Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Dropping Trou
The kids and I were at Target yesterday. Things were going downhill quickly so I decided to cut the trip short and head to the register. I had already piled the cart with unassembled bookcases to use as storage in the playroom. As I was loading the stuff onto the belt, Makena said, "Mommy, I need to go to the potty." Now, we have been very lucky in that her first warning is usually well in advance. So, I explained that we would go to the restroom as soon as I paid for the stuff and continued emptying the cart. When I was nearly done, I glanced in her direction. There she stood pants and underwear down to her ankles. The cashier and I spotted her at the same time. I’m not sure what I said as I was a bit shocked. The wonderful cashier told me it was okay to leave my stuff on the belt and take her to the restroom before she finished what she started. I had to pull Kessler from the cart (I had just gotten him to settle in there). We headed to the restroom where Makena did her business. I carried Kessler and scurried Makena back to the register. Someone else was being rung up by the time we got back. The poor customer was taking each item from her cart and handing it to the poor cashier because the conveyer belt had all of my stuff on it! Kessler refused to go back in the cart, so I had to load a few more heavy boxes onto the belt. Then I loaded all of it back into the cart. I couldn't get out of the store fast enough. Unfortunately, pushing a very heavy cart, while holding a very heavy toddler, with a three year old hanging off the side is a very slow process. I was sweating when I finally got to the car. I felt like I had run a marathon!
Monday, September 22, 2008
He's one of us..
Mark became an American Citizen today!!!! How much more can we lower our standards?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Various and Sundry
I downloaded all the photos from both our cameras. Some are a bit hold. Here are a few anyway:
Here are some that deserve the spotlight.
We went to Santa Cruz while Mark's parents were here. Here are several photos of Kessler putting sand down the back of his shirt. He wouldn't stop doing it!
It was Wacky Dress Up day at school. The photos below show our rendition of Wacky. The only problem was that I was the only parent in Makena's class that remembered. Poor Makena!!
I left a glass of chocolate milk on the counter when I was taking a shower. I heard Kessler doing his "I climbed up something and can't get down" whine. I peaked out to see what he was doing. I had to streak through the house to get the camera for these.
Mark needed some documents for his citizenship interview and they weren't where they are supposed to be. So, we tore up the office. In the middle of it all, Makena shows up with this "hat" on her head:.
As cute as a cookie:
I always say, start training them while they're young!
Here are some that deserve the spotlight.
We went to Santa Cruz while Mark's parents were here. Here are several photos of Kessler putting sand down the back of his shirt. He wouldn't stop doing it!
It was Wacky Dress Up day at school. The photos below show our rendition of Wacky. The only problem was that I was the only parent in Makena's class that remembered. Poor Makena!!
I left a glass of chocolate milk on the counter when I was taking a shower. I heard Kessler doing his "I climbed up something and can't get down" whine. I peaked out to see what he was doing. I had to streak through the house to get the camera for these.
Mark needed some documents for his citizenship interview and they weren't where they are supposed to be. So, we tore up the office. In the middle of it all, Makena shows up with this "hat" on her head:.
As cute as a cookie:
I always say, start training them while they're young!
Forty years ago today..
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Consumed
I have to admit it, I'm consumed by the election these days. I didn't pay too much attention in past elections; I always voted Republican because I thought that was in my personal best interest--specifically as it relates to being a business owner.
This time however, I decided to take a bit more notice. Mainly because I was surprised that McCain won the Republican primary. He just seems a little too emotionally charged for me. That's something I noticed about Bush, but chose to ignore when I voted for him.. twice. I didn't want to make the same mistake three times.
At the same time, Obama was gaining momentum. Very begrudgingly, I decided to see why he was causing such a stir. After reading his books and researching his stance on the issues, I decided I just liked the guy. He has character. He reminds me of Mark (my husband). He's not emotionally driven. He's very level headed and his personality is even-keeled. He's an amazing communicator. He explains himself superbly (not-so-much like Mark). I don't like where he stands on some issues, but I can appreciate his ideas. He has the attributes of a natural leader; one of which is to seek compromise for the better good. That’s what it seemed like to me anyway. When I started to consider defecting from the Republican ticket, I made it a point to read every single article that I could find about the election.
Subsequently, several events in this campaign have left me so disappointed. When McCain aired the celebrity ads comparing Obama to Britney and Paris and the other ad where he mocked Obama for being “The One” I was really taken aback. I couldn’t believe that McCain deviated so far away from the issues. But what’s far worse, is it worked. Immediately after those ads were aired McCain’s standing improved in the polls.
When Palin gave her speech at the RNC, I was disappointed again. I’m certain she’s an amazing woman in many regards. But, character is very important to me. All people have hopes and desires. They have visions of how things should be. Those visions differ for everyone. The fact that Sarah Palin’s vision differ somewhat from mine is not my problem. My problem is character. To me, character is defined not by what someone is trying to achieve, but how they go about doing it. Her approach seemed just a few steps above the bullies I used to be scared of in school. She was mean and insulting and proud of it. She seemed very provincial to me. Rather than appreciating differences and pointing out why her ideas are better, she made fun of anyone who disagreed with her. I swear, I felt like I was in high school. Her approach was so incendiary and counterproductive to unifying the country. There are ways to make progress by not alienating everyone who disagrees with you. That’s what makes a good leader. I know because she is a woman she has a tougher road to travel, but that can't justify the abandonment of civility.
But, her methods worked as seen by the polls. This past week McCain has put out several ads that have been lies. When a McCain spokesperson was asked why they are doing this, he said because it works! He said that when McCain was talking about the issues, he never received any media time. The media is flocking to the negative ads and the public is responding by increasing their support for McCain. I just don’t get it. They are preying on the uninformed; the people who don’t have the time, don’t want to waste the time they have, or don’t have the capacity otherwise to sift through the garbage to get to the issues. They are counting on people staying uninformed and reacting.. overreacting to sensationalized, dishonest headlines.
If those tactics win the election what will they do for running our country? Imagine if we start thumbing our noses at Iran.. North Korea.. Russia.
Here is the definition of diplomacy:
1 : the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations
2 : skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility
I'm a Republican and the McCain/Palin campaign has made me hostile! I shudder to think of how the rest of the world will regard us if they are elected.
This time however, I decided to take a bit more notice. Mainly because I was surprised that McCain won the Republican primary. He just seems a little too emotionally charged for me. That's something I noticed about Bush, but chose to ignore when I voted for him.. twice. I didn't want to make the same mistake three times.
At the same time, Obama was gaining momentum. Very begrudgingly, I decided to see why he was causing such a stir. After reading his books and researching his stance on the issues, I decided I just liked the guy. He has character. He reminds me of Mark (my husband). He's not emotionally driven. He's very level headed and his personality is even-keeled. He's an amazing communicator. He explains himself superbly (not-so-much like Mark). I don't like where he stands on some issues, but I can appreciate his ideas. He has the attributes of a natural leader; one of which is to seek compromise for the better good. That’s what it seemed like to me anyway. When I started to consider defecting from the Republican ticket, I made it a point to read every single article that I could find about the election.
Subsequently, several events in this campaign have left me so disappointed. When McCain aired the celebrity ads comparing Obama to Britney and Paris and the other ad where he mocked Obama for being “The One” I was really taken aback. I couldn’t believe that McCain deviated so far away from the issues. But what’s far worse, is it worked. Immediately after those ads were aired McCain’s standing improved in the polls.
When Palin gave her speech at the RNC, I was disappointed again. I’m certain she’s an amazing woman in many regards. But, character is very important to me. All people have hopes and desires. They have visions of how things should be. Those visions differ for everyone. The fact that Sarah Palin’s vision differ somewhat from mine is not my problem. My problem is character. To me, character is defined not by what someone is trying to achieve, but how they go about doing it. Her approach seemed just a few steps above the bullies I used to be scared of in school. She was mean and insulting and proud of it. She seemed very provincial to me. Rather than appreciating differences and pointing out why her ideas are better, she made fun of anyone who disagreed with her. I swear, I felt like I was in high school. Her approach was so incendiary and counterproductive to unifying the country. There are ways to make progress by not alienating everyone who disagrees with you. That’s what makes a good leader. I know because she is a woman she has a tougher road to travel, but that can't justify the abandonment of civility.
