label snob

Superman: "Mom, did Grandma make those clothes for Pinga?"
Me: "Yes."
Superman: "Well, can you take them off her, 'cause she looks weird in them."

it's a twosie

Pinga is the big two today. We celebrated yesterday because we felt like it, and she's a baby and can't stop us anyway. For a while it looked like I was going to have to wrap up something she already owned, but finally I found something not super hateful to give her (which . . . did you see what they're asking for that? not okay. I spent $15).

The cake was made with Sucanat and half white/half whole wheat flour. SUCKERS!

The stroller came out of that giant bag. She loves it and takes her dolls offroading allatime.

We didn't get pictures of any of the other presents because we're sucky like that. That's what she gets for being the last kid. Bupkus! Her brothers really like her presents.

She still has weeping open sores on her face because she won't stop self-mutilating. I'm ready to tear my hair out about it. Happy Birthday! WOO!

travis would have been pleased

We all had a rollicking time on Saturday. The drapes were a huge help, and once John knocked the grill around a little bit it performed admirably. Assorted organ meats were consumed by all, as well as cartloads of fruit, scrumptious baked beans provided by Brittany (the secret ingredient is double the bacon!), and there were ice cream and doughnuts, recipes for which are over on Baba Capra. We played card games and frolicked in the water, and there was minimal crying. A success!

He's smiling because he's winning. Like always.

Michael knows that Dad always wins, and is resigned to his fate.

Captain America and Matthew preparing their arsenal, possibly testing it on Aebleskiver.

Pinga is eating an Orange Drop Doughnut.

Doughnuts are yummy.

If there's anything classier than a woman frying doughnuts in her swimsuit, I don't want to see it.

This is what was left of the doughnuts by the time John took a picture. They went fast.

The detritus from our revel.

Kids eating ice cream.

Sarah looking better than any pregnant woman has a right to.

How did a nice girl like her ever get mixed up with a crowd like this?

Michael is enjoying the ice cream so much that he left his cards face up, making himself vulnerable to sabotage.

Alec is thinking about how very much he hates the country.

Thanks for a good time and good food, everybody! I bet it would mean a lot to Travis.

mother bear cuffs her young

Today Captain America came home and told me that a kid at school told him he sucks at basketball. I then dropped some knowledge on his bad self:

1. He doesn't actually suck at basketball.
2. Even if he did, that doesn't affect whether or not he's a good person.
3. When someone says something critical to him, he should consider the source and if that person has his best interests at heart.
4. The kid was mean to him because he's insecure and is threatened by Captain America's brains, charm, and good looks.
5. The kid has a dad who acts like a spoiled toddler.
6. The kid is an annoying little snot.
7. The kid is going to grow up to be an idiot loudmouth.
8. So it's best to just ignore him, because what he says doesn't matter.

I know these things because: small community. I've had the pleasure of acquiring this knowledge firsthand. Overwrought screaming by the dad at sporting events and mouthing off to adults by the kids is the norm. They're a real classy bunch.

I am made crazy on a constant basis by my children. But I love them fiercely, and the surest way to earn my ire and undying, pulsating, sentient hatred is to treat one of them unfairly. I don't allow them to wallow in victimhood, and I try to encourage them to use these situations as teaching moments. I'm trying to get to a point where they care as little about their peers' opinion of them as they do John's and mine.

Travis Sorenson Day

A week from tomorrow! I put up the curtains and have bought some fun little string lights to add to the festive nature of Travis's day. Travis always did like indoor/outdoor string lights that look like flowers. I bet he likes homemade doughnuts too, including Orange Drop Doughnuts. Not to mention how much he likes for people to bring their own tube meats in natural or synthetic casings, as well as a side dish of some kind. And if I know anything about Travis Sorenson, I know he would want us to start this shindig sometime in the early afternoon and give the kids time to play in the water, then eat around three or four, and then fry up those doughnuts and possibly eat some homemade ice cream as well (I'm leaning toward chocolate, but may end up in the strawberry camp). He's a man of many opinions, that Travis Sorenson. Let's do this day up right!

Come when you want, stay as long as you like. We're looking forward to another FREAKING AWESOME celebration.

Also, RSVPs are not required, but they are kind of fun for those of us who are planning to provide drinks and dessert.

it sure is nice to finally hear somebody crying and whining for a change

Pinga is SCREAMING her bloody head off right now, because I had to make her some mittens so she won't suck her fingers anymore. I have no problem with the finger sucking, but she keeps scratching holes in her face while she does it and she's going to look like Edward James Olmos, who is a fine actor, but not someone I want my daughter to look like.

Gonna be a great night.

it's coming! it's almost here!

You guys . . . are you ready for Travis Sorenson Day? Because it's happening at the end of the month, you know. May 30, to be exact--so it's not even Travis Sorenson Day Observed this time. And this year I have my outdoor drapes all ready to hang on the patio and give us some relief. I think we'll need another grill for this year, if anyone wants to bring one, because ours was woefully inadequate for the demands placed upon it.

The menu will be potluck, as usual (and by "as usual" I mean "like last year), so bring some meat and a side dish of some sort, and any games you want to play. There will be a slippy slide and a kiddie pool. And I'm not promising festive outdoor string lights, what with these uncertain economic times, but don't be surprised.