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Princess and the… pea?

October 7th, 2008 · bridget, random

I was awaken to the sound of Bridget calling “Mom. Mom. Help” at 2:30 a.m. the other day.

When I went in to investigate the cause of her outcry she informed me that she was “squishing” something. I was a little confused, but upon further investigation I found that she was laying on top of her keychain-sized Etch-E-Sketch. It was right in the middle of her back.

Now, granted, it was a little bigger than a pea.

And, it was on top of her mattress. Not under it. Not under lots of them.

But still.

I went back to bed laughing at my little princess and her “pea.”


(Note: I took the picture the following morning, not in the middle of the night.)

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Conference, through a toddlers eyes…

October 6th, 2008 · a day in the life, bridget

You may remember my last post about Conference and toddlers, it came 6 months ago just after the last General Conference. I went back and read that post as I was preparing for this one, and I have to say that I was able to listen to the talks significantly better this time around. Amazing what 6 months time can change.

Anyway, for this conference I decided to print off a coloring/activity packet for Bridget to work on while she listened. I used this one. The activities were more than a little bit advanced for her, but I figured she’d have fun coloring the pages anyway. I sent it to the printer and gave it to her about 10 minutes before the first session started on Saturday morning. She was immediately excited and walked around the house for those 10 minutes exclaiming, “I’m ready for watch conference!”

By the time the meeting began she was already seated with her papers and a bag of crayons.

I really wanted to encourage her to listen and at least be somewhat reverent through the whole thing. I was actually pleasantly surprised and impressed at how much she did pay attention. She made it through the entire first session with her coloring pages and some gold fish crackers to keep her busy. And, she had a lot of questions (and some comments) about what was happening in conference.

My notes were filled with some of her thoughts and comments that first session…

Just before the opening prayer…

T: Okay, fold your arms they are going to say a prayer.
B: They said it! Is that the bishop now?
T: No, its kind of like when the bishop stands up at church. But this is Thomas S. Monson. He’s the prophet.
B: Oh, the prophet.

When President Monson’s name is displayed on the screen…

B: Is it over?
T: No.
B: But I see words.
T: No, its not over yet. That’s just his name.

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir…

B: Now is it over?
T: No, they’ll sing and talk. It won’t be over for awhile.
B: Okay, good. I don’t want it to be over.
B: Look! They are all boys… Now they are all mom’s. Where did their boys go?
T: Just watch, you’ll see them again.
B: Oh, they all have necklaces on.

During L. Tom Perry’s talk…

B: (laughing)
T: What?
B: He said get enough sleep.
T: Yep.
B: (more laughing)

During Neil L. Anderson’s talk…

B: What’s his name?
T: It says Neil L. Anderson
B: Neil L. Anderson
T: He’s talking about a mission. Do you know anyone on a mission?
B: Um. Yea.
T: Who?
B: Matt.
…a few minutes later…
B: He’s talking about another mission
…a few minutes later…
B: He’s talking about something?
T: Something?
B: Yea.

While President Monson is announcing the next portion of the program…

B: I’ll be right back.
T: Okay.
B: (bringing her doll) Emma wants to watch conference too
T: She does?
B: Yea. (To Emma) Do you like this?
Both Bridget and her Emma doll watched careful as the choir sang
B: Emma likes this
T: Oh. Good.

During Dallin H. Oaks talk…

B: Its his turn again, huh?
T: That’s a different guy. Do you know what his name is?
B: Who is he?
T: Dallin H. Oaks
B: Dallin H. Oats
T: Oaks
B: Oats
T: Dallin H. OaKs
B: Dallin H. OaKs
T: Yep. Lets listen

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir…

B: Where are their homes at?
T: They all have different homes all of the place.
B: Look, all the girls have singing books!

During Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk…

B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Can you say that?
B: No, I can’t.
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…a few minutes later…
B: That guys said he wants a toy phone (laughing)
T: Kind of. He did mention a toy phone.
B: Yea.
…minutes later…
B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…minutes later…
B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…minutes later…
B: That guy is talking about God
T: Yes, he is.
B: Is it time for a prayer now?
T: After he is done there is a song, and then a prayer.
B” Oh. Okay.

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, they were singing I need Thee Every Hour…

B: Oh, I like this song!

It was interesting to see her knowledge of what we do in sacrament meeting and her knowledge of how television shows/or movies work impacted her interpretation of what was going on in conference. Naturally she would assume that after the prayer, it would be the bishop (or bishopric member’s) turn to stand. And words on the screen must mean that the show is over. I also found it interesting that she noticed the comment about the toy phone and the fact that the women in the choir were wearing necklaces. Both are important items in her little life.

