We're Glad It's Your Birthday, Dear Emi....

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday 

to You!

We gave you a bike

for your birthday.

Go and ride it,

and dream of chocolate cake, too. 

 We hope for a year

full of good things

May your wishes

and your daydreams come true!

It's this kid's birthday today:

Good-by 10, Hello 11!

And she's off, on her way to another great year!

I Can Stop Any Time I Want.....

I have an addiction to weather.com. I just can't seem to stop myself from checking the weather report for my area. A couple of times a day. (Sometimes, I even check the conjectures for other locations across the globe, too!) I always look at the feature forecasting the next ten days, while only trusting it's accuracy for the immediate day and giving the next day the benefit of the doubt (usually). Obviously, I have a trust issue with the latest radar technology developed for weather prediction, exhibited by my tendency to check in 3 or 4 (even5?) times a day - usually scanning the current day's presage of temperature, rain, sun, humidity, etc..

See, if today's not panning out like weather.com publishes, then how can I trust any hunches for tomorrow? However, since the atmospheric activity determined for the next ten days, as shown on the climate projection site, is in the ballpark often enough (even if the game's already had tip-off), I still regard that data enough to gauge what laundry must be done so my girls will be appropriately clothed for potential weather conditions materializing in the next week-and-a-half. (It's all about motherhood, the compulsive need to ride the web to my weather website of choice. Just like my enslavement to chocolate. Dark chocolate.....'cause how can you be a mom without daily imbibing of chocolate? Seriously!)

So last night, armed with an insider's recognition of my weather neurosis, and perhaps in an attempt to to spin my mind into a maelstrom, Emi purposefully asked, regarding the weather, "Will yesterday be like today?" Perhaps instead of wearing my confusion all over my face, I should have given the obvious answer, "Why of course, as long as the-day-after-tomorrow's rain is like next Tuesday's wind speed."

What's the Kanji for Orthography?

I was scrolling through my postings menu the other day and found this one from over a year ago. I am not sure why it didn't see the light of day, but am leaning toward the "I-forgot-to-click-on-the-Publish Post-button-excuse. Fortunately (or not), it's as relevant today as it was when I actually wrote it:

Emi has an incredible appetite for learning. For a kid who insists she doesn't like school, she certainly thrives on filling her mind with all sorts of new ideas. Emi spouts off trivia like I draw breath, things like, "Did you know that Kansas used to be part of the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Sea?" and she's continually advancing her reading level. Even math and science are clicking pretty well - she's learning principles at earlier grade levels than those of us of a certain age did.

But have I menshuned her speling? Orthography is not Emi's strong sute. So I had to laugh when Ryan shared this with me a few days ago:

Among Emi's varied interests is anything her dad is interested in. Ryan enjoys studying kanji (the japanese writing system) and Emi is tickled that one of the reasons we chose her name is that "Emi" is also a fairly common Japanese name. And the kanji that Ryan chose for her name means 'laughter."

Anyway, the other day, Ryan found some of his kanji flashcards and was showing a few to Emi. She looked at them and started to get very excited. She suggested, "Hey, maybe I can use these cards and learn new kanji, like one everyday!" to which Ryan replied, "Maybe you should work on your English spelling before you start to worry about Japanese spelling." Emi considered this and gave a small grin as she answered, "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Do You Ever Get Tired Of The Universe?

Do you ever contemplate the unknown? When you look at the night sky and see countless stars twinkling above you, do you ponder the infinite universe? Do you ever wonder if somewhere, there's another being sitting on a grassy orb, breathing life-sustaining oxygen and wondering if you exist?

Thanks to Emi, these aren't merely questions we ruminate over on occasion. It's accepted as reality in our home that aliens do exist. In fact, they walk and talk among us. They are probably benevolent, but sometimes, given certain, er, evidence (like barbies thrown at at an older sister's head, or a secret stash of M&Ms that is suddenly not so secret and not so stashed and dabs of yellow and red and orange smearing supposedly innocent fingers (M&Ms, contrary to their jingle can, in fact, melt in your hand!), we do wonder if there might be a tiny, but not insignificant, malicious streak carried by these life forms that parade around as little sisters. (We do, after all, have laboratory proof that Annie's genetic make-up is not quite the same as the rest of us that live in the brown brick house.)

