Wordful Wednesday: Happy Halloween!

The local Halloween celebrations kicked off on Saturday so I have advanced photos of my awesome twosome in their themed costumes. I present to you, Princess Tiana and the Frog Prince!

The Princess is having a ball, but the Frog Prince not so much.
He was sleepy and hot under the collar.
Temps were in the mid-70s that day!

Little does she know she is going to kiss some real frogs when she starts dating.

Hanging out with her trick or treat buddy Tigger. The Frog Prince is on break.

What I'm Watching on #Netflix

This week's picks from Netflix Instant Watch:

Movie:
How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying). A nifty 1967 film based on a popular book and successful Broadway musical. The film borrows many of the actors from the play including the lead Robert Morse who stars as J. Pierpont Finch a window washer who makes an astronomical rise in the fictitious Worldwide Wicket Company while falling for lovely secretary Rosemary Pilkington. It is cheeky with just the right amount of campy. The characters speech and dress provide an authentic peek into the 1960s workplace in a way only a movie made at the time can, a way that Mad Men tries to capture but sometimes comes off as costume. Coincidentally, Robert Morse now plays Bertram Cooper of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce ad agency.

The KIds' Log October 21-27, 2012

How was your week? Mine was chock full of happenings...

First off, I voted! My ballot was three pages long thanks to 10 state props and 3 local measures plus the usual slate of state and local offices to fill. But voting for POTUS is the one that matters most, so I took my sweet time filling in that arrow and making it perfect. I am lucky to live in a state that really encourages voting (unlike Texas). I was able to register before I had my license (which came in the mail early this week!) and request a ballot by mail. I am glad I did not wait to got to the polls because it took me 2 hours to read each proposition and measure then consult my trusty resources for endorsements before I made my picks. If early voting has started in your area, please go vote!

The Trick or Treating started yesterday with a trip to Fairyland for their Monster Parade and, yes, candy! It continues today with a block party in the adjacent community and then our community has a merchant trick or treat on the 31st. You will have to come back on Wednesday for pictures!`I promise their cuteness is worth the wait.

Toddler Log: 3 Years and 10 Weeks Old
Marlie has been asking is it Halloween yet? all. week. long. When I told her not yet, she just wanted to know why not. Driving through the neighborhood was torture because she'd see Halloween decorations on houses and then the questions would commence...Mommy, are those for Halloween? Is it time to dress up in costumes and go Trick or Treat? I have to say it's cute to see her so excited.

For all the things this girl gives me grief about, I am so lucky that eating healthy is not one of them. This week she ate Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and drank the vegetable juice (carrots, kale, beets and pineapple) that her daddy made. That's my girl!

I picked up a baby buggy at a neighbor's yard sale and Marlie has been taking her doll baby for walks around the block while I carry Desmond in the Boba. It's become our favorite activity to do together. She'll say, "Let's go walk our babies, mommy!"

Baby Log: 28 Weeks Old
I am learning that Desmond is just a fancy name for Devil. He is trouble, y'all! I cannot take my eyes off him for one second. He ripped up my Entertainment Weekly before I finished reading it (my bad for leaving it on the sofa). He kicked his bowl of food over in a fit (our bad for not having a high chair). He knocked my glass of water out of my hand (my bad for trying to drink while holding him). He gave me a black eye by sucking on my eyelid (okay it's really a hickey, but it bruised the area around my eye black and blue). I have a nice long scratch on my left cheek because he likes to claw your face like Wolverine (my bad for not clipping his nails more often). And all that was just this week!

He is getting so heavy! I am kind of hoping he does walk soon because I my arms are tired from carrying him. We hit the jackpot on the baby food making! He loves, loves, loves red lentils with brown rice for dinner. For breakfast he likes Greek yogurt with mashed banana and a dash of ground cinnamon. He is also using a sippy cup and Big Sister likes to help him hold it.

Shop KMART for the Environmentalist on Your Holiday Gift List

The most wonderful time of the year is rapidly approaching! Kmart is here to help you prep for the holidays with a few of their hottest gifting ideas perfect for anyone in your family. This week’s focus is on environmental friendly gifts. Check out these great “Go- Green” gift ideas that are sure to save you “green” and put a smile on your love one’s face.

Woodlink Audubon Going Green 2lb Mixed Seed Feeder - $29.99

Reduce your carbon footprint and bring environmental awareness to dad’s yard for the holidays, using this recycled plastic seed tube bird feeder. Combining recycled elements with functional style, this feeder offers quality craftsmanship at an affordable price. Not only will dad love this, it’s a great way to invite nature into his habitat.

Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Kit - $13.00

Give your aunt the gift of pampering with this Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit, featuring all natural ingredients for soft, smooth hands and feet. Your aunt will thank you for such a naturally exfoliating gift, especially since the packaging is environmentally friendly too!

Telebrands Orgreenic Fry Pan - $19.99

This eco-friendly frying pan, by Orgreenic, is truly an environmentalist’s dream and mom’s as well. Cook flavorful meals to perfection without releasing any toxins or harmful gases. Best of all, this pan is absolutely non-stick so there is no need to add high-calorie oils or butter! Just run the sauté pan under water and it wipes clean!

Rejuvenation Fitness Mat Kit - $29.99

With this eco-friendly fitness mat give your physically active sister the gift of both health and fitness. Made from non-toxic, eco-friendly materials, and accompanied by an easy to use exercise routine, this lightweight mat is a great way to give back while working out. 

To see more gifting ideas for the environmentalist in your life, visit www.kmart.com. Happy Gifting on behalf of Kmart! 

Bright Horizons Early Education Centers in Cupertino and Los Gatos Celebrate Renovations with Open Houses on Nov. 3

Join us for a fun, family event open to the community to celebrate our center's recent renovation and explore our Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten programs. 

Event Location: 
Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool 
10253 North Portal Avenue, Cupertino 
408-366-1963 

For a sneak peek, visit www.brighthorizons.com/cupertinoOH
 
Event activities:

• Experiment in our NEW Science Labs 
• Experience the latest in children's educational technology in our NEW Media Center 
•  Interact with literature with storytelling in our NEW Growing Reader’s Library 
•  Explore our NEW Unique Outdoor Classrooms 
• Movement Matters Zone 
• Art Studio

Enjoy Live music by Mr. Clifford, healthy snacks and exciting raffle prizes Center tours

Special Registration Offer: Attend the Renovation Celebration Event on November 3rd and register by November 30, 2012 to receive a $150 tuition credit after 30 days of enrollment. 

Event Location: 
Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool 
220 Belgatos Road, Los Gatos 
408-356-7989 
For a sneak peek, visit www.brighthorizons.com/losgatosOH

Event activities:

• Experience the latest in children's educational technology with our NEW SmartBoard 
• Explore our Unique Natural Outdoor Environment 
• Enjoy hands-on activities throughout the center, healthy snacks & exciting raffle prizes
• Guided tours of our Remodeled Classrooms and insight into our proven curriculum

Special Registration Offer: Attend the Renovation Celebration Event on November 3rd and register by November 30, 2012 to receive a $150 tuition credit after 30 days of enrollment.

Wordful Wednesday: Purple People-Eater Ice Pops + Recipe

It's been so unseasonably warm here in the East Bay Area that I decided to pull out the Zoku a couple Saturdays back and had the neighbors over for quick-pops. It started raining this week and I was feeling nostalgic for summer while wanting to welcome fall at the same time. I thought making ice pops would be nice, so me and the girlie threw a bunch of stuff into the blender and they turned out a pretty purple. We dubbed them our Purple People-Eaters, so fitting for Halloween (and healthy too!)...


Here's my original recipe:
Purple People-Eater Ice Pops 

• pour 8 oz Vanilla Almond Milk in a blender  
• add 1/4 cup of yogurt (I used plain whole milk Greek)  
• toss in 1 cup of mixed berries (bluberries, blackberries, raspberries)  
• add 2 packets of natural sweetener (I used organic Stevia, but Sugar in the Raw is okay too)
• blend until smooth 
• pour smoothie mixture into ice pop molds and freeze
• enjoy!

What I'm Watching on #Netflix

This week's picks from Netflix Instant Watch:

Movie:
Marley. This Bob Marley documentary charts his life from its origins, to his rise as a legendary Reggae artist and peace ambassador, to his untimely death at age 36. In-depth interviews with family, friends and collaborators spliced with concert performances and footage of the man himself paint a colorful picture. It's a complete and emotionally honest story (hearing his wife and mistress talk about how they jointly cared for him in his finally days was kind of weird, but it's obvious that they both loved him). The most touching parts were his children speaking about growing up with a larger-than-life father who was gone a lot and then losing him. I was left wondering what the world would be like if he had lived.

ModernGreetings.com Review + Free Photo Book Offer!

