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Eating Homegrown Strawberries
Holding Mom
going to lagoon with dad, mom, and belle
Refusing to get off the Little Whale Ride
Listening to Stacy's Mom by Fountain of Wayne and Singing Twinkle Twinkle......Suzuki Method Style
swimming
learning yoga
wakeboarding with daddy
Growing those homegrown fruits and veggies
(What Liv? You think those strawberries just happen on their own????)
A Little Light Reading
What....you don't flip through the snake books and alligator magazines your Papa Prisbrey sends you in the mail? They certainly add to the literature at our home, and Isabelle is usually in charge of the reading material in all bathroom racks. That means anyone who is privy to use The Johnson's half bathroom will inevitably become more reptile versed.
A Typical Afternoon In Livyland
This is Liv-Liv "messing up" Isabelle's room, as she is typically accused of. Isabelle is responsible to keep her room clean and makes sure it is before she goes to school. But as soon as she hits the carpool, Liv hits the books, and the dolls, and the blankets, and the dishes, and....well, the room. I try to clean up the Livy tornado before the Belle force gets back home.
In Daddy's Office
One of the girls' favorite things to do is hang with Michael while he orders grafts and does his office paperwork. He has a chair just for them and even a TV so they can watch a little Sponge Bob while he talks on the phone. Guess who of these cute two runs the remote?
....yeah, that's what you call the proper ergonomics when running your remote. Point, angle, shoot.......
Now we're talking, Liv!
Immunizations---Livy Style
Today was immunization day for little Liv and as usual, she took it like the calm, cool kid she is turning out to be. She was perfectly content to hang out in her diaper, read her board book on the big girl chair, and chatter with me as she points out the various medical paraphernalia about the examination room. She’s had her fair share of shot-rounds these days. She wasn’t able to get immunized early on because of her illness and prematurity, so we are working to get her all caught up now. She knows the drill and becomes a bit apprehensive when the same nice, dark-headed nurse comes calling with the syringes. But leave it to Livy to calmly stop reading, put her book carefully down, walk over, and quietly climb into my arms to prepare for the inevitable.
After the shots and a few understandable tears, she points out the curious little snoopy dots for Band-Aids that the nice nurse put on her sore legs. Livy collects herself, reaches into the usual wicker basket and picks out her sucker with the looped stick……and then picks out one for me. And all the way to the car, she rests her head on my shoulder and pats my back as if to say, “It’s ok, mom, I know you're just doing your job."
Zion's Air
As most know, Utah's air quality has been the #1 lowest in the nation, and today on the news our air pollution was compared to that of Mexico City (which I took not to be a complement). So, I drove carpool to Isabelle's preschool this morning and it was a particularly cold, wet morning with the inversion like a thick dirty blanket hanging over our heads. Isabelle looks up and says, "Mommy, do you know what I smell? I think it smells like we are at the tide pools, at the beach......that's what I smell." And you know what? I closed my eyes and took a big deep breath as a myriad of Salt Lake briny sea smells, fog, and wet air permeated my nostrils. And I had to agree…she was spot on. It smelled and felt just like we were in the salty sea air of the Pacific Ocean at the Corona Del Mar tide pools....minus the beautiful sky. I’m not joking….the kid amazes me!
Memoirs of Math
So it’s been a typical week with the same math students coming over for regular tutoring. Today, one was working on geometry and having a difficult time remembering the names of various shapes. I was quizzing him on the prefixes so he could recall the names on his test the next day. I would say, "An 8-sided polygon is called a what?" And if he couldn't remember, I would ask him the name of an 8-legged animal he knew......he would say "octopus…..oh, yeah…an octagon” and then we would discuss that the prefix oct means 8. So we were doing this with prefixes 2-10 but he kept getting stuck on 4. Isabelle, as usual, was perched right next to him with her own homework but was actually quite enthralled with his. I began this way: “Ok, Jake, let’s go over the prefixes again. So a 2-sided angle would start with bi like a 2-wheeled bicycle, or a 2-legged biped, or to bifurcate something. A 3-sided polygon is a triangle like a 3-wheeled tricycle, or a 3-legged tripod. A 4-sided shape is a quadrilateral. Qua means 4-like there are 4 quarters in a dollar, and a 4-wheeler is called a quad, and animals that walk on 4 legs are called quadrupeds.” Just then Isabelle stuck her head right in the middle of our conversation and offered her own bit of wisdom to help Jake recall quadrilateral on his anticipated test…………
"Just think of Squidward, Jake. He's a quadruped."
