Nightmare?

Aerin recently watched Atlantis: Milo's Return and said, "It almost gave me a nightmare?"

I asked, "How do you almost have a nightmare?"

She said, "You don't have one!"

The Danger Of Living With Geeks

At the hockey game, Aerin saw a person of small stature, and said, "I think he's one of those ... You know, gnomes."

Sharks Game

Aerin, Jeff, Shannon, and I went to a sharks game yesterday. The Sharks won in overtime, and a great time was had by all. Aerin focused on the food. Mostly.

Halloween Story

An older couple in the neighborhood (the ones with the two yippy dogs) had a great haunted house on their front porch this year. Aerin went in and got her candy, but a 4 year old boy was afraid to go in. When she came back out she put her arm around the boy and asked him if he wanted to go in with her, which he did. His dad was very appreciative.

Halloween Pictures

Click the link below to see more pictures of Aerin as the SpiderWitch:

From Halloween

Halloween Riddles

Halloween started with riddles.

Aerin had been working for several days on some secret notes. The first, decorated with a severed arm, asked whether I was ready for Halloween. The second asked the following riddle:

1. I'm small
2. I can be bad or good
3. I stink
4. I love to annoy my dad

Who am I?

The final note presented this riddle:

1. I'm the oldest person on earth
2. Everyone knows me

Who am I?

The answers are, of course, Aerin, for the first, and "Jeff #1" for the second.

Gold Medal Day

On Saturday Aerin graduated from Intermediate to Advanced level in gymnastics. Click on the link below to see more pictures:

From Gold Medal Day

Annoying little ...

Whenever I have a sore foot and hobble down the hall, Aerin rushes to my elbow, grabs my arm, and says, in a talking-to-baby voice, "Just a few more steps, old man."

Grumpy Gus

A couple mornings ago Brennen was rather tired and grumpy. Aerin was either trying to cheer him up or annoy him. It's hard to tell. She said, "Imagine Dad dancing La Cucaraca ... in Spandex!"

It got him laughing.

Laundry Day

Aerin walked into Dallin's bedroom, aka Tracy's office, aka the laundry sorting and folding room, saw Tracy sorting eight loads of laundry, and said, "She's trapped in a world of laundry!"

More Truth

During dinner last night we were discussing Dallin's mission. Then the conversation drifted to the "fragility" of the boys in Aerin's grade. Aerin said, "Boys go on missions so they can learn not to be babies."

Hot!

Tracy accidentally bought a jar of hot salsa last week. Aerin insisted on smothering her nachos in it, since she "likes hot stuff". I was feeding Brennen and eating my tri-tip sandwich, and not paying much attention, when suddenly I noticed Aerin running around wiping her tongue with a napkin. Then she grabbed a piece of the cold tri-tip from the counter and started massaging her tongue.

I'm not sure it's going to stop her from doing it again, though.

Pictures!

Aerin took some pictures (click to view them all):

Aerin's Pictures

Are we that bad?

We didn't make Aerin listen to all of General Conference, just President Monson's address during the Sunday morning session and all of the Sunday afternoon session. About 1 minute into President Monson's morning talk, Aerin disappeared into the kitchen. We were about to go after her when she reappeared with a huge kleenex ball and tossed handfuls at Tracy and me.

A few minutes later, she fetched a kleenex for herself.

Stinky's Epitaph

A raccoon tore up patches of our front lawn (again!), and Tracy was livid. Tracy told Aerin that she (Tracy) saw that raccoon's tombstone in her mind's eye. Aerin added, "And the tombstone says 'Here lies Stinky the Raccoon, after he was foolish enough to tear up the Marr's yard'."

Math

Aerin wears 3W shoes, and Mom wears 9W.  She said, "Mom has 6 more wides than me."

Green Paste?

Yesterday afternoon we had a potluck in our backyard. One of the families brought California Rolls. Aerin asked me what the green stuff was with the rolls. I thought she meant the avocado that was in the rolls, and told her so. A few minutes later she brings me a spoonful of wasabi. I said, "Oh, that's wasabi and it will take your head off!"

Aerin said, "I already found that out!"

Princess Activity

This morning was our Stake put on a Princess For A Day activity for the 8-11 year old girls. Here's Princess Aerin, on the runway:

From Princess

The Horror!

Aerin: Mom, I'm so glad that I'm not in Mrs. Crenshaw's class and that you put me in Mrs. Barth's class.
Mom: Why is that?
Aerin: She's teaching them yoga!

Our House

Aerin: I like our house.
Mom: What do you like about it?
Aerin: It's very Marr-y!

Chuck E Cheese Dogpile

Tonight, Aerin and I had a Daddy/Daughter date at Chuck E Cheese's. Aerin said that if the rat got close to her, she would punch him out. Chuck made his appearance, and a worker started tossing tickets from the second story. Soon there was a mass of wriggling, grasping children at Chuck E's feet. But where was Aerin? Yup, at the bottom of the pile.

