When two people are talking to each other and not paying 100% attention to him: "Guys! Guys! Settle down. Settle down."
Just before running off somewhere unknown: "Um, wait a minute."
When trying to convince me to turn on the TV: "Watch Handy Manny. Um watch Mickey. Okay watch Elmo. Watch dragon...."
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Ultimate Comfort Food
Growing up, we didn't have Kraft Mac & Cheese. Instead, to our despair as kids, my mom made home-made-from-scratch macaroni and cheese. The same home-made-from-scratch macaroni and cheese her mom made.
We hated it!
Oh why, oh why couldn't we just have The Blue Box?
My mom always told us that we'd grow to like it. In fact, she predicted, it would be our most-requested meal when we came home on college breaks.
Oh boy was she right!
That cheesy-ooey-gooey baked goodness--it is sooooooo yummy! It was my most oft-requested college break meal. I still ask for it when I go home to this day. And, Lucas and Abel, they both love it, too!
Yet, I never had the courage to make it myself. You see, when I asked for the recipe this is what I got:
"Recipe? Well, there isn't really a recipe."
You see, she makes it in the same two pots and same bowl every single time so things just "look right" you know?
Finally my sister got her to send a semblance of a recipe via e-mail. It included phrases like "until it is yellowish" and "it should look soupy but if it is too soupy then add more macaroni".
Huh?
Well, I made it. And it was DEEEEEEElicious. And comforting. And Lucas and Abel devoured it.
The tradition continues!
We hated it!
Oh why, oh why couldn't we just have The Blue Box?
My mom always told us that we'd grow to like it. In fact, she predicted, it would be our most-requested meal when we came home on college breaks.
Oh boy was she right!
That cheesy-ooey-gooey baked goodness--it is sooooooo yummy! It was my most oft-requested college break meal. I still ask for it when I go home to this day. And, Lucas and Abel, they both love it, too!
Yet, I never had the courage to make it myself. You see, when I asked for the recipe this is what I got:
"Recipe? Well, there isn't really a recipe."
You see, she makes it in the same two pots and same bowl every single time so things just "look right" you know?
Finally my sister got her to send a semblance of a recipe via e-mail. It included phrases like "until it is yellowish" and "it should look soupy but if it is too soupy then add more macaroni".
Huh?
Well, I made it. And it was DEEEEEEElicious. And comforting. And Lucas and Abel devoured it.
The tradition continues!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The difference between my sister and me
Sarah always wanted a dog. Growing up she begged for one constantly. I was in on it for awhile but as I got older I was secretly thankful that my mom put her foot down so strongly against it.
After Sarah and Mike got married what was the first thing they bought with their "wedding money"?
A dog.
Me? A mattress.
You can read about how much she loves her dogs--now plural--here.
Me? I'll try to take my mom's line for as long as possible. Abel really wants a dog, too, so someday I'm sure we'll have one. And, I'm sure I'll love it. But for now life is complicated enough.
After Sarah and Mike got married what was the first thing they bought with their "wedding money"?
A dog.
Me? A mattress.
You can read about how much she loves her dogs--now plural--here.
Me? I'll try to take my mom's line for as long as possible. Abel really wants a dog, too, so someday I'm sure we'll have one. And, I'm sure I'll love it. But for now life is complicated enough.
$41.94 comin' my way
Have you heard this?
All those gulps of gross fizzling citrus I forced myself to drink in hopes of shortening my cold were for nothing!
Click here to file your claim. I've already submitted mine.
If you didn't save your receipts (ha!) you can claim a refund for up to 6 packages without proof.
This kind of stuff makes me so mad.
All those gulps of gross fizzling citrus I forced myself to drink in hopes of shortening my cold were for nothing!
Click here to file your claim. I've already submitted mine.
If you didn't save your receipts (ha!) you can claim a refund for up to 6 packages without proof.
This kind of stuff makes me so mad.
The Opposide of the Terrible Twos
While giving me a big hug -- "I so happy Mama!"
Also with a hug -- "I la loo Mama!"
While running toward me -- "MY Mama!"
While squirming away from getting his diaper, pants or shirt put on -- "I want snaked body!"
While laying in his crib with eyes fluttering as he's pulling my hand toward the side of his face to stroke his ear -- "Sing Twinkle, Mama. Twinkle."
Also with a hug -- "I la loo Mama!"
While running toward me -- "MY Mama!"
While squirming away from getting his diaper, pants or shirt put on -- "I want snaked body!"
While laying in his crib with eyes fluttering as he's pulling my hand toward the side of his face to stroke his ear -- "Sing Twinkle, Mama. Twinkle."
Monday, March 3, 2008
What's in a name?
When Lucas was a teeny tiny little guy his name just didn't fit him. It seemed too big, too solid for such a little guy. Between Abel and me we called him a million different baby-type nicknames. One day I started calling him Stinky and that particular nickname really stuck.
So much so that two years later we have nicknames for the nickname...around our house you will hear Lucas called Stinky, Stinks, Stinky Linky, Kinky, Kink-a-links, Kinks and on and on.
I'm so embarrassed about this.
And, I've tried to stop.
