Looking for a plant identifier

So I was going to title this post "How do solve a problem like Rozlyn?" but it seemed to negative for the title and so it just made it as the first sentence. I do love her to pieces but I don't think calling her a problem is going to far. She sure gives us trouble and I keep waiting for it to end.
She is super independent and loves to go beyond my authority or control. At the pool during some great birthday party awhile back I refused her to invite herself over to the party and have some cake. After getting no help from me she waddle into the huddle herself to plead with the strangers for a piece of cake. Of course they gave it to her and it was Rozlyn 1 point, mom 0.
Last week at the library she really wanted this book called "Trashy Town". Now I promise, this is no book review. It's hardly reccommended. Anyway Charlotte used to request books before walking in the doors but the first book she saw of any interest quickly drove her to forget her original request. Not Rozlyn. It was time to pick books, she kept asking "where's Trashy Town?" I kept saying it probably wasn't there and showing her other great ideas. I had grabbed "Hey Mama Goose" (now that is a book reccommendation!! I love it.) None were good enough. As I insited it was time to go we left with her head hung low. Just as we were about to make the exit she walks up to the circulation desk and says "I wanted Trashy Town and you didn't have it and I'm sad." At first I think there started at how articulate this small person is. I kept giving them the mom eyebrow and I that says it's O.K., don't worry about it. However Rozlyn had already won her heart and she was rapidly in the catalog searching for the author (that was the unknown information). After assuring the lady that we didn't need to find it (please not another week or reading trashy town) she walked right back to where it belonged and grabbed it for Rozlyn. Rozlyn grabbed it and shouted "Thank you very much, I love Trashy Town". It was all so dramatic, and I'm wondering why is she so smart that she knows how to get around Mom's authority and always seems to know who to find that will help her with her problems.
This morning while we were outside waiting for Charlotte's ride to school Rozlyn made a confession and she said "Mom, once I ate two of those berries on that plant and they didn't kill me, they really didn't. You said they would kill me and they didn't." What?? Who is the kid, why does she do these things. I guess I didn't really know if the berries would kill her but I didn't know if they wouldn't. I'm no identifier of plants. (I tried to post the picture of the plant but it's not working). Why does she have absolutely no amount of respect for the things I say. Have I been caught lying enough times in her three years that she now doesn't trust me, and how will I earn it back? No I'm fretting at the future scenerio where she does need to trust me and won't. So I ask you again, How do solve a problem like Rozlyn?

My very non type A ways

So here I find myself celebrating the two month anniversary of living in my house. Do I feel moved in and organzied, not in the least. So help me all of you wiser organizers then me. Here are some specific issues on the top of my mind. There are many more then I can list but can I think of them, no, because there not written down anywhere because I'm not organized.
First comes kids clothes, I have one big laundry day a week. I can only do it one day a week because it takes me the other six to fold, iron (who am I kidding?), and put away. So why do there seem to be enough kids clothes to last the month. We're not even having potty accidents any more, its an amazing mathmatical mystery. I'm considering keeping x number of outfits and throwing the rest out. Advice? How many clothes do a 5,3,and1 year old need?
Next problem is old memorabilia, how sentimental does it have to be to stay. Letterman jackets, dance costumes. What can I throwout without regretting years from now.
Next, toys. We have way to many. This summer in our apartment many toys lived in storage, did the kids miss them, no did they have plenty, yes. However whenever I need a break I think the largest stash of toys should come to the rescue. Endless fun for all. However they still just want me. They don't understand that sometimes the toys are babysitters. So should I just chuck them with no regrets or try to do the rotation. Initially I'm scared at the rotation because of my lack of organization. Advice, advice I need it pour it on.
Last for now receipts and bills. How far back do I need to keep bills, I have files of old bills from companies who no longer provide service for us. I'm always spooked that 5 years from now Disn Network is going to request alot of money that they say I never paid. How far back do I have to go to save things.
I know I seem pathetic but I'm determined to get organized once and for all. So go ahead, motivate me, please!!!!!!

Boston

So Chris and I were lucky enough to have his mom come and relieve us for a few days while we headed to Boston. This was the best break for the whole family. The kids loved having grandma here. They get so much love and attention, I get an adult to talk to while Chris is gone, and Chris has an excuse to eat out at the best restaurants. Definately a win, win, win (for you Office watchers).
If my trip would have ended with the plane ride I would have been satisfied. Traveling alone is really taken for granted. Unlmited time and interuptions to check out the Sky Mall magazine. We met my sister, brother, their spouses and 300 other BYU faithful.
Boston was beautiful and the weather was perfect. It was so fun to be on a BYU tour with tonz of BYU diehards. We were definately the youngest but I think all the old people were really glad we were there. I guess the older you get the easier it is to be entertained because they were all amused with us. We were quite popular to dine with and sit next to on the bus. There was plenty of laughing for all.