So the whole alien thing is frequently referred to (sometimes subtly, other times, not so much) when we are gathered around the kitchen table or curled up on the sofa or playing in the backyard or when we are driving in the car...., which is why it came as no surprise when, a few weeks ago, the girls and I were gazing at puffy white trails traversing a bright blue sky. Ever-curious Annie asked what they were. She disregarded my short explanation of airforce jets, instead deciding it must have been aliens. And would you, my friend, like to know why aliens raced across the sky that particular day? As Annie so blithely asserted, "Oh, they're probably tired of our universe."

Rules We Live By

There are irrefutable rules governing the universe. We all know that the law of gravity means we can toss a ball as high as possible, but it will always fall back down to the earth. Two hydrogen particles atoms combined with one oxygen particle will always form water. We observe the rising of sun every morning and its setting every night, unfailing because of the constant rotation of the earth on its axis.

Some truths you may not know include these:

1. Emi will never be a morning person.
2. Annie, yo-yoing between silence and fits of giggles while behind closed doors, guarantees the existence of a mess.
3. Add one little black dog named Cocoa to no. 2 (above) and absolute chaos ensues.

It's important for me to remember that there are some basic laws I cannot change. I must not forget these omnipresent truths, so that I will simply not open the pantry door when I think Annie might be in there (based on the evidence of peals of laughter alternating with pregnant quietus.) This way, the harmony of the universe might endure, and even coincide with my placidity, because if I just resist the impulse to twist the doorknob and let that door remain snug in its frame, I won't find globs of crunchy peanut butter pasted to the door - and matted in Cocoa's fur! At least for a few minutes longer, ubiquitous concordance will reign.

And Here's How It's Going For The Girls....

Sorry for the interruption in blogging about my Bavarian adventure, but since I got back to Utah (where the vacation started, remember) and have had to resume my mothering responsibilities, I haven't found much time - or energy, for that matter - to commandeer the keyboard. But the girls have had a marvelous time. Just ask Annie. Thanks to her, the girl cousins might get new carpet in their bedroom. And Bunky and Grandnan just might need to replace part of their kitchen floor!

Just Chill...IN!

aIt's time to share some more of the silly things that pop out of my kids' mouths (verbal, not masticated, mind you,) particularly the words that tumble (and that is an apt description) between Annie's lips, because I figure these gems won't serve any purpose sitting in a dark vault and instead should be displayed for public enjoyment.

• Cocoa (the crazy puppy who Annie refers to as "my daughter" or "my-baby-sister-that-I-love-so-much" (seriously, ask Annie how many sisters she has and she'll likely tell you, "Two" or perhaps she'll even answer "Three," if she happens to lump Tessa - our other dog - in there. Hmmm. Is that why I've noticed some speculative raised eyebrows cast in my direction lately?) can be a little....rambunctious. Okay, a lot rambunctious. While Cocoa was running and jumping and spinning and slobbering yesterday, Annie testily admonished, "Chill in, Cocoa. Just chill in!"
• Can I just say that listening to Annie re-invent that popular phrase brings a slew of other Annie-isms to mind? I am particularly fond of "No Jose Way!"
• Skip this one if you don't appreciate potty-humor: Apparently, Annie believes she has a little family living in her bottom. The other day when I asked her if she was finished pooping, she said, "Just the mom and dad came out. The little ones are playing a game inside. They will come out later."
• Heading to a track meet, anyone? Listen for Annie to call out, "Ready. Set. Mark. Go!"

Lest you think that Annie alone brings such amusement to our home, I have to share an Emi classic. First, though, let me tell you that Emi tends to be a bit more considerate than Annie before charging ahead with her voice.

• Emi was almost 3 the first time she and I went to Carthage, Illinois. (For those of you who may not know, Carthage - population 2725 - is one of the dots on the map that connects places teeming with history of the early days of the LDS church.) I don't really know what I was expecting - maybe something a little more....quaint? Touristy? Charming? Granted, the day was overcast, so maybe that's why Carthage itself appeared so dusty and grey. Of course, nearly empty streets and sidewalks along with overgrown grass and boarded windows on a few houses and buildings did nothing to suggest much brightness existed in the town, anyway. Apparently Emi's impressions were not much fulgent more than mine, since she observed from her car seat, "Carthage is a lot like Walmart!"
  

