Massive Bullet Update

• I did not win the election. I was lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that no one was really campaigning -- but if you want to win against incumbents and you know 10 people in town you have to really do a lot more than I did. At least more than 10 people voted for me. Anyway, the re-elected Mayor wrote and asked me if I wanted to be on the Zoning and Planning board. We'll see.
• Aleah turned five on Tuesday. She was VERY excited and had been crossing out days on the calendar. We had a very small, calm fun party (our neighbors with 4 kids were sick and unable to make it) . Highlights were making party hats, plastic soda bottle bowling, pin-the-candle-on-the-cake and duck duck goose. I was pretty proud of the cake too. I put ice cream around the edge of a springform pan, then layered the cake and ice cream in the middle and topped it off with puffs of whipped cream. Super good.
• Kate turned five months old on the 19th. She smiles at everyone. She went from sleeping through the night back to waking up one or two times - augh! I am going to start her on some cereal and see if that helps. None of my kids have liked the rice so I am going to start with oatmeal. Have any of your babies had cereal preferences? She can roll over from front to back and from back to front. Holds herself up on her arms but hasn't started scooting. She is the biggest thumb sucker of any of them. I love how she can calm herself down. However, she has stared trying to suck her thumb and nurse at the same time. That just doesn't work.
• Anna got married on Saturday. It was fun to be in Utah and hang out with everyone. Well, everyone but Anna. Does anyone else notice that about weddings? The person that you really want to hang out with has about a million people that want to hang out with them. That's ok. They let my sister and I go back with my mom to help her get into her "wedding" dress after the temple ceremony. That was fun! I also got to hang out tons with my sister Erica. So much fun and so nice not to have any real responsibilities. My responsibilities are driving me nuts right now! How many times do they have to repeat "mom" in a row?!? Oh, and I finished her pieced duvet cover made of brown and blue decor fabric samples. Pictures later of everything.
• We just received 1/4 of a cow this evening. For those of you interested in the details it was about 86 cents a pound live weight. We ended up with about 200lbs for about $500. What a deal. It takes up less than half of our chest freezer. I figure we have our years supply of beef. Now I just need to get a wheat grinder.
• According to Emily's teacher fourth graders should be able to do their homework now with only minimal prompting. humm... I am going nuts with spelling, memorizing multiplication facts, practicing the recorder and the piano, memorizing state capitals and finishing up any homework that she didn't finish at school (usually only a few math problems). Augh!!!! I wouldn't have a problem with reminding if she would do it without whining but alas.... so, how do you deal with homework/memorization and do your kids work independently?
• My responsibilities are crying so I'll go but I will post more later.