Big Brothers

Big brothers are great. They teach you so many new things, like how to brrrmm cars instead of eating them, how to play in the drapes, how to chase the cat, how to play "peekaboo", how to play with blocks, and how to color with crayons.

They also teach you about traditional celebrations, such as "Animal Day", which consists mainly of dumping all animals out in a big pile, and then rolling around in them. So fun! But you have to watch out for the camels, they'll sneak up on you any chance they get.

Spoons

Pensive...

Distracted...

Determined...

Startled...

Amused...

Loving...

Celebration Toast

To all the moms who are on my mind today...

these are days you'll remember
when May is rushing over you with desire to be part of the miracles you see in every hour
you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky
it's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you

these are days

these are the days
that you might fill with laughter until you break

these days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face
and when you do, you'll know how it was meant to be
see the signs and know their meaning

it's true, you'll know how it was meant to be
hear the signs and know they're speaking to you

Natalie Merchant/ Christian Burial Music © 1992

The Funnest Toy in the World!

I am constantly searching for ways to buy myself the time to do things like make dinner, which we all do like to eat from time to time. Well, folks, this onion bought me all the time I needed and then some. It rolled! It thunked! It had fun little papery bits to peel off and sample. It even had a handle suitable for carrying by either hand or mouth. Surely there must be a way for me to market onions as toys? This is America, after all...


Wish I had a video to post of this form of self-locomotion, much favored by Supergirl and which a friend has dubbed the "Bootie Scootie". This is how to move when a crawl would be unsuitable due to an onion you are holding and wish to take with you.

Whew. Both onion and baby have arrived at the new location, safe, intact, ready for more fun fun fun. Nice to see that some things really do work out in the world.

I Scream, You Scream

We made ice cream yesterday while Supergirl was napping. Superboy did the counter work, and I did the stove work--what a team we are, and how lucky I am to have such a kitchen assistant! Or is it the other way around? Hmmm...

The champion whisk-er whisking together eggs, cinnamon and sugar

And in goes the moo!

Enjoying the fruits of his labor topped with yummy candy sprinkles. He looks almost anxious, doesn't he? I think maybe he was, a little, because he just wanted to gobble the ding-dang ice cream without having to worry about someone taking photographs. My goodness, really can't do anything in this house without Mom following you around with a camera. Sheesh!

Stump the Baby

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for another episode of everyone's favorite game show, "Stump the Baby", where you get the chance to win fabulous prizes like an extra 5 seconds to eat your breakfast, yes, that's right, FIVE EXTRA SECONDS! Are you ready? Let's....Stump the Baby! If you can...

Our first contestant has employed the popular strategy of "Binky in a Cup." Let's see what happens. Our baby seems confident.

Hmmm...there's a binky in this cup.

Whaa?? Where'd it go?

Aha! I see! I have dislodged the lid! HA! Try to stump me, HA. I am INVINCIBLE!

Like Brother, Like Sister

Of course, she wants to do anything Superboy does. She sneaked up on his guitar while he was busy with a construction project outside. I was surprised at how considerately she treated the instrument. Whaddya know.

Bright Bottom Girl

Been thinking for some time to try my hand at dyeing yarn, so when I found someone's poor half-completed wool afghan project at the thrift store for $1.50, I snapped it up, figuring I could afford to ruin an experiment for $1.50! Between the abandoned unused skeins and the ones I unraveled (poor little afghan...), I netted 8 or 9 skeins of nice wool to play with, so I dyed some the cheater's way: with kool-aid and a microwave oven. I was so pleased it didn't turn out a mess of mud-brown, I knitted it into a soaker (a.k.a. diaper cover) with which to decorate the Girl's behind.

Hanging to dry in my studio

Wound up and ready to go

All dressed up

Showing off to Nemo

More Packages!

Superboy bringing home two packages from Grandpa J. and Grandma S. for himself and Supergirl. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! The kiddos have been so flush with mail lately, now every evening when we go to check that magic silver box, the Boy hopes there will be something for him. Funny thing, he's not that disappointed when there isn't, just ready to check again the next day. Maybe then there will be something. Ah, sweet hope.

Practicing his scissor technique every chance he gets these days. I have him cut up paper destined for the recycling bin to use for grocery lists instead. He's a very useful engine, indeed!

Fingering the new dinosaur swim trunks, hand-picked by Grandpa. When I asked the Boy the other day, "Did you know your grandpa chose those new swim trunks especially for you because he thought you would really like them?", he replied, "Yeah! And I do!" The Girl is thinking to horn in on the action and swipe those art supplies with intent to gnaw on them.

Luckily she has a package of her own to explore!

Backyard Picnic

Superboy's Tuesday playdate B. caught a bug and passed it to his whole family last week, so we were on our own. We sure missed our friends, but we made the best of it and pitched a tent in the backyard for a Mom 'n' Boy picnic while the girl was napping. Hadn't done that since I was preg-o last summer. We missed it!