Overheard

This afternoon, Emi was playing with a friend when I overheard this shared confidence:

"You know, some days I don't learn anything new at school (at all!) - because I already know it! I mean, it's just review!"

And she's full of humility, too.

Are You Smarter Than A Third-Grader?

It's so glaringly obvious to a 9-year-old! Honestly, do kids at this magic age pay any attention whatsoever to real-estate or market demand, the subsequent downfall and whatever else has hindered our nation so terribly as of late? I think it's safe to assume that generally, kids this age don't give much contemplation to a world that extends much beyond their own backyards, their computers and Poptropica, and their best friends. But see, 9-year-olds don't have to concern themselves with the foibles of Wall Street, the dire reports from the Fed or the blame-game being played in the land of Real Estate. 9-year-olds have superior common sense!

Emi is reading Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day, which apparently prompted her thoughts about real-estate and economics:

• Before people build more houses, they should make sure there are people who are going to move into those houses, so that they don't just have houses that nobody will live in.
• When houses are being built, they should recycle everything out of the old houses first and use whatever they can from the old houses in the new houses and tear them (the old - circa 1975? - houses) down so there aren't just houses with no one to buy them.
• People should just buy what they really need and not use all their money to get stuff they don't really need so they won't run out of money.

Third-graders could have kept us out of our current economic mess. Maybe if we listen to them, they can get us out of it, too!

A Nice Brainwash!

I just get a kick when I am listening to some of my favorite 80's music and Emi starts singing along. Do you know what this means? Brainwashing works!

20/20 Vision Again? Darn It!!

I don't remember life being crystal clear. Since grade 2, my world has been a bit fuzzy. Literally. At the tender age of seven I stepped into the realms of myopia. That's when I became A-Girl-Who-Wears-Glasses. (Some of my classmates simply called me "Four-Eyes.") Time has marched forward and my eyesight has continually marched backwards. If I knock my glasses off my nightstand before I put them on in the morning, I have to get down on hands knees and gingerly run over the floor with my finger tips. Sometimes, I have to call for someone to come help me. Someone with 20/20 vision. Someone like Emi.

Crazy kid, she doesn't know how good she has it! Emi has already surpassed me in the How-Long-Before-My-Vision-Betrays-Me? department, yet she doesn't seem to consider that a victory. Some of you have seen her in her "fashion glasses" (aka: frames with non-prescription lenses.) She pranced into the opthamologist's office this morning with hopes flying high that those cute green rims would rate function over fashion. Alas, the poor child's eyes continue to serve her as God intended.

Keep her in your thoughts.

Sleep, Teachers & Emi

I was a bit under the weather yesterday and all though I feel much improved today, I am still rather tired. So I've been having this exchange running inside my head: I think I'll just take a nap. Well, maybe I'll put in a load of laundry first.....Get the laundry taken care of...Oh, I'll just quickly check my email. And msnbc.com. And the weather. Hmm. I 'm a little peckish. Are there any brownies left? I'll grab a bite and then go take my nap....Between the kitchen and my bedroom, I spot a book I've been reading....Maybe I'll just read a chapter. Or two....An hour later ...Or seven...Oh yeah, my nap. Well, maybe I'll just play a quick game of mahjong first - before I put stuff in the dryer and then....

It looks like that nap is flying right out the window. That's okay. I am instead using my time to think about the things I should be doing while enjoying the things I am doing. And I am enjoying sharing three things to day that make me happy and fill me with gladness:

1. I am thankful to be feeling much better today. A day of sleep (yesterday) and taking it easy today have been working wonders!
2. This morning, Ryan and I met with Annie's teachers and I am so thankful that they care so much about Annie. She hasn't been the easiest part of the classroom lately (or at home,for that matter) which makes me appreciate all the more the sincere efforts they give in her behalf.
3. I am soooo thankful for Emi, for how she puts up with what she puts up with. Lately, because Annie has been so much more of a challenge, Emi has had to step aside a lot. In my heart I promise to make this all up to her, although I wonder if I even can - but I know this: even though it's tough and, quite frankly, unfair to her, Emi seems to just accept things as they are. Sometimes it's with a smile, sometimes not. And that's perfectly fine. Emi's the greatest 9-year-old and I love her!
   

