Before church today...

We played in the fresh snow.

Safety Quiz

Periodically I test my kids to make sure they know the "important facts." On our way home from Wal-Mart today I quizzed Nathan.

SAFETY QUIZ

Me: What city do you live in?
Nathan: Earth

Me: What is my name?
Nathan: Tanya

Me: What is my last name?
Nathan: Momma

QUIZ RESULT: More teaching needed

A Pumpkin Disaster

It all started with a sign up sheet. You know, the kind that comes around in Relief Society and begs you to volunteer your name to make a dessert. The sheet specifically asked for a pumpkin dessert. Easy Peasy. I confidently signed my name.

A can of pumpkin showed up on my door step yesterday.

I had been imagining a perfectly formed pumpkin roll being a mouth watering success at the activity so I found a recipe on the internet. Dave went to work late today just to help me dump the roll from the pan to a floured towel. That part was a success, but it all went downhill from there.
The cake crumbled.
I made a phone call to my sister who told me to roll it slower and make sure the roll didn't cool at all.
Pumpkin Roll number two ended up in a the cake pile on my kitchen counter.
I searched for another recipe on the internet.No longer that interested in impressing anyone with my culinary skills, I chose pumpkin cheesecake bars.
At this point I've been at this dessert making thing for nearly four hours, so I just dumped all the ingredients in and stirred.I tried to sift the chunks of cream cheese out of the mixture but my efforts were futile.
As I mixed up dessert number four I contemplated a better plan.

I could have gone to the store and bought an extremely gourmet pumpkin dessert for the amount of money I spent in pumpkin, sugar and eggs. I could have just put it in one of my own baking dishes and no one would have been the wiser. Of course, that plan could have (PROBABLY WOULD HAVE) backfired and they would have expected something amazing from me in the future.

I'm better off presenting my humble pumpkin cheesecake bars or else faking sick and not showing up at all.
My Helper

My Life is a Storybook

"If You Give a Pig A Pancake" is a story that goes in circles. My kids really like it and ask to hear it often. I read it to them at bedtime this evening. My mind started wandering and I realized that my life goes in circles like this book...

If you give me a piece a paper in the morning, I'll decide to make a list of all the things I need to get done.
I'll look for a pen.
While I'm in the kitchen looking for a pen I'll notice the dishes didn't get done the night before.
I'll start washing the dishes.
Washing the dishes will remind me that I need to start a load of laundry.
On the way to the laundry room I'll glance at a clock.
When I see the clock, I'll realize that Emma is going to be late for school.
I'll turn on Emma's light and tell Emma it is time to wake up.
Turning on the light will make want to open all the blinds in the house.
I'll walk around the living room letting light into the room.
Walking around the living room will make me remember that Emma is still not downstairs.
I'll wake Emma up again.
While I'm in Emma's room I'll start to pick up some toys.
Picking up the toys will remind me that I need to make breakfast for the kids.
While I'm making breakfast I'll remember that the dishes need to be done.
I'll start to put dishes in the dish washer.
Doing the dishes will make me notice the pen on the counter.
When I see the pen I'll remember that I need to make a list.

And that's just the beginning of the circles.

I love this girl even when she doesn't wake up the first time.