When I pick up Merian from school she runs from her classroom and almost knocks me over with her hug. I love to see her smile. When I used to pick up Emma I recognized her by the bounce in her step and I loved how she would tell me all about her day. Picking up the kids from school is the best part of my day.

You Will Obey Me

One day Norah decided to raise her arms in the air. To be good sports, we followed her. That game lasted for more than half an hour and has continued sporadically for more than a month. A few Sundays ago after we sat down at church she looked at the rows behind us an expectantly threw up her arms. Sorry babe, it's not going to happen.

Momisms

When I was little my mom told me that her dad liked to say, "Don't be a jerk; get to work," or, "Don't be a fool; get to school." I've come up with a few of my own and every time I use them I think of my Grandpa Harris.

• Don't be a slob; finish the job.
• You're not a snail; don't leave a trail.
• Get the work done so you have time for fun.
• I'll have to add more as I remember them. My kids tell me I have too many slogans.

I also have some that don't rhyme:

• Don't follow the leader if the leader's going the wrong way.
• Do the right thing, at the right time, in the place, in the right way.
• Work hard, play hard.
• I can do hard things.
• I'll have to add more here later. Gotta go help Derek get his shoes out of Ahpa.

Yesterday when I was in the school room with the older kids Eliza rushed in.

"Mom! Our house is, is, is (searching for the right word) a dump."

It turns out Derek was destroying Styrofoam packaging and making a huge mess - one of Nate's less favorite things. Recently I've been asking Derek and Eliza if they want to live in a palace or a dump to motivate them to pick up after themselves. I guess it is working and it was so cute to hear her say.

Just in case anyone out there reads this blog I want to do my part to spread the word. Nate, Philip, Michael and Chris Baugh made a rifftrax to this movie. It's like MST3k.

So if you're interested in a cheap, at-home date night: pop some popcorn, grab a pack of root beer, and settle down with Ominous Project's version of "10,000 BC."

Info: In ages past the world was a hostile place where mankind eked out an existence in constant fear of giant birds and monstrous shag-carpet elephants. But among these troglodytes arose a man whose destiny would lead him to unite the various tribes, tame the hordes of furry beasts, and establish a new way of life among his people. That man was Jim Henson, and this unfortunately is not his story. Instead, Ominous Projects invites you to join us for a commentary that makes watching 10,000 BC marginally less painful.

I copied this from Carrie's blog (thanks Care!)

Norah has been starting to say words. For some reason her first was dog. Nate was reading a book to Eliza while he was holding Norah and she pointed to a picture of a dog and said it. She has also said Megan, Emma, Merian and very clearly: Mike.

She loves playing pat-a-cake. She's a happy happy girl and very independent.

Derek's Thoughts

"Was I born on my birthday? Sometimes people are born on their birthdays."

"Is Nephi still alive?"

"No, Derek, he died a long time ago."

"But he came to our church after Christmas." (He was remembering when Bishop Pierce came as Nephi and talked to the kids at a primary activity. We had a great discussion about Nephi's story after that.)