Ho hum here a little there a little

Tonight we re-enacted Samuel the Lamenite for FHE. Raymond was Samuel. He loved jumping off the wall. Ginny loved hoarding the beanbag (aka stones) and making piles.

I even got myself in gear and made a "treat" (lemon bars). It's maybe the third time in our whole married life I've made a treat for "family evening" (as Raymond calls it). It was a proud moment for the mama.

Between yesterday and today Ginny learned to say: Woody (we have a little Woody doll from Toy Story), Raymond (May-mon),  spider ("pider") and probably about ten other words I can't think of right now. I swear she already says some complete sentences ("where da dog do?" --Where (did) the dog go?). And she says things contextually correct 99% of the time. My favorite is "tan too" (Thank you) whenever she is given anything. She doesn't even need me to prompt her, she just says it).

Yesterday I said the prayer in Relief Society, and Ginny, right on cue, said "amen" at the end. The whole room smiled and cooed at her. She also (not as cute) screamed for "melk", applesauce, and "nanas" during the closing song and prayer in sacrament meeting. I need to bring more snacks to church, apparently. We are counting down until nursery (it will be an unbelievably long two and  half months of waiting).

With Raymond we have entered--with trepidation--into the realm of "games" on the "puter." He could hang out on sesemestreet.org as many hours of the day as I will let him. I just want to know: what did I do to deserve a child completely smitten with the wide world of media?  It seems quite unjust.

Excluding today (which we pretended was a normal Monday, not a holiday) we had an entire glorious weekend with Dad (aka Jeremy). No homework, no library runs, no law-school discussion even. I'm not going to lie, it was nice. Thank you Mr. President for creating a holiday weekend that allowed such a thing to be possible. We took drives, had date-night, enjoyed Dad's cooking, and watched movies just because. It was fun, laid back, and oh so needed.

And all-in-all, by-and-large we are happy and doing well. I still wish it were swimming weather here. But am coming to terms with snow instead. There are toys strewn everywhere always. But I've managed to read two books (and started another!) in the last week. And read a board books in between. So all is well.

What to do

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So yesterday, in our Bountiful Basket, I got three (yes THREE) things of celery. Two of which were in the fruit section?

Anyhow, I'm at a loss. I like some celery and peanut butter now and again. Celery in my chicken noodle soup. Even celery in my salad is just fine.

But what am I going to do with three (heads?) things of them? I really can't imagine.

Do you have any stellar celery recipes up your sleeve? Everything I've found via google pretty much made me want to gag (fried celery? No thank you. Likewise to the braised celery. Even celery soup does not look or sound good).

I swear I remember Hermana Zalaya--the Relief Society president in Catacamas--on my mission in Honduras, making a celery sandwich in which she blended the celery--leaves and all. And, much to my surprise, it was good. But I can find (so far) no such recipe online.

Excuse me while I go eat some ants on a log as my before bed snack.

Dear Spring,

Oh, I know, I know, I know that you are at least two (or three) months away, dear friend, but I want you to know you are eagerly being awaited at our house.

I miss you so. Your blossoms. Your sunshine. You wonderful, beautiful, warmer weather. Please come quickly. I might go crazy if you don't. We (the kids and I anyway) haven't left the house for more than Wal-Mart and church in over a week. We are--literally--bouncing off the walls. The couches. The beds. And it's been like this for weeks and weeks.

We just want to go outside, you know. A little trip to the park would be nice. A walk round the block without scarves and mittens. 

A decreased fear of getting yet another head cold would also be nice. We are on round three and a bit tired of coughing and sneezing. 

Pretty, pretty, please (with a cherry on top!) come soon. I promise to enjoy your beauty and bounty with my whole heart.

Your faithful friend,

Carly

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