The Art of Distraction

I haven't mastered it yet but I have come to see the incredible value of "the art of distraction," as I call it.

You just can't reason with a two year old. It's pointless and frustrating. So what do you do instead of explaining things like if you don't change your poopy diaper your bum will hurt or if you don't wash your hands you get the house all sticky? Well, you talk about anything in the world that may happen to catch some interest and distract them long enough...how many butterflies are on your shirt, where did your tongue go, etc, etc. Sometimes I forget that you can't force or explain (at least without screaming or tears) and the art of distraction doesn't come naturally to me but I try.

Exhausting I tell you!

Sisters

UPDATES

MACKENZIE...

Starting in on the questions. Here are some common questions as of late:

-why?...why?...why?

-what cha doing mommy-girl?

-what cha doing daddy-girl? (yes, she says that and I love it)

-where's daddy-robert?

-where ya going mommy-karin?

-where'd my big bird binkie go?

-what's izzy barking?

-what's its name? what's that girls name?

-where are all the boys? (the first thing she asked when she walked into nursery the other day)

BROOKLYN

-got her first tooth

-rolls over both directions

-lots of smiles

-never misses a meal (love those cheeks) 

-sleeps thru the night (i hope this doesn't jinx it)

A Day Late

THE MOTHERS IN MY LIFE
My beautiful mother is my best friend and the best mom and grandma ever. I call her almost every day because I know she'll be interested in hearing the non-exciting things going on at our house and she'll want the latest update of what Mackenzie and Brooklyn are doing. It's probably a good thing that I don't live in Fallon because I would rely on her way too much!
Here's my mom and I with all the beautiful colors up Weber Canyon. She's the most enjoyable person to be around of anyone I know. She likes all people and is great with kids.
Here's Grandma Jean, my mom, and Kevin a few years ago. They were visiting us in Provo and Robert made crepes. My Grandma is kind to everyone, especially her grandkids. She works hard every day of her life and is great at staying busy and serving others. 

I have great memories of playing at her house when I was little. I'd spend the night and loved it because she had an electric blanket. She'd play cards with me and pay me to wash the "wash basin." I'm lucky I've had her example in my life.
Here's Robert's mom with Baby Brooklyn, Mackenzie and cousins Halli and Olivia. Carol is amazingly giving and kind to our little family and all of her kids and grandkids. She's dedicated and loving and she's had to do it alone for many years- which I cannot fathom. I'm grateful she did such a good job with Robert!

Help

I'm hosting the recipe group for our ward this week. I need to serve a "spring time" recipe (anything spring-y...salad or fruit or basically anything). Suggestions?

Bananas

Our Happy Baby

Good and -more importantly- easy

Apricot Chicken

4 chicken breasts
6 oz. Russian salad dressing (looks like French dressing)
1/2 package Lipton onion soup
1/2 cup apricot jam

Mix all ingredients. Bake at 350* for 1 hour. Serve over rice.