And it begins!

It's really incredibly hard to choose. I have to remind myself that I have all month and plenty of opportunity.


As an aside, it really really bothered me that when I google image searched Acadia, most of the images were of the godforsaken SUV.

Ya, there's no way I'll be able to narrow it to 25. But if I do 25, I will have met my goal. It's not even May yet.

Like this, isn't this just stunningly beautiful?


Oh additionally, the boy had his kindergarten screening this morning. How did I get old enough to have a child who rides a bus to school? He charmed everyone, had no separation issues, got all of his stickers. I'm glad I have several more months to deal with the idea.

Erin has enlisted me for a blogging challenge. Which of course I am always up for. I am about to begin the 25 Beautiful Things challenge. They are going to be entirely random, and entirely up to me. Let me know if you agree.

This challenge doesn't officially start until May 1, so here's a teaser. Boodalee childrens bedding. I need a new house.

So the boy spent the night with my parents the other day. He has been interested in Indiana Jones for about 6 months now. I have no idea how or why, or what put in his mind that action movies with nazis and living skeletons are good fare for a five year old, but he was *not* disappointed. Staying up too late, going out for breakfast at the airfield diner, and watching not one but *two* Indy movies, yup.

Now he is out in the yard, wearing Batman pajamas, with snow boots and black gloves, because the pajamas have a cape and the gloves and boots complete the look. Of course they do.

Oh by the way, stop by and say hi to Jason. I'm tempted to insert some joke about his leg muscles after driving a rickshaw for several weeks, but I think that'd be in bad taste. He's a real genuine architect, and the rickshaw thing is just a hobby. ;o)

Oh wait. Speaking of bad taste. Yesterday, I saw these mud flaps on a tractor trailer, which I can't find online to share, but it was a red dot wearing sunglasses, and it said "blind spot". And I'm thinking to myself "wow I wonder if a blind person saw that, if they'd be offended". And then of course, I went "a blind person couldn't see that!" and actually, alone in the car, laughed out loud. I am going straight to hell, huh?

Cutest beach towel ever

DSC00617
Originally uploaded by archimom

Okay, so today it was 84 degrees. At least. It is April in Massachusetts. It could easily snow next week. We all had fun. The water was about 11 degrees. I need a longer leash.

The beach where the dog is welcome is marginally trashy. Please remind me in 9 years not to buy my daughter a string bikini.

I guess spring has officially begun. I yanked the season's first tick off the boy's head today. He is quite delicious I guess. It happens all summer long.

I also feel a little bad for somewhat yelling at a bossy little 4 year old snot today, but I really shouldn't as she was hardly affected by it. Methinks she's heard it all before.

I have had exactly this very same thought before, which makes it all the more funnier:

nataliedee.com

I knew spring was really coming, about two weeks ago, when I began sneezing. Despite the fact that it was snowing, cold, and otherwise very similar to February, the sneezing set in. And other than the irritation factor, I was glad. We are all so ready to be on with it. The kids have been playing in the sandbox any time it breaks 50 (in case you're wondering, that's still pretty cold for fingers in wet sand), and the dog is loving the outdoor time. I just can't wait for the weather to catch up so that I can be out there just standing around a bit more comfortably.

So yeah. By saying that the dog was me saying "I didn't have enough poop", I was summoning the poop gods. Two year old in diapers, 10 week old puppy, five year old with stomach ailment. I have had plenty of poop for a looong time.

I had a strange dream last night where I showed up for my c-section for number three, another blond daughter, and I was alone. It was almost like outpatient surgery.

Plays well with others! Just got back from a walk with Moon, who met neighbor-dog Kai, whom she was afraid of for a few minutes, then started climbing on his head and nipping his ears. They invited us over to play in their fenced yard sometime, when we're not both supposed to be doing something else. Hooray!

Easter was fun, very quiet for our standards. Just had the two brothers in law and their families over, so it was 10 total. I'll be eating leftover ham in many ways this week.

Kids had fun, a few new toys and not *too* much new candy. Big boy had a stomach bug so we talked about Jesus and Easter and skipped church. With him having full access to his own toilet at a moment's notice.

A few weeks ago, we went to a friend's concert (she's a professional violinist) and one of the names on the program matched someone I went to high school with (actually, we were in first grade together). It really true real life was him. So bizarre. I emailed him and he's all married and parenting and grownup and whatnot too. Small world. I mean, I didn't leave the state, but still, this is through my husband's business partner's wife, who is from Colorado.

Kids and dog are good. Moon is fantastic with the kids. M really wants to boss her around, that's probably the only hard part right now. Which, honestly, is not that much. She's learning where to poop and what to chew on, pretty well for six days home. And I swear she seems bigger already.

