Ties

Like most parents, we want our kids to look nice at church. A long time ago we got Morgan a couple of clip-on ties, but he has since succeeded in breaking both of them. Leslie managed to fix one, but he refuses to wear it. I think the clip is uncomfortable for him. Anyway, in an attempt to get him to wear a tie to church last week, I suggested that he wear a bowtie that I have. I have two, so Morgan could wear the pre-tied adjustable one (we can actually make it fit him) and I could wear the one that I have to tie myself. I thought that the prospect of looking like Dad would help him give in to the idea. I even let him borrow one of my belts (it goes around his waist twice, and I don't have that big of a waist). Well, he wasn't happy enough with that - he wanted to wear one of my normal ties (a blue one from the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake). I didn't really know how that would work out, but I finally told him he could wear my blue tie the next Sunday if he wore the bowtie that Sunday. That worked. He looked pretty good, as you can see for yourself.

Well, today Morgan remembered my promise that he could wear my blue tie (we had hung it up with his white shirt last Sunday). I was trying to figure out how to make this work without having him trip all over the tie and without having a knot that was bigger than his neck! This is what I came up with:


I don't think anyone at church even figured out that it wasn't a little boy's tie. Now, here is the secret behind it (Behold Super-Morgan):


I tied the tie with the small end as if it were the big end, and then stuffed the big end inside Morgan's shirt (it went almost all the way around his body inside his shirt). You can see what it looks like when it's not tucked in:


I made Morgan wear an undershirt so my tie wouldn't get too sticky/sweaty. However, he still had a problem when it came time to go to the bathroom. Part of the trouble was with the tie and part with the belt. Anyway, by the end of it my tie was wet. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I didn't ask. At least he looked nice at church. Next time we go to the University Mall, we'll definitely be stopping at the Tie One On store to pick up some real ties his size!

School

In just 12 hours Morgan will be off for his first day of school. I can't believe i am sending him to learn from a woman i have barely met with other children i do not know. I am excited for him but also scared for so many reasons. It seems strange to send him off everyday for a full day of school. That is what they have here in OK for Pre-K. Am i a bad mother for sending him? What could i have done to prepare him better? I just can't believe that my little Morgan is going to school tomorrow! Wish us all luck.

Happy Shining Moments

Yesterday was one of those little happy moments that may not come often but when they do they make everything worth it. The evening seemed just about picture perfect. After a visit to Morgan's new school to meet his teacher and check out the classroom, we had a visit from the the Back-to-School fairy. The kids were amazed when they opened the door and found no one there but presents for both of them. Emma was very happy with her handmade pink pillowcase and her very own box of crayons. We gave Morgan a bike. He was so excited. (No, we don't plan to go this big every year. We just wanted an excuse to finally give him one.) We were able to go out as a whole family and let the kids ride up and down our very safe street. We were riding for almost an hour and never saw any cars driving by. It was just so happy. Two little kids on little bikes with little red helmets riding through the cool twilight. Nate and i soaked in the joy of the moment as we walked hand in hand behind them. It had been raining all day but stopped just for us. The weather was cool and everything looked so amazingly green and beautiful. We ended the evening in a wonderful way too - with special school blessings from our wonderful father and husband.

I just cannot believe how blessed we are and cannot fathom that we in any way deserve it. It makes me think of the Primary song I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me (Whenever I hear the song of a bird...). Maybe, just possibly, our Heavenly parents feel the same way Nate and i felt with Morgan's bike. They are just waiting for any excuse to bless us and they feel joy when they do. I am so grateful for all i have been given.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Our Emma turns three today. It's not that long ago, it seems, that she looked like this (left). I don't know if she will be able to give up being two. Lately, if we tell someone that Emma is almost three she very emphatically tells us, "No, I'm TWO!" She has done a lot of growing up this past year.

We all love our little Emma. She is beautiful with her blond curly hair and big brown eyes and she is all girl. She loves to wear skirts and dresses ("big skirts") and be all dressed up. She is also all girl in her intense emotional swings. She can be either intensely happy (silly, screaming, giggling) or intensely sad (lying on the floor in utter despair because something is not quite right). The picture to the right is what we call her "rock star" picture. She almost looks like Hannah Montana (not Miley Cyrus, though, who is quite different from Hannah Montana).

Emma is very independent and loves doing things her own way. She visits "Princess Land" most days to go to "school", or have a picnic with the other "princesses", or just to see all the "pink animals" there. It must be quite a place she has built up in the world of her imagination. Luckily, Morgan is happy to go along with her to Princess Land any time.

Mostly, Emma is someone who brings a lot of fun and kindness to our family. She can often be seen giving hugs and kisses and telling us she loves us. Even when she has been crying hysterically about something she didn't like, she is quick to forgive and to to be happy again. We are so glad to have her. We love you, Emma!

The Bad News

From the Jane Austin Movie Emma:

Ms. Bates: "Now the bad news is, she has a cold."
Emma: "Oh, No!"
Ms. Bates: "Oh, Yes!" Mm. But, the good news far outweighs it. Far, far, far. For she is coming to visit!"

I keep thinking of these lines as it fairly accurately describes my life right now. I do have a cold. It has been rough on my already tired pregnant body and has brought back increased nausea. But the good news is we are coming to visit at the end of this month. We will be in Utah for just 5 days. I wish it was much longer but can hardly wait to be home in the mountain air with my family. We will spend a few days at a family reunion and then attend Nate's cousin's wedding and we are planning to attend our ward in Provo on Sunday. We can hardly wait. Hopefully we will get to see many of our dear family and friends.