Headlines

ADRIA LAURA TURNS 4 YEARS OLD
After thinking about it for awhile on the couch she turned to us and said. "I don't feel 4 years old?!?" We celebrated with spaghetti, fairy cookies, and ice cream. Adrie got this life-sized Princess of the Diamond Castle Barbie and they are already the best of friends. (We caught them slow dancing last night)

In other local news
WOMAN THWARTS BURGLAR WITH HEADLOCK AND WEDGIE
Wedgie? What a fun word to see on the front page of the Deseret News this morning. Does anyone need a definition? Believe me, I can give you one. I have had plenty from my older brother. I am thinking of hiring this lady to get him back.

Break a Leg

The Missoula Children's Theater was in town last week holding auditions for "Little Mermaid." Brynn wanted to go. Kate had mixed feelings. Monday I took them and they tried out with 140 other kids. After two hours of singing, dancing, and practicing impromptu lines, the directors were able to pick 60 kids for parts. Hooray for our shy quiet Kate who was selected. She got a role as a seahorse and it gave her quite the air of confidence.
Brynn and pretty much all kindergarteners and first graders didn't get parts but, Brynn was sure a good sport about it. She was just as happy with her consolation prize--a free ticket to the show.

The next week was spent in a whirlwind of rehearsals. Saturday was showday. Kate did a great job on stage prancing, singing, and neighing in her seahorse group. What a great opportunity for her. She said she had fun doing the play. Yesterday was the first time we've ever had to send her to her room for singing too much at dinner. Hopefully Brynn will get her chance to have such fun.

Tea with the Queen

By Royal Decree Kate and Brynn were crowned "princesses" yesterday by this lovely Queen with a lovely name like my own. We had a very fun event yesterday for the Liberty Girls, Knights of Freedom, and Little Women in the area and their mothers. We called it "Tea with the Queen." The kids learned about Etiquette and good manners and that what you do and say reflects your heart on the inside. The Young Men were knighted as Sirs for different virtues in a very teary ceremony and the girls each were crowned princesses. Then we feasted on a chocolate fountain with the works. (These are the fun things we do while everyone else is in school.)

With their new titles comes a whole slew of responsibilities such as being kind, courteous, respectful, and not chewing with their mouths open. I hope Kate and Brynn can live up to them at least until dinner tonight.

Randomness

I like this tag because I can talk about myself and in totally random ways!

1. I have a deep down desire to go to Medical School but I'm not sure I have the time or the brains to do it.

2. My perfect church calling would be Ward Music Leader--no talking, just music that I get to choose.

3. I could really use a housecleaner once a week. I'm not exactly on top of things.

4. If I want to be active I like tennis, skiing, yoga, running (after I'm done) and if I wanted a REALLY good time it would be any water activity--like boating or sea-do-ing. BTW I haven't done sea-doing or skiing in like 10 years...waaahhh. Oh and horseback riding...

5. The beach is my heaven. I love walking in the sand right where the waves lap up, I love collecting shells, boogie boarding, or just watching the waves. I never want to leave it and when I'm not on it I like to surround myself with things that remind me of it. I don't know why I live in the middle of UT.

6. If there is any sort of cultural event/musical performance/art exhibit/ or play in town I am so there.

7. I really disagree with all the handshaking at church. Hello, it's flu season?

8. One of the best investments I ever made was a professional "bra fitting" at Dillards. I recommend it to every woman.

9. I LOVE travel and my travel bug especially acts up around Spring.

10. I love a good sense of humor and Brandon has one of the best. He's always making me laugh.

11. Music is one of my passions. I'd make a great American Idol judge and a lousy contestant.

12. Black widows absolutely haunt me and for some reason our part of town is plagued with them....ewwwwww.

13. I would like to adopt a Latino lifestyle: main meal at 2pm followed by siesta. Latin dancing on the weekends.

14. Actually I am fascinated by all cultures. I would like to learn how other people in the world live and adopt what I like best of each. Who has the best food? How about the comfiest seating? Who's got the best language? The best ice cream? (Spain)

