The Best Of PA

Elly: Mommy why do you watch movies with bad words? Me: I don't know. I watch movies with bad words?? Elly: Yes at Nonna and Pop pops. I had no idea what she was talking about. Until I thought about it more. We slept over Nonna and Pop Pops house. We were snowed in and ate pop corn and hot cocoa. When it was time for the kids bedtime, I tucked them in the spare room and left for the living room. My parents rented movies and the PG-13 movie "Total Recall" was playing (the new one). Lots of Action, Adventure, Intrigue and...cursing. Brinley was sound asleep, but Elly was not sleeping well. She sneaked her way into the living room more than once to complain she wasn't tired. Yes I had watched a foul mouthed movie, a many, but this time I was caught. Me: "I'm sorry Elly. I promise to watch better movies. Mommy will not watch movies with bad words.". Elly: "Heavenly Father does not like us to watch movies with bad words." Gu...

1) Think about the lyrics of popular songs and the meanings behind them. These days I've become a fan of classical music. 2) Try to Read all the Classics, that I should have read in school, but had no desire to do because I was WAY to busy socializing. 3) Really try to dress modestly. I believe I tried my Darndest to do the opposite before growing up and serving a mission. 4) Attempt to make MOST things homemade. It was all about the fancy brands before I knew how much LIFE cost. Turns out homemade is always better.

See this cute little girl with lipstick all over her face? Well she has managed to potty train herself! She has!! Of course there are some accidents, but cut her some slack she just turned two. Oh my goodness she is a sweetie pie. This smile here is a frequent one. I call it "putting on her charm." Because it is impossible to not fall in love with the girl who holds that smile.

She drags the lilac quilt behind her.  It goes where ever she does, through grass, dirt, and cool wooden floors.  I watch her stop and put the purple material to her nose.  Brinely breathes in it's aroma and closes her eyes.  She has a great love her for blankie...or is it addiction?  She can not sleep without it, and she insists on taking it everywhere.  It is adorable to watch. I can't help but feel like that blanket sometimes.  As as mom, there are days, minutes, hours when I feel, drug through the dirt, trampled on, ripped at the seams, worn, and without a break.  Sometimes I wish for a long relaxing, uniterrupted nap, or a few minutes to finish cleaning the kitchen or sort the laundry.  But then sometimes there is nothing better than feeling like a blankie, cuddled and kissed, adored and loved, small conversations filled with giggles and smiles, having a pair of tiny hands in yours, hearing the lovely words "I l...

We were watching an excerpt on the making of the Jim Henson film, "The Labyrnth".  Elly was snuggled up beside me, sipping on lemondae and munching popcorn.  One of the pupeteers, Luto-or Pluto (I'm still not sure) is a huge muppet of a puppet.  We watched a man stand inside of 'Luto"aka a huge, furry, stuffy puppet suit and act out his parts in the movie.   We witnessed the man climb out of the of the heat induced "Luto" contraption huffing and puffing.  He wiped off the beads of sweat and said "Piece of cake"  Afterwards he dramatically fell to the floor, pretending he had passed out.  Elly looked back at me, her brows quizzically furrowed. "Why does he want a piece of cake mom?" I laughed and she again looked at me with curiousity. "Why you laughing?"  Because it's cute when kids take everything literally, that's why.  Minutes later I heard her repeating the phrase....piece of ca...

Scene 1 "Mom, Epella is a bear" "Epella is the bear?"  I ask, pointing to the speckled pink and orange stuffed animal perching on one of the kiddie chair. "Uhuh, Epella, Fella." Scene 2 We read the story of Jonah that morning.  We talked about Jonah's fears and how wicked the people of Ninevah were. Elly listened intently as Jonah fled to the sea, in hopes of hiding from the Lord.  But none of us can hide from God-we may run, but we will do so in vain.  Later that day we were at the park.  The sun was shining, the birds were chirping.  And Elly said: "God love us" "Yes this is true and he loves you very much." She shook her head and continued "He misses us-cuz when I'm at grandma's house, him miss me." I then,  proceeded to remind her of the story of Jonah.

Brinley took off at the speed of light.  She always does this after a bath.   I wipe her down with a towel and the moment I let go she runs as fast as those pudgy little legs will let her.  She  loves being free of her diaper,  so this night I thought I would give her this opportunity.  She raced throughout the rooms, her chunky lil bum jiggling as she bobbed.  Oh it is heavenly to watch her waddle and march, run and skip. Elly and I began reading and going over words when suddenly a chubby hand slapped at my shoulder.  This is how Brinley catches our attention. "Dah!" Brinley yelled, pointing towards the hallway. "What is it Brinley?" I perked up, staring beyond my creamy skinned child. "Dah!". She shouted, hitting my shoulder once more, then taking a few steps in the direction she had pointed; sticking her finger out again. I stood up following Brinley who promptly marched into the living room.  She stopped just before we approach...

