Shut up?

Wow! I know I know it has been a long time since my last entry. I was waiting for just the right story. I know none of you care about my weekend plans, my latest purchase, pictures of my feet, what town I was in last or what things I baked this weekend. If anyone does care about that, it was chocolate chip cookies. I know a few of you do care about my children and the stories about them. Well this a very unusual story.

It all started last Sunday when one of my nephews told another one to, "shut up", in front of Ella. A discussion ensued about bad words and how we should not use them. It was decided that, "shut up" was rude and should never be used. If someone said it, that person would have to go to time out. If any of you know my wife you know, "shut up!" is one of her favorite phrases. She uses it most often when talking on the phone or when someone is telling her a story. She uses it so much it even replaced "pants on fire" several years ago.

So, last night we had my sister in-law and her boyfriend over for dinner. During dinner my sister in-law said something, I can't even remember what it was, but sure enough my wife blurted out, "SHUT UP"! Well you can imagine Ella's reaction. She came over got on my lap, and whispered softly in my ear. "Mommy said, shut up" I asked her what we should do? We both agreed that time out was appropriate. Susie was almost excited that she would get some alone time and was ecstatic that the norm was one minute for every year, until she forgot that in time out you can't talk, move or do anything. In the end, since we had guests over, we all decided that we would set the timer for one minute. I think that was one of the longest, quietest minutes of Susie's life. I'm guessing shut up is getting replaced quickly with something else!

1365 Days with an Accident

Well guess what we did the other night? (I am knocking on wood as I type.) We actually went to Instacare for a traumatic injury. We have been very lucky we have not had an injury requiring a trip to Doctor since becoming parents.

E and L were playing a game of chase around the house before bed. Like most kids, both girls really don't like going to bed, so right before bed time they attempt to wind themselves up. E ran down the hall L followed. E ran to the bedroom and attempted to shut the door before L got there. L however attempted to keep the door open by placing her hand in between the door and wall on the hinge side of the door. E placed her full weight on the door to shut it. She was not actually trying to slam it (she's been getting into trouble for doing that lately) just shut it over and over and over again.

I was on the other side of the house and heard my wife yelling for my help. Then I heard L scream. L had an imprinted line of the door between her knuckles and wrist about a quarter inch deep on both sides of her hand. She was not moving it. It was swelling and turning various shades of purple and blue and just hanging there. After icing it, administering Motrin and giving lots of cuggles (that's E's word for snuggling and cuddling) we decided we better get an x-ray, thinking her hand may be broken.

Luckily Instacare wasn't very busy and we were able to get in quickly. I actually called for an appointment. We realized everything was going to be fine when just as the doctor came in L started clapping furiously. Sort of embarrassing for us...I guess we're paranoid parents. The Doctor was nice and understood our nervousness and took the x-ray, i think just to appease us. Great news, it wasn't broken. Good thing too...a cast in the summer on a toddler would be awful!

On a side note. E does not want sails (buggies) for dinner.

Do you like French food?

When I was in 8th grade I insisted my parents take me to La Parisian, a local French Restaurant. I was taking French as a foreign language requirement and I think I actually got extra credit for eating french food. I remember I had to try the escargot and you know ,they were not bad. After that first trip, my family became regulars at La Parisian, celebrating family events there until the day it's doors sadly closed a few years ago.

Well, our garden is infested with snails. So, for the last 2 weeks my girls and I have been gathering them up, placing them in a big bucket with corn meal. They will be ready for Family dinner this Sunday!

My wife being the voice of reason, said most people are not as adventuresome as me in eating. She reminded me that some family members only eat white food and would not be excited with this epicurian adventure. If I actually served escargot it might be the last time we have people over. All I could do is rub my chin and say, hmm interesting, what about fried worms?

Actually, I really do miss La Parisian.

Free Tide

https://tidewithdawn.offerprocessingcenter.com/

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!

In this corner weighing in at 23 pounds L ...... the hair puller. And in this corner weighing in at 30 pounds E.... the screamer!! I am have no idea how it began. I was making dinner. The girls were playing dolls on the floor. They had spent the day with Grammy. She said they were absolutely perfect. I had come home a little early and began dinner. I was over the sink rinsing and cutting strawberrys. I heard a few little screams, then two huge screams. I looked over, L had her older sister by the ponytail. E had flipped L over her head and was now pinning her to the floor. L's hand never let go of E's hair.

I had to pull one sister off the top of the other and pry E's hair out of L's hand. One cried and said the other should go to time out. One just cried. Having no idea who was at fault I placed them on opposite ends of the couch. Cleaned up all the dolls and the toys, which could have caused the up roar. For the next 30 minutes making dinner was pointless. I should have put on a black and white striped shirt and grabbed a whistle.

The problem is each little girl has amazing huge dark eyes that look so innocent. Each know exactly how to look at their Dad as if to say, how could I do anything wrong. My mind flashed forward to the teenage years and a slight panic attack ensued. I can hear all of the slamming doors now!

I know exactly how it ended though. It ended with 2 little girls both in tears and blaming the other one. One pinned to the ground. The other had a hand full of hair.

Movie Geeks! Yes you .... !

Do you want a inexpensive, fun Friday night activity? Head to your local cineplex, preferably one located close to a few restaurants, sit back and get ready to people watch. Those women that made fun of people dressing up for the premier night of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are now with all of their BFFs and dressed up in their sassiest outfits for their own fantasy faire....the premier weekend of Sex and the City Movie. I just got back from dinner with the kids. I am happy to say, I am still laughing out loud. I think Nordstrom, Macy's, and every other department store in the state is sold out of summer dresses, 5 inch heels and hats.

I'm not making fun of the movie, just these sad girls that think if they dress up like Carrie Bradshaw, drink a cosmo and watch the movie, their life will morph into a fabulous uptown NYC life.

On a sad note, I had my annual physical today. Can any one tell me what movie Chevy Chase sings, "Moon River"? He then asked the Doctor, what?

Standing in the Rain

$135.00 for a barrel of oil. It was at $65.00 a barrel a year ago. I think this will cause economic pressures around the world that will have dramatically impact on our daily lives with in the next 6 months. One indicator that our lives will change is mass transit.

I often look over at those at the bus stop with a little bit of jealousy. The idea of relaxing or sleeping on the bus is dreamy. Except for the fact that I would have two little ones with me. The other morning there was a very handsome gentleman at the bus stop waiting in the rain. So handsome I had to stop and offer him a ride. As I pulled over to the bus stop, small voices in the back, excitably exclaimed Papa!!!

After careful analysis of gas prices and mileage my father has begun taking the bus, a few days a week. This is wonderful for me and my girls. Every now and then we catch him at the bus stop or at the office and can share a ride home. Although, the girls are very shy they love riding with Papa. They love sharing their Princess, Wiggles and Christmas music with him. I just can't wait until they hit him up for College funds.