EEEAAAKKKGGGGGAHHHHH!!!

Translation: "Daddy's HOME!!!!"

John took a serious red eye back from the Las Vegas convention on Friday night/Saturday morning. Very lucky for me, his Dad volunteered to pick him up from the airport so the kids and I were not up at 5am trying to get out there to get him at 6:20am. THANK YOU GRANDPA!!!! Anyway, we were all perfectly happy sleeping until Abby went NUTS barking and ended that. Dory was super excited and ran down the stairs to greet both Daddy and Grandpa and then curled up for a few hours while they both continued to sleep on the couch. Jack and I stayed upstairs, snuggled, nursed and slept just a bit more. When Jack finally came out of his morning stupor I told him Daddy was home. I got a huge hug that means, "I'm ready to head downstairs, pick me up! Let's go!" We got to the stairs and he wiggled out of my arms to go bump bump bump down the stairs in a near pooh style on his own. Dory heard us and proclaimed to John that Mommy was downstairs and John, still asleep, responded with a half groan. Upon hearing his voice, Jack squealed "EEEAAAKKKGGGGGAHHHHHH!!!!!" with sheer delight and picked up his bumping pace. It took Jack a few minutes to let go of Daddy and when John tried to go upstairs to take his jet lag nap, Jack nearly panicked. Poor guy. Missed his Daddy.

Welcome back John!

Castles and Thrones

(I love how the color looks like it's faded and from the 70's... camera went wonky and I like it.)

TOGA!

When I blinked

Dory turned 4.

Happy Birthday Princess.

Cheese and Peas

Give 'em some love!

Bailey's Hat

It took me just a few days to knit the whole hat, but nearly a month to add the ears. Poor kiddo, cold head and Tia (that's me) can't be bothered with ears. I finally decided that the face just would be left off since it would be June before that happened. I don't want her to outgrow it that quick!
Doreen came over after the Charlotte Purls meeting tonight and we had Z model it for us. Her little noggin is so tiny, I think the hat will be a perfect fit for Bailey. :)


Now, if I could just catch up with Becky to get it to the little princess.

A good egg

We love our eggs, as you already know since I post pics a few weeks ago of the green ones... but I was trying to make myself some cookie dough when this little egg made a resistance. It refused to crack! I know Dionne feeds her ladies really well, but geez! I was able to take a massive area of shell off without damaging the membrane beyond the initial crack. (The little spot of gleam.) It is an issue that is leading to more shell in my cookie... but I don't think I shall complain one bit. These are certainly GOOD eggs.

(Yes, that is the compost ready to head out to John's worm farm.)

*Gasp*

It's true. They ARE his kids!!!!

They DOWNED a can of sardines for lunch. Oh, my. Both of them. It was freakish.

Doreen and I go knitting

Or rather fighting over sale yarns. I won that skein. ;)

Sleepy Kiddo

No, he didn't wear himself out with those toys. I'd be lying if I said that he fell asleep on his own that way... but he did roll over on his own in his sleep and kept right on sleeping just like that. John and I found it rather humorous.

It starts early in our family...

While sitting down to dinner John was talking to Jack about his water and used the sign when he said it. Dory then started using the sign too and proclaimed that hers was better formed and that John was doing it wrong. (He wasn't and hers wasn't either.)

A few minutes later John made a comment about how smart Mommy was, looking for agreement from Dory. Dory just said, "Uh..." as in, 'let me think on that one, I'm not so sure.' John thought she said "no." but I'm just glad I have some wit left about me according to her. At least she had to think about it. BTW- she's still thinking. No answer yet.

Boy, not even 4 years old yet and already living with 2 imbeciles!

My pirate name is:

Mad Jenny Bonney

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Moonstone and Peruvian Opal

I'm not going to cut my hair again for awhile, and lost one of my old hair sticks then broke another after about 10 years. It is time for new ones. These have all sorts of brilliant flashes of color that just don't show up in the photos, much like standard opals.
I had the wood piece hand turned out of curly maple by daystar on Etsy, and then decorated the tips my way. I am very pleased with the result and can't wait to use them on a regular basis! I might just need another set from her. She was wonderful working with me to get them just right since I contacted her about custom work. I'm excited!

Mommy's Asheville Joy

I was allowed to make a too short trip into Yarn Paradise... and I found... Koigu Mill Ends!!!!!!
Oh, my. The absolute joy. The sheer beauty of those little baskets. The little baskets of joy. The amazement as they brought out another entire bag for me to root through.  
I left with way too little.  I needed so much more.  *sigh*  I'll live.  
It's a great excuse for another trip up.


