Meet The Natives

The Travel Channel is airing a wonderful show about five men from the Pacific Island of Tanna who are brought to the states. Big Daddy and I watched the first episode last night and wished it would have been longer. I hope everyone has the chance to watch an episode.

Here is the link: http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Meet_the_Natives

Tony M.

I have a bone to pick with firefighter Tony M. The next time you decide to drive around Larchmont with my son in the bucket of the ladder truck, I might have to call the police. Donny told me that you were driving slowly so he would be safe, but I still don't think it is a good idea. He also said the police were leading the way, so I guess it wouldn't do me any good to call them for help. (His little brain is always working.)

Slip-Sliding

I haven't raised my voice in five days, FIVE DAYS! I have tried to be as calm as possible when dealing with Donny's shenanigans and for the most part he has been much calmer. Well, that all ended today. The first incident occurred when I was adding a load of clothes to the washing machine. I turned around and he was gone. He had climbed into the dryer and almost had the door completely closed. I think I reacted quite calmly, pulled him out and explain he was never to do that again. I did feel like going to the kitchen to fix myself a cocktail, but considering it was only 11:30 in the morning I decided to wait until at least 5:00.

About an hour later, I was trying to fold the laundry when once again I turned my back. When I turned again, he was pouring baby oil on the hall floor. I was certain that I had thrown all of the baby oil away considering it can be fatal if swallowed and I think we all know who would be the first in line. I yelled at him and then felt as if all my work was lost, but he sat in the naughty spot and didn't say a word. I moved up cocktail time to 4:00 and spent quite awhile cleaning the floor. I'm hoping the rest of the day is uneventful. On the bright side, we are considering opening a bowling alley in our hallway. No shoes required.

All Finished

The day went much better than I could have anticipated. Donny was such a big help. He had the most fun unwrapping every ornament. I told him about each one. Pretty soon he would say "This one is from Germany." or "This one is from Grandma Barb." We had such a great day. We finished the evening by sipping eggnog and reading a few Christmas books. Abigail slept while most of the tree went up and then watched us finish through the holes in the gated community. She loved the lights and would wave to us as we worked.

Let The Countdown Begin

I love this time of year, let the Christmas spirit begin. I will be spending the day preparing the living room for the Christmas decorations. I usually don't need an entire day, but I have a self appointed helper today. I can't wait to see how this goes. I'm sure I'll have at least one good story before the day is over. We are already off to a good start, both kids slept until 8:00. It's the first Christmas miracle of the season.

Sleepover

Donny spent the night at Aunt Karen's house. He wanted to sleep in bed with his cousin in case she needed him rather than the air mattress on the floor. When Aunt Karen went to move him to the floor, she pulled back the covers to see the two of them were holding hands.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Hope your day was a beautiful one.

Breakfast

Donny requested an turkey, bacon sandwich for breakfast yesterday. I made the sandwich and placed it in front of him. He asked for sprinkles and I said no. As this was happening, I was on the phone with Miss D trying to arrange a play date in the park so he could run like the wind to sleep like a baby. Whenever I'm on the phone, he becomes an attention seeking crazy child. Well, the sprinkle request turned into a fiasco and I could see that this would be one of those times where I had to choose my battle. I lost, he won, we went to the park and he slept like a baby! Maybe I really won. (The sprinkles have been moved to an undisclosed location to avoid future sprinkle situations.)

Nap-Time

I put Donny down for a much needed nap today. I thought for certain he would be asleep immediately, however after about twenty minutes I heard a rumbling coming from his room. When I opened his door, he was wearing the white satin outfit that I made him for his Buzz Lightyear costume. I noticed that he was wearing socks on his hands and holding the handle of my carry-on suitcase. "What are you doing?" "I'm all packed up and moving to your room. I'm afraid I'll fall out of bed." "What did you pack?" "I packed Teddy, my pillow and all of my blankets." "Why are you wearing that outfit and the socks on your hands?" "Mama, they're not socks, they're gloves to keep Ashley from licking me and my outfit is to protect me from Ashley if she bites me." "Ashley doesn't bite." "I'm just pretending Mama."

Birthday Girl

Our first baby turns six today. She is such a good dog and puts up with quite a bit from her siblings. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!

Doesn't she look thrilled to have her photo taken?

Dressed For The Game

Beaver

Donny's new phrase of the week is damn it. We have told him not to say it and that damn it is inappropriate, so he knows he shouldn't use those words. The other day he was playing and I heard him say damn it, so I scolded him. He said, "Mama, I'm talking about beavers. You know beavers make dams." I just stood there looking at him with my mouth hanging open. I had nothing to say to him, so I left the room. A few days later the following conversation took place.

"Mama, let's talk about beavers."

"What about them?"

"Mama, what do beavers do?"

"They swim"

"What else do beavers do mama?"

"They build things."

"What things do they build mama?" (silence) "Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! Beavers build dams mama."