My family moved to another city this summer and one of the things on my to-do list (right after filing a change of address form) was to send out a moving announcement. 

I was finally able to do this recently thanks to ModernGreetings.com, a new online design and printing site that is in beta testing. They offer personalized greeting cards, stationery, invitations, announcements and photo books to fit any budget. 

Modern Greetings utilizes a design wizard preloaded with templates just like other DIY desktop publishing sites. But with Modern Greetings you get complete control of your layout! How many times have you gone looking for the perfect invitation for your child's birthday only to get frustrated because you wish you could change the color of the font. Modern Greetings' design tools let you do this plus add or delete elements from templates and even move them around to suit your style.

Here is a screenshot of my moving announcement:


The design engine is very easy to use. I had no problems inserting my photo or adding text to the template. The only tricky part was changing the color of the font. I found using the dropper tool to select from the color wheel too time-consuming so I wound up sticking with the default black.
After I finished my design, a pop-up box asked me to double check that I had proofed it before I could proceed to ordering. This was a helpful as I caught a mistake in my zip code. It took about a week for my announcements to arrive and I am so pleased with them! The paper and ink is premium and the cards look so professional. 

You would think that Modern Greetings would be expensive if you saw the high quality of my announcements, but they are actually cheaper than their major competitors. My announcements were $1.59/each for 20 cards compared to a similar design I saw on another site that was priced $2.29/each for 5-24 cards. 

You can test drive ModernGreetings.com yourself with a FREE PHOTO BOOK on the house! Just enter your email address at the landing page and Modern Greetings will send you an email with instructions on how to redeem your free 8x8 hardcover photo book (shipping not included).

The Kids' Log: October 14-20, 2012

My mother-in-law was discharged from the hospital on Friday evening and is now at a rehab facility recuperating. Thanks to all who have been praying and sending positive energy her way!

This whole week has been off, but we still managed to get some stuff done. Damon and I hiked the Batteries to Bluffs Trail in San Francisco on Sunday as a belated birthday outing (the kids were with the babysitter). The day before, I power-walked 10 miles with my marathon training group. Needless to say my gluts were screaming mercy on Monday! I unpacked the last of the moving boxes on Friday and then I cracked open the HAAN multi steam cleaner I won earlier in the summer and the dang thing shut off before the water finished heating and it won't come back on! My first order of business on Monday is to call customer service.

I am looking forward to Halloween and my little ones first Trick or Treat together. Of course they are wearing themed costumes, but I'm not revealing what they are until next week. You are welcome to guess though!

Toddler Log: 3 Years and 9 Weeks Old
I have a new nickname for my inquisitive Marlie. She will henceforth be known as the Inch High Private Eye. Nothing escapes her. She wants to know where you are going, what you were doing, who you are talking to on the phone. If her daddy and me were running a criminal empire out of our home, we'd be in trouble because Detective Marlie would be on the case!

I was scrolling through my Facebook album of her baby photos and I cannot wrap my brain and how big she is now, how much she already knows and is learning every day. This week she asked me if she could drive the car and when I asked her why, she said because she could go faster. That's my little joker.

Baby Log: 27 Weeks Old
Desmond doesn't want to be a baby anymore and I am so sad about it. He started to pull himself up to standing this week and his baby coos are now run-on babbles. He says da da da a lot, which Damon claims is his way of saying daddy. Um. Okay.

He also wants to feed himself, his favorite is frozen mango chunks in his baby feeder. I tried turkey and apples and he wasn't a fan. I remember Marlie didn't like meat until she was almost two so I am not sweating it. I am pureeing brown rice and red lentils and hope he likes it because little man needs his iron! He wants to crawl all over the house undisturbed. Don't try to pick him up when he's on one of his crawling sprees. He has a mind of his own and is not afraid to show his displeasure.

Don't Forget to Enter the Fall Fashionista Giveaways!

There is only ONE day left to enter the 2012 Fall Fashionista Giveaways! One more day to try your hand at winning more than $20,000 in Fashion prizes! Have you entered them all? If not, what are you waiting for?

You don't want to miss the chance to win a $125 Macy's egift card from Midwestern Moms or the GRAND PRIZE Louis Vuitton handbag. And you definitely want to enter my giveaways. I have TWO prize packages for TWO winners! If you entered the mommy and me prize package already, come back and enter the college girl prize package too!

