jack and diane

thinking green

Are Cate's eyes looking greenish in this picture or is it just me?
I really really really want her eyes to be green.
It's ok if they settle on bluish.
I'm just hoping for green.

Speaking of green, we returned home in the wee hours of the morning today from our little day trip to Green River. I've got 147 pictures and a few pages of notes (I take notes on trips...I'm a weirdo) to sort through before sharing.

Until then, here's a little teaser (mostly for Grama Bama).
See where the road ends and then there's weeds and then there's water?
Don't you wish you could've come too?

in all fairness

You knew it was coming, right? I couldn't resist.

Plus, Dan didn't feel like he looked so great in most of those pictures from my own yearbook-myself session. I uploaded three different pictures for him and here they are.

Once again, please look past the crooked glasses, wonky chins, not-perfectly-aligned cheeks and not-quite-right skin tones and have a good chuckle. I mean that in the nicest way, Dan. We're not laughing at you, we're laughing with you. Ok, maybe a little bit of laughing at you if I'm being totally honest. (love you!)

Hmmmm...I'm thinking no on these two.

Ummmm...nope on all of these.

I'm kind of digging 1962. Not a lot, just kind of.

1968 Dan is totally groovy. I love his turtleneck.
1970 Dan looks like Tootsie, don't you think?

I'm loving 1972 Dan also. He looks so smart.

1982 Dan is quite a hunk. Maybe 2009 Dan should think about getting a perm.

Yes, yes and yes on all three of these!
Especially that gorgeous mullet.

1992 Dan looks like the big brother from Growing Pains.
I thought he was dreamy.
Once again, maybe it's time for a perm.

I am totally loving all of these too.
The kid from Sixteen Candles, Usher and a happy Kurt Cobain (did he have dreads?)
What a guy! He can pull off almost any do in total style!

And because I want to frame it and hang it on my bedroom wall,
here it is again.

You still totally rock!

wasting time

What I Didn't Do Yesterday While My Kids Were Taking Their Three Hour Naps

Sweep and mop the floor

Fold and put away the laundry

Find our tree trimming guy's phone number

Clean the bathrooms
Figure out Halloween costumes
Wash the dishes

What I Did Do Instead

I yearbooked myself...for almost three hours. I didn't intend to try on each and every hairstyle. It just sucked me right in and I couldn't stop. It actually proved to be quite helpful. I've been looking for a new do. I think I got some great ideas.

My face looks a little funky in some of them. It was hard to get the proportions just right. Believe me, I tried. Ignore the blemishes, slightly enlarged (or shrunken) chins, uneven skin tones and crooked glasses and just focus on the big picture (haha).

I'm thinking no on these two. They look like too much work. I do enjoy seeing my 1952 self without chubby cheeks. It's good incentive to lose some weight.

I'm pretty sure my bangs looked like the Me from 1954 when I was in 8th grade.

I'm loving the 1962 Me (in spite of the weird proportions). I have a feeling that Grama Bama might feel like she's looking at her 1962 self with that one. And probably the 1964 one as well.

I'm sad to say that my hair looked like the 1966 Me (minus the poof in the back) just a few short years ago.

I don't like any of these. It's fun to see the 1974 Me as a blond though.

I think the 1982 Me is my absolute favorite. I just wish my hair was thick enough to behave that way.

Yikes on all three of these! Although maybe Dan would have asked me to the Senior Prom if I'd had that 1988 hairstyle (and if I'd gone to his school and graduated the same year as him). If only.

Yikes again on all of these!

I'm pretty sure my hair did look like that 1998 Me back in 1995. What was I thinking? I do look a little like Katie Couric though. She's cool, right?

Here's Dan and me in the Homecoming Parade.

And at the Homecoming football game. Sorry, Dan. I couldn't resist.

Here we are in the Photography Club.

And Dan with his football buddies.

Hubba, hubba! Look at the legs on #32! What a hunk.

Here we are in the Chess Club. I don't think I've been that petite since 6th grade.

And I've saved the best for last...

Dan, you totally rock!

emo's birthday

I couldn't find party hats so party crowns will have to suffice!

Remember Emo?

Yesterday was his birthday. It's all Danny could talk about. He reminded me several times throughout the day.

Know who birfday is? It Mee-mo birfday!

Danny picked out this tractor puzzle for Emo. He also insisted that we give him a cake with a candle on top. When we went over to Emo's house to bestow the gifts, Danny clammed up. He wished Emo a happy birthday but that's about it. No singing.