[We used to fear that our older children might get roughed up in such a situation, but with Aerin we fear the opposite.]

I have failed

While in Utah, Aerin insisted that she and Mom only listen to Country music on the car radio. Well, at least Gpa Beagley and Dallin will be happy.

First Day Of School!

Aerin looks ready to take on third grade:

From First Day

Click on the link above for more pictures.

Aerin's teacher is Mrs. Barth, who was Shannon's 5th grade teacher.

Risk

While Aerin was in Utah vistiting the Calls she learned a "new" game: Risk! Yesterday she beat me horribly.

Guess what I did?

Aerin: Dad, guess what I did!
Dad: What?
Aerin: I called Mom 'woman' and lived!

New Game

Aerin and I have been playing Clue-opoly on Sunday afternoons. It's just like Clue but with Monopoly pieces for the suspects. Actually, that's because we lost the suspect pieces.

Donuts!

Aerin: Where's Grandpa?
Tracy: He went to get donuts.
Aerin: Donuts!? That's why I keep him around!

[This could apply to both grandpas, but in this case it was Grandpa Marr. - ed.]

Aerin Flips

Beach Trip!

See the pictures from the Beach Trip with Grandma and Grandpa Marr.

A Correlation?

Inspired by the latest BenKira blog entry, Aerin said, "Dad's a nerd, Brennen's a nerd, Dallin's a nerd, and Shannon's a nerd, but I'm not a nerd, because I'm not a blowhard!"

Not A Problem

While I was in another room I heard Aerin jogging around the house. As she got closer I could hear 'thud click thud click'. Checking, I saw that she was holding the pedometer that Tracy had gotten in her breakfast cereal this morning.

I asked her why she was running around, and she said, "You know how we are supposed to do 10,000 steps a day? I want to get all of mine done early, so I don't have to later."

Yup

Aerin: Dad, could you ever nurse a baby?
Dad: Well, with hormones, I suppose I could, but not normally.
Aerin: [pause] Coward!

Family Pictures

Before Dallin left we were able to get together for some family pictures. Aerin spiced up a few of them.

Candy!

I brought a bag of candy home from my trip to the store, and Aerin told Tracy, "Guess what Dad brought home: Sea-water Taffy!"

More Wisdom

Aerin said, "My Whoopee Cushion feels good on the buttocks."

Sending Dallin On A Mission

Yesterday, we all took Dallin to San Jose International Airport to send him off on his mission. It was a somber time. Not.

My Fair Lady

Aerin watched My Fair Lady last week, and loved it. Tonight at dinner, she said, "I'm thinking of one the songs, and I will give you a clue: it isn't the Spain one; it's the Hamster one."

More Truth From Aerin

Aerin: "Men can't have babies because they aren't worthy."

FHE

It was Aerin's turn to choose our Family Home Evening activity/lesson tonight. She chose a family walk. We strolled from the house over to the base of the Santa Teresa Hills and saw:

3 black-tailed deer
8 turtles in Dottie's Pond
A funky caterpillar
A lizard
A grey hawk
Half a dove (due to the grey hawk)
A blue jay with a small mammal in its beak (we didn't know they ate meat)

Not a bad walk.

More Wisdom

Aerin: You had to have at least two children. One to practice on and one for real.

Addendum: Then Aerin added, "Since I'm the fourth child, I'm just about perfect."

Halloween Advanced Planning

This year for Halloween Aerin plans on being Naggity the Evil Witch. I don't know where she gets these ideas.

Marry Family Fairy Tales

Brennen, Aerin, and I were coming up with ideas for funny fairy tales the other night, and Aerin's contribution was Rumplebuttskin.

Tumbling

Aerin takes a tumbling class with some older girls. She was complaining last week that they needed to wear more clothes. Tracy asked her why, and Aerin, cupping her hands over her chest and bouncing them up and down, said, "Because they do this!"

Writing Your Name In The Snow

Tonight we were discussing Chet Atkins' "I Still Write Your Name In The Snow". I told Aerin that it's something boys can do, but girls can't. She said that of course girls could, and proceeded to demonstrate her squat-walk snow writing technique.

Monopoly!

Today, Aerin had me down to just a few dollars and most of my property mortgaged (gee, like real life), but I battled back and beat her! Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Nap Time?

Here's how I knew my Sunday nap was over.

ROTFL

With Aerin, ROTFL really mean rolling on the floor laughing. Here is another example:

I was showing Aerin voice dialing on my cell phone. To call home, I just say 'home'. Then the phone repeats back what it thought I said. As I proudly showed this to her, I said 'home', and the phone said 'dad'. Aerin collapsed in shrieks.