Yup, we have a dog. She's 8 weeks old and her name is Moon. She's still little enough that she does things like lick her belly and fall over. G is over the moon (yes, *groan*) for her, Moon always needs to know where he is and follow him. M was asleep when we got her, so she woke, told us "I like this new doggie in our house!" and promptly shared her toast.

So far, she seems like a Kid Dog. She's a little jumpy but not really at all, so I'm trying to get the kids to discourage jumping, I think at this point it'll be easy. She's not very nippy (the other pups at the shelter, boxer mixes, gave me bruises from their "love bites"), and she is just the biggest cuddler ever. All she wants to do is be in a lap. We'll see how that works when she breaks 50 lb, but right now she hasn't even broken 10 so we're fine.

We are *this* close to getting a new dog. Our first choice dogs are about 40 minutes away, and there are six applications in for four pups. However, the rescue gal practically told 
me that we're prime candidates. My only concern is that they're going to call the vet, and the cat is like 3 months behind on his checkup. Eek. 3 months ago, I had an appointment and he took off so I had to reschedule. I was all ready and he knew what the house coming out meant. I promptly forgot that he was overdue, and now I worry.

The other dog, who is a bit older, is in GA but could be here this weekend. This is a boy dog, super cute, but he's probably the second choice. I'm not sure they're going to call anyone though, they just want him to have a home. And I know that we could easily fall in love with him. My other concern with him is that we commit to him sight unseen, based on photos online and a 10 minute chat with his foster mom. The little pups, we can go visit and probably even choose which one. Not to mention, the little pups look a lot like our Viv.

So now I'm pricing out monogrammed pink leather collars and wondering if I need to bleach the crate now or later.

I don't know why, but the place that makes our yogurt covered pretzels being called Ann's House of Nuts is hysterical to me. And my mother in law's name is Ann, and she's the one I think of. The funniest part is, she would not find it funny at all.

Isn't it lovely when you're inside and your child decides he's done with his gum and just spits it onto the carpet, where another mom hands you a tissue and tells you what he did, which you didn't see because he's too old to do stupid crap like that? Nice.

This week I keep seeing a mature bald eagle over our garage. White head and all. I need to get a picture stat.

I'm all about the weird dreams lately. Last night it had to do with being on a cruise in the Middle East, and hooking up with all kinds of bearded, turbaned men. I had a thing for them in the dream.

Something funny in my psyche.

Last night I had a weird dream which involved taking my algebra final and some history exam. But by far, the weirdest part was that my 7th grade algebra teacher was my teacher, and it was Mrs Kelly (who I had) and that it actually was her. Until this dream, I had not thought of her since probably 8th grade. I had no idea I still knew her name or what she looked like.

Oh it's been so long. Probably a day or so after my last entry, we got hit by The Sick. It began with the stomach of the boy, then morphed into the respiratory systems of everyone. Except the little girl, knock on wood. So now we're all 80% better, with lingering hacking coughs and diminished appetites. No swimming lessons for us today, bummer.

Then, this week, in the midst of all this, a project which I never expected to see again, resurfaced. "Hi, can you get the drawings to us tomorrow afternoon?" TOMORROW afternoon? So I go like mad, and with a few hours to spare, get a message about a "miscommunication" and I have until the 27th. That's like another 12 days, which is forever compared to what I thought. I called the client to see if he still wanted to see anything today, and he was like "just stop and we'll talk monday". Probably because surf's up and he doesn't want to work today either. I love having hippie-organic-restaurant owners who are surfers as clients.  A blast. 

Sometimes I just can't stop laughing.


marriedtothesea.com

I don't know that I've ever felt a little misty when I've voted before. A few years ago, I voted for myself for a local office, and I can safely say I was more careful today when filling in that little bubble. I feel this amazing empowerment, and (hokey, yes) but hope about this election. I'm a gen-Xer, we don't feel this way. The first president I remember was Reagan. Enough said.

What a rush. I want to do it again. Maybe I'll pretend to be my Florida-wintering neighbor.

Joking, joking! Maybe.

Ack. This morning I went on a parent information session at the local charter school. I need to decide where to send the boy to kindergarten. His school now is wonderful, it really is. But I worry about him in the traditional school setting, especially with neighborhood kids. This is montessori based.

Wonder if it'd be too weird to ask his current teacher about it?

Also, yesterday I rearranged his closet so that he can choose his clothes and dress himself. So far, the practical aspects have been great. He does it all himself (until then, he would ask me to put on each sock and help with every aspect ad nauseam). Last night, pajamas, no biggie. Today, I cringed to see his selection. While not glaringly unmatching, it wasn't one of the ultra cute setups I like to get him in. I have to let this go. Particularly since I still have the little girl to dress up.

