Magically Delicious?

I found this picture and thought it was so cute. I love cupcakes anyway, but this is amazing. People are so talented. This makes me want to have a Harry Potter party. Do you think they look magically delicious too?

The Redheads

Redhead alert!!! Here is some really sad news about redheads I read the other day in a magazine. They said that natural-born redheads may be extinct by the year 2100. The reason is that the recessive gene for red hair is being dominated by darker shades through genetic intermingling. Apparently less than 4% of the world's population now has natural crimson coloring. So with this news, I ask that we all observe a moment of silence. How sad?!! I mean, lots of people color their hair red, but you can always tell that it's fake. I've never seen a realistic shade of red from a bottle. So, on behalf of all natural redheads, I say you're welcome. You're welcome for doing our part to make this world a more colorful (and better) place. =)

Bread and Water, kay?!

Each week at church, Emma gets really excited during Sacrament Meeting. She loves taking the bread and water. She always turns to us and says, "bread and water, kay?" I know she doesn't understand what the meaning behind the Sacrament is, but I think it's wonderful that she already senses that it's a special thing.

Music is a big part of Emma's life. She loves to sing. She'll walk around the house and just be singing - a lot of times it's something we don't even recognize, just something she made up. She wants to sing songs before her nap and before bedtime. For being so young music affects her a lot - more than I thought anyone her age would be. Some songs make her really excited and happy, and others will make her cry or become very quiet and somber. There is a lullabye that will make her cry within 5 seconds, and some primary songs during which she always wants a hug. I love music myself, and it's very important to me, so the fact that she has also developed this same love so early on makes me very happy.

Good Parenting?

If I were to be completely honest about my parenting skills, I would have to say that I think I'm alright. I am pretty good at some things, not so good at others. Emma always seems to be happy, so maybe that's a good sign. Every once in a while I start to really think about what I do with her all day every day. Sometimes it's hard to break out of a cycle once you're in it. I'm looking forward to our upcoming move - I think it will help me to start over on the daily task list and to reprioritize. I recently found this poem and I liked it. It's simple, and not unlike others that I have read, but it's a good reminder of some of the small things.

If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power, and more
about the power of love.
---Diane Loomans