Does a banana really taste different if you eat it with the peeling on or off?

I opened a banana today for Saige, but apparently it was the wrong way. So she threw herself on the floor and exclaimed she was NOT eating that banana. She insisted that I open another one, which, to my demise I did. After taking the peeling off this time, she again threw herself on the floor and in tears exclaimed, "that is not how you eat a banana." I now had two full bananas on my counter and wasn't about to open a thrid. Does it really matter, I asked her. You don't even eat the peel- only the banana. We went through many different scenarios of how you could possibly eat a banana all the while she was crying and yelling. After about ten minutes of this I came to the conclusion that her banana had to be completely peeled, but not broken. Then placed back in the peel so she could hold the peel while she ate the banana. I ask again- Does a banana taste different eating it with the peeling on or off?

One more for tonight and then I will stop. Randi and Chloe are both on the City Swim team this year. Of course Chloe was on it last year as well, so she has had some good experience. Randi, bless her heart, this is her first year. She is at least half the size of everyone else on the team, but I am learning her heart is twice as big. They have to swim a full-lap of the pool doing breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, and backstroke. So our first swim meet was last Thursday night. Randi took second in her first event which happened to be a freestyle relay (it sort of helped that the two fastest boys were on her heat). Then came time for individual freestyle... Let's just say Randi was about half way through when the announcer got on the loud speaker and said; "Come on parents and swimmers lets cheer this one on, lets bring her in." I think they were a little worried she wasn't going to make it to the other side. Needless to say, about 1 full minute after everyone else finished, Randi finished. Her first words were- "mom did you hear all those people- they were cheerin for me!" She sure appreciated the support and being the center of attention. She placed sixth out of sixth, but said next week she is going to try really hard to get seventh. Because seventh place gets pink ribbons. I told her I thought that was a great goal for her to set! She sure has some spunk, and to quote her "swimming is hard work, but I love it!"

There were quite a few changes in our ward over the past few weeks. We've had three couples move out all of which had leadership posititons, needless to say it makes for some change. Ryan has been released as the ward executive secretary and put in as the priest advisor and missionary prep coordinator, a change with which he is excited for. I am excited as well because we will no longer have to find a babysitter for meetings we are both involved in. As the wife of the new second counselor in the bishopric got up to bear her testimony (they have four children 8 and under) she talked about how on the way home from church the previous Sunday they talked about "the church bag." She was saying we are done with the church bag our kids are old enough to just sit and listen. No more snacks, coloring, books, were done. Well, the following Thursday her husband got the call into the bishopric and she said; "I will have you know ""the church bag"" is back with a vengeance. Bigger and better than ever!" I don't know why I have found this so funny, Possibly because I can relate so well.

Ok, so a good indication that it has been too long since my last entry is that I had to reset my password, because I have fogotten it. Oops! Guess I need to get a little better at keeping this updated. Well, I have two funny stories I think I will share. So the other day Captin was playing in Ryan's truck (which is a huge no-no- because of the value of that piece of machinery we would hate to damage anything) anyway he was yelling for Randi to come over because the truck was unlocked and he was getting inside. Little did he know Ryan was in there. So he's yelling very excitedly for Randi to come get in with him and as he opens the passenger door and sees Ryan he instantly says; "uh-oh" and shuts the door quickly. So last week I open the garage door to go throw something away and once again Captin is in the process of doing something he shouldn't. He is climbing on the rubber that is all stacked up in the garage. Well, as soon as he hears the door open I hear him say; "oops!" The kids inital reactions are hysterical. What's so funny is that it is the reaction anyone of us would have, but were smart enough not to verbalize it, not Captin though! They sure make for some good laughter- thanks Captin once again for keeping us entertained!!

That was sure fun to see Dallen at the funeral. What a great job he did in representing his family, we did miss seeing Aunt Jackie though. Are you surprised that he already won the affection of Saige. He is so sweet!

All the oldest grandsons got to be the pallbearers, since Casey was on his mission dad represented us. Way to go dad you represented us well! I wouldn't have even known that wasn't Casey if I didn't know better (ha ha!)

On Thursday March 27th Grandma Goodie passed away. It was sad to see her go, but she leaves a great legacy behind. Her funeral was Saturday March 29th which happened to be her 95th birthday. It was fun to see all the cousins that came in for her funeral. What a great outpouring of love and support. Grandma leaves behind 45 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and lots, and lots of memories. Some of my favorite memories of Grandma were all her plants. She had an array of house plants that were always green and thriving. I remember her up early in the morning many times watering those plants. Grandma also made the best mush, I'm pretty sure she pust molasses in it and that is what made it taste so good. I loved it when I was living with her on the mornings that she made mush. I also loved her washing machine that you had to pay to use, I remember thinking as a kid that it was so fun to get to put the quarters in. She sure was an example of faith, missionary work, and charity. I am grateful to be part of her heritage. We love you Grandma and will miss you. I have no doubt though that she is much happier where she is now!

Jeaniece, Jackielee, and myself got to go to San Diego for the weekend. We had a great time. I learned though that I cannot look deeply into their eyes and try to see their souls without laughing hysterically. We attended a childrens yoga confrence and learned a lot. I am afraid we might have been a little disruptive in a few spots. It was NOT good to have one of them as my partners because I could not keep a straight face. It was very nice to a have a few days away from the norm. I even was able to sleep throught the night for the first time in over a year- so that was nice. Of course, we went to bed a little to late and had to get up a little to early, so there was no catching up on sleep. I also learned not to order curry chicken from a Thai restraunt. It came in the form of a soup and we all took one bite and sent it back, it was nasty. The apple/fish salad was delicious and so were the Thai noodles. Thanks to Jeanice for introducing us to the experience. Oh, I also learned I do not like the coconut rice pudding with mangos for dessert. The mangos weren't too bad, but when they make something look like ice-cream, but it has the texture of rice.... didn't work so well for me. Thanks anyway Jeaniece! I think I'll pick the dessert next time.