reading room...

Sometimes the collection of books sitting toilet-side perfectly represents our families current intellectual pursuits ...this is not one of those times...afterall there is no "Hobbit" for Emmett or parenting-your-spirited-child books or WWII books for Matt or Emmett's other fav, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (hilarious to hear him laughing on the pot hysterically) ...not even a Harry P or Artemis Fowl for Mac.
The addition of Silas' potty reading material, "Grovers 10 Best Ways to Help the Earth" and the low-brow but hilarious "Curiously Compelling Bathroom Book" and especially the Judy Blume sitting up top...well, these are the reasons for this post.

"Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. " is well rifled through and I perused it the other day...it's been 27 years since I've done that...and all those pre-teen issues came flooding back. It has been a hormonal hurricane around here lately. Lots of feelings and changes and...late night snuggling conversations about every little thing. Growing up is hard. I forgot about a lot of it. Judy nailed it in so many ways.

As for Silas' on the potty...we are no where near the goal, not even trying yet really... it's still diaper on, sitting and reading. And occasionally I will catch him pulling out the little potty bowl and wearing it as a hat. That is a sure sign he has no idea at all what's supposed to go in there.
And here's a fact for you from "Compelling..."
did you know that King Tut was buried with 145 pairs of loin cloth underwear...
and...the shortest complete sentence in the english language is "Go."????

the mural

Our new school mural is finally complete after much planning and help from many families. It was designed by a kindergarten dad, Rafael Lopez, who is an awesome artist and has illustrated childrens books and has even designed a postage stamp.)...
I wish this were a better picture...Emil will put one up eventually on the garden blog...a panorama...but I just couldnt wait to show all of "you" out there. I just think its beautiful.

Totems

ok Cami, we have been
hunting far and wide
for these for Finley's
Big 1rst B-Day and they
just are so cool we had
to give you a Natural
History Museum
Diorama-like preview...

the catch is that the rabbit is only
1 3/4 inches tall and a definite chokable...but it was the only cool rabbit we could find...so we may be turning this into some sort of mobile...

I think we should add a chicken, ladybug and toad to add the effect don't you?

For all of us!

I know many great mamas, my
mom being at the top of the list!
So, Happy Mothers Day to all...from
those of us who get slobbery baby kisses
and bizarre breakfasts in bed, or
awesome glued heart cards, or
the "Chronicles of Narnia" to be
read aloud, or clean cars (I am
keeping my fingers crossed
on this one...), or watch batteries
replaced (in our house the
wishes are practical!) or simply a day
of relaxation that involves only a few
loads of laundry...and especially to those
celebrating their first mother's day with
cutie little toddling red-heads
or brand newies in their arms...

And a humongous thankyou to those
little people who made us all moms
in the first place.
(Matt, you get a shout out for that too!)