Getaway

I'm off! Where? Well, to bed right now. But, tomorrow morning the girls and I are heading to Ann Arbor for the Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention. Holla! Three days away from home with some of my favorite girlfriends, relaxing and dancing. I haven't had a girls' weekend like this in two years and I am sooo looking forward to it. I do have a tinge of guilt. Not because I'm leaving BJ with the kids for a weekend. Not at all! Besides, I hear he's got Papa Don lined up for some grandkid time. No, I feel a little guilty only because Owen's not been sleeping well at all since his surgery and he's a little cranky/needy. I just realized this will be the first time away from him overnight since he was born. Wow. That's been a long time. It's about time.

Really! I love my kids, but some me-time is pretty necessary. Because, while I'm away from them every day, time at work is in no way, shape or form "me-time".

So, since I've committed to this blog-a-day NaBloPoMo business, I'll post briefly while I'm gone. Perhaps I'll document a bit of the hilarity that is bound to ensue when you have a hotel full of belly dancers.

One more thing she’ll hate me for

Recently, Zoë has been getting a lot of hygiene lessons from us. Personal hygiene lessons. You know, wiping thoroughly, front-to-back, washing carefully kinds of things. Mostly from me because, well, BJ does not have first-hand experience with the female undercarriage. In our household, we don't use any code words or kiddie names for anatomy. We believe in calling a body part by its appropriate name. You wouldn't teach a little tot to call their arm a "waggly thing" – that would be silly. We're just the liberal, hippie type that figure using the anatomical names kind of "neutralizes" the parts, I guess. They are neither good nor bad, they just are. Like your arm. So, Zoë knows what her vulva and vagina are and where they are located. There – got both the "v" words out in one sentence. Part of these lessons are the traditional "good-touch, bad-touch" and "private v. public" tidbits. But, I found myself having to reiterate the "private" point this evening. You see, Zoë made up a song. It goes like this:

"Vagina! Vagina!

Vagina, vagina, vagina!

Who likes their vagina?

Vagina! Vagina!"

Seriously – do all 3-year-olds make up songs about their body parts? Because she is not the first kid I've heard that does this. Anyway, I felt it necessary to ask her if this was a song she should sing just at home or everywhere. She informed me it was just for mommy and daddy, "and maybe the doctor." Because, you know, we're all about our kids being comfortable with their bodies but aren't really thrilled with the prospect of her preschool teacher asking us about such a delightful little ditty. Or her sharing it with the rest of the check-out line at Target.

Can you hear me now?

About 9 months ago, I ditched Sprint as my wireless carrier. My contract was up and I was tired of having to recharge my phone *all the time* because I couldn't get a signal at work and the dang thing spent the whole day trying. Lame. My life is now much improved thanks to the superior coverage of Verizon. I can hear you all now.

This morning, Owen woke up with Sprint ears. For the last 2 months (maybe more), nothing has been coming through for him, try as he may. Poor kid had molasses in his ears. And he kept up the happy, active front until he would just crash by 4:30 or 5. He was zonked every day. But now? Thanks to our skillful ENT, a couple of tiny, plastic eyelets and, well, decent health insurance, Owen is making the switch to Verizon ears. It'll be funny to see if he responds to noises differently ...

In other news, Zoe is sitting here now watching the old animated Transformers movie. Cracks me up. Can you believe that Bumblebee tops her xmas list?

~Kate~

It's so cute

Because this weekend was so beautiful, I got the kids over the park. Owen had his first wagon ride with Zoe - he giggled with glee as though this were the best idea ever - and actually got to explore the park a little under his own power. I cannot wait for spring. It is going to be fun. I shot a little video of the little gentleman walking about:

http://www.vimeo.com/7528281

Sorry about the quality - I only had my phone with me. (and right now I'm waiting for the video to convert - I'll embed when it's done)

Beware the angry pilgrim

I realize this weekend was beautiful - bright sunshine, warm temperatures, soft breezes. Just a couple of picture perfect indian summer days. I also realize that, this being November, many people took advantage of the great weather and put up their outdoor Christmas lights. I can understand the motivation - this is northern Illinois, after all. This kind of weather cannot last and we are more likely to have snow this coming weekend and all subsequent weekends than to have a repeat of this past weekend. I get it. However, just because you have your Christmas lights up already does not mean you need to turn them on.

You have been warned.

It's magic.

About 2 months ago, a friend and I took our daughters to the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was as much (okay, more) for us as it was for them. At the end, as they exit you through the gift shop (ugh - parental torture), Zoe found a plush dragon she wanted. At $20, it was easy to turn down. But, certain I could find the same thing cheaper elsewhere, told her I would get her one some other time. She was satisfied.
So, today at B&N, back in the kids' books, I found a gorgeous blue and silver dragon. With a little help from BJ, I was able to grab it without being seen. While she was taking her bath, I put it on her bed.
"Momma! What is that?"
"What?"
"It's a dragon! How did it get there? Who put it there?"
"I don't know - it must be magic."
(Cock-eyed face) "Well, I really wanted a green dragon."
"You did?! I thought blue was your favorite color."
"Well, a different kind of blue. This blue coordinates ... (Wide eyes, face lights up) It's fantastic!"
She thinks it crawled up magically from behind her bed to see her because she behaved today during all our errands. She's curled up in bed with it now.
Magic.
~Kate~

Marry a techie

Hooray! I think my template code issues are resolved, many thanks to the extra pair of eyes in my husband (and his kindness in assuming that I knew what he was talking about when he told me the solution). Now to complete work on my "about" and "reads" pages ...

But, not tonight! It's Friday, Owen is now in bed (poor little guy), Zoe is enjoying a daddy-date making play-dough, and I am off to put my feet up and enjoy a beer. Salud!