Mmmmmm....

You know that famous phrase, "Dance like no one is watching?" I eat chocolate like no one is watching...and pretty much whenever no one is watching.

You know your child is different when....

This morning at about 4:00am I was awakened to the sound of my little 5-yr old Aria belting "Tomorrow" from ANNIE the musical. She was lying on the floor so her head could be closer to her CD player...which apparently was very important AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING!!! Well, what can I say? She's a Ferrin!

Happy Seventh Birthday, Skyler!!

On Friday, my Skyler turned seven! Can you believe it?! He used to be teeny and now he's such a big boy. He makes me so happy, I can hardly stand it. Skyler is so smart and funny and kind-hearted. Thank you, Heavenly Father for sending me such an amazing boy. I love you, Skyler!

Skylerism: big word

Listening to Beauty and the Beast cast album in the car, Skyler and Aria laughing at "Nobody spits like Gaston."

M: "Skip, do you know what 'expectorating' means?"

S: "No."

M: "Well, 'expectorating' is a big fancy word that means spitting!"

S: "Oh! Thank you, Mom! Thank you for teaching me that new big word! I love big words! Now, the big word-master is back in POWER!!!"

Ariaism: m&m

Aria, randomly, yet frankly over dinner:

A: "The inside of an m&m counts as dairy."

Family: "Huh?!"

A: "Milk chocolate."


That's my girl.

Xanderism: ketchup

X: "I want ketchup!"

D: "Xander, say 'please' about the ketchup."

X: "Please about the ketchup."

"What's...that....small pitter pat? One. Two! Two kitty cats."

I totally have two kitty cats. Not one month ago, I had NO kitty cats. Not unless you count the one in my dreams.

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.