Well, it has been a while... things have been hectic as always, but good. As a family we're all trying to get ourselves together and keep it in gear. Emma has been working feverishly on any craft or painting project she can find, Scott has been baking and really taking the reins with Bailey's new diet, and me - well, I'm just trying to get things done. I'm can't seem to concentrate tonight (big surprise!). I'll really try to be better about getting things posted - feel free to remind me! Happy December!!

Dear Daddy...

Dear Daddy who art in Romulus, please forgive me my sins... I'm drinking Bacardi Gold. We ran out of Meyers. I really am sorry, Daddy. You raised me better than that! And, to make matters worse, at the after-inventory-party earlier today I drank a Labatts Blue and then a Captain and coke. That is not a good rum! I just cannot even keep up with what the kid is doing. Right now she has 3 bunnies lined up. Big-Pink-Fluffy-Bunny is on her pink suitcase and the Nutbrown Hares are propped on my purple yoga blocks. She found them all at "city hall." What the what?! What business does a four year old have with city hall?! I had to take a picture. We had inventory at work today. But, probably more importantly, at least for our child - there is a Phineus and Ferb marathon on. The child is so totally psyched. And absorbed. At first, the show really rubbed me the wrong way. But, I must say - Scott and I have found ourselves watching the show even when the child is away. We don't watch it while she's in bed for fear of waking the monster. We highly recommend the show. It is surprisingly witty and intelligent. Do most 4 year olds understand, much less preach recycling? I thought I was a pretty good recycler - but our kid totally puts me to shame! She's breaking a box from Amazon. She's breaking it so that it can go back to the Earth! Ok. Scott got a spear tip from Amazon. I know you wanted to ask that. Scott's in in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on a BBQ chicken, black bean and asparagus pizza. I love him. Well, except for the fact that he let me run out of Meyer's Rum! "whoa, go baby!" I'm not sure what the kid is listening to on her "walkman" cd player, but she's diggin' it! Ok, I'm done for now. Nighty night.

nothing specific

We have gotten rid of the kid's bed and all of our tomatoes and peppers are dead, and the poor, lone eggplant.

That's the most that I have to report, so, I guess, life is good.

I have so much to say, but don't feel like I have the time to get it all out. I'll find my balance.

I signed up on Facebook. I feel so exposed. Everyone can see my pictures and thoughts. Is it safe? Is it right? Stop. Cliche time. (to the tune of "Hammer-Time.") - I guess time will tell.

That sounds much funnier in my head...

I'm a slacker!

I have not been good about keeping up with this...

Bunnyface #2

Tuesday. We had a parenting moment this evening. I bought Emma a really cheap hollow bunny this evening (don't forget, it's almost 2 weeks after Easter.) She really enjoyed the first one I got her and all she has been talking about is eating another bunny face - cute, huh? I also got her a pair of flip flops at Walmart. She LOVES her flip flops... Ok, so - the child was pretty tired when I gave her dinner. Dinner was, just so you know, a rice cake with peanut butter and chocolate milk - with a straw. She would have nothing to do with carrots, pears or broccoli. As any good Mommy would, I told her that if she picked up her toys after dinner she could have her chocolate bunny. I told her that she could eat an ear and a half. " I want to eat the face," she responded. Of course. She did eat her dinner. She promised to brush her teeth without any hassle. She did finally pick up her toys - even though she said it hurt her back. And she did eat the bunny face. Then came time to brush her teeth... things changed. I gave her two chances and then told her that if she did not brush her teeth, that chocolate bunny was going to go in the garbage. The bunny did end up in the garbage - I was absolutely heartbroken. I wanted her to have her bunny face! She nibbles away at it - so cute. But, she can tell you what "consequences" means! This parenting stuff is pretty difficult sometimes. Wednesday. Lunch with Cheryl at Pondo's. After a pretty satisfying lunch, across the road was a rugged pooch swinging from a hanging tire. He was whipping himself around and around and back and forth. He was whoopin' it up! I had only ever seen this on tv! That really made my day. Thursday. We just got back from a nice evening with Grandma Laura. Apparently, she's my husband's new drinkin' buddy! Ok, fine - they tried a little wee bit o' the hooch that's been in the closet for quite some time. Benedictine. A bit harsh at first, but with a nice, smooth and herby aftertaste. A very tasty night-cap, and a very nice way to finish off a Brooks' dinner. Emma is such a rib nibbler!

No Naps...

Good evening. Well, it has been one week since Emma has been home with Daddy. The most productive thing they've done is play an hour long game of Disney Princess memory. Emma totally kicked Daddy's butt! They did make scones last week, that was very productive. We're going to make sure we get some good 'ol learnin' in there sometime. I'm going to make some flash card type things for them. Before the end of school, her teacher said that Emma knew the word for kite. The kid is eager to learn to read. If you ask her, though, she'll say she doesn't want to read - but despite what she says, she's ready. I'm just so afraid of the kid getting bored. Bedtime was eerily smooth this evening. She cuddled up in her bed with all of her Groovy Girls (save one that got left at Oma and Papa's) and listened to a story and said goodnight. She's been all about kissing me on the nose, that's her new thing. I remember - no, I pine for our old bedtime routine... a hug, a kiss and a bunny kiss. That's way back when she would actually say goodnight and "I love you, Mommy." Oh, those were the days! Well, dinner is almost ready. We're having corned beef and cabbage - can you guess why? Well, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! I could really go for a Guinness, but, I only like it on tap. I guess that means that Scott is going to have to take me out one of these evenings! So, anyways - the no naps thing... With the exception of driving from Oneonta to the Lake, the kid has not had an honest nap since the last Wednesday she was in school! Not good! She can be so good one evening, but a complete sleep deprived monster the next. Wish us luck with the new routine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Ok, dinner is on the plate - I'm outta here!

I've been pretty bad about keeping up on this - but I resolve to be a better, more consistent blogger. We (the child and I) are at Oma and Papa's now. After a late night PB&J the kid passed out cuddling with Oma. How many days is that without a nap?! To be fair, she did nap on the way out here yesterday afternoon. My parents are going explorin' with their cronnies for a couple of weeks. My parents are so well behaved and responsible - the kind of parents a girl can really be proud of. Though, I am concerned about the company they keep - those friends of theirs keep them out until all hours and I don't even want to know what else! Boy, can they teach us yung-uns how to have fun! It is 10:00pm and Scott is not answering the phone again. Is he out with a buddy or just out (zonked)? Maybe he is just so tired from making a double batch of totally awesome chocolate chip cookies - one can only hope! Great, now I've got that in my head and will be disappointed if there are no chocolate chip cookies when I get home! Ok, that's it for now. I've got to get up extra, super early tomorrow.