Zoe decided a 14-month-old should be able to do certain things.

Summer 2010 - A Slideshow

Stuff, Things & Favorite Photos

So, Zoe is now crawling on her knees. She is also snacking nearly constantly. She is often heard coming with a 'thunk' as she crawls with her fist lodged in a Snack Trap.

Amelia is on her second sinus infection of the year. Not normally a cuddly girl, she wants to snuggle. With her 102 degree body. In the heat of summer. Oh, kid. I tucked her in the second night of the fever and she said, "I can't believe it." "What?" "That I'm sick. I don't want this headache or this fever. I just want to be all good. I had the fever lesterday (sic) and I'm not bery (sic) good at getting better." Poor Little.

A few weeks ago I took the girls to the NC State Museum of Natural History in Raleigh. This was the justification for going to Trader Joe's. The store had kites displayed throughout and was holding a drawing for these. A worker got AC's info and, guess what, she won one. So now we're driving back (2 hours) to get her free kite. What? It totally makes sense. This time I'm justifying it with a visit to a a children's museum.

Mother's Day 2010

We started the day with breakfast out (complete with free extra waffle thanks to overstressed ((Hello! It's Mother's Day!)) kitchen). After Zoe's morning nap, we headed to a local farm for some pick-yo-sef strawberries. Back home for a late lunch, naps for the girls, and then a fabulous dinner on the deck. Brandon made a grilled shrimp & bread salad and some grilled artichokes on the side. I whipped up a shortcake with the berries and we maxed out on all the deliciousness. Thank you 70-something degree day!

Homecoming!

And then there was one...

Stealing - er, borrowing - a post

This made me laugh this morning so I'm sharing. Hope you like it, too. (From finslippy)

A poem (not mine)(and thank God for that)
My friend Sarah linked to this poem the other day, and I was reminded of how much I loved Frank O'Hara and still do. He was so funny and compassionate, and his poems always made me so happy I lived in the city, and so sad that a dune buggy ran him over. I wish he were alive so I could chase him around a room shouting LET ME HUG YOU. I bet he wouldn't be able to run fast, because if he were alive he'd be old! And I'd catch him! And then he'd ask me to let him go, and I would, but only after a minute, or five.

Poem

Lana Turner has collapsed!
I was trotting along and suddenly
it started raining and snowing
and you said it was hailing
but hailing hits you on the head
hard so it was really snowing and
raining and I was in such a hurry
to meet you but the traffic
was acting exactly like the sky
and suddenly I see a headline
LANA TURNER HAS COLLAPSED!
there is no snow in Hollywood
there is no rain in California
I have been to lots of parties
and acted perfectly disgraceful
but I never actually collapsed
oh Lana Turner we love you get up

Amelia's 100th Day of School

Greetings from Doha!

Zoe's First Cereal

Brandon reading to AC

Countdown Project

Last night we counted out the Kisses and put them in a vase. When I was explaining what we were doing, I told her that each day she would get one - her kiss from Papa. She said, "Awww, that's nice." So she had her first one last night while the soup she helped me make was simmering. I don't think she truly understands the concept, but it's at least something for her to look forward to each day and I know that seeing the vase empty will benefit me, too.

New Photos

Put a bunch new pics up in Flickr for your viewing pleasure. Click on through...
Amelia's birthday and Christmas.

New feature

There's a weekly, free paper delivered here. It's mostly ads, stuffed with ads. I finally read some of the personals. OMG, Becky, there's some good stuff in there. I will now be sharing some finds with my readers.

- I do not play golf but with patience you might could teach me.

- Good cook and baker and have a clean house and to make others content and happy.

- I'm still an old fashion guy. I love to spoil a special lady. Country Girls definitely welcome.

- Please, NO HEAD GAMES,NO DRAMA,We will make introductions by phone. Thanks for reading, and have a very Bless day, or night.

All this is (sic). And if you wish to contact any of the applicants, let me know.

- Must be single and DOES NOT have girlfriends on the side. NO one night stands and NO wife on the side. I look like Anna Nicole. Come on men show me what you got in yourself.

- White Female looking for White Male Companionship White female would like to meet a white male... Someone to spend time together and enjoy line.

Seriously, at this point, I should just scan the whole page...

- I enjoy watching TV, listening to different kinds of music. The only kind of music I don't like listening to is Rock-n-Roll or Jazz. I am very nice. I am not in for somebody that like to play games and cheat on their girlfriend. I am a very sweet person once you get to know me.

- I would like to meet a female who love to have fun, watch movies, going out, playing cards, and someone who will appriciate the thing I do for her. I love to cook, I enjoy a clean house, but I'm not a neat freak though just cleanliness. I love to write poetry and sing to my baby (which may be you, if you like). If these thing intrest you, don't wait call that number and see what this man can do for you.

- I am 5'11" 215lbs fathered 12 children, was living alone but 2 have moved back in... Looking for a woman of similar interest, even a family or hobby... To love me is to love me.

And the piece de resistance...

- TO MY MR WONDERFUL STILL OUT THERE PRAYING FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME Please remain patient as "I" am still out here trying to grow, work on my charm since I've had a lot of inner pain;and my finesse. I had been up to 9/22/08 a faithful and true wife of 31 years and very, very religious for most of my entire life of 66 years. I will have dark brown smoky hair that's naturally curly, large brown eyes, and am about 125 at present(a work in progress)5 feet tall with small feet. I am however, somewhat adventurous and a northerner. Had an Italian mother and six siblings, but spent many of my years in the foster-care system. SO PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP looking for Ms Wonderful vecause I haven't given up

Smartie pants

While looking at the swirl of hair atop Zoe's head, Amelia said, "That's like the pot." I wasn't sure what she meant so she explained that the swirl was like the water when she flushed the toilet. Smart!

Later that same day, photographers were here doing a shoot. AC was asking each of us if we were "another animal." One said she was, but had Amelia guess, only saying she lived in the ocean. AC started listing animals - all of which did indeed live in the ocean. Smart!

Halloweena!

That's what she was calling it at first. Now she's saying it correctly and spent a lot of trick-or-treating shouting "Happy Halloween!" (Makes me a little sad when she drops her versions of words for the "right" way.) The monkey costume was her pick for the preschool parade held downtown Friday morning. For t-or-t she chose the cowgirl get-up. The one where she's in a camo hat and gun holster (aack!) was from last weekend when she was helping Papa pack.

A Day at the Farm

That is the name of the place Amelia's class went on a field trip. The kids all had a great time petting & feeding the animals, going on a hayride to see the fields, having a picnic lunch and picking out a pumpkin to take back to school to decorate.

It's moments like these that make me glad I didn't kill either of them that day.

It was just after dinner and Zoe was crying. Amelia gave her a pacifier and read her a book, even showing her the pictures. Zoe watched her big sister intently.
LOVE!

Old people are so funny

While shopping with Zoe today, she started making peeps and squeaks. And elderly woman said, "Oh, I know that sound. That's a new one." I acknowledged her and adjusted Zoe's carrier in the cart. As we passed by, the woman craned for a look and said, "Oh, that's not a real baby." Huh? I said, "Oh, she's real. Trust me." And kept walking, 'cause really, what the hell.

Finally!

I finally took pictures of our house now that we're all moved in. The after shots follow the befores.