We were only in Boston one day which wasn't near enough, we got in all the major highlights from our city "Duck" tour but could have spent an entire day at each landmark. Another trip is definatley necesarry. I did get to drive the "Duck" when we got on water, which allows me great bragging rights (and I was a great driver too!!)
Our next day was Vermont. Again the drive alone would have been worth it. It was beautiful, quiet, peaceful. It was our first time at church history sites and it was amazing. We visited Joesph Smith's birth place, and the surrounding sites. It was so great and the spirit was so strong.
Now it was time to get rowdy, game day (again with all the oldies). Man do those guys ever get mad and yell. Boston College was fun to see and we did get treated good on campus, even though we were decked out in our BYU drag.

Our last night we went canoeing on the Charles River and had one more seafood dinner before we went to bed, only to wake up to having to leave it all behind. The best food, no dishes, beautiful sites and a featherbed for four straight days, what more could of I wished for. (a BYU win would have been nice, but I can't have everything)
No major disasters happened while I was away (besised running out of toilet paper). Cheryl told me that worrying does actually work because everything you worry about never happens. The kids were so fun to see and I was ready to be a mom again. It's funny what a good break will do to renew your parenting powers. The kids weren't as excited I was back. They keep praying that I can go on another trip and that Grandma Cheryl can come back very very fast.

I'm getting off the bandwagon

First I'd like to apologize if this is offensive to anyone. I know everyone has there passions that they love and this could be one of yours. I.K.E.A. Yes, I'm climbing of there bandwagon. Here is some history. Before adventuring out of the states of Idaho and Utah I'd only heard of this mysteriously fabulous store out there in the big cities. Everyone raved about it and told us how it should be a pre-requisite for which city we choose to move to. Hello Houston, Hello I.K.E.A. experience #1. It was exciting I'll admit, huge, fun, bargains everywhere. The anticipation was equally as big. I found my self going back from time to time to this great new novelty. We'd even take our Idaho guests as a real tourist stop. I pushed I.K.E.A. copying all the lines that had sold me initially. "It's so exciting, you feel like you've just ripped someone off each time you leave." After several visits, and spending plenty of dollars I began to wonder what I was missing. Maybe it just isn't my style - is that bad to say, but I would see my most modern and stylish friends decorate there homes amazingly with furnishings only from I.K.E.A. I think I'm to behind the times because I couldn't make it work.
When we moved within 5 minutes of I.K.E.A. this summer, (a real real-estate selling point I guess) we've been back several times. There are way way way to many people in that store. We have to hike a mile each time just to get in. Then there is a 30 minute waiting line to put your kid in the playplace. We put Rozlyn in her biggest shoes and biggest hairbow so we could sneak her in, still she's 1/2 inch to small. Everytime this happens and everytime we go through the drama of waiting and measuring only to have her little heart broke. I did tell her she'd grow if she ate more vegetables so we'll see. Then it's the maze, why can't you just leave when you want to without going through that crazy maze. They force you to look at every single item known to man before allowing you to exit. Next to the hot dogs: I'll admit, this is the best part about I.K.E.A. (is it embarassing to profess my love of hot dogs?). and .50 you can't beat that. But when its so overcrowded and filled with unsupervised children buying there hot dogs there are frustrations: like blocking the mustard dispenser, everyone lines up to get there sodas, not using the ketchup or mustard. Can't they line up on the other side away from the dispensers? I get angry when something comes between me and my mustard. Then incase your thirsty they give you a snowcone cup to put water in. What good is that for, you can't set it down, and I can't enjoy my hotdog when all hands aren't free.
The last frustration is when you finally exit and see the row of the faithful. Hundreds of cars in the loading zone just waiting to load there purchases that probably won't fit. But it doesn't mean there without faith. We've been there before loading our own goods hoping by some miracle that they fit.
As I left after my last visit, I thougt about just how crazy this place is. To make all you in Houston feel better Dallas I.K.E.A. is a million times busier. It's a zoo. My mile walk back to the car gave me time to come to the conclusion that 1. I.K.E.A. has no edge over Wal-mart for me these days and 2. I go crazy when I'm around that many people. Wierd panicky systems in my body start to kick in and make me all crazy. Tonz of people and tonz of noise, it's to much for me. Maybe with time I'll cool down, and I'm sure when people come I'll still take them just so they can see the massive amounts of people for themselves. Until then I'll find myself back at the Wal-mart up the road, with home furnishings in my cart, miscellanous junk, and eating a hot dog at the deli - covered in mustard.
I'm so happy to have this blog where I feel like I can vent about such issues.
Can we still be friends?

Numero Uno

The Big Birthday arrived. We had a fun family celebration. Mason of course loved the cake. I'm sad he's already one. He is the happiest, funnest baby and I'm no hurry for him to grow up. He really is such a big boy, and just so squeezeable. He has just discovered reading. Everyday when I read to the girls I just let him roam free and play. Well now he's discovered the trick to getting on the couch, bringing us books. He brings us book after book. He used to be destructo, which is why we just let him play. However now, he brings the book, climbs on my lap and keeps his hands to himself while I read. He just didn't want to miss out on the action. He only picks out books with dogs on them, none of which are my girls favorites. When friends are over he weasels them into reading to him as well. He grabs a book and goes and climbs on their lap and grunts until you open the book. He's so cute!! Is there any way to freeze this phase?? I'll take any advice you have. I have more cake pictures still on my camera which we'll put on later.