This isn't the post I was wanting to write about Amy, but I wanted everyone to be aware of a new health issue for her. After a skin prick test, she showed definitely positive for a tree nut allergy, especially almonds. This doesn't mean that she'll have a serious reaction every time she's exposed, but it is possible. She is also allergic to cats & dogs. (Sorry, Scot & James--this means no pets for a while.)
So we'll have to watch out for nuts and read more labels. Peanuts & peanut butter are fine, but she shouldn't have peanuts that have been processed with other types--no picking peanuts out of a mixed nut jar.
Mostly we'll take a preventative approach, but we do have an epi-pen and an inhaler just in case she has a serious reaction. Hopefully we'll never have to use them!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Trunk or Treat
We had fun at the ward's Trunk or Treat party last night. We (I say we because it was a group effort to find everything) came as a elephant, candy corn, cheerleader, pirate, and spy. (Thank you Grandma Nielson for years of recyclable costumes!) The kids had fun playing games in the cultural hall. They packed in a full house! 
While I helped the kids play, Brian set up our trunk for the treating. I didn't get a picture, but it turned out pretty good. We took our theme from Charlie Brown and invited the Great Pumpkin to visit our small pumpkin patch. Brian had the movie playing on his small projector screen. A red doghouse (that Maggie and I made that afternoon) with the flying baron Snoopy atop was on the ground. And the pumpkin patch was made from small pumpkins each of the kids decorated. I couldn't believe we barely had enough candy. It makes me nervous for having enough for the real night. We are used to only having 4-5 kids show up. Of course, we never complain having left over candy.
Amy showing her decorated pumpkin for the pumpkin patch.
Official First Word
While Paul has been able to babble "mamama" or "dadada," and respond with a grunt which sounds similar to "ya," he never says anything on command. But today eating his dinner (while we were going crazy getting ready for the Trunk or Treat party) he sayed in his politest voice, "please may I have another bite so I can slurp some more spaghetti?" OK, so really what he said was "gee"--meaning please--but I know what he was really trying to say.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Primary Program 2008
This past Sunday our primary gave their annual Sacrament Meeting Presentation. What a privilege it has been to be the primary pianist here in our new ward. I love listening to the lessons and inspired songs each Sunday. It is amazing what our young children know about the Gospel.
The kids all did great, of course. I made minimal mistakes (phew!). Scot was a part of the group that began the program with "I am a Child of God" on wind chimes. Two other highlights were Maggie's singing and the final song. She has a great gift for lyrics. Sometimes she'll only hear a song only once or twice and she'll be able to sing the whole thing. Amy is the same way; I'm amazed at all the songs they both know (including verses and verses of "Follow the Prophet"). For the program Maggie worked really hard on singing her best (translated: her loudest). She wanted her daddy to hear her, all the way in the back. Brian says she succeeded.
The final song was "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus". The primary sang the 1st verse, and the congregation joined on the 2nd. It was overwhelming to hear everyone singing such a beautiful, simple song about following Jesus. I had to remind myself to keep playing. Now I have a whole year to practice playing without crying.
The kids all did great, of course. I made minimal mistakes (phew!). Scot was a part of the group that began the program with "I am a Child of God" on wind chimes. Two other highlights were Maggie's singing and the final song. She has a great gift for lyrics. Sometimes she'll only hear a song only once or twice and she'll be able to sing the whole thing. Amy is the same way; I'm amazed at all the songs they both know (including verses and verses of "Follow the Prophet"). For the program Maggie worked really hard on singing her best (translated: her loudest). She wanted her daddy to hear her, all the way in the back. Brian says she succeeded.
The final song was "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus". The primary sang the 1st verse, and the congregation joined on the 2nd. It was overwhelming to hear everyone singing such a beautiful, simple song about following Jesus. I had to remind myself to keep playing. Now I have a whole year to practice playing without crying.
Stats
I thought you might find the following stats interesting from the check-ups yesterday.
Amy: 2'11" and 28 lbs.
Paul: 2' 7" and 25 lbs. 10 oz.
Isn't it interesting that even with a whole 2.5 pound advantage, Amy still needs help getting her toys away from Paul?
By the way, Paul has now lost his roaming privileges in the house. He may not go into any room unattended.
Amy: 2'11" and 28 lbs.
Paul: 2' 7" and 25 lbs. 10 oz.
Isn't it interesting that even with a whole 2.5 pound advantage, Amy still needs help getting her toys away from Paul?
By the way, Paul has now lost his roaming privileges in the house. He may not go into any room unattended.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Scot's First Band Performance
James and I attended Scot's first band performance, FHIMA's Meet the Teacher Night @ the high school. The band teacher explained how the kids learn to play their different instruments and, then they performed a few songs. Some of you might have asked, "where are the earplugs?" but, as a mother of young (often wailing) children, I found the cacophony of the budding instrumentalists rather soothing. I can honestly keep encouraging Scot to continue practicing, although I rarely have to do more than remind him. He really enjoys it and using SmartMusic on the computer helps keep it fun.
Brian stayed home with the girls & Paul so they could get to bed early. Both Amy and Paul got shots today at their check-ups. Amy cried way more than Paul did--until she remembered about getting stickers. Even though I just wanted to hug and comfort her, I couldn't help laugh at her stilt-like walk to the car. She found that not bending her knees helped her thighs not hurt as much. Also, Paul may be banned from any future outings until he learns some self-control. (I would take any level of self-control, especially the not-flinging-yourself-in-and-out-of-the stroller-willy-nilly type or the pull-every-book-off-the-shelf-then-throw-it-at-you equivalent.)
Post Script: James' hightlight of the night was watching the pencil that was stuck in the ceiling tiles directly over Scot's head and hoping it would fall. ("You mean high schoolers would actually throw pencils at the ceiling??") 
If you look really close you can see the pencil. Sorry about the poor photography :( I know how important it is to get good pictures of ceiling pencils...oh, and your own children, of course.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Following Up
I know I said the next few posts would be about Amy, but so much has happened this last week there may be a small flood of posts all about various events.
I did send Amy's hair today to Locks of Love. Everyone really likes her short cut, and she adores the attention. The only thing she misses so far is flipping her hair over so I can button her dresses. She does it anyway, and then realizing she doesn't have any hair to flip she bursts into giggles.
The girls and Paul helped pick out pumpkins today that we'll carve and decorate for Family Home Evening tonight. Paul helped get the insides of his pumpkin all mushy by dropping it repeatedly from the shopping cart.
Our neighborhood has the Halloween spirit. There are lots of fun decorations surrounding us, and the Phantom Ghost has been leaving treats mysteriously on front steps. So far we've been unsuccessful at catching the ghosts in the act, but they are usually not too bashful to share who they've visited with the school bus the next morning.
The scariest thing about our house is the dead plant beds in the front yard. That should be remedied soon (isn't the snow supposed to cover up that sort of stuff??). I'd be pulling the plants up today, except we're getting rain. I'm counting on the pumpkins to help with our fall decor.
And finally, Scot reminds you to trick or treat and smell his feet.
I did send Amy's hair today to Locks of Love. Everyone really likes her short cut, and she adores the attention. The only thing she misses so far is flipping her hair over so I can button her dresses. She does it anyway, and then realizing she doesn't have any hair to flip she bursts into giggles.
The girls and Paul helped pick out pumpkins today that we'll carve and decorate for Family Home Evening tonight. Paul helped get the insides of his pumpkin all mushy by dropping it repeatedly from the shopping cart.
Our neighborhood has the Halloween spirit. There are lots of fun decorations surrounding us, and the Phantom Ghost has been leaving treats mysteriously on front steps. So far we've been unsuccessful at catching the ghosts in the act, but they are usually not too bashful to share who they've visited with the school bus the next morning.
The scariest thing about our house is the dead plant beds in the front yard. That should be remedied soon (isn't the snow supposed to cover up that sort of stuff??). I'd be pulling the plants up today, except we're getting rain. I'm counting on the pumpkins to help with our fall decor.
And finally, Scot reminds you to trick or treat and smell his feet.
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