keeping points

I took a "Love and Logic" parenting class a few years ago.  LOVED it.  I left thinking, "OK, I got this..."  And since then I can say that while the parenting that's in my head is pretty impressive, what actually occurs is more mediocre.  I think I'm just too lazy to be an A+ parent.  ...So maybe I'm giving myself too many props for the victory this evening.

...maybe.

Remember this post?

Well it is indeed working.

So as Brenda (flashing her clean, pearly whites) triumphantly accepted another NEW lego set, I sat back, folded my arms and thought, "Yes little lady, you think you're in control?  Yeah, you go ahead and think that..." 

Point for Lindsay!

Grown-ups don't scream.

With being the YW president I feel the need to behave with a certain amount of sophistication, wisdom, and bravery.   

Sure Lindsay, sure...
.
.
..shut it. 

This was a particular challenge during our activity tonight.

image of a different scary forest from HERE

We surprised the kids with a trip to a HAUNTED forest.  You know, witches, ghouls, chainsaws, clowns, etc...

I was all smug in my cool Columbia hat and warm black jacket.

..."What sweet children.  All giddy and hyped over some spooky nature walk..."

I proudly stood back with the other calm, cool adults while we gathered to the entrance. 

"Stay in your groups little ones!"  (sing-songy voice)

"Remember the creatures won't hurt you!" 

And we go in.

...
...

I spent the next 20+ minutes hyperventilating and just praying that my pants stay dry.  I'm not proud of the fact that I more-than-once pushed poor friend, Sheri, into the path of evil, cannibalistic demons just so I could get a head start in my escape...

No, not proud.  But I did survive.

Afterwards I again stood with my fellow leaders, chuckling at the holiday delights while secretly rejoicing in my still-being-alive and dry pants.  I consoled the young ladies sharing their tales of terror.  I patted the backs of frightened teenagers.

I returned to my smug adulthood.

.
.

Nah, I don't think I fooled anybody...

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Kids’ Deep Thoughts
From an actual newspaper contest where entrants ages 4 to 15 were asked to imitate “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey.”

I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?
–Age 15

Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money.
–Age 13

It sure would be nice if we got a day off for the president’s birthday, like they do for the queen. Of course, then we would have a lot of people voting for a candidate born on July 3 or December 26, just for the long weekends.
–Age 8

For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That’s what happens to cheese when you leave it out.
–Age 6

Home is where the house is.
–Age 6

October evening running

Thanks goodness for headlamps...

Hold your applause...

So OH BOY I'm tired.  But before I crash I have to share why my life is AWESOME.

1) Ran a half marathon Saturday morning-

Me, runner/facebook friend Mike, and Solana

-weather was perfect, I felt great and my finish time was 1:58.  Yesssssssssssss...

2) Attended the Best of EFY program on Saturday with the youth in the ward.  The speakers were SPECTACULAR, and sneaking out with classy-cool friend Monica (going to Red Robin) was a special treat.

3) My dad has recently embraced his love for photography and suddenly we're spending all this timing hovering over photoshop, talking lenses, or planning photo trips...  (Anyone who knows my dad knows how lucky I am.)

4) Brenda imitates the Three Stooges while playing Lego Harry Potter.  "Alright fellas...  Why I oughta..."

5) Mike sat and played Bingo with Brenda and Suzie the other night.  Both girls were in heaven and Mike didn't seem to mind either...

6) Garret is responding to the GFCF diet with better sleep and improved attentiveness at school.  Still in trial mode, but looking good.

7) (And perhaps the most important)  EGGNOG is here!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the pretty, pretty pumpkin patch-

 

Garret struggled to enjoy the field trip today.

He wasn't upset.  -just wanted peace, quiet and to be left alone.

But a ride on the hay wagon pulled him out of his funk.

And we finished with smiles.

Brenda, on the other hand, relished in the farm-delights.

She'll be talking about this all day long...

OK, nap time.