We are all busy people so if you don't have time to enter every giveaway, use  this handy guide to target the prizes you really want to try and win:

•  Linky #s for Blogs with Low Entry's but Great Prizes! 53, 54, 57, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 
• Linky #s for Blogs that contain Women’s Clothing 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 28, 34, 39, 42, 43, 47, 49, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 70, 73, 76, 77, 78, 82, 84, 86, 87, 89, 93, 95, 98, 101 
•  Linky #s for Blogs that contain Men’s Clothing 11, 12, 19, 38, 47, 98 
•  Linky #s for Blogs that have Gift Certificates 4, 6, 18, 21, 22, 23, 27, 34, 36, 49, 53, 54, 58, 59, 63, 65, 70, 71, 77, 85, 86, 88, 93, 96, 100, 101
•  Linky #s for Blogs that have Jewelry 3, 4, 5, 18, 20, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 42, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 69, 70, 73, 74, 75, 77, 82, 85, 86, 88, 91, 93, 96, 99, 100, 101, 102
• Linky #s for Blogs that have Children’s Clothing 22, 34, 54, 63, 65, 70, 86, 98 
• Linky #s for Blogs that have a Handbag 4, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 26, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 58, 59, 60, 63, 66, 68, 70, 71, 73, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92, 93, 101
• Linky #s for Blogs that contain Shoes or Footwear 4, 8, 9, 15, 19, 39, 43, 45, 49, 52, 59, 61, 62, 75, 82, 83, 93, 97, 99, 101 
• Linky #s for Blogs that contain accessories other than jewelry 33, 35, 41, 53, 54, 57, 58, 69, 73, 74, 82, 83, 86, 87, 95, 96

Sign-Ups Open for the "You Are What You Eat" Giveaway Hop

Spreading the word about health and nutrition is one of my passions, so I’m super excited to be teaming up with Happy Mothering through the Green Moms Network to bring you another fun giveaway hop! The You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop will be a great opportunity to give our readers a chance to win some great healthy food treats!

Event Details

Dates: November 2-12, 2012  
Price: FREE!
Prize Requirements: Min $20.00 prize value; natural, organic or healthy foods, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets - anything related to eating healthy  
Hashtag: #WhatYouEatHop

We are working on putting together a great grand prize for this hop and will announce the details once we have them. There will be bonus entries on the grand prize Rafflecopter for readers who enter each of the participating giveaways (as long as you share the grand prize in your post)! This will help everyone get more exposure for their giveaways! While it’s not required that you post about this giveaway on your blog, it would be greatly appreciated if you wrote a short post about the hop and shared it on Facebook and Twitter so we can make this event a huge success! And be sure to join the Green Moms Network Facebook Group to keep up to date!

To sign up:

1. Please fill out this form.
2. Add your blog to the linky.
3. Grab the button.
4. Help promote! #WhatYouEatHop
5. Join the Green Moms Network Facebook Group.

Thank you and we look forward to a wonderful event!

Add Your Blog Here!

Grab the Button Code

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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.happy-mothering.com/?p=9373" title="You Are What You Eat Giveaway" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.happy-mothering.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/naturalfoodhopbutton.jpg" height="150" width="150" alt="You Are What You Eat Giveaway" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

The Kids' Log: October 7-13, 2012

Prays please for my mother-in-law who is back in the hospital after feeling lethargic and disoriented for the past couple of days. The doctors are running tests to try to figure out what is wrong. I'll update this post as soon as I get news.

It feels like I didn't get anything accomplished this week. There are still boxes to unpack and I am slacking on chores (except laundry and dishes). I was beginning to think that I was getting lazy until I realized that we are just busier since moving to California. We are rarely home because we always have an activity to go to. This week, we went to dinner at the neighbors and I have my walks, and we also have our standing Friday play date. No wonder the house has been neglected!

Toddler Log: 3 Years and 8 Weeks Old
Mark my words. This girl's motor mouth is going to make her a ton of money. She is going to be a trial lawyer or actress or TV host or investigative journalist- something where she gets paid to ask questions and talk all day long.

Everything is who, what, when, where, why and how? And you better have a good answer. I don't know doesn't cut it anymore. The only thing that stifles the line of questioning is, "what do you think, Marlie?"


Baby Log: 26 Weeks Old
It seems like Desmond has taken a giant developmental leap this week. First, he wants nothing to do with a pacifier. He threw the last one I offered him clear across the room. I got the message. I appreciate that I won't have to battle to take away the binky later on, but it also means that I am now the sole pacifier. sigh.