Mirror, Mirror?

You know how kids mimic so many things grown-ups say? (And sometimes when they repeat what we've said, we don't feel so grown up....) Anyway, when I listen to my girls play, it's interesting to hear how they repeat things I say. Sometimes the context is different than mine. Other times, it's right on. I feel like I'm catching a glimpse of myself, at least of how they see me. Sometimes it's flattering. Sometimes, not.

It tickles me that when I hear Emi's Barbies being disciplined, there's an obvious (usually) undercurrent of love. She faithfully rotates her stuffed animals, so that they can all spend time with her (in the car, on her bed, sitting at the table....) And every time Annie says good-bye to our neighbor, a 10-year-old boy who walks home from the bus stop with the girls, she calls, "Bye Christian. I love you!" And she means it.

1. I can't believe how blessed I am and I am incredibly grateful to have kids who show so much love. So freely.
2. I am thankful that I know love is given freely and I'm glad I also know it's worth the hard work it sometimes requires to deepen and strengthen that love.
3. I am so thankful my family loves me. Freely.
   

Etymology - for Emi and Other Brilliant Minds

I love words. English words. Japanese words. Chinese words. Throw in a little Spanish, French and German. And Sanskrit too - not that I know any Sanskrit. Latin, Greek and Hebrew have rich histories too. Words are fun.

I used to write down every new word I heard, but rarely do anymore. Either I'm not around smart people as much (seems like this change in association occurred about the time I transferred from KU to BYU) or the OCD meds are working. I learn towards the former.

But, I was reading in Romans tonight when I found the word 'impute' - one of those words I always got from context but couldn't have used correctly until now. Why do I get it now you may ask? Because I thought about it and came up with a few words with similar sounds:

Impute
Compute
Reputation
Putative

Then, I looked them all up. What did I find? They all share the Latin root putare, meaning to 'consider', 'think' or 'prune'. The pruning connotation puts an interesting angle on what it means think.

And I think that is fascinating and Emi probably will too.

Family Home Evening a.k.a. the Emi & Annie Show

We enjoy having Family Home Evening. Especially when Emi is in charge! That girl is full of enthusiasm, creativity and energy. And when Emi focuses those wonderful traits of hers on Family Home Evening, we know we are in for something spectacular. And maybe a little bit time-consuming, which is not a problem if we start FHE 3 hours before bedtime.... (She takes Evening quite literally. I think that when she heads of to college, a perfect calling for her in a student ward would be FHE chairperson. If history is any indication, there'd never be a dull Monday night, that's for sure.) Really, when Emi announces she has something planned for us, we wait eagerly with baited breath to see how the evening will unfold. And I guess that may explain how dinosaurs and the North Pole became a part of the the story of Noah and the Ark.

Emi's great with using visual aides. Especially when they are composed of toys, like the Little People Noah and the Ark set. Annie's attention was captured right off the bat, I tell you! I am going to give you the condensed version of the dialogue between the girls from last Monday evening in the hopes that you may get a taste of our fun family time.

Noah's Ark adapted from Genesis 6-9

Emi: "What did the animals float in?"

Annie: "A fish tank!" After some correction from Emi, Annie added that "Noah built the ark because he thought it would be fun for the animals to go and play."

Emi explained about 40 days and nights of rain and the boat floating for a long time, and then she asked Annie to tell us about what happened after the flood waters receded.

Annie: "The ark ended up at the North Pole! Then the animals got out and the dinosaurs ate them!"

Apparently, some of the animals escaped the dinosaurs' hungry jaws because Emi then explained that the "animals became the very first zoo there ever was."

I guess after the zoo was established and Noah and his family got their feet back on the ground (pun intended!) they were able to reminisce fondly about the whole experience. Emi must have been reading between the lines in the Old Testament because she told us that Noah and his family said, "This was the best trip ever! Especially going in a home-made boat!"

This is the night we've waited for;
Always a treat we have in store!
We love each other more and more;
Every Family Night!

“Family Night,” Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 195

We can't wait until tonight!