15. I want to learn everything and go everywhere and there is just not enough time to do it.

16. I LOVE new clothes. Shopping for them online or in-stores is way too fun.

17. I really want a good set of knives and a memory foam mattress topper but I can't seem to bring myself to buy them.

18. Sleeping in my down comforter and flannel sheets and down pillow makes me feel like a Queen. (Brandon bought those)

19. I am the Liberty Girls Leader in our area. I have fun thinking of crafts and treats and activities the 6-10 year old girls can do to learn about American History. (We use the American Girl series)

20. Some of the greatest inventions to me are toilet paper, toilet, iPod, internet, Motrin, washer/dryer, showers, lotion, chapstick, peanut butter (especially in the form of Reese's)

21. My parents owned a gourmet chocolate store when I was little. I had free reign of the place. (that's why my taste buds are so mature and why I have so many cavities.)

22. I really dread getting up in front of people to speak.

23.My future dream job would be to work in a Birthing Center for Spanish speaking women. one-3 months out of the year I would travel to Spanish-speaking countries to deliver babies and improve healthcare overall. I'd travel anywhere actually. The U.S. could probably use some help too.

24. My worst job would be dentist/or hygienist. Anything that has to do with teeth and saliva grosses me out intensely. I know... ironically the blood and guts of the medical world doesn't...?

25. I don't know how I got such good-natured kids. I love being able to stay home with them and watch them learn!

Year of the Ox: Let's party!

It's Chinese New Year!...and what better excuse to brighten up the month and have a party. You can count on us to celebrate the "lesser known holidays" or the "underdog" holidays as my neighbor put it. Just wait 'til Earth Day--that's gonna be good.
Chinese New Year actually is a pretty darn big deal--just not in the middle of UT. It lasts 15 days (why hasn't America adopted these long celebrations?) It's all about good luck and prosperity, family unity, and lots of food. To get ready for the New Year you are supposed to buy new clothes, get a haircut, and clean the entire house by sweeping out all the bad luck. That is what we did yesterday to get ready for our party (just the all-day cleaning part). Unfortunately, our mop head broke and our vacuum has now ....sucked it's last crumb...officially dead....Good for BD, he mopped the floors Cinderella style. Wouldn't his mama be proud?
We invited a few couples from the ward to join us for either dinner at the Chinese restaurant and or games at our house after. About 8 couples showed up and decided to do both. Our guests indulged me by taking my very educational Chinese New Year Quiz. Here's a sample so you can see how you do.
1. Part of celebrating New Years involves honoring your ancestors by visiting their graves and also visiting elderly relatives. If you do not visit them the Chinese believe you will:
a) drop dead b) get bird flu c) have family discord d) lose money

2. This animal is native only to China
a) llama b) koala c) panda d) dragon

3. During New Year's it is tradition for adults to give decorated red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults. These are called:
a) Buddah's b) gimi gimi's c) moo goo gai pan's d) Ang Pow's

4. The following are Chinese inventions:
a) silk, paper, fireworks, dominoes, toothbrush
b) silk, paper, fireworks, badminton, chocolate
c) silk, paper, fireworks, soap, nachos
d) planes, trains, automobiles, football

We played a numbers game which involves dice, and wrestling pens away from people as they try to write to 100. (Sher knows what I'm talking about) We also played a new game from our family reunion called Hitchhiker. I won't explain in detail--just imagine BD doing a Mr. T impression-- Lots of laughter. I think everyone had fun--at least they didn't join the girls in the back bedroom for some Fairytopia.
Like t said, Gung hay fat choy! Answers to the quiz if you really want them ( c,c,d,a)
Here's to getting ready for Earth Day....and all the birthday parties in between.

Back to American fare, here is a peanut butter recipe we made tonight. It's right up there with gummy peachies in a totally different sort of way :
PB Truffle cookies
1 cup PB
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix altogether. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
I think to make it extra heavenly you could add PB chips....mmmm.