So Far, So Good

Here's M, Queen of the Recycled Denim, and this doesn't even include the jeans from school, just from our neighbors and friends!

M's Big School Announcement

M got to make an announcement over the intercom to the whole entire school this morning! (Sorry that I forgot and turned the camera sideways...it's the audio I was trying to capture, anyway, right?!) She has asked her school, everyone in our condo complex, and several of our friends at church to donate their used denim so she can donate it all to National Geographic for Kids, who are 1) trying to set a world record for most recycled denim and 2) partnering to recycle them into home insulation for houses affected by recent natural disasters. We are proud of her enthusiasm and hope we get lotsa ratty, old denim for the project! We are turning it all in to Build-a-Bear this weekend (I didn't want to pay to ship it all, but they are serving as a drop-off site just for this weekend). I will have to take pics of her with her final donations, and of her cool poster we made for the school. Goooooo, M!

Great Advice

I attended a conference yesterday morning for parents of gifted kids. I heard some great stuff, and one "motto" that I think should be embraced by all adults in all situations.

The class was on advocating for your gifted child in all kinds of situations, not only at school, but with siblings, extended family, clubs, church, etc. The facilitator told us if she could make a bumper sticker, it would say,

"Don't complain unless you have a possible solution."

I LOVE IT! How many times do people just want to moan and groan but don't want to come up with anything constructive to remedy the situation?! I think I should cross stitch it and display it in several locales: the RS room, our family room, the principal's office, the grocery store...ah, the possibilities!

Love at Home

The closing hymn in Sacrament meeting today was "Love at Home." During the third (and final) verse, E was trying to get a tiny dress back on her tiny Barbie doll. She brought it to me, and I shook my head "no" and pointed to the hymnal. She took it to Daddy, who did the same thing. She kept trying and trying to get it on, and that darn Barbie's skinny thumb kept getting caught on her beautiful sheer sleeve.

So, we sang the last refrain, "...when there's love at home" and as the last note fades out, E (quite LOUDLY) yells at her little Barbie:

I HATE YOU!

Ah, it was a classic!

*sigh*

I took the girls to see the local high school production of "Oklahoma!" tonight. They enjoyed it a lot (gee, imagine that...my girls like drama, singing, and dancing?!) but it did go pretty late for a 5 yr old. Towards the end, at about 9:30pm, "Curly" and "Lori" were finally admitting their love and singing some mushy song. E, who was sitting next to me, let out this BIG sigh and leaned her head on my shoulder. Just as I started to say, "Are you getting sleepy, honey? Hang in there, it's almost over" she said, "Oh...it's just sooo romantic," followed by another big sigh, "I just love it."

When we asked M what her fav part was (we went w/her buddy, A, and her mom), she said, "The Oklahoma hello!" (Willy stradles Ado Annie in a big smootch)

HELP! I think we're in for it!

"O"

Putting E to bed tonight, she said, "Mommy, I just remembered what that prophet's name was we learned about in Primary today. His middle name was O. David O. McKay." I said, "The O stands for another name, like J stands for your middle name (Joy)." She said, "No, it stands for 'hallelujah!'" and began singing the Hallelujah chorus. Where does she come UP with this stuff?!

Here she is with her impromptu microphone...

M's Latest Poem

M brought home book of About Me poems her class just published...here is hers:

M
Funny, smart, mad, down right crazy
Sister of E
Daughter of P and K
I am the lover of dogs, adventure, and gross things
I feel worried, out of control, and concerned
I need dogs, candy, and books
I give comedy, lessons, and time
I fear tsunamis, high tide, and poisonous polluted air
I would like to see the moon up close
I am a resident of *our town*
R

Gee, you'd never guess she's been raised by a mom who was raised with a healthy fear, respect, and love of the ocean, would you?! I take no credit for the gross things, though! :)