You Wouldn't Believe It If I Told You

But I'll tell you anyway: I spent the afternoon cleaning up the garage, and by 5:00 I was actually able to park my van in there! For those of you who have seen my garage, you know how very amazing this is. For those of you who haven't seen it, take my word for it, this was quite an accomplishment. There is still work to be done, but I definitely made progress. I guess I should have taken before and after pictures, but I didn't, so come see me if you want to see.

We're out of here tomorrow for the weekend. I'll check in with you guys on Sunday night.

Can't Confirm Or Deny

There has been a little discussion around our house the last couple of days about whether or not Ruth may have cut Weston's hair at some point when our backs were turned. She firmly denies it, and if she's lying, it's definitely her best one yet. Could it possibly be some weird hair growth pattern or a cow lick? We just don't know. So, we will put it to you, faithful blog readers. Look closely and see what you think.




















*Don't worry. Your comments won't get Ruth in trouble, if you think she did it. I did have a conversation with her about acceptable and unacceptable things to cut, though.

Mmmm...Migas

Jeff made migas for dinner tonight and they were wonderful. This dish always turns out different, depending on what ingredients we have on hand. Tonight, the dish contained breakfast sausage, salsa, cilantro, onions, green chiles, tomatoes, tortilla chips, cheese, mushrooms, garlic salt and eggs--served on warm corn tortillas with refried beans on the side. My mouth is watering even as I write about it. Fortunately, we had lots leftover, so I'll get to enjoy it again tomorrow.

Asparagus Pee

Sorry for being so crass. I almost never talk about stuff like this, but this is something that weighs on my mind, and I think it's an issue that needs to be addressed. Why is it that when you eat asparagus, your urine immediately begins to smell like, well, like you ate asparagus? I don't know of any other vegetable (or fruit or meat or food) that causes this particular phenomenon. It's really weird. Is there a Beano-like product that can help with this? I would really love to know your thoughts on this, so please don't be afraid to leave a comment.

Back To The Cave

We returned to Longhorn Cavern tonight for their concert series. It was really neat. The acoustics were amazing. No amplification--just the musician, his guitar and the cave.

Swim Lesson Update

Ruth had a new teacher for her swim lesson today, and I was afraid that that might make Ruth a little nervous. But instead, she was more bold than ever. SHE SWAM ALL BY HERSLEF TODAY! No teacher holding on to her, no floaties, just Ruth, swimming! She probably went about five feet. Jeff happened to be there today, too, and we were just so proud of her--and of course, she was pretty proud of herself! We are going to go ahead and sign her up for the next level when she finishes this class so she can keep her momentum and continue to improve.

Curves

I signed up for a fitness study program with Curves, where I basically get to be a member for free for 3 weeks. Today was my first workout session, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. It was so fast-paced, it hardly seemed like working out--which I'm all albout! Plus, I think it's a really good workout and it's quick--only 30 minutes per session. I feel so much better--physically and emotionally--when I exercise regularly. I'm looking forward to these three weeks, and I'm hoping that I will stay motivated to exercise when the study is done.

Paying Off My Debt To Society

I'm paying off my debt to society in installments. Today's installment was $9.00. I amassed this debt years ago, beginning in elementary school and going through high school. I sold cookies, candy, magazines and overpriced wrapping paper and knick-knacks all over town, just like the kids who came to my door today. My personal rule is that if they ring my doorbell, look me in the eye and tell me what they're selling, I pretty much buy something. I just feel like I owe them that because of all the doorbells I rang when I was a kid. I will not purchase items from kids (or, rather, their parents) who set up tables in front of Wal-Mart and attack you as you go in and as you come out--unless I happen to be pregnant and I feel as if life just will not go on unless I have a box of Thin Mints right this minute. So, that's my rule. And in just three weeks I'll have some nice oeverpriced notecards, and I'll feel that my debt to society is a little closer to being paid off.

