Answers

1 - Maggie
2 - Casey
3 - Sam
4 - Jill
5 - Sam
6 - Anna

Mag or Jill?

Jill is forcefully positive this is a picture of her. So, don't argue with her or she might bite you.

Zach the artiste

Zach is feeling really good about his skills. This piece of artwork was chosen to be displayed at the state capitol for Youth Art Month. I like how some of the windows are dark and some lit. I would choose the top right lit wondow to be my NYC abode. Anyway, we think you are awesome Zach!!!

Random ramblings of the last week

Can you guess who said . . .

1. "For Halloween, I want to be Captain Underpants."

2. "When I am a dad, I think I will make the best chicken nuggets."

3. "Hee hee hee." (When he/she forgot that I was picking up from school for piano and rode the bus home instead.) Or, the famous " . . . wait. . ." with a puzzled look on his/her face.

4. "I just ate some poop." And, "Teddy does not wear any clothes because he is furry and naked."

5. "I feel like all I have done today is pick up everyone else's stuff."

6. "coo" and "goo"

Tired, Cold, and Grouchy . . . not a good combo

I swear I am swearing off St. Louis. No more trips for a while. I am tired of seeing Hillbilly Hilly, Bourbon, with a capital B, and a million dead armadillos on the side of the road. The kids and I, minus Sam, made the trek to the St. Louis temple for a Primary activity. I really wasn't going to go. But, how could I deny a cautious Zach waking me up and simply stating, "I really want to go." So, I hustled and rustled the rest of the kids out of bed, piling them into the over-worked car and drove 3 plus to participate in the temple activity. The kids had fun building a temple bank and enjoying the temple grounds, then we swung through Target and Pei Wei and made our way home with a brief stop in Rolla for refueling a baby and the car. Hopefully, it was something the kids won't forget anytime soon.
When we got home, I was given an early Mother's Day present - a totally clean house. Sam and Ron worked the afternoon away to have the house looking great. I cringed as I saw all of the laundry done, but after inspection, Ron did a great job. He said he even separated the light pinks from the black church pants.
Sunday began with an unending supply of homemade cards, planted flowers in plastic cups, a colored noodle necklace that I got to wear to church, pipe cleaner creations, a song/poem and jig by Zach, and other fun things from the kids. They were really my favorite gifts. Ron made me the best stuffed french toast with strawberries and buttermilk syrup. (I have the recipe if anyone wants it. It is fabulous.) We had our favorite chicken picatta for dinner with a devils food cheesecake for dessert. Totally, totally off the diet. I think Ron is trying to fatten me up so he can eat me.
After all of the eating and frolicking through Missouri, I woke up this morning tired, cold, and grouchy. There really isn't a reason other than it is rainy and cold. Two things that I just don't much care for. So, as I sat on the couch being grouchy, Casey asked me if it was time for Jill's nap. I said yes, so he took her by the hand to her room and told her to climb into her crib. She willingly did. I heard a sweet little song by Casey and then the door clicked. Thank you Casey for giving me my last Mother's Day present. I really do love that kid.
So, a Happy Late Mother's Day to everyone. Hope the sun is shining for you today.

Tornado Times Two

It just happened to happen on the night we had planned a Young Women overnighter. The girls had been pleading for a sleepover and the leaders had finally given in. The sirens sounded, and the tornados began about 6:00. The phone calls started to come. Sister H couldn't come, Camille and Summer had tornados near their house so they would be a no show, Sister B would have to head home soon, leaving me alone with the 9 brave souls and the storm. The basement became my best friend ever and we played scum, spoons, Wii fit, the candy bar game, made camp journals, and watched Pride and Prejudice - the dumb version. This morning, all over the county they are assessing the damage, but after my own tornado, I just want to go back to bed.