goings ons

Here they are:

1. Wren is a solid food monster. She turned six months and can't get enough. She's developed a shrill shriek that is an effective catalyst for getting the food quickly in her mouth.
2. Judd can sing "I am a Child of God" more or less by himself--I accredit it to Sister Karren and the awesome nursery she runs.
3. I finally got up the courage to call our California landlord and get our deposit money back. Its been almost a year since we moved--I got the check yesterday. Yes! I am amazing!
4. I'm working on breaking my cookie addiction. This is the first week I haven't made a batch. My commitment is wavering. As I tell myself forty times a day, "What is so bad about a little chocolate and oatmeal?"
5. Stevo is once again gone during the week and I've developed a pattern for dealing. Monday, depressed, do the essentials only, upset kids. Tuesday, find SOMETHING to do just to get out of the house, kids still off routines. Wednesday, feel pretty good with play dates and getting things done. Thursday, best non-steve day of the week with everyone and everything in the grove. Friday, so busy cleaning, doing laundry and making a delicious dinner and treat for when Steve gets home. It is a little mountain we climb every week.
6. Stevo's vacation is coming up in two weeks! First the coast and then Utah! Can't wait to catch up with everyone!!!
7. Something really exciting may be on the horizon for next year. It may involve hammocks, loin clothes, and amazonian blow darts. And that's all I'll say about that.
8. I got my hair cut. Short. And I drive around listening to Brandi Carlisle. I feel so alternative.
9. Turns out the church is still true. I teach RS and just love LOVE Gospel Essentials. This really is, very simply, what it is all about.
10. Judd can say a prayer BY HIMSELF! He likes to thank Heavenly Father for his friends("woosy" [Lizzy], "Effie" [Evie], Taryn, and Levi), "FeeFi" (nephi), Jesus, and "seester". He does a good job.
11. We are moving out of our beautiful (rented) house in August. The owners have gotten sick and would like to be close to family and doctors. And thus will begin our year as nomads. Thanks again, both moms and dads, for being so kind to open your homes to us. Though, I will miss this place terribly. Love this town. love my ward. love the beauty all around. love our friends.

So, though it seems a little nondescript, these are the things that make up our lives. I would LOVELOVELOVE to get an update on all of you. PLEASE leave a comment and catch me up!

toys

So my toy buying falls under three strategies, (though I should specify that toy buying, as it were, only really happens when toys are on sale AND its a special occasion.) Here they are:

1. Buy the toys my children show preference for-- confident kids will like 'em.
2. Buy the toys I loved as child--hope kids will like them as much as i did.
3. Buy the toys I want to play with NOW--doesn't really matter if kids like them because i do.

My favorite toy that falls under #3 is almost anything by Playmobil. Check out their USA site here (they're a German company). There is a toy store in our town that has a whole wall of Playmobil sets--both on display and in the box. PLUS they have the full pyramid set out for play. It is complete with a mummy that, when opened, has a skeleton inside. neat.

We often go to this toy store to kill a morning or afternoon. The pyramid set is not the only toy out to play (the Thomas the Train table is a big draw for a Judders). In early December, we walked in to hang out and what did I discover but a Playmobil Nativity Set. (picture lights from heaven and angels singing in the background). It wasn't on sale (If you check out the Playmobil site you'll notice they are not real inexpensive...). And though Christmas was coming up, I was totally done buying gifts. But, I HAD TO HAVE IT.

I reasoned with myself that it would save my real nativity sets from Judd's curious hands. That worked for me. I got it.

Putting it together was all the fun I could have imagined. It had hats and cloaks and wisemen and gifts, and, of course, baby Jesus (which Judd called 'sister') and shepards (which Judd called Jesus--at least he kinda got what the set was) and camels...everything, everything. I love it. truly. And so did Judd! A nice plus, as it turned out.

What toys do you secretly love?

daffodils

Stevo recently had the question "What is your favorite flower?" on a rotation application he was filling out. He replied "Whole Wheat." seriously.

Honey, you are a nerd. (or, as they say in Brasil and which i personally think is way more hilarious, 'nerdge'.)

It turns out my favorite flower is all around me right now and I am REVELING in it. Daffodils have arrived in Western Oregon! And they are everywhere! Tucked under trees, adorning street corners, overflowing flowerbeds--thank you daffodil-loving-Oregon-folk for profusely sprinkling your bulbs in every spot imaginable! I feel like I've found a whole region of kindred spirits.

So just spreading the sunny, spring-trumpeting joy I feel. What are your favorite flowers? or flours, if you prefer? :)