A Wicked, Good Time

Thanks for the Valentine's Day present, honey. How did you know just what I wanted? Was it because you knew that I had played the "Wicked" Lottery and ga-zillion times and lost everytime? Or was it the way I said that it was one of the two remaining items on my NYC Bucket List? Or maybe it was the way I bought my ticket and asked you if you wanted to give it to me for Valentine's Day.

Either way - - - it was perfect.

17 inches!!!

It was a doozy! 17 inches of snow! You know what that means. I am suffering major "snow guilt." Yep, that's what I call not wanting to take my kids out in the snow. Putting on and taking off snow clothing are Mommy chores that I despise.

I don't even know why. It's not like I have to do it that often. Maybe 2 or 3 times per year - - - max. Still, I hate it. So, I feel guilty when I try and distract my kids from going outside. Lucky for me I tricked them into putting on swimming floaties and goggles. That was interesting enough to keep their minds off of the snow for the whole day.

I had to leave the cave today though. We went outside and watched my #1 shovel the car out of this gargantuan, huge, snowy mess. He's a real champ. He even shoveled the curb by my parking space, so I could get in and out so easy. His Daddy taught him well how to treat a lady (that's me - - - I'm the lady).

But aside from the snow guilt, it was a premo day. Noah (and just about every other person in NYC) stayed home on Wednesday. We piddled around, downloading music (it's 90's or nothing for us - - - we live for the good ole' days), eating, eating, sewing, doing laundry, playing Super Nintendo, and chatting on the phone.

It was a good day.

To the Middle Child

Wyatt used to be the baby.

Until 4 months ago when this guy came around.

Now he's the middle.

I can sympathize with him.

I, too, am a middle child.

If you can call #4 of 6 the middle, that is.

Here you are, just minding your own business - - - enjoying the luxuries of being "the baby." And then,

Wha-POW!!!

You are on your own.

And I do mean, on your own. Comments like these are now commonplace:

• you have to walk, I have to carry the baby
• I need you to be my big boy and carry this bag for me
• let me feed the baby and then I can help you

Calvin knows all about this. It happened to him when Wyatt was born. When Cyrus came along, he said, "Oh yeah, I've seen this before." And he just went about his business knowing that Mom still loves him, but has another ball to juggle. He already knows that he gets the nervous attention that Mom's love to dole out to their first-born. Where every new experience is a big deal.

Wyatt doesn't get the new experience attention

OR

the I-am-the-baby-attention.

So, he makes his own attention.

That's why Middle Children are awesome. (No offense to any Eldest or Babies reading this post). Middles know that in order to get some attention they have to make it good.

So, I get lots of eccentric moments of Wyatt drawing on his own face and hanging in his undies with his plethora of puppies.

And doing happy dances like this:

And that is why Wyatt is the Oreo Cream. And everybody loves the Oreo Cream.

Where Have I Been?????

Avoiding the c-c-c-c-o-l-d basement where my computer and blog are awaiting

• Wiping hands, faces, butts, and tears
• Cooking dinner
• Making pies and pies and pies to enter in a pie contest
• Making chili to enter in a chili contest
• Losing the chili and pie cookoff
• Being a sore loser for losing the chili and pie cookoff
• Visiting Tennessee for 2 1/2 weeks
• Handling firearms while in Tennessee


• Turning clothes pins into "Wolverine Claws"

• Talking on the phone to Jaime about kids, cooking, and church
• Crying to my Mom for losing my temper at my kids
• Obsessing over my new part time job of clipping coupons (seriously I didn't get a job, but running down a good deal feels like a part-time job)
• Giving baths. Like a hundred thousand baths.
• Reading "The Giver" for book club
• Crying as I read "The Giver"
• Going to Church

• Watching "500 Days of Summer"
• Going to see my handsome dentist only to hear that I have 2 cavities and a busted crown. Waaaaahhhhh!!!!
• Running on the treadmill.
• Lip-Syncing "Stacey's Mom" in the reflection of the TV as I am running on the treadmill
• Practicing my pretend half-marathon victory pose in the reflection of the TV as I am running on the treadmill (no, I am not training for a half-marathon....I just like to pretend that I am)
• Hearing the sweet-awesome news that Emily is engaged
• Playing endless amounts of Super Hero Squad
• Snuggling adorable little Cyrus
• Trying to figure out how to sew a v-neck. Boooooo!!! This one's a toughie.

Calvin = Pepe Le Pew

My dear, sweet, Calvin is no respecter of personal space. He is the very incarnation of Pepe Le Pew. You know, the adoring, cartoon skunk.

If by chance you are sitting all by yourself, Calvin will be the first one to hop up on your lap for a snuggle. And it is pure bliss to snuggle with him. He will gently twirl your hair with his index finger. Or he might just give you a soft little kiss on the cheek. Or maybe he will even just rest his arm around your shoulder.
It is wonderful.

Then, slowly. The twirl will get tighter and tighter until it pulls at the nape of your neck. You might turn your head or shake it to loosen the tangled finger.

And before you can blink, that index finger is all twirled up all over again.

The kisses will soon multiply until you are covered all over your face. And even your arm. Or hand. Or even your ear.

What's wrong with that you might say????

Oh, just the slobber. Just the thin layer of spit spread head to toe.

And that hug you might ask? What is the matter with that arm resting on your shoulder?

It turns into a vice grip, folks. Then that vice grip turns directly into a wrestling move. Then the wrestling move turns into an all out mauling session. And before you know it, you are standing up and trying to pry him from hanging on your neck as if you were a tree branch that he loves to swing on.

Below you see photo documentation of Pepe in action.

Exhibit A

Cyrus, infant victim getting more love than he can handle. Calvin is unfazed by the suffering. He just loves the love.

Exhibit B

Wyatt watching TV. He doesn't even suspect that Calvin's casual relaxation just above his head will soon turn into a wrestling match.

Exhibit C

The hug that turned into a wrestle.

Exhibit D

Pepe moving in for the kill. He is going to kiss me. A lot. You can't tell, but that hand on my cheek is very strong. I couldn't turn my head if I wanted to.

But, oh, where would I be without my little Pepe Le Pew?????

I would be so sad without him. I would have no wrestle buddy. I would have no sweet little boy that gives me more kisses and hugs than I can bear. I would be a woman with lots more personal space.

But an unfulfilled woman nonetheless.

And The Winner Is . . . . .

Yep, My Mom. I cross my heart, hope to die, stick a thousand needles in my eye that this drawing was not rigged. She just won.

And she won some of New York City's finest treats - - - Black & White cookies. Lucky for her I am going to hand deliver them to her in less than 24 hours.

Holiday Giveaway

? ? ? ? ? ? ?

What could it be????

If you want to win a little sumpin' sumpin' from me, leave a comment. I will draw the name of the lucky winner in one week, so don't waste time dilly-dallying.

Sincerely,

Yo' Mama