Karma is an awesome thing. I have been pricing out new gym bags. PBS calls and asks for money. I say okay, and when given the option of free gifts, I choose a tote bag. Thinking it’s like a real tote bag, you know, like you put your groceries in or something. But NO! It’s a *gym bag*. Like with a shoulder strap and mesh ends and pockets for headphones and shampoos!! Life is super duper right now. All for my contribution to good children’s programming. ;o)

Now she can appreciate my ah-milks without nursing. She's very interested in them, but has not asked for milk in days. She wants to tickle them and tells me she loves them (as I get in the shower ;o) ) but hasn't even asked. I love that it ended like this.

So I guess I need to take down the above ticker and change it to a standard My Kid is Two years, Three Months, Two days one. Because since Monday, she has nursed exactly once. This is what I wanted, right? She has asked several times, and the only time I allowed it was when she was really sad, and it was 6 am. Today. But she didn't ask at bedtime, and I really feel we're done. I'm really glad it (knock on wood) went so smoothly.

When you ask a friend on facebook to confirm you, and it takes time for them to do this, do you get nervous and all eighth grade? Me neither.

Okay so you know how after you shower, your feet are all soft and you can peel of the calluses? Or if this is gross to you feel free to move on.

Anyway, so I was doing just that this evening, as I needed a shower after caulking all day. So I'm peeling my feet and it's going well. :uh And my daughter comes up, practically shaking, saying "owwwwww Momma don't DO that". It was all I could do to not die laughing. And hard to stop. Not traumatize daughter vs. really satisfying foot peeling. Hm. I stopped. By now, after bedtime, the peelability is gone. I'll just have to moisturize. Hmph.

Thank you, Big Brother, for knowing about the piles of stuff at my house that needs out. And coming here to get it!!

Also, I can't believe that I can still get that embarrassed thing from teachers. I got a little talking to this morning about always being late for 9:15 karate. Oops. I still blush a little when I think of it.

In case you're wondering, the best *and* worst gift you can give me is a dunkin donuts gift card. Free coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Several times a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The good thing is, there can't be much left.

Merry Christmas all. Lovely day here, and I shouldn't be here at 10 pm. I was kind of too excited last night/this morning. And stayed up too late wrapping. But it was worth it. It was a wonderful day.

Apparently, a ninth reindeer travels behind Santa's sleigh, as a backup. If one of the other reindeer stubs his hoof, Perpinsia is there to step in.

Thank heaven.

This year I had to totally let go of the christmas tree thing. I wanted one sooner, I wanted to cut it myself, help choose it, all that. Weather put a damper on it and last night, my husband and son chose one without me. I drew a picture for G of 
the tree I wanted, and he painstakingly referred to it as they 
selected. He shot down a few of daddy's suggestions for this one. So it lilts to one side and is a little slim through the middle. 
So it has small white lights (half of which no longer light) and huge colored 
ones. So we had to cut a foot off the top *and* bottom. It's perfect.

It did take a while to get here though. Half the lights didn't light, I couldn't find a replacement bulb, ended up buying another string of lights, half of which of *those* didn't work, the large bulbs are so heavy they kept smashing on the floor, the ornaments smashing on the floor, I used the dustpan about 9234570 times, and the home depot tree isn't all that fresh and is leaving balsam deposits all over. But I still wouldn't trade it for anything.

It's like I need to work. Since October or so, I haven't had reliable childcare. I can get coverage for a meeting here and there, and probably 3 days in the last 10 weeks I've had a full day, but not good consistent time. I love the time with the kids, but I find myself playing lots of facebook games, eating junky food, and letting the house go to pot. So today I finally had childcare, a deadline, and somehow I"m still able to cook a real dinner and clean up the kitchen. Like I can do it when I only have barely enough time to, but if I have all day, I won't do any of it.

Oh my heart.

Not only does she tell me "I love you too momma" just out of the blue (yes, she adds the "too" even if she says it first), but she says "thanks momma!" if I give her something that she likes, like chocolate milk, and she really means it. Or she'll say "thanks momma, I love chocolate milk!"

But then, today, she walked up to me and said "merry christmas, momma". My heart!!

Oh winkflash, how I love thee. Not only are you sending my cards (which btw, are very cute and have a great design, this coming from a Design Professional) for incredibly cheap, but they are already printed and en route. I took the photo Friday night. Seriously, even if I had decided to print them myself on my little hp all in one, I couldn't have done it faster and cheaper. And other than getting the kids to be relatively cute and facing the right way, I had to do nothing.

Thank you.

Dad, is that a gingerbread house (the house is lined in many strands, as well as each tree, in different colors, not multicolored, but one red, one blue, etc)?
No, that's just a ranch.
Well, then that's ridiculous.

Oh do I love him.

"Mom, why do some people's houses smell like fish?"

I guess maybe they cooked fish?

According to facebook . . . .

You got 27 questions right out of a possible 30.

You took 7 minutes to complete the test.

We estimate your IQ to be: 140... The average person has an IQ of 100 - if you are over 100 you are above average!

Today I'm grateful for the regular old boring stuff. More turkey than I should ever eat, lots of pie, great family to share it with, lots of vegetating.

