Too Old

Jenna had a dance recital this past week. She REALLY enjoyed getting all "dolled" up for the dress rehearsal and performance. The girls were required to pull ALL their hair into a bun (bangs and all). They also had to wear a bit of makeup.

With her hair pulled back and make-up on, she looked...too grown up. The boys were a bit scared/alarmed when they saw her. Jason kept saying, "Jenna, you look freaky." We had a quick lesson about how to say nice things...even when you are in "shock." Jenna wasn't afraid to put the boys in their place when she declared, "Boys, I may look different, but I'm still beautiful." She felt beautiful and she wasn't going to let anyone convince her otherwise.

It was a lesson in being careful of what you say...even for me. I made the comment, "Wow, she doesn't even look like my child (with the makeup on)." So, on the performance night as we were about to start the "beautification process," Jenna mentioned that it was time for me to say "and she doesn't look my little child anymore."

Yes, there's a little pit in my stomach that is fearing the teenage years.

Scribbling: A serious issue

No one would claim the paper with the scribbling.

Jason declared, "It's Jenna's."

Jenna defiantly replied, "This is NOT mine. I DO NOT SCRIBBLE." Then, she proceeded to deck her brother.

Not one to usually react with physical malice (she prefers screaming...trust us, our ears know!), we knew one thing: Scribbling is a serious matter. Apparently, it's a sensitive issue. She ain't a scribbler. Don't mess with the girl and her art.

(Don't worry, Jason has no lasting marks. Jenna got the T.O. and a-talking-to. Another day...another chance to play referee for the Mom. That's what summers are all about, right?)

Funny Words

Three funny things:

1. Keeping Place: the "secret" drawer of the little bathroom stool where Jenna likes to keep her clothes that she likes. She often hides them in there at the end of the day, thinking that she can wear them the next day (and possibly the next day) and never put them in the dirty laundry.

2. Last month, the primary learned the song "How Firm a Foundation." Jenna couldn't stop singing it when she came home. She was doing all the actions that the chorister was doing, however, her words were a bit unique.

Jenna's words: How firm a foun-nation. We thanks from the Lord
Real words: How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord

We tried to fix the words. She didn't buy it. Oh well.

3. Jason told me that Susie* (a girl in his class whose name has been changed) broke up with him. I asked what that meant. He said he didn't know. I asked if she was his girlfriend to which he replied yes. I said, "Do you kiss a girlfriend?" He said, "No, gross. I'm not kissing until I'm married." Then I asked about Jane* (another girl in his class whose name has been changed), who Jason really enjoys being around. He talks about her alot and they have even swapped phone numbers. I asked if she was his girlfriend to which he replied "Yes, but she hasn't broken up with me yet."

So, he's either a womanizer or a kid who has taken to heart that a "girlfriend" is just a girl who is your friend. Later, we learned that Susie* in all her kindergartenness had planned on marrying Jason, but had found someone new...thus, why she had to "break-up." Don't worry, they are still friends.

Summer Rain

When you live in the land of "Rain," you understand the difference between winter rain and summer rain. I have to admit, I like summer rain. (Not so fond of winter rain...it's gray, blah, and overdone in the northwest.)

Summer rain on the other hand, swoops in to cool off the earth. It smells refreshing. It usually comes in downpour spurts and then leaves just as suddenly. I love when you have spots of sunshine with the rain.

Yesterday, Jenna dressed in rain gear to play in the puddles. She couldn't get enough and the rain didn't disappoint. At one point her galoshes had several inches of water in them (from the rain and the puddle splashes). She walked with a "squelch" and a "sclurch."

Just when I thought the street was flooded, the rain stopped, and within minutes the puddles were gone.

Sometimes you just have to Wonder...

You never know what you are going to find when you check on the Hancock kids before you go to sleep. Case in point:

Jason has adopted this pillowcase (previous known as a "snuglie" from Matt's toddler days). It makes a great cape and is very soft (perfect for snuggling with). It's great to throw around and play with. HOWEVER, Jason adapted it as his own personal...straight jacket??!!?? This is how we found him sleeping one night. All wrapped up in the "snuglie" pillowcase.This is how we found Matt sleeping the other night. Doesn't he look...comfy? He was COMPLETELY sound asleep. To his defense, he had allergies and it was probably easier to breathe propped up. We were surprised he wasn't sore the next morning...who knows how long he had been in that position when we found him.

The Bad, the Ugly, and then the Heavenly Choirs of Angels Sing

This. This is bad. You know this is bad if you know what this is. "This" means your carpet doesn't get vacuumed until you can find this part (intact, of course). When your vacuum is, um, well, "dated," you have to go to MANY stores to find this special little part.

This. This is worse. "This" stinks...literally and figuratively. This means fried motor smell that lingers in house for days. This means wringing out clothes by hand (on a load you knew was a bit "loaded," but you proceeded anyway...even though the washer had been making terribly strange noises).
This. This is ugly. This is what happens when said washer dies and a new one isn't available for a week or more. We lovingly called it, "The Tower of TERROR."

Hallelujah! Can't you hear the heavenly choirs singing? The new washer is so quiet...it shouldn't be hard to hear the choirs. The Tower of Terror was demolished with amazing speed as this washer is bigger and more efficient. (AND it uses less water, less energy, less laundry detergent!!)

With the vacuum and washer breaking in the same week, we realized...we're spoiled. We really like modern conveniences. We're grateful.

How Cool Is That?

So, yet again...blog has been placed on the To Do Pile. I've got much to blog about, but not the time needed. Getting tired of this excuse? So am I. Oh well, I've come to realize that's just what life is about these days.

I did want to blog about one of those "How Cool is That?" moments.

A couple of weeks ago, I got to sit in a Stake Training Meeting with my sister. This was the first time that our worlds had collided in such a way. Up until a few years ago, we were in different stakes. Then, we were both serving in different auxillaries. With my recent change in callings, we are both serving as RSC's of our respective wards. However, she's over Enrichment and I'm over Education. I tease that I got the "easier" E-word.

I'd had a similiar experience of sitting with family in leadership training in our previous stake as my sister-in-law and I were both YWP of our wards. I think that Heavenly Father just knows how helpful it is for me to gleam from others' knowledge/experience.

I'm grateful to have family so close by. We're spoiled. It truly is a treat to bump into family at Stake functions. How cool is that?!?