Whew!

So Lydia woke up at 5am screaming that she had peed in the bed, but it turned out to be a nightmare. I do not know what we did to instill such a fear of bed wetting in her, but it’s to the point where I feel sorry for the poor little thing. Since Abe is gone and I wanted a cuddle buddy anyway, I took the risk and brought Lydia into bed with me.  She did great! No accidents and lots of cuddles. Fun, fun for everyone (but only sleep for Lydia. Sigh.)

And then our day started. It went as follows:

  • Drive randomly around Salt Lake’s Marmalade district for long time because I could not make up my mind about whether to go to Misty’s house or take the girls shopping. This neighborhood is so pretty, and the roads are steep and twisty.  I got lost, took pictures of cute streets, and decided to head to Misty’s.
  • Awesome play date with Misty, Sophia and Max. We ended on this high point: Misty and I walked in on Sophia and Lydia, who had both shed their undies during a potty marathon and were playing in Sophia’s room stark naked from the waste down. Lydia threw a fit when I forced her to put her undies and skirt back on.
  • Against my better judgment, I took the girls to Old Navy without feeding them lunch first. It was already noon. It went surprisingly well, although if you had asked me in the moment, I would have told you otherwise. (Lydia ran around sporadically pulling things off the shelves and stuffing things into a Halloween bag. After hissing a million empty threats at her, I gave in and let her do whatever she wanted so I could try to concentrate. Yes, I am that mom who can not control her child. Sorry, world.)
  • Lunch and a truncated nap/quiet time. During her quiet time, Lydia climbed on top of a bunch of boxes and fell over. She was, understandably, traumatized. But her trauma woke Mary, and all was lost in the nap department.
  • So I packed the girls up and headed to the library. We checked out DVDs and books for the girls, and even some books for me. Who knows if I’ll get to read them; about six months ago I announced to anyone who cared to listen that I’d given up reading because it felt like an incompatible hobby with motherhood, but I just. can’t. do. that. I need a plane of mental engagement higher than my kitchen floor.
  • We headed over to Temple Square to work in some religious education. The only way I could convince Lydia to leave was to tell her that we needed to rescue our car from the Big, Baaaad, Parking Police. She eventually complied, but not before almost hurling herself into City Creek.
  • Dinner, baths, clean-up, reading, bed. Then the obligatory post-bedtime house clean-up. Now blog time and waste-time-on-internet time (and maybe reading time!!!!). Whenever there’s a day like today wherein the girls skipped naps, I do stupid things like stay up until 1am just because it’s quiet, I kind of love the quiet, and…I can. I hope I make smarter choices tonight.

So for the photos. There were a LOT today!!

Getting lost on Apricot Avenue. The picture does not begin to do the pleasure justice.
Getting lost on Apricot Avenue. The picture does not begin to do the pleasure justice.
I felt teary looking at these two thinking that I remember when they were so little that they had no idea how to even interact. They met when they were teeny, tiny babies...and now look at them!
Um. Cuteness.
Misty and Max. Can you handle the cuteness?
Misty and Max. Can you even handle them?
I, for one, can not. I am kind of in love with Max. Not only is he (see picture!!!!) absolutely adorable, but he is the sweetest thing. I hope Mary marries him someday.
I, for one, can not. I am kind of in love with Max. Not only is he (see picture!!!!) absolutely adorable, but he is the sweetest thing. I hope Mary marries him someday. Also, Misty made that hat.
Misty's inspiring Menu chalkboard. Or in other words, Ode to a Good Mom.
Misty’s inspiring Menu chalkboard. Or in other words, “Ode to a Good Mom.”
At the check-out in Old Navy, I turned around to see Lydia hugging and holding hands with the mannikins.
At the check-out in Old Navy, I turned around to see Lydia hugging and holding hands with the mannikins.
On the way back from the library. I parked far away because 1) it was free and 2) the weather was gorgeous, and I want to make the most of this beautiful blip before winter.
On the way back from the library. I parked far away because 1) it was free and 2) the weather was gorgeous, and I want to make the most of this beautiful blip before winter.
Lydia watching a temple bride. A great teaching moment.
Lydia watching a temple bride. A great teaching moment.
Applesauce break at the temple.
Applesauce break at the temple.
As I turned my back to ask some people to take this photo, Lydia ran for the fountain and almost dove in head first. We look so calm in the picture, though, don't we? HA!
As I turned my back to ask some people to take this photo, Lydia ran for the fountain and almost dove in head first. We look so calm in the picture, though, don’t we? HA!
We always talk about how Jesus loves the little children. I think the girls felt the Spirit here because they were very reverent during the presentation.
I hope the girls had a spiritual experience here.
The last moments of our outing. Aren't you scared Lydia is going to clamber OVER the rock and fall in? I was.
The last moments of our outing. Aren’t you scared Lydia is going to clamber OVER the rock and fall in? I was.