When future scientists learn to ride bikes:

Yesterday, I began teaching Skyler and Aria how to ride their bikes without training wheels. I began by teaching them how to fall properly (what? It's what they do in skiiing!), then we worked on simply maintaining balance in a stationary position on the bike.

Aria caught on quickly (she exhibits a strong aptitude for physical challenges), holding herself completely still while I only occasionally spotted her if she began to tip. Skyler struggled a bit more (he exhibits a strong aptitude for academic challenges...not so much physical), requiring more or less constant support. I anticipated that it would be more difficult for him, just as I anticipate school being more of a challenge for Aria.

I was, however, really impressed with his attitude as he was genuinely trying to figure it out using his personal strengths. He must have recalled one of our previous conversations about his body's sense of balance:

M:"Skyler, I'm SO proud of you! You're really trying and doing great!"

S:"I don't know, Mom. I think there must be a problem with the fluid in my middle ear."

I turned 29 and lived (so far) to tell about it!

I turned 29 today. I mostly feel the same. I'm only genuinely surprised that I don't look older than I do. I'm not saying I have skin like a seventeen year-old, I'm just saying that I thought that at twenty-nine, I'd look a lot uglier. But, I'm good, you know? I'm doin' pretty good! My skin's pretty good, my body's pretty good, my hair's pretty good (no greys!) and my mental health is pretty good. Plus, my life is way freaking better than just pretty good, so, you know...huge bonus there. So, yeah. Happy Birthday to me! I'm going to celebrate by eating whatever I want and, in the process, slightly damage my pretty good body. I only live once:)

Little known fact

Aria sleeps on her back with her mouth wide open.

My favorite deal of the week

Macey's has 2-pound containers of blueberries for $4.99! These get insanely expensive as the weather gets colder and we go through TONS of blueberries, so we'll be stocking up and freezing for muffins, pancakes, and yogurt-toppers. Blueberries are one of the healthiest berries out there, so shop away friends! This deal ends when the store closes Tuesday night.

Ariaism: sucks

Aria, having just been tucked in after a long day.

A: "Mama, I know who sucks."

M: "What?!"

A: "I know who sucks."

M: "I know who what?!"

A: "Sucks! I know who sucks."

M: "Sweetie, that's not a very nice word to say. It's not the worst word ever, but it's not a very pleasant word, so if we can find a different word to use, then that would be better. It's okay. You're not in trouble. Now, I want to know what you were thinking so, go ahead. Tell me who sucks."

A: "Satan. Satan sucks."

M: "Yes, sweetie, you are absolutely right. Satan DOES suck."

Xanderism: Sacrament

Shelby here.

Last Sunday I took the opportunity to teach Xander about why we partake of the Sacrament. I told him that it helps up remember how much Jesus loves us, and that when we take it, we are making a promise to Heavenly Father that we will do our best to be good boys.

Xander took his piece of bread, put it in his mouth, turned to me and said, "Needs butter."

My favorite deal of the week

Back by popular demand:

My favorite deal of the week is at Macey's. They are having a killer sale on cereal right now. Kellogg's cereal is 4/$5 (less if you have a coupon) and right there near the cereal they have coupons for milk: Buy any 2 boxes of Kellogg's cereal and get $2.00 off a gallon of milk. Well, milk was 3/$5.00. So they basically paid me to get milk. I spent $4.32 for four boxes of cereal and two gallons of milk. I freakin' rock...and so can you!! The deal only lasts one more day though, so go to Macey's ASAP!! ;)

Skylerism: sensible

M:"Skyler, do you know what I love about you? I love that you're so sensible"

S:"Yeah. Like my sense of taste. Sometimes if I see something far away that I want to taste, I can stay where I am, simply stick out my tongue like this and without damaging it or even getting it wet, I can taste it."

I shouldn't have been in the west wing

I found out this week that I've been cast as Belle in Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of Beauty and the Beast playing opposite my handsome husband Shelby as the Beast! I'm so excited! We start rehearsal in August and the Show opens in October. Now my life really is a fairytale!