Readin' Dottie

Dottie has started to read.

We got these books, "BOB Books," from her K-4 book order. It's a box set of 12 books, going from very easy to slightly advanced. They're all pretty basic. But I don't think I've ever seen Dottie so excited before. The first night we had the books, she cried when she had to stop reading because it was bedtime.

Above, she is holding her favorite of the series, The Big Hat. It features a cat sitting on a hat, and then a dog comes and sits on the cat and the hat. She loves that part. She got the slap-stick humor from the Hansen side.

Dottie and Grandma, reading a BOB book.

Ahoy! I'm a Quilter! I quilt!

This is it! I tried to get the whole thing by standing on the piano bench, but it's quite large. Thank you, Mama, for showing me the way. And doing the hard parts.

What have I been doing?

I've forgotten that my mom likes to live life at break-neck speed. I'm used to the sedate life: staying at home, playing with my kids, reading books, making the occasional stop at the grocery store, library, or playground.

So it's been a change of pace coming here. I've loved it! It's made the time away from Joe go so quickly. We've been so occupied I haven't had the inclination or energy to blog. So here it is, a short covering of our adventures:

I. The Discovery Center

The Discovery Center has long been one of my favorite places. I remember even going as a teenager and loving the bubbles and general creative fun of the place.

Elliot pondering the wonders of the universe in a hot air balloon.

Elliot, Dottie, and their friend, Chloe, aboard a giant porch chair.

It's one of those merry-go-rounds that they have at the mall that cost money, and your kids beg and beg for a ride. Well, at the discovery center, you just push a button, and away they go, for as long as they want! Magic!

Elliot driving an ambulance . . . kinda scary.

Dottie at the bottom of a giant pot.

Dress-up Dottie, ready for the stage.

At the grocery store. I loved the store! They even had an electronic check-out system!

Elliot's favorite: the blocks. Elliot loves puzzles, blocks, anything that requires putting together.

II. Billy and Aida

You've gotta love Billy Shaw. He got me and my mom free tickets to see Aida, the Verdi opera, at the Met! So we spent the morning with him, eating breakfast and strolling central park. Then we got to go to the opera. My dad watched the kids. I am so spoiled.

III. Happy Easter

The next day was Easter. These pictures are general Easter egg hunts. The first one is from a ward Easter egg hunt, and the next two are from our family hunt that we have in the house.

Elliot's coming after Dottie with the basket . . .

IV. Musicals

If you know me, you'll know I'm a musical fanatic. I love 'em. High School musicals . . . are iffy. If you went to high school with me, you'll know I had a bad attitude about participating in them, even though I love to sing.

My mom, being the supportive voice teacher that she is, viewed 4 high school musicals of her students' this year, and I went with her. For the one at THS, my alma mater, my mom accompanied on the piano. The last week of practice, I became her self-proclaimed page-turner and keyboarding assistant (I played a small part).

Can I just tell you I was BLOWN AWAY by the talent in this year's musical? Man! Now that was a production I would have loved to be part of in high school. I know a lot was due to my friend, Mr. Streeter, who directed the show. He made the kids so comfortable on stage that pretty much every kid up there was uninhibited. It was amazing.

This is a picture of Kenzie, who plays the part of Fred, the heroine of "Once Upon a Mattress." She was hilarious. She just had a good time up there. I kinda wish I could see this musical every day. It was that good.

V. Quilting

Now that the thrill of the musical is over, my mom and I have another project to fill our time until I leave (which is creeping up quickly here). I'm making a quilt! Yes, I am. I got jealous of all of the Engaged Ones getting a quilt as a wedding gift, so my mom said she'd teach me the skill, and I can make one for myself. Yes, yes, I am becoming more and more domestic every minute I spend with my mom.

This is Dottie , posing with the strips I've cut. We're doing Log Cabin. Gotta start easy so I won't get frustrated.

Coolest Music Video Ever

Isn't that impressive? Believe it or not, my dad was the one to show me this. Dad, have you secretly been watching MTV? This version of the song is also supposed to be pretty cool too. This same group, Ok Go, are also the creators of the infamous Treadmill Video.