Emo opened the present. He seemed about as thrilled as a 73-year-old man could be upon receiving a 60 piece tractor puzzle. Danny was upset that we couldn't stay and put it together right away. It was 9:00 at night after all.

Carolyn smoothed things over with a popsicle and off we went.

Happy birthday to the King of Tractors, Tools and Popsicles!

a little help

Danny pulled out the chair, climbed up and said, "I dan elp yooooooooou."

Ug. That was my first thought. He's messy when he "helps" me.

I made him wash his hands (who knows what they've been touching) and then I started the measuring. He said, "We need guh-guh." So into the bowl it went. Then the down guh-guh and eggs. Danny counted as I added them to the bowl. "None. Do. Pour." That's one, two, four. I have no idea where three went. It's usually five that gets left out.

Next I measured the oats. I handed him the measuring cup each time so he could dump it into the bowl. That's where the messy part happens. As I was returning the oats to the cupboard and getting the flour, Danny apparently put his face into the pile of oats (in already in the bowl) and got a mouthful. Then he said, "Woah! Duh oats are berry berry oatsy! Mummy!"

He helped me add some bough-uh, gaking dough-duh, dalt, duh-nill-uh, dee-nut duh-duh and a few gicks of duh-duh. I gave him the little spatula and told him to start stirring (also part of the messy). When I turned my back to get the pan, he stuck his fingers into the batter. Upon licking them he declared, "Mmmmm! Mummy!"

I finished the mixing, spread the batter in the pan and stuck it in the oven. As I did, I thought about the possible benefits of letting my almost three-year-old "help" me in the kitchen. Bonding time, learning patience (that's for me), gaining a love for baked goods (that's for him...I already love them), maybe some math skills.

Then I had a glimpse into my future. If I let him "help" me now, someday he'll come into the kitchen when I'm baking and say, "Oh, Mother Dear, give me that spatula and measuring spoon. I'll do it. You go sit and rest your weary feet."

It could happen.

If you're interested in the recipe, here it is. We made them for Kelli as a thank you treat for the horse ride last week. Don't tell her Danny stuck his face in the oats, please.

Peanut Butter Fingers

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter (plus more to spread on top when they're baked)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick oats

1 container milk chocolate frosting

Cream all ingredients together (except the frosting). Place in a 12x17 greased and floured baking sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. While still warm, spread with peanut butter. Cool. Top with milk chocolate frosting. Cut into bars.

getting to know you, part three

This is Dan.
He's 39.
So here's 39 things about Dan.

1. He likes KISS.
2. He does not like olives.
3. He snores. He'll deny it.
4. He is extremely ticklish.
5. He calls me "Love."
6. He calls Cate "Pooker" (pronounced Pooka).
7. Sometimes he calls her Danny.
8. He strongly dislikes the game Scattergories.
9. He likes to push the snooze button.
10. He likes to drink Diet Coke, no ice.
11. He uses toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
12. His dentist was one of his missionary companions.
13. He enjoys roller coasters...riding them and reading about them.
14. He reads the newspaper every day.
15. He hates to wash wooden spoons.
16. He likes to give Danny whisker pie.
17. He read all 7 Harry Potter books this summer in about 5 weeks.
18. He gets sick on the spinny rides at amusement parks. I have to ride them alone.
19. He likes to eat cold pizza and cold meatloaf sandwiches.
20. He does not like mushrooms.
21. He does not enjoy ice skating.
22. He likes to sing karaoke.
23. He does not like it when I leave knives in the dishwater to soak.
24. He has forbidden me to use the electric hedge trimmer ever again.
25. He likes the Jazz.
26. He watched the movie Mama Mia and enjoyed it.
27. He can name all of the presidents of the United States in order.
28. He enjoys playing Scrabble with his mother-in-law.
29. He dressed as the Unknown Comic one year for Halloween when he was a kid.
30. He knows how to properly use a semicolon; I'm pretty sure that I do not.
31. He is a master at the game of Trivial Pursuit.
32. He passed out at the dentist's office once.
33. He entered the MTC exactly 20 years ago today.
34. He does not like hot chocolate.
35. He likes to bench press Danny and Cate (not at the same time).
36. He can't roll his r's.
37. He drinks a glass of orange juice every day with his breakfast.
38. He was allegedly in line with Michael Jackson at Disneyland many years ago. I believe it was the Peter Pan ride. Allegedly.
39. He plays the ukulele.

getting to know you, part two

Cate is 14 months old today.
Here are 14 things about Cate.

