How Do They Learn this Stuff?

Flash back with me to January of 2008.

That's only 10ish months ago, right? Wow, has a lot changed since then.

I opened my My Pictures folder, and found this little mug muggin' at me. Really, who teaches these kids that this is a "smile?" Somehow they learn because, not even just when it's mine, whenever a camera comes out, our kids bring out the crinkle-your-nose-squint-your-eyes-bare-your-teeth-almost-puppy-like smile. It's often accompanied by a sound that's presumably a version of "Cheeeeeeeese" but without the "ch" and the "s." So basically, "Eeeeeeee."

I'll dig up some of Zach's cheesing, but for now, here are a few of Olivia in January, at almost 11 months. Please excuse the terrible linoleum and especially the flakes of whatever she's scooting over. Maybe it was just something on the camera lens. Let's go with that.

"Eeeeeeee"

Check out those CHOPPERS.

"The view down here's the cat's meow, almost literally, if that were possible!"

Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake

I haven't tried this, but I'm up for a challenge! I'll post again once I've taken the plunge.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake in the World
(serves 1-2)

1 coffee mug
4 Tablespoons plain flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons oil
3 Tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well with a fork.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and continue to mix well.
Add the chocolate chips and vanilla and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake might rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

ENJOY!

P.S. If you try this before I do, let me know what you think!

10/22: Turn Off Your Cell

I didn't read this in time to turn it off for the duration of the boycott, but it's off now.

Big Girl Bed!

At almost 20 mos., Olivia began climbing INTO her crib, so we decided, we'd better pull the front barrier off and make it a big-girl bed before she decided to climb OUT.

These pics were taken her first night in her "new" bed.

She had a rough time at naptime, earlier in the day. She cried and climbed out, and pulled the wipes out of the container, and moved the garbage behind the rocker and unloaded the blanket drawer and cried and played with the monitor, and cried. And, finally, after several visits and an extra lullaby, she fell asleep.

At bedtime, she cried a bit, and climbed out of bed a bit, but she did fall asleep much quicker, probably also due to the short nap earlier.

Big Girl! Sweetly sleeping.

No front barrier to keep her confined!
"Woudja stop with the flash, Mom?"

Also, last night - 10/19/08 - she successfully used the toilet for the first time, for both functions! BIG girl. I wish that meant we were going to be done with diapers, but I am a realist, and we came home from the store with another box. But we're getting closer. Yay!

(I didn't provide pics of this milestone. Sorry.)

A Night with Anne Lamott

Our book club, thanks to Sarah for the heads up, got tickets to listen to Anne Lamott speak at the Belmar Center. Knowing Lisa was a fan of Anne's, I invited her to join us, and it turned out to be the beginning of her membership in our Radical group - welcome, New Radical!

We started out at the Baker Street Pub for dinner and a few *sigh* sunset libations. Sitting on the patio, we sipped and chattered away the end of a Colorado fall day. Anne's speech was just a short walk from the restaurant, so after our meal, we made our way to the auditorium. It was full!

Anne let us know that tonight was her last speaking engagement for this year and next. She was light-hearted, practiced, humorous, and very ProBama, which sat well with most of the attendees. As she finished up and headed to the book signing table, she even gave Kristen's beautiful Emerson a little love, proclaiming that it was great that he had come to this event. His brush with fame came so young!

Theresa, Lisa and I waited to get books signed, then met the rest of the Radicals at Whole Foods for a little sweet stuff to stretch the evening just a little longer.

And Ketchup

I'm sitting here, having lunch with my favorite girl. She's adorable today, if I may say so.

Not always does she make choices I agree with. I suspect this will be true for quite some time, right? Like right now, she's eating her dino chicken nuggets and ketchup. And some roasted fries (if I call them "roasted," do they sound healthier?) and ketchup. And sliced Colorado peaches and -you got it- ketchup.

Ick.

But she's still really cute, contemplating each bite, savoring the flavor. Maybe this indicates there's too much sugar in ketchup? Probably. But I'm not concerned, so I hope you won't hold it against me.

P.S. And cucumber and ketchup.

Have anything else I should see if she'll eat with ketchup??

Mom takes a phone call...

How do YOU eat your DQ?

A Quick Reassurance

Phew!

(Yes, LOTS to catch up on. Will try really hard to do that. Some day. When I'm not too busy gabbing.)

18 Months?

Where did the time go? Wasn't she just born?

And just the

cutest

little

thing

ever?

Oh, she still is.

Always my baby.

Happy 1 1/2, Olivvy-Doll! I Love You!

Things-to-Come?

Lots to blog about, but all that action has left me drained. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to comment on the kiddos' expressions here, though:

"Really, Mom? Couldja just put away that camera?"

or, in a few years:

"You're really not cool, Mom. Could you just drop me off 5 blocks away, and I'll be fine."

