We have finally resolved our connectivity problems, so I'm back. I will spare you the painful details of our wireless woes. For now, we seem to be sailing smoothly.

All of the kids got haircuts. Sydney got to go to the salon in the BX. Her hair is way too thick for me to even think about taking a pair of scissors to it. Tansy got rid of her latest mullet. I cut it a bit shorter than I intended, but some soft layers in the back really make it look cute.

And this is what happens at our house when mom starts beatboxing:

Tyler LOVES to crawl up here so I finally just taught him how to get down. Poor baby can only take so many face plants.

On Wednesday, Tansy's best friend Lily (they will tell you they are sisters) was over playing and her mom, Jessica, and I let the kids go upstairs to play while I cleaned a few things up downstairs. Tyler is a really light sleeper so I don't let them up there when he's napping. You'd think he could sleep through noise better being the youngest. Weird.

Anyway, after the obligatory tattling on Zachary, things seemed to settle down and glorious, happy noises were coming down the stairs. Jessica decided it was time to get home and let their dog out and went upstairs to get Lily. She called down, "Melanie, we've got markers." The kids had gone in to the spare room, found some dry erase markers in a box we hadn't finished unpacking, and gone to town. They colored themselves, the walls, some toys, the door, the bunk beds, the bathroom counter, the bathroom floor, and the bathroom door. We used a four-pack of Magic Erasers before we got everything off. The kids have been grounded from all coloring ever since. When will I learn that if Zack and Tansy are getting along, it must mean they are being naughty?

Last night, Ben and I got to go on a date with our good friends, the Fosters. We went out to dinner, to Stake Conference, and then out for Blizzards. It was so nice to go out with just adults. We don't do it very often since we can't usually afford the date and the babysitter, but the it was worth it. Elder Porter of the Seventy spoke and said a lot of things I needed to hear. I didn't hear quite as much at today's session since we had all of the kids, but I love how the Spirit helps you feel what Heavenly Father wants you to improve while pouring out so much love.