WOO-HOO

Today's the big day!!!!! High noon people. Let's go Buckeyes!! OH...IO......OH....IH!!!!!

Baby Steps

Abigail took her first steps today. She walked about four steps toward Big Daddy. We are in big trouble now, I give her less than two weeks to become an expert.

Good Day

Today was a really good day in Dover. Big Daddy and I accomplished quite a lot of work around the house, both kids are healthy and the rest of the week holds promise. Another beautiful day allowed us to hang the Christmas lights and plant all the bulbs. I was able to clean the house, finish the laundry, brainstorm some business ideas and fix the computer.

We are just hours away from the release of my favorite wine, Beaujolais Nouveau. From what I have read, this year promises to be one of the best ever. I know where I will be stopping tomorrow after I wash that gray out of my hair. Last but not least, the big game is Saturday. Go Bucks!!

GOTTA GO!

Yesterday was a beautiful day here and after lunch Donny went to play on the front porch. I was on the phone with Aunt Karen standing at the front door watching Donny play. He was standing at the edge of the porch and all of the sudden his feet are in the air, his head is in the planter and his entire body flips over onto the sidewalk. I say "GOTTA GO!" hang up on Aunt Karen, run outside and scoop up Donny. I take him inside and check him out, no visible damage. He is very upset and through his tears says to me, "It's not a beautiful day to be outside." I kiss his boo-boos away and he is ready to return to the porch to play. I advise him to take the stairs this time. He takes my advice and proceeds to fall down the three stairs to the front porch. Thankfully, he recovers quickly.

I call Aunt Karen back to fill her in on what just happened and why I hung up on her. Just as I am explaining the horrific fall and say that I thought for sure Donny would have to go to the ER, Abigail starts screaming. I look over and she has a bee in her mouth. I say "GOTTA GO!" hang up on Aunt Karen AGAIN and scoop up Abigail. She has been stung in the lower lip (same spot Donny was stung two summers ago and still has a bump) and in the cheek. Her lip and cheek are starting to swell, so I decide that Abigail will be the one going to the ER.

After an hour and a half in the ER, we were sent home. Abigail didn't need medication and I am hoping there won't be a next time, but the way things go in this house, it's just a matter of time. A HUGE thank you to Miss D for allowing me to practically do a tuck-n-roll Donny drop off at her house so he didn't have to sit in the ER. Very kind of her considering we spent all morning playing at her home. Thank you Miss D!!!!

I took this photo about six hours after she was stung.

Barber

Last night Donny told me he had to go potty, so he ran to the bathroom. About a minute later I realized it was too quite and something was wrong. I found Donny sitting on the bathroom floor with a pair of scissors in his hair. He looked at me and said, "BARBER!" Luckily I caught him when I did, he only cut a bit off the top of his head.

I haven't been able to post in a few days because his medicine makes him crazy and I just haven't had time. By the end of the night, I'm just too tired. He still has 48 hours of treatments and then a few days before the medicine is out of his system and he will calm down. The nor'easter hit last night and is still lingering, so he won't be able to play outside and burn off some of his energy. Hopefully, the rain will move out before sundown.

Yes, A Sick Child Did This

Donny accomplished this mess in less than five minutes when I was on the phone with his father. Does this look like the work of a sick child?

Back To The Doctor

Big Daddy took Donny to the doctor yesterday because he had a fever and was having trouble breathing. After 24 hours of breathing treatments, we were back in the office today for a follow up. His pulse ox was up and he is doing much better, however he did develop an ear infection since yesterday. Abigail has a fever and cold and I'm hoping it stops there. We will be giving Donny breathing treatments every four hours around the clock for the next 48 hours. I can't express enough how much I hate this particular medication, it makes Donny absolutely crazy. It is going to be an insane few weeks ahead.

I do have one little nugget of fun. Last night Donny told me he forgot to tell the doctor something. I asked what he forgot and he said, "I forgot to tell her how pretty she was." I reminded him we would be returning the next day. So today when she entered the office, he said to her, "You look very beautiful and stylish today." I almost fell off my chair. STYLISH???? Where did he get that one? He also colored her a picture. She thanked him for the picture and put it in a clear magazine rack next to another picture. She told Donny that one of her other patients made the picture for her. Well, the entire drive home he was PISSED! Other patients? I am her patient! Why is she seeing someone else? He was not happy, he was acting like a scorned lover. It would have been funny if the look on his face wasn't so sad.

In A Nutshell

I took the kids to the market this morning breaking one of my rules, never food shop on the weekend, but we were at the point of Mother Hubbard. Things were going quite well until we checked out. I used my debit card but for some reason it was put on as a charge and the clerk didn't use my Hannaford's coupon for a dollar off. I went to the customer service desk to rectify the situation. Of course all employees who know how to handle my situation either took the day off or were on a break. I was lucky enough to have the deli girl and bakery girl standing next to me waiting to pay for their incredibly nutritious lunch of sweetened tea and a bag of Doritos.

