North Table Mtn. Hike

We went for a short hike over the weekend...
I'm just going to go stand by the edge of this cliff over here...
She refuses to wear short sleeve shirts or shorts - no matter how hot it is. To say that my kids despise change would probably be the biggest understatement of the century.
I love her in this hat though.

Not one whine about being tired. An absolute record. In fact, they ran a lot of the way! Sometimes I really, really like that they're growing up...

Waiting for the taxi to arrive...

After school cart wheel lessons with Dahlia are totally paying off. He actually LISTENS to her! Beyond weird... and way beyond cute.

Where's Kitty???

This is probably the most repeated phrase in our house, "Where's Kitty? Have you seen Kitty? Max, do you know where Kitty is? Kitty, where are you???"...

Kitty is Alex's most beloved stuffed animal. Kitty is named Kitty because, duh, she's a kitty. Lots of people try to ask Alex what her animal's name is... which makes me cringe a bit at this point... knowing how she'll answer. Alex always looks back at them, staring for a while to discern whether or not they are really that stupid, and then with utter disdain she announces, "It's Kitty!"

As the most beloved stuffed animal, Kitty gets taken everywhere Alex goes... then Alex promptly leaves Kitty wherever she ends up... and then she gets distracted and moves on to all kinds of other things... so that when she's ready to go again or trying to fall asleep... she NEEDS Kitty - can't FIND Kitty - NEVER remembers where she's left Kitty - and absolutely CANNOT go on living without Kitty!

So Dan and I are sent out to search - amidst the morning rush to get to school on time - right before she goes to sleep - and countless other times in between. "Has anyone seen Kitty? Kitty, where are you?"

Beloved Kitty is almost as annoying as a real cat. She never comes when you call... even with a real sweet, "Here KittyKittyKitty! Here KittyKittyKitty!" And when you do happen to get lucky and find her, she has this super smug look on her face... all secretly joyous that you've had to get up off your ass or run around like an insane person unearthing every room in the house to find her.

Still, while I am beginning to not like Kitty so much, I am extremely grateful she makes Alex so happy... without needing a litter box.

Stencil Art: NOT Appropriate for Unsupervised Activity

PS. That shit does NOT wash off!

My Mom Is Special

This questionnaire was on the backside of the sheet with a hand print, picture, and poem that Max gave to me for Mother's Day. It's very sweet and made me laugh.

My mom is special because she loves me.

I like it when my mom lets me watch TV.

My mom can do many things. I think she's best at cleaning.

My mom has a pretty smile. I like to make her smile by hugging her and kissing her.

My mom is as pretty as a flower.

My mom is smart! She even knows Math.

By Max
5-7-2010

You can tell he's a man of few words. Elaborating is definitely not his thing... that would mean more writing. He's not a fan of writing! However, one thing is very clear. I am obviously doing way too much house work.

That, or he's getting an early start on his argument for why he shouldn't have cleaning chores. I can almost hear it now. "But, Mom. You're so good at cleaning! That's what you're best at. So... you should do it. I'm best at watching TV. That's what I should do."

Mother's Day. Luckily, just like any other day.

My sister and nephews came by for a picnic yesterday. The kids spent hours blowing bubbles, wielding lacrosse sticks, lobbing balls at each other -at the house - over the fence, and testing themselves on various obstacle courses... basically having a completely fantastic time. While my sister and I did what we do best... we sat in the sunshine and made each other laugh.

Technically, not a great photo... but look at those smiles. We're secretly wishing we were at the spa so happy to just be sitting on our butts.
The miracle shot, sort of. Does it count if you have to say, "Look at me and smile, dammit!"?

This post is for later - like a few years from now - when I wonder why the kids don't ask me questions anymore.

Bedtime discussion...

Alex: Mommy, how does a mermaid pee?

My split second thought process... okay... it might have been a few minutes...

*If I say they don't pee, she will use this answer when she doesn't want to pee - which seems to be a lot these days - "I'm a mermaid now, Mommy, and mermaids don't pee!" Great. Also, it's kind of confusing. I can't say that.

*If I say it actually comes out some where, where would that be, and how would I explain it? Also kind of confusing... and exhausting for me. What is the exact physiology of the mermaid fin? Maybe there's a zipper? Weird. And super confusing. She'd never buy that.

*I can honestly say, I've never wondered this before. She is clearly much smarter than I am.

*I could say it just comes out a tiny hole covered by a flap... or... the gills... No, that seems kind of gross... that's like peeing in the pool... all the time... and then I'd have to explain gills... and then she'd be all, "but how can they use gills for breathing and peeing????"

*Beyond confusing.

*I'd also have to explain why she doesn't have gills.... I just know it. Gills is definitely not a good answer. Come on, Katie. Use your imagination! Be creative!

*Nothin'.

*I need to google this...


So, I end up saying:

"I have no idea. Why are you hiding the sprinkles under your bed?"

The Big Top Cupcake

Thank you, Grandma K for sending us the mold for the Big Top Cupcake. We made a chocolate one yesterday and put lots of chocolate fudge icing on it. Max and Alex were pretty blown away to actually see it come together right before their eyes. Ever since they saw the infomercial on TV, they've been absolutely dying for one! I'm so glad we can go on living now.