Congrats Braden!

Ask Braden if he likes school and he will tell you what you would expect from any forth-grade boy. Ask him the classic question, "How was school today?" and he is as equally unenthusiastic. But he isn't fooling us. His achievements speak otherwise. During second quarter, he wrote a poem that his class voted one of three to represent them in a school contest. He has recently been placed in his school's prestigious Lynx Club for outstanding academic achievement for third quarter. And he has now preceded to reach his reading goal for forth quarter in one week thanks to Percy Jackson.

I understand that a ten-year-old boy has an image to maintain, but I don't believe for one minute that this over-achieving boy hates school.

Staying Happy, Come What May

I recently read some advice from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of our church.

He said, "The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life." He advised us to learn to laugh.

It was with this council that I approached my day yesterday. With no problems in the morning, I hit mid-day with a triumphant stride... a stride that ran me right into two two-year-olds covered in chocolate. How they pulled those fudge bars from the freezer I am not sure, but they are crafty. And when one can't figure it out, the other one is sure to.

Deep breathe. Genuine laugh.

A bit later Braden asked me why there was chocolate all over the couch.

Deep breathe. Laugh.

Next the dog was found with chocolate drippings.

Deeper breathe. Forced laugh.

I was wiping up the couch when I noticed water running. Quick calculation. How long had that been going? Too long. There was one girl in the tub acting as receiver, the other making deliveries... blankets, dolls, beach towels, dress ups.

Deep breathe, deeper breathe. Smirk.

So I spent a bit of time wringing out some things in the sink before I rounded the corner to the girls' bedroom. What are the brown puddles on the carpet? Chocolate.

Deep breathe with a smack on the end. Grimace. Good thing I have plenty of wet towels.

After twenty minutes on my hands and knees I think I have managed the crisis quite well. The melted fudge bars have been cleaned from every surface, except the dog (Sorry Nell!), and the wet items have been put in the washing machine. I have reacted to my adversity well. Elder Wirthlin would be proud.

But wait, on the kitchen floor is a corner of a chocolate chip bag and a pair of scissors. Now not everyone would have the eye and experience to know that those two things equal trouble, but I have been highly trained by the best.

It did not take long before I found my sweeties outside on the trampoline with not one, but two opened bags of chocolate chips.

Sigh. Get the camera. Maybe I'll laugh later.

Elder Wirthlin must not have had twins.

Ooo-la-la!

We came up with a stupendous idea! That’s a fancy word for great!

Emmry and I went on a “Fancy Nancy” date last Saturday. We could not entice the boys to come along, really they were not even invited. We dressed up in the craziest, fancy outfits we could come up with, invited some friends, and met for breakfast. I have to say I was a the slightest bit tentative about getting out of the car with giant bows tied around my ankles and a tiara on my head, but Emmry couldn't have been more in her element.

We were so posh!

Fine Cuisine from the Huffman Kitchen

When Emmry's preschool friend came to play last week she brought along her favorite lunch and awakened Emme's taste buds to a fabulous new dish. Of coarse, I would not hear the end of it until we purchased some of our own. This week the kids and I went to the store, made our selection, and served it for lunch the next day.

Upon trying the new delicacy Braden said, "This is awesome! What is this called?"

"Top Ramen." My poor deprived children.

I'm Gonna Make Millions

Forget the Nanny Cam. This is much better. I'm going to patent a hat, a cute pink one with bows and flowers but with a solid chin strap that can't come undone. In the hat will be a camera. It will be much like what you see sky divers wear to document their jumps. The parent will wear a small screen on an arm band like a watch that receives video stream from the hat 24/7. The parent can know at all times where the child is and what she is doing.

You know those moments when it is quiet... when you don't want to look in for fear you'll be seen, yet your afraid not to look in for fear of what you will see. You will never have to worry about that again. You will never again hear, "Mommy the babies..." and hold your breath for what comes next. "Mommy the babies are playing in your makeup... mommy the babies dumped the cereal out on my floor... mommy the babies are naked on the trampoline... mommy the babies dumped all the dog food in the water bowl... mommy the babies pulled the shower curtain down, dumped out all the toys, and are in the bathtub with their dolls."

I imagine it will make millions, just like my sound proof glass separating the front seat of the car from the back.

From the Mouths of Babes

Emmry commented today on the excessive amount of hair on my arms. As a second-grader I remember this comment would send me running away in tears, but I have long since overcome the insecurity. In fact, there are many virtues to having a bit more hair on your arms, of which I can't think of any at the time being, but trust me there are.

The comment of excessive hair brought Emmry's thoughts around to her female piano teacher. She said to me, "My teacher has hair above her lip."

My comment, "Oh, that sometimes happens."

Her response, "Yah, she said she doesn't like it."

Am I glad I wasn't observing piano lessons that day.

Happy Birthday Braden!

It is amazing to think I have a 10-year-old. Where did the time go? On Saturday we will be holding an on-line Wii tournament with friends and cousins here and across the country. It's hard to move and lose friendships and we have been on the move since Braden was born. We have left a trail of dear friends in our wake, both our own and our childrens'. It has always been difficult, but for Braden this last one was especially hard. The other day someone asked him where he was from, his perplexed look said it all. Forget the 10-donut tower, the fondu dinner, and the presents. Perhaps the best gift we have to offer this year is stability. We're finally settled.

Happy Birthday Bubba!