Zeke's Question

Zeke: Mom, can I ask you a question?

Me: Sure. What would you like to ask?

Zeke: Why didn't you name me Shirley?

Questions Needed!

I've been having a great time writing my advice column for the Nauvoo Times. Many thanks to the people who send me questions! People are always interested to learn that all of the questions in my column are real.

But I'm running low! So if you have a question for The Real Issue, please send it to me.

It can be about anything: manners, in-laws, housekeeping, weddings, holidays, ward-related awkwardness. Mormon-related questions are especially welcome. Whatever is plaguing you. Or just bothering you. Or that you simply wonder about.

It can be a long or a short question.

You can leave it in the comments here, email me, or use the form at the bottom of my column.

Your name will not appear in the column, so unless you leave your question here in the comments, your identity will remain unknown to the Internet.

Thanks!

A New Nephew!

My sister Liz had a baby early this morning!

This makes him my fourth new niece or nephew this year. He joins Lewis, Margaret, and Deanna, all of whom are brilliantly adorable.

But this baby has no name!

Victor thinks the baby should be named Peter, after his dad.

Zeke thinks the baby should be named George, after the monkey.

Bulbs

This year, I have been attempting to make our yard more attractive.

So on Friday, Zeke and I planted bulbs. Some narcissus and something else that is shorter and blue. If we did it right, they should bloom in the spring. 

Friday afternoon and evening were very busy, so we didn't eat dinner until around 8:00 p.m., when Jeremy was actually home.

"Zeke," I said. "Tell Dad what we did today."

"We planted bulbs!" Zeke told Jeremy. "They will turn into flowers."

After some discussion that bulbs are like seeds, the conversation then turned to other things. A few minutes later, Victor asked, "Um, Mom, when you planted those lights today . . . "

"Lights?" I asked, puzzled.

"Yes, that you planted," he continued, miming a digging action with his hands.

"Oh!" I said, realizing the connection he had made. "The bulbs! Yes!"

Zeke cut in. "Yes. They will grow into flowers, and the flowers will light up."

Jogging, Two Years Later

Two years ago, some friends and family and I ran in a 5K as Team SwindleFun.

I am happy to report that, two years later, I can still run 5K. And it's a lot easier now.

In fact, yesterday, I ran 4.4 miles. I was super impressed with myself.

My goal is to run 5 miles.

Soccer, Season 2

Victor and Zeke are both playing soccer this fall. Victor is on the Vikings and Zeke is on the Eagles. Both coaches are very good.

Yesterday, we went out on a limb and bought them cleats, which they love.

Today, during Victor's game, he made a good save while in goal, and talked a lot of, as Jeremy put it, smack. Which is funny because he's one of the youngest on the field. And he only taunts the really good players.

Victor played more than usual today because the star Viking got walloped by the ball to the gut and folded like a wet noodle. Jeremy, on the sidelines, also got walloped by a ball.

Zeke's game was entertaining. He made a goal, and bonked skulls with his teammate Ainsley.