After doing some web-based research, you know what I've come to realize? Technically, she's right (as usual)...........
When I Grow Up.....
So it's been one of those days at the Johnson house where Isabelle and her mom cannot seem to see eye to eye. It has been a constant verbal dance of Why? What For? When? Why Not? Who Says? Why? More Why's? Continual Why's????? Until finally, Isabelle looks at me very resolute and says, "Someday, mom, I am going to be old and guess what?......that means I will be in charge of me. That will be so fun, huh mom? That's going to be great. When I am big and in charge of me......oh, and then Grandma Nan will give me those dolls too." (A promise she will be made to keep).
Isabelle's Epiphany
So tonight, Isabelle and I were sitting on the couch reading a book and she suddenly looks out of our tallest window and points up at the full moon. Just as she was about to tell me to look, I see this really puzzled look on her face........"How can that be?" She asks me. "What, Isabelle?" I ask her. She still has this wrinkled brow as she asks me, "How can that be the earth.....when we are supposed to live on the earth?" I explain to her that what she is looking at, though it may be round and look similar to what our pictures of the earth look like, she was in fact currently on the earth and that was the moon in the sky. "Oh, good." She says and goes back to reading her book.
My Man and Girlies
With a family like this, how could life possibly get any better?
The Church Lady Apron (Janice and Grandma)
This pattern honors women everywhere who prepare and serve food in church basements and fellowship halls. Inspired by vintage days gone by, the apron embodies the style, functionality, and versatility of church cooking and preparation in the 1950's. It goes without saying that this apron is one that can stand the heat. It calls out, “It will be ready as soon as that grieving family makes their way into the cultural hall,” or “Of course I have jell-o in my food storage,” and “Yes, I am aware of the hungry scouts waiting for the food,” and “Who didn’t bring their potluck assignment this time?” “Who’s intimidated by a crowd of 300?” and “Obviously, I know how to make eggs benediction, and I plan on serving it with a marvelous work and wonder bread.” Women of the church shake hands in kitchens across America in their reversible, sturdy, corduroy aprons with endearing embellishments of rick rack and 2-tone handy pockets. The criss-cross back creates endless possibilities of expansion and retraction; perfect for the ever-changing needs of every woman in age or in child-bearing years. Sophistication and style is not what a church needs to stay strong. It requires consistency, endurance, stalwartness….strength, and women who possess these qualities (and at least one church lady apron). And one of the most poignant truths of any religious sect is simply that though it is the priesthood that may carry the congregation to eternity, it will be the hard working women who will get them there well-fed. So, to every single woman of the church who has spent her fair share of time in church kitchens with the rusty, outdated, missing or otherwise battered utensils and pans, we salute you. This apron deserves…..well, maybe reverence. Don it with pride as you say: "I'm not a wife anymore....I'm a sister."
The All-American Apron (Rachel)
(Photo will be added later..) This pattern honors women everywhere who prepare and serve food at soccer games, for starving kids, with friends and family at home or outdoors, and who know how to make plentiful portions. Inspired by the good-old USA, this apron embodies everything that comes all-American. From hot dogs to apple pies, the cook in this apron will know how to put her heart in her home and will have fun doing it! She’s the woman who can drive car pool while applying mascara, she can double buckle those kittens like the best of em’, and she knows how to feed the herd! This apron knows how to get back to basics and get things done. It covers the cook who knows her way around the grocery store and who can manage kids, projects, husband and home without even breaking a sweat. It is for the mom who is her football star’s greatest fan and her little girl’s listening ear. The cook in this apron is clever and versatile; not persuaded by those recipes of reducing portions or omitting butter. She’s the all-American creator of home-town favorites. From BBQ’s to biscuits for breakfast, this cook knows how to put on her apron and get it done. So you all-American girl, wear your apron with pride. You are traditional, you’re inspirational, you home is inviting and your serving dishes never have bottoms. You’re kids will never go hungry if the cooking is up to you. As you wear your apron, may you remind those wavering, wimpy women around you: "Keep on cookin' that beef. We all know the west wasn't won on salad!"
