This Boy's Smile

Makes me completely melt. He is just a happy little guy, and within the last few months has completely went all boy on me. Really, one day, the switch came on literally. I remember I was in the living room and he came speeding by sword in hand looking to slay some dragons. Then it morphed into "boom thing" which took me a moment to figure out what he was talking about. Is this innate? I am sure some of it is learned but man, it is like someone said "Now, you will be boy! Rough it up, jump off of it, tackle it, wrestle it" (Miss Em has been the recipient of a few take downs), it is just non-stop. Even when he is getting ready for bed, still moving up until the moment he completely succumbs to the tired.

So on the boy's birthday his uncle came to the house on his motorcycle. After a million questions he finally landed the right one, he wanted to sit on the bike. His uncle more than pleased took the boy and his sister out for their first lesson on bike safety. No, he did not take for a ride, just sitting on the bike was enough for the boy's imagination. Sword in hand and his Abbazabba driving there was nothing to stop these two from asking me in 12 years for a motorcycle. To which I have no answer. I guess I better start working on my answer. For now, here is the boy is all the happiness any little boy could dream of.

SHE CAN READ!

I can't express just how excited I am. We had our first parent/teacher conference for the Divine Miss Em yesterday. To say the least I was nervous, not that Em wasn't doing well but more worried her parents, me and the husband, were not doing enough to help her have a good kindergarten experience. The first stroke of good fortune was moving into our neighborhood, the second stroke of good fortune was her kindergarten teacher. This woman rocks, and if I had her permission to leak her name I would.

As parents, you all know you draw from the personal experiences as to what elementary school is going to be like for your kid. I had my fair share of awesome teachers and some pretty bad ones as well. My hope for Em was to have some kind of transition from her "Norm from Cheers" knowing everyone, to knowing no one, as smooth as possible. The girl has it going on! Her teacher says that not only are we doing a great job, this kid is a good person. Wow, the things I have been working for are starting to come to fruition. I have a kid who is a good person at five years old. I am thinking she and I are on the right path. But that is not all.

Part of their evaluation through out the year looks at their ability to construct thoughts and put into sentences. Out of all the current kindergarten classes, which is like 150 kids, Em is one of four kids that scored highest in this area. What this means is, Em is able to put together complex pronoun sentences and compound sentences on her own without assistance. For example she will when asked tell the instructor "I like going to the park to play with my friends". This is big stuff for five year old. But beyond that, for which I am very proud of my girl for being her, this little girl read to me her first book on her own.

The kids put together little 10 page books made up of the words they are learning and some words they can sound out, Em has been working so hard on these words and it paid off. The look on her face with the turn of each page, man I would not trade it for the world. I think she was ten feet tall when she finished. I was so excited Em and I ran into the bathroom where the husband was giving the little kids a bath, I said "Em can read, Em can read, listen everyone!"

Em read her book again and the little kids, went crazy for her. High fives all around, the little kids asked her to read books to them, such an awesome experience. Tooth faeries and reading books, I can't wait for what is next!

Uh OH! Dental Faeries Working Overtime!

My kid is working overtime on losing teeth! She just lost her first tooth a couple of weeks ago and this past Sunday right as she was going to bed, VOILA! Tooth number two is sitting in the palm of her hand. I say the dental faeries are working overtime and sending me the bill.

I was trying to negotiate with the dental faeries to mix it up a bit with little trinkets, toys, crayons or something besides cold, hard cash, but they ran a coup on me before I could stock up.

For me, I just love surprises, and the look on her face when she is trying to figure out how the tooth got out of the plastic bag and the money gets in. Yeah, neither parent is a big fan of just letting the tooth loose under the pillow, we like the restraint method.

Picture an adult hunched over in the dark, sneaking a hand under the sleeping child negotiating the ultra zip lock feature of the bag you so lovingly praised earlier in the day for not exploding all over the kitchen floor but now in the dark, twenty minutes to midnight, the ultra zip lock feature is not looking so great. After two dives to the floor, a couple of freeze tag positions, and a small prayer she just did not see you, finally, finally the cash is in. Man this is tough, I felt like I needed to learn some Yoga positions to get this done. My calves hurt along with the tukas. Oh but look at this face, that is what makes it worthwhile!

Using your noggin, VOTE

Hey guys, this is the day, the day we have been waiting for to finally decide where this country is going. My only advice to use your noggin, so many issues coming out of the propositions are fueled with illogical and faulty claims.

The more you listen, the more you learn, but to learn you have to listen to the view of the opposition. Do not take what is spoon fed, do not take what is meant to incite emotional flares, use your cool, calm, intelligent noggin. Look deeper than what is on the surface, often there is a more horrid agenda looming under the surface, don't be caught by the smoke and mirrors. Don't let the propaganda machine tell you how stupid you are, the machine is wrong.

