College Man

My young laddie mcboy is well on his way to preparing for college this week. Not only has his verbal growth spurt kicked in with new words every day (still peppered with a hefty amount of gibberlish), he is working on developing his extra-curricular interests. Namely, rugby. I can no longer remember who made the observation that Liam, being a rather Celtic sounding name, ought to belong to a rugby player. They may be right, although his likely smaller stature will be against him...he'll have to be a scrapper. In addition to looking the part and having the name, the lad has become a fan of head butting. Mostly me, when whacking doesn't elicit the appropriate response. While being head-butted by a tiny hooligan is giggle inducing, it is rather frowned upon. He also has a penchant for clobbering his sister at every opportunity. Wrassling, I believe, is the synonym. Harmless enough...for now, till he outweighs her in 2 years. My brother Matt knows what I'm talking about. Reina better get her licks in while she can.

Growing into hand me down froggies.

This week has been a particular challenge for Liam as he gains new experiences. While playing quietly in Reina's room yesterday, of course unobserved as I was putting away laundry, Liam obtained what Reina nor I never have, his first (of likely many) lacerations. Boo. 1cm of flayed apart tender sweet baby skin. Popped open right there on his eyebrow, the point of least resistance when his face made contact with the wooden floor. Boo. Miraculously, no blood anywhere but his face. My first thought was "I am NOT going to the ER." My second was "where's the super glue?"

Liam got to make a special trip to Daddy's office where, with the help of some very qualified co-workers, they dermabonded that sucker shut on a desk. I love avoiding mainstream medical care!

Liam was brave and tough. Merely mad at my holding him down but quickly recovered as Bill's department Chairman came by to see what the fuss was about. It's cool, I've changed his kids' diapers. And scars are cool for dudes, right?

This morning is another story. My dear little son slept in later than usual, I thought due to the late nap and blood shed yesterday, mostly the late nap. Upon entering his room, the distinct odor of curdled milk and acidified cheese hit me in the face. Bed pukies. The worst kind. Poor guy had slept all night in his own puke. Didn't even make a peep last night when it happened. Bill specifically thinks this is an SAT equivalent college prep. Not in my college experience but evidently in some others'. Laundry and bath before breakfast is never fun. You wouldn't guess these photos were taken today at breakfast, but here he is, happy as ever.

Later: finally in the shower while PBS watches the kids (I'm not ashamed, only time all day TV is on). No sooner is the shampoo at full lather when, well, shower time over. Paper towels applied to bathroom floor. Daddy's gym bag checked for wayward pukies. Boy is smiling no longer. Boo. Breakfast was a bad idea. Wish us luck this weekend...I have a sense of impending doom about who may be stricken next.

Hydrating. At least he doesn't have an 8 o'clock class to attend.

Dreams Come True

Before balking at the number of photos posted...please keep in mind that we had over 800 to sort through. Hey, it's digital, it don't cost nuthin'. Anywaaay...

What a week we had! I freely admit to being a little bit of Disney nut, not so much that I'm covered with character tattoos (true story, multiple sightings). Our week DID have an itinerary, but was peppered with flexibility due to the unplanable nature of small children. That being said, the kids were beyond good. There were no meltdowns, no blisters, and essentially no naps. Somehow, we all had a great time, no classic vacation family fight (we witnessed many others, while trying not to snicker at our own awesomeness). The weather was sweat dripping hot the first 3 days and absolutely perfect the last 2. I can't imagine trying to face the crowds and the heat in July. We were lucky enough to meet up with friends Dave, Jaime and baby Sally and to enjoy some fantastic meals in restaurants we'd never take the kids to at home, but at Disney, everywhere has a kid menu! Did I mention the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot? Hard to drive a stroller while two-fisting beverages...

So, long story short, we'll be back someday. On to the pictures:

Quite the young ladies man. A very awake Sleeping Beauty wouldn't stop kissing his scrambled egg covered face. Ridiculous.

Also ridiculous, Liam was, um, distracted by Princess Jasmine's uh, jewels.

The first of two meetings with Cinderella. A pretty happy little girl, learned patience while waiting in line and grew up a bit this week. And met nearly every princess that ever was or will be (Rapunzel in theaters at Thanksgiving).

Reina got the honor of holding Snow White's hand, or being the "line leader" during our very special breakfast with the ladies. She was beside herself.

Obligatory meeting with the Mice. Or as we referred to them, the King and Queen of Disney World.

A Wee Knight as a Wee Pirate. Didn't even buy the hat. Now that be frugal matey.

Awesome Dudes, big and little.

Magic

Royalty

Fish are friends, not food.

Primo curb spot for the parade. Reina blew kisses to the princes.

Stroller cam. Waving fool.

Liam had no problem giving Donald and Goofy knuckles (DD is dressed like Davey Crockett for Halloween).

Don't let him blame all the fanaticism on me. As I said before, I don't have mouse ears. Or a tiara.

A happy, well behaved child after hours of travel after an exhausting week? Best ad for the iPad ever.

See You Real Soon...

It's the eve of Something Very Special Eve...some have guessed, we are going to Disney World! This will be my 8th? trip, the first of which (when I was 4) is documented below. My Dad pointed out that Snow and Cindy are probably about 50 years old by now, thank goodness for fairy dust!

"Mommy, I have hearts in my eyes!"

Told her I wanted her job...when I saw her last in 2005.

Me and the Mouse

From 2005 visit with Eric and Melissa. See, I'm not the only one excited to go. I don't own mouse ears...just sayin.

