Latest News

#1 - I got new socks!

5 PAIRS!

I just might make it through this Never-Ending Winter after all.

#2 - Speaking of new things...
Some of you already know about the blender safari I've been on for the past few months - that is, a relentless hunt for the Perfect Blender. It's not as easy as you might think. First and foremost, it has to pass the Oreo Test. That means it has to blend whole Oreos into a fine powder suitable for making Oreo Balls out of, in a matter of minutes, without requiring any heavy manpower from the blender operator (that's just counter-productive). I tried Shauna's blender once and it passed the Oreo Test with flying colors. That was when I knew I needed an Oster.
Oh yeah and it's red.
The SURPRISE is this, though:
I actually went to the store this morning having made the decision in advance NOT TO BUY a red blender. I was going to go for the brushed nickel for fear that the overpowering amount of red in my kitchen might someday explode in a cataclysm of feng shui.
But then, I saw the brushed nickel and the red blenders on the shelf. Side by side. You know the rest of the story.

(PS Kate took this picture for me, which is why I am patiently standing here with one eye closed, rather than truly winking, which is what I was going for.)

So we gave the blender a trial run. I am not exaggerating when I say my jaw dropped as I watched giant ice cubes, frozen blueberries, and whole slices of fresh pineapple disappear into a deep purple screen of silk. INSTANTLY. It was amazing. Oh Oster, where have you been all my life?

***
This next section is for Travis.

He has spent the past week (year?) writing his thesis proposal, which will ideally be FINISHED this week. This means we haven't seen him in about a month. Oh wait I caught a glimpse of him yesterday when he walked in the front door around 9 p.m., stared at me blankly for a moment, and asked, "Who are you?"

He asked about Brooklyn today since he literally hasn't seen her awake in around 72 hours (Kate has forced herself awake a few times in order to mumble a sleepy hello). I was like, "Yeah I don't think Brooklyn remembers you." Actually, she does ask about him every morning as soon as she wakes up: "Where Daddy go?" And also I remembered I had a bunch of stories to tell Travis about our day, but he's always asleep before I can say, "How's your paper coming--"

So, I am putting them on the blog so he can keep up with his family during breaks at school.

Yesterday, I had just gotten out of the shower and the girls came in. Kate had dressed herself (skirt of course - what else?) and was attempting to dress Brooklyn, who was stuck halfway in a t-shirt. I freed her and they bounded out of the room, but Brooklyn returned a minute later with Kate chasing her, trying to put pants on her. Brooklyn was shouting, "No, Mommy do it!" And I remembered I needed to change her diaper anyway. So I scooped up Brooklyn and the pants and took her to the changing table. I took off her diaper, and lo and behold -- it was dry! I sat there in confusion for a minute and then saw what was on the floor: a clean changing pad from the drawer, a carefully wrapped up wet diaper, and the box of wipes.
"Kate... did you change Brooklyn's diaper?" I asked, still pretty perplexed.
"Yep! And I washed my hands too!"

WHOA. Well looks like we have a new little mommy in the house! I am not kidding, guys, the whole job looked like it had been done by an adult. Kate really does believe she's the other parent in the house. Or maybe... she thinks that she IS the parent, and I'm just a really big kid. Her primary teacher told me, as nicely as possible, that Kate really likes to be the little mommy in her class and make sure the other kids are doing everything right. She just loves to be in charge. Yesterday Brooklyn was eating grapes (under my supervision), and Kate dashed in, grabbed the grapes from her, and said, "NO! You have to ASK ME first!"

Then today at lunch I noticed how we were all three sitting at the table, and I watched passively while Kate lectured Brooklyn about how she shouldn't whine for a glass of milk; she should ask "please" in a nice voice. Okay? And Brooklyn said obediently, "Okay." Kate: "Okay, thank you." And I just sat there like an innocent bystander, wondering how many times Kate has usurped my mommy job and I just sat there and watched? I guess she just takes to the role naturally.

The other funny Kate-ism from yesterday: Shauna & I were chatting in the living room and Brooklyn and Bella sneaked off to the office. Knowing Brooklyn is usually up to no good when there is sneaking of any kind going on, I asked Kate to check what they were doing in there.
"Oh, just putting markers in their mouth."
Um... well okay, if that's all.

I'll try to keep up with more of what's going on so maybe Travis will remember he has a family and come home some day! Oh yeah, and I'll try to make it all sound really fun and interesting so he'll think he's missing out! Yes...