It is a partnership, a relationship we all, as Americans, have with each other and by far the most complicated because of the myriad of personalities. We as a Americans, must use our noggins. Our country is fighting for survival, our people are living on the streets, our people are living without medical care/insurance, our children are struggling with the basic educational skills, our elderly are suffering alone, our people are without work.

When is the time for the light to come on above our heads? When is the time for citizens of this country to come to the aid of our fallen neighbor? Vote with your noggin, vote in the interest of helping your fellow citizen, vote beyond the party lines, vote beyond the pettiness, vote for the good of our State, Country, and fellow human.

I still believe in miracles.

Funny is just Funny

This by no means is a support for any candidate. Funny has no rules, and what makes you laugh should be shared. Enjoy, don't forget to turn on the speakers, and let's gear up for Super Tuesday!

Happy HALLOWEEN and HAPPY Birthdays

Three years ago, I walked into my OB/GYN and said I think I am pregnant. I had the home test to prove it. He says come back on this day and we will get a ultra sound to check how far and a heartbeat. I say great, bring it! I had been through this before, no sweat, and for the husband, babe, don't come to the first appointment, all it is going to be is the set up, ultra sound and find out how many pounds I am not supposed to gain. Later on I will need you to come but no worries, I know what is coming.

Appointment day arrives, I bid my co-workers a goodbye and say see you in an hour, just going to get a check up. A round of good lucks, and just as I am walking out the door I hear, "you know you may have twins". I say "yeah right, in your dreams" well, no one told me that a prophet was housed in my office. The seer of seers. I confidently walk into the office, strip, hoist myself up and into the ever loving stirrups, girls you know what I mean. Ready. Waiting. Letting the wahoo hang out there for the world to see. Looking at the great mobile on the ceiling thinking this is going to be nice for Em, she will have someone to be close to, not be the only kid, perfect, a family of four. I think I am ready. Doc says hey you look good, the test is confirmed now walk over and have this highly trained professional wand the wahoo and get some pictures of the little money maker. GREAT! LET'S GO!

I dress, strip again and wait. Hi, how are you? Oh I see Doc wants these pictures, how long since the last, how you feeling, ok this is going to be a bit cold, hold still, click buttons, punch pictures, ok Ms Whimsy, here is the heart beat, good and strong and here is the heartbeat of the second baby, excellent.

What? You must be mistaken, what did you say? Two, no, no, no, no, no, you must be pulling my chain. Two?! There can't be two, you mean one, just one, right? "Ms. Whimsy, I NEVER pull any one's chain, now you either be still or I will have to use the wand". There it was, in picture, two, count them, two little spaces with two little peanuts housed in their own room. There was not a peep out of me except the rush and the tears rolling out of the corner of my eyes. Two. Two. Two. I am having two babies.

Now, my babies are three years old. It seems like yesterday, I held these little precious loves in my arms. Three, I can't imagine my life without them. Em, I know now you will always have someone, I love you so much and this is as much your birthday as theirs.

Now lets rewind a bit, try 27 years ago, I am 12 going on 13, I have been demoted from only child to middle child in less than a year, my cousin came to live with us and frankly I was a total BEASTLY BRAT to my cousin, I am not proud but very sorry for that cousin. It's three o'clock in the morning and I have been awaken by my grandma to say, you have a little brother!

Can we trade him for a girl? I wanted a girl, I told mom I wanted a girl, why is it a boy? Pissed to say the least I had a brother, what the hell am I going to do with a brother?

No worry folks, he grew on me, threw up on me, drew with permanent marker on all my bedroom furniture, telephone, books, umbrella, whatever didn't move. I am totally in love with my little funk soul brother.

He is amazing and he has crossed over the quarter of a century mark. He celebrated his 27th birthday with the kids and I could not have ask for a better uncle to my children. I love his so much for that. Ladies, huh? Good Looking, single, good with kids. Let me know.

Part of the festivities was a trip to the zoo for the annual tradition of the Howl-o-ween event. The kids get to dress up and learn about animals. Perfect for the kids they had a ball, here are some snap shots. Tonight I will take more pictures, this will be their first year to trick or treat around the neighborhood. Happy Halloween Everyone!

One down, 19 to go

Can you believe it? This little face is growing up and she has lost her first tooth. Oh man, I was not ready. I knew it was loose but the dentist said don't get too excited, it could take up to six months, it's only been 6 weeks. Maybe she was looking at the wrong calendar. I have been told, but have no proof that kids baby teeth drop out in the same order they came in.

She could not be more proud of the gaping hole in her smile. Oye, time moves so fast when you are not looking. One down, 19 more to go!

Feast your eyes on this beauty!