So grown up!

Mavis came out of the toy room yesterday with some little fake birds that she's not supposed to remove from the little bird cage hanging in her bedroom. They're just decorations that break easily. Now that she's four she likes to show how much more grown up she is.

"Mom, when I was free (i.e. "three") me and Sophia took these (the birds) out of my room. I have to put them back now." Later to Jack she says, "Me and Soph were naughty, Jack, when I was free." When she came back from returning the birds to her room I asked if she'd put them back in the cage. She responded, "Yes, and I lockeded the cage so naughty girls can't get them out; no free-year-olds!"

Well, she's still naughty on occasion, such as yesterday, when she cut her hair herself . . . or maybe Katie, the neighbor girl cut it. Each says the other did it, so who knows. It's her second hair cut ever. Remember the first one? Another neighbor friend. :)

Following are before and after shots from the same day (thanks to Erin for the lovely blue dress!!).

So much work!

Me: Mavis, please wipe up your mess with this cloth.
Mavis: Ughh! Mom, you always want me to do ALL of your work.

Quote for the day

A people may prefer a free government, but if...they are unequal to the exertions necessary for preserving it; if they will not fight for it when it is directly attacked; ...if by momentary discouragement, or temporary panic, or a fit of enthusiasm for an individual, they can be induced to lay their liberties at the feet even of a great man, or trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions, in all these cases they are more or less unfit for liberty....and [are] unlikely long to enjoy it.

John Stuart Mill. Considerations of Representative Government. 1861.

Spark

Last night we tried to go out to a new restaurant, Gloria's Little Italy in Provo. But the wait was too long so we headed next door to Spark. What a lucky change of plans. We've been to Spark a few times before and it's one of the top restaurants in Utah Valley, by far. When it comes to presentation they may be first. When it comes to flavor, there are a few others that can compete, such as Pizzeria 712, and, umm, well, maybe that's it.

Anyways, about the food: the fettucine dish was DELUXE! We were so in love. Also, the potato leek soup was excellent — very rich and full flavored. Both dishes were enhanced with truffle oil, and wow, that always makes for something extra special. I also had hebi (fish from Hawaii — I'd never heard of it before) served over braised carrots and a red lentil cake, all very delicious.

If you don't want to go all out for dinner, just go later and get dessert or a drink. They've got some fun drinks. I especially like the apple martini (even after it's gone it's wonderful to put your nose in and inhale the leftover aroma), and the shirley temple (to be fair, although it does taste good, I'm mostly just in love with the shirley temple because it's so CUTE, but in a chic, dressed up sort of way — all pink with a stick of cotton candy on top.

First Birthday

Somebody turned 1! And we had a party, although the birthday boy was sick so he wouldn't delight us with any exciting cake chomping and smashing. Also, the cake was pretty but the texture and flavor didn't hit the mark. It was a yellow cake recipe that I substituted kamut flour in, and I didn't have butter so I used a recipe calling for coconut oil in the frosting. Maybe I just haven't found the right recipes. Kamut works so well in chocolate cake that I thought it might have a chance in a yellow cake, but no such luck. It was edible, but just barely. Nonetheless, we had a good time and the kids really liked the streamers.