Twick or Tweat!

I would call Halloween a success. I dressed A in her costume this morning and we visited a few friends.



As you may be able to tell from her expression, she was not overly impressed with the picture taking. So sad...

I worked this afternoon and when I arrived home helped her get into her costume again and we went out to do the block. I thought it would be more difficult to get her to say "Trick or Treat" but she had it down (her own version anyway) by the first house. Unfortunately, she often wanted to go right into the houses and check them out. On a couple of occasions she managed to wiggle out of our grip and we had to apologize and retrieve her kicking and screaming. Sigh. Remind me again people why a strong will is such a good thing?







By the time we got back to our house she collapsed on our lawn, candy in hand and mouth, blank expression on her face. Yet, she seemed content. I guess all that screaming can tire a samurai girl out!

This post is all about Miss A growing up.

She over half as tall as I am. This means that carrying her around is a work out in itself. Recently a friend (who doesn't have kids) was visiting and she noted that I carry A a lot. I hadn't actually thought about it before, but it's true. And it's not because I'm in denial that she's more little girl that she is baby. It is simply because I don't want to fight with her thirty more times a day. You see, on occasion I do let her walk while holding my hand. This rarely goes well. Mostly, she decides that she is not interested in going to the car, or into the store, or to the gym without going on her own adventure first. Let me also point out that her own adventure would likely involve running into the street to get hit my oncoming traffic.

When I tell her "No, sweetie we are going to go _______" she'll plunk herself down on the ground and commence screaming. I then have to carry her anyway, only it's much harder than usual because she's writhing and squirming rather than coming willingly. So this is the reason that I carry my gigantic child around. I keep telling myself it won't be forever. And for any of you in the "Just make her walk, you're only babying her" camp, I invite you over to try. I can't make this child do anything. I have to be really sneaky about it.

She is still in love with anything and everything artistic. She particularly enjoys markers. The other evening she was practicing drawing with her mouth. You never know when this could come in handy.



Her vocabulary in constantly growing. Lately, her phrasing has been hilarious. She often says "Um Mommy, slkj thsso theos ssht day?" or "Um Daddy, wwofh Casey hmn? (Yes, I know that's a bunch of jibberish! That is my written interpretation of her nonsense speak.) It's always funny when you think to yourself "Where did they get that?" and then five minutes later you catch yourself saying that very thing. (minus the jibberish.)

In general, I find her to be so much fun. She makes me laugh every day and I love watching the person that she is becoming develop. I see great things in her future.

My Eyes, They're Burning!

I had an um... interesting weekend. I was invited to a Halloween party. I love Halloween. I love Halloween parties. Many a year has passed me by that I had no Halloween party to attend. Thankfully, I have a wonderful client who throw a kick @ss Halloween party every year. Peter and I went together last year but he declined this year in favor of staying home with A. You see he's not really into that kind of thing. No problem, I asked a friend to be my date. The thing is my friend is only 20.

She called earlier in the evening to check and see if I wouldn't mind leaving the party for an hour to go to the bar where she works. (Who wants to go to the place they work when they aren't working?) I said sure. How bad could it be, right?

Wrong. So wrong. Possibly the most wrong I have ever been. See I was never really into the bar scene. Not even when I was younger. I've never been much of a drinker and it would bother me to watch everyone become more and more intoxicated and less and less inhibited. HA! HA HA! even. That was nothing. Those kids back then? They were chaste!

Upon walking into this bar with my 20 year old friend I was aghast at what I saw. Kids on the dance floor making 'Dirty Dancing' look like a Saturday morning children's program. It was a miracle that many of them were still able to stand up considering the amount of alcohol and possibly illegal substances they had ingested yet, remarkably, they were able to simulate sexual intercourse right there on the dance floor without any difficulty. I tried to avert my eyes but it was impossible, they were everywhere.

All that kept coming to my mind was that Reverand Shaw Moore had been right!

"Even if this was not a law, which it is, I'm afraid I would have a lot of difficulty endorsing an enterprise which is as fraught with genuine peril as I believe this one to be. Besides the liquor and the drugs which always seem to accompany such an event the thing that distresses me even more, Ren, is the spiritual corruption that can be involved. These dances and this kind of music can be destructive, and, uh, Ren, I'm afraid you're going to find most of the people in our community are gonna agree with me on this."

