Walter Wick at the MOA

On Friday the kids didn't have school.  We went down to Provo for my Dad's birthday.  We had a yummy lunch at LaCasita and then went to the MOA at BYU to see the Walter Wick show.  It was great.  He is the guy that does all the Eye Spy books.  His photos are all really cool, especially knowing none of them are photo shopped.  Take your time and figure out the puzzles and try and figure out some of the illusions as well.  I can't wrap my brain around some of it.  And the kids can look for Seymour the little bead guy from the books.  It is a fun exhibit for kids and adults!   Make sure you go while it is there (and don't miss the fabulous Dan Stienbhilber exhibit too.  Very cool.)  The Walter Wick show will be there until August, so if you are in town you must put it on your to do list.

Solicitations

My kid's school is doing a 1 mile/5K race as a fundraiser.  So you know how at this time of the year every kid in the neighborhood knocks on your door wanting to sell you cookie dough to raise money for band/track/football/choir/etc?  My kids are knocking on your door asking for a donation to help them raise the money to enter the race.  If you are willing to donate some money we need it by April 10.  If you want to donate email me at anskadanska@gmail.com and let us know and I can give you more details.  Sorry to ask.  (I'm not a good solicitor)

If you want to run in the race, it is on April 25 at 9 am on the Jordan River Parkway, and the cost to enter is $20.  Let me know and I can get you more info.  

Winter Is Over (Basically)

This weekend, a dramatically beautiful hike in the foothills behind the U (windy and grand vistas.):

Last weekend, a long walk on the Jordan River Parkway:

Last Saturday: Jordan River Parkway

Morning for Clara

Go Clara Go Clara Go: Gocho Turned 2

What a differnce a year makes! The hair (well sorta) and language skills have flourished. The ability to wreak havoc upon a clean room are unmatchable by any other human on the face of the planet.

Clara is a non-stop joy and delight to have around.  She makes us smile and laugh and keeps us well entertained.

Our baby is now speaking.  A lot. Mostly, in complete sentences which crack me up most of the time:

"Mom, can I put my hood on?"

"Mom, can I go outside?"

"Mom, can I eat my lunch now?"

"Mom, can I color?"

"Mom, can I have a sticker?"

"Mom can I dance?"

I don't know why it cracks me up, but it does.  Its the way she spaces the words, takes pauses, and enunciates so clearly.  It's funny.  

Clara's soul has been bought by the Disney corporation.  Those that know me, know I take no delight in children's souls being branded, but I just have to let this one go, because, well the battle was lost the day she saw her first Disney Princess figurine.  They had her at hello.  She spends the day in dress-up skirts, begging for music, and dancing.

"I am dancing.  So cute, Mom.  Cwawa is so cute, Mom."

Yes, it is so cute.

When Clara isn't dancing or dressing up she is ransacking Lucy's stash of Barbies, removing their clothes and dubbing them mean, beautiful, or cute, or piling books on my lap and saying, "Read a book Mom."

Her brothers and sisters adore her and put up with a lot from her.  Lucy takes excellent care of Clara, and Clara loves her and loves to play with Lucy and her friends.  They tolerate her fairly well.

Anders and Tucker are her buddies.  For her birthday they drew a princess, mermaid series of drawings to decorate.  Clara was thrilled, "Thank you Andes for my Orial (Areil) picture.  Thank you Tuck for my No White picture.  I love it."  She shouted that one several times.  Todd and Courtney gave her a singing Snow White birthday card, which she has been carrying around the last couple of days, and opening it and dancing when the mood strikes.  It strikes often.

For her birthday we had a double princess breakfast party with cousin Lizzy down at the Ensigns.  It was a great party.  Clara had a magical time.  When she saw the Belle decorations she was in heaven.  

 

 Clara has brought a lot of joy into our family and I can't imagine what we did without her.  She loves to snuggle up on my lap and commands me to sing songs to her.  She loves "Tinka bell" (Twinkle twinkle) and many more.

A favorite of hers and mine:  "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you'll never know dear how much I love you, please don't take my Clara away."

Our Own Seeker

This kid is in the Harry Potter zone:

(Funny Clara story:  Harry Potter and Heavenly Father are pronounced identically in her world.  Tucker bought Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore figures.  When Tucker opened the box, Clara exclaimed, "Hewy Fodda and Jesus!")

