second annual

Tonight we had our Second Annual Back to School Dinner. I really struggled with the theme this year. After considering several options, I was still trying to come up with just the right one even as I set the table. When I realized I'd forgotten to pick up flowers for the centerpiece, I looked around for what I could use instead. I focused in on my white ceramic owl and it hit me -- Mosiah 4:27.

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

I put my owl on top of a Book of Mormon in the middle of the table, and used them during dinner to explain the theme to the girls. I'm not sure how much Lauren understood, since every time I asked her a question she asked, "Is the owl our clue?" But I'm sure the girls will come to understand the meaning of the scripture more throughout the year.

To be honest, I think this year's theme is as much for me as for them. It will be a good reminder for me as I work each day -- sometimes against considerable resistance -- to help the girls learn the value of daily scripture study, family prayer, jobs, homework and (new this year) piano practice. If we are diligent, it will all be worth the effort.

first annual

Tonight we had our First Annual Back-to-School Dinner, inspired by the remarkable Nielsen family. The tradition: Every year, on the night before school starts, have a fancy dinner at home and present a theme for the school year, give the girls their father's blessings, and let them don their selected first-day-of-school outfits in a family fashion show. 

This year was extra special because Uncle Steven and Aunt Krystal were visiting for the weekend. It was a beautiful night, so we decided to eat on our screened porch.  I pulled out the nice dishes and christened a pretty vintage table cloth I fell in love with at a flea market. I let Ella and Lauren pick out a fresh bouquet at Eastern Market, and set the table with the mod podge votives the girls made in preschool; they were so proud.

The menu: herb-crusted pork roast, chunky apple sauce, smashed red potatoes, asparagus, mandarin salad and vanilla ice cream with fresh peaches for dessert. 

After our fancy dinner, I read The Little Engine That Could, and presented the theme, "I Think I Can." It can be hard to tell when they're learning what Kim and I want to teach them, but I hope they hear those words in their heads whenever they face a new challenge this year: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

It's so fun to have family traditions! I just love it. I hope the girls do, too. 

cake points

For this year's Independence Day barbeque, I decided to make Ina Garten's flag cake -- a vanilla sheet cake decorated with (a lot of) buttercream frosting, blueberries and raspberries to resemble the American flag. I was placing the berries on the cake when two kitchen chairs with little girls on them appeared on either side of me. "Wow," Ella said. 

"That is amazing," added Lauren, "You are a good baker." 

"Thanks, girls," I said, continuing with my work.

"No, really, Mom," Ella assured me. "You are a really good baker."

"The best," Lauren beamed. "And you are the best mom!"

They went on, and on, and on until it was finished. And while I ordinarily would have been a bit annoyed trying to work in the midst of their incessant chattering, I have to confess: I loved every minute. 

At the barbeque, I mentioned to Adrienne that the girls really enjoyed watching me make the cake and she said, "Oh, I know. Ella came up to me and said, 'Did you see the cake my mom made? Isn't it extra-ordinary?'" 

A tradition is born.