wordless wednesday. alive & swimming...

so we got a fish.

Actually *Gage* got a fish. It wasn't something we'd been planning until a snake came along. See, Gage wanted to capture the snake from the backyard, put it in a box and keep it as a pet (which I've since learned is actually illegal...go figure). Anyway, I said...um, NO. And then something came out of my mouth that might have sounded like this, "We do not need another pet. We already have a dog. If you want a fish some day or something that would be fine." So now, a day later, we have a fish. A beta fish. His name is Jango Fish after Jango Fett in Star Wars. The conversation about Jango Fish tonight revolved mostly around whether or not he was still alive and how long he plans on living. Family of optimists. Sorry I can not provide a photo but Gage & Jango have gone to sleep.

Worth noting is that Zuzu did not want a fish. Zuzu wanted a cat. Gage literally sat her down in the grass and explained that since her father is allergic to cats she would have to choose between Daddy and the cat. After much deliberation she chose Daddy. She then decided that she wanted a horse. "A small horse that will sleep on the rug in (her) bedroom." It took about two hours but I talked her out of the horse as well. She now wants a frog. Ribbit.

tiny bubbles

Bubbles. Fabulous, frivolous, and darn close to free. We love bubbles. Especially on warm spring evenings when the air is still and you can immerse yourself in them fully before they blow away.

Except that our little bohemian likes to eat them. Repeatedly.

young love

This was taken about an hour before they decided it was a good idea to show each other their underwear. It was his idea (believe it or not). "Do you want to see my underwear?" To which my darling daughter retorts, "Sure, do you want to see mine?" Um, hello?? You are THREE and TWO. But wait. It gets worse. At some point in this brief conversation they realize that I am listening intently just waiting for the right time to pounce when one of them suggests that maybe they should be showing each other their underwear in private. They actually look towards the woods behind us. POUNCE.

Thought for the day. When your little girl decides to show a boy her bike for the first time stay close. You never know what she might get in return.

unplugged

I do not have an addictive personality. Never have. I practice some pretty consistent rituals, like a daily grande non-fat latte with one pump of mocha, but this is a choice, not an addiction. Truly. But that's not the point here. The point is that last night I got my first real taste of *addiction*.

Hi, my name is Kristi & I am a cyberholic. That's it. I said it.

Last night, my internet went down. At 9:30pm. Prime time. I hopped around from website to website. Nothing. I restarted the computer. Nothing. I hopped around from website to website again. Nothing. I shut down the computer and re-booted. Nothing. I sat and stared at the computer. Nothing. I then determined that I could deal with not blogging & that I could twitter & facebook from my iphone. So I turned on my phone. Nothing. I was cut off. Severed. I couldn't tweet. I couldn't blog. I couldn't facebook. I couldn't check my mail. I couldn't surf the web. Nothing.

I got the shakes.

Now, I must admit that there was a probable fix for my situation because this has happened before. The solution simply involves a dozen paces into the next room to unplug and re-plug the modem. Works nearly every time. But last night was an unusual circumstance because my dear father in law was sleeping in that very room. The horror.

I did walk quietly to the door, knock softly and ask politely, "are you still awake in there?" Nothing. In my defense, I probably could have tip-toed in quietly and done the deed without him even flinching and I didn't so I had some self control. Even though I spent the next two hours staring longingly at a closed metal box, I was controlled enough not to intrude on a sleeping relative just to get my fix. Right? Please tell me I'm right...

wordless thursday

What? There's no such thing as *wordless thursday*? Says who? I mean how could I not post this picture? Yes, the composition of the photo is pretty crappy but, as we say several hundred times a day, "look at that faaaccceee"! Headband on forehead, phone in mouth, baby in hand, butt in baby's stroller & bubbles in the foreground. It was a picture perfect afternoon.

wordless wednesday

this kitchen is CLOSED

Most everyone already knows that Zuzu doesn't eat. Not meals at least. She's the ultimate snacker and would subsist on popcorn, pretzels, yogurt & granola bars if we let her. And sadly, we often do. But tonight she pushed me past the edge.

