Um, Mom? I need immediate help.

At around 9:30 tonight, Cameron remembered he had a science report about an imaginary sea creature due in the morning. Naturally. Lucky for him, I was finished with my homework and available to act as scribe/typist for him. Can I just say how much fun it is to collaborate on a written project with a child who is not only intelligent, but shares his mother's quirky sense of humor? By the time we finished writing the report, we were both laughing. I think if I ever decide to write a book, I'll find a coauthor--I seem to be a better writer when I have a second brain to pick. Plus, it's more fun that way. :o)

Gotta love springtime in Rexburg: jacket weather in the morning, coat weather by noon. I had to scrape snow off the car after class today. Parker is giddy: Targhee is expecting 9 inches.

Call Me Curly

You know the opening scene in Oklahoma where Gordon MacRae rides out into the cornfield, singing, "Oh What a Beautiful Morning?" That was me yesterday. Except for the singing part. And the cowboy hat-and-boots-wearing part. And the horse-riding part. And the cornfield part. And the Oklahoma Territory part. But aside from those few minor exceptions, it was exactly the same experience. Well, at least it was a beautiful morning: blue skies and sunshine. I went running for the first time in, I don't know, about two months? Hard to believe, I know. My school schedule has really cut into my workout schedule. This hasn't been too big a problem because I figured out that I walk nearly two miles on campus every day--in addition to carrying a 15-20 pound backpack--and was skiing nearly every Saturday (prior to my unfortunate accident). Now that my cast is off, I hope to get back up to Targhee at least a few times before the season ends (don't worry: skiing only). But it felt so good to run! I'd almost forgotten just how good it makes me feel. The professor I work for will be at a conference at Oxford University for the next two weeks, which means I don't have to be on campus on Thursdays until my 11:30 class. I think I'll take advantage of the break in my schedule and hit the pavement on those mornings.

Yesterday was Chloe's first birthday, so Tyler and Brandi invited us over for dinner and cake and ice cream.



Chloe followed in the footsteps of the majority of one-year-olds who have gone before: she was more interested in the wrappings than the presents.



But when it came to the cake, she knew exactly what to do:




On a sidenote, I apologize for misquoting President Faust in Testimony meeting today. Here is the actual quote: "There are three things we must do when we lose a loved one: (1) mourn for a season (2) don't ask why and (3) pick up your handcart and move on."

Free At Last . . .

Last night, because I knew I'd be rid of my cast in the morning, I had the boys help me "beautify" it with Sharpie markers. The only problem is, I forgot to take a picture while it was still attached to my arm. So you get the next best thing: pictures of my obsolete exoskeleton, post-extraction.






Here's a shot of what appears to be the limb of an abused leper.



Yup, it's mine alright. Even the doctor was surprise by the amount of bruising that remained. Cameron said my arm looks like a skeleton, and I'm inclined to agree with him. It still hurts like crazy, and it will take some time before I regain the lost strength and flexibility in my wrist, but oh man, does it feel good to be out of that cage! No more plastic newspaper sleeves in the shower (thanks for the great idea, Mom Carling: they worked like a charm!).