Much more success today. I love this one but without his face so directly in it we found a better one. Still aren't they perfect?

I need to update after vacation. Two days in Charleston, 2 in Savannah, 3 in Atlanta. Very fun. The first vacation in a long time where I wasn't dying to get home at the end. Rented a "rockin, rockin Crown Vic", saw alligators and rednecks, ate lots of turkey and southern food, much sweet tea. We're finally all back in place with clean laundry and a day at school and skating lessons. I think life has settled.

Just in time for me to have jury duty tomorrow. Sigh.

Oh and how do people get super cute pictures of two kids for their holiday cards? I need to trick them. I'll enlist my husband's help for the second attempt. They primarily turned out like this. Maybe I use it and call it artsy.

I hope I don't jinx us by saying that we're mostly healthy now. Babygirl still has the stuffies, so she can't eat/drink and breathe at the same time, but compared to a fever of 104.7, this is easy peasy. Still on nasty Augmentin, which causes even nastier diapers, but we'll live.

Nino is done with his antibiotics and is no longer complaining. We've had many head knocks all around this week but other than some starting-to-brown bruises, we're fine.

I'm also in much better shape this year for christmas already. I have found some wonderful things and am hoarding them. The kids are getting a play kitchen. I ought not to buy a single other thing for them, but know that's impossible. I've also discovered how much I love H & M's kiddo stuff, so if you're in the buying mood for my kids, go there. I only bought socks and gloves because I was running late. I'm going back.

On the other hand, I have no clue what to buy anyone else. I want to buy things that are fun and not clutter. And not spend so much money. Not so hard, right?

Upon watching Curious George order 100 dozen donuts.

"Momma, some donuts have frosting on them?! Can we try those some time?!"

Sometimes it's nice to control a view over the counter.

I think we had about 13 hours without illness. Nino is still on antibiotics, but feeling fine. Missymiss ran up a pretty good fever today and has the telltale head lumps. Everyone is asleep now.

I'm in the process of watching the really long Thorn Birds. I just read the book. It's a bit weird to watch a movie in several days.

And the Carter's outlet rocks. Expect to see photos of Ms Thing in her new $3.99 Turkey outfit. Pants *and* shirt for that. And several other christmas treats.

Wonderful weekend, too much food, fun time with visiting friend. "Momma, I sure do miss Julie" about 3 hours after she left.

Happy Halloween!

First event is already over - Nino and his school had a parade. It was rockin'. Now I love him going to a big old public school, they get totally into it. My niece's school doesn't even reference halloween. They won't even read books about Jack O Lanterns.

When I dropped him off this morning, halloween music was playing over the PA system (outside too!), the principal was a lion, every kid was in costume, and Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are teaching today. I just love it.

Look at this adorable, erm, scary, bat! One of his ears doesn't stand up quite right. We'll work on it before tOt.

Only my child would ask to see a picture of a house with a waterfall in it. And when I show it to him (fallingwater), he asks to go there some time. And I say "okay". No big whoop. I've been there like ten times, what's one more?

I'm just heartbroken for two strangers.

While waiting for a car repair, I met Mary. She was saying something to me about how hard she finds it to make decisions, like about her car battery, without her husband. And not that she is a pushover, but just emotionally knowing she couldn't run it by anyone. He died a month ago from Alzheimers. And her son has kidney cancer that's running through his whole 41-year-young body.

Then in walks newlywed, new homeowner lady, who was shopping online for her new house. Her 58 year old mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago, and she already has forgotten how to eat and speak.

I actually cried driving away. And then called my mom.

Today, I got everything done (four slings out, vacuum the main floor, try to kill some worms, go to gym) early so I went to the mall. I kind of hate the mall, but there's this smallish mall nearby that has gymboree and the children's place, and I had $100 american express gift cheque. Did you know that they give you cash? So $21 at gymbo, $14 at the cp, $3 at dunk's, and $62 in my wallet. Woohoo. And I suppose I've started christmas shopping. Each child has a new outfit now.

I am also on a quest to find a case to put my ipod mini in while I exercise that keeps it on my person somehow. Damn having a discontinued ipod size.

