Rockin' Out... side.

We spent a part of our Thanksgiving Day recovering from being ill and rockin' out(side).

Due to the sickness, the girls have been spending a little too much time "cooped" up inside and so, as expected, they created a bird's nest as soon as they were set free outside.

Austria, our foreman, gave Anya and I the orders while holding an intimidating black metal bar. With a face like this, she commands, and we obey.

Here, our foreman caught me taking a picture and quickly pointed it out to me! Get back to work!

Playground Lessons

Lessons I've learned at the playground:

1. Austria is not as careful and cautious as someone else was at this age (no name mentioned, I'm not supposed to compare you know who with Austria). Our little easy-going, even-tempered girl becomes an animal when she sees the playground!

2. Austria is not even as careful and cautious as Anya is now.

3. Austria thinks she is physically the age of an 8 year old.

4. Austria is not afraid of heights.

5. Austria will go on the steep/long slide that Anya will not go on.

6. Austria will go on the steep/long slide head first. Without warning, without help. (I'm sorry I forgot to turn the camera the right way, and pardon the weird laugh, it's just a nervous mother--not me of course, probably someone else.)

7. Austria will climb to the top of the playground as fast as she can.

8. I am glad I'm short, so I can follow her around.

9. Austria will sit in the swing for longer than anyone wants to push her.

10. Always bring first aid items to the playground.

11. Always keep Austria's health insurance card in my pocket and note the best route to the ER.

Coming Clean

Due to slightly cool weather/rain and illness, we have been staying at home a lot this week. For some reason, Anya--not Austria--has been emptying the bookshelf and dragging out the pots and pans and tupperware. I feel like I'm wading knee-deep in toys and kitchen items. And a little part of me thinks NO ONE else ever has THIS messy of a house. Right?

Well, now you know we are that kind of household--messy. These pictures are from different days. Anya knows she has to clean it all up, but she doesn't seem to mind. Perhaps it is all part of her plan to procrastinate bedtime as long as possible. I don't really care too much, just make sure you wear some hip-boots when you drop by.

Being inside has also prompted other activities in an effort not to have the PBS schedule of times/shows memorized, including pretending it is Halloween (Anya is a pink ghost), and drawing with markers all over our shirts (which is a much better activity than drawing all over the couch . . .)

It's Still Summer

Anya thinks we live in the land of perpetual summer. And I must admit, last week's weather did not feel like November :) However, it is getting chilly in the mornings. Anya is quite put out that she now has to wear shoes AND socks. And pants? What are those? Where are her shorts?!? Fortunately, both girls still need their sunglasses most days . . .

(Young Bono)

Parenting Moment #2

It's that time of year again where one pseudo-neutralizes all the philanthropic activities during this most charitable season of the year with the writing of one's Christmas list. At least I did.

However, this year I have realized that "parenting" itself has infiltrated this rather selfish and worldly tradition. I found that items are either crossed off because I'm a parent, or added because I'm parent.

It is no longer a list of what I want. It is the Christmas list of a parent.

For instance, it includes three different types of stain remover, because no one product can get all of that out.

It includes toys that our two children will never want to play with at the same time.

It includes items such as disposable ties, since one wearing (before destruction) is all I get anyway.

It includes having a reason to set the alarm clock, because some little person might not wake you up three hours before you have to get ready for work.

It includes food that the children never complain of and never get sick of and is ready instantly all the time wherever you are.

It includes books with pages that resist any type of ink, crayon or marker.

It includes a suit that doesn't change color when slobber covers the shoulder.

It includes anything that won't be broken by January 1st.

It includes the older daughter changing all the diapers of the younger daughter. (Okay, this last one may be a little out there, but Christmas is a time for miracles!)

But even if I get nothing on my list, the little hugs and kisses will more than make up for that and make it my most wonderful Christmas so far!

Happy Holidays!

(Hey, I'm American now. I can start as soon as Halloween is over...)

We Have a Winner!!!

Scott Salmon will be receiving some very fine candy for his correct guess. We did indeed dress up as monopoles (which don't exist in nature) for Halloween, but together we make a magnet (Yes, we are attracted to each other... bud-um-tsh!)

The two second place runner-ups (Jay and Diane) will share a tootsie roll.

Halloween Hangover

Anya over-dosed on Halloween activities this last weekend to the point of opting to go to bed over trick or treating on Halloween night.

Leftover trick or treat candy for those who can correctly guess John and my costume (without cheating and looking it up . . . )

UPDATE SINCE FIRST THREE COMMENTS (which are fabulous guesses btw): Clues--John thought of this, the colors we are wearing are significant, and apart--we can't exist.