And running a 5k this morning. Holy sheep.

However, I think my husband is mad at me for leaving my purse there. Oh well.

Last night my husband and I decided that the tiger would win.

Today's gratitude is a warm fireplace and plenty of free wood.

Today I'm just grateful for my smartypantses. Today the boy asked me who would win a fight between a lion and a tiger. Stumped I am.

Again with the skipping days. It's not like I don' t have stuff to be thankful for, I sure do.

Saturday: That taking just one child to run errands can turn into special bonding time.

Sunday: Super duper friends and fun at starbucks. Nuff said.

Today: While it's just begun, I'm really grateful to the teenager at Dunks who gave us 8 free holiday sprinkled munchkins.

Oh shoot I missed another day. And we're almost at the big Thanks day.

Yesterday I cleaned my house. I'm just thankful that I had the motivation, even my office. And I went running. I'm not sure who put crack in my coffee, but it worked. Thanks DD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!1

Today I'm thankful that everyone is asleep and it's 8 pm. We're *finally* going to watch Hot Fuzz.

Today I'm thankful that it ended up being a really nice day and the kids and I could have a low key playing outside day. Also, that for my babygirl who was so late in walking that she received state services, who now is more physical than her brother. She always wants to walk or run. I haven't used the sling or stroller in I-can't-remember-how-long, whereas Brother was firmly in his until she came along. Today she just wanted to run laps around the apple tree. I hope it's something she keeps up, it'll be another good way to bond with daddy.

Today I am thankful for retail therapy. I got into a tiff last night which caused me to miss sleep and I"m quite certain it's still heavy upon the other party.

However, after all new running gear (pants, jacket, bra, sneakers, and headphones) I feel much better and don't give a rats ass about that tiff. I know that I am being the best me I can and can't worry about others.

By the way, for the last six months or so, this is how I try to live my life, and you should try it. It totally works.

Ack, I missed three days. But I mentally noted what I was thankful for.

Saturday, it was the big financial revelation that ended up not being a big deal or a surpise. Very boring, but essentially, everything's going to be okay.

Sunday was a banner day. Brother in law got a "real" job which potentially opens his wife to child care of my kiddos. Best news I've had in months, probably.  That and we designed Maine in such a way that we can have a fun place by this time next year.

Today, I'm grateful that the neighbor girl has today off and had no plans, and is outside with the boy right now at the moment. Babygirl isn't falling asleep so I need to be here with her.

Oh geez. So I didn't get to post this when they were outside and the day took an evil turn with a phone call from my evil SIL. Apparently she didn't sleep last night because of how she perceived something I said, so she made it her job to make sure I didn't sleep tonight with something she did truly say.

Today I'm thankful that dad made it down into the Grand Canyon without any issue. Hoping that tomorrow I will say the same about the return trip.

Yesterday I had a post all typed out and blogger ate it. So sad. So today I'll be thankful if I get to post this.

Yesterday I was all sappy about how I truly do have the best kids on the planet. Which is true. I just was loving on them yesterday, and when I said I love you, I got the two sweetest "I love you too momma"s in return.

Oh and want to hear a story about how much I need to fire the babysitter? She's been watching M for nearly two years, and for the last 11 or so months she's been/we've known she's lactose intolerant. So yesterday she says "I know you don't like to give her milk, but I let her try some of mine . . " um ya. It's not that I don't like to, did you notice how she stank up the place within 20 minutes? And continues to through today? And her bum is raw and red and I have to clean her up all the time? RRggg.

Thank heaven it was just a fill in babysit yesterday. She's still not on the schedule. And I need to find someone who is.

Today I'm grateful that my mom had lots of stuff in her house that I could snatch when I went to run an errand for her. Bananas and pretzels and diet coke. Good times.

Today I'm thankful that I have a smart girl who trusts in her momma. I've really been delaying vaccinations, and she was due a lead draw. So she was poked 5 times. I told her what was going to happen, she said okay and made sure stickers would happen, and then shrieked a tiny bit. She did like the pink and orange bandaids too. She took a good nap, although a bit frightful that her eyes were a smidge open, but now she's a happy girly.

Oh and welcome to the world Jacoby Arthur! We're all very excited, not the least of which is the boy. He is really into birth right now, and has been obsessed with the belly for the last few violin lessons. I'm sure he's glad that Saturday was your Celebration.

Today I'm thankful for the muppets. No one else can come out with cheesy pep talk lines and make me smile, not grimace.

"Fact is, there's nothing out there you can't do. Even Santa Claus believes in you."
"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."

Yesterday I did get the nap.

Today I'm definitely recovering, although coffee was a bad idea (and now that I think about it, duh). I'm surprised that my stomach is still in turmoil, because I'm generally a 24 hour bug kind of girl and we're up to 36 now.

Now I'm just thankful that we're having a lazy fireplace day.

