Cutie

This is a First

Bennett never falls asleep anywhere besides in his bed or crib. He just keeps on going until you make him get in his bed, no matter how tired he is. It's even hard to get him to nap in the car - most kids love that. Not him.

This morning after breakfast, he got popped on the hand for not closing the cabinet door beneath the sink after I had asked him several times to do so. He got his feelings hurt and laid down in the floor, whining. I just continued to wash dishes, ignoring him.

The house was nice and quiet except for the light classical music we had playing in the living room. I was just finishing up washing the dishes from breakfast, and the kitchen was clean, nice-smelling, and relaxing because of the natural sunlight that was coming in through the door and windows. It was a nice morning.

Once Bennett stopped his whining, I guess he thought it was rather comfortable down there under my feet. He laid there for the longest time, just staring off across the floor. I thought, 'Surely he's not about to fall asleep right there.'

I was wrong.

Winter Wonderhome

Have I ever told you how awesome my brother, Greg, is?

He lives next door to us now, but we didn't get to play with them in the snow yesterday because our "going outside to play" times were opposite each other's.

So, no cute 'Greg' pics of Bennett in the snow yesterday, but that doesn't mean we went without getting a great shot from him! He always delivers...




This is our home, all wintry and wonderful. I love it.

Several years ago, my great Aunt Dot (who lives across the street from us) had someone take a photograph of her house and make it look like a painting and then she made it into a Christmas card. I have always loved that and thought I would like to do the same one year.

Well, I think Greg just unknowingly took the shot! And it has been enhanced. Greg has a program that allows him to play with the lighting and colors (sorry Greg, I don't remember what it is called).

Anyway, I love this and thought I would share. Now, try to forget about it so that you'll be surprised at Christmas when you get the card. :)

Another Snow Day?

We usually only get one a year around these parts! I feel like this snow was prettier than the snow we got in January. But it is melting much faster this time. Last time it stuck around for over a week, but I feel like this snow will be gone by tomorrow.

Bennett was excited about it. And because we just had snow last month, he knew what it was when he looked out the window. "Noh!"

I asked Josh to take a belly picture of me in the snow.

He just stood there a second and I said, "Are you ready?" He said, "I already took two!" To which I responded, "Oh. Well do think maybe I could smile for one of them?"

Men.

Here's Josh showing how much we got. Between 3 1/2 and 4 inches.

One last run through the back yard before heading in to warm up and grab a snack.

Me and my boy.

Efficiency

"Mama Meth"

That sounds bad.

Don't worry, it's just the way Bennett says, "I'm a mess."

Put Cheerios on the List

We had a little get-together last night for Josh's birthday. His birthday is actually today, but we had some friends over last night to celebrate it. Nothing big; just a few friends, some store bought appetizers (so unlike me, but hey- I'm pregnant and I had coupons), and of course, beer.

Anyway, I knew that mopping the floor would be a priority today. I didn't want to do it before the party, since you can count on a drink being spilled when you have folks drinking beer together for a long period of time.

So when Bennett went down for his nap this afternoon, I got right to it. I swept it well, mopped it, and then went over it again to rinse it. A friend of ours came over right as it had dried and he, unknowingly, tracked a couple of (wet) red berries in on his shoes. When he left I got a wet cloth and cleaned the spots the berries made on the floor and then swept the back steps to avoid any more being carried in on our shoes. Then I moved the rug, Bennett's table and chairs, and our barstools back into the kitchen. Ah... I love a clean floor.

I sat down to eat an orange (or three) and before I could even cut it open, Josh called and asked me to look in the freezer for something. As I opened the freezer door, it happened; all in slow motion. The large glass jar of cheerios that we keep on top of the refrigerator had been gradually scooting to the front of the fridge and was apparently resting on part of the freezer door when I opened it.

It came crashing down and before I even knew what was happening, glass and cheerios were EXPLODING onto my freshly cleaned floor.

It. Went. EVERYWHERE.

Do you ever have something happen to you and it just instantaneously makes you want to cry? Your chest might even heave a couple of times before you regain control of yourself and realize it's not something worth crying over? Yeah. That.

But, without tears, I got down on my hands and knees (well, as much as I could - there were tiny shards everywhere) and picked up the large pieces of glass and then got that broom back out and started again. And after a good 15 minutes, the floor was almost as clean as it was before.

Lunch

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it, but I work a couple days a week as a nanny for a good friend of mine from college. She had twin girls last May and in September, I started coming to her house two or three days a week to allow her to continue her job part time. It's been a pleasure keeping the girls - and maybe a good little trial run for what I'm about to be faced with again in May. :)

Anyway, I usually bring my lunch from home. But occasionally, Miranda will call me while she's out and bring something back for me, or Josh will be in the neighborhood and will come by for lunch. There are a few good places to get food from around here, but there is one that will always be my first choice. It's a place called Carver's. I've never actually been there, but from what I've heard, it seems to be a little mom and pop 'meat and two' place. They serve all kinds of different vegetables and casseroles and they are all wonderful. And, again, if you know me, you know that I would be just fine if I were told I couldn't eat another bite of meat for the rest of my life. I could live on vegetables if I had to. Easily and Happily.

So whenever I get the chance to eat Carver's, I jump on it. The only problem is - well, there are two problems. 1) They only take cash. 2) Josh never carries cash. That presents a problem when Josh calls and says, "Hey, I'm in the neighborhood; you want me to bring you lunch?" and I say, "Of course! Bring me a big ol' plate of collards, broccoli casserole, lima beans and mashed potatoes with gravy from Carver's!"

So, because he doesn't have cash to pay for it, we wind up with something else or with me just eating whatever is was that I brought from home that day. Sad, sad story.

Josh and I were talking about this dilemma recently (probably a week or two ago, when he last offered to bring me lunch). He said, "Why don't you just hide some cash in my car, and then next time I tell you I can't get Carver's because I don't have any cash, you can say 'Yes you do; look *here*.'"

So guess what I did this morning? Yep! I stashed a twenty dollar bill in Josh's Hilti truck. Of course I can't tell you where because Josh does occasionally read this blog and then next time he called and I wanted Carver's, I'd be all "Ha ha! You do have cash! Look *here*!" And he'd say, guiltily, "Uh, yeah, I read your blog and used that on gas." Or "...on the lottery." Or "...on beer."

I doubt he would really do that, but just to be safe.... I will not disclose the location of said twenty dollar bill.

Well, it's almost noon. Let me go heat up the plate of leftovers I put in Miranda's fridge this morning...