time keeps on slippin...into the future (wordily)

i took s to her seminary 'kickoff' tonight.  we weren't sure where she'd end up since we have so many choices here...not like where i grew up where you go to the same school, seminary and ward as everyone else! her teacher seems to be experienced and knowledgeable and s is very focused on doing things just so. they earn 'seminary letters'  if they accomplish certain goals over the year and i saw my girl going down the list. i know she was saying to herself 'oh yeah, i can do that. this one's easy...'
she also went to her first dance last night. also very different from where i grew up. there were hordes of kids there. it was nearly mob-like. as a parent, it made me a little nervous. if there happened to be a fire....
we were the overprotective nerdy parents who came in and sat and watched for a while. (we didn't stare at her...we just hung out. i'm surprised at how UNnoticeable we were!) she did bring a friend so she didn't actually ENTER the dance with us (and baby brother). i got a kick out of watching those kids. i clearly remember dancing in a circle with my girlfriends hoping that a certain friend of my brothers would NOT ask me to dance.  however, the music nearly killed me. what is 'hoedown'?! where's the good old 'rock lobster'? they did have snacks, which i only remember at the halloween dance. the litigator was very interested to see the mini-pizzas and taquitos. inside he was like a 14 year old boy again. he wanted nothing more than to elbow aside the kid who was totally monopolizing the treats and get some himself.
she had a good time and danced with a boy twice.  one, a good friend who kindly helped her feel comfortable and the other someone she didn't know...who ended up in her seminary class. later i said, 'you didn't tell me he was cute!' and she answered, well, er um...
i realize that not only am i a typical 'mama bear' who wants to defend her offspring at all costs; i am also unembarrassed to do whatever comes into my head that i should and i don't feel one teeny bit sheepish about it. yes, i'm a different kind of parent than you may have seen! yes! get used to it! i will kindly make sure that my child is raised the way i think she should be!


1. a keeps finding an interesting bug. he is collecting them. we researched. they are 'assasin bugs' who are generally after other bugs but are sometimes found on pillows in the home with bites on the human victims lips. um...
2. i like being in nursery. i like rolling balls, fitting puzzle pieces and making animal noises. i like singing and watching those little faces light up when we sing 'sunbeam'. i dislike parents hanging around and gossiping while i do these things.
3. i also like trader joes blood orange soda. i've never been a soda drinker but yum. it's delicious.
4. baby L is cruising all over. he climbs on us if we lay on the floor. he drives cars and 'vrroomms'. he writes with a pencil. he waves goodbye.
5. something else i like is making schultute (here too). it's creative, a beloved tradition, plus i really love office supplies.