Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag ...

Back in July, the girls and I threw an American Girl Book Club party, an idea I swiped from my sister-in-law, Davina, who did the same thing with her girls a while ago. I thought it was such a fun idea that I immediatley put it on my To Do list, and - look at me! - I actually followed through!

We chose the book Meet Kit, which focuses on Kit Kitteridge, a 10 year old girl growing up in the Great Depression. Some of you may have seen the movie version. For the party, we dressed up, decorated with items popular in the 30's, listened to 1930's music, and had some yummy era-appropriate food. We played jacks - or at least tried to with the junky plastic jacks they sell nowadays - and learned to type on real typewriters, just like Kit.

I intended on having a good discussion about the book during the party, but that didn't really happen. Part of that was because many of the girls were Bea's age (most of Natalie's classmates couldn't attend), and they didn't quite have the attention span for a discussion. Looking back, I should have just read aloud from the book for a little while, but oh well ... maybe next time. We had a great time regardless. Hopefully we will be able to do it again ... when the rest of my life calms down. (Ha!)

Here are a few more pictures if you are so inclined!

Another Lesson Learned

I learned a valuable lesson at the grocery store a few weeks ago that I need to share with all of you as a public service. I happened to be grocery shopping alone (*angels singing*), so I was meandering through the aisles, just taking my time. The store was relatively empty, which is always a plus. I turned down the aisle that has all the kitchen supplies - the peelers, the graters, cutting boards, etc. - and I saw a grown woman pick up a plastic pasta spoon and use it as a back scratcher... under her shirt.

Now, my first instinct was to yell out, "What in the world are you doing?!?" but I was embarrassed for her, so I just walked casually by, acted like I didn't notice, and pretended to be extremely interested in the canned pears on the other side of the aisle. The woman had, of course, quickly removed the pasta spoon when she saw me come into the aisle, but it was too late. I had seen. As I slowly walked down the aisle, I kept one eye on the woman, waiting - praying - that she would put the pasta spoon in her cart. But alas, she did not. The pasta spoon went back on the hook, just waiting patiently to be used to scoop up spaghetti for some poor, unsuspecting family.

Lesson learned: Always wash anything you buy from the store before you use it. Also, pasta spoons are very versatile, and I am buying one for every person on my Christmas list. :)

Moving On Up, Part 2

Another year of school has begun!

It's only been a few days, but so far, so good. The meltdowns don't usually begin until the second week, anyway, when reality starts setting in.

3rd grade! Holy Cow!

1st grade , here I come!

And this is Dexterese for "preschool."

Moving On Up

Natalie and Beatrice have been having a great time at karate, and now they both have earned their next belt - yellow with white stripe. Hooray!

Natalie has already declared her intention to be a black belt. I have no doubt that she (and Bea, too) could do it. Karate suits Natalie especially well, as it is all about rules and preciseness and proper technique. She's got a tad bit of the perfectionist about her ... wonder where she gets that from?

Congratulations, my girls!

Don't Ask What Came Over Me...

...but we have a new addition to our family!

Welcome Peregrin Took Fear!

More commonly known as:

Pippin

Pip

Pipsqueak

Pipperoni (Bea's creation)

Pippers

Oh, who am I kidding? You know we named him that so that I can yell "Fool of a Took!" whenever he misbehaves, which thankfully, is not often.

Pippin was a stray that some friends in our ward found and took care of while they tried to find the owner. When their posters yielded no results, they sent out an email asking if anyone would like him, and my very uncharacteristic-but-immediate thought was, "This kitten belongs with us."

And now he does.

I Scream, You Scream ...

"The aftermath"

I cannot fit into my summer clothes, and I am blaming the extraordinary amount of ice cream and dessert options in the Sacramento area. They call to me, like a siren's song. Of course, I cave to the siren's song pretty easily, but that is neither here nor there.

The other night Jay and I went on a date (whoo hoo!), and after dinner we ate at Rick's Dessert Diner in downtown. It was the most perfect little place - a very authentic looking 50's diner that sold nothing but desserts, and amazing ones at that. I think I would probably work as their cashier sans pay as long as they provided me with a free piece of cake every night.

Also, as a family we continued our quest to eat at every bakery/ice cream/yogurt establishment within a 20 mile radius. The latest one was called Leatherby's, and it was delicious. It was after this excursion that I decided my summer wardrobe would have to consist only of elastic-waist skirts and Jay's t-shirts. (It was worth it, though!)

Doesn't Calvin look older with his haircut?

And one more of Cal, just because I can. He liked to put his ice cream in his water, add his napkin, and then take a swig.

Dex got a summer haircut, too, to go along with the chocolate ice cream on his face.

Sweet sisters

(This picture was taken near the beginning of the summer, before they started getting on each other's nerves every 5 seconds. When does the school year start again?)

The Real Reason the Girls Take Karate

"FINISH HIM!"

(No, I haven't seen the new one ... my loyalty is to Daniel Larusso.)

Beautiful Day

Last Saturday, Natalie was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a beautiful day. She was so excited and happy ... it was amazing to witness. We had many family and friends there to support Natalie, which just added to the sweetness of the day.

When we got home, Natalie took my advice and went upstairs to write down her feelings. She was up there a lot longer than I expected. I remembered doing the same thing over 19 (!) years ago, and over the years those pages have become priceless to me. Of course, I was 15 at the time, so my thoughts on my baptism are much different (and longer) than Natalie's, but nonetheless, what she wrote down was beautiful and heartwarming. I know she will treasure those words as the years go by.

The next day, as Natalie stood in the congregation to be welcomed as the newest member of our ward, her smile was ear-to-ear. It is obvious she is happy with the decision she made, and we couldn't be happier for her.