1. She loves popsicles.
2. She can nod her head and say "isssss." I'm pretty sure this means yes.
3. She can shake her head to mean no. The shaking is usually accompanied by a big cheesy smile.
4. She says Mamamamamama (that's me), Dadadadadada (that's her dad) and babababababa (that's her bottle).
5. She says uh-oh when she drops something. Actually she only says the oh part. I'm pretty sure she means uh-oh though.
6. She only likes to be held on one of my hips. If I try to hold her in front on my chest/stomach area, she puts her hand on my shoulder and tries to push herself onto my hip.
7. She pants (sometimes sounding a little like she's going to hyperventilate) when she sees something she wants...like her mamamamama or her babababababa.
8. She has a top molar currently breaking through.
9. She loves to be outside...especially in the sandbox.
10. She is showing no signs of giving up the morning nap...dangit.
11. She pulls her hair when she's drinking a bottle. If I'm holding her and don't have my hair up in a ponytail, she pulls my hair.
12. She rolls her hands when I say Cate, can you do patty cake?
13. She loves a bath.
14. She wore a onesie today that was labeled size 6-9 months. Maybe she really is going to be my baby forever...or for at least many more months to come.

getting to know you, part one

Danny is 33 months old today.
Therefore, I give you 33 things about Danny.

1. He likes broccoli.
2. He does not like corn on the cob.
3. He likes tools.
4. He is not a fan of the nursery at church.
5. He thinks his Spanish-speaking nursery teacher's name is Hola.
6. He loves tractors.
7. When you say you're welcome to him, many times he responds with "No, you wup-um to you!" (No, you're welcome to you!)
8. He can identify a square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, star, heart, diamond and hexagon.
9. He can count to ten, then sometimes eleven, twelve and then some mumbly numbers ending in teen.
10. He likes olives.
11. He likes whole strawberries. Don't you dare cut them and expect him to still want to eat them.
12. He has finally figured out how to eat an Otter Pop.
13. He refers to Costco as the pizza store.
14. He likes his Danny and the Dinosaur book.
15. He refers to his Great Aunt Nancy as Nurse Nancy. That's the name of one of his books.
16. He likes to eat "bips and bip" (chips and dip...actually tortilla chips and salsa).
17. He can open the childproof lock on the fridge.
18. He can almost open the childproof locks on the cupboards.
19. He yells, "Mama, mail bime (time)!" when the mailman comes.
20. He loves to watch Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!
21. He can identify the letters E, F, I, L, M, O, S, W, X, and Y...most of the time.
22. He likes firetrucks and ambulances.
23. He likes to go to Emo's house (across the street) to get a popsicle.
24. He likes toast.
25. He does somersaults and calls them his "cool trick."
26. He is 71% potty trained.
27. He rubs his stuffed puppies' ears between his finger and thumb when he's sleepy.
28. He tells me I'm getting "ginky buff" (stinky stuff) on him when I lay my head beside him on his pillow at bedtime.
29. He likes to be tickled.
30. He tells me things are too boring lately...a cheese stick he didn't eat and the lotion I was trying to rub on his cheeks.
31. He can identify the signs for Diet Coke and McDonald's. I'm so proud.
32. He calls his baby sister Date or Datie.
33. He tells me I'm his "dest dend" (best friend).

yee haw

Ever since Grama Bama bought these little boys their very own gen-you-ine cowboy hats and cowboy boots, they've been itchin' to ride a horse.

That itch finally got scratched yesterday.

Thanks, Kelli and Dude!

sandy cousins

I think I said some variation of LEAVE THE SAND IN THE SANDBOX at least 1,627 times. It could have been more. Remember when I said I was happy about the sand a few days ago? I might have to replace that emotion with something else after yesterday.

Here's a few things I possibly said:

Dump that sand out of your shoe...in the sandbox!

Sand does not belong on the grass!

Who dumped sand down the slide?

Sand stays in the sandbox!

Go put that back in the sandbox!

No water in the sandbox!

Yucky! Don't eat it. Yuck! Yuck!

We do not throw sand!

Don't dump sand on him!

I'm sorry there's sand in your eye.
If you'd stop throwing it, this wouldn't happen!

Hey, not on the picnic table! In the sandbox!

Get that sand out of your sock!

Leave the sand in the sandbox!

Leave the sand in the sandbox!

Leave the sand in the sandbox!

It was definitely the place to be for these little ones. I'm pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of times Billy was actually out of the sandbox. And we were outside for a little over four hours. That kid loves him some sand.

So far, Cate is still happy about the sandbox.
It gives her something to snack on.
I really should feed her I guess.

Danny seemed happy.
He actually played in it.
That's an improvement since last time.

