Cousins Cozy Up

We had the privilege of tending Max and Henry last week while their parents went to a movie. The boys are not used to other little people, so it took them a while to acknowledge one another. At nine and eighteen months they have a future of fun times ahead of them.

With Henry a little faster than Max, they toddled around discovering separately then together. One followed the other, then they switched. Both liked the fireplace and little ceramic houses set up along the hearth. One day these angels will be shooting hoops and having a grand time, along with their cousin Joshua. For now, we love to see them discover the world one day at a time.

In 2015 we will have one, two and three year old little boy cousins to cozy up to one another. Hurrah!

Zero is Twenty-five

For the Christmas of 1988 or 1989 Jory got a cuddly, soft brown stuffed bear, with a red bowtie. He was only $10. I thought he would help Jory sleep better and could be his pal. At three going on four years old or maybe a year older, age really mattered to Jory. He love the bear and packed him around a lot, or just let him sit on his bed, during the day when he ran to play. At night all was quiet as they slept together. Sometimes the bear would sit up to eat meals or ride in the wagon. One day Jory asked us how old his bear was. That was thoughtful question for a child. Knowing the bear was brand new for Christmas, we told Jory he was zero years old. That answer satisfied our little three year old. But now, the bear needed a name. Everyone gave suggestions from big sisters, to parents and so on. Jory couldn't decide what to call his bear. Because he couldn't pick a name for the bear, he chose to call him Zero. And Zero it has been for twenty-five years.

As Jory got older, Zero got less and less attention. In time, he was moved to the toy box. Zero didn't even complain. What a great sport he was. Later he went to the playroom to sit on the beds. For some reason when the time came to clean out the toy box, Zero was passed over. Many other stuffed animals, bears, monkeys and such that were cuter than Zero, went to new homes via the Deseret Industries. The big squishy bear stayed. Maybe it was because he had a name and was part of the family. Now the next generation has taken to sleeping with and packing Zero around. I guess we will let him stay as long as he is needed. One day little Max, Jory's own son, will ask, "How old is Zero?" We will say, "Real Old! Almost as old as your dad!"

A Prime Example

Jory has Amazon Prime. It has come in handy this year, when waiting too long before ordering gifts that possibly wouldn't arrive before Christmas. Using Prime gets them there in two, maybe three days. Thanks Jor, for letting us use it, too.

It has kept us out of the hot seat. We like it. Hopefully you will, too. Merry Christmas.

Both Jory and Sarah have been prime examples of how to do Christmas and stay sane. We are learning.

Museum of Natural Curiosity-MMMmm!

With the generous $100 from Allan, I accompanied the Stevenson clan to the Museum of Natural Curiosity during their visit. For four hours we were introduced to five areas that tickled our senses.

They were the Rainforest, Waterworks, Scientific feats, Kidopolis and Discovery Garden.

Everything was 'hands on'. Each person could touch, feel, experience, climb, jump and enjoy to their hearts content. The marquis sign has the words, 'Mine Craft', that Kade made, by using the letter squares. Some adults sitting on a bench down below, read it, chuckled and commented on it.

In Jungleland several rope bridges had to be crossed. Here Emma is afraid to step out onto it. Mom is telling her, 'It is the only way back.' Eventually she made it across and into the waiting plane. Noah had no problem climbing up and across the rope bridges. The boys really had fun on the elastic tree canopy. Three or four stories high one climbed onto the top one and gradually slipped from one section down to the next as the elastic cables stretched wide and they dropped through.

We spent an exciting day at the Museum and vowed to return again for another go at it. Because there is always curiosity enough to go around many times. Smiles took us home.

Never Too Old for The Trampoline

Breann really got into the action on the trampoline recently. You would think she was a teen again, with the high flying jumps and antics. I couldn't resist to click several photos and laughed hard at how comical she was.

It's not often we can relax and let our hair down enough to really enjoy the moment. Allan and Henry can be seen in the background returning from visiting the neighbor's dog. Which Henry loves and is now saying, 'Dog!' All the while, Breann was jumping wildly and loving it.

Our twenty nine year old trampoline has served us well. Breann was five years old when we got it for Christmas. Many hours of fun, friendships forged, stress released and games were enjoyed on it with siblings, friends and neighbors.

Awaiting the Alarm

Our building maintenance man said he needed to test the alarms. Our Safety Manager decided that it was a perfect time to have a 'Fire' drill, to see how well the employees responded. I was aware of the plan and had time to decide what to do to prepare. I made a list of items: Turn off the phone system, get my phone & purse, grab my coat, leave building. Gary said it would begin in five minutes, but it was much longer.

Oh, the anticipation, drove me crazy while sitting, as I imagined hearing the alarm ring. But it didn't go off! Waiting is annoying, but knowing and waiting causes anxiety. Now I know why the Lord, doesn't want us to know our death date. We would be worrying all our lives and forget to LIVE! I kept working and waiting and waiting...

Finally the shrill sounding alarm blew and methodically I did everything as planned. As the employees walked to the rear of the building, and met in our appointed groups, Miles, checked his items off. Mr. Safety deemed the drill a success. I forgot to take photos with my phone, so all these pictures are from the internet.

Exude an Attitude of Gratitude

It is a perfect time to review the blessings enjoyed this year. Let it bubble up out of your person like a giggle held in or a twinkle in the eye.

Push disappointment and discouragement to the back of your thoughts. Let gratefulness sit in the front seat. Invite Thanksgiving and Patience along for the ride, too. They don't care who you are, what you have or where you live. Quality time with them is the best of the best.

Buoyed on their shoulders, you will clearly exude your attitude of gratitude that will be contagious and everyone will want to have it, too!