Big Love Controversy

I don't know about y'all, but my inbox has been flooded by people worried about the show, Big Love, portraying a sacred endowment ceremony.  I'v been invited to join facebook groups in protest, sign things, call people, boycott, etc.  I don't know why, but I don't give two hoots about this.  HBO/Big Love's choice to depict the ceremony in no way affects me or my testimony or truth or the church. It just seems that these kinds of things come up all the time then they blow over and the church remains, unscathed.  I was pleased to read that church's official stance on this is basically, do what you want, but this too shall pass.  Don't worry.  It will blow over and our temple will still be sacred and the work of the church will carry on. Read what they say here.  

Tucker: Growing Up!!

Tucker is growing up.  His round little baby face is starting to thin out.  His top teeth are wiggly and loose.  He is starting to learn his times tables.  He has read the first two Harry Potter books.  He loves mysteries and spy/detective stuff.  He isn't a baby anymore.  It seems like you blink and suddenly your babies are little people.

(for the story on the water stand go here")

I am so impressed with Tucker. That kid is always thinking, figuring things out, trying to understand the world. He is a curious kid who loves to learn. I am so proud of him. He is doing so well in school. Really. You should see this kid read, it amazes me. He told us when he grows up he wants to be a nerd. I hope he will be a nerd. Nerds are the best and I hope he will always be proud of whoever he is, because I sure am. Currently, he has a lot of confidence. He told Jim, while skiing, that he was pretty much the best skier there. As a mother I hope that confidence stays with him in the years ahead, because well, those teenage years will be here before we know it, and speaking from personal experience, they can be rough on a person. Tucker turned 7 on Wednesday. He has never had a friend party, and so I told him I would throw him one. He was excited. He started planning what he wanted. Then one day out of the blue he changed his mind. He didn't want one. I asked him why. "Everyone at school kept coming up and giving me their phone numbers so I could invite them. And I don't want to invite a lot of people. Our house isn't big enough. Besides, they all love violence, and I don't." Huh? Anyway, we ended up celebrating his birthday by going to parent teacher conference (where he got a stellar report) and then dinner out. The real party came today. March is the birthday month of choice on the Taylor side. Pop-pop, Maren, Phillip, Lizzy, Tucker, Jayson, and Clara all celebrate in March (and that isn't to mention the extended family and friends). I want to declare June, birth control awareness month. Anyway, because of all the birthdays I thought it might be nice to celebrate his birthday at Sunday dinner with his cousin Lizzy--three birds one stone. But last Monday I came out of my room and our house had been transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There were signs on the doors indicating house towers (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, etc.). There was a sorting hat. There were signs pointing to Dumbledore's office and the Great Hall. And Tucker had made a game. Hedwig was going to deliver a message in the great hall: the Golden Snitch had been stolen, and all the little witches and wizards needed to find it. Apparently Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy stole it and it was hidden in Slytherin Tower (my room). Anyway, with the party all planned, we went ahead and had a party at our house with the Ensign cousins. That Tucker is just so dang creative! I love him and can't believe what a good kid he is. We love him so much and are so lucky to have a kid just like him in our family.

a couple of the decorations:

Our amazing Harry Potter:

The sorting hat:

Hedwig delivering the message:

the message reads: Dear Hogwarts.  Someone stoll the snitch.

I'v look evrewer for it.  But theres non in the stores.  you have

to find it by tonight.  Headmaster Dumbledore

Lucy made a treasure hunt.  This is them reading

the clue out on the quidditch field:

Snow White made and appearance at Hogwarts:

The treasure hunt ended in Hagrid's Hut:

Happy Birthday Tucker, we love you!

How?

How can just one shoe be missing? How can two coats be missing? How? How? How? I am sick to death of missing clothing. I had to do a massive hunt for missing school uniform items last week. I found them in the strangest places, like bottom of the ball bin, tucked in the wrong kids sock drawer under all the undies and socks (where almost all the socks were dirty. Is it that hard to find the dirty laundry pile????). Where would you be if you were Tuckers other school/play shoe? Where would you be if you were Tucker or Anders coat?
It is enough to drive me insane. I'm not joking.

Update: We did a mega-search. Two coats are found. ONE SHOE IS STILL LOST! Grrr. New shoes too.

Ski Season 2008-2009

The kids have had a terrific season (so I hear). Rob, Todd, and Court have taken them to Alta and Brighton. They have gotten pretty good. I think they had their final day of the year on Saturday. It was a good one, except Lucy went missing for awhile. Someone from the ski patrol found her and she was reunited with the group. Some things I am glad I only hear about. Grandpa Hastings, Uncle Jim and Aunt Whitney were in town this time. Everyone had a great time.

Sunbeep

"Jesus wants me for a sunbeep..."
--Clara