She was napping during the Saturday afternoon session.

I didn’t take too many notes on her comments Sunday morning, but here are a couple of items to note:

During Robert D. Hales talk, he was talking about the wicked King Noah and Abinidi…

B: He’s talking about my scriptures!!
T: Yes, he is.
B: That’s pretty cool, huh!
(Dave and I just smiled at each other)

Toward the end of that session she seemed to be quickly loosing interest, so I thought I’d try something. I went to the cupboard and got a back of candy corn. I told her that if she could listen and tell me what the speaker was talking about that I’d give her one. She’d listen for a minute and respond with something like “give thanks” or “he said expression” – so, she was listening, but maybe not really comprehending. I gave her a candy corn anyway.

Of course, at that point Dave, Ben (BIL), and Karla (sister) started spouting out things President Monson said in his talk so that they too could have a candy corn. Some of their comments were more sophisticated than others.

I did like the concept of the game though, maybe it will work a little better in another 6 months.

…

Overall, I was pleased at how well she paid attention and how reverent she was while “watching” conference. I was able to get a lot more from this conference than I did last time – particularly the Saturday sessions. It seems that her interest dwindled a bit each session. She was very attentive Saturday morning, but by Sunday afternoon she was lining up PEZ dispensers to they could watch conference, and sitting at the kitchen table painting – by that point we let her play, as long as she was quiet.

I don’t know which talk I would say is my favorite, but I did notice themes of hope and missionary work throughout the conference. I did really enjoy President Monson’s talk about change – for some reason it caught my attention. I also noticed that a number of the speakers mentioned teachings of their own mothers in their talks… interesting!

What was your favorite part of conference? What kid-friendly methods did you use?

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Letters

September 30th, 2008 · a day in the life, bridget

A week ago, Sunday, we were sitting in sacrament meeting and Bridget was busy doodling on her “draw,” when out of the blue she held it up and said, “Look, I drew an ‘M’ like Old McDonald’s.”

It was the first time she had written an “M” with the intent of making an “M” – and she was grinning from ear to ear.

The next few days she continued to practice writing her M’s. So around Thursday of last week, I decided to try and get her to write “Mom” – she already knew how to write an “O.” We sat down with some paper and crayons and I showed her how to write M-O-M and then I let her try. She did it!

But then she wanted to write “Dad” too… She got intimidated by the length of her own name though.

(Note: Since learning, she can write “Mom” on her own without me reminding her how or without seeing the word. And she can tell you what the letters are when you ask how to spell “Mom” – but only after writing it.)

Here are a few examples of her words:


After practicing a few times she wanted to just write her own letters. So she did. Then she told me what each letter was. As you can see, the letters P-V all resemble circles. This is what all of her “writing” looked like up until recently. Now some of the letters are starting to take shape.

Since she’s taken such an interest in forming letters, we decided to capitalize a bit on that. We’ve written several cards for people we know recently and have encouraged her to write their names on them. The letters aren’t always formed properly, or oriented correctly, and they aren’t always in the right order (or even in a line)… but she’s done it, and she’s practicing. And we sure are proud. She’s written “Marshall,” “Josh,” “Matt,” and “Lucy” – to name a few!

It’s great to see her take an interest in writing. I hope she continues it.

By the way… now I can tell Dave that even though she said “Dad” first, she wrote “Mom” first!! 🙂

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Conversations with a toddler, III

September 26th, 2008 · bridget, random

A few more…

We can just use salt
A conversation we had on the way to Macey’s on the last day of their emergency preparedness sale.
B: Are we going home now?
T: No, we’re going to Macey’s.
B: I don’t want to go to Macey’s. I just want to go home.
T: I’m sorry. Macey’s has flour and sugar on sale and we need some.
B: We don’t need anything.
T: If we don’t get flour we won’t be able to cook anything.
B: We can cook eggs.
T: Yes, we could make eggs. But what if we wanted to make bread? Or cookies? We need flour for those things.
B: We can just use salt.
T: Salt? Instead of flour?
B: Yea. We have some salt.
T: That would be pretty yucky. Salt doesn’t work like flour, besides then our cookies would taste salty.
B: Oh. We can just use rice instead.
T: Rice doesn’t work like flour either.
B: Oh. We could just use flour then.
T: Good idea. Will you come to Macey’s with me to get some.
B: Sure.
T: Thanks!

