News Update! We have more children than just Grant!

Lest anyone think that Grant is the only child that was in the Primary program, I should add that Nina also did a great job.  She was scared, but she said her part wonderfully.  This was her first time in a Primary Program and she behaved her self as good as expected (we have yet to get her necklace that she was swinging around her head like a helicopter back from her teacher).  We love Nina!

Primary Program

The Primary did so great today. Although he was a little bit out of control on the stand, according to many his talk was the highlight of the program. I managed to get them to give their parts one more time for posterity:



Grant wrote his talk himself, and Missy made some great notes for him to use:



P.S. At Stake Priesthood tonight, the new high councilman from our ward spoke- he's Grant's best friend's dad. And he mentioned the talk and referred to me as "Grant's dad." :)

Happy Birthday to Missy!

Thursday was my birthday- I am now 34.  Just a year away from 35, and after that it's a downhill slide to 40.  When I was a child I liked slides, but they are not that fun anymore.  Nowadays the ...how should I say it.... increased surface area of my sliding region creates too much resistance and I end up usually getting stuck in the middle of the slide, or having to inch down. Not very fun. Which is strange, because from what I remember from my physics class I would think the increased weight would make you slide down faster.  Or does it add too much friction?  Do I need to grease my rear before I get on a slide now a days? But, as I say, I am now almost 40 years old, so I can't really trust my memory anymore.  Another thing that is no more fun at the park anymore is swings.  Those little slings are just not a comfortable seat anymore.  And those diaper swings? HA! I can just see myself having to call Dave to come get us at the park because I got myself stuck in one of those things.  I know from experience that those things are much easier to get in than out- No, I didn't try it myself, but I did have a bad experience once when I thought it would be a good idea to put both Grant and Nina in one with their legs sticking out like a giant spider.  I learned that was not a good idea.

Anyway- I had a great birthday.  Dave is always so wonderful at making my special days special.  He bought me a new jewelry box this year.  My jewelry box I had since I was 12 years old was bursting at it's seams and all my necklaces were always in a big knot.  But what I really love about his gift is that he spent the time to find one on craigslist to buy for me instead of just spending a lot of money at the store.  The gift says to me "I love you", but also, "I love our family, our goals,  and won't make impulsive and wasteful decisions with our money".  What a great gift!  The kids were in on it too.  I kept getting clues all week long about the present they were getting me.  Things like, "I'm going to whisper what we got you, can you hear it if I say it like this?" or "It rhymes with rulery box and it's brown." Nina made a tag for the box- It was actually a piece a paper with TAG written on it and attached to the box.  And always a bonus gift that I get for my birthday or mothers day is that Dave takes all the kids to the store with him the night before, which gives me at least 2 hours of free time.  That's how long it usually takes him to have 3 kids help him pick a birthday cereal and chapstick for me.  

So, to summarize, I am now older.  Dave is the best.  And my kids are cute.

Missy says not to brag...

But I can't help it. I don't know how these reading tests work but Grant was recently scored as reading with 80% comprehension at a third grade level (he's in first grade)! That supposedly puts him in the top 1% of readers nationwide for his age.

The test is probably rigged to make parents feel good. And it worked.

Wow

http://centripetalnotion.com/2007/09/13/13:26:26/

On the one hand, I'm just in awe and on the other just horrified. The... books... the... poor... books... . . .

Two Sisters on the Road

Found and finished touching this up.

Great Soccer Photos

One of the dads on Grant's soccer team has a ridiculously awesome camera and has volunteered as our team camera man. And he's just great.

http://edwinchendra.smugmug.com/Soccer

And my favorite- and now my wallpaper- http://edwinchendra.smugmug.com/gallery/6112890_bff5M#384264653_RvU7W

20 Pounds Down

We've been on a fairly strict diet for a month now and I'm 20 pounds lighter! It's all about portion size, types of food and exercise. I can post more details if they're wanted but for now I won't bore you. Unfortunately, I'm still pretty heavy so the struggle continues.