Which is funny right? Comparing myself to the guy we all loved to hate, or at least scoff at, as we watched that movie. But really, I'm thinking Rev. Moore had a point. Sure maybe what Ren and Ariel were doing wasn't SO bad. But I suspect if they made a movie about their grandchildren going to the clubs today dancing to 'Gimmie More' it would be a whole different story. AND I think Granny and Grandpa McCormack would be thinking that maybe their dad had been right all along.


Britney Spears Lyrics
Gimmie More (Remix) Lyrics

I'm not a prude. I'm not. But I have standards. And rules. There are certain things which I believe are not appropriate in public places. I felt horribly depressed about the degradation of our society and especially of young people's morals. I couldn't help imagining my daughter on that dance floor in 16 (16!) years, and wonder what that would look like. It makes me weak in the knees and sick to my stomach.

I'm optimistic and naive enough to believe that I will be able to raise her better. That this sort of thing will disgust her as much as it disgusts me when she is faced with it. That she will choose better than those kids. I have to believe it, otherwise the depression would render me useless.

Wow! I think I've come off as a complete nut job. Oh well! While I'm at it I might as well include the photo that will put the nail in that coffin.

Another Winner

Kristen won again. But actually it was her husband. So congratulations to him.

Say WHAT?

It's Friday again and that means it's time for Say WHAT? The AMAZING 80's quote trivia game. In case you haven't played before, here is the down low – At the bottom of this post you will find a quote from an 80's movie. If you choose to play you must, without using the internet as a resource, guess which 80's movie the quote has been taken from. But here is where the rules have changed. If by Sunday we still don't have a winner anyone may go ahead and Google away. The first person to give the correct movie wins! Fun, huh? Leave your guesses in the comments section and if you are the first to correctly identify the quote, you win! I announce the winner on Sunday and that winner receives acknowledgment, linkage and if they have a profile picture I post that also. I recap the winner every Friday and include all of the aforementioned information. And hey, even if you don't know the answer just give me a shout out. I like to know who's stopped by!

Kristen the Shoe Addict won last week, who will it be today?

Time for today's quote. Don't forget to come back on Sunday (or maybe Monday if I'm lazy) to see if you are a winner. Have fun and good luck!




"That's a good story. I think you just can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight."

Where to Put My Academy Award?

Remember this?

Well, thanks to my super cool friend Myles I have the opportunity to be an actor as well as a rapper.

This is a phony commercial we filmed. I think my performance is riveting.

Ounce of Prevention Foundation

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Only Two Months To Go

I think everyone gets a little frustrated when the stores start putting Christmas merchandise out in September. I know I do.

Unfortunately Christmas has come a little early around these parts as well. At some point 'Baby Santa' was played for Miss A. Now she can't get enough of it. She requests it all the time. So here were are, in October, listening to Christmas carols and watching Santa parachute past the screen...

Oh well. The things we do to make our kids happy.

For now, here are some fall pictures.

Cool New Trick

Addicted to Winning

Kristen the Shoe Addict won this week. The quote was from 'Mask', a lovely little movie. I am a sucker for an Eric Stoltz flick.

Say WHAT?

It's Friday again and that means it's time for Say WHAT? The AMAZING 80's quote trivia game. In case you haven't played before, here is the down low – At the bottom of this post you will find a quote from an 80's movie. If you choose to play you must, without using the internet as a resource, guess which 80's movie the quote has been taken from. But here is where the rules have changed. If by Sunday we still don't have a winner anyone may go ahead and Google away. The first person to give the correct movie wins! Fun, huh? Leave your guesses in the comments section and if you are the first to correctly identify the quote, you win! I announce the winner on Sunday and that winner receives acknowledgment, linkage and if they have a profile picture I post that also. I recap the winner every Friday and include all of the aforementioned information. And hey, even if you don't know the answer just give me a shout out. I like to know who's stopped by!

Beth won last week. Hurray! I missed Beth!

Time for today's quote. Don't forget to come back on Sunday (or maybe Monday if I'm lazy) to see if you are a winner. Have fun and good luck!



"These things are good: ice cream and cake, a ride on a harley, seeing monkeys in the trees, the rain on my tongue, and the sun shining on my face. These things are a drag: dust in my hair, holes in my shoes, no money in my pocket, and the sun shining on my face."