KPM


KPPPM


I also picked up some for Doreen, who has the Flu, and needed a 'Get well stash' in hopes that gives her incentive to get over the awful awful illness.


So - GET WELL!!!! You have yarn to fondle!

Much to my Husband's absolute SHOCK

Your Vocabulary Score: A-

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!
You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

Biltmore Castle, Day 2

Jack is ready to head back now!

What 'x'?  Where do you want me to stand? Forget it no pictures for you mom.

Yes, there is a really pretty waterfall behind the red tree.  Dory liked it.

Before we even got off the Estate, this is what happened.  By the time she got her hot chocolate, it was pretty cold she slept so hard.

Biltmore Castle, Day 1

On the shuttle ride from the parking lot.  She was certainly wide eye'd with wonder as we rounded the corner.

Come on now Jack!  This way!

One happy family, including the mama behind the camera.

Let's just say they love each other.

Sun shines down on her Castle as we head out for the day.  We only toured the first floor, but it was still something that she really enjoyed.  She was awed by the banquet hall and declared the first bedroom hers.

You Are Sudoku

You are simple, modern and elegant. You're not that difficult to figure out, but very few people truly get you. You approach the world with a pure logic that most people will never grasp.

What Kind of Puzzle Are You?

And tomorrow is for our Princess Dorothy

We are taking her to see a Castle. She knows we have a grand adventure planned, but not where we are going. She has seen pictures of Biltmore Estate the past few days laying around. She even pointed out that the castle has a crown on. Seriously, it does! She mentioned while looking at the pictures she found that one day she would like to go there.
Well, Friday her dream comes true of going to see it. We are so excited for her. We plan on telling her as soon as we get the car loaded for the day. Taking as she sees fit, we will follow her lead for the day. If she wants to run around the gardens, we will. If she wants to stay in the house, we will... If she wants to just sit and stare at it... um, ok, we'll have to get her moving then.

Happy Birthday Princess Dorothy. Your very own castle for a day.

What Monty Python Character are you?

Mean lil fellow, arn't you?
Take this quiz!

Of course....

It would be right after a post such as below that Dory trips when running, in the house where she's not supposed to, and gives herself a nasty insta-bruise across the face. No, I did not (and do not) beat my children. No matter how much I might want to.

Oi.

Mystery Illness Update

It's gone. So I guess we will never know. Never became anything more than swollen tonsils with white spots. Now they are back to normal, no spots.

Mommy Days

I'm having some rough ones. Seriously losing my composure.
Don't get me wrong, I ADORE my children... but my near 4 year old is about to have my wrath unleashed upon her. Most days are fine, but yesterday was particularly bad... pushing little limits, but no big ones. I should have started the day out with a spanking, but I didn't. We did a ton of time outs and lectures and I raised my voice several times.... I should have just spanked once. Today is shaping up the same. My voice is about to go from yelling. I hate to yell. But seriously, she is just like me. Headstrong and takes nothing seriously, way to opinionated and strong willed. She knows just where the limits are too. I hate to spank. Really and seriously hate it, besides, it really does not work well with her. It causes just as many issues as it fixes... but I have been pushed to the edge and I am about to unleash some mommy wrath. But if she makes her brother scream one more time while giggling through it....

K, rant over, I feel a bit better now. ;)

My version of the email forward....

Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. - Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:
I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the laundry room, I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my house keys are in the cereal bowl. I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can, and notice that the trash can is full. So, I decide to take out the trash.
But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left, my extra checks are in my desk in the office, so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I decide I should put the sippy cup in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup a plant on the counter catches my eye--it needs to be watered. I set the sippy cup on the counter, and I discover baby wipes that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back in the bathroom, but first I'm going to water the plants. I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote, left on the kitchen table.
I realize that when I go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the plants. I splash some water on the plant, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the plants aren't watered, there is still only one check in my check book, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I don't remember what I did with my keys.
Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail. Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message, because I don't remember to whom it has been sent.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!!

Such a mystery

I got sick Wednesday.... but my only real symptom is swollen white tonsils. It came on quick. No fever, no headache, no real drop in energy, voice, appetite.... I am so very perplexed. My throat isn't even really sore. Just swollen and covered in white. Go figure.

I'm trying to keep it at it's current level. Who wants to go to the Dr and catch the flu on top of this? No thanks. Not unless I **HAVE** too.

