Epidural

Today I heard Charlotte say, out of the blue, "Give me an epidural, or he dies!"

After some questioning, I figured out that it came from this Studio C skit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-77S-RGJlq8

Birthday Girl

Our little Charlotte turned five today. (Her friend Ivy is two and a half. )  We love our spunky girl!

Beautiful Night in Provo

Chloe's Prayer

"Please bless that we'll have a good time at Disneyland next year. And please bless that I'll be able to understand my French teacher when she speaks French and that I'll have a good time at school when school starts. And please bless that we'll have a good time watching videos tonight and that we won't whine for more because we do that every night."

- Chloe, 6 yrs old.

Pioneer Day

Duncan is a more diligent blogger than I am, so I am going to use his post:

http://thelifeofduncan.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/pioneer-day-fillmore/

Our First Week of Summer Vacation

Outside the Marriott ticket office to get tickets to The Selfish Giant.

Tuesday found us at the library doing the Make and Take craft.

Then all of a sudden this happened.

The completed rocket launchers.

 Coloring at the library.

Wednesday we went hiking to the Y (well, almost).

We did some of this.

And a lot of this.

Charlotte having a snack, and a heart-to-heart, with Kitty.

At the duck pond near the Bell Tower.

Finally getting to see the performance of The Selfish Giant.

He needed a lot of people to help him walk around.

Kindergarten Grad

Chloe had a great year of school as a kindergartener! She loved her teacher and classmates and did really well in her schoolwork. She enjoys reading "Elephant & Piggie" books, "Amelia Bedelia" books, and lots of others. She also lost three teeth throughout the year.

First day of school:

Last day of school:

She won an award for Math:

Twinkle Toes

Charlotte had a 6-week ballet class this spring and loved it! Here she is with her teacher on the last day. She had a wonderful teacher! It worked out nicely to take Charlotte to her class twice a week while Chloe was in school. I love my girls!

Chloe Made the Right Choice

One of our family goals for 2014 is to eat better and cut back on our sugar intake. The way we have chosen to do this is to save our sweet treats--such as candy, cake, cookies, ice cream, etc.--for the weekend. So during the week, our snacks consist of non-sugary things like crackers, cheese, fruit, popcorn, and such.

Today (Tuesday) Chloe had an early morning activity at school called "Parents and Pastries," where the student brings a parent and a book and they read together in the cafeteria while enjoying a donut. We decided Duncan would go with her, and I told him that I thought they could make an exception to our rule and have a donut. Tuesday morning, Chloe had her book picked out ("The Elves and the Shoemaker") and packed away in her bag, and she was so excited for this reading activity.

Duncan reported to me later that morning that Chloe had been so intent on reading that she didn't even have a donut, and only a couple sips of her chocolate milk at his prodding. I figured she had probably been a little nervous with so many people around and was too distracted to think about eating (plus she had just eaten breakfast). When I picked her up from school and asked her about the activity she told me that she hadn't eaten a donut. I asked her why. She said, "Because it's not the weekend."

At dinner I recounted to Duncan what Chloe had said and she chimed in with, "I wanted a donut, but I made the right choice." We chuckled about it, but I can tell that Chloe is learning to "choose the right." I'm glad that we have this guideline, because I can see how it is shaping our choices and teaching us good habits. Now, if only I can follow Chloe's example and do a better job of making the right choice!

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

A little while after putting the girls to bed, I heard them telling jokes and generally being loud and rambunctious. Their levity soon turned into hitting, name calling, crying and saying things like, "I really, really, really hate you." Not the kind of things I want to hear my girls saying, especially to each other. I decided to intervene, but first I got on my knees and quickly asked Heavenly Father what I should say and how I should act. I then quietly entered their room and told them how sad I feel when I hear them fighting and hitting and saying hurtful things to each other. I told them that I want them to be friends and to love each other. (Chloe: "No! Never!) I had Charlotte move over to her side of the bed (she likes to snuggle up next to Chloe), and as she continued to cry, I began singing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." Charlotte quieted down right away, but Chloe continued to exclaim "humph" through most of the song. At the end of the song, Charlotte asked me to sing it again. The second time through, both girls listened quietly and calmly. I kissed them both good night, Charlotte snuggled up to Chloe, and they drifted off to sleep.

Funny Conversation with My Daughters

During out bedtime routine tonight, we were watching a youtube favorite:  Michael Jackson singing "Heal the World."

Charlotte: He's handsome. Isn't he handsome? Do you want to marry him?

Me:  No, I'm already married to Daddy.

Charlotte:  I want to marry him when I get big.

Me:  Michael Jackson is dead. He died a few years ago.

Chloe:  Well, it's been three days already, so maybe he's alive again.

Me:  That happened with Jesus, but it will take longer for us to be resurrected.

Charlotte:  I want to marry him when I am big and he is alive again.

Chloe:  Will we look like zombies when we are resurrected?