Wordful Wednesday

Kid likes her water, right?

This picture was taken last summer when our Itty Bitty was about a year old. My inlaws had gotten a 'Frog Pool' and had filled it up for the grandkids. As you can tell, our Itty Bitty thought that this was a smashing idea. This picture, probably more than most taken the first 1.5 year(s) of my youngest's life truly shows the personality of Itty Bitty. . One moment she's thrilled to be alive...the next, everything and anything 'just won't do at all!!' (She puts all sorts of screams, shrieks, and whines with that attitude.) Sometimes she pouts with world class effectiveness that the middle schoolers I teach would envy. But, fortunately, she is mostly happy. One of my favorite moments of the day is when my key hits the lock to come home and I hear a muffled, "Dada, Dada...Momma., Dada!!" Which, if you comprehend 1.5 speak that is simply, "Yo, Daddy's home...Mom...Daddy is here!!"

It's good to be the Dad.

By the way, if you'd like, check out a Wordful Wednesday on Addsy located on Sneaky Momma.
-----Lane

Visit http://angiescircus.blogspot.com/ for more Wordful Wednesday posts.

Not Me Monday

I did not sleep late on Saturday (thanks to my beautiful Bride).

I did not play video game until midnight (thanks to my lack of discipline).

I did not do as little as possible this weekend and I did not watch any TV. I did not enjoy a few moments in bed with all three of my girls this morning. We did not watch Oswald...and I did not almost fall asleep to it.

I did not take Itty Bitty to Home Depot...twice :) She did not do a good job and she did not help me carry the merchandise to the counter.

I did not laugh at anything Adsy said this week "You can't say that word, Daddy, tha't s mine!!". She did not offer to help me in every task and all of her 'help' was not to just give me a hug. (Sometimes that's the best help)

I did not choose 'Monk' or 'House' reruns over the NFL this weekend, but, on a related note, I did not root for the Cardinals to win. I did not wonder why the Cardinals are there and not the Cowboys for one moment. I did not wonder if Texas or Utah would've beaten Florida.

I did not hug my kids all weekend and I did not enjoy my quiet weekend with Jill at all. I did not type this post at all after midnight on Sunday Night to try to prolong the weekend.

Check out www.mycharmingkids.net for more Not Me's.

Random Thoughts Thursday

A new segment on SD...things that make me go...hmmm.

Why does my smoke detector battery always go dead at eleven o'clock at night? Three in a row have gone dead the hour before the witching hour. It can't be coincidence. Why can't it go out at a more convenient time...like 4 pM where sneaky momma can deal with it? (just kidding, hon)

When did I get old? I heard myself using the phrase, "These damn kids nowadays always play their music so loud. I mean, seriously I can't understand a word their...." At this point I suffered an Irony Attack. I so remember when I drove all over town with the windows down so all could listen to the tape that I had in at the time. I felt it was my public duty to 'reward' all of those near me by a carefully selected tune, such as King or Rock by Run DMC, Paul Revere by the Beastie Boys, or some Fat Boys 'remake'.

On a related note, do you guys remember what you watched on TV as a teenager? I think my favorite shows were ALF, Magnum PI, MASH, and Simon and Simon. My usual daily reruns segment included the Jeffersons, Gilligan's Island, Happy Days, and Laverne and Shirley. I also at one point was a HUGE fan of the Dukes of Hazzard. Now, whenever I try watch it, I find it totally unwatchable.

Why don't we have a college football playoff? On the day of the BCS National Championship Game, I am again struck how blatantly unfair it is. Why even call it a national championship. Just call it the last bowl game. I refuse to acknowledge either party as national champions. In fact, I'm awarding the SD national championship to..wait for it....UTAH!!

Why? Well, they are undefeated, but they're not Hawaii undefeated. Their schedule has teeth.

Forget Michigan, who happened to be well pond scum this year. They beat four bowl teams. They dismantled Alabama in basically a home game. They defeated Oregon State, who deeated USC the week before. You also have several degrees of separation too between all of the contenders. The Utes beat Alabama, who defeated ol Miss. Ol' Miss you may remember defeated Florida. They also beat Texas Tech, who defeated Texas, who defeated Oklahoma. Is all of this sketchy....Hell, yes!! But, their claim is as good if not better than anyone elses.

Why can they put a man on the moon but can they not develop:

Ultra slow growing grass that looks good.
Milk that doesn't expire before the expiration date.
A carton for eggs that will actually protect them.
The LONGEST lasting battery.
A decent camera that doesn't wait four seconds to take the picture after you pressed the button.
A college playoff. (sorry, I am obsessed.)


Well, that about does it for what's on Lane's mind. Hope all have a pleasant Thursday.

