Christopher, the Balloon Slayer

(*Disclaimer: This picture of Kate is not related to the following story. It's just a picture of Kate being Kate.)

This week we had a little incident . . . a friend had brought over beautiful, shiny, purple, mylar, star balloon for the girls to play with because she was sick of it hanging around at her house (you know how long those things last). The girls loved it. There was a small gift bag tied to the string at the bottom, so it became a hot air balloon and the means of transferring toys up to Analise's top bunk and whatever else my children's imagination led them to. UNTIL. They started fighting over the balloon. I told them that if they couldn't share then I was going to take the balloon away. Well, the whining and grabbing continued until I said, "that's it! The balloon is gone." At that exact moment, Chris pulled his switch-blade from his pocket and stabbed the balloon - and the balloon was dead. All three children burst into sobs for 1/2 an hour, giving Chris the puppy dog "how could you?!?" looks. Even the next day, Kate pulled the balloon out of the trash, brought it to me, and said, "Daddy pop a balloon, mama." Quite the traumatic event at our house. So anyway, a few days later the girls started fighting over a kitty stuffed animal and I said, "Do I need to call Dad in here to cut up the kitty?" The girls got these terrified looks in their eyes and said, "NO! We'll be nice!" Chris, in his King Solomon-like wisdom, said he would happily slice any toy the children are fighting over in 1/2 and give each child a piece. Ahh, it's nice to have another bargaining chip when threatening my children.

Now for the Primary update: it has taken over my life. I go to bed thinking about it and wake up thinking about it. I'm working on the program and calling people to fill in the holes. My presidency is great, it's just going to take a little bit to get everything up and running. I do enjoy it though and I know I am going to grow to love the kids.

I've also started helping out with Aly and Analise's classes at school and I love it. I get to go listen to kids read and help out with homework bags. It's nice to feel connected with what's going on with the girl's teachers and classes.

Another major happening this week was the decision to start Aly with braces. She's got an "advanced mouth" meaning her teeth are coming in faster than her mouth can grow to accomodate them. I am really not looking forward to the whole ordeal of ortho appointments and Aly complaining, but I'm trying to stay positive for Aly's sake. Another phase of parenthood, I guess. I also took Kate in for her 2 year well baby appointment and she had yet another ear infection (her third since we've moved here). The doctor said that one of her tubes had come out and she might need to get another one put in. I'm just kind of bleh with dentists and doctors right now. I mean, I'm glad we have them and they're all super nice, it's just that doctors appointments always suck up huge amounts of time to see the doctor for like 15 minutes. Time that I do not have (or do not wish to give to that purpose, I should say.)

But other than that we're doing well. We've had some Daddy-daughter dates going on which consisted of Aly and Chris hiking along the beach, and Lise & Chris going swimming at the community center. Kate and I were feeling a little left out so I took her to the pool another time. I did get my own personal date with Chris last night which was a ton of fun just to get away from all the callings, papers, and children craziness we've got going right now. Yummy mexican, strolling along the shops, Zuka's and a movie with your hubby. What could be better? We're also going hiking along the beach as a family tomorrow for Labor day. I'm excited!

And now for a final quote of the week from Kate. She picked her nose one morning, looked at the booger, ate it, and said, "Mmm, it's a breakfast boogie."