Come take care of it
B: I need to go potty
T: Ok, go. Hurry up.
A few seconds later…
B: I get a candy from the jar!
T: Only if you wipe your own butt
B: I will. My tummy hurts, can you come take care of it?
T: What do you want me to do?
B: Just kiss it better.
T: Um, I can’t reach. I’ll kiss it better when you’re done on the toilet (translation: I’m sticking my face any closer to the stink in the toilet than I have to)
B: Ok. I’m all done.
T: Good. Can you wipe your butt?
B: Yea.
T: Good job. Go ahead and wash your hands.
B: Okay. Then I want to lay down on my bed and cuddle with Lammie. So I can feel better.
T: Do you feel sick?
B: Yea, a little sick. My tummy hurts and my butt hurts a little.
T: Alright, lay down. Go ahead and come out when you feel better.
30 seconds later…
B: I never got my candy from the jar. Can I have one please. I really want one.
T: I thought your tummy hurt.
B: Its all better. Can I have a candy from the jar?

I will grow into a tomato
T: How did you get so big?
B: I’m just this big. (Reaching upward)
T: Did you grow?
B: Yea, I just growed. And when I grow even more, I will grow into a tomato.
T: What? You’re not going to grow into a tomato.
B: Yes, I am. And when I grow into a tomato you will eat me.
T: You are silly.
B: And after you eat it, I will just turn into Bridget again.
T: Oh really?
B: Yea, I will.

I’m not Pretty, I’m a cutie
T: You are gorgeous
B: I’m not gorgeous, I’m Bridget
T: Gorgeous just means you’re pretty
B: I’m not pretty, I’m a cutie

I’m exercising my hair
Playing wildly with her hair a few weeks ago
B: Look Mom. I’m exercising my hair!

When it rains pancakes
While on a walk, as she looked up at the sky. Note: We’d just read the book Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs
B: Guess what mom!
T: What?
B: When it rains pancakes I will catch one and eat it.
T: Oh really?
B: Yea. I will just reach my hand up and catch one.
T: Do you really think that its going to rain pancakes? Or was that just a silly book that we read?
B: It was just a silly book. But if it DOES rain pancakes I will catch one and eat it up.
T: Ok. That would be pretty silly though.

My nose can’t smell
Bridget was starting to get sick the other night, and tried to explain to me how she felt.
B: My mouth hurts
T: What’s wrong with your mouth
B: I just need to eat something
T: Its the middle of the night. You can have a drink of water, but then you need to go back to bed.
B: No. But my mouth hurts.
T: Let’s go to the kitchen, and get you a drink
B: (taking a drink) My mouth can’t swallow
T: Your throat hurts?
B: Yea, my throat hurts. It can’t swallow.
T: Yes it can. It just hurts a little.
…Later, the next day…
B: (sniffling) Mom.
T: What?
B: My nose can’t even smell
T: I think you’re getting sick
B: No, I’m not. My nose just can’t smell.

With glue
B: My tummy and my back are stuck together with glue
T: With glue?
B: Yea. It just goes around and connects together.
T: Interesting.
Note: We had recently read the book Parts by Tedd Arnold. That may have had something to do with it.

Mac and Cheese has MILK in it?
I let Bridget help me make mac and cheese the other day. She stood on the stool at the stove and dumped things in. We had already cooked the noodles and added the butter at this point.
T: Can you pour this cheese into the pot for me? Don’t let it spill on the stove.
B: That’s not cheese.
T: Its powdery cheese. It will turn into a cheese sauce.
B: Oh. Can I taste it?
T: Sure.
B: (trying some on her finger) Oh. Yummy.
T: Ok. I’ll pour the milk in.
B: Mac and cheese has MILK in it?? Oh my gosh!
T: Yes. It has milk, and butter, and that cheese sauce.
B: And noodles.
T: Yes, and noodles.
…A couple of days later we were having Oatmeal for Breakfast….
B: What?! Milk?
T: What about the milk?
B: Oatmeal has milk??
T: Yes. We pour milk on it. Like cereal.
B: Mac and cheese has milk, AND oatmeal has milk.
T: That is true.
B: That’s pretty weird.
T: There are lots of things that have milk in them.
B: Yea. Lots of things.

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Fresh Peach Pie

September 25th, 2008 · food

I recently purchased a half bushel of peaches from Macey’s. I still had quite a few, so earlier this week I decided to make a peach pie.


It turned out great, so I thought I’d share the recipe. Both recipes came from searches on cooks.com.