Funny Things Elly has said in the past week: Scene 1 "You have to Kiss me."  I heard Elly's demands coming from the play room.   My muscles tensed.  A little boy her age was over and they were make believing pretty well up till this.  Why does my four year old daughter want a kiss.  I couldn't make out his response to such a request.  Instead I heard Ellyanna pipe up. "No, I'm Princess Aurora, you have to kiss me so I can wake up."  I roll my eyes and stand.  I slowly make my way to the play room as images of a not too distant future pop into my head. After all if we are requesting kisses at the age of four what is to come when she turns sixteen?  I shook my head and quickened my pace, trying to block out images of rebellious boys draping their arms about my daughter and her leaning into thier embraces.   I walk into a scene of the two of them chatting.  Elly is wrappe...

Some cutesty lines for you today, brought to you by Ellyanna: Quote 1 “The boy got a gift.”   Ellyanna read out loud.   “Very good.”   I chimed, proud of my little girl who can read small sentences.   That is, the sentences and words we review every night after bath time.   She beamed with pride and then her little forehead proceeded to scrunch up as she pointed at the flash card.   “Why is there a polka dot there?”     Baffled I glimpsed at the card in my hand.   Polka dot?   What polka dot?   Oh…she meant the period. “Well that is called a period, and this goes at the end of every sentence.”   Her brows furrowed and she said. “But why is there a polka dot there?”   Maybe this explanation was a bit advanced for a four year old.   Any ideas on how to explain this?   Think it over and share with me.   Quote 2 “What you gonna do with all that junk? ...

The Super Star Elly Typically the phrases and conversations Elly has with her friends and adults melt your heart. "I like princesses and strawberry short cake!"  She told a little boy in the park the other day.  And there other times that you like to pretend she never said. "I don't like you anymore!  Your a bad mom!"  And then there are the sort of embarressing yet entertaining and innocent stories like this one that happened yesterday: "That girls immodest mommy". Elly pointed at the lady in front of us walking her dogs. She was in her workout garb, black long spandex shorts and a teal tank top. Elly was referring to the womans' shoulders showing. "Mommy that girls' immodest.". She repeated, this time the words rang through the air even louder. "uh huh.". I said as quietly as I could. I taught my daughter about modesty at a young age and am ever so grateful she listens to me, but now I was a bit embarressed. ...

Spring is here and it is beautiful! Today I turned 31.  I know this may not seem like such a big deal.  31 is still young, right?  But it also means that I'm only nine years away from 40!  I have been reflecting more on these awesome past 31 years.  And I feel I have been oober blessed and was able to accomplish a lot.  What have I been doing these past 31 years? 1) Graduated High School 2) Got An Asosciates Degree 3) Served a 18 month mission for my church http://lds.org 4) Married the Sexiest Man Alive in the DC Temple 4) Bought our first home and then three more. 5) Have two darling girls 6) Begin a mission to write more, so I started a story blog http://onceuponatimestories.blog.com 7) Started this blog 8) Have served in many callings at church that have streched and forced me to grow and learn 9) Paid off over 52,000 in debt. 10) Took a more serious step in intentionally dating my hubby Life has been good to me and I plan on ev...

“I don’t feel good.”   Elly moaned as we were getting ready to eat supper.   I didn’t think much of this.   After all, how many times have I heard this same complaint when she didn’t want to eat something, clean something, or get dressed?    Too many to count, yet Danny allowed her to go lie down on the couch.   Minutes later she lay there conked out in a deep sleep.   We ate our Puerto Rican Meal, Danny picked up from a little shop in downtown Bethlehem, and it was delicious.   All was well, I ran to the store and came back just in time.   Just in time to watch Elly stir from her coma like sleep and spew pink throw up all over the couch.   That was the beginning of a long night.   Countless blankets and sheets were changed and washed through those dark hours.   My poor little girl was soon dry heaving and throwing up stomach acid. “I don’t like this; I don’t want to be sick.”   Elly pleaded with me.   All I could d...

I had brave intentions this morning, of opening up a new bank account.   I suggest this is brave because dragging two kids into a lofty building and forcing them to sit down any longer than two minutes is quite nearly impossible.   But it had to be done.   So there we were walking into the tall colonial corporation and requesting to open an account.   They sat us down near the entrance and politely offered the kiddos lollipops and coloring pages, complete with crayons.   A glimmer of hope sprouted as I watched Elly eagerly pick a page and get to work coloring in the lines.   I tore off the plastic wrappers of the lollipops and handed them over to the girls.   With ease, I began exchanging information with my bank representative. Ah, yes this is how opening an account should be, no hassle, no distractions, just a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation. “Mah!!!”   And so it began, Brinley, who was comfortably sitting on my lap the moment before,...

At the breakfast table my little sicky, was avoiding eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she requested. Bridget-no that is not a typo, she is a 10 year old girl I watch-says. "Elly it looks like a bug started eating your sandwich" Elly had taken micro bites from her sandwich, it really did look like a tiny bug had taken bites, rather than my four and a half year old. "Aww your my little lady bug!" I exclaimed. "I'm a wasp." Bridget said. " I'm stubborn and when somebody hurts me I sting back hard. I really am, I took the bug quiz." Bridget beamed as she went on matter of factly. "And i totally agree with the bug quiz I mean most of the people in my class were butterflies or packrats. But when I saw what I was, I was like stinger!!" Oh kids say the funniest cutesy things, even when they are 10 and a half. Sent from my iPhone