YouTubesday

This is actually more of a Myspace day. Well not my space, my friend's space actually. But whatever...

These friends of mine like to do things like make fake 80's commercials containing dolls that never really existed, my singing voice and my daughter playing with said dolls.


bum tummies dolls commercial

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Here She Is

In case you've forgotten what Miss A looks like because it's been so long since I posted any photographs... Here she is.

As I mentioned it is difficult to catch a picture these days so those photos are indicative of when she is still enough to do it.

Eating.



Choosing an outfit for the Day (in winter. I've since hidden her bathsuit.)



Chillin' watching T.V. in the morning. (nicely captures her hair which is finally growing and getting thicker!!!)




Chillin' at bedtime watching T.V.



When she isn't moving she tends to have her thumb in her mouth. She is usually moving.

Slacker

I have been a total blog slacker recently. I don't know if it's my obsession with the short story I have written (I've been getting it ready and trying to think of a title, which thankfully, I finally did.) or what it is. Maybe the weather?

I've been going through a strange time of feeling overwhelmed by everything. I had been looking at the house for the past several days knowing it was in desperate need of a good cleaning. Yet, I couldn't seem to find the time, or the motivation to do it. I finally did tonight. It always feels so good when you do get it done.

I've also been feeling that way about meals and cooking. It's as if the season change has thrown me off and I'm not sure what to make. So weird. I made a good stew in the crockpot last week. I should be relieved that it's crockpot season again. It really is so much easier.

It could also be this cold. Week two - phlegmy cough and solidly stuffed nose. I am going to the gym today regardless. I'll take it easy or something.

Anyway, it's an unusual feeling to not have 100 blog posts building up in my head these days. I seem to have nothing. No inspiration. No cute stories to tell. I've barely been taking any photos either. Miss A is SO unfun to take pictures of right now. She refuses to stay still and only wants to see the screen. In order to get a picture one must hide it until the last possible moment and hope you get a decent shot before she notices what you are doing.

Did everyone know that Beth is back? Well she is. And she's winning too!

Say WHAT?

It's Friday again and that means it's time for Say WHAT? The AMAZING 80's quote trivia game. In case you haven't played before, here is the down low – At the bottom of this post you will find a quote from an 80's movie. If you choose to play you must, without using the internet as a resource, guess which 80's movie the quote has been taken from. But here is where the rules have changed. If by Sunday we still don't have a winner anyone may go ahead and Google away. The first person to give the correct movie wins! Fun, huh? Leave your guesses in the comments section and if you are the first to correctly identify the quote, you win! I announce the winner on Sunday and that winner receives acknowledgment, linkage and if they have a profile picture I post that also. I recap the winner every Friday and include all of the aforementioned information. And hey, even if you don't know the answer just give me a shout out. I like to know who's stopped by!

Bon and Kristen shared a win last week. I know those movie with many sequels are hard to nail down.





Time for today's quote. Don't forget to come back on Sunday (or maybe Monday if I'm lazy) to see if you are a winner. Have fun and good luck!




"It's like God gave you something, man. All those stories you can make up. And He said, this is what we got for you kid, try not to lose it. But kids lose everything unless there's someone there to look out for them."

YouTubesday

It was a tremendously good call for CBC to use this song by Bedouin Soundclash in between their kids programming. Miss A adores it, singing the "HEY! HEY!" parts and when I found this video she kept saying "Again?" when it was over. Personally, I enjoy the lead singer.

This Blows

I would like to have something interesting to say. But I just don't. I am currently trying to survive a nasty cold and a busy toddler at the same time. Today I add work and a 3 hour class to the mix. Yippee!

Hopefully I'll be back to my old healthy, witty self again by next week!

Two Winners for the Price of One

I have to give two people credit for this win. Bon first because she identified the quote from a Rocky film and also identified the correct opponent. But Kristen from Diary of a Shoe Addict identified Rocky IV! Way to go both of you!

Say WHAT?

It's Friday again and that means it's time for Say WHAT? The AMAZING 80's quote trivia game. In case you haven't played before, here is the down low – At the bottom of this post you will find a quote from an 80's movie. If you choose to play you must, without using the internet as a resource, guess which 80's movie the quote has been taken from. But here is where the rules have changed. If by Sunday we still don't have a winner anyone may go ahead and Google away. The first person to give the correct movie wins! Fun, huh? Leave your guesses in the comments section and if you are the first to correctly identify the quote, you win! I announce the winner on Sunday and that winner receives acknowledgment, linkage and if they have a profile picture I post that also. I recap the winner every Friday and include all of the aforementioned information. And hey, even if you don't know the answer just give me a shout out. I like to know who's stopped by!

