Fun Surprise

This morning the cat got out.  I ran out after her; she hid behind a bush.  I climbed down the rock retaining wall to try and get her, and instead was greeted by a small, beautiful surprise.  Growing between two rocks was this...

I don't know where it came from as I've never planted violas before, but it sure was a nice surprise.

Back to the Planetarium

Today Miles and I again went and visited one of his favorite places.  As in the past, we took FrontRunner and Trax.  Again, Miles was mesmerized by the balls contraption.  He happily spent nearly 2 hours looking at this thing from all different angles and levels.  It's so calming to him.

While I was watching Miles watch the balls, dozens and dozens of people came and went.  I was entertained by this one grandpa who was at the Planetarium with his grandsons.  Never before have I seen such an impressive growth of ear hair.  Seriously, this dude had a thick patch of ear hair filling the opening of his ear and a piece that stuck out at least 2 inches.

Miles did decide to leave that balls-on-the-track display for a couple of minutes to go to Mars.

He decided to be an astronaut as well.

After 2 hours, I needed to leave the planetarium.  At the Salt Lake Central station, there are sculptures of suitcases embedded in rocks all over the place.  Miles thought they were pretty awesome too.

A shortish train ride later, we were back in Orem, and then I pretty much put the cherry on top of Miles' day by letting him get 2 doughnuts.  Yep, I earned the "Mom of the Day" award (until he hit me and I took away all the iPod/iPad/iPhone privileges for the rest of today).

Oh right, Miles also got a yo-yo.  See, I was the best mom for a few hours today.

Psychological Testing

This blog is being written at Jonathan's request.  I wasn't going to write about this because I think it's insulting, but Jonathan proves to have the better attitude and thinks the episode is funny.

Jonathan has been flagged for some psychological pre-screening for his mission.  Lucky him.  On Wednesday I took him to the clinic to fill out a bunch of forms as a precursor to his appointment (which has not been set yet, and won't be for another bunch of days).  I had to fill out a bunch of forms about Jonathan from a parent's point of view.  The lady took us down some hallway and them separated us so we couldn't talk about the forms.  Yipee.  However, she didn't take away our phones.  I started in on the evaluation and immediately had to verify that this form is for adults.  Here are a sampling of the bazillion questions I had to answer.

What a complete and total waste of time.  I was a few minutes into filling out this form when I texted Jonathan, "This is stupid."  A few minutes later I get a text back from Jonathan with the first image attached and he said, "This is the level of idiocy I'm facing."  Yep, we had the same form to complete, one as a self evaluation, and one that reflected my opinion of Jonathan's ability to perform the tasks listed on the form.  Jonathan's favorite questions were "I know which shoe goes on which foot" and "I know where the bathroom in my house is" and "I know how to operate a microwave oven."  I cannot believe that this form is for adults ages "18-89."  What about the 90 year old?  I wonder what that form would be asking.  This form was more appropriate as an age appropriate evaluation for Miles.  Thanks for wasting my time.  Additionally Jonathan had to fill out a form with questions like "Is high jumping your favorite event to watch on TV" and "Is __________________ your poet?" and "I think a comedian is a good career for me."  These forms are now being scored and when the scores are available, Jonathan will be scheduled for a face-to-face session with someone who doesn't know my son and holds tons of power in determining what Jonathan will be doing for the next few years.  Needless to say, I am LIVID.

Again, I am only posting this because Jonathan asked me to put it on my blog.  He is able to find the humor in the forms.  If I haven't discussed this with you personally, then I ask that you respect my silence and refrain from talking about this amongst yourself or speculating.  I'm not really ready to discuss this and would appreciate your support at this time.

Jazz Festival, Junior High Style

Last week I was out running errands.  I got a call and noticed the number was one of Nolan's friends.  Odd because it was in the middle of the school day.  Well, I answered the phone and it was Nolan asking me if I could come and hear him play at the Jazz Festival.  Earlier he'd told me I couldn't come.  Evidently, he had a change of heart and invited me.  I hurried over to the festival and got to hear Nolan play a screaming solo on his trumpet during Chameleon.  He pretty much nailed his solo and the crowd showed their appreciation without having to be coaxed.

Nolan is the lead trumpet in the Oak Canyon Jazz Band.  He's the second trumpet in on the left.

Spring Preview

It's been unseasonably warm for the past few whiles.  Warm enough that instead of rain, we've had snow.  Warm enough to ditch the treadmill and go for a walk outside.  Warm enough that the daffodils are threatening to bloom early.  Warm enough that the other day there was a knock at the door and the boy next door asked if Miles could come out and play.  Miles was thrilled to go play so shoved shoes on him and sent him out.  A few minutes later I looked outside and saw Miles zooming up and down the sidewalk on a bike that wasn't his.

The cute next door neighbor girl evidently loaned Miles her bike!

Worst Easter Candy Ever?

Peeps are terrible.  I hate them.  I never thought there'd be a candy that could rival Peeps in nastiness.  I think there's a serious contender out there this year.  I wonder which M&Ms employee dreamed up this flavor.  Carrot Cake M&Ms.  For real.  That flavor sounds so vile that I'm not even willing to try one.

White Chocolate M&Ms with Carrot Cake flavoring.  Let's see... I hate white chocolate and I hate carrot cake.  Not a winning combination for me.  If anyone gets brave and tries these, let me know how that goes for you.

SpongeBob!

Thanks to social influences, Miles know who SpongeBob SquarePants is.  Fortunately, he knows nothing about SpongeBob and actually calls him "SpongeBob Vader."  Well, last week in DI, as is customary, I let Miles pick a "prize."  Look what has a place in our home. 

a 4 ft. tall inflatable SpongeBob birthday thing.  I must learn to tell that child "NO!!!!!"