Landscape Photography Class

I love community education.  Take a cheap class, have an excuse to get out of the house.  So my friend Wendy and I signed up together.  I didn't learn much and I realized landscape isn't my thing.  After the two classroom sessions we did two field sessions.  This is why I was there. When else would I say "Brian, I'm driving up into the mountains to take pictures, you've got the kids for a few hours."  Once we got there I realized I was more amazed by the beauty of the small things up close rather than the giant mountains. Thanks to the season it was a real adventure.

First was Little Cottonwood Canyon last week with snow up around my calves.

This past Saturday we went to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.  The water flowing under the ice below my feet was my favorite thing.  I loved finding clear patches of ice where the flowing water was visible. Luckily I didn't fall through.  Although the teacher thought it was a good idea to have us take a trail up close to the falls. It proved too difficult and on our way down a lady behind me fell and slipped, and if it wasn't for a couple of leafless bushes to grab onto she would've slipped down the steep mountain to the riverbed.  The last part of the trail proved too steep for all of us and we all just sad down rode the mountain down.

Guess Who's Teetering Around

I would be more sad about my baby growing up, but seeing a 2 ft. tall person walking around is too cute.  She started going more than a couple of steps a week ago.  I cheer for her every time.  I wonder how long she will be walking for before I stop.

Tracy Aviary

Winter is boring.  I figured this out the other day when I realized our only weekday excitement comes from going to visit Roxy. Most days its the only time we leave home.  And then my sister made me jealous.  We talked on the phone the other morning when it had snowed for hours and hours.  On the other end of the line she was at the playground with her two-year old in 70 degree weather.  I don't need 70, even 40 feels warm.  So I picked today to use up an about-to-expire groupon for the Tracy Aviary since temperatures are above freezing and the pollution advisory doesn't start unti tomorrow.

It wasn't crowded, so that was good.  And Esme loves to wear her mittens, and that helps. And most of the birds were out, which was surprising.  I really felt sorry for the flamingos.  Tropical birds surrounded by snow.  The peacocks were fun to watch, wandering around the grounds.  Esme got just as excited as she does seeing other animals.

although you can't tell here

The only one with enough sass to show his feathers was a teenager.  Not so impressive,
but he wasn't self conscious.

The best part was feeding some parrots.  I thought Eli would chicken out for sure, but he didn't.  

  

In fact, he took his job quite seriously.

Walking Is Not The Problem

For some reason people say you're in for trouble when your child starts walking.  Totally untrue.  When they start moving-rolling, crawling- that's when the trouble starts.  Walking does not cause any problems, if anything it's extra cute seeing such a little person teetering around. Esme took her first steps the day after Christmas but only walks with assistance, like this grocery cart.

The real danger arises from a newfound desire to climb.  She gets all kinds of places, especially when there's a step stool or big brother there to help. 

This was her idea, and that is the clothes dryer.

She loves electronics.  Access to the laptop got her to take her first steps.  Now she has mastered climbing up the chair to beat up on the mouse and keyboard.  She didn't climb up on the desk this time.

For now I can just keep chairs pushed in and the step stool put away, but soon she'll realize she can get them out to make more mischief. 

Perfect Pet

My visiting teachee recently got a puppy and needs someone to check in on her while she's at work.  Eli loves our midday visits to Roxie.  It must be enough for him because he doesn't ask for a dog.

We used to have a pet.  Remember Charlie?  I am sad to admit that I was relieved when the cat disappeared  just before Esme was born.  Eli was always beating up on the poor cat, I avoided petting him so his hair wouldn't get all over, and he was constantly making trouble.  I hope he just went to a nicer family and that nothing bad happened to him.

I've learned that we are not pet people.  I do not get woken up or clean up poop for an animal, only for humans, preferably babies.

So for 20 minutes a day Eli gets to pretend he has a dog.  All I do is unlock the door, he runs in and  lets her out to go potty, refills her food, and plays with her.  So responsible.  He loves her so much, talking in a sweet voice, saying things like "Bye Roxie-poo, see you tomorrow."  Pure fun.  No house-training or wimpers keeping us up all night. Definitely the perfect pet.

Esme's Quiet Book

I'm a week late, but happy with the result.  Little bit fun, little bit educational.

Decorate snowman, easter egg, and pumpkin with cutouts from pocket.
Looks like I need a carrot nose and coal eyes.  Expanded idea from here.

Cat and dog share a house, but not food. Thank you craft store for the cat/dog
cutouts.

Mini fishing game, super-strong magnets make it a little too easy.

Eyelets help the hands move and hopefully make it harder for them to get ripped off.

My favorite page.  Mama sits in a chair, 

reads baby a story, and puts her to bed.  Mama/baby copied from here.

Button flowers (I've still never sewn a button hole on the sewing machine).

Match shapes and snap on/off. 

Ideas Please

I have a new calling at church, and I'm pretty excited about it. I was new to the Enrichment Committee in Relief Society and a couple of weeks ago they called me as the leader. I'm looking forward to it  because I have tons of ideas -copied- that I think all the ladies will love. I already have the year planned, I think (haven't had a meeting where they explain my calling yet) there are 4 big activities and small monthly ones as well as special interest groups, like playgroups, walking groups, a book club, etc.

The first big activity (AND THERE WILL BE BABYSITTING AT EVERY ACTIVITY! even if I have to bribe the husbands with cookies) will be speed friend shipping, thanks for the idea Anna!  It will be perfect for our not-so-friendly ward that has lots of people moving in and out. Us old-timers will actually learn about the ladies we've said hello to in the halls for years, newbies will meet everyone, and shy people will have a reason to talk.

Apparently a summer social is a tradition and I'll have to figure out a super-Saturday craft day before a Christmas something.  Maybe going out and volunteering instead of sitting around listening to the Christmas story.

I would love to stress learning new things for the monthly get-togethers: canning, sewing, crochet, knitting, gardening, etc. There are lots of talented/older ladies that can teach and plenty of newly marrieds/young moms that would like to learn.

The main reason for this post is to ask for your ideas. If you've had any fun/educational activities, please let me know.