Wow. I just realized that I forgot to announce last weeks winner. So sorry Steph! It was Steph from Adventures in Babywearing! And here she is!




Time for today's quote. Don't forget to come back on Sunday (or maybe Monday if I'm lazy) to see if you are a winner. Have fun and good luck!



"You call him a killer. He's a professional fighter, not a killer. We are getting death threats. We are not involved in politics. All I want is for my husband to be safe, and to be treated fairly. You have this belief that you are better than us. You have this belief that this country is so very good and we are so very bad. You have this belief that you are so fair and we are so very cruel."

YouTubesday

This is my personal favorite kids show, Nana'lan. And although this is a hilarious clip, I'm sorry, because you are going to have it in your head all day. But at least it's not 'Paradise City'.

Dance

A faliure. For now. Not to say I don't find this terribly depressing. We just arrived home from the fourth, and what I decided would be the last, dance class. I am SURE we will be back but right now it is only an extended exercise in frustration for me.

What I find extremely difficult are the 'I told you so' s some of which have come already from the likes of my mother and sister and some of which I know are coming. The saddest part of all is that the reasons most people tried to convince me NOT to put her into dance yet aren't really the problem. Those reasons mostly consisted of 'she's too young' and 'she won't want to follow instruction'. Both of these contributed to my decision to temporarily remove her from class.

But the main reason is that her class has SEVENTEEN kids in it. Seventeen. Imagine if you will Mamas, your child in a class for 2-5 year olds, sitting on their little bums while their teacher takes attendance. And they are all decked out in their dance gear. And ballet shoes, don't forget the shoes! And then also imagine these seventeen having to stand with their backs to the wall as they are calling one by one to skip, or jump or gallop across the floor to give their teacher a high five. Can you picture how excruciating it might be for some children (especially any who find it difficult to stay still unless they are sound asleep, and even then it's a stretch) to have to stand there watching as sixteen other kids do this ahead of them? And lets not even talk about the nightmare of getting them all to hold hands in a circle. For pete's sake.

To recap: Yes, she is young. Yes, she does have some difficulty following instruction. But I have to wonder... If there were say, ten kids instead of seventeen, would she have an easier time because it wouldn't take so long to do everything? Because they would be spending more time doing stuff instead of trying to organize SEVENTEEN kids to do said stuff? Did I mention there were seventeen kids in her class? Under the age of five?

People often say if you are going to complain you ought to have a solution. And guess what? I do! The trouble is I know that the studio won't give a crap because it involves capping the class size which would also mean capping the profit. See the problem? I did speak to A's instructor today who also happens to be the studio owner. I casually mentioned that I thought the class was large and this was partly the reason she was having difficulty. She listened attentively and said "Let's just see how it goes today." And I guess you can tell by this post it didn't go very well at all.

So yeah. We'll wait for a few months. When she'll be able to listen better (we hope), follow directions more easily and have more patience. And then we'll go back. And I'm sure I'll still be frustrated because the class will STILL be too large which will still be a problem. Miss A will just be one of the kids waiting patiently to dance while the other kids are running around. Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting right?

Giving it a Go

So I'm entering a short story competition. I've never done this kind of thing before. I've wanted to but I've never actually had the guts or the material to do it. But when the details in our local paper last week I decided I'd give it a go.

Then I couldn't think of a thing to write about. I tried to use a part of a story that I had already started but it didn't feel right. And then one night I was up at 2:30 AM with Miss A and it came to me. An idea. So once I got her back to bed I went and wrote down my ideas on a note pad. Then I lay in bed thinking about how the story would unfold. When really, I should have been sleeping.

It was easier to write then I thought it would be and I finished it yesterday. I sent it to a few friends and I'm waiting for feedback. I've been making small adjustments as necessary.

The deadline is the end of the month so that should be plenty of time to change anything I need to. I don't want to post it here so if anyone is interested please feel free to send me an email and request I send it to you. I'm really interested to know what everyone thinks.