Public Service Announcement

A Thanksgiving theme has been decided on and serious steps are being taken to get the planning underway. It will be a party to remember. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Weston Wayne

Just wanted to give a little report on Weston. He has two little teeth just beginning to poke through on the bottom. We've been waiting for those for a long time and are glad to finally see them arrive. He also has learned how to clap, which is really affirming when you are feeding him and he gives you a round of applause. He's cruising in earnest now, although he hasn't actually taken his first steps yet. He has also learned how to dance, which is quite precious. He just kind of bobs his head around, but it is so cute. It's hard to believe that in just a couple of months he'll be a year old! He's just getting so big and growing up so fast!

Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right

I just finished reading this book by Tim Kimmel, and I thought what he had to say was very interesting and something other parents could benefit from, thus I mention it here. The tag line on the back cover reads: "Good Kids Don't Happen By Accident," and that's pretty much the premise of the book. It's a book about purposeful parenting. It's about making the effort, even when you don't want to or even when it isn't convenient or fun. It's about getting beyond good intentions and actually doing something to leave the kind fo leagacy you want to leave. It's about being really and truly involved in your kids' lives and not missing opportunities to teach them and mold them while they are in your care. It's about leaving the past in the past and moving forward in the present and the future. It presents a challenge to do a good job in raising our kids, and it offers some practical advice on how to do this. I think it's a good read for any stage of parenthood.

A Pant-Splitting Good Time

The adventure of the day was a trip to the San Antonio Zoo. It is such a neat zoo, with so much to see and do. We all had a wonderful time!

Jeff loved the hippos.



Ruth enjoyed feeding the lories.


Weston was enthralled by a turtle right at eye level for him.


And I lingered in the butterfly house.

(And, yes, someone actually split their pants).

"Put Your Toots In The Potty"--Jeff

Oh, the things parents say! You just never know what's going to come out of your mouth (or theirs) next! It's part of what makes parenting fun. Y'all have a great weekend...and please, put your toots in the potty!

Anything You Want To Be

Childhood is such a magical time. Not only do you have the potential to be anything you want to be, you can actually be anything you want to be. And, you can change your mind every day, or every 10 minutes if you want. Yesterday, Ruth was a deck painter, and simultaneously a doctor. Later in the day, she was a ballerina/gymnast. Today, she was a photographer--complete with working camera and backdrops. She would get the background set up just so, then position Weston the way she wanted him, and then ask me if there was any particular pose I wanted for him. It was so cute...and so real. I love this time of life. It's just so wonderful!

Thanks For The Push

Close, But No Cigar

...And no hot tub. It seems the lady didn't want to deal with someone who needed to "make arrangements," so she gave the hot tub to someone else. This will not deter me in my quest for a free hot tub. Eventually, everyone in Austin will have one but me, and then you can bet it's going to be my turn!

Getting Warmer

I'm as close as I've ever been to aquiring the free hot tub of my dreams. I've actually had someone respond to one of my e-mails...and she said the hot tub is still available! We are currently playing phone tag, trying to set up a time to pick it up. I guess we also need to locate a truck, trailer and some friends with muscles, but those are all just details.

Waving Weston

Weston has learned how to wave and it is sooo cute, if I do say so myself. He hasn't really figured out that he should open his fingers, so he kind of waves with his fist, but he does it enthusiastically. The cutest thing was tonight at church when our friends came in with their three-month-old little girl. As soon as he saw her, he started waving to beat the band. I don't know if he just realized it was another baby, if he saw her toys or her pacifier or if he was just flirting, but he was certainly excited to see her. It was so sweet!

