Don't lick the yogurt off your socks!

That's what I actually exclaimed tonight.

During the sixty seconds that I was outside picking up the mail, Nathaniel opened the refrigerator (no longer lock-able, remember?), took out a container of yogurt, found a spoon, apparently started eating, but then spilled the drippy stuff (Wallaby's brand) on the floor. That's when I came in. He whined guiltily as I whisked the yogurt away, and as I grabbed a rag (meaning my back was turned for up to two seconds), he walked right into the mess. Then he reached down and, well, licked the yogurt off his sock.

The kid makes me say, "Ack!" often.

Because...

A couple mornings ago, he dumped out all, and I mean every speck, of the baby powder in his bedroom. I thought he was quiet because he was sleeping, but it turns out he was busy and not interested in calling my name yet. I promise I'm not a negligent mom who leaves such temptations within reach--we have learned several lessons the hard way. That powder was on the top shelf of his closet, probably four or five feet above the floor. I guess he just scaled those built-ins like a monkey.

And another time, also very recently, I opened his bedroom door after he had been crying for about five minutes--I thought he was pouting about bedtime--and found blood everywhere. After worriedly washing him up, I discovered this mess was a bad bloody nose that he wiped on the walls, dripped all over the floor, and smeared on the rocker. Ack! Admittedly, this catastrophe was partly my own fault for not rushing in sooner, but honestly! Everything with Nate is messy in the biggest way.

And he takes off running when the door is open, headed to the nearest operating sprinkler.

And he plugs and unplugs cords everytime I'm in another room. Cords I don't even recognize or know where he found.

And one day he carefully spooned Nestle-Qwik chocolate mix onto Nana's carpet. (She didn't know babysitting him would take so much energy.)

And he pokes his clothing down the heating vent in his bedroom.

And he moves quickly to new "adventures" even as I am literally cleaning up the current mess. My friend today saw a little of this, and I think she was glad to run home to her quiet, orderly life. I would be glad to run to her home with her.

Luckily for both Nathaniel and his parents, he is absolutely charming and good-natured. If he just weren't so busy.

A finished project!?!

Here is the inspiration for the dress I made for Jamie Beth (found in a beautiful--read: expensive--shop in Alexandria, VA)...

Here is the result... I was going for "vintage", but may have ended up a little bit "pioneer". The point is that I actually finished a project that is wearable. Jamie Beth and I like it.

He's had another birthday...

...his tenth! How could time have passed so quickly, yet it seems as though we've always had Matthew around?

Here he is--wet, chubby, and possibly happy--at about six weeks old:

And a comical poser at four years old:
Of course, I have hundreds of other pictures, both digital and in a box in the closet, but I may cry if I see any more evidence of my children growing old in the blink of an eye. So, on to current events.

Matthew is always thrilled, eager, bouncing off the walls to make a pine wood derby car. This is his second, which debuted last week. Despite its wild wheel that flew off on almost every run, Matthew was proud of his work and showed manly sportsmanship skills when his wasn't the clear champion (as he obviously believed it would be).

Last Sunday Matthew performed his piano recital to a select audience...immediate family and immediate family of piano teacher (Aunt Michelle) only. His favorite piece is Pachelbel's Canon in D, which he chose to learn after listening to George Winston's (much more complicated) rendition hundreds of times on his CD player. He hopes to play that version someday, but is satisfied for now with his simplified arrangement, along with his other favorite, the Star Wars Theme. Matthew is nothing if not well-rounded in his interests.

Sunday was also the birthday celebration day with the extended family. Matthew loves having his birthday prolonged over several days. He adorned his cake with his own Lego creations. (Someday he wants to do a blog post highlighting some of his favorite designs...he takes pictures of many of his Lego creations, just in case...of something.)

Happy Birthday to our dear, smart, cheerful, helpful, oldest son. Good job turning 10.

Gracias, amigo, libro,espanol.

Jamie Beth consistently judges library books by their covers; she's looking for pink or purple, princesses, girls, flowers, or any indication that it might contain a fairy tale. (I do try to broaden her horizons with my own favorites, and she does enjoy "old-fashioned" stories, by which she means Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie; but she is naturally drawn to the pretties.) Her recent kindergarten book poster is typical of her personality: pink book, stylized art project, and full costume. She was darling and charming as she sat proudly by her work.

Imagine her disappointment yesterday when I gently informed her that we simply could not read her latest library book. Because it was in Spanish--and I know about ten words in Spanish (four are used in this post's title). She pleaded with me, as if I could read it if I just sounded out the words. After all, she pointed out, she could read "Lily" in the title. Yes, because the names are still the same, regardless of the translation. She pouted, but then consoled herself by looking at all the pretty pictures.

Just a Thought

In preparation for my first Relief Society lesson yesterday, I've been thinking about gifts of the spirit lately. In addition to the many gifts listed in Moroni 10, Doctrine & Covenants 46, and 1st Corinthians 12, I appreciate this beautiful thought from Elder Marvin J. Ashton:

Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.

I find those words both reassuring and motivating, as I seek to cultivate existing gifts and develop new ones.

Occasionally we watch one of those shows that celebrates humiliation in the name of finding talent. The beginning tryouts of Generic National Song & Dance Show are famous for being awkward, uncomfortable, and thus, funny. Oh, and sometimes a performer impresses both us and the judges, but that's not the point, is it?

The truth is, I don't like watching those talent shows. I'm too self-conscious myself to really enjoy the socially-disabled. I'd rather read.

Until...someone apparently and painfully unpopular breaks through the low expectations and shines, truly astonishes the audience, including the judgmental judges. I'm unabashedly a sucker for those performances. Paul Potts still brings a smile to my face, and I positively had goosebumps when I heard Susan Boyle. Is it their lack of beauty and social graces that endears their stunning talents more profoundly to my heart? Perhaps. But I'm also inspired by the chance an unlikely someone gets at their unlikely dreams.

I hope these little snippets lighten your day, too. (I also recommend this excellent, thoughtful article, specifically about Susan Boyle, but also a commentary on our superficial society.)

Paul Potts

Susan Boyle

Guess who figured out the refrigerator lock, just one week after we installed it? He's tricky, that one.