Boyfriend can crawl! He mainly likes to crawl behind his big sister, but he also likes to go under the dining table and the kitchen island. He is also trying to stand up if you can believe it. He gets into downward dog pose and lifts up his arm for support, but he can't pull himself up. He is going to be trouble!

Welcome to the 2012 Fall #FasionistaEvents Giveaway!

Shout it from the rooftops: the Fall Fashionista Event is here! Clear your schedules because for one week 100+ participating blogs will be hosting all-fashion giveaways each with a $125 prize minimum.

The Fall Fashionista Events is hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic, and co-host K Squared Glamour. The Largest Fashion-Only Giveaway event on the internet with $20,000+ in prizes will run from October 11-17.

After you've entered my TWO giveaways, use the Linky list of blogs at the very bottom of the post to keep on Hopping the Fall Fashionista Events Giveaway!

My Giveaways
Prize Package #1: Mommy & Me ($136 Value):

Genuine sea glass and leather bracelet Store: NearTheWillows	$30 gift certificate
Handmade diaper clutch Store: Hold It Right There Bags	Mommy & me knitted socks with matching baby headband Store: CloudBerry Factory
Pair of handmade bows Store: lovala fashion

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Prize Package #2: College Girl ($155 Value):

$50 to Passionately Rivalicious collegiate clothing boutique for women and children

Hand-painted kn*owl*edge canvas tote Store: ModernTres

Black-Diamond-Accented Butterfly Pendant with 18-Inch Chain Offered by Marlie and Me

a Rafflecopter giveaway
the GRAND PRIZE (Open Worldwide)...

This so. stunningly. beautiful. it aches. Louis Vuitton epi speedy 25 sponsored by Bella Bag with an MSRP of $1200 (Bella Bag Price, $795). For every giveaway in the FALL Fashionista Event that you enter you gain one entry toward the Louis Vuitton Bag Grand Prize Giveaway.

Please note that Still Blonde after all these YEARS, Fall Fashionista Giveaway Events or the event bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill their prize in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make every effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.  

Wordful Wednesday: A Slice of Monterey

We spent two days last week in Monterey while the daddy/hubby worked. It's a lovely beach town on the coast of California, only a 2.5 hour drive from Oakland. Here are some photos from our trip:

We hit up Dennis the Menace Park where she walked across the swaying bridge...

...and slid down this awesome rollers slide.

cheered on the cruise ship out  in the bay

splashed in the tidal pool

harassed the statue that looks like the Gorton's fisherman

My Kids Are Making Me FAT*

*If you are a regular reader then you are familiar with my tongue-in-cheek writing style. If you are new, please turn on your sense of humor and then read this starting with the title. 

Jastrow (2005),
via Wikimedia Commons

So I am trying to get back in shape after gaining 50 lbs during my last pregnancy. Six-months postpartum, I still have 25 pounds to subtract. I am trying to do this the "right" way with exercise and good eating habits. I am not fasting, fad dieting or getting anything stapled, tucked, or sucked. 

A couple of months ago I signed up for a marathon training program for walkers. It's been going great. I am feeling good and my clothes are fitting better, but when I step on the scale the number is the same (no, I will not disclose that figure). 

Yes, I know I am building muscles and that it weighs more than fat. Yes, I know that I should be paying more attention to how my clothes are fitting than to the scale. But something about hitting a plateau this soon was bugging me. It kept nagging at my brain until I had a eureka moment one day last week...MY KIDS ARE MAKING ME FAT! 

Before you burn me at the stake for speaking blasphemy, let's take a look at the evidence: 

1. Stress. Raising kids is a joy and it's also stressful. Stress releases a hormone in your body called cortisol. Cortisol causes your body to go into survival mode which can manifest in increased abdominal fat. I definitely look like I am smuggling a life-preserver under my t-shirts. It's not cute. Time to step up the yoga so my body feels relaxed even if my nerves are shot.


2. Snacking: Kids grow at a rapid rate and eat constantly. I realized I was eating constantly too even though my caloric needs are about half of what my active 3 year-old needs. If she asks for a almond butter and jelly or grilled cheese sandwich, I'd fix one too when I don't need to eat and should be avoiding breads and dairy. I'd also find myself finishing her leftovers. Her fuel is my fat.
   


3. The eating for two myth: I indulged in too much with this last pregnancy. I was always hungry for some reason (I am told it was because the baby was a boy, but I am not sure how much truth there is to this old wives tale). Now I am breastfeeding and I have to consume enough good fats (think avocados and nuts) to plump up my little guy. The reality is that I only need about 200 more calories to do this. I need to say no to second helpings!