Car Wash Kids

Every once in a while, I do actually get the car washed. Not often enough, surely, but that can be said about a lot of things. Maybe it's because I don't do it enough that the kids are still a little wary of the experience.

(We won't talk about the fact that my 3.5 year old is still terrified of the vaccuum cleaner.)

Quilt Giveaway!

I'd love to win this quilt!! Isn't it beautiful?

Sorta like winning the lottery, my chances are slim, but I'm doing what I can to get my name drawn. :) If you'd like to try too, visit the Old Red Barn Co. blog and leave a comment on her quilt giveaway entry. If you don't need a quilt but think I do, visit and leave a comment and give me the quilt if you win!

It's a fun blog to read all the time, so keep the site bookmarked. She has great, crafty ideas; beautiful photography; and a fun sense of humor. And, she sells sugar scrubs that I'm hoping to try some day too!

Mothers

Mama Friends - you must pick up a copy of this book at the bookstore or library, let the kids enjoy books of their own, and settle in for a delicious read. My friend Theresa recommended it, and I can't love it more.

Someday by Alison McGhee (with absolutely beautiful illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds) is a treasured part of my library now.

Most of the book speaks to mothers of sons or daughters, but some thoughts are especially touching for mothers of daughters.

If you can't wait to get to the library, you can listen to the story as read by the author. Be warned, however. If you're even a little bit of a *sweet* sap, this may induce tears.

Good-bye, Plate

Oh goodness! You are now privy to one of the For-Tax-Purposes photos I take of the treasures I take to Goodwill.

In an attempt (ha!) to functionalize, I've been trying to clear out some of the "stuff" in our house. One such piece was this beautiful (ha!) tray depicting a vacation to the Mayan Riviera back in that far-back era known as "Before Kids."
Do you remember those days? I think I have pictures (and trays) to remind me of them. Twice, BK, Scott and I visited a wonderful all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen. At one time we thought (ha!) that we'd make the trip an every-other-year event. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Maybe some day.

For now, I'll just gaze at the digital photo of the tray of our past vacation and be happy that it takes up far less space. And savor the thought that the resort we visited is family friendly, and maybe soon we'll all go back and paint more pottery together.

Evergreen Evening

On the Sunday after Scott's Saturday Triple Bypass, we headed 15 mins up the mountain to meet up with friends at the Evergreen Lake picnic site. It was a perfect potluck picnic.

The kids busied themselves flying kites, playing soccer and frisbee, canoeing, and just enjoying the evening. This was the kind of night I always loved as a kid - having the freedom to run and play with friends, staying out a little bit too late, and heading home filled with fresh air and a renewed spirit.

Triple By-Pass, Anyone?

Lots - o - Pics: click here!
Scott rode the 2008 Triple By-Pass today!

Yes, that's one hundred and twenty miles! And ten thousand, three hundred ten feet of climbing. On a bike, in one day, without taking a nap or getting a tow, or any of the other things I'd do.

And Scott LOVES it. Every time he does it (yeah, who in his right mind would do it year after year?), he says, "It's a great ride...yada yada yada." The comments that stand out in my mind are things like, "Climbing's not for everyone," and, "Yeah, it's not for those who don't enjoy a little pain."

This year, he went above and beyond, taking on the photojournalist role too. Not just stills, but video as well. Eek. That requires taking one hand off the handle bars, and not tipping over, right? Stay tuned for some beautiful illustrations of the ride. It does look beautiful! If you're going to ride up over three mountain passes and gain that much elevation, better darn well have something pretty to look at (and cute chick bikers don't count!).

Does that not look like a kid in a candy shop?

Triple By-Pass Video Log - Loveland Pass Love

1. 10 AM update past Georgetown, headed toward Loveland Pass

2. Heading up Loveland Pass

3. Loveland Pass 300-400 yards from the top

4. 1989 Loveland Pass passing bikers, working hard above tree line

Triple By-Pass - Middle

5. Cheering noise (not much to see!)

6. Cruising @ 30mph into Keystone (sideways, sorry!)

7. Along the Dam Road

8. Trail between Frisco and Copper Mtn

Triple By-Pass Final Stretches

9. On the trail approaching Copper

10. Vail Pass Rest Area

11. The Finish Line

Radical Luncheon

Our "Radical" book clubbers met for a lunch to celebrate the impending arrival of Kristen's #2. It's always a small miracle when we can all be in one place, given our school schedules, our kids' school schedules, parenting responsibilities and summer activities. On this day, it worked out for almost all of us to be there. Hallelujah!

Turns out, we were just in time. Little Emerson was born just 3 days later.

After lunch a few of us were able to spend some time letting the kiddos expend some energy at a park too. It was a hot day, but that didn't slow them down.