-----Lane

Just A Quick Word of Thanks for My Site Makeover

My darling wife decided to make over my blog. She never ceases to amaze me with her talents. Some of you have noticed her cool little tips, well she's getting to be quite the webmaster. Thanks a bunch, Honey, I love what 'cha do!!!

Back to School and a Cool Surprise

January 6th...what is commonly referred to by teachers and students as Dread Day (or at least by me). It is the day we go back and continue the battle against against the plague of ignorance against our future generations. This, of course, is commonly referred to as teaching. On this day, the students come to school woefully unprepared. On this day, I came to school woefully unprepared. Let us review the beginning of this day.

6:00AM-Alarm wakes me up. I know I need to go to school early to print out the work for today in my class. Since it has been two weeks, I haven't the slightest idea what this work is, but I do remember that I made it so I wouldn't worry about starting the year unprepared.

7:15AM-Snooze alarm wakes me up. Panic sets in, since I am now not early but SERIOUSLY late.

8:00AM-I make it to school as the first bell goes off. Go to my room and notice that my district's computer system is on the fritz.

8:01AM-Whine.

8:05AM-Create curriculum.

Aside from that shakey start, the day actually went well. I only had five requests for lockers, four lost books, two forgot schedule, and one who didn't bring at thing. To think, I could've stayed at home if I hadn't barely missed winning the lottery two weeks ago. I only missed by five numbers.

I also noticed that I was featured in a post in Chris Bowers excellent blog, Worth a Thousand Words. His blog is pretty darn cool with picture contests every week. Thanks, Chris, for the honor I really appreciate it.

Here's wishing all of you happy end to the first week of 2009. (That is the end of the first seven days of 2009, Jill.)

----Lane

Not Me Monday

I did not graze all New Years Day.

I did not enjoy a quiet game of sequence with my wife on New Year's Eve.

I did not watch an obscene amount of Monk episodes on New Years Day.

I did not spend the entire day in my 'bed clothes'

I did not happily enjoy my entire break.

I did not wish for Handy Manny, the extended version at any point during my 'alone with kids' part of this week. In addition, I did not choose all week to step over toys rather than pick them up.

I did not silently wonder if it would be closer to New Year's Day or Valentine's Day when I finally put up the Christmas Stuff.

I did not at any time wish that candy was made up of less sticky things...or ponder how it got in my kids hair.

I did not enjoy every single one of my Christmas presents.

I didn't stay up late at all this week and I did not get to sleep in at all. I do not at all dread the first day of school next week.

I absolutely did not enjoy watching Benjamin Buttons with my beautiful bride on a stolen getaway. I did not gorge myself at the restaurant.

I did not enjoy writing this one bit.

Visit www.mycharmingkids.net for more Not Me posts.

A Very Sneaky Year Begins

A beautiful day in Texas...or so I heard.

I spent most of it happily cooped up, eating queso, chips, and sandwiches watching bowl games. (Okay, so I watched the Monk marathon more than the games, sue me) A couple of things came to mind during this day.

Number one, can't put down the queso like I used to.

Number two, it takes a lot less to make me tired of watching football...especially with Clemson vs Nebraska and Virginia Tech vs Cincinatti. Sheesh. Seriously, if that game is what we get with the BCS, then we should get rid of the whole thing just because of that. (The rest of why the BCS is Satan's Spawn to college football would take an entire hate filled blog to go through, so I'll spare you.)

Number three, I am more thankful than ever of easy assembly toys. I have enjoyed snapping and even the occassional screwing in our daughter's toys. I will say, not ONE toy took more than forty five minutes to assemble. Which is amazing considering my lack of skills in the area of toy building. (Santa has nothing to fear, I won't be taking his job any time soon.)

Also, I thought maybe since this is the time of year for resolutions, that maybe I should find a way to improve myself. (like take a toy building class). So, this is my resolutions for 2009 in no particular order.

1. Figure out my yard. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, but I'm lazy. I like to mow once a month...I know that basically the only time that works is..um now. On a similar note, the cat has voted for me to leave the yard as is. He likes to pretend he's a cheetah and the over growth gives him that jungle like atmosphere that he craves.



2. Figure out the garage. I have things in there that should not be in any home in America. I kind of think, that if I get to the middle I might see a minotaur. I am going to have to spend three days...six dump loads...and a few tetanus shots to get it cleared away. Did I do it during this break? HELL NO!!. But, it will happen by this time next year....I promise!! :)

3. On a related note, I need to figure out the attic. There is stuff up there that I have forgotten I put up there. This by the way might help the garage situation.

4. Next, I am going to quit smoking. I think that since I haven't had a cigarette since the first Bush was in the office I'm probably safe on that one. (Ya gotta have one that is an automatic success or you will think that you didn't succeed at your resolutions.)

5. Lastly, I'm going to cut down on the red meat. I think maybe if I get healthier I will have the energy to do the first three things on the list.


---Happy New Years, All!!---------