So many times I've resolved to myself that we would drop the nicknames and start calling him Lucas. The first resolution came as he really started talking. I was terrified that he'd think his name was Stinky. I've never really been able to drop it completely, though, because Abel won't even consider dropping the nicknames.
And, my deepest fear came true--Lucas calls himself Kinky. As in "No! Kinky do it!" or "Kinky shoes!". And yet, if you ask him what his name is he confidently replies, "Lucas".
Hmmm...has he, in his hard-working little mind, figured out the difference between his at-home pet nickname and his real name? Me thinks so!
Yet, I've always still been determined that eventually we need to drop the Kinky.
And then.
On my drive into work I was tuned into NPR (as usual) and, in the middle of a story about the complicated system of how Texas Democrats assign their electoral votes, something caught my attention.
Did they just say Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman?
As soon as I got in, I googled "Texas Kinky" and what popped up? This.
He's a musician, author, chef, owner of a cigar company and politician.
A bit of an oddball, yes. But still a seemingly respectable and successful grown man.
Whose name is Kinky.
I may or may not be buying this for my Kinky.
So much so that two years later we have nicknames for the nickname...around our house you will hear Lucas called Stinky, Stinks, Stinky Linky, Kinky, Kink-a-links, Kinks and on and on.
I'm so embarrassed about this.
And, I've tried to stop.
So many times I've resolved to myself that we would drop the nicknames and start calling him Lucas. The first resolution came as he really started talking. I was terrified that he'd think his name was Stinky. I've never really been able to drop it completely, though, because Abel won't even consider dropping the nicknames.
And, my deepest fear came true--Lucas calls himself Kinky. As in "No! Kinky do it!" or "Kinky shoes!". And yet, if you ask him what his name is he confidently replies, "Lucas".
Hmmm...has he, in his hard-working little mind, figured out the difference between his at-home pet nickname and his real name? Me thinks so!
Yet, I've always still been determined that eventually we need to drop the Kinky.
And then.
On my drive into work I was tuned into NPR (as usual) and, in the middle of a story about the complicated system of how Texas Democrats assign their electoral votes, something caught my attention.
Did they just say Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman?
As soon as I got in, I googled "Texas Kinky" and what popped up? This.
He's a musician, author, chef, owner of a cigar company and politician.
A bit of an oddball, yes. But still a seemingly respectable and successful grown man.
Whose name is Kinky.
I may or may not be buying this for my Kinky.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
$6 = 3 hour nap = Priceless
In my continuing quest for fun indoor activities to help Lucas burn energy during these cold, cold winter days, my mother-in-law and I took him to open gymnastics at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex last week.
It was the best $6 I have ever spent.
This is a competition-grade gymnastics complex which also has child-sized equipment. They open the floor up to kids for open play several times a week. I've been hearing about it for months from other parents and wanted to go. I finally got my act together last week and let me tell you, it was definitely the first of many, many visits to come.
From the moment we walked into the gymnastics area Lucas was literally chomping at the bit to be released. We removed our socks and shoes (I kept my socks on, actually) and off we went. He was a wild man. I don't think he stopped moving for 50 minutes. There was jumping, running, climbing, pushing, balancing, swinging, sliding, hanging and any other action verb you can think of. It was truly amazing. He was rosy cheeked and sweaty and I'll admit I worked up a bit of sweat just trying to keep up with him!
The only downside was that it was a bit of a zoo. The website says they limit it to 30 kids but I think there were many more than 30 there. Include a ratio of about one parent per kid (some had two and others were one parent to two kids) and the place was packed.
Open play lasts for an hour but at about 45 minutes I could tell Lucas was running on fumes. I gave him a 5 minute, 3 minute and 2 minute warning that we were leaving. It protested a bit but was truly exhausted. We got our shoes, coats and hats on and were out of there before the masses and I was able to keep him awake on the drive home.
A quick bite to eat and he was down for the count--a count of 3 hours, that is.
I'm already planning to go back this Tuesday!
It was the best $6 I have ever spent.
This is a competition-grade gymnastics complex which also has child-sized equipment. They open the floor up to kids for open play several times a week. I've been hearing about it for months from other parents and wanted to go. I finally got my act together last week and let me tell you, it was definitely the first of many, many visits to come.
From the moment we walked into the gymnastics area Lucas was literally chomping at the bit to be released. We removed our socks and shoes (I kept my socks on, actually) and off we went. He was a wild man. I don't think he stopped moving for 50 minutes. There was jumping, running, climbing, pushing, balancing, swinging, sliding, hanging and any other action verb you can think of. It was truly amazing. He was rosy cheeked and sweaty and I'll admit I worked up a bit of sweat just trying to keep up with him!
The only downside was that it was a bit of a zoo. The website says they limit it to 30 kids but I think there were many more than 30 there. Include a ratio of about one parent per kid (some had two and others were one parent to two kids) and the place was packed.
Open play lasts for an hour but at about 45 minutes I could tell Lucas was running on fumes. I gave him a 5 minute, 3 minute and 2 minute warning that we were leaving. It protested a bit but was truly exhausted. We got our shoes, coats and hats on and were out of there before the masses and I was able to keep him awake on the drive home.
A quick bite to eat and he was down for the count--a count of 3 hours, that is.
I'm already planning to go back this Tuesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)