But, her methods worked as seen by the polls. This past week McCain has put out several ads that have been lies. When a McCain spokesperson was asked why they are doing this, he said because it works! He said that when McCain was talking about the issues, he never received any media time. The media is flocking to the negative ads and the public is responding by increasing their support for McCain. I just don’t get it. They are preying on the uninformed; the people who don’t have the time, don’t want to waste the time they have, or don’t have the capacity otherwise to sift through the garbage to get to the issues. They are counting on people staying uninformed and reacting.. overreacting to sensationalized, dishonest headlines.
If those tactics win the election what will they do for running our country? Imagine if we start thumbing our noses at Iran.. North Korea.. Russia.
Here is the definition of diplomacy:
1 : the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations
2 : skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility
I'm a Republican and the McCain/Palin campaign has made me hostile! I shudder to think of how the rest of the world will regard us if they are elected.
Daddy, also known as...
Yesterday, Mark and I were trying to have a serious conversation. It's very tough to do this with the kids around. This attempt proved no different. Makena picked up her "Mary had a Little Lamb" book and brought it to where we were sitting.
Makena looking at Mark, "Sing it with me."
Mark continued talking.
Makena, "Sing it with me. Sing it with me."
Mark, "not right now, sweetie."
Makena, "Sing it with me, Mawk." (Mark with an Australian accent.)
Mark, "Noooo, I'm daddy."
Makena, "Sing it with me... dude. "
Mark, "What did you call me?"
Makena, "dude."
And that was the end of our conversation as none of us could stop laughing.
Later in the day daddy evolved from "dude" to "daddy duffer dude".
Makena looking at Mark, "Sing it with me."
Mark continued talking.
Makena, "Sing it with me. Sing it with me."
Mark, "not right now, sweetie."
Makena, "Sing it with me, Mawk." (Mark with an Australian accent.)
Mark, "Noooo, I'm daddy."
Makena, "Sing it with me... dude. "
Mark, "What did you call me?"
Makena, "dude."
And that was the end of our conversation as none of us could stop laughing.
Later in the day daddy evolved from "dude" to "daddy duffer dude".
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ANOTHER Birthday Cake
Okay, I have to get caught up again.
The following videos are from late July, when Grandma and Grandpa were still here. Mark wanted to bake another cake with Makena; this time for Grandpa.
You should learn from this video that if the Pellas family (of the US, not to be confused with anyone from Australia) offer to bake you a cake, politely, yet quickly and emphatically decline. We'll call this clip, "Special Ingredient".
The following videos are from late July, when Grandma and Grandpa were still here. Mark wanted to bake another cake with Makena; this time for Grandpa.
You should learn from this video that if the Pellas family (of the US, not to be confused with anyone from Australia) offer to bake you a cake, politely, yet quickly and emphatically decline. We'll call this clip, "Special Ingredient".
This next video is chock-full of little gems. A lot of them should be self explanatory, but I'll explain a few.
We'll start with Kessler attempting to climb on a chair. At this point in time he had only taken a few steps. Little did I know when this video was taken that climbing would become Kessler's favorite pasttime. He loves to climb. He never stopped trying until he mastered it. His only problem now is he can't get down.
You'll notice that Makena is taste testing the batter, which means it's already been mixed, without another key ingredient; no, not spit this time.
At least Kessler's having fun.
On to the chocolate cake. Kessler just couldn't wait. (That's the chocolate mix on the table.)
Alright, now that's he's had some sugar, it's time to break for more sugar (scones with jam and cream). YUM!
The final product was a strawberry and chocolate layered cake with whipped cream in the middle. There was strawberry icing on top, along with various types of sprinkles. (We did omit the special ingredient). I'm proud, yet sad to say we did finish it.
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