Clearly my kids aren't making me fat. They are not tying me to a chair and shoveling food and desserts down my throat against my will. Will is the operative word here. I have the will power over what I eat. If I am going to drop 15 lbs on the next 6 weeks, I am going to have to buckle down and pay attention to what I chew. Otherwise, I am sabotaging all the walking I am doing. Sure, I am not gaining any weight, but I am not losing any either.

Fall Fashionista Sponsor Spolight: MyBabyClothes.com

When I need a special occasion outfit for my kids, I look no further than MyBabyClothes.com. They carry boutique clothing for boys and girls from newborn size up to 4T without the boutique price tag. It's great because I can dress both my kids in couture style and still afford to send them to college later on! 

For Marlie's back-to-school outfit, I chose an outfit from my favorite children's clothing line Bonnie Jean. This gray and hot pink tiered dress and striped legging set has lots of girlie details but is designed for play. It is made of soft yet durable cotton. Marlie exclaimed that she was a ballerina and twirled around! She looked beyond adorable wearing this outfit.
I am once again happy with our selection from MyBabyClothes.com. I have my eye on a dress for her to wear to our big Thanksgiving holiday family dinner. 

Visit MyBabyClothes.com and check out the new arrivals for the season! Your child will be wearing the trendy styles before other mommies even see them. Many of their fashionable clothing lines are only sold for the season so don't miss out. Keep checking back because they are always updating the site with the newest trendy items available.

Buy It: The Bonnie Jean gray and hot pink tiered dress and striped legging set is on sale now for $23.99. MyBabyCothes.com has FREE shipping on orders of $49+

Win It: Come back October 11-17 to enter to win a $30 gift certificate to MyBabyClothes.com right here at Marlie and Me during the 2012 Fall Fashionista Event. Hint: leave a comment on this post relevant to my review to earn 5 EXTRA ENTRIES when the giveaway starts! In the meantime, peep at some of the Fashionista prizes in the LOOKBOOK plus get in the giveaway for $500 in gift certificates to Mountain Khakis.

The Kids' Log: September 30-October 6, 2012

Everyone is over their colds, yay! Except for Damon and he's being such a baby about it.

I played single parent yet another week and I am so over it. Damon better not set foot outside of our city limits for a looooong time. Monday-Tuesday, he went to Monterey for a staff retreat. We tagged along, but we did not spend time with him the entire trip. We did get to hang out with another mom and her two lovely daughters so at least we were not alone. Marlie did enjoy playing with the girls, but I think she missed her daddy more. Then he was off to NYC for the rest of the week. He has lots of making up to do with her .

He has lots of making up to do with me too for that matter. In addition to handling the kiddos by myself, I had to do all the "man chores" too like taking out the garbage and killing the unholy-sized bugs that keep coming in the house. There was the giant spider over the bed and the fly the size of a school bus that splattered like a grape when I swatted it. ick.

Toddler Log: 3 Years and 7 Weeks Old
Marlie did better with her daddy's absence this week. Maybe it's because she had tons of play dates to distract her.

She had her first taste of McDonald's in Monterey (when in Rome). She didn't like the burger, but she gobbled up the fries. All I could think of was that Spurlock movie demonstration where the fast food fries never decomposed. double ick.

The sass is full effect now. When I tell her to do something she doesn't want to do, I get: "but mooooooom." And she's started kissing her teeth (she might have picked that up from me). She has an answer for everything (she gets that from her daddy), which amounts to a lot of back talking. She so good at arguing already, maybe she'll be a lawyer.

Baby Log: 25 Weeks Old
I took Desmond to his 6-month wellness check-up. He sat up straight for the pediatrician and crawled all over her office. He's almost 18 lbs now which means he already weighs more than Marlie did when she was twice his age. He's going to lap her, LOL! He had a few eczema patches around his navel that wouldn't clear up and the doctor noticed he was wearing jeans with nickel-plated snaps. Bingo! So no more wearing the fashionable Rocca Wear jeans that grandma bought him.

His personality is starting to come out. He is still Mr. Smiley, but that will quickly turn into a frown if you cross him. Just ask the doctor who gave him his shots. I swear he cut his eye at her when she tried to coochie-coo him afterward. He is ridiculously strong and will buck, kick, and throw elbows in protest. He is a fighter. I can tell he is going to be a little mischief-maker too.