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Emily-ism #6

Em: "For Natalie's birthday, I want to go coconut picking."

Daddy: "But, we'd have to go to Hawaii for that."

Em: "Yeah, I know."

Feeling My Age

Yesterday was a difficult day for me; a day I have been dreading all year. Yesterday, I turned 30. Sigh....

But, I suppose if one must turn 30, there's no better day to do it than on a birthday. I do love my birthdays, and even this otherwise odious occasion was made enjoyable with a family trip to the Calico Ranch apple orchards in Julian.

It was a beautiful day and a lovely drive (gratefully, given that we were stuck behind 2 different cars going, ironically enough, 30 mph the whole way up the 79 - sheesh).

This late in the season, the orchard was pretty well picked over, though we managed to find a few trees with apples on the lower branches. The tops of the trees, on the other hand, had a nice selection, and when even Aaron couldn't reach, we had to enlist a little help.

Obviously, some were more willing to oblige us than others.

In the evening, we celebrated with sticky toffee pudding.* I just hope it doesn't end up on my hips, since I'm sure my metabolism has already slowed dramtically given my old age. Oh, well. I can always diet tomorrow...apples anyone?

*I've never been one for traditional birthday cake, at least not since I was a kid. Recent years have included such celebratory confections as brownies, cheesecake, molten chocolate cake, apple crisp and sticky buns, among others. Mmmm...

Natalie Turns 1!

Already! That went fast.

Cake: Approved. Happy Birthday Nats! We love you!

First Day of School

Did I blink? Wasn't this kid just in diapers?

Today was Jared's first day of Kindergarten. He was practically bouncing off the walls this morning as we were getting ready. I haven't seen him this excited since the morning we went in to have Natalie. Or, maybe the time that Aaron bought Lego Batman for the Wii....Anyway, here are the photos:

And to cap off an exciting day, a little school bus cake for dessert (or, rather, "school jeep" cake....it's the thought that counts right?).

We're so proud of you, Jared!

Snap, Crackle, Puke

I've had the flu this week. I've tried a number of things to alleviate the symptoms: medications, herbal remedies, rest, plenty of fluids, etc. I see now, however, that I have been going about things all wrong. I should have been eating this:

After all, it has been "improved to include antioxidants and nutrients that [my] family needs to help [us] stay healthy."

And it's true! I read the ingredient list. They're in there all right. Right after the rice, sugar, cocoa, semisweet chocolate, partially hydrogenated veg. oil, salt, malt flavoring, calcium carbonate, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavoring.

Next time, I'm going straight for the Cocoa Krispies.

Buggy Eyed

Our camera is back from the shop. Hooray!

So. Yesterday, we took the kids up to Encinitas to visit the Insect and Garden Festival held at the Quail Botanical Gardens. For a family of wildlife lovers - including the creepy-crawlies - it was a fabulous day! Check it out:

Actually, before I get to the pictures I need to preface this by saying 1) I realized putting this together that I kind of dominate most of the photos - sorry (unless you can't get enough of me, in which case it's your lucky day) and 2) I realize that a number of my readers may find these images somewhat disturbing, so view at your own risk. Entomophobes: you have been warned.

OK. Now check it out:

The kids each got to plant their own little desert shrub to take home. Cute. They also enjoyed a variety of bug-themed crafts:

And of course, lots and lots of little critters:

Yes, that is a roach crawling on my hand - a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach to be exact. Living in an aquarium tank, on a strict diet of fruits and veggies, I have no problem with them. Running across my kitchen floors: ew, ew, EW!!

Don't you love how Jared's expression is exactly alike in these two photos? For a split second I thought I'd uploaded the same photo twice.

Spiders and scorpions are Jared's favorites. Emily likes lollipops.

The walking stick:

And giant millipede. I heard someone describe it as a hairbrush walking on your arm. Very accurate observation. Also, check out the Barn Owl and Red Tailed Hawk perched in the background.

Don't let her fool you. She was having the time of her life.

OK. I really love snakes. I'm a strange girl. I know. Didn't I warn you about this though? This is a Brazilian Rainbow Python, by the way. So cool.

And what would a festival be without food? In this case: meal worms, seasoned, or plain. I went with the Polish, though I was the only one of us brave enough to try. I think Natalie would have joined me had I given her the chance.

Instead, she (and the others) opted for fresh peaches in the picnic area.

Fun, fun day!

Stay Tuned, Folks

I'm alive and I will blog again someday. I promise. In my defense, our camera has been broken for weeks, and won't return from the shop until this week (hopefully). Sigh.

In the mean time, you may be interested to know that Jared has recently ranked the members of our family in order of intelligence:

Most intelligent: Jared

2nd: Daddy, because he can draw better than Mommy.

3rd: Mommy

4th: Definitely Emily

5th: Nats, because she is a baby.

Alas, I have not fared as well as I had hoped. Back to the drawing board, I guess (ha...ha...).

Dialogue

[Enter Jared and Emily. Emily is pushing her dolly in a stroller.]

J: Emmy, are you taking your baby to the tide pools?

E: No, to the hospital.

J: Is she going to get a TV test, or a shot?

E: No, she has a cavity.

J: Emmy, you don't take a baby to the hospital for a cavity, you go to the dentist. [Suddenly turning.] Mom, why do we call the place the dentist and the man the dentist?

E: [Handing the doll to Mommy]. Here Mom, the baby needs you.

The End

There's One In Every Family

It seems every family has at least one child prone to frequent injury. Emily is ours. Today she took the skin off her nose when she tripped and slid face first on the carpet. Ouch!

Here it is a couple days later:

Jaredism #9

Today Jared told me that when he grows up he wants to be a mean biologist. You know. Someone that studies sea life.

Emilyism #5

Apparently, Emily has become more conscious of her water sources lately. Yesterday, as we were about to take the sacrament water, she paused to ask, "Mom, is this purified?"

Jaredism #8

An excerpt from Aaron's journal yesterday: Last night we went to a game night at the church for the ward. They had lots of treats, including some St. Patrick's Day cupcakes that we brought home. I had saved two of them for Jared and Emily to enjoy after dinner tonight. Early this afternoon, however, all of the family took a nap except for Jared. Now Jared knew that he wasn't supposed to touch his cupcake, much less Emily's. And yet, when we awoke an hour or two later, we found the cupcakes had been tampered with. In a subsequent interrogation, he admitted he hoped putting the plastic shamrock back on the cupcakes would fool us into thinking they had not been touched.

Five Months Old

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Don't you wish everyone's thoughts were as easy to read as a child opening birthday presents?

Better Late Than Never

OK. I sat down today with the lofty goal of updating my blog with pictures from all major holidays/events for the past 3 1/2 months and realized.......it's not happening. You'll just have to trust that we have done some really fun stuff, that Natalie has been an utter joy, and that the adjustment to 3 kids, and accompanying new mini van hasn't been all THAT bad, even if does leave one without time/energy/hands free to blog. . . or write Christmas cards.

Don't worry though; it isn't a total loss. Instead of the full update, I give you our holiday highlights. So, however late, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and with a little luck, I'll be back to blogging with more regularity soon!

Also, Happy Birthday to Jared, who turned 5 on Christmas Day! I love this little man!

One more of the cake, because I'm so darn happy with how it turned out. To clarify for any non-gamers, it is Sonic the Hedgehog, Jared's favorite video game character.

Happy Holidays 2008!

Love,

The Clarks