R E A D = 'read'

I think Dory is reading now. The last few days she has been hopping up in my lap, pointing at letters in words, telling me what they are and then telling me the word. I do not know if it is more a memorization of the book, the picture or reading per se. I'm all for helping her along though! We were going to wait until closer to ago 7 when her brain was fully wired for reading to really start, but if she is taking this upon herself, well... more power to her!

A(called it E) I R P L(called it T) A I N = airplane! :)

The Humiliating Post (graphic content)

Dory has, just today, learned to 'tickle her "body" '. Or at least she is just now sharing this with me. Oh, the joys.
('Body' is her very own made up euphemism. We have tried using real terms, she's not taking to them.)

I was just about to put Jack down for a nap and I look over at her as she plops down in the chair and proceeds to tell me, "Sometimes, I move my panties, like this, and let the air in to tickle my body... sometimes I do this (spreading herself out some more)..."

Oh. dear. Lord!!!!

HOW, oh HOW, do I handle this one? Better be quick. I was awesome when she asked about penises, why Daddy and Jack both have ones and she and mommy do not. I did really well explaining how babies are born and in general how they are made. I have sown her with a mirror her parts and explained why we have to work to keep them clean so it doesn't get infected and hurt. But this? Right now? Isn't there some rule about being given a warning? There should be. (Yes, I know. Stop laughing at me. I know the age is right... don't rub it in, I should have seen it coming.) I'm rethinking the whole open about sex and our bodies thing right this split second... Wow. I know I did it to my mom, I even remember some of it as one of those humiliating early memories... but that doesn't matter right now. How is the right way to deal with this? I don't want to tell her it's dirty and she should be ashamed, I don't want to set up sex as something bad... but I'm dying to jump up and start yelling stop!!! I don't want her to think it's appropriate anytime and anywhere either though. I don't want her chatting casually about her exploits as we walk down the aisle in a store... seriously... I think this is bad? Oh, the TRUE horror.

When I came to my senses, after a thankfully brief few seconds, I told her we do it in private. Not with other people around.

She asked if she could go to her room. Um... Unfortunately I had to put Jack down, (remember?) for a much needed nap. I told her not right now.

She asked me where she could go then... I told her she would just have to wait. Simple enough, huh? Whew! I made it through!

No. HA-HA! Silly Mommy!

Then she started in about the multiple ways to tickle one's self, counts her 4 fingers, and THEN asks if she can use Jack's dragon (from his castle book set - it's a soft plush). Um, no, you can't dear. "Why not?" she asks. "Um, because it will make it dirty, and it's not yours and you don't want to make it dirty. We don't do something like that." Gulp - is that a good enough answer? Geez! I feel like she's asking me for a Pure Romance Party already with that question...
_____________________________________

A few minutes after I get Jack down, John calls. He's just finished me all about the DMV trials (there's always something... the camera broke on the person before him) when I pull my trump saying, "Well, at least you aren't here learning about how Dory tickles her 'body'."

He says, "Oh, no... really?"

Yes my dear. Yes.

"Well, I gotta say, I think I would have handled that really well." (I'm thinking about the penis comment that took him off guard leaving him pale and stuttering...)

"Oh? What if she was showing you while she was telling you?"

"On second thought, I would have had a coronary, " he said. "Chest clutching 'Elizabeth I'm coming home'."

Yeah, that's about right.

____________________________________

But, oh, dear... what a day. I wonder if John will be coming home now... I think I scared him.

At least boys start yanking on day one. Less shock involved there.

NO! Don't Go!

Grand came over to play yesterday, and we had a great time. Jack was ecstatic to see her, wouldn't even let her go for a half hour once she got here. When Dory finally woke up from her nap she got to play for a good while as well.

When it came time for Gail to head home, Jack gave her a non ending hug, he wouldn't come back to me. (If you know him, you know that can be significant!) Gail asked him if he wanted to go with her, he replied with his 'eh-uh' grunt and a head shake... to us it looks like 'no', but it is his 'yes'. So, she walked out the door with him, and out to the car. We shut the door behind them and watched as they headed out. Dory FREAKED.

"Noooooo!!!!!!! She CAN'T TAKE HIM!!!!!"

I opened the door and said, "Well, then go get him!"

She took off running after them yelling the whole way. When she got there, she was in full blown tears and hysterics.

"Grand!!! You CAN'T TAKE HIM! NO GRAND!"

John and I were standing at the door trying not to loose it laughing. It was so funny, loving and sad all at the same time. Jack just looked at Dory like, 'What's wrong with her?'

Needless to say, Jack didn't go, Dory calmed down and the crisis was adverted. At dinner John claimed the whole scene was beyond his comprehension since he doesn't have a sibling. I understand though. :)