Ruth's Chocolate Milk

This morning Ruth was making things in her kitchen. Today's special was chocolate milk. She gave Jeff a glass, and he declared it to be the best he'd ever had. Then, he asked how she had made it. She proceeded to give him this recipe:

Chocolate Milk

1. 4 cups of boiling water, stirred well.
2. Add 3 cups of sugar. Stir well.
3. Add 1/3 cup of flour. Don't stir.
4. Add 2 cups of white chocolate chunks. Mash up mixture.
5. Add 6 cups of dark, dark chocolate chunks.
6. Add 1/4 cup of grape juice. Blend up mixture in blender.
7. Shake well. Serve chilled.

Serves 10

Little Boys

This evening we had dinner at Central Market, which meant plenty of playground time. So, I was wandering around on the playground trying to keep up with Ruth, when this little fellow--maybe three or four--just dropped his pants and let it rip. Moms all over the playground were gasping and chuckling, and just about the time the kid finished up, his own mom came running over and was completely mortified to find out what had just happened. That's when it hit me: this will happen to me on some unsuspecting day in the future. Little boys are just wired different--in so many ways--than little girls. And I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Why do I Even Bother?

Thursday is "floor day" at our house--at least in my mind. In actuality, sometimes I get the floors done on this Thursday and sometimes it's a future Thursday. Today was a good day, so I got the floors vacuumed and mopped. I must admit, I was very proud of this accomplishment. Plus, it's just such a bonus not to stick to the tile every time you take a step. I even managed to pull it off without any children underfoot since they were resting. Then, after dinner, I looked around, and it was almost as if I dreamed this accomplishment. Aside from the faint smell of floor cleaner, there was little evidence of my hard work. Oh well. That's just life, I guess.

Not My Day

I decided to take a box full of clothes the children have outgrown to a consignment store this morning, thinking only of cash in my pocket and not anticipating anything unsavory. Well, just as I was pulling into the parking spot, Ruth said something--which, for the life of me, I now cannot recall--that totally distracted me, and I nudged the vehicle in the next spot ever so slightly. This woke up Weston, who began crying in earnest and never went back to sleep. It also disturbed the lady that was sitting inside said vehicle, and she got out to investigate. This big, white, Dodge truck belonged to her daughter, she said, who was just inside the store and was expected out momentarily. As if on cue, said lady appeared and announced that she "just got this truck." Great. Couldn't have been pulling in next to the 20-year-old clunker, could I? So, after leaving her all my important information, I headed out for my next errand. At this point, I'm desparately needing a strong drink, so I make a beeline for the Coke machine. This reminds Ruth that she, too, is thristy. I put a dollar in the machine and out pops Ruth's bottle of water. The next dollar goes in, is cheerfully accepted by the machine, and what do I get? Jack Squat! The machine ate my dollar and gave me nothing in return! And did I have anther dollar in my wallet? No, sir. All I had was a $20. Unbelievable! Finally, with the shopping trip behind me--and you can bet a potty break was demanded when we were nowhere near the restrooms--I made my way back to the consignment store to pick up my cashola. What was this day worth to me? $3.75. Should've just stayed in bed!

Farewell, Fat August

August was lots of fun. We attended Campmeeting, where we ate (and ate) the yummiest food ever. We celebrated my birthday for weeks, and every celebration brought with it another great dessert. We celebrated our anniversary, without even thinking about the calories we were consuming. And finally, (even though it wasn't August anymore) we celebrated the Labor Day holiday at the Watts'--need I say more?! It really would be wonderful if the party never had to end, but if it doesn't, I'll have a tough time squeezing into Jeff's jeans come Thanksgiving! So, adieu, pounds of raw cookie dough. Ciao, lobster tails dunked in butter. Adios, my beloved Mexican food. Hello, walking shoes and rice cakes. The time has come to put Fat August behind us.

Holiday Weekend

Here's the short version of our weekend:

Friday: Ruth had her first swim lesson and we headed to Jeff's parents' place at Lake Buchanan.



Saturday: Climbed Enchanted Rock and did a little shopping.



Sunday: Saw a real castle and a real teepee.


Monday: Visited Longhorn Cavern, ate the biggest pork chops ever and then came home.

