Literature Review

I may just stop assigning literature reviews because every time I read them the students are plagiarizing. Do they not understand that if they are reviewing someone else's work that there MUST be some citing of the work somewhere? That turning in an assignment without a bibliography is completely UNACCEPTABLE?

What are they teaching them in those required writing courses? Or do they think those skills only belong in that four month semester?

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!

Good Things

Today the Princess figured out how to open the door. Since our backyard gates are locked, I'm not too worried about her wandering out into the street at 2am. But I am very happy because her favorite thing to do is let the dog out - which means, one less chore for me!

3 Generations

I went to Syracuse because my Daddy went to Syracuse who went to Syracuse because he rooted for Orange sports. We will spend the next 18 years outfitting the children with Syracuse clothing, rooting for them in all sports, but most especially football, basketball and lacrosse. We will randomly sing "the Cuse is in the house, oh my god oh my god" or "it's great, uh huh, to be, that's right, an SU Orange" while cleaning or cooking or raking or any other house related -ing. And our kids will be the third generation at Syracuse University - and we will owe somewhere in the range of $300K for college expenses. We should start one of those college accounts right now.

Just for the information - the Duke did not go to Syracuse University because he lamely went to the little school in Syracuse, Le Moyne College. He does, however, root for Orange sports similar to my father - much anger and anguish accompany being a fan of the Orange. Thus the Prince and Princess will receive much legacy (3 generations of SU graduates and if they get a degree in the Maxwell School as did their mother and grandfather we will get box seats at their graduation - because that's how private school rolls) and much orange wearing, Cuse rooting, football swearing, Boeheim worshipping (of course their father is a townie, and all townies should be forbidden from the Hill, but we love him and thus tolerate his affection)

Spring in Utah

Another reason I love it here in Utah is the spring. Spring in Utah is beautiful. It doesn't rain on you or plop big, gross sleet on you. It's not cloudy 2/3 of the time. It is beautiful. The sun is out. The days are long. There are no bugs. It is beautiful.

Made even more beautiful this year by a 2 year old singing "ride my bike...ride my bike...ride my bike" as she rides around the ten foot square block we let her ride her bike in. (lest you think I am a Nazi mom, which I may very well be but not for this, we have no sidewalks)

From a distance I now hear a little radio flyer bell chiming and the sound "I did it!!" as last year she could not make it ring.

I love spring.

Sleep Deprivation

The 2 year old has figured out how to open her bedroom door. Last night, or very early this morning, we awake to a little body climbing in our bed at 2am. She then proceeds to "need to use the potty" - "lost Teddy" - " need to use the potty" - "what color are Mama's eyes" until about 3am. I pick her up and carry her to her bed so my husband's head doesn't explode. She then chats with me about birds until about 430am.

I had great pleasure waking her up today at 755am to go on a field trip. Of course, she bounces out of bed - how does she do that??