Just think of this post as my version of Oprah's "Favorite Things"...minus the refrigerators and croissants.
Pre-recorded political phone calls. These are out of control this year and the level of pandering only goes to prove that the politicians all think we're a bunch of lemmings whose minds can be changed with a generic message. Michelle Obama called me one day. Thanks to her, I know that there is early voting here in North Carolina. Whew. Neither John nor Cindy McCain has yet to call me, but I'm hopeful. A group called "Americans for Job Security" called yesterday. I can only assume that, since I am not a member of said group, they think I enjoy mass corporate turnover rates.
People who turn right in order to turn left. Have you ever noticed that some people get into the left-turn lane only to swerve back into the go-straight lane in a misguided effort to make a ridiculously wide left turn? You're not in an eighteen wheeler, you're in a Prius. Your turning radius can handle 90 degrees. Get out of my lane.
"I don't believe in...". An aggravating phrase when misused. "I don't believe in Santa": fine- your choice- enjoy the coal you find in your stocking. "I don't believe in God": also fine- let me know how that turns out for you . "I don't believe in ghosts": your call. "I don't believe in the lottery (insert your choice of controversial topic here)": not fine. You can choose not to believe in it but, generally speaking, that's going to be a losing battle for you. The lottery/whatever exists. Denying its existence seems rather silly, no?
2 year olds who don't nap. Further explanation should not be necessary.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
3 Lessons learned on a Friday
Today is a rainy and cool day here in Charlotte (read: icky and not suitable for going outside). We had our friend, Bradley, over for a few hours earlier. Bradley and Makena are the same age and I'm pretty sure he's got the hots for Reese- time will tell :).
Let me preface my story with a reminder for everyone that I am a type-a, retentive, slightly OCD neatnick at my core. I've gotten much better with the addition of two kids, but I still get all twitchy inside when I know there's a mess lurking.
Today I let three kids paint pumpkins with non-washable acrylic paints on my floor. Believe it or not, we all had fun AND managed to keep the paint where it was supposed to be (and skin and hands, which I don't count as bad!).
I learned two important lessons from the painting episode.
1- when you only have a few colors of pastel paints to choose from and the artists pretty much just swirl it around all together, you wind up with gray-blue pumpkins.
2- the theory that there is freedom and redemption if a twitchy, anti-mess person like me just "lets go and doesn't worry about the mess" is a load of crap. I didn't really do much worrying, but there was no freedom in there at all!
My third lesson of the day came in the bathroom. I've been wondering lately when we'll get to that point where large groups of kids can't just traipse to the bathroom together anymore. I'm not ready for the boy/girl differences speech yet. That point came today. As all four of us crowded into our tiny second bathroom, Makena tee-teed without episode (or even notice from Bradley). Bradley, however, garnered this remark upon finishing his duty. "You have a lollipop!!!"
Let me preface my story with a reminder for everyone that I am a type-a, retentive, slightly OCD neatnick at my core. I've gotten much better with the addition of two kids, but I still get all twitchy inside when I know there's a mess lurking.
Today I let three kids paint pumpkins with non-washable acrylic paints on my floor. Believe it or not, we all had fun AND managed to keep the paint where it was supposed to be (and skin and hands, which I don't count as bad!).
I learned two important lessons from the painting episode.1- when you only have a few colors of pastel paints to choose from and the artists pretty much just swirl it around all together, you wind up with gray-blue pumpkins.
2- the theory that there is freedom and redemption if a twitchy, anti-mess person like me just "lets go and doesn't worry about the mess" is a load of crap. I didn't really do much worrying, but there was no freedom in there at all!My third lesson of the day came in the bathroom. I've been wondering lately when we'll get to that point where large groups of kids can't just traipse to the bathroom together anymore. I'm not ready for the boy/girl differences speech yet. That point came today. As all four of us crowded into our tiny second bathroom, Makena tee-teed without episode (or even notice from Bradley). Bradley, however, garnered this remark upon finishing his duty. "You have a lollipop!!!"
Monday, October 20, 2008
Kiss-um Trees
A few gems of toddler-speak and song we've heard of late.
At Target after spotting the ever-earlier Christmas displays:
Reese: "MOMMY!! Go that way to the Kiss-um Trees!!"
Makena singing: "I stand on top on the Lord of God"
(should be "I stand alone on the word of God"- if you hear of lightning storms in Charlotte, you may want to steer clear of our house)
Reese can't seem to get her S blended consonants right- she replaces them all with an F sound. We see fool buses on the road, she eats with a foon, she loves to look at the fider (Halloween decoration) on our neighbor's house, and she loves to run around in her Twirly Firt (skirt).
Reese while on a walk: "Look at the Hire Fydrant!!" (Makena did the same thing- it cracks us up).
Makena upon spying a passing Bud Light truck (a truck with no pictures, just the words Bud Light): "Mommy, there is beer in that truck." Please note- we don't even drink Bud Light! Ah- the American Corporate Marketing machine at its best. Or worst.
Here are a few pictures from this year's punkin shopping trip.
At Target after spotting the ever-earlier Christmas displays:
Reese: "MOMMY!! Go that way to the Kiss-um Trees!!"
Makena singing: "I stand on top on the Lord of God"
(should be "I stand alone on the word of God"- if you hear of lightning storms in Charlotte, you may want to steer clear of our house)
Reese can't seem to get her S blended consonants right- she replaces them all with an F sound. We see fool buses on the road, she eats with a foon, she loves to look at the fider (Halloween decoration) on our neighbor's house, and she loves to run around in her Twirly Firt (skirt).
Reese while on a walk: "Look at the Hire Fydrant!!" (Makena did the same thing- it cracks us up).
Makena upon spying a passing Bud Light truck (a truck with no pictures, just the words Bud Light): "Mommy, there is beer in that truck." Please note- we don't even drink Bud Light! Ah- the American Corporate Marketing machine at its best. Or worst.
Here are a few pictures from this year's punkin shopping trip.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Politics at our house
Neither Brett nor I are terribly enthusiastic about politics. I mean, let's face it, no matter which side of the aisle you stand on or whose promises you find more alluring, it's really going to be the same old story, different set of faces any way you slice it.
That said, with an observant three-year-old who sits and watches The Today Show with me for a while every morning, it's impossible to avoid the beginnings of teaching Makena about current events. She recognizes Obama and calls him by name. She knows he and "the man with the white hair" want to be our president. She also knows "the lady with the black hair and glasses" wants to help "Sentor Makane".
This week Joe Biden made an appearance during the time we watch. We discussed that he wants to be the helper of "Sentor oBAma". She thought about that for a while and then declared that "Sentor Biden has mean eyes." Huh. Interesting.
That said, with an observant three-year-old who sits and watches The Today Show with me for a while every morning, it's impossible to avoid the beginnings of teaching Makena about current events. She recognizes Obama and calls him by name. She knows he and "the man with the white hair" want to be our president. She also knows "the lady with the black hair and glasses" wants to help "Sentor Makane".
This week Joe Biden made an appearance during the time we watch. We discussed that he wants to be the helper of "Sentor oBAma". She thought about that for a while and then declared that "Sentor Biden has mean eyes." Huh. Interesting.
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