I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner and proceeded to take orders and make both kids their dinners of choice. Zuzu wanted a hot dog. She was the only one that did so I was sure to ask, "if I make you a hot dog do you promise to eat it?" To which she nodded convincingly. Yeah, not so much. She would not touch her near perfect hot dog and had the nerve to then request a corn dog instead. (Notice we are not arguing over asparagus & cauliflower over here. These are HOT DOGS for goodness sakes.)

Anyway, I launch into a rant that I'm sure every mother has experienced and went something like this, "I am not a short order cook and this is not a restaurant. I made you what you asked for and if you are not happy with it you will not eat. I will not make anything else and there will be no juice, milk, dessert or snacks until you have eaten that HOT DOG!"

To which she replied, 'but this IS a restaurant."

2,4,6,8...

On the way to the zoo today we were listening to the West Indian Counting Song from one of Dan Zanes' albums when Gage announces that he can count to 200. I reply that if he can count to 200 he can probably count to 300, and 400, and 500...because you simply follow the same rhythm. To which he promptly replies, "but that would take forever!" Oh how I am looking forward to algebra.

planet granite

Proof positive that you can accomplish anything with a little confidence and a pair of great shoes.

smarty pants

This morning I was getting ready to take Zuzu to gymnastics and I remarked a little prematurely, "Now all we need are our shoes and our jackets." Hearing this, Zuzu took off. I heard her enter the garage where we keep our shoes and jackets while I finished getting dressed in my bedroom. I walked out of the closet and Zuzu was wearing her too small Small Paul pink flip flops (with a blue ruffle dress & a blue ribbon tutu mind you) and she had a pair of black Rocket Dog sneakers for me. The black ones with the skulls on them. C'mon, you've seen them. Here...remember? Anyway, I say something like, "Oh Zuzu, you brought me my sneakers. Thank you so much." And she says, "Yes, and they match."

singing for dinner

If only dinner preparation could be this fun for everyone. Maybe I should start wearing an apron & pumps in the kitchen. Nah, I'd probably just break an ankle.

wordless wednesday...again.

You can't imagine how confused the dog is.
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wordless wednesday

today's great debate. eat or sleep?
For more wordless wednesday posts click on over to MomDot(dot com)...

the good wife's guide

Truly. This is for real. My girlfriend's husband somehow acquired this May 13, 1955 article from Housekeeping Monthly. I wish I could get the whole article on the blog but I really don't have the time or energy to transpose it all (shows you what good housewife I am) and it won't cut/paste so you'll have to click on the link yourself. Trust me. It's worth it. Here's a taste...

Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

At the time of his arrival eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer and vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.

Oh no. I can't go any further. You must read this for yourself...

adventures in babysitting

Do you have one of these? Well why not? I just replaced last years model because for $12.99 at Toys R Us this is the best investment in babysitting you'll ever make. (no offense miss amy!) The children worship it and the dog is mesmerized by it. Now go. Buy one. And a few hundred gallons of soap.

acrylic on canvas 101

before...

during...


after...


This is definitely not an inexpensive Sunday activity but it is certainly a rewarding one for everyone. Acrylic paints should be relegated to the garage or outdoor area unless you're daring or your kids are super neat. Neither of which applies here. I try to manage the paint as much as possible during the process. The kids pick their own colors and show me where on the canvas to squeeze it. For easy clean up have a designated place for the kids to rest their dirty paintbrushes and always have a pack of butt wipes handy. You can't imagine the places they manage to paint!

birthday girl

October 1973


April 2009

This is my mom. My best friend. And my biggest fan. And today, is her birthday. Isn't she lovely? I can only wish to be as beautiful, as kind, as giving and as loved 28 years from now as she is today.

Happy Birthday, Mommy. I'm so glad you were here with us today so that we could help you eat all those cupcakes!

deprived

Bet you can't guess why little miss is pouting and staring longingly at her big brother...


But I bet you can guess who ate their dinner...and who didn't...

wordless (& sleep deprived) wednesday