental issues. The other night he came downstairs just after bedtime and told us he couldn't sleep because he was worried.

Bradley: Mom I can't sleep.
Me: Why? Have you been having nightmares?
Bradley: No. I'm worried about deforestation. (EXACT QUOTE)

I did not realize he even knew this word let alone the meaning of it.

Me: Why are you worried about it?
Bradley (with a trembling voice): I'm afraid that if all the trees get cut down we won't have any oxygen left and we'll all suffocate.

There was some explaining done and promises made; like we'll cut back on our use of plastics and paper and begin investing in oxygen tanks if he'll go back to bed.

What would you tell your 7-year old?

Lounging with a Twist

I caught my children watching television like this.

Don't believe me?

Once Again

I wasn't going to do it.

No one had mentioned it until today.

I thought I had killed you all off.

But I now know I still have some takers.

Who wants in the contest?

Piano Recital

The piano recital was a hit. I'm surprised we crammed so many people into our living room and up the stairs. We never did a head count, but I'm pretty sure there was over 60 people in attendance. There are two more rows not seen.

Growing up, my piano teacher never played at the end of our recitals. I was unaware of the normal tradition until our last recital it was requested of me to play. This time I was prepared until Steven told the students that they could hover around me since I'm always hovering over their shoulders.


Even as I made the program, I didn't realize how many students I have. I'm blessed to have such wonderful people come into my home every week.

Kind of makes me choke up when I see all of them.

L to R: Jen D*, Diana N*, Michelle H*, Spencer H*, Sadey N*, Jesse N*, Mairzey N*, Ben M*, Nikka D*, Luke D*, Brody N*, Joseph D*, Bradley M*, Steven M*, Ethan S*, Emily S*, Madison H*, Madelyn N*, Lupita B*, Emma C*, Alison T* (not pictured: Emmy M* - who had retired upstairs to her room and fallen asleep in her dress).

Drip Drip Drop

About six months ago there was a rumor that LDS church officials were going to implement an elbow bump greeting rather than a traditional handshake to aid in the hindrance of disease spreading.

Really? The elbow bump? I can only imagine the elderly doing this. Luckily it was only a rumor.

Again, REALLY? If we think handshaking is a problem, we need to look elsewhere. Like many other churches, the Sacrament is offered to us every week. And I believe we've come a long way from sharing a communal cup...

until Olivia started partaking.

Now, my kids are relatively healthy, but that doesn't keep me from being super grossed out when she insists on discarding her cup. The problem is that there is always a drop (or 3) left in the cup and when she puts the cup back, it always manages to tip and pour into another cup along the way.

All I can say is "ew" (not to mention my apologies to whoever sat behind us).

Don't worry, I now discard her cups for her. I just don't know about the snot-nosed kid two rows up from me.

When your ward has chronic swine flu, you'll know why.

Not Close Enough for Comfort

Here's the deal, putting lights on a two-story house is really, uh, high.


Anybody need a half dozen boxes of icicle lights?

Does anyone else feel dizzy?