Full Moon-Shiner

Daddy night at preschool and she comes home with this. A kid in her class knocked her down while they were all running around like a pack of wild beasties. Who gets a black eye from a rug burn? Honestly. The photo actually doesn't do much in the way of playing up this little shiner. Looks more like she needs a nap.

Bill took Reina out to eat before their pumpkin carving night...she told the lady at the wings place it was a "Daddy Daughter Dinner Date." Woo, big spender!

Seizure inducing carpet and their co-designed girl pumpkin. A fun night for both...and that's the pumpkin princess's tongue. Not something to be smoked, as was asked by multiple of the other dads apparently.

Poetry

Just in case anyone thought I was particularly poetic, my mom, the English major, has this for you.

Keepin' me honest.

October's Bright Blue Weather

O suns and skies and clouds of June, And flowers of June together, Ye cannot rival for one hour October's bright blue weather; When loud the bumblebee makes haste, Belated, thriftless vagrant, And goldenrod is dying fast, And lanes with grapes are fragrant; When gentians roll their fingers tight To save them for the morning, And chestnuts fall from satin burrs Without a sound of warning; When on the ground red apples lie In piles like jewels shining, And redder still on old stone walls Are leaves of woodbine twining; When all the lovely wayside things Their white-winged seeds are sowing, And in the fields still green and fair, Late aftermaths are growing; When springs run low, and on the brooks, In idle golden freighting, Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush Of woods, for winter waiting; When comrades seek sweet country haunts, By twos and twos together, And count like misers, hour by hour, October's bright blue weather. O sun and skies and flowers of June, Count all your boasts together, Love loveth best of all the year October's bright blue weather. Helen Hunt Jackson

October's Bright Blue Weather

Is there a better way to start the weekend than with a chocolate chip storm trooper pancake?

We spent yet another beautiful Fall weekend NOT working and with grandparents, this time at Nana and PGa's place, where on the plus side I cooked no meals, the down side...we brought our bad sports luck with us. Ah well. We had a laid back time, which was preferred and intended, taking a small hike through a local park and increasing Reina's Fall collection. Since both kids began getting symptoms of the respiratory crud that's about where our ambitions ended. Liam's verbal growth spurt now includes (with some encouragement) "Nana", "PGa", "boo!" and "baby". He and Reina had a blast playing with all of Nana's old preschool teacher gear and teacher Reina even assigned me clean up bell! Woo hoo!

Reina was very sad to leave Sunday...but is better today. I guess a few more frequent visits are in order. Little does she know she has only one more week of school before Something Very Special happens...

Baking Apple Crisp with Nana

Which one is the scarecrow?

13 years this weekend since our 1st date at UD. xoxo.

Typical. I've been called the "voice of reason in a house of chaos".

Fall Festibles

We spent the weekend hosting Gram and got our fill of Fall "Festibles" and brisk weather. I fear it may have even been too cold for Gram's Texan blood, but we enjoyed each others' company as well as some hot chocolate. Reina became a "World Famous Cowgirl Riding in a Rodeo" and Liam was an awesome chill little dude, no complaints from stroller, car seat or backpack. He seems to be going through a verbal growth spurt and is trying very hard to repeat words and communicate. Bill actually had the entire weekend off, and with all the travel he's done lately we really needed some good family time. Happy the fall weather is here at last. It gives me the opportunity to break out the sweaters and crock pot...I do love my coze.

Good Daddy

Good Daddy

Good Daddy

Gram with Bill and Kids at Kentucky Wool Fest. Surprisingly small amount of wool present...

1st ever pony ride

With buddy Logan at the least kid friendly apple orchard ever.

more goat

Poo-holes?

Gram came to visit this weekend - and a great time was had by all. Pictures to follow (by Annie...hopefully).

Before I forget - the quote of the weekend.

Setting - Friday Night - Cincinnati Reds game (vs. Milwaukee)

Reina - "Gram - Who is your favorite baseball player?"

Gram - "Albert Pujols!"

Reina - "No. He's not one of ours. Can you pick another one?"

Reina's favorite players are Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Jonny Gomes! In no particular order.

RIP Sea Monster

Yesterday our household experienced a loss. A minor one if you ask me, but here's the story. I bought Bill a fish tank for our 1st wedding anniversary, now over 7 years ago. He was pleased and has since done every single tank cleaning, water change, etc. We've had several fish come and go, upwards of 10 a year maybe? That number includes small aquatic frogs, snails and "ghost shrimp" which true to their name are virtually invisible and instantly lost in the tank habitat, therefore a royal waste of 32 cents.

Since the first batch of fish, however, our giant plecostomus has been with us. Through our move to this house, through the murky green days. He was tough but gentle, a noisy bubbler but stealthy swimmer. A majestic prehistoric creature forced to live with a bubble activated fake skull. Interestingly enough, his life span was tragically cut short. According to the highly reliable Internet, a healthy and well kept plecostomus may live up to 10-15 years, and rarely even 20 in captivity! They can also grow to be 24" long and are in fact a type of catfish.

Sorry old boy, apparently you were not "well kept" and your tank (ours is 29 gallons) fell sadly short of the minimum 55 gallon requirement. How insensitive we were, how irresponsible of PetSmart to sell you to such uneducated cretins.

One final note for this obit, Plecostomus was around before Hermes and even Jedi, that is a seriously old fish. Bill plans to bury him with distinction. We agree the new septic tank doesn't need that challenge. Had I the guts to scoop him from his watery grave, he'd have been flung over the fence.

Jacob Marley couldn't be any deader

8 inches long, 7 years old, never named

"Mommy, why is it dead?" Um...

Cryogenically frozen until burial. Next to the waffles. Lets have cereal today kids.