Saturday, October 31, 2009

A tale with two tails...

The lion and the dragon were having a terrible feud. The only meaningful conversation that they could muster was screaming "MINE" at each other from across the room. They were really at each others throats...

Though they had once been very close, an argument over a car had driven them apart. They found that they couldn't even look at each other...

Finally, after being forced to break bread (grilled cheese) together, the lion and the dragon realized the error of their way. Cars are fun... but much more fun when you play together. A hand extended for a shake quickly became a long overdue embrace...

And then they co-authored a self help/relationship book with a focus on conflict resolution called "Roar Fire". They went on a national speaking tour...The end.

Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Lellow Boon...

Alex is getting better with colors... but it's hard to tell. She knows them. I'm telling you she knows blue. She is familiar with purple. She has intimate knowledge of red. Orange is a seasonal favorite. But damned if she still doesn't say "lellow" every single time you ask her what color something is.

"What color is that car Alex?"
"Lellow."
"Alex... what color is it?"
"Lellow."
"Come on."
"Boo." (Blue)

See, she knows. She knows. But, while at first I think she was just repeating "color", which she pronounced at the time the same as "yellow", I'm pretty sure now she is a jokester. She has decided that it's funny to say yellow every time. Or it's her default. Or some combination thereof. But the point is, she knows.Yesterday we went to Trader Joe's. She loves Trader Joe's. Bread, cereal, bananas, and cheese are harvested there and these are a few of her favorite things. But above all this, there are balloons. She loves balloons. She loves to play with them, and she seems to love the responsibility built in to a toy that is ever trying to escape. As soon as we walk in the chorus of "boon, boon, boon" starts. But here's the thing... balloons come in colors.

When it comes time to check out, I head not for the shortest line, but for the line with yellow balloons. Not because it's her favorite, she tends not to care. No, I go there so that when the nice man/woman undoubtedly asks, "what color balloon would you like honey?" she can confidently say "LELLOW!", and everybody wins.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer...

Today was the walk that we have been nagging you about, and it was pretty cool. We got up early and dressed Alex in enough layers of pink to annoy My Pretty Pony..Then Robin managed to get up early and join us, even though she was out rocking a crazy (literally) concert last night...It was cold, but we were happy to be there for a little three mile walk with a huge group of excited people...
The walk started slow because there were thousands of people on small park paths. Luckily everyone was happy and cheering and smiling at Alex. Despite the cold, and not wanting to ride in the stroller, I think Alex had a good time people watching. We learned some timing and positioning lessons that we should be able to put to good use next year... wanna join us?

We got a bit of a late jump on the fund raising aspect of this fundraiser, but as ever our friends and families proved to be generous, caring, and understanding. We raised over $1700 in just a couple weeks and are so grateful to you all that we offer, as a token, this video of Alex dancing in the car on the way home from the walk...



Thank you and ROCK'N ROLL!!!

Friday, October 16, 2009

It will be cold, give me your money...

Okay people, this is your last chance to step up. Tomorrow we are walking in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer thingy. Follow this link *bing* and donate to a worthy cause. Because after tomorrow I will post adorable/touching/heartening photos from the walk, and then you will feel bad. I'm just trying to look out for you here...

From Hair

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Poop peas...

Last weekend we finally had some time, some patience, and some panties and hunkered down to start actively potty training Alexandra. We have been passively working on it for about a month, just talking to her about it and sitting her there from time to time. But Saturday, armed with six "big girl" panties, we spent the day doing a lot of this...

...and not always in time. We were doing laundry by noon because all the panties, a couple outfits, and the floor got a good soaking.

The good news is that she has taken to the idea of it, if not the tangible practice. We spend a great deal of time sitting in the bathroom, though little happens other than reading. She asks to go often ("poop peas")... usually right after she has gone. But she is getting it, and she likes it.

The bad news is that I have been broken down and see no way around using two of my less favorite words: potty & panties. I fought for toilet, I pushed for undies. I may have even had Michele convinced. But every book, friend, teacher, grandmother, and song we encounter cheerfully says "take off your panties and use the potty!", so what am I going to do?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Think pink...

Last night our nephew's football team were all decked out in pink to promote breast cancer awareness... including Derek have Michele's initials on pink tape on his wrist. How cool is that?


And then they went out and kicked a$$ to boot...

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The American Cancer Society:

We are walking in the Making Strides Against Cancer event on October 17th in an effort to give back and to help people in a situation that we know all too well. Please join us and/or visit the link below to make a donation for a very worthy cause.

The American Cancer Society:

Rock n Roll!!!