Kris was happy.
He loaded up his sock with sand.
Then swung it around and around over his head.

Ricky was happy.
He seemed to delight in removing the sand from the sandbox.
I think he may have been involved in the sand-down-the-slide incident.

Billy was happy.
I've never seen a kid enjoy a funnel like he did.
Good thing he's got a sandbox 10 times as big as this one at his house.

And I was happy too.
Happy that the cats have stayed away.
I'll save my giant pooper scooper for another day.

a little treat

So maybe it's a little early to be sending requests to Santa.

It is not too early to be thinking about Halloween. I know that for sure. Babies R Us had costumes for sale well over a month ago. I walked into my local Robert's craft store last week and was bombarded with their Halloween displays. I don't know how long they've been up. It's been a while since I was there. I'm guessing they've been up since July 5th, once their unsold red, white and blue goo-gahs had been safely stuffed into the 75% off bin in the corner.

I don't care for Halloween very much. All those years spent trying to teach kids while dressed in their silly little costumes and daydreaming about candy has pretty much ruined it for me. Oh, and the Great Costume Parade through the halls of the school. I know it's fun for the kids, but I shudder just thinking about it.

I do love baking though. Halloween gives me a good excuse to bake (and usually share) some kind of treat that's tasty and themed. My favorite kind.

I got a baking/sharing/Halloweeny idea while I was at Robert's. I saw some adorable treat boxes. They were shaped like those little Chinese food take-out boxes. They even had the little silver handle on them. They were somewhat see-through, covered with little bats, witches and spiders. I would have bought a few but there was no price tag and I was too chicken to ask.

I might go back and get some soon. How would you like to open your door and find a little treat like this on your front step?

Cookies shaped like severed fingers.

I've tried baking these before. They didn't turn out quite right. I hadn't made the dough fingers skinny enough. When they baked, they poofed way up and looked like they had belonged to someone who weighed about 400 pounds. It kind of spoiled the creepy factor for me.

And my recipe didn't have the red goo. I'm loving the goo. Is it too much? I kind of like it.

Anyway, I think this is going to be my Halloween treat for the neighbors this year.* Packaged up in little Halloweeny themed Chinese take-out boxes.

Cost of my little Halloween treat:

take-out style boxes...who knows? (hoping for a price tag next time I'm in the store)
ingredients for cookies...not much (I'll just have to buy the fingernails. I've got the rest.)
time spent baking and packaging cookies...probably way too much (most likely really late at night since that's the only time people around here leave me alone)
grossing out the neighbors...priceless (I hope..and if not grossing them out then at least helping them be slightly amused)

Maybe I'll end up liking Halloween after all. And the neighbors might end up wishing I had just gone with "trick" and egged their houses instead.

Candis, if you're reading this, just act surprised when your little severed finger cookies arrive on your doorstep.

*This totally depends on whether or not Cate is over and done with her All-I-Want-Is-For-Mommy-To-Hold-Me-All-The-Time-And-Never-Ever-Ever-Do-Anything-For-Herself phase by the middle-ish of October, of course. I'm crossing my severed fingers. And my toes.

You can find the recipe for Witch's Finger Cookies with Bloody Goo here.

the outdoor pool

Judy invited us to go swimming with her family last night. Her dentist's office reserved the outdoor pool here in town for all of his patients and whoever else they wanted to invite. I guess it's his way of rewarding them for brushing and flossing like good little boys and girls should.

The best part of it all was not the free swimming for two hours. It was the free cotton candy that was being handed out. Cotton candy! From a dentist. The man's a genius.

The worst part of it all was the chill in the air...and in the pool. Danny was not thrilled to be there. He was happy on the way to the pool. He was less than happy once he got in. I think I saw him smile a few times. Mostly he just clung Dan's neck.

Cate and I stayed dry. Just the way I like it.

The weirdest part of it all was seeing a guy dressed up like Spiderman. He was walking around giving people high fives. I wasn't sure if the dentist had asked him to be there to entertain the crowd, or if he was just some weirdo crashing the party.

After about 15 minutes in the pool, Danny was done. At least it was nice to get out of the house...for all of about 30 minutes. (That's including travel time.) Judy's family stayed the whole time though. They even won something in the raffle. Woo hoo!

I was a little bummed that Danny hadn't had a good time. He was pretty quiet on the way home. As soon as we pulled into the driveway he said,

"Mama, duh dimming poo was dun. Mumba who was dare? Pie-duh-nan!"
Mama, the swimming pool was fun. Remember who was there? Spi-der-man!

I guess it was fun after all.