More Monopoly

Sunday's Monopoly experience was similar to the previous week's. It got worse and worse for me. Aerin finally said, "Well, you'll have to get by on your 'ones'."

Monopoly

This afternoon's Daddy/Aerin Monopoly brawl turned ugly. I couldn't make a good roll; she couldn't make a bad one. As my misfortune mounted, and her fortunes increased, Aerin couldn't stop laughing. She ended up on the floor, holding her stomach. She would get herself under control and get off the floor for a minute. Until my next disaster send her back to the floor.

Mercifully, the game was short.

But Winter's Almost Over

After church today, Aerin was famished. As she popped another grape in her mouth, she said, "I'm getting ready for hibernation."

More Wisdom From Aerin

Pretty girls can still pack a punch.

Daddy always says, "Well, you failed to explain that."

I listen; I have ears.

Seventh Commandment

A few weeks ago it was Aerin's turn to lead our family scripture study. One evening she chose to read the Ten Commandments. As we read the Seventh Commandment she said, "I'm too young to commit adultery, so I will work on not saying bad words."

Unfair Restriction

A couple of weeks ago I did demonstrations at Aerin's school on how to do a science project. Aerin told me that I couldn't use any scientific words.

It Pays To Listen Carefully

Tracy and I were discussing some friends that have a son with Aspergers Syndrome and twins with a more severe form of Autism. Misunderstanding, Aerin said, "I'm artistic!"

If Honey Is Bee Barf ...

Aerin: So, milk is basically cow pee?

Sick Humor

We have a friend who is having rectal cancer surgery tomorrow, and we are very concerned about him. That didn't stop some of us from from being gross:

Dad: They are hoping that all the cancer is in a polyp, so he can be cancer free after the surgery.
Brennen: All's well that ends well!
Aerin: Better out than in, I always say!

[Note: Happy news! All was well and our friend is cancer free.]

Primary

Today I substituted as Aerin's Primary teacher. The class: Aerin and three boys. May I take a moment to express appreciation for my daughter.

Adjective vs. Noun Confusion

Our friends are expecting, and last week they found out the sex of the baby. Aerin said, "That's to see if the baby is cute."

Favorite Gift

Aerin's favorite birthday gift was from her Dear Old Dad. DOD is still in trouble with the rest of the family.

Easter Egg Hunt

Aerin and her friend Kyle enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt on this beautiful spring day. Pictures!

Birthday Pictures

Aerin'S Birthday pictures are up.

Tormenting Big Brother

Aerin drew a sign for Brennen's door: A lovely green meadow, under a blue sky, with a single red flower. It is titled The Friends Club. I think she is saying that Brennen and his aide, Jeremy, aren't very friendly sometimes.

Paying Job

Aerin has her first paying job, helping a neighbor one afternoon a week. Aerin plays with the one-year-old so the mom can get things done.

Hungry Girl

This morning Aerin said, "Every morning I think I should have lunch right after I finish breakfast and my chores. I'm hungry. I digest quickly."

Angel?

While at Disneyland many people commented about how sweet Aerin was. In reply, she would bat her eyes at them and say, "I'm an angel."

Little Miss Energy

Friday night, after 13 hours at Disneyland, I was dragging a bit. Aerin was doing cartwheels as she ran to the next ride. Now I know why some animals eat their young.

New Bolt

Last week Aerin told Tracy that one of the lamps needed a new bolt. Tracy didn't want to embarrass her, so she said, "Let's look in the closet and see if we have any more light bolts."

Another Teaching Moment

For a school assignment due this week, Aerin did a poster advertising a favorite book. She chose Pride And Prejudice. As Tracy and Aerin were coming up with words to describe the book, Tracy suggested "Elopement". Aerin decided on "Scandal" instead. Tracy asked here what scandal meant. Aerin said, "It's what men and women do together when not married."

Saturday With Sore Feet In The Park With Aerin

Thankfully, since we had to catch a plane, Saturday was a short day: Two hours in California Adventure and two at Disneyland.

We got to California Adventure as it opened at 10am. We rode Mike & Sully To The Rescue, then Grizzly River Run three times in a row. I had brought a change of clothes for Aerin and told her that once she changed clothes, no more water rides for the day. Should have brought a change for me too. I just moved from sunny patch to sunny patch for the next couple of hours, as the clouds thickened and my clothes dried. We finished the California Adventure with the Golden Zephyr and Orange Stinger rides.

The crowds were thick at Disneyland, so we just had time for the Haunted Mansion, Tarzan's Jungle Adventure, and the Pinocchio ride. We left as the rain started.

Aerin was finally tired. The night before she was doing cartwheels (literally) at 11pm, but she was dragging as we walked back to the hotel.