The customer service girl had no idea what she was doing, but deli girl apparently knew the system, however she was not permitted behind the sacred swinging half door that lead to customer service, so she was forced to explain how to proceed over the counter. Did I mention she was about four feet tall? I'd love to know how promotions work in that store. Anyway, CS girl was finally able to remove the charge from my credit card, but couldn't figure out how to apply the amount to my debit card. She finally decided the best course of action was to re-ring my entire order. Now let me give you a mental picture, I am wearing Abigail on the front of my body. She is getting restless and arching her back every three to five minutes and the arches are getting closer together and longer, a bit like labor pains. Donny is in the cart and at some point has grown four extra arms which he is using to grab as many items as he can off the customer service counter and throwing it in the cart. Eleven o'clock is quickly approaching and we still have a twenty minute drive home. If Abigail isn't fed at noon, the screaming begins. Anyway, I look at the deli girl and tears start to form in my eyes. I tell her I can't possibly re-ring my order because my little helpers are about to blow. She finally suggests they page the Grand Poobah of customer service to come to my rescue. Why this wasn't an option earlier is beyond me. He shows up and fixes the problem in fifteen seconds. Now, what about my coupon? I'm told I'll receive cash. I tell her to keep the cash and give me the winning Mega ticket.

We finally arrive home and I have about thirteen minutes before Abigail starts to scream when there is a knock at the door. The living room is trashed because Abigail and Donny have managed to get out every toy they own while I try to put the groceries away. I am sooo not prepared for company. I open the door and sure enough it's my favorite Jehovah and this time she has brought her husband and son. I think to myself that every time she shows up my life is in complete chaos and then realize that chaos is just normal. I learn that her husband is from Ohio and is also an OSU fan. Donny sees the little boy and asks if he came to play. I think I have the only visiting Jehovah that doesn't want to stay. She always says hello and practically throws the pamphlet in the door before she is off the porch and on her way. I think we are too crazy for her. I return to the kitchen get lunch ready and we all sit down as the clock turns to noon. So there you have it, my Saturday morning in a nutshell or maybe a bit longer.

Three To Go

I'm pretty certain the subject matter of these particular blogs bore most people to tears, however since I look forward to twelve Saturdays every year, I must post something about the days event. Today is a big game, Penn State. I will actually get to watch the game today. Not only is it airing at a decent hour, but it will be broadcast on ABC as apposed to the Big Ten network, which has a fee. Of the twelve games this year, three of them have aired on the Big Ten Network. As a avid OSU football fan, there is nothing worse that sitting down trying to find the game on the television in your OSU game day wear and finding out you will not be watching the game today, but will have to scour the bottom of the television crawl for an update of the game. Not today my friends! Today I will force my children and dog to wear scarlet and grey, try to teach my son a bit about football and love every minute.

Question Of The Day

Donny:  Why do you always sleep in daddy's room?

Strollin'

Night Owl

Although I took these photos around 6:30 last night, these were just two of the many faces I saw last night. Abigail is either having a reaction to her shots from her one year check up or she's teething. All I know is that she woke at 10:30 last night and didn't go to sleep until 1:45. She fought sleep the entire time.

Call A Plumber

Last night, Donny threw a ball in the bathroom and it landed in the toilet. He asked what would happen if it went down the drain. Trying to discourage him from putting other objects in the toilet, I told him the ball would clog the drain and we would have to call a plumber to fix the drain. I asked him how he thought we could pay for the plumber and he told me he would pay because he had "monies" in his piggy bank. I assured him there wasn't enough to cover the cost and maybe we could pay with some of his toys. He told me he had lots of money, but Mrs. Fizzbone had it all. Maybe he really is married.

Mrs. Fizzbone

I received quite an earful on the way to school this morning, a continuous ramble of information. Here is everything that I remember:

"Mama, you should really meet my wife, Mrs. Fizzbone. She lives near New York City with our two children. I have two sons, they are twenty. Mrs. Fizzbone cooks for me and takes care of our sons. She is tall with no eyes. Her hair is blue, isn't that your favorite color mama? Wait, she does have eyes. One day I was working with a saw in my shop and my boys came out and hurt themselves on my tools. So, Mrs. Fizzbone had to come outside and get our sons and take them in the house. Another time, I took our boys to my uncle's farm to feed the cows. Are we almost home? You should really meet my wife."

1. I think this makes Donny a polygamist considering he married his best friend Zoe on October 22.
2. He first told Nanny and I about Mrs. Fizzbone last week, I can't believe he remember her name.
3. The story about the sons getting hurt on his tools actually happened to him.
4. The story about the cows happened to me and I told him. "Tell me a story about when you were a little girl."

Happy 1st Birthday

Trick-Or-Treat