Does anyone have a memory eraser?

A lot of people say children don't remember much, especially young children. I'm really hoping this is true. Today while I was talking to Mom on the phone Jo ran in and grabbed my hand, "Mama! Mama! We found dolls! Come on!" So I let her lead me down the hall to an open box in Maggie's room and a grinning Atticus. They had found their Christmas present: a box full of dolls and doll house furniture. This will be accompanied with an actual doll house as well... so they didn't see the whole thing. But I was still pretty bummed. They wanted to play with their found treasure, of course. And, of course, they couldn't. So I hung up with Mom and told them both that we had to put the dolls away. "Why can't we play?", Jo asked with tears forming.
"Because they're a present."
"For what?"
Sigh, "For Christmas."
Eye's perking up a bit, "For me?"
"Yes, Jo. For you."
So the secret is out. Here's where I'm hoping Jo's memory won't be so good. But I'm feeling slightly pessimistic. The other day when putting a sweater on Jo she started complaining, "I don't want to wear this jacket, Mama. It's scratchy. It's scratchy like the green jacket." There's only ever been one green "jacket." A wool sweater that Dad's grandma, Nana, made and we stole from Mom and Dad's house. Jo never really wore it because she always started whineing if we put it on her. She was about 18 months to 2 years old! And she's 3 1/2 now! Crazy. Then just barely, as I was putting our vacuum away, Jo runs past and says, "We don't have a green vacuum anymore." She kept running as my jaw dropped. We haven't had a green vacuum since our FIRST apartment. And we moved from that apartment when Jo was 2 months old. CREEPY. And here is my super-memory-girl wearing Maggie's 0-3 month old pants. Is it wrong that they fit perfectly like cute shorts?

She might be my favorite

We moved Maggie into a separate bedroom last night. And she slept NINE+ hours without stirring! Almost 8 weeks. 9 hours. I love this girl.

Sweet Sisters

Because I'm sick of Kristi's complaining

You wanted pictures of me. I'm usually the only one who takes pictures. So, upon your requests/complaining I took these lovely photos so you could see what I'm looking like these days.

Frightening. It's kind of a more homely... frumpy... bad breath sort of look.
This next one is my attempt to look like that guy who hates "all the orphans in the whole world" from Nacho Libre.

I don't think I pulled it off. Love how Jo's looking all admiringly at me. Jo shouldn't admire that. Bad Jo. Bad. Jo requested we take a "silly" picture next.

Kristi, I hope you learned your lesson.

What we did for FHE

We learned about scriptures. But then we had a special activity inspired by cousin Sophie.

Not pictured: Ryan and Amy also jumping off the couch.

Atticus's 2nd Birthday

I can't believe Atticus is TWO. He's getting so big. I love my Atticus. He is the greatest little snuggler. Most mornings he comes in and wakes me up by climbing into my bed and wrapping his arms tightly around my neck. Then we both fall back asleep for a little while. He also is so sweet with his new baby sister. Tic is asking me all day long to hold and kiss Maggie. We have to be careful with babies as Atticus doesn't know his own strength. But he only has good intentions! And every day when Ryan gets home Atticus drops whatever it is he is doing, yells "DADDY" and runs as fast as he can around the kitchen table to get to the front door. Everyone knows how strong and and athletic he is- we're not sure if he'll lean towards marshal arts, football, or sumo wrestling. We just know he'll always be dangerous for small animals and people. Tic's also very smart. He's learning to count. He loves to sing ABC's, Child O God, Round and Round (wheels on the bus), and tinkle tinkle little TAR. His favorite movie is CARS and his favorite toys are cars and rhars (dinosaurs, tigers, monsters, etc.). We're working with the Tic to not be a RHAR himself as he makes a lot of people cry- including me:)! Happy birthday Atticus!

Trying to get a good picture on his birthday:

Bingo!

We had a little party with cousins in the backyard.

Ryan and I made this cake. Ry was very creative making these little cars! And Tic loved them.

Thanks everyone for remembering this little guy! He loves you. Even if he RHARS right in your face and/or bites you.

Frugal Shopping

Yesterday I went to Smith's case lot sale and had a wonderful time! It's been my experience that when people are shopping for food in bulk they are very kind to others. Why is this? The other folks looking for cases were just so friendly and helpful. It's like a group effort to get each other a little food storage. "Have you seen the corn anywhere?" "I couldn't see the price for tuna. Do you know what it is?" "Is that your cart? I'm sorry! I just took your beans. Let me return them!" ETC. It's awesome. Sometimes when you hit the sales you get looks from other people. Like when I stock up on cereal. I've had several people tell me why that wasn't such a good idea. It would make me fat, I'd never go through it in time, who eats that much cereal? Ryan does:). He does. So not everyone feels it's a good idea to buy extra food. But the shoppers who do, have always been so nice to me. It makes the shopping trip pretty fun.

After getting home I was thinking about this. You don't always get that reaction from others when shopping frugally. Black Friday. I have only gone once or twice. But each time I saw people being terribly rude. It's like there's this totally selfish attitude to get the good deals before anyone else. One year I was holding a baby and was pushed like crazy as I walked through the entrance. No one cared if the infant got hurt. And every year we hear about people being trampled to death during those sales. Unbelievable.

So what's the difference? You'd think around Christmas time people would be more giving and helpful and kind. Maybe it's just the limited amounts of product. Case lot sale quantities don't seem as limited as Tickle Me Elmos in November. Or is it the materialism? Buying food versus buying toys? I don't know.