Halloween 2010

Happy, Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween 2010, and we went to a kid's party at a Priya's house and Shawns's for trick-or-treating. Pumpkin Man was the most excellent frog, and spent much of the day on his knees ribbiting. Peanut refused to wear her brand new (requested) giraffe costume, so she went in her lion costume from last year -- which was only slightly too short because she barely grows. I, of course, was the only adult in costume at both the party and my brother's. I was a totally green faced wicked witch. Although, it should be noted that a certain "lion" stole my hat, so I became the green faced emo-goth mommy. Mads, in turn, became 2/3rds of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Apparently, I should have dressed Pumpkin Man up as an armoire.

Here are some choice lines from the day:

1. HM: In response to my 9 AM Jello Shot -- "Oh look, my wife is going out as inappropriately drunk mommy for halloween." (in my defense, I had to test them. Didn't I?)

2. Peanut: In response to are you having a good time -- "Oh yes! I'm so excited and so impressed!"

3. HM: In response to toddler Niece's cow costume -- "I'm on the Moove..."

4. Pumpkin Man & Self: In dinner negotiations -- "Hungry, buddy?" "Tandy?" "No, food." "No, tandy." "Nooo. Food." "No. No tandy, no food. Too tired. Snuggle?"

Mother's Day Bust

New Law: absolutely no puking, spewing, bleeding, oozing, leaking, or barfing on Mother's Day

So mother's day wasn't the finest -- two sick toddlers spewing puke and diarrhea everywhere. Lots of maintenance in the form of crying, whining, baths, and laundry. Lots of stomach aches, burning bums, and random body cramps. Of course our ancient cats got in on vomit fest 2010. Hell, even the dog woofed up her vittles all over the hatchback. Sweet.

We had to cancel our (rare) adult plans to go to a friend's play; they were too ill to leave with a sitter, especially since the sitter is one of my best friends and I'd like her to stay that way. She was willing, but morally we couldn't leave her with babies leaking from both ends. Besides, the Peanut was crying with every bathroom trip, and Pumpkin was just crying. Constantly crying.

Then somewhere in the middle of it I just got so overwhelmed tired sick of it all, I threw up the lovely breakfast my husband made for me. Then, I followed it all up with a 12 hour work day. Suck.

So who do I petition for a rebate or a rain check or something? Remember rain checks? What were they for, anyway? Do those still exist? Do I still exist? What am I talking about? I'm tired, and based on the reactions of my students, I suspect my hair smells like vomit.

P.S. I love love love my husband, the only bright spot in a very stinky, sticky, sour, poopy, crappy, yucky, very bad day.

Peanut's First Haiku

On our way to work this morning, we drove past the Charles River. My daughter was totally taken with the fog eddies swirling off its smooth, dark surface. She  composed her first Haiku. It is tiny, beautiful and perfect -- just like her.

Honey, do you see?
The river swims in itself;
It is so happy.

Peanut's 's Blog Entry

Peanut wanted to blog, and since this is a family blog...

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dog cat

Sorry for the Time Lapse

It's been a long time. How has everybody been? So much has happened since we last spoke. The Peanut turned three and went to her first carnival -- 1st tilt-a-whirl, 1st roller-coaster, 1st cotton candy... All of it was very well received except the cotton candy. Oddly enough, that piece of Americana was summarily dismissed. The Pumpkin Man was with us, of course, but he didn't share most of Peanut's new experiences. He did try the cotton candy; it got a big N-O there, too. Figures. My skinny kids would rather have whole grain crackers and peanut butter with baby carrots, leaving me and homemaker to eat the candy.

Speaking of skinny kids, mine no longer look like prisoners of war. The Pumpkin Man has shot up to the 4th percentile, and Peanut registered at a whooping 1.6%. Amazing. She gained 2 pounds in 3 months, which is amazing. If you look at the weight jump from 2 to 3, it totals 2 to 3 pounds over the whole year, and my little monkey did it in a few months. She's just fitting into her 2T clothes bought last summer, but still. I'm happy and as the doctor said, it was more than we could have hoped for.

Work is better. My student teacher is done and I will really miss him, but it will be nice to have my own space back. Pumpkin is sleeping much better, so I have more patience and energy. I'm still too out of shape (read: F-A-T) for my own good, but at least I'm not headed for a tension heart attack. The students and I have settled into a sort of springtime peace treaty -- with one exception -- and I'm feeling pretty good. Of course, this goodwill dissolves like an alka-seltzer whenever I listen to Arne Duncan's grand plans on NPR. Looking at the big picture, I don't know if I can stay in education for another 15 years, but for right now I'm fine.

I guess that's my general feeling on life in this moment. On this cold spring Marathon Monday in the middle of my vacation, I'm fine. I slept until 9 (thanks, HM) and am sipping a big mug of coffee as I write this. We are carrying far too much debt, but we manage to make our payments every month, which is more than many many people can do. We fight more than we ever did when we were young and childless, but we love each other more deeply than ever. My job is hard, but I knew that going in and it is more rewarding than most anything I can think of. I can honestly say that what I do each day makes a difference in the world -- even if it is small.

Basically, my house is messy and my hair needs a wash, but my family is healthy and nothing is falling down on my head.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Peanut Sings To Pumpkin Man:

Hey Diddle Diddle Movie

Peanut Recites A Nursery Rhyme: