Miscellany

**I am so happy to be teaching primary again. The best way for me to experience church is from an eight year old's perspective. Much simpler and less overwhelming.
**I finally found the time to buy bookshelves for my dining room. I love how they look and I'm really happy about the extra space and organization they brought to my home. Now to get my photos and art on the walls....
**Apparently three is the magic age to start really anticipating holidays. Riley is all about halloween right now, and it's not even October. She insisted that we start decorating today. The preliminary results:
**Apparently three is also the magic age when Barbies become a big deal (at least for Riley). Am I the only mother that immediately throws out any Barbie shoes that get in her path? Stepping on those little buggers HURTS!
**I found a yellow Vintage gumball machine in a Sugarhouse junkshop yesterday, and I knew it would be a hit with her royal Bugness. I brought it home, fixed the broken gear, cleaned it up and filled it with gum. I was right. She loves it!
**I have decided that it's going to take a major force of change and the perfect situation to ever get me to move out of the Avenues. It's so close and convenient to everything. I love my neighborhood and I honestly can't imagine living anywhere else. (I know a few of you are laughing right now.)
**Riley has started to drink Chamomile tea with bubbly milk (frothed milk) before bed. I'm not sure if it's the ritual, or the actual herb, or just placebo, but she is much more mellow at bedtime. Whatever it is, I'll take it.
**I am making the ultimate in comfort food for dinner tonight: roasted chicken, 'funeral' potatoes, and green beans. I promised Riley we'd make brownies 'with nuts' tonight, too. Should be yummy!