Apparently I caught the sickies or something. Not a fun night.

I'll be incredibly thankful if I can just get a nap in. Yawn.

Today, I'm grateful for a boy who prefers fruity candy to chocolate. And lots of chocolate in house. My jeans are not grateful for that.

Today, I give thanks for Dyson customer service. I do something that puts a hole in my tube. What that is, I have no idea. So I bought one replacement, but called customer service this time. A replacement is en route, no charge!

Oh and chocolate. And kids who like fruity candy better.

Today was going to be tough. The girl was up from 1 am until about 6, throwing up. I was able to grab a few 20 minute naps here and there, but also, one of our smoke alarms was doing the "almost out of batteries" chirp. Oh and she was playing her aquarium. So I'm tired, to put it mildly. Then, she's cranky and sometime around 10 am spikes a fever. And then we had her 2 year checkup.

But that's when it's better. She's back on the chart at 21.8 lb (2%) and 32.5" tall. Her noggin is still in the 87% at 49 cm. To hold her gargantuan brain of course.

So there's one gratitude.

Another. I have my laptop back. I've only had this setup a few months but it doesn't take long. The led was dying and had a one pixel horizontal line about 1/5 down it. Not earthshattering but it's so nice. And I can get my work email again, as I don't know the password to check it online. :uh

Today's gratitude is a quickie, as I'm en route to freezing my behind at the halloween parade.

So anyway, it's the World Championship Red Sox. Thanks guys for making Massachusetts a fun place to be today.

Today I am grateful for cider donuts. And a husband that didn't mind that I could not remember how to get to the farm so a 20 minute trip took an hour. And of course, the Red Sox one game away from World Series champions does not hurt one bit.

Today I am so grateful that my son has a karate dojo that he loves and I'm totally comfortable dropping him off for a 3 hour halloween party. From which he returned sweaty and exhausted and happy.

Today I am thankful that I weigh .4 lb less than I did last week. Not a huge amount, but also I haven't lost a single smidge in 3 weeks. So yes that.

And that my boy is a new orange stripe belt in kempo karate. And that the girl slept through the whole serious endeavor.

Isn't he the best?

Today I am thankful for Chris at Ikea, the home design consultant, who is going to gather up 3 bathrooms and a kitchen for me, even though that is "not a service ikea provides" according to call center lady. He's even making sure that I have all the bits and pieces like sink strainers. I can't wait to fill that uhaul with cinnamon buns. I mean . . . green affordable furnishings. And the cab filled with cinnamon buns.

Make that 3 nights. Woohoo! This morning was early, but straight till 6:45 is really good for this babygirl.

Today's gratitude, the fact that the meeting I was bending over backward to make it to, might not require my attendance after all.

Today's gratitude: Children who go to bed easily. And a girl who slept through both of the last 2 nights. At 2, really, this shouldn't be on the list, but I'll take it when I can get it.

Gratitude for the day: Kids who will try any food presented to them. The boy ate about 234329 chunks of ginger calamari, and not even because it was squid. I didn't present that part to him, wasn't sure if it was good or bad. He asked for more, three times.

Also, a daughter who fell asleep at a "normal" nap time today and is still out cold.

I'm adding in parents who are willing to kid watch all the time, when I am having childcare issues. That is a gratitude for tomorrow actually. Hm.

Today I'm grateful that it was a beautiful day for apple picking. And my son, who is already "too old" to tell me he loves me back after I tell him, told me he loves me, out of the blue.

And that we weren't part of the multi car accident that backed up 495 today. Yow.

Thirty days of gratitude.

As Thanksgiving is about a month away, I am going to try to post every day until then with at least one thing I"m thankful for. Since this is day one, and the baby is napping, I have a few.

1. The baby is napping.
2. It's unseasonably warm out (trying not to let myself freak out about it and just enjoy it).
3. Just unloaded shite from the car.
4. Husband's client didn't freak out when his company effed up (accident, but yes).
5. I ran even though I"m immmensely sore and didn't do it quite right. But many times I take that as an excuse just to slack.

In case you're wondering, if you go to a 10:30 a.m. Imax show on a Wednesday, you will have the whole place to yourself. And your five year old won't wear his 3d glasses because he doesn't want to see things right in front of him, but he still loved every second. Especially being on momma's lap.

Can you believe it's been two whole years? Sniff.

I am a dirty target hoor. The other day, I was wasting time, so I drove past the construction site of the soon-to-open target. And I see the "now open" sign. This sent me into such a gleeful state. This was October 10. I was one of fewer than a dozen customers, and about 40 employees. I let the girl eat the goldfish she dropped off the floor, as I have never seen a cleaner floor. Even in my own home. We spent $44, I have a new closer target, and they have a not-quite-entire grocery store but better than the old one.