If Only The World Could Have More Livies
A Day In The Life Of Isabelle
The Sweetest Face
Michael, Isabelle, and I want to kiss Olivia's soft cheeks all day!
The Hunt for A Dress Continues.....
Picking the Annual Easter Dress.
And this is the winner!
....one of the many contenders
...And there's that stinkin' Easter Bunny again. Are we doing this, Daddy? Ok, I'll cowboy up and go see him.....(stinkin' snackshop bunny)
Definitions of Heaven
Isabelle's Definition: Tea parties with Grandma Nan, her in her silky jammies and Belle in her mermaid.
Livy's Definition: Anything that has to do with the morning starting with a good bowl of Popcorn Eggs!
MIne: Anything to do with Michael Johnson
Grandma and Papa Johnson
Our girls are so lucky to have amazing grandparents!
Our Family
No More SLACKER Blogger. Slacker mom? Still in debate.
Well, after spending the week with Grandma, seeing more updated photos of my kids on her blog (more so than on my own blog), being called to repentance 527 times for not keeping my blog going, this is me trying harder to not be such a slacker mom....I mean blogger. The slacker mom part, well that is a constant battle.
In New Orleans 2003
They do not joke around with the rain there!
My Cute Little Girls!
Belle and Liv, Christmas 2007
Isabelle and I love making things that her daddy will love to eat when he gets home from work. He is at the hospital doing an aortic aneurism repair today. And I am making bread. How's that for two completely opposite activities! WE love Michael!
OLIVIA IS ALL SMILES IN HER JUMPA-JUMPA
This is truly a rare sight since Olivia is usually only ALL-SMILES when she is being held (or Maholdin' as the Belle-bonics go). She is working over the two bottom teeth she just grew which will now help acommodate the food she loves to eat! You have a weight contender, Lauren!
Giving Mommy A Taste Of Her Own Medicine
Isabelle just got ready for ballet and went through the obvious torture of brushing her hair. Now it is mommy's turn before we can officially say we are ready to walk out the door. Oh, what goes around comes around, right Grandma Nan?
I need to spray you in the face just ONE more time and then we're good.
So over not having a wife.
This face says, "I know she is sick, but I am done as well. No more trips to the hospital. No more taking care of our 3 year-old while holding down a demanding job. No more cleaning the house and cooking for myself. No more seeing her throw up." The face says that minus the bowling words.
Isabelle and daddy visiting mommy in the hospital. We do a lot of that these days.
BACK FROM THE DEAD. IN SOME COUNTRIES, THEY CALL IT PREGNANCY.
You know the saying, "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger?" I think that's a bunch of garbage. I think it should say, "What doesn't kill you will fill your mind with memories so terrifying and agonizing that even the thought of them will put cotton in your mouth, sweat on your brow, cause your knees to tremble, and make you nausiated at the very thought. Oh, and it will remind you of the 80 pounds you must lose not because of food you couldn't eat for 9 months but because of the large amounts of cortizone you were given. What doesn't kill you only makes you wish it had somedays!
Family Makes The Greatest Friends
Mom, Mari, and I at mom's pinning ceremony. We are so proud that mom's accomplished this HUGE goal and can't wait to have her back (not in school that is)!
Our New Bosch!
I had a lot of help opening the vintage bosch bread maker today! It finally arrived and it was all I could do to not give Isabelle and her two inseparable buddies an inservice on making bosch bread, and cakes, and rolls, and........OH I AM SO EXCITED! As Isabelle says, "Mom this is going to be SO MUCH FUN!" Belle.....you are preachin' to the choir, babe!!