Never Fail Pie Crust

1 c. shortening
2 c. flour
1 t. salt
1 T. vinegar
1/3 c. milk

Cut shortening into flour and salt. Add vinegar to milk. Combine at once with flour mixture.
Makes pastry for 2 crust pie.

Fresh Peach Pie

1 egg
2 T. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
4-6 fresh peaches peeled and quartered
Pie shell

Combine egg, flour, sugar, and butter. Fill pie shell with fresh peaches, cut sides up.

Pour mixture over peaches.

Bake pie in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Reduce heat to 300 degrees and cook for an additional 50 minutes.

Allow pie to cool at bit before serving.

There you have it! Easy as pie! 🙂 (Yummy as pie too!)

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Make a Wish!

September 23rd, 2008 · random

I recently heard that there are several restaurant chains (across the nation) that are giving away signature menu items for FREE (yes, usually smaller than normal portions, but still) to help grant some wishes made through the Make A Wish Foundation.

Each day this week a different restaurant is giving away a different menu item. Each are free, but everyone is encouraged to make a donation to Make A Wish.

Check out the details here:
http://www.wish.org/news/news_releases/kahala_events

Here’s what’s left this week:

Tuesday, Sept. 23 – Blimpie: a free 3-inch cold turkey sub

Wednesday, Sept. 24 – TacoTime: a free small order of Mexi-Fries®

Thursday, Sept. 25 – Cold Stone Creamery: a choice of two 3-ounce ice cream Creations:

Emily’s Creation – Nutter Butter® ice cream mixed with yellow cake, Kit Kat® and white chocolate chips
or Jack’s Creation – Marshmallow ice cream mixed with OREO® cookies, chocolate chips and fudge

Friday, Sept. 26 – Great Steak: a free small Great Fry

Each are only available from 5-8pm, and only at participating locations (check the link above).

So go get some free treats! And don’t forget to make a donation while you’re there. I’ve always thought that the Make A Wish foundation was a cool program – they go great things for these kids. This is a great opportunity to show some support and indulge a little while you’re at it!

I plan to hit the Cold Stone one! Maybe I’ll see you there.

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Smash ’em mom!

September 23rd, 2008 · bridget, random

Last Saturday we were driving and I stopped to let a couple of pedestrians pass. As I did, Bridget yelled from the backseat, “smash ’em mom.”

“What??,” I asked.

“Smash ’em. Just run ’em over.”

As you can imagine, I was just a tiny bit confused and concerned at her comment. The conversation continued…

T: What did you say?
B: Smash ’em down flat.
T: Smash who? Those girls?
B: Yea, get ’em.
T: But that would hurt them, and they would be sad.
B: (shrugging) I think you should smash ’em.
T: No. We don’t smash people. Its a good thing you’re not in line for your drivers license anytime soon.

It took me a little while to figure out why she might suggest something like that. And then I remembered this scene from a JibJab video… A JibJab video that she loves. That she asks to watch over and over again. In the clip John McCain is driving a tank and chasing Barack Obama. The end of the scene alludes to him getting run over by the tank. I have to wonder if this is where she got the idea.

The video is called “Time for Some Campaignin'” and you can watch it here:
http://sendables.jibjab.com/sendables/1191/time_for_some_campaignin#/teaser/1191

I also posted it on my blog a couple of months ago… here:
https://blog.ernstrom.net/?p=237

And as for Bridget’s infatuation with this video… she LOVES it. I’m not sure why, but she does. And its ridiculous. She knows a lot of the words too it now and likes to sing along too. She thinks its funny to see McCain in a cage, and watch him poke his finger with his cheek. She sings along most with Hillary Clinton, and the ending “poke you in the rear” line. I really should videotape her singing it.

Or maybe after all the “Smash ’em” comments I should just hope she begins to forget about the video. Ha! Kids!

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Encounter with a Cop

September 22nd, 2008 · a day in the life, bridget, random

Bridget and I were out for a walk last Friday morning when we saw a police car sitting on the side of the road. The officer inside was clocking people’s speed. As we passed by Bridget became a bit interested in the police car and the idea that there was actually a police officer inside.

She stopped in her tracks and stared.

After a moment, the officer noticed that he was being stared at and waved. She grinned and waved back.

Then we were on our way again. We’d managed to get about a house length away when she stopped again… “Mom, I forgot to ask the police man a question!”

T: Well, what were you going to ask him?
B: Just a question.
T: You can go back and ask him, but first I need to know what you are going to ask.
B: I am just going to tell him that I’ll buckle up.
T: Ok. You can go tell him. Do you want me to come with you?
B: Yes.