Yesterday, I get the grand opening package. Which says October 14 on it, which btw is today. So I was special, yes, but also, $5 off $25 coupon. So rather than say "darn, coulda used that Thursday" I 
am all "woohoo, how soon can I get back?

Other than being asked if I was pregnant (:upset), very good weekend. The hellish trip of August was a longer mileage and significantly less stressful, traffic-wise, trip of October. I was a bit pissed at the hubby who caused us to leave at noon and miss the rehearsal dinner, but the wedding was worth it. Finally got the boy on a Duck Tour, which he's wanted to do ever since he knew it was something that could be done, and it was fun for us all. Cheesy jokes work in such a setting.

Protestors at the Independence Mall, who decided they had the right to show my children graphic images, while not knowing my political views, got the finger from my husband and I. I hate people sometimes.

The wedding was lovely, kids well behaved and beautiful, and it was so fun to see all sorts of old pals. The kids room was a fantastic call and the kids had loads of fun. Sleeping was so-so for the girly, but you can't get it all. Trip home was shorter, and even less stressful. Overall, very worthwhile. Only thing is, camera was on the fritz. I hope lots of friends share their photos.

Blech. So last night I started getting sick. I have a head cold which is fine but on top of that, the girls sleep is getting worse, so last night we started hardcore sleep training. That is, re-night weaning. She used to wake up at like 5, so I'd nurse her down for a few more hours of sleep. It crept earlier and earlier until she was up at 12:30 and still at 5, and now it's like every hour. I am sore. Wish us luck. I need rest.

I have a new friend. His name is Jude and he's got a british accent, golden curls, and is 3 1/2. The first day I met him, he was dressed as a pirate. Today he was dressed as a cowboy. He cracks me up. Today, we (Jude, the babygirl and I) drew pictures of fish, shark attacks, divers with knives, and pirate ships all over the walls. Imagine if you will, a cartoony fish scene drawn by an adult, lots of knives and blood drawn by a 3 year old, and various coloring-in done by an almost two year old. If only it weren't dry erase and not to be preserved. Sigh.

Today he did tell me about Jack Sparrow and how the pirates turn to skeletons, though. He seemed to be okay with it but I still don't think I'll sit down with my 4 1/2 year old for that one.

The question of the day was "why don't men (or maybe it was phrased "daddies") carry bags, like your purse?"

And I don't know. I said "well, most daddies don't carry around as much stuff" but really, I carry a wallet, keys, cell phone, and a diaper. I'd be thrilled if my husband carried around a diaper, and he carries everything else around.

So then, why? Because it's an affront to masculinity?

I can't freakin wait to get out of this town. I hate the politics. Hate them. These people need to devote their energy to a cure for aids or world hunger. They have that much extra time and energy. Wasted lives.

My dream last night. Where I was on a long car trip with just the kids, we stopped to get gas, and I ran into the store to go to the ATM. It was across the store so I was out of sight, but it was a cool day and I'd locked them in. 3 minutes later I returned to the car and the cops were there and it was all over the news and a creepy guy was sitting in my car with my kids.

Babygirl now sings along with Tony Bennett and the Dixie Chicks doing "lullaby of broadway" and I have to say it's one of the cutest things ever. "Good niiiight bayyybeee"

The boy just told me that we're going to have another girl, then another boy. I had been thinking this - that hubby wants another son, so if we get another daughter, I might get a shot at a fourth. I'll have to covertly find some of those methodology books.

Isn't it just the strangest thing to witness an accident? One moment you're spacing out pumping gas, the next, four cars you were half watching are crunched together. It always sounds less movie like and more plastic like than I expect. Not that I witness accidents all the time.

The causer was mad, but I think mostly at himself. He was mumbly and hands-up-in-the-air, but not yelling *at* people.

Also strange is seeing someone, that you didn't know had false teeth, without her teeth. Oogy boogy. Thank God the kids were there and not the 
husband. Much easier to behave in their company.

I really need to get better about pre-viewing what I let the boy watch. The other night, we were perusing youtube 
and found a video of a shark that a man caught on the beach. Fine. But then he yanks out a pistol. Fortunately, I clicked away before it got bad.

This afternoon, he's watching animal planet, and I'm making lunch, about 6 feet away. He has me come over to whisper a secret to me - something about a fish that will swim right up in your penis if you're not careful. Yikes!!

Sitting here on my lap, nursing mostly playing, I say "are you ready to put jammies on?"

You know what the answer is? "milk".

I know that's what is occupying you right now, goofball.

Woohoo!! No traffic ticket to pay!! I rock. ;o)

Then I went to target and spent the money on cute shoes and boots and new backpack for the boy. It's very cute and says things about "futbol" which is good for a little Europoseur like himself. ;o)

I was also incredibly excited to see, on my way to the closest current target which is about 30 minutes, not one, but *two* new targets slated to open in October. If they have a photo studio I will keel right over in joy. But seriously, new target might make me do that anyway.

