Musician

Evan and Dani both had their first piano lessons last night. They are both SUPER excited -- giggled with glee through the whole lesson. As soon as Evan got up this morning, he was on the piano, practicing. A few hours later, I just couldn't help sneaking from around the corner......

Good Morning

Brendan was a total booger last night -- wouldn't eat his dinner, screaming at everyone, giving me the should of 0 Kelvin and just generally being a brat. Obviously, the boy was eligable for an early bedtime! So, I gave him a quick bath (our latest attempts at potty training may have accounted for his bad mood somewhat, and it CERTAINLY gave him a certain... aroma....) and plunked him in bed a little before 7:00. Normally when we do this he sneaks out of bed and plays in the playroom until the other kids have to go to bed. I was SHOCKED to find the boy fast asleep when we went back upstairs an hour later! I was even more amused when, around 7 a.m. this morning, he came downstairs, and greeted me with a big hug, a bright smile and, "I happy now!" The kid doesn't miss a beat!


Also, as we were getting everyone ready for school today, I told Dani to run upstairs and get me a brush so I could do her hair. She took half a step, pulled open the junk drawer and produced a hairbrush. "Ok, that will work!" I said. To which she responded, "Yeah, I thought that would be a pretty handy place to keep it!"

Test

Dani brought home a math test today. One question was: What is the difference between a circle and a triangle? Dani's answer: A circle can roll, a triangle can't roll.

Mrs. B. made this note: A circle has curved lines, the triangle has straight lines.

But she didn't mark it wrong!

Baby, its cold inside!

One of my and Jason's favorite arguments is whether or not the heat in the house is too high or too low. He keeps it at 68 during the day -- and that is a compromise! I've learned to deal with it by keeping lots of blankets available and wearing lots of layers -- sometimes I feel like Mr. Rogers from my childhood television watching days. I come home, take off my heavy coat and shoes and put on my inside jacket and slippers! I do draw the line at gloves though. If I feel like I need gloves on, he has to turn up the heat.

I love using evidence like the following as evidence for my side of the argument -- I found Brendan like this this morning, all of his own accord:

Report Cards

The kids all brought home their report cards yesterday. Everyone did great -- Dani showed incredible improvement in all areas. Emily was upset that she only got a "meets expectations" on turning in all her work, when "exceeds expections" was a possibility. Explaining to her that she'd have to turn in extra work or turn all her work in early to EXCEED expections was no comfort. This Evan's first report card -- he got nearly all 4s and a couple of 3s. He asked what that meant (his favorite question these days.... What does________ mean? Even if he's pretty sure he knows what it is... its almost as bad as "why?") and I told him that 4s were the best score a kindergartener could get and that 3s were the next best. He smiled and walked away from me, saying to himself in a self-satisfied little voice, "Hm..... I'm pretty smart!"

Haircut

Dani's hair has been getting wilder and wilder lately. Usually when that happens its time to give it a trim. I meant to take her to her favorite kids hair cut place, but I just didn't want to brave the cold, so I cut it myself!


I started with this....



and when I was done, it was this!

Oops... that's a little more than just a trim! The next day, with her natural propensity for follicular insanity, I swear she looked like a used Q-tip! But after we gave her a bath and tamed the fluff, it turned out like this

Phew! It is actually probably the best haircut she's ever had! Thank goodness for happy accidents!

And on another Dani-related note -- we are currently in the family room, watching the Disney channel. A commercial for The Incredibles just came one and she said, "Is Incredibles a good movie? Yeah.... it teaches us to... be nice to each other...... and not.... killl each other......" I guess there is a moral to every story.

The creature from the Black Lagoon

Now THAT'S dirty! Ok, its not dirt -- Dani put almost an entire tub of Crayola Tub Tints in her bathwater tonight. Ick!

While I was getting her ready for bed she told me the following:

Dani: You're going to be so not tired in the morning (I canceled seminary for tomorrow). Will you not wake up at 9? 'Cause... I might want some eggs. Becuase they're my favorite.
Me: I'll get up in time to make you some eggs.
Dani: Ok, good. Mom, I made myself a goal.
Me: Oh yeah?
Dani: I'm not going to eat eggs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday aaaaaaaaannnnddddd...... um.... Friday. (tomorrow is Thursday)
Me: Oh. Um. Great goal, Dani.

She also asked if we could have Daddy turn the heat up in the house because she was concerned that her wet hair would turn into icicles. In our house, that is a legitimate concern!

Storage

Anyone else made a resolution to get their houses organized?