Monday Mother Lode

Who reads my blog on a Monday? Just curious. I do hope someone does, because here's some random favorite stuff from the past weekend month.

Mostly I just wanted to post something more Calvin- and Henry-oriented, because I know I've been a bit philosophical and introspective lately. I kinda started this blog to keep family posted on the boys and even though only two family members read it, I really haven't posted enough pictures and stuff lately for them. So...

First, a couple of one-liners -

From Henry, while coloring last night:

"Black is a naughty color."


From Calvin:

"How do frogs hear?"

(This is a prime example of his new thrilling subject-changing skill. The frog question is what he used on me in the middle of my "please don't sit here and be shy, get out there and chase soccer balls with the other 4-year-olds because you've been wanting to play soccer since before Christmas and now we're here and you won't" pep talk.)

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And now a picture or two -

These days we can get them to sit in one place together for a picture with a minimum of hassle. But saying, "Smile, guys!" gets some questionable results.

Around here, bathtime is often tsunami hour, but occasionally the boys work on something really grand together. (Calvin wanted to be sure we noticed that there was one toy per square of tile.)



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Remember the Lazy Susan by the Stove concept? I've moved it to the counter right behind the stove for more prep room by the stove, but I still love it and use it and regularly remind the boys not to spin it wantonly. But this weekend, in a classic "you knew it would happen sometime" event, Calvin experienced centrifugal force acting on a glass bottle of white wine vinegar.

Of course it was while I was making dinner - I turned from the stove just in time to see it fly and crash across the kitchen, just a few inches shy of Henry's head. And all of us in bare feet. It's a toss-up whether Cal learned more from the shock of the flying/spraying/shattering bottle, my lecture about warnings that included a heavy dose of "I done tol' you and tol' you..." or David's lengthy mopping and shard-hunting process that precluded being able to appreciate his beautiful coloring or read The Cat in the Hat together. With any luck, one of the consequences came through to him and the Lazy Susan spinning has come to an end.

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Check out this fine artwork. It wasn't too long ago that I posted a bit about the first recognizable drawing that Calvin made, and it was of me. So precious. I love watching the boys create. Paper is a small price for me to pay for them to be happily occupied for more than ten minutes at one time to see them express themselves.

Henry drew this turtle yesterday, and it just floors me. He's two and a half. I know the spots on the turtle's back make it look like a face, but check out how he made a pointy little tail and four legs and a head. By himself. With no instruction or previously drawn turtles. I love it.



Due to the Easter holiday, Calvin has been in an Egg Period this last couple of weeks. Myriads of vibrantly spotted eggs, one per page, all of which must be posted on the refrigerator. This is my favorite, though, because it includes the Easter Bunny:



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Here's a little video snippet for posterity. "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" is a longstanding favorite of Henry's. I personally think it's funny for a 2-year-old to say the word, "dame." This clip also briefly demonstrates his munchkin voice, his propensity for perpetual motion, as well as his attempts at humor by plugging in wrong words - although not as hilarious as the applesauce routine, which I haven't caught on video yet.



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On a more personal note, looking into next week, I am so excited that Martina McBride is the mentor on American Idol. It's been a while since my country obsession, but she still impresses me and is one singer that can consistently make be belt out with the radio even when I'm in the car alone. She just has a fabulous voice and really great songs.

Then I pictured Sanjaya in some Rex-all Ranger get-up, copping a vocally weak fake twang and pathetic attempt at the boot-scootin' boogie. I'm sure the tweenies who love him will find it all so endearing that they'll text the word "vote" enough times for Daddy to ground them over the phone bill but they won't care because Sanjaya will make it through yet another week. I'm honestly not sure I can stomach it.

Of course, maybe...maybe if Sanjaya gets voted through to the finale, it'll put me into labor a bit ahead of my due date. That's definitely something to consider. Especially since I've gone past due both times before and three people told my husband this weekend that they thought I looked like I "could go" any minute.

Yeah, any minute in 50-some-odd days. Don't rush me! And don't really vote for Sanjaya. I'd try castor oil (blech!) before I'd wish him to the finale.