In the morning, I go to court to contest a traffic ticket. 16 years of driving and this is a first. Wish me luck or something. It's not at all how I pictured it for several reasons.

I've decided that I'm going to just suck it up and get the ballerina stuff I so love from old navy, and if I feel bad about the money, use it for her halloween costume. I can do a little bun or something. That is hysterical.

I think maybe the last time I was this excited about a new shopping venue was my first trip to H&M.

Today I went to the New Balance factory store. Running sneakers, cool. Sparkly purply baby size sneakers for $10, freakin fantastic. I am on like a super high over the stupid place.

It's probably also too much caffeine and not enough food, not enough down time in the last few days. I am going to die if someone comes to look at the house Saturday.

The girl has this jungle thing. She always says "Jungle beans, jungle beans, jungle beans".
None of us know what this means. 
Today while I was changing her, she commented on Jungle Poop. News to me.

Okay. So NJ is the state with the most hellacious traffic ever.

Left at 1 pm friday. Arrived (according to mapquest, 4 hrs 40 minutes) at 8  pm. And the stops were only about 2 for 8 minutes each. Seriously now.

But it was worth it. Got to see bunches of friends and make the new ones. I got to *be* the special surprise at a bridal shower. Then fun crepes for breakfast. Still an awful trafficky ride, but we got to go to ikea, which if you know me, is always a good thing.

People are such losers.

His mom is already talking about moving into his house. Which she will eventually be evicted from when it is taken by the bank for non payment.

When her daughter died last year, she didn't go to her funeral and I'd bet you fifty bucks she won't go to his either. Hell, that's probably the day she'll move in. I can't believe he got out of that family intact and now this.

My heart is breaking a million times over. Yesterday, we were breaking down camp and getting ready to head home when we got a message that hubby's best friend was in a "really bad accident". We didn't know if that meant two broken legs or  . . . well, what happened. By 10 pm last night, life support was shut off and hubby was there with him when he went.

We have miller lite in the fridge for his visits. Wedding pictures feature him goofing off in many ways. We ate our wedding dinner with each other, and him. He knows the severity of baby girl's shreiks. We used to sit in front of the tv and have our bonding time while hubby put big boy to bed. Last time it was cut short, we sent hubby away because "we were bonding".

I don't know what happened. He hit a telephone pole. That's all we know. No rubber marks, 6:30 a.m., going about 60 mph which is the standard for the road he was on. We will likely never know.

My son just came to me with a turtle found out in "the weather". Aka the toy chest. And the turtle's name? Of course, it's Perry Trotman.

For some reason there's a mile or so of abandoned highway in the next town over. It's accessible but has no parking near it, so no one uses it. So we rode bikes over there (4-5 miles maybe? easy) and took the kids out on it. Boy rode his new bike with training wheels. As we were helmeting up and all, we saw two fox. They didn't even act ascared of us. Then we saw several snakes, much graffiti and rubber marks and burned sticks. I think it's mostly for animals and screwing around kids. I propose families take it back.

Soon we will go to the other end on the "outside" and see if it's more accessible. There's a relatively new wildlife observation deck, so someone is using it.

Spent the weekend camping on a lake in Maine. Fun, but it'll be more fun when our lil house is there.

Yesterday, while running laps around the tent, little boy tripped on a stake, smashed into hubby's boot. Right, like dss is going to believe the "fell" into daddy's boot line. Not to mention I think it may be broken. Seriously thinking that if the pediatrician won't do anything for it, of not telling anyone. Mandated reporters and whatnot.

Am I a bad mom if I find a babysitter for opening night of The Simpsons The Movie?

Today I was in target, with my long list about 3% complete, when I ran into a friend I have been having trouble connecting with for about 2 years. She has never met babygirl. So I dropped the list and we went to Denny's. I finished out the list this afternoon at walmart. And replaced the screenhouse purchased at target with the walmart version for 36/103 of the price. I don't get it.

Anyhoo, it was super fun catching up. Someone who knows me as just plain old me, not from childhood or as a mom, but as a true adult person. I showed her pics of the kids, sure, but we mostly talked about architecture and long lost friends from former jobs.

It'll probably be another two years before we repeat though.

In the interest of saving some money and eating more healthily, I've decided to plan our meals. I have never, ever, been a planner. I don't even know how to do this. I guess I need a calendar or something. It is pretty fun, though, that this afternoon we made dessert for tonight. It's very exciting.

We made honeydew melon with Jello inside. I feel so 50s housewife, in that "junk food twist on fruit" way.

The senseis are back from vacation and not a moment too soon. We love each other but we need structure.

Remember this post? Her baby died having lived only 12 days.

Now her angel has a little sister. I'm just so happy. She had a beautiful, healthy baby girl on Tuesday. Congratulations B and the whole B family!

