This morning Miranda was pretending to be a missionary. She taught me some good stuff about how Easter isn't just about the candy and the Easter Bunny, it's about Jesus. I was happy that some of our Easter discussion had actually made a mark. So I asked her about Christmas, what was it really about, just presents and candy? She said, no, it's also about Santa Claus.
But the best part of her missionary work was her door approach. I think I should probably contact the missionary department and pass on this line. Certainly we'd see a spike in conversions:
"If you believe in Jesus for FIVE YEARS...
I'll take you to Disneyland."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Crystal HOT Springs
Xiao Yu and Patrick are leaving us for that mysterious and frighteningly gargatuan country across the Pacific soon. I cried last night about it and I will cry more times, certainly. This blog could easily turn to my heartache about the subject. But I will get back to REALLY important topics, like going swimming.
It wasn't just ANY swimming. Swimming at Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, UT! Xiao Yu wanted to experience a hot springs before she went home, so we drove through beautiful northern Utah farm country. We saw some unbelievable homes out in the middle of what could be called nowhere by most people and we wondered, WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE DO FOR WORK???!!! I dediced they're all authors or online business millionaires. Any insights on the matter would be appreciated.
Crystal Hot Springs was just about how I remember it from when I was 12 or younger. It is always a neat sensation to walk into a place and be taken back. However, I do think that the Hot Springs in this case could benefit from updating their facilities and ambiance just a bit. Particularly the locker room. But I digress.
The main points in this post include the following 4 topics(note, some pictures are a little fuzzy. I have no photography skills):
1. The water was SO hot! The kids' cheeks instantly took on the Peruvian "chappas" look of their extremely distant cousins living in the highlands surrounding Cusco somewhere. We actually got into the cold water, even though it was not a very warm day, just to escape the heat.
2. The waterslide. This thing had some UMPH. The attendant risked his job by allowing Miranda (under-aged!) to ride with Fernando. I expected white-knuckled screams of childhood trauma from her, but she actually LOVED it. And I gained new hope that my daughter will not be the worry-wort(wart?) scaredy-cat I've always been.
3. We love hanging out with Patrick and Xiao Yu. China: Please appreciate the sacrafice that comes with our gift to you.
4. And finally, Miranda meets The Wrinkled. Fernando first made a witty quip about one of The Wrinkled as we entered the first Hot Springs pool. He said something like, "Don't stay in here too long. That lady has been in here two hours." And of course he didn't jesture or point or even look in her direction but I started scanning the vicinity and saw one cute little lady of The Wrinkled and couldn't help but laugh.
I think The Wrinkled come to the Hot Springs for health. The minerals are supposed to be really good for you. I plan on us moving to Honeyville when we are 90+ years old for this very reason (now Fernando's hoping he doesn't live that long...an L.A. boy, living in Honeyville?)(I'm kidding, he actually said he'd like to live out there somewhere in a place like that...in one of those INCREDIBLE homes, of course.).
We were sitting nearby to the same lady later on, soaking in all the minerals, and I noticed that Miranda noticed her. So, Miranda just walked over on the little stairs in the water to her. I started panicking! If she feels comfortable pointing out a little cash-register girl's freckles and calling them zits, what is she going to say to The Wrinkled?!!
But she just sat down and said, "Hi." She had to say it a few times to get the lady's attention. The lady responded, and Miranda said, "This is a nice place." And the lady said, "Yes, it is." And Miranda said, "You should come here a lot." And then she talked about some other stuff, none of which had to do with the appearance of The Wrinkled. Phew. Then another of The Wrinkled joined them and Miranda just sat there in the middle of them, chatting. I tried to run out of the pool and back to take a quick picture, but I sort of missed the moment. But at least you get to see Miranda and The Wrinkled together.
I'm thinking about taking her to Nursing Homes or Rest Homes just so she can spend some of her words with old people, who are usually SO nice to kids and also might appreciate the company. But then I'd have to take Samuel there too, and he would terrorize the place. On second thought....
It wasn't just ANY swimming. Swimming at Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, UT! Xiao Yu wanted to experience a hot springs before she went home, so we drove through beautiful northern Utah farm country. We saw some unbelievable homes out in the middle of what could be called nowhere by most people and we wondered, WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE DO FOR WORK???!!! I dediced they're all authors or online business millionaires. Any insights on the matter would be appreciated.
Crystal Hot Springs was just about how I remember it from when I was 12 or younger. It is always a neat sensation to walk into a place and be taken back. However, I do think that the Hot Springs in this case could benefit from updating their facilities and ambiance just a bit. Particularly the locker room. But I digress.
The main points in this post include the following 4 topics(note, some pictures are a little fuzzy. I have no photography skills):
1. The water was SO hot! The kids' cheeks instantly took on the Peruvian "chappas" look of their extremely distant cousins living in the highlands surrounding Cusco somewhere. We actually got into the cold water, even though it was not a very warm day, just to escape the heat.
2. The waterslide. This thing had some UMPH. The attendant risked his job by allowing Miranda (under-aged!) to ride with Fernando. I expected white-knuckled screams of childhood trauma from her, but she actually LOVED it. And I gained new hope that my daughter will not be the worry-wort(wart?) scaredy-cat I've always been.
3. We love hanging out with Patrick and Xiao Yu. China: Please appreciate the sacrafice that comes with our gift to you.
4. And finally, Miranda meets The Wrinkled. Fernando first made a witty quip about one of The Wrinkled as we entered the first Hot Springs pool. He said something like, "Don't stay in here too long. That lady has been in here two hours." And of course he didn't jesture or point or even look in her direction but I started scanning the vicinity and saw one cute little lady of The Wrinkled and couldn't help but laugh.
I think The Wrinkled come to the Hot Springs for health. The minerals are supposed to be really good for you. I plan on us moving to Honeyville when we are 90+ years old for this very reason (now Fernando's hoping he doesn't live that long...an L.A. boy, living in Honeyville?)(I'm kidding, he actually said he'd like to live out there somewhere in a place like that...in one of those INCREDIBLE homes, of course.).
We were sitting nearby to the same lady later on, soaking in all the minerals, and I noticed that Miranda noticed her. So, Miranda just walked over on the little stairs in the water to her. I started panicking! If she feels comfortable pointing out a little cash-register girl's freckles and calling them zits, what is she going to say to The Wrinkled?!!
But she just sat down and said, "Hi." She had to say it a few times to get the lady's attention. The lady responded, and Miranda said, "This is a nice place." And the lady said, "Yes, it is." And Miranda said, "You should come here a lot." And then she talked about some other stuff, none of which had to do with the appearance of The Wrinkled. Phew. Then another of The Wrinkled joined them and Miranda just sat there in the middle of them, chatting. I tried to run out of the pool and back to take a quick picture, but I sort of missed the moment. But at least you get to see Miranda and The Wrinkled together.
I'm thinking about taking her to Nursing Homes or Rest Homes just so she can spend some of her words with old people, who are usually SO nice to kids and also might appreciate the company. But then I'd have to take Samuel there too, and he would terrorize the place. On second thought....
Thursday, June 5, 2008
sock empathy and the okay man
Nice title eh?
Vignette A:
I heard at Women's Conference that even 2 year olds can help with the laundry and I thought, uh huh. But I suggested Miranda help and of course she was ECSTATIC and now I will do whatever necessary to maintain her excitement until she's age 23 at least.
One of the things that she finds most fun about helping is matching socks. We were matching white socks and we got down to the final three. She matched two and I said, "Uh oh."
"What, mommy?"
"This one doesn't have a match."
"Why?!"
"Maybe it got lost or something, I don't know."
At this point I saw her face change. She drew the little white ankle sock to her chin. Her little eyebrows squinched together and her mouth turned down.
"This one is all alone," she lamented, in sad, soft, quivery tone. "He's lost his brothers and sisters."
"Oh, that's too bad." I wanted to see where this was going.
"Those other socks in the drawer are the mean kids, and this one is leftover (she says leftover for left out)." Then she took a deep breath, looked down solemnly and uttered, "This is all my fault."
This storyline went on for some time. I loved it for many reasons, two of which are 1, she doesn't need toys in order to entertain herself (this is a big relief in my future budgeting...just give her some old socks or shampoo bottles for Christmas), and 2, her empathy extends even unto footwear.
Vignette B:
Sammy isn't yet verbally complex, although he's of course staggering in other areas. He's said several words, but he usually says them once or maybe twice, and then doesn't use them again. (However last night he repeated "No," which he's said only about 2 times previously, from about 4-4:15am.) He probably just thinks there is PLENTY of conversation already going on between Miranda and I. But I think he understands most things we say. For example, when I ask him if he'd like his milk, he says, "OHH kay." I'll ask him, "Do you want to go outside?" "OHH kay." "Would you like a treat?" "OHH kay." Simple. Helpful. THIS is communication at its most efficient.
Fernando decided that Sam just knows the way I ask questions, and then responds with "OHH kay."
I didn't think this was true. So we tested the theory.
"Sammy, do you want a treat?"
"OHH kay."
"Do you want to go downstairs?"
"OHH kay."
"Would you like to become President of the United States?"
"OHH kay."
But that doesn't prove anything. I think he really does want to be President of the United States.
Vignette A:
I heard at Women's Conference that even 2 year olds can help with the laundry and I thought, uh huh. But I suggested Miranda help and of course she was ECSTATIC and now I will do whatever necessary to maintain her excitement until she's age 23 at least.
One of the things that she finds most fun about helping is matching socks. We were matching white socks and we got down to the final three. She matched two and I said, "Uh oh."