Friday In The Park With Aerin

On Friday, Aerin and I spent 15 glorious hours at Disneyland. It was a little rainy at first, but beautiful later. The crowds were somewhat thin. We rode:

• Buzz Light Year (3 times) - We started with Buzz.
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (twice)
  
• Indiana Jones
• Star Tours (twice)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (twice)
• Splash Mountain (twice) - With a walk back to the hotel to change all of Aerin's clothes
• Alice In Wonderland
• Teacups (3 times)
• Go Coaster
• Dumbo (twice)
• Rockets (twice)
• Haunted Castle (3 times)
• Winnie The Pooh
• Pirates of the Caribbean (3 times)
  
• Matterhorn (twice) - We ended with the Matterhorn.
  

By 11:40 pm the line at the Matterhorn had finally gotten short enough. We had checked it several times during the day, but any wait over 15 minutes was just too long for the kind of day it was. Aerin loved the ride! As we finished, we saw that the line had been closed and the sled in front of ours was the last to leave for the night. Our sled-mates asked if we could stay seated, and the operator sent our sled through again.

Then we just had a mile walk back to the hotel.

Big Thunder Mountain

I worried that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (a roller coaster) would be a bit intense for Aerin, and, anyway, the line was always too long. Around 9pm on Friday suddenly there was just a 5 minute wait; I couldn't pass it up. There's a part where it is dark, so we when came out into the light I quickly looked over to make sure she wasn't frightened. There she was with both arms in the air, laughing and hollering at the top of her lungs.

Chopsticks

After Aerin and I flew to LA on the way to Disneyland, we stopped for dinner. Aerin had Panda Express and handled chopsticks better than I had ever seen her do before. I asked her how she had gotten so good, and she said, "Instinct."

Pictures!

Pictures from Aerin's trip to Disneyland with Dad are here.

Boring Saturday

Today Aerin called and called to find a friend for a play date, but they were all busy. She had to settle for boring, old Dad. We made a bead necklace. We rode bikes in the cul de sac. I watched her jump on the trampoline. We played basketball; she jammed a finger. I watched her ice her finger. Ahhh. Future memories.

How would she know?

We watched Addams Family tonight. During the ballroom scene, Aerin asked, "Why are all the women dressed like goths?"

Shannon Would Agree ...

Tracy hosted a baby shower for a friend last Saturday. Aerin saved two bags of candy for later. She said one was "for emergencies, when there's no chocolate."

Trivia?

We were playing Disney Trivial Pursuit. It was Aerin's turn to read a question: Who always said "Oh, bother." Quickly turning to the answer she read: "Whiney Poof".

Her Lips Are Sealed

Yesterday, Aerin visited the Hello Kitty store on her Daddy/Daughter date. Among other things, she bought a little baby bottle filled with orange liquid. Later, while I was buying my no-fat but covered in cinnamon and sugar pretzel, she was trying to drink from the bottle. She couldn't get anything out, so she looked for some instructions on the bottle. She read:

Orange Scented Glue

We had trouble paying for my pretzel because we were laughing so hard.

More On Shaving

Aerin: Dad, I know how to shave.
Dad: Really?
Aerin: Yes [pantomiming shaving]: "Ow! I cut myself. Ratsa frattin, gruel fribbin!"

Build A Bear

Aerin spent her BuildABear gift card yesterday (Thanks, Shannon and Jeff). Her kitty got a new fairy costume (and red underwear) and her bear inherited the old fairy costume.

See: http://picasaweb.google.com/JeffTheTwoThirds/AerinAndFriends

The Cruise!

When asked what was her favorite part of the cruise to Mexico, Aerin replied "The shopping!"

For pictures of the cruise, see http://picasaweb.google.com/JeffTheTwoThirds/Cruise08.

Fashion Expert

One day Tracy had tucked in her shirt. Aerin said, "Mom, don't tuck in your shirt. It makes you look like a dork!"

Shaving(?) Accident

Aerin came out of the bathroom one day last week with a bit of toilet paper stuck to her chin. She said that she had seen me do that when I cut myself shaving, and she had a boo-boo on her face.

Aunt Marge

Tracy's Aunt Marge never had to do dinner dishes. She always disappeared into the bathroom right after the meal, and didn't reappear until after the dishes were safely disposed of. Her "skill" had passed to Dallin, and now has passed to Aerin.

Aerin's cover was blown, however. We could hear her chortling as she read Garfield long after she was "done". Now she has a time limit.

Sharks game

Aerin went to her first Sharks game tonight. Actually, her first hockey game. What an exciting game! Bummer we lost in overtime.

During the second period, I felt a nudge on my shoulder. Sharkie, the mascot, sat down right next to Aerin, but she wouldn't pay him any attention. Finally, I grabbed her hand and made her give him a high five.