happy birthdays...

Da na na na na na, you say it's your birthday!
Da na na na na na, it's my birthday too yeah!

Literally.

It's that time of year in my house.  It's insanity, but we survived.

Jacob is SEVEN...

Saren is THREE...

I am (gulp) THIRTY-SIX...

 and Eddie is now FIVE...

In all the birthday preparation this year I discovered pre-packaged fondant, which allows even a hack like myself, to make some pretty cute cakes.  This was a good thing as my kids were pretty specific about what kind of cake they had in mind.

Jacob wanted a Gryffindor Harry Potter cake.  I stole the idea from this lady.

Saren wanted a "Jack Sparrow" cake.  On a side note, I am hoping her obsession with grungy, disheveled, non-conformist men ends before her dating years.  Anyway, I managed to talk her into pirate cupcakes...and ended up with these.  She was happy.

And Saren is the type you don't want to disappoint...or you get this look.

Eddie, was inspired when he saw a cake my cute cousin Lindsey posted on Facebook.  He was not going to settle for anything but an equally cool,  Angry Birds cake.  I'm not sure if I achieved one as professional as Lindsey's, but this is what I came up with. 

I kept having to make more birds, because Eddie wanted "the bomb one" and "the little blue one".  I had to explain to him I am not a Pixar animator, because he also wanted a score board to show him his points and one bird that could fly over the cake and drop an egg.  Despite not having those elements, Eddie loved it!  He even said, "This is awesome Mom!  You're the best!".  Mom SCORE!  

The other birthday surprise was that we had lots of family show up to party.  We rarely get a lot of company, so that was a lot of fun.  The kids loved seeing their cousins and I loved the company.

By the way, in true Merril fashion, my Dad saw this last picture and said "Look!  It's Lynda, Saren and Tom Selleck!"  Pretty solid.  It's been a fun two weeks.  And now I can relax, kind of.  I already told Dave, no theme cakes for his 40th in May.

my literary year in review...

I read 47 books in 2011.  Mainly thanks to my thoughtful husband who gave me a kindle for Christmas one year ago.  I love me some kindle.  It is amazing.  I love being able to take EVERYTHING I am reading everywhere.  I love being able to download a new book, when I'm in the mood for a certain kind of read, immediately and having access to a bazillion choices.  It is so fun.  As gratifying as reading is, you can never really quench your book thirst because there is an endless supply of more...and the kindle just makes that beautiful fact about literature all the more apparent.

One thing I have learned by using a kindle for reading is to not judge a book by it's cover...because I actually never see it's cover.  It was a humiliating occasion when I come across a book I read via my kindle and found out the cover looked like this.

 

THE HORROR!  I am a snob.  I'm sure this isn't news to most of you.  I would NEVER read this book!  But I did, because I liked the books description, it was free to download, fairly well reviewed and it was classified as a "Historical Fiction".  But, mostly, I read it because I never saw this awful cover.  Notice the tiny stone building in the background...it's HISTORY people!

Although I can't say I loved it... (insert shameful pause)... "A Knight's Enchantment" was actually an enjoyable read with characters I liked and a goodish story line that wrapped up nicely.  After a nerdy book like this, my snotty nature makes me seek after something gritty and intellectual and completely disturbing...which is why I read "Midnight Cowboy" by James Leo Herlihy.  It was definitely a palette cleanser.

Anyway, after 47 books (and 5 still in my current reads folder)...these are my favorite from 2011, in no particular order.

Diary of the Displaced by Glynn James.  This book was amazing.  It was fast paced and surprising and just the right amount of confusing at times.  I loved the main character, I loved the ending.  I want to see the movie...someone make one.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  This is an actual historical fiction that gives you a glimpse of the lives of Japanese Americans during World War II.  This story was BEAUTIFUL and tragic but satisfying because of the characters resilience and humanity.  I think about this book all the time.  I loved the dialogue - bare with an underlying complexity.  Don't I sound smart now?

In this Hospitable Land by Brock Lynmar, Jr..  Another historical fiction about wealthy Jews who fled into France during World War II.  This book made you think and feel without trying too hard.  Lynmar's writing is never preachy, it never pushes you toward a certain conclusion.  He just tells a story, about people who lived through extraordinary circumstances during an extraordinary time.  Lovely.