So there's this song we have that goes "shananana mommy's sleeping/getting up/running/jumping/tired/start over". It's very catchy and we all like it. M loves to sing "shananana mommy ti-yud". G likes to interpret and add things. It's hysterical.

"Mommy's cutting the grass. Mommy's hunting. Mommy's digging for rocks."

The funniest part is, it's never things I do. He never says "mommy's folding laundry" or "drinking coffee". I crack up every.single.time.

So people came and looked at our house this weekend. If they had already sold their house, they'd buy ours. Meaning we need to figure out where the freak we are moving to. The list is getting longer. And while I'm really enjoying sketching up our new house, without a site it's all kind of a load. Sigh.

My daughter is 20 months old. Sure, she's only been walking for 2.5 months, but she can count to ten. So this morning, there were some cards out, so she counted for the sitter and I. The sitter lined up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Babygirl identified each one and told me ten was "one oh!"

I bought workbooks last week to work with big brother full well knowing that she's going to be helping plenty.

Additionally, the beach pass might have been the best $35 ever spent. Time it at low tide and it's fun, safe, and not too busy. Yesterday we got there at 1:30 and parked right at the entrance, as on a 90 degree day, those who got there at 9 are fried and heading home.

Not to mention that babygirl falls asleep and we go to karate where she sleeps in a/c comfort while I watch 4 year olds barely not kill each other.

My boy has started karate. He has now gone four times, two private and two group lessons. It is hysterical. He loves it. Hiya! I wish they had classes during babygirl's nap time, as she could snooze in a stroller, but instead I'm keeping her quiet and off the mats the entire time and not really paying attention to my boy.

Today we went to the beach, even in the rain. It was actively raining when we arrived, so we ate lunch under the pavilion. By the time we were done it was merely cloudy and drizzly, so we walked to the waterfront, where they dug. Then, of course, a game ensued with cousin A (who had her sixth birthday today, happy to you princess) which involved laying in the sand. Apparently there were child eating vermin in the sand and this is what we get:


He's asleep now under the power of Benadryl. He seems to be doing just fine.

I think the rule should be that you don't host Fathers' Day bbqs at your house on your birthday. At least everyone else brought stuff so it was relatively easy but seriously. I got no rest and the girl was up at 5. I'm pooped out.

We're trying to sort things out in the car today. Fireman Sam lives in England, and maybe that's why no firefighter has the red Captain helmet. But Bob the Builder lives in England. So I ponder that maybe if Bob has a fire at one of his sites, Sam will come put it out.

This is, apparently, the funniest joke ever. Even funnier than "why did the monkey throw the trash can out the window? he wanted a fire truck."

Somehow, I found myself in stitches as well. I'm reverting to 4 years old.

Gosh am I a slacker.

We went away for the long weekend. Camping in Acadia. The boy climbed a mountain all by himself. It was lovely. We're still putting things away.

Babysitter got sick. Niece and auntie came to visit. We went to the beach.

Today we went to the beach again and I bought the annual pass. Five trips and it pays for itself. I just wish I bought it last week.

Also, the boy started Karate today. He is having serious "respecting others" issues, particularly with regard to intentionally hurting them. Bleh. I don't want to raise a bully.

I mean, I really do love her. I just think I might love her more if we could sleep until like 7. Or at least six. I get in this punky mood at 7:30 when I've been up for two hours and no one is listening to me and how can we have 3 hours to get ready and get our butts out the door and still not make it?

I bought a room darkening shade for the window next to the crib. Maybe, just maybe, this will give me an extra hour of beauty sleep. Actually we shall call it sanity sleep.

I just need to share this. Thanks M.

"Mom, you know what I need chopsticks for? To kill dogs. I need to kill dogs because sometimes I need dog meat. Know why I need dog meat? To make medicine."

I don't know where it came from but it does sound like some ancient Chinese thing, so the chopsticks fit.

Don't let me get disconnected from reality in my old age. I'm not talking dementia, I'm talking really egocentric like old men do. These people on my street live here like 30% of the time and have now blocked the lane 4 times in the last 3 weeks. Like all day. Once they sent us a notice saying they were going to be doing this. Thanks for the notice but I have places to go morons.

"And can you put a bell on your cat? He's hanging out by our bird feeder". I did, but it's not on any more and I"m not replacing it.

Or your freakin puppy is all excited about my kids and climbing on them, and somehow this is *their* fault? "Oh he's getting too excited". My kids are walking away and mildly freaked out, you can't reel him in a tish? By the way, in the eyes of the law and the rest of the world, my kids rank higher than your dog.

I love that all it takes to get my husband in a good mood is a trip out to the beach after dinner. I hate that it is 8:53 at night and his phone is ringing while he's reading stories to the boy for bed. No wonder he was in a bad mood.

Best mothers day yet. Lovely breakfast, lovely flowers, lovely family afternoon, perfect weather. Altogether marvelous.