Recently Bridget has decided that she’s too big for her car seat and that she should be allowed to sit in a regular seat with a regular belt like everyone else. When she starts to put up a fight I tell her that if she doesn’t buckle up that a police man might give mommy a ticket. And that its important for kids (even big kids) to be in a car seat so they can be safe. I usually follow it up with “You don’t want me to get a ticket do you?” – On occasion I’ve even resorted to telling her that the police man could even take me to jail, and that means that I wouldn’t be able to live at home with her anymore. One of the two always work.

So, as you can imagine… I was a little curious as to what EXACTLY she had to tell the officer. I don’t want her to be scared of cops, so I went ahead and let her.

When she got up to the police car she stood at the window, again starring in. This time the officer unrolled the window. Before it was even all the way down she announced, “I’m going to buckle up!” He didn’t hear her the first time. The conversation proceeded as follows:

Cop: What?
B: I’m just going to buckle up.
Cop: You are! That’s good. (giving her a thumbs up)
B: Not now, but later. When we’re in the car. I will get in my seat and just buckle up.
Cop: Good. Its a good idea to buckle up, so you can be safe.
B: Yea.
Cop: Do you want a sticker for buckling up.
B: (nodding)

The officer then gets out of his car and heads to the trunk where he pulls out a sticker resembling a police badge. It says “Junior Police Officer” on it. He hands it to Bridget who sticks it to her shirt and quickly notes that it matches his badge.

All the way home she was talking about how her sticker is just like his badge. And how she’s always going to buckle up.

Here she is proudly showing off her police badge sticker:

It was kind of a random fun thing for her to be able to do, and probably really good for her. And it was super nice of the officer to encourage her and give that sticker.

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Computer Room “5S” Project

September 18th, 2008 · a day in the life, bridget, college life, dave, domestic attempts, random, tina

This past weekend we tackled what was the messiest and most cluttered room in our house. Our computer room.

Dave and I are both pretty big computer geeks, each in our own way. So over the few years we’ve been married we’ve managed to collect all sorts of parts and gadgets and miscellaneous computer related things. We’ve also well exceeded our share of paper clutter. Drawers, files, and stacks filled with only somewhat organized papers. Not to mention the random sheets of paper (whether bills, or simple note pages) that littered our desks, shelves, and floor.

The room had gotten just a little out of hand.

Here are a few images to illustrate my point…

The bookshelf…

Dave’s Desk…

Tina’s Desk…

The Closet…

Random File drawer…

Conveniently, one of the assignments given Dave at school this past week was to “5S” one room in the house. The assignment specifically stated to 5S your bedroom, but our bedroom would have been a simple task. Without complaint from his professor it was decided that the monumental task of cleaning and organizing the computer room would be a much more worthwhile task.

And so it began…

For those unfamiliar with the 5S process, it is a Japanese methodology for organizing (and keeping organized) a workspace. It is typically practiced in a work environment rather than a home environment, but the principles are the same. The underlying premise is to decide WHAT should be kept, WHERE it should be kept, and HOW it should be stored. The first 4 S’s are centered on the organization portion. The fifth S stands for “sustain” . . . meaning, now that our computer room is clean and organized, we need to keep it that way. For more information visit the wikipedia page.

We spent several days working on this room. Installing shelves, throwing things away, sending unneeded papers to the shredder, etc… It was a huge undertaking, and meant that our computers were inaccessible for a few days, but its done. And boy does it feel good!

Here are the AFTER pictures…

The Closet…

Tina’s Desk…

Dave’s Desk…

Bridget, helping to install supports for the wire shelves. She was pushing them into some pilot holes Dave drilled.
(BTW… she put that shirt on all by herself. Its inside out and backwards)

What do you think? Great isn’t it!! We eliminated an entire bookshelf and 2-drawer filing cabinet, and found everything a home. We even got Bridget involved a little bit. She thought it was great fun to help hang the shelving.

So there you go! It was worth a few absent blogging days, right?

Now its your turn! Pick a room and go crazy. It will feel good when you’re done…

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Pilobolus

September 13th, 2008 · random

My dad sent me a video of a dance theater group called Pilobolus the other day.

I didn’t know anything about them before watching the video, but it was AWESOME! I still don’t know much about them, but I guess they are a dance theater group based in Connecticut. Apparently they’ve been around for about 40 years, but have only been doing the shadow dances for the past 2 years or so.

This is the video my dad sent me:

I also watched this one… also pretty cool!

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