A Cruel Harvest by Paul Reid.  A love story that I loved but you cannot read this if you are one of my nieces.

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.  I admit I had to take a break from this book about halfway through.  It was a little stressful, and long and has at least 100 characters to keep straight.  Although, for me, the ending brought everything together and compelled me to read the next book in this series.  Besides, I need something to talk about with my nerdy brother and brother-in-law.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  The movie was well done and I really enjoyed it but please don't just see the movie.  This is a great read, you will laugh and cry.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.  I will never forget this book!  This is a true story about a young soldier who survived World War II against all odds that will amaze and inspire you.  Side note, why do I read so many books about World War II?  The only way I can tolerate reading about the horror and atrocities of war is to be equally amazed by the relentless pursuit of life by people who have had everything taken from them.  This story makes you cheer for the human spirit and makes you feel you have the capacity to endure anything.

There they are...my favorites.  What were yours?

goblin valley....

We have a new Halloween tradition.  Goblin Valley.  What better spot for a day trip before the spooky holiday to enjoy the last little bit of nice weather and hiking for the year?  This was my first time there and it was amazing.  Next year, we will have to camp and stay a little longer.

The kids went bananas.  They can run and climb and dig and jump and hide all day and never run out of new things to see. They loved it.

It was a beautiful day!

Here is a picture of me and Gene Simmons at Observation Point.

After a picnic lunch amongst the goblins, we on a little hike through Carmel Canyon that the kids loved.  It gives you a good view of the "Three Hoodoos" formation and ends with a miniature slot canyon.

 We ended the day in Green River where we picked out pumpkins for Halloween, stopped by the museum and I made a few awesome buys at the thrift store.   Of course, we stopped for burgers at Ray's Tavern.  You have to eat at Ray's...they have been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, I think.  And even if Guy Fieri hasn't been to Ray's to spazz over their cheeseburgers and fries, I still love the place.  To cap off all the fun, Jacob opened the bathroom door for a stranger who wanted in while I was literally hovering and peeing for the entire Ray's dining area to see.  It's been a while since I've been so devastatingly embarrassed.  Good times.

Anyway, Goblin Valley is amazing and beautiful and it's a good, deserty place to go if you need a break from all the beautiful colored fall foliage along the Wasatch Front.

she is growing up...

 Baby Saren is growing up.  It's such a cliche, but my little girl growing up is amazing and fun and heartbreaking and tragic all at the same time.

She used to be so tiny, with (it's hard to believe) just a little bit of beautiful black hair.

This week Saren had her first REAL haircut so we could brush through her beautiful  hair with a few less tears.

 She used to look up at me with those wide baby eyes full of wonder...

Now, she stares me down menacingly over the barrel of her shotgun.  This may be my favorite picture EVER.

 We used to need duct tape to keep Saren's diapers on  her little body...

Now, we are done using duct tape, and Saren is done with diapers.

I love my little, sweet daughter.  If anyone knows how to stop time or even slow it down, let me know.

the tiny, imaginary, dental being paid us a visit...

Jacob lost his first tooth!  It hung on by a thread for days before a bread stick finally finished the job.  Jacob was so excited.  I didn't want to yank it out myself, because I remember my Dad PROMISING that he just wanted to feel how loose MY tooth was and that he wasn't going to pull.  But he did...and it hurt and my tooth still didn't come out.  I've always remembered that.  After that I couldn't trust Dad to wiggle my loose teeth ever again.  So Jacob was on his own, as far as I was concerned.

Here he is right after it came out.  He is so proud!  I love that I can still see the breadcrumbs on his face!

After home work and just before bed, Jacob went upstairs to play.  He set his tooth down for five seconds and, of course, Saren found it and threw it down the stairs.  I heard Jacob scream, "No!  My tooth!" but I assured him we would find it on the stairs and not to worry.  After twenty minutes I started to worry.  After an hour, I gave up!  We decided Jacob would have to write the tooth fairy a letter.  Jacob was a little bummed, and I overheard him telling his sister, "You're the meanest girl in my life!".   Here is what Jacob came up with.  The envelope instructions are the best part.

