Beach Getaway

We're back from our annual "Ditchdirt" beach weekend in Port Aransas. We had a fantastic time with all our friends -- stayed at the Sea Parrot this time, which we loved -- this Pisces Momma is counting the days until we can return to the ocean.

Jameson loved the feel of the sand under his toes and took a few good naps listening to the "real deal" ocean soundtrack. (And I lost my sunglasses so I had to borrow this lovely heart-shaped number from Sophie's dress-up box.)

Jameson was sporting a nice beach look, too.
The little girls were fantastic -- due in large part to Maggie's brilliant "team of friends" chart and accompanying treasure chest. Every time the girls were "caught being good" we added a sticker to the poster and after they earned 10 stickers as a team, they all got some booty from the treasure chest. The power of stickers, headbands, and stamps is truly amazing.
The little boys hung out in their Bumbos together and played footsie.
The big boys stayed up late and played Rock Band.

More pics coming soon!

Good Greats

Jameson takes after his great-grandmother...they both like to catch a little nap whenever possible. And Sophie really likes to wake people up to play!

Sophie teaches Mom Allen all about Tigger and Pooh. Mom plays along. Lazy boy. In a La-Z-Boy.
Hey...did you notice? My crazy hair is starting to behave a little better. But don't worry, Mom and Dad got lots of pictures of my "dandelion head" days.

Adios, Big Love

Sophie came home from school last week telling me that she was upset. Why? "Because some of my friends when to Spanish class but I didn't go because my Mom didn't sign me up." Oh.

But Spanish class is extra. And Sophie is only tres años, verdad? Frank and I talked about it, decided it was too much, and then I kinda forgot about it. Until Tuesday, when Sophie got to visit Spanish class (because her friends were heading off to class again and that upset her). When I went to pick her up from school, Miss Rachel told me all about the Spanish instructor being soooo impressed with Sophie...and I quote, "I've got to have this kid in Spanish class! She's picking up everything so quickly!" Perhaps it's a marketing technique to get me to fork over my dinero, but I bought it. Soy un SUCKER, but Sophie really does LOVE Spanish class. I cancelled HBO and I signed her up.

On the way to school today I told Sophie that she was going to Spanish class.
"I'm so excited!," she said. Pause. "I didn't know...I didn't know that." "
You didn't know that you were going to Spanish class?"
"No, I didn't know that we had a LOT of money. DO we have a lot of money?"
"Well, we have more money than some people, but we don't have a lot. We have enough, babe." Then I paused. Hey...who's been talking to my kid about money? Did sweet Miss Rachel tell Sophie she couldn't go to Spanish because her family was po' folk?!
"Who's been talking to you about money, Sophie?"
"Daddy. He said I wasn't going to Spanish because it cost a lot of money. But now we have a LOT of money!!!!!"

Sigh. Somebody record Big Love for me...

This Is How Really Bad Nicknames Start

Sophie (about Jameson): "Can I call him Buddy? "
"Sure. "
"Boobs? "
"No."

He wiggles and giggles now

Here's a movie of Jameson. I'm not sure why I can't embed the movie box like I usually do...but it's after midnight so I'm giving up. Just click HERE to see the live version of Wee Webster, Version 2.0.

And don't be grossed out by the dog kisses. It builds up the immune system (and while we're at it, apply the same logic to the dirty floor you can see in the background).

Ladies and Gemmelem

Ready for the puppet show?

Here's Take 1:
Oops...forgot the puppet.

Take 2 is the UNCENSORED version, in which she says "dummy" and "what the heck" -- both concepts she learned at school that we are trying to get her to UN-learn. But it's still funny:
Click here for Take 2.

Finally, Take 3! The show goes on this time...but "Booty's" song is really shrieky. Put in some earplugs and remove the dogs from the room or they'll start to howl. We present to you, Take 3.

Awwww

Frank just came in to the study and told me this story...

When he leaned over to kiss Sophie goodnight, he whispered, "You're my magic bean." She said, "Awwwww. That's cute. You're my magic bean, too."

You WILL love me

Sophie snuggles with Frank's birthday present.


Just kidding! Frank can't stand cats (they make his eyeballs itch), but Sophie wrangled one in our front yard today. She's not exactly the cat whisperer...

Make a wish!

Happy Birthday, to the best dad in the world!

Don't worry, Jameson...Dad's gonna get that last candle and the wish will come true!

Happy Face, Sad Face