The Apocalypse Begins... and it's furry

Red head: I just came down because the cat's kinda freaking me out.
Me: What's she doing?
RH: Sitting by my head
Me: Well, move her and shut the door.
RH: Uh, ok, it's just, well, I kinda think she might be turning into a zombie.
Me: No, the cat is not a zombie, go to bed.
RH: So... you haven't seen her dead recently?

Staycation Update

DH is taking some time off work and we are staycationing. This is because they don't make hotel rooms big enough to VAcation with a 3 and 1.5 year old. I speak from experience. Nor do I love road trips with these ages. So, we've done movies and pedicures, the zoo, the aquarium, the really big park that they love, 4th of July fireworks and BBQ and some chill time.

Right now, I have 2 sleeping kids at 5:48 which means the rest of my night is toast, but I'm enjoying the peace at the moment.

Some things I've learned:

1) eating out with little ones is more work than making dinner. After making dinner virtually every day for the last year and a half (because before that I was pregnant and we did a whole lot of thai takeout) I forget this, then I think - hey, it's staycation, let's go to Azteca. No. Just don't. Take it from me.

2) places like zoos, with big wide paths that you can see down for a long ways are much better for little mystery men who like to run than enclosed spaces like aquariums with lots of displays that hide his little red head. He likes to lift his hand in a dismissive sort of salute, then take off. I think I need those shoes with wheels in them - do they make them for moms? They should make motorized ones for moms.

3) if a mystery man takes out his binky and rubs it in the dirt at the zoo, and you pour lemonade on it to wash it off, and he likes it, but doesn't actually see the pouring of the lemonade, he will rub his binky in the dirt again, then stick it in his mouth hoping for that lemony fresh taste - which is not the same as the taste of mud. I'm still trying to figure out how to disinfect his entire mouth.

4) otters might be the cutest animals ever created

5) results show tonight. Evan and Randi had a rough week. I tried to vote till 11:30 last night and couldn't get through. I am nervous.

Betty Boop on Babies

My 3 year old Miss Boop was musing today about when she'd be a grown up. I told her she had about 15 years to go, but that she shouldn't be in any big hurry. Grownups had lots to do and kids got to watch tv, and play outside, and get a lot of sleep, to which she said...

BB: Yes, but grownups also get to tuck their little babies in at night and take such good care of them! That's wonderful!
Me: You're right, hon, that's the best thing in the world.
BB: Can you believe some people don't even *want* to have babies? That's just cwazy!
Me: Well, yeah, I always wanted babies.
BB: When I grow up, can I have as many babies as I want?
Me: Sure (thinking she's about to say 500 or something crazy like her big sister would say - her sister who assumes I'll babysit them all while she goes on digs in Egypt. And I'm sure I will. And she will.)
BB: Good. I want two.
Me: Two? A boy and a girl?
BB: No. A girl and another girl. I only want two because they have to fit in the back of my Beetle Bug car.
Me: Oh, well, that's a good number.
BB: And I get to make the decision about the color and it will be pink. Do they make them in pink?
Me: For you, I'm sure they do.

Really? Dreary?

I checked the extended forecast today and, after nearly having a heart attack because it said "high of 96 and low of 67" I realized the weather was set to Georgia. I don't know why - I'm in the temperate Emerald City. So, I entered *my* zip code and I kid you not the forecast actually said "dreary." There were pictures of grey clouds, but no rain drops, and it didn't say "partly cloudy" or "partly sunny" or "showers," and being a Seattlite I know the difference, no, it says "dreary."

That's just wrong.

I think either a smug Californian or Edgar Allen Poe is writing the forecast. And they must stop.

Overheard conversation in the garden

Red Head: I think the ladybug's going to the bathroom
Betty Boop: Where is the bathroom for ladybugs?
RH: Everywhere
BB: *embarrassed chuckle* I didn't know ladybugs went to the bathroom everywhere
RH: Well, they can't use a toilet
BB: No, they would go down the drain - hey, let's make a bathroom for ladybugs! I'll collect a lot of comfortable leaves...

Hmmm....

Betty Boop vs. the Lotion

Betty Boop came running in with something smeared all over her face.

Me: What's on your face?
BB: Lotion!
Me: Well, c'mere so I can rub it in a little.

I start to rub and notice my hands feel a little tacky.

Me: Go get me the jar, hon, so I can see what kind of lotion it is.

She returns with jar in hand.

Me: This isn't lotion - it's for hair, and worse yet, it's texture paste.
DH: Don't make a face now or it'll totally stick like that.

Happy Birthday to the Fun Aunt!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to the fun aunt,
My kids think you're cool!

She, in perfect Fun Aunt fashion, will be celebrating with a cocktail party on her roof and serving drinks that don't come with their own straw attached. I will be at a pool party for 8 year olds. Such is the difference in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Sis!!