My Poofy-Haired Bro-in-Law

The things kids latch onto . . .

A few years ago, my sister miraculously put together an Amazing compilation of life histories from four generations past each of our parents plus she was able to motivate our entire family (8 children, plus spouses) to each write a few pages of our own life history.

I can't believe she did that. No wonder I've always referred to her as The Queen (she is the youngest).

I have been reading small parts of the book to my girls some nights. When we got to my sister Marci, we came to a part that my children can't seem to forget. This is what she wrote, describing her life at about age 8:

Having field days with the Weston Elementary

was quite the anticipation for us girls.

There were all boys with just 5 girls. I remember

my friend Jennifer Henderson telling me she

really liked this blonde haired boy from Weston.

She was worried about competition with me.

When she pointed out the curly, permed head of

Greg Bingham I told her not to worry. I was

not interested in his poofy head.

   My girls thought that was pretty funny. They have since referred to Greg's poofy hair a number of times. They can't figure out why Uncle Greg would have ever wanted poofy hair.

Gird Up Your Loins

We have been trying to read about five verses of scripture each night. My son makes it as difficult as he can, on a regular basis. However, this time, his interruptions got us all laughing so hard. We had just read the phrase, "Gird Up Your Loins" and he pipes in, "Mom, who would ever really say, "Gird Up Your Loins"?"

So, I'm thinking I should submit a suggestion to hallmark for a greeting card idea, maybe for graduation.

Boys and Girls,

fresh courage take :-)

 Go Out,

Conquer the World.

and by all means

Gird up those Loins.

The Kitchen Sink

I'm usually pretty happy to make it to church on time and dressed, although there are times the kids' choices in clothing aren't super coordinated (how many times does a child need to be told white socks do not go with navy blue dress pants). I carry my own three bags and expect my children to carry what they need (I know "need" is pretty subjective, but just know the kids usually just bring their scriptures and a notebook).

This last Sunday, I needed to be at church early enough to practice a song with a small group. We actually, miraculously made it at the appointed time. The girls' hair wasn't done, but they were all dressed (I did the girls' hair in the restroom at about three minutes to the meeting start time).

I'm leading up to a good story, I promise.

During the meeting, I noticed my youngest coloring a picture. She pulled each crayon out of her slipper.

And, why not -- really? A girl needs her crayons and there could be nothing better than carrying them in a house slipper. So, we took slippers to church and crayons and a hairbrush, pretty much the kitchen sink :-)  I'm sure you can relate.

The person in front of me turned around and looked at my girl, then the slipper, and then at me. I just shrugged my shoulder and muttered "Girls" or something like that.

When the final "Amen" was said to the first (of three) meeting, my children tore off leaving me to the crayon-carrying slipper. My bags were too full to fit the slipper, so I just got to tote it around for the rest of the meetings. No one asked me about the slipper, but I received many strange looks.

At least everyone in my family was dressed for church today. . .

Kid Jail

When I was a little girl, I always pretended to be in an orphanage. I was the orphan and played with my little sisters or cousins.

One day, I overheard my children playing in the other room. Only, they weren't playing "School" or "Orphanage" or "Family" as I've sometimes heard them describe their playtime. They were playing, "Kid Jail".

From my children's perspective, this picture can be construed as "Life as we now know it" or "Dad and Mom's life pre-kids" :-)
 

I posted something about this on Facebook and got quite a kick out of peoples' responses so I will paste them here:

OK Parenting Experts: I've enjoyed listening to my children play in the other room this afternoon. I realized they were playing "Kid Jail". When I was little I always played "Orphanage". What does this mean? Do my kids feel like they are in jail? Did I think I was an orphan?

• Ann: I played dollies but I wasn't really a mom yet. Lol

• Catherine: Great imagination! We played "Monster".
•  
• Monika: We always played orphanage too :-) Probably the tv drama of the times like all the law and police stuff is now.
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• Cailean: I remember playing "office" where we filled out all these pretend forms. Can you believe we thought that would be FUN as an adult? Hahaha. My guess with the jail/orphanage thing is kids pretend things they don't understand to help them feel some sense of control -- so it's not as scary.
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• Janie: I think we played "orphanage" to have an excuse to be mean to poor little Emma, I mean Jessie, without getting in trouble. :) Actually, I think we felt quite secure in the fact that we weren't orphans, so it was fun to pretend.

   
• Jess: I loved every minute, meaness intended or not... I felt included. Interesting and thought provoking question you pose Colette. I wonder...

   
• Me: Now I think I just want to have a playdate so we can play office and orphanage :-) Catherine, I think I am too gullible to play monster :-) I think "kid jail" sounds like a horrible place to be
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• Melissa: Where is that pinky doll?
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• Holly: We played school, library and market. Usually all at the same time.
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• Me: @Holly - love it, I remember staying with your family when you lived at the old white house, all the girls (or at least three of you) were in one room. I thought it was the best fun jumping from bed to bed @Melissa - my Pinky doll should be bronzed, she was so great. I hope to restore her to full playing capacity someday, right now she is taking a breather under the gray table in the laundry room downstairs in Clifton
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• Melissa:  I might search out that doll and reenact past uh memories...
  I tell sav abt us playing house with the wood blocks. The tall round ones were the parents ect. Best place to create the house was the piano bench
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• Linnae:  That's funny! My kids play hospital all the time. (I guess because of what their dad does for a living.) sometimes Jacob tells me he can't do something I've asked, because he has to go do a c-section. O-kay then!
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• Me:  Linnae - that is hilarious. I've never even thought of playing "hospital". Definitely a chuckle on this one; @Melissa - I am not worried about you and Pinky, I think all the Mom=ness in you has softened your heart and yes, those wooden blocks were the best, slightly grimy but the best

School Pictures

I know we all have some real winners in our history. I wrote about one of my best here.

Well, of my three children and their school picture packets, two packets have returned home. They didn't come home the same day. One trickled in one day and another the next. I assume my son will bring his home at some point. His pictures must be crammed in his desk until the teacher threatens his recess time till he cleans it out.

My oldest daughters' picture is just OK. I figured I would keep it and be semi-OK with the results.

The youngest, however, I just don't know. What do you think? Should I keep her?

I mean it?