Today we found a cup with milk in it under Nino's bed. It stank. When I say stank, I mean that I had to open windows, put rose water on all the lightbulbs, run the dishwasher with baking soda, twice, and several candles are still burning. Anyway, at the peak, he came in and told me it smelled like hippopotamus. I about died. He clarified, saying sea water, which was kind of true (in the worst possible low tide way) but hippo is funnier.

He has also already put in a request to Santa for a SpiderMan spin brush. Now, looking at the ad, I see a fire truck and space man as well. I'm sure Santa will be able to find one.

Babygirl is one (and 2 days, now). Internet connection was royally effed up, and the technician told us it was a big fix. Turns out he's a moron and we're fine.

Annnyway, she's now up to 17 lb 13 oz (that's the 6%, so she's not forward facing any time soon), 29" long (48%) and has a 97% head. According to the doc, that's part of the reason she's likely not walking. She pulls up but doesn't want to get that melon going too fast, it'll take a girl down hard. Several younger babies in the waiting room had pounds on us. But the doctor cited a new study linking large head size to higher IQ. Of course.

Meanwhile, big brother is thriving at school. Has a zillion friends, is pooped every afternoon, comes home with more artwork than eight fridges could handle, it's all good. Teachers are really good at working with what he gets and what he doesn't. I love when they tell me about little parts of him that I know and love too.

Underpants on the head

Apparently they're a "helmet".

Anyway, I know for sure of two things for birthday/christmas for the big boy. A scooter, and Blueberries for Sal. We are definitely abusing the library's renewal policy.

And did you see the girl's ticker above? That's four days from now. Such a big girl.

Eating play doh for medicinal purposes

Sometimes I want to give my blog a silly/quirky name like that. So today I'll use it. Today M was under the table, chewing mostly dried up orange/pink/red/yellow playdoh lumps, among other things.

Went to the attic and the ghost shirt is in hand. As well as a really cute other halloween outfit. No vest but we'll deal.

Firstly, if you would go up in to the attic and find the black spooky ghost shirt in size 18 months, that'd rock. I have photos of Nino wearing it but your guess is as good as mine, as far as location.

Secondly, while you're up there, can you find the green fleece vest in similar size? Thanks.

Thirdly, thank you to the bank for setting us up with overdraft that directly charges to our credit card. And for erasing two overdraft charges. It is not my fault. I leave $500 in our account for unforseen buffer. If you are going to write a $600 check on the 29th of any month, please check.

Remind me what a great thing journalling does for my waistline. 7 days in a row writing every morsel down, 2.2 lb. Direct relation, no doubt. Even when at least 4 days start with cider donuts.

Working on keeping the house clean. I feel like it's starting to spiral away from me, and we haven't even had a single speck of interest yet. Two active kids is just too much. Little Miss is now standing up, pulling up, and occasionally letting go. I've been counting on her walking as late as her brother, which leaves me 3 more months. She doesn't seem to know of this plan. I'll work on that.

Lots of apples at home, what with 2 trips to Cider Hill Farm under our belt. Lots more to come, one more trip this weekend. Come over next week for apple pie okay?

Congratulations Kate and welcome Boston! He's just a beautiful completion to your family.

Tomorrow the house goes on the market. I've set up a photobucket album just for it. The listing isn't live yet but will be. Tomorrow. We want loads of money and no commission, okay? Oh and fast. Thanks.

Very weird dream last night where I was pregnant, with the mirena still in place. So I went to the doctor for a weird procedure causing my body to expel it. Followed by an ultrasound, where turns out "she" was just fine but that she had a small scar from said device. Cuckoo.

Today we're driving to Falmouth to see a house be loaded into place by cranes. Then some seafood and beer. Woot!

I don't feel six years older.

Happy Anniversary to us.

So we've had this "rewards card" for years and are just sitting here getting points. We used it for a plane ticket once, I think.

In the car, I remembered this and linked it mentally to the Charleston/Savannah/Atlanta trip this fall. We are staying in two *sweet* historic hotels for free (sort of)!! Give me a woot. Sadly, now that we're taking advantage, we're not using that card as much. Darn kids and the college savings card.

Also, we're getting the house ready to sell. I have been cleaning and organizing for a while and I'm not nearly done. I need to do things like wash the windows. Sigh. The hardest part is going to be keeping it clean. At least shoving toys into baskets doesn't take long. I hope that if I wash the windows now, a quick windex fingerprint swipe will cover me.