And the letter, concise and to the point..













The tooth fairy came and all was forgiven.

Our Jacob is so handsome and such a sweetheart.  He is a good boy and I love this kid like crazy.  It's hard to believe he is growing up so fast.  I'm going to miss those beautiful, tiny teeth but at least I'll always have his grin.

math

This four year old....

plus this...














plus Mom in the shower (sorry no picture)...

equals THIS!

As well as a lot of pain and a little wad of hair stuck in the drill.  Eddie was upset that he got caught.  I was a little sad for the reminder that it really isn't safe to shower anytime the kids are awake and Grandma lamented "He could have drilled a hole in his head!".  That's probably a stretch but it was still a scare.  His hair is already growing back, we dodged a bullet!

the dentist

I just want to preface this post by saying I am NOT a junkie.  Dave read this and was a little worried I seemed a little crazy.  This post is just an attempt to give my dentist friends an idea of what it is like from the other side of the dissecting forceps.

 I can smell the mask.  It reminds me of rubber cement.  I must look ridiculous but soon I won't care about that.  Here it comes, in a few minutes I will no longer be here.  I can't wait....Should I breathe deeper?  Bring it on...Ok, gross I feel sick.  I know that will go away.  I hope I just fall asleep.  Argh, the dentist.  Why do I ever eat candy?  Goodbye yellow light.  Good bye cowboy wallpaper border.  I'm closing my eyes now.

Background music softly playing...
Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash...you tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don't understand is...


Dentist - "How do you feel about a rubber dam?"
Me - "Love em...".  The less firmly planted in reality I can be, and the less I have to concentrate on bothersome tasks like caring where my tongue is and not tasting stuff, the better.
Dentist - "How about a mouth prop?"
Me - "Yes please, I will probably fall asleep".  I explain this because I don't want the good doctor to take my general apathy to his conversation as over sedation, I am going to happily ease myself into a nitrous oxide induced nap.  Why?  I'm sitting down for more than five minutes, and I don't want to be around to hear what is going on in my mouth.  For me, that means sleep.  But don't turn down the gas because I am tired.  That just means it's working.

I saw the sign!  And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign.  Life is demanding, without understanding.  I saw the sign!  And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign.  No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong.   But where do you belong?

Dentist...Blah blah blah "...Frightmares..."
Overly excited dental assistant - "I'm going this year!"
Dentist...Blah blah blah"...an old Vincent Price movie"
Teenage dental assistant "Who is that?"
Dentist..."Are you old enough to remember Vincent Price, Melissa?"
Me "ehhhhsssshhh" while nodding.  No more questions please.  I am checking out.  If I close my eyes tighter will he know to stop talking to me?  I hope he doesn't have to use the slow drill.  That vibration makes me crazy...


Uptown, girl...You know I can't afford to buy her pearls, but maybe someday when my ship comes in, She'll understand the kind of guy I've been...and then I'll win.


Ignorant dental technician - "What IS the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek?"
Nerdy dentist - "Ha ha ha ha...That is a loaded question...blah blah blah...character development...blah blah blee... moral dilemna...blah blah blah...good verses evil...blah blah blah...the force....blah blah blah...really makes you think!".

Ain't Nobody gonna break a my stride...Nobody gonna slow me down.  Oh no!  I got to keep on moving!


Dentist, "Melissa, we are putting you on oxygen now.  We're all done!".
Me, calmly "Awww Kay" but inside screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Anything but oxygen!   I'll stay in this chair all day!  It was just getting good"!  If I breath deep I can get the last few drops of good stuff out of the tubing!  Nope, that's just waking me up.  Hello yellow light, hello cowboy wallpaper border.  Hello giant headache.

Now my favorite part, trying to stop at the reception desk without crashing into it.  Should I be driving yet?  I "smile", if you can call it that, while the receptionist makes small talk and I pay my bill.  Where is my Chapstick?  I would murder someone for some Burt's Bees right about now.  The receptionist asks if I would like to schedule my next check up now, but that's the last thing I want to think about so I tell her I'll call later.  I can't wait to get home for Dave to make fun me, for some Ibuprofen and some dinner through a straw.  Next time I get a babysitter I better be doing something fun.