The three inseparable buddies, (from left) Abby, Isabelle, and Jane are always up for fun in the kitchen. But with them, cooking invetibly turns into eating popcorn eggs (that's what we call scrambled eggs) while Abby pretends to be talking on the phone and they all then settle down for a good tea party. Oh, well, girls....I will just go ahead and make this bread all by myself.....(I am trying to sound like the little red hen). :)
Liv is always good for kitchen activities as well. Cute little thing, isn't she?
Our Easter Tradition
Every year, Michael and Isabelle go on a date for Easter. They shop for an Easter dress, they get lunch and inevitably, they somehow find the Easter bunny. Belle usually leaves the house a bit aprehensive about a potential bunny encounter, but somehow they always return with a cheezy photo--proof that she was very brave indeed. She tells me, "Mommy, he is nice. But he's just kind of scary so we don't have to like the Easter bunny, and we don't have to like strangers at the park." That's when I take the opportunity to briefly explain that not all abductions take place at the park, and not all strangers will be dressed like the Easter bunny. So then she tells me that the Easter bunny is still scary and so is "Snack-shop Todd," one of her very own pet names for a (rough-looking all be it) guy who helps Michael with renovations on our rentals............ I'm just not sure I am getting through.
Here is one of last year's contenders for the Easter dress.
...and another one.
And that's the one they picked.
Showing the pumpking seed like Jack and the Beanstalk seed
Isabelle carving pumpkins with her cousins, 2007.
Like mother like daughter
Liv was a good sport as her mommy tried over and over to recreate a crib photo just like someone took of Heather as a baby. What do you think, mom?
A ballerina and...well...her dog.
Isabelle going to ballet. Zoe wishing she could be in ballet too.
Faces are our thing lately!
Isabelle and I love sending Daddy our funny faces, scary faces, surprised faces, and of course, HAPPY faces (which are his favorite). This is our happy face we sent his phone while he was stuck at the airport with tornado watches in Texas this week. He loves when we send him stuff.
So Sick!
Isabelle had a rough go of things a few weeks ago and fevered like nobody's business. So after taking Mary Poppins medicine (from a spoon of course) we watched while the temperature went down from 105 to as you can see 103.6 And through it all, she still needed her so-soft blanket to...... well...... keep warm, I suppose.
Yes, hurt...again.
For those of you who know Zoe....pictures speak a thousand words no one needs to hear. She's hurt, as usual. And she's not amused. Papa Tigger (Carter) would contend the fact that nothing could make Zoe look any more stupid than her droopy ears and long snout....But we have a picture to prove him wrong. And she's picking up channels in Asia which is an added bonus. You keep on licking those stitches, Zoe. We are starting to like what they are broadcasting in distant parts of the world!
I'm gonna have to wear what?
This was taken a few hours before the previous photo. A little more spry I would say, wouldn't you?
Michael comforting Olivia
Primary Children's Hospital, October 2007
OUR FAMILY PHOTO 2007
Taken with the Carter/Prisbrey families in Cedar City
Isabelle Says, "Two Friends"
Belle and Liv being sisters!
ISABELLE JOHNSON!
Belle being her happy self on the princess chair
OH, I COULD JUST SQUEEZE THOSE CHEEKS!
Olivia in the blessing dress from Grandma Nan
This is Just a Test
I am using Scott's computer....thus the photo of my siblings and none of my husband and little girl. More will come I promise. I am just conducting a test on my "add a photo on my blog although I am completely computer stupid" skill. We'll see, Grandma. We'll see.
just where to start?
Michael and Heather in New Orleans
1 comment:
Belle and Livvi, Thank you so much for the wonderful Poem for Grandparents Day. I just about missed it. I just found it today. I love you little girls you know. Sooooooooooooooo much. Thank you for taking me to the beach and buying me a bike an all the fun things we did. xoxoxoxoxxo
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