Discovery Center and a surprise

I am kicking myself for not taking the girls to Red Butte Gardens today. The weather was gorgeous, today was the monthly free day, and our play group was meeting there to boot. But Lydia said she wanted to go to the children’s museum, so I made a split second decision and went there instead. However, the girls were in heaven with all of the toys and activities, and I always love to watch them have fun–especially when I am not the fun generator.

Lydia loved the water toys.

Lydia loved the water toys.
This had me chuckling. Three little crawlers trying so hard to crawl up the slide. Mary would make it three quarters of the way, give up and slide back down.
This had me chuckling. Three little crawlers trying so hard to crawl up the slide. Mary would make it three quarters of the way, give up and slide back down.
I eventually helped her out. She liked it, I think.
I eventually helped her out. She liked it, I think.
They also liked the toys.
They also liked the toys.

Afterward, we dashed into Old Navy because at the rate Lydia pees on her pants these days, we need more.

On the way home, both children fell asleep, and so I decided not to wake them up when we pulled in the drive. Instead, I rolled down the windows and practiced meditating. I kept getting distracted by 1) a dog barking 2) a bird rustling in the bush 3) wondering if I will ever be good at meditating. I will say that even though I was distracted, it felt nice to be electronics-free and attentive to my surroundings.

The bush with the bird in the middle. When you are trying to meditate, one little bird can make a lot of commotion! But I loved looking at these beautiful purple leaves, the blue sky, and the other foliage nearby.
The bush with the bird in the middle. When you are trying to meditate, one little bird can make a lot of commotion! But I loved looking at these beautiful purple leaves, the blue sky, and the other foliage nearby.

Then the girls woke up and ate lunch, after which I immediately put them both back to bed. Mary proceeded to sleep for the next three hours, while Lydia just played lively games of pretend in her room by herself. I spent most of the time on the phone with a local culinary school recruiter, and I finally cut her off because I had a strong suspicion Lydia had pooped in her little potty in the midst of playing pretend.

I was right! And not only that, but there was poop on the carpet too. However, Lydia had done a surprisingly good job cleaning herself off and putting new undies on. She had also donned a pair of Mary’s pajama shorts, only she had put both legs into one leg opening and the other pant leg flapped behind like a tail. She informed me that she was wearing a “tutu.” A great imagination at work.

I accidentally put Mary's pants on backwards after her nap. Lydia had put Mary's shorts on backwards, and so they were truly twinning: They're both wearing Mary's pink pants backwards!
I accidentally put Mary’s pants on backwards after her nap. Lydia had put Mary’s shorts on backwards, and so they were truly twinning: They’re both wearing Mary’s pink bottoms backwards!
And they still love the toys from the Richardsons. They are actually sharing, even though it looks like Lydia is stealing (as she usually is).
And they still love the toys from the Richardsons. They are actually sharing and taking turns, too! A rare occurrence in our household!

She then helped me make dinner, and the moment I stuck the dish in the oven, Mary woke up. I felt blessed by God because it would have been SO hard to make that chopping intensive dish with an awake Mary (which equals a one-handed Lily).

That strange mushroom is Lion's Mane. I got it from a local grower on Saturday, but I did not like the taste of it raw. It cooked up great, though.
That strange mushroom is Lion’s Mane. I got it from a local grower on Saturday, but I did not like the taste of it raw. It cooked up great, though.

After dinner and baths, we were just getting the girls ready for Family Home Evening when we heard the front screen door slam. It was kind of terrifying, and Abe ran down to see who was there. Who should it be but my dear friend Kristin–the one who gave me long distance magnetic therapy not long ago! She is a single mother with three young children, and she had just flown in from a long journey. Her luggage had been delayed until tomorrow morning, and so she was stranded here in Salt Lake (she lives in Manti).

I was sorry for her dilemma but incredibly excited because that means — we get to have a sleepover! The last sleepover I had with Kristin was when I was a senior in college. I remember roasting asparagus, eating chocolate from the co-op and talking for hours. This time we get to do it again, only it’s five children later. Can you believe how time flies?

After Kristin got settled in, I came upstairs to find her fiver-year-old daughter, Selah, reading books to Lydia. What a sweetheart. We cut The Giving Tree short, though, so Abe could put on a puppet show about prayer. Then it was scriptures, prayers, and bedtime.

Now it’s upload-picture time and then bedtime for me!

Oh–and I am on the Martha Stewart Blog!!!!!!