BYE BYE BINKIE

If I am being honest I don't know who loved the NUK more, Saylor or me. Saylor loved naps and bedtime because she only got her pacifier at these times, and consequently I loved the pacifier. My plan was to get rid of the Binkie before Saylor turned 3 at the end of November, but it was really hard to bite the bullet and do it. Saturday morning we were sitting down to pumpkin pancakes and Saylor was laughing about something and Snow noticed that her front tooth was started to jut out (presumably do to sucking on the pacifier). Right then and there Snow said no more NUK. I had been planning a binkie send off for some time and Saturday ended up being the day. First Saylor helped me find all the binkies and put them in a bowl. We then went to a store and she picked out her favorite colors of helium balloons. Finally we went to a toy store and Saylor got to pick out a small toy that she would get to open after we got rid of the binkies. Saylor "helped" me tie the pacies to balloons and then I told her that she was a big girl and the babies in heaven needed her binkies because they were still babies.. Saylor was so excited to make the babies Happy so she let the ballons fly. We let her open her toy and take it to bed as it was nap time. This first nap went pretty smoothly, but ever since it has been tricky. She remembers that she gave all the binkies to the babies, but that doesn't stop her from crying and saying "I miss my nukie." I think we are over the worst. I am very proud and a little sad that my little girl is growing up!

I am a Domestic Diva

We were fortunate to move into a neighborhood that is really into preparedness, gardening, etc. and over the last couple of weeks I have acquired some fun new skills. To begin with, we planted our first ever garden. OK, garden is a bit of an exaggeration but I did plant strawberries, tomatoes, egg plant, red bell peppers, and watermelon. Not everything was a success, but we have enjoyed garden tomatoes all summer and we wound up with several delicious watermelons. Our biggest and most tasty is pictured here with Saylor. It weighed 24 pounds and I am very proud of it! A friend in my ward also taught me to can. I started out with peaches. They look so pretty on my shelf that I haven't had the heart to open a bottle so I can't really guarantee that they are botulism-free, but I will keep you posted. I started getting confidant so I decided to make and can some salsa. Sadly, it did not turn out as tasty as I had hoped. Apparently you have to stir it a lot, which I neglected to do. The result was that it stuck to the bottom of the pan and it now has an unintentional smoky flavor. I got my hands on some more tomatoes so I think I am going to try another batch. They say if you fall off a horse you should get back on--otherwise you become to scared. I think it is the same way with homemaking skills. If I don't try salsa again soon, I may never be brave enough! Finally--I have learned that motherhood is hard on your jeans. I got a hole in the knee of my favorite and most expensive pair of jeans after playing lion one too many times with Saylor. I tried my hand at repairing the damage myself.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't think my repair is too noticeable. I am very excited about my newly acquired skills. It is really fun to feel a little more self-sufficient. And I guess if we have an emergency that requires that we live off our newly acquired one-year-supply of food--that smoky tasting salsa could be a pretty hot commodity!

Do you need an amazing hair stylist?

My sister, Jan, just moved back to Provo and is now working at the Haven Salon (801) 379-0540; 359 W 100 S Provo, UT. She does fantastic cuts, colors, updos, etc. so if you are in the area and need to update your look you should book an appointment with her!

GNO

OK--prepare to be jealous. My Mom treated my sisters and I to the ultimate girls night out. We met for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays then headed to the E Center for...So You Think You Can Dance! It was really fun. We had great seats and got to watch our favorite dances all over again. The concert was 3 hours long and and featured some of season 4's classics: "No Air" "Bleeding Love" the bed one, the door one etc.. Basically the E center was filled to capacity with screaming girls. Surprisingly enough, the star of the show was not Joshua, but Utah's own Gev. They spent the second half of the show making fun of his crush on his first partner Courtney. If you recognize all these names, then I am as embarrassed for you as I am for myself! All in all it was a great night--I love you Mom, Janny, and Shi!

P.S. On our way out they were handing out fliers for the NKOTB reunion concert--Anyone Game?

Yes--I am an animal lover!

Cosmo and I were very excited about this weeks BYU game. 44-0, Go Cougs!!

Homemade kazoo

I recently joined a "joy school" group in our neighborhood where a few moms around here take turns hosting preschool for our kids. It is a cheap way for Saylor to have a preschool experience and 6 days out of the month I get a couple of free hours. Anyway, today was my turn and I decided that we would make homemade kazoos. Instructions are as follows:

Take a toilet paper roll, slap some wax paper on it, hold it in place with a rubber band. Enjoy hours of loud kiddie entertainment. Saylor will not put hers down. She asked to take a nap with it. I said yes and after listening to her play Old MacDonald for an hour straight I had to take it away so she would sleep. I highly recommend this musical undertaking!

Toddler Logic

We were driving home from running errands today and Saylor and I had a very interesting conversation.

Saylor: Look mom, a flag!

Me: Oh, Hi Flag.

Saylor: No! The flag does not have eyes.

Me: The flag doesn't have eyes?

Saylor: Yes, so it doesn't have a mouth.

Me: Oh, so it can't say hi?

Saylor: Right. It doesn't have a nose or hands.