Scenes from a Conference Sunday

Here is William, getting ready for the Sunday morning session of General Conference: A favorite activity is Conference Bingo. The kids each get to choose a treat to use as bingo markers and they get to fill in their cards as they listen to the talks. This years treats were Pretzel M&M's for Henry and Tessa and gummy bears for William. This activity loses it's appeal after an hour or so, but they do listen pretty well.

Here is the clan, trying desperately to be the first to get BINGO! Jay is either helping Tessa or doubling as her jungle gym for the morning.

This year we asked the kids what their goals were for General Conference. Henry's goal was to listen to one full session of Conference, William's was to listen to President Monson's talk, and Tessa's was to get a Bingo. They all accomplished their goals this year. Generally they do pretty well on Sunday mornings - they get antsy around 11:30 but they do a good job listening. We find coloring pages and word puzzles to keep them occupied once the allure of Bingo wears off.

They are now watching Where The Red Fern Grows, per Henry's request. He read the book at school with his class and they watched the original movie; this movie is the remake that was done several years ago. I refuse to watch it because, well, you know. Oh, and funny story. Last month Jay was driving Henry home after a dentist appointment and they got on the subject of school. The conversation went something like this:

Henry - We're reading Where The Red Fern Grows in school.

Jay - Have you gotten to the part where the dogs die?

Henry (stricken) - The dogs die?

Oops.

Registering for Kindergarten

Today I registered my baby for kindergarten. She was so excited. They do a quick assessment with each child and while she was waiting her turn she said, "I'm so ready to start kindergarten. I already know how to sit criss-cross applesauce!"

During her assessment she wrote her name "the kindergarten way", counted crayons, talked about letters and numbers and colors and shapes, and cut out a smiley face. We left with some new crayons and a silly band, pink of course. We won't find out her class assignment until August and they'll do another assessment of her readiness before school officially starts. But she's ready. Of all my children, I feel the most confident of her readiness to start school. Part of it is her, because she is really ready to start more formal schooling. Part of it is me, because we've done this a few times now and I realize that I tend to worry about them more than I need to. At any rate, come September we'll have our youngest in kindergarten.

To celebrate I took her out to lunch. She chose Olive Garden. She had salad and breadsticks and cheese ravioli. She sat with her napkin in her lap and was so polite and well mannered. She even told me that she's not nervous to get her kindergarten shots because she knows that they will keep her healthy. We'll see how she feels when faced with the reality of a couple of booster shots in May, but for now it was a nice, calm - dare I say grown-up? - conversation.

Where in the world has the time gone?

Quotable

William - "I'm not going to kiss on the lips until I get married. Or go on my first date."

Hmmm. Nothing like setting a goal for yourself, I guess.

Also, can I just say how much I love having kids at the ages they are now (for the record, 9, 7 and almost 5)? They all sleep and go to the bathroom independently. They don't need me for Every. Tiny. Little. Thing. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the baby phase as much as anyone. I don't even mind getting up at night with babies to nurse them, unless they are Tessa and still want to nurse multiple times a night at 13 months. But that's another issue entirely.

This morning Jay went to work early - 5:30 am - and I didn't wake up until 7:30ish. The kids were all up and downstairs and just hanging out. They did come up to see if I was awake, but they don't need me to be up with them anymore.

We're definitely in the Golden Age of Parenting. We'll see how long it lasts. Maybe until Henry decides to act all teenagery and want his own cell phone or something.

Dance Party USA

I finally got some video of the kids playing Just Dance. It's hard to catch them unaware but it's much more fun. Once they realize I'm taking a video they start preening for the camera, as you will see towards the end of this stellar dance performance:

Henry's favorite song on Just Dance is "Viva Las Vegas" and William's is "Rasputin" (don't ask). I'm not sure if Tessa has a favorite song but she sure likes to play the game. Of course Little Miss Drama Queen then lays around the house, saying that she's "exhausted" from all her dancing.

Imagination Movers

It's a wet, cold and snowy March day. Your mom has decided that today is THE DAY to catch up on cleaning and laundry. You don't have preschool or dance class and there are no friends to play with at the moment. You have already watched a bit of TV this morning while your mom was on the treadmill and you just need something to do. You put on your thinking cap and come up with what?

Apparently, if you are Tessa, this:

This game went on for quite a while. After I finished with my cleaning and sat down for a minute, I became the passenger and she and Tiana Bear flew my sisters (three Barbies who look absolutely nothing like me) to Hawaii. It was OK, though, because I read a book during my flight and my captain thoughtfully provided me with a pillow and a blanket to make me comfortable. I was even able to fold a load of laundry. Who knew flying could be so productive?

Who Are You and What Did You Do With My Son?

Henry had bloodwork done today. I've dreaded it all week. Telling Henry that he has to go to the hospital and get poked with a needle is about as fun as it sounds and his reactions generally aren't good. His last visit to the lab was in December and it was ugly. So generally we steel ourselves for the reaction and the fight and the cries of "I'm Not Going!" and just know it'll be over at some point.

Today, however, he surprised us. Jay told him that he needed to get some labs done today and his response was "OK". I wasn't there but didn't believe it when Jay told me. A bit later I thanked Henry for not throwing a fit about the need for a blood test today and he said, "It's OK. It's the anticipation that is bad. It's not as bad as I think it's going to be. Besides, I get a doughnut." Kid, I'll buy you a dozen doughnuts if this is your new way of dealing with getting bloodwork done.

Jay said that he didn't cry, not even a bit. The lab techs were a bit wary of him, though, and two of them asked him if he'd done this before (yes, he said, with a world-weary shrug) and if they needed to hold him (no thanks). They chatted about the Jazz with him and boom - done. No drama. No tears. Just a chocolate doughnut and a wave goodbye as he got out of the car to head into school.

Will wonders ever cease?

Just Dance

You've heard of this Wii game, right? I had heard of it and thought it sounded stupid, to be honest. But Henry has played it at a friends house and talked William into saving his money so that they could buy it. I knew then that they were serious - it takes something pretty special for the boys to actually save their allowances for more than a few days after getting it. Anyway, they finally got enough money saved (minus a few bucks for tax, but I'm not completely heartless) so we got it on Saturday.

And it's fun! I'm shocked, but there you have it. It's fun to watch the kids play it. Even Jay got in on the action and Jay doesn't dance. Seriously, I think we have danced together once in all the time we have been together. But he decided to show off his moves for the kids and, well, lets just say there is a reason that Jay doesn't dance. :)

We had a dance-off tonight for Family Home Evening and I dominated! On my first try! I guess all those practices when I was on the high school dance team payed off. What? You're going to remind me that I graduated from high school 25 years ago? I challenge you to a dance off! I rock at Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go!