"What, mommy?"
"This one doesn't have a match."
"Why?!"
"Maybe it got lost or something, I don't know."
At this point I saw her face change. She drew the little white ankle sock to her chin. Her little eyebrows squinched together and her mouth turned down.
"This one is all alone," she lamented, in sad, soft, quivery tone. "He's lost his brothers and sisters."
"Oh, that's too bad." I wanted to see where this was going.
"Those other socks in the drawer are the mean kids, and this one is leftover (she says leftover for left out)." Then she took a deep breath, looked down solemnly and uttered, "This is all my fault."
This storyline went on for some time. I loved it for many reasons, two of which are 1, she doesn't need toys in order to entertain herself (this is a big relief in my future budgeting...just give her some old socks or shampoo bottles for Christmas), and 2, her empathy extends even unto footwear.
Vignette B:
Sammy isn't yet verbally complex, although he's of course staggering in other areas. He's said several words, but he usually says them once or maybe twice, and then doesn't use them again. (However last night he repeated "No," which he's said only about 2 times previously, from about 4-4:15am.) He probably just thinks there is PLENTY of conversation already going on between Miranda and I. But I think he understands most things we say. For example, when I ask him if he'd like his milk, he says, "OHH kay." I'll ask him, "Do you want to go outside?" "OHH kay." "Would you like a treat?" "OHH kay." Simple. Helpful. THIS is communication at its most efficient.
Fernando decided that Sam just knows the way I ask questions, and then responds with "OHH kay."
I didn't think this was true. So we tested the theory.
"Sammy, do you want a treat?"
"OHH kay."
"Do you want to go downstairs?"
"OHH kay."
"Would you like to become President of the United States?"
"OHH kay."
But that doesn't prove anything. I think he really does want to be President of the United States.
Monday, June 2, 2008
warm weather
It has been so nice out. I didn't appreciate fully the simple gift of a fenced backyard until I had kids. Sam and Miranda LOVE to be outside. Especially Sam. He will sit by the window like a little puppy longing to go out. The second thing he wants to do when he wakes up is to go outside. The first thing is to find his sleeping sister and attack. Weird how brothers come programmed to bug their sisters. Back on topic...when we bring him in from outside it's like he's getting his ears cleaned out. Which he finds torturous.
We've been enjoying outside things so much since the weather got warmer.
Miranda flew her princess kite the other day with Patrick. She loved it. I must say that I was nervous about my frugality when the measly kite came out of the wrapper, but it actually flew quite well.
We've had a few occasions to enjoy the blossoms at Temple Square. This was after my cousin's wedding where Sammy only wanted to tear out every tulip and eat dirt. But he cleans up well.
Miranda is beginning to interact with the camera in moviestarish fashion. We're always well supplied with dramatic flare with Miranda around.
"Thinking back on all the good times" Miranda:
Playful, wistful Miranda:
Coy, coquettish Miranda:
And WORKING the camera Miranda:
I got to spend some time last month with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend at Women's conference. The blossoms were beautiful and I learned a lot.
Miranda and I also had a summer-evening mommy-daughter date to a concert in the "Families Making Music" series. I served with the parents of the Hart Family in Nauvoo (they married each other after we got home) and their overflow of talent has just spilled into their kids. Their extended family performed as well. A little 4-year-old nephew (isn't the word "nephew" great?) played this adorable cello and the Hart's daughter played the violin which she got at 9 months old! It was lovely. These are pictures I took of my date while we were on Trax down to the concert. Another example of her many moods for the camera.
And of course
We've been enjoying outside things so much since the weather got warmer.
Miranda flew her princess kite the other day with Patrick. She loved it. I must say that I was nervous about my frugality when the measly kite came out of the wrapper, but it actually flew quite well.
We've had a few occasions to enjoy the blossoms at Temple Square. This was after my cousin's wedding where Sammy only wanted to tear out every tulip and eat dirt. But he cleans up well.
Miranda is beginning to interact with the camera in moviestarish fashion. We're always well supplied with dramatic flare with Miranda around.
"Thinking back on all the good times" Miranda:
Playful, wistful Miranda:
Coy, coquettish Miranda:
And WORKING the camera Miranda:
I got to spend some time last month with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend at Women's conference. The blossoms were beautiful and I learned a lot.
Miranda and I also had a summer-evening mommy-daughter date to a concert in the "Families Making Music" series. I served with the parents of the Hart Family in Nauvoo (they married each other after we got home) and their overflow of talent has just spilled into their kids. Their extended family performed as well. A little 4-year-old nephew (isn't the word "nephew" great?) played this adorable cello and the Hart's daughter played the violin which she got at 9 months old! It was lovely. These are pictures I took of my date while we were on Trax down to the concert. Another example of her many moods for the camera.
And of course
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