Since When Is Lilian a Binky Baby?

See this? This is Lilian with a binky. With a BINKY! This is my child who refused, absolutely refused, to take a binky when she was a baby. I bought, literally, 5 different types of binkies trying to find one she would take. Nope. None. So I comforted myself with the knowledge that breaking her from the binky habit was one thing I wouldn't have to worry about later. But then a few weeks ago my sister Katie came over. Katie has a 5 month old son who, of course, takes the binky wonderfully. Lilian, for some reason, seemed to be very interested in his binky. Kept taking it away from him. Finally, in the interest of keeping my nephew happy and my sister stress free, I dug up one of those old binkies that I had bought over a year ago. Thinking that Lilian would look at it as a toy, a novelty, I gave it to her for the day. She did think it was pretty darn neat that whole day. And the next day. And the next.... Now it runs a close second to her blanket as the coolest thing ever. And that binky habit that I wasn't going to have to worry about? Yeah.

Weber State Storytelling Festival

A couple of months ago in her SEM class (kind of a gifted and talented sort of program) at school Julianne learned the story "Why the Sun Comes Up When the Rooster Crows." She and her fellow SEM classmates memorized and then performed their individual stories for the Kindergartners there at the elementary school. When Julianne's SEM teacher saw her performance she was, apparently, hugely impressed. She pulled Julianne aside and asked her what she would think of performing at the Weber State Storytelling Festival. Supposedly, those interested in performing at the festival were suposed to audition at a regional performance and those chosen from that group would be officially invited to the Festival. That regional audition had already come and gone but the SEM teacher called the head of the festival and asked her to come and see Julianne. Julianne was pulled out of class a bit later that day to perform her story again and the festival head was equally impressed. She told Julianne that though they were already full, she could be an alternate. Right after Christmas Julianne learned that someone had dropped out and she was now in.

Yesterday was the big day. She performed in a huge ballroom filled with a huge crowd of people, including lots of kids on field trips and her SEM and 5th grade teachers, both of whom had arranged for substitutes for the their classes back at school so they could be there to watch and support Julianne. She got up on that stage, adjusted her microphone and went to it. She was great! She said she was relieved when it was over, she had been a bit nervous, but that it had been fun. I was kind of surprised when I saw the thick program, how big of a deal this festival is. It's a 3 day festival with events, acitivities, and parties in numerous buildings on Weber State campus and downtown Ogden. This is the festivals 13th year and along with student storytellers there were also professional storytellers. The one in Julianne's group was Diane...... who had performed all over the country. She was amazing! And was so complimentary of Julianne, telling her to keep up the good work and in a few years Julianne could take over for her. :) It was a great experience for Julianne and I was one proud mom.

Favorite Photo Friday: Sweet...

This is June 2007. It's my sister Rachel's wedding. Lilian is only 9 days old. This is in the brides room towards the end of the reception after a long and busy day. My baby and my husband....completely zonked out on the floor. Isn't that about the sweetest thing you've ever seen?

Books "To Read"

I have a pile of books next to my bed. It is my "to read" pile. And there are 16 books in it. I just finished "Chocolat" by Joanne Harris for my book club tonight and so was looking this afternoon to see which book I wanted to start next. There are murder mysteries, history books, books I bought at the elementary school book fair, books that are on the list for my book club, light-weight ones and ones that will take more focus. But I love having something to look forward to. And I love knowing that if the book I'm in the middle of doesn't appeal to me at any given moment I can switch for something different. I'm often in the middle of two or three books at a time. I spent some time sitting on my floor prioritizing that pile into an order that I plan to read them. According to my mood today, that is. Maybe tomorrow it will change. But honestly, I felt like I was going through a treasure chest. And maybe all those books won't turn out to be jewels. Some may be wonderful. Some, just entertaining but ultimately forgetable. Some might be downright stinkers. But I'm excited to find out.

Picture Tag

Awhile ago I got tagged to post the 6th picture from my 6th file but I couldn't do it because Bryan was reinstalling our computer and I didn't have access to my pictures. So this is late. But here it is: This is Julianne in the play "Annie" over at Rodgers Memorial Theatre in 2005. She was playing the part of little Molly. She was just darling...what a great little actress!

An Unappreciated Valentine

I "heart attacked" the kids bedroom doors for Valentines Day. I thought it would be cute and the kids would like it. I was in the hall near Brandon's room when he first caught sight of his door. He looked kind of stunned for a minute, then dismayed and then he groaned and started to kind of sink a bit. It caught me off guard. I thought he'd like it. "Mom!" he moaned, "my door is all....heart-y!" "But Brandon," I replied, "it's for Valentines Day...to show how much I love you." Brandon straightened up and reluctantly plodded over to me, wrapped his arms around me in a kind of defiant hug, said "thanks" in a monotone voice and then dropped to the ground with his head in his hands. It was such a dramatic show that I just had to laugh. "Don't worry, Brandon. You can take it down tomorrow." Maybe I should've made all his hearts blue.

Logic From An Almost Teenager

Rebekah: "Mom, does this coat look funny with my shorts and leggings?"
Me: "Umm...if you're worried about it why don't you wear your jacket?"
Rebekah: "Because it's cold outside!"
Me: (Trying to hold back giggles...) "You're worried about it being cold and yet you're wearing shorts?"
Rebekah: "Well, at least half of my body can be warm!"

P.S. Maybe I should mention that she is wearing shorts for 7th grade spirit week... She doesn't wear shorts to school on a regular basis in February.

Happy Birthday Julianne

Eleven years ago today, after 16 and 1/2 hours of labor, sweet Julianne Dlora was born.
Since it's her birthday...can I indulge in bragging a bit?
*Julianne is playing the Bakers Wife in "Into the Woods" with her acting class...pretty much the female lead. The whole story revolves around the Baker and the Bakers Wife. She's an amazingly good little actress.
*Julianne just got a solo in the 5th grade program.
*She was chosen represent her elementary school and perform in the Storytelling Festival up at Weber State later this month without even auditioning!
*She is fabulous at math. The way her brain figures out problems and thinks them through is really impressive.
*Julianne is an amazing writer. You should read some of the stories she writes for class. So much detail and character conversation.
*She's very responsible.
*She is kind of a home body which means that she hangs out with me a lot and I've learned that I really enjoy talking with her....as a friend.
*She likes to clean bathrooms!! Last week she offered to clean my bathroom if I would clean her room. I gladly accepted! I hate cleaning bathrooms.
*She can be serious and intellectual and then turn around and be a completely hyper drama queen...both of which are totally and completely Julianne.
I love her, I love her, I love her.
Happy Birthday Julianne!

Saturday Morning Running

I've been trying to build up my running endurance. And I've been really discouraged because I get tired so fast. I'm used to speed walking. It's a bigger difference and harder than I thought it would be going from walking to running. But I started thinking that maybe running would be easier outside vs. downstairs on my treadmill. Running in place and staring at the wall makes me focus more intently on how long I've been running and how tired I'm getting. I was hoping that being outside, having more to look at, actually running someplace instead of in place would help. So I went to the elementary school where they have a track. I walked 1/2 mile and then ran 2. SO much easier than in my basement. I'm immensely relieved. I was getting rather nervous....wondering if I'd really be able to this triathlon. If I was seriously crazy for signing up in the first place. But now, the running part anyhow, I'm sure I'll be able to do. Still have a lot of work to do, but it will come. Swimming on the other hand.... yeah, still nervous about that.

Never Thought I'd Have To Wear These Again....

I got glasses this week. Just for driving. Mostly at night. Side effects from my LASIK 10 years ago include all lights, from street lamps to brake lights, to have halos. Which makes my night vision not as good as I'd like it to be. My right eye did not end up 20/20 like the left. And that slight blurriness, though not a problem during the day, gets compounded at night with the funky halo lights. So, glasses. They help sharpen things up. They also make me look quite the intellectual, don't you think?

Funny Projects For A Wednesday Night...

The Young Women put on a "Modest Fashion Show" last night. Rebekah was asked to model a silly version of an immodest bare backed shirt. Which, as you can see, became a "bear" backed shirt. I think there are at least 3 pins holding each bear in place.


It's the 100th day of school today. And in order to celebrate, all the kids in Julianne's 5th grade class were given a hat to take home with the assignment to find 100 of some item to glue on to it. Julianne decided on conversation hearts. Despite the fact that this was to be her project, I was NOT letting her loose with the hot glue gun! So, unfortunately, it became my project as well.

Sushibowl

We just got back from a Superbowl/Sushi party at Bryan's cousin's house. Great food, great company and a great game. Well, unless you count the fact that I was rooting for the Cardinals....

Carolyn, Bryan and Kari enjoying the good eats. It was Kari's first time trying sushi....I'm not sure she liked it real well. Luckily there was also tempura.

Bryan talking with his cousin Russ.

Kari, Carolyn, Treg and I watching the big game. Got pretty exciting there at the end!

Bryan got a bit of a headache after eating all that food....I was rubbing his head trying to help him feel better.