Read It!

Obviously, I love to read, but it isn't often that I happen across a book that I think everyone should read.  Until last week. I firmly believe that every person can benefit from reading this book, but especially women and the people who love them. It is called The Dance of Anger: A Guide to Changing the Pattern of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner.

Despite the title being pretty awful, the book is great. I have struggled for some time to work through my feelings of seemingly unprovoked anger, but this book has led me to a breakthrough. Now I realize the reasons why I get angry and that it is my responsibility to change those patterns and to let go of things that are not in my control.

Read it. You won't regret it.

Leave of Absence

My oh my, it has been a while since I blogged. Nearly 3 months to be approximate. This long stretch of inactivity can be summed up thusly—I just haven't had anything interesting to say. In the past, when I've had more time on my hands, I didn't necessarily let that stop me (often leading to posts about President Monson playing air guitar in my dreams).

Anyway, what better way to dip my toe back into the blog waters than with a nice, cushy "trip up the canyon to see the fall leaves" post?

This is what we get when we ask our kids to pose casually with their arms around each other. So natural.

All the other photos with the kids posing together were even more awkward than the hugging one. So… how about a nice candid shot?

I wonder if these two are related? 

Not only did we get Violet those killer boots at the neighborhood yard sale yesterday, we scored Eddie this shirt for free. Speaking from experience, the trick is to wait until late enough in the morning when people have realized their crap isn't actually worth anything.

"Eddie, look at the camera. I am looking at the camera! Um, I'm pretty sure you aren't. I am! No you're not!" Ha! In your face, Eddie! I've got a dozen photos just like this to prove you weren't looking. (I'm all about winning arguments with four-year olds.)

First Day

Today was Eddie's first day of Pre-K. He is going to Aspen Preschool in Riverton three days a week. We loved his school last year, but since he was in the same class as some of his closest friends, he was a bit of a trouble-maker. So for this year, I decided we should expand his social circle and put him in a school where he didn't know anyone in advance.

There are 12 kids in his class, and from what I saw when I dropped him off, most of them are boys. Since most of his friends thus far have been girls, I am excited for him to become friends with a variety of boys.

I am particularly excited about this school year because not only will Eddie be reviewing all his letters, colors, and shapes, but he'll also be learning some sign language and some Spanish.

I could tell that Eddie was both nervous and excited about his first day. But he was brave when I walked him into school and asked if he was okay for me to leave. He said, "yep," gave me a kiss, and promptly went to find something to play with. Violet wasn't as okay with it. She wanted to stay at "schoo" with her brother.

After school got out, we celebrated by going to Noodles & Co for lunch. Eddie said that his favorite thing about his new school was playing on the playground. He was also happy to tell me that there is a boy in his class who is "funny just like me."