Mean Bird

We have a new visitor at our house. Todd thinks it's a Parakeet. We have this little bird house in our tree. It seems that every Spring we have little Sparrows that live inside.

This year, a loud, white, obnoxious bird showed up and took over the house. For several days, we noticed the twigs and leaves scattered on the ground beneath the bird house. This bird had taken all the existing "stuffing" and apparently kicked out the other birds. Jacob calls him "mean bird." I don't think it's because he saw what the bird did, I think it's because of the really loud squawk it makes, which seems to scare Jacob. (It actually is quite loud and annoying).....

This bird thinks he owns our tree. I don't see any other birds anymore. (Although that could just be an oversight on my part).....But still.....

We're wondering if the bird really belongs to someone and just escaped. We tried to feed it crackers....."Polly, want a cracker?" Apparently that's not its name. It wouldn't come. We even put our finger out.....

I think I agree with Jacob.....it's kind-of a mean bird!

Where in the house is BATMAN?

You know the phrase, "Where in the world is Waldo?" Well, we have our own "Waldo" of sorts going on at our house right now. Except it's a little lego Batman toy.

It all started a few weeks ago, when I went into my bathroom to find this little guy sitting on one of our towel rods....

I didn't think much about it at the time. But when a week went by, I asked Todd if he had noticed the toy. Yes, he had noticed. HE was the one who put it there. (Crazy husband).

Last Sunday it spurred a conversation among the family and since I'm sure I won't get credit for this in the future, I'm telling you all now that it was MY idea to hide the toy throughout our house for others to find. We all thought that would be soooo funny! And guess what? It has been hilarious!

Batman has been found in various locations around our home. On top of the shampoo bottle in the shower caddy.....

On top of our fireplace mantel in the living room.....

And several other places like in the fridge crisper drawer, in the downstairs bathroom, and just the other day, he even fell out of a stack of cups in our cupboard when I reached to get one.

It has been really fun. Each day the kids come home from school and ask, "Did anyone find Batman yet?" Hilarious!

My vision is that one day Batman will be forgotten about, but that in the future, we'll be cleaning out something and there he'll be......just waiting to be found. And it will put a smile on our faces as we remember those good ol' childhood days when we played the game.....

"Where in the house is Batman?"

Maybe I should see if I can find a "Robin" to join him...... :)

The gift!

We've been making some home improvements lately (which I'll blog about at a later date) and so I've been forced to clean out several boxes in our storage room to make room for other items. The other day I came across a gift that Todd gave me over 20 years ago. If I recall it was for Christmas the year before he left on his mission. Here is a picture of it......

Do you know what it is? Attached to the present was a typed-written poem, written by Todd himself. This is what it said.....


Ode to Melissa

I was wondering what for Christmas you wanted,
My efforts to find it were firm and undaunted.
I asked your mother, I asked your pop,
I searched and hunted through every shop.
And then I remembered the story that’s told.
Since she was born her hands have been cold.
I looked at gloves and electric mittens,
Sheep-wool lined and soft as kittens;
But then I found the right one for you—
The handy dandy mitten for two.
It’s a gift that shows how much I care,
And besides it’s one that I get to share.

Merry Christmas.

P.S. The warranty stipulates that it only be worn by the giver and the givee.

Isn't that so cute? I think he found it at the BYU bookstore in 1987. I'd never seen anything like it then, and I haven't seen anything like it since. Even though we haven't used it for years, it still holds great memories for me.

This little poem came with the gift. It wasn't written by Todd. But it's cute too......

A Mitten Built For Two

Boy’s hand meets girl’s hand!
Send secret messages in finger code.
Make a friend laugh by giving
The love glove tickle.
Great for football games.

Here's the final product as it was given.

I think I'm going to keep it out and use it this winter for a few walks. Why not? Thanks, honey, for that sweet gift. I still love it!

Dallin turns 10!! Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Dallin's birthday. He had a good day. He had already picked out his present for this year.....a remote-controlled helicopter, so he knew what he was getting. We got it on the weekend and I wouldn't let him have it until his birthday. Although I DID let him open it and give it a little try the day we got it.....otherwise that would just be MEAN.....and I was already being an ogre to make him wait.

When we opened it, the instructions said: "Charge on the base for 20-30 minutes for a total of 5-6 minutes of play." Isn't that ridiculous? You basically get a few really good flights in before it starts "slowing" down. BUT the joy has still been present and I think Dallin actually loves it. He's also getting really good at flying it now too.

He brought vanilla zingers to school for his class. He was really excited about that. When he got home, he found a note and a little "surprise" on his bed from me. I made a roast and mashed potatoes and gravy for his birthday dinner, per his request and then we made scones for a fun activity.

My Mom came over after dinner and wished Dallin a super-duper, happy birthday and brought him a present. He showed off his new toy and she was very impressed, indeed! (Said all the right things at the appropriate times, which would make any 10-year old beem with joy).

Todd cancelled his bishopric meeting and then Dallin begged us to take him to Conoco for a treat. For some reason, this is the coveted activity of choice around her. I think it's because as my older children have grown, I've let them walk to the gas station near our home and it signifies great independence.....so now the little kids are begging to go. But of course, I won't let them go by themselves, so any chance they get, they ask us to take them.

So, we walked to the nearest Conoco and let each child pick out a treat. (Way more expensive than the regular grocery store, but I think it's worth the memory).....

And then it was over. I think he had a great day! Thanks for all those who made it special for him.....it really means a lot!

Happy Birthday Dallin! WE LOVE YOU!

Jacob's First Day of Kindergarten

Well, yesterday was Jacob's first day of Kindergarten. I survived!.......Oh, and he did too! I was actually a little more emotional today than yesterday. Go figure. But I guess it's time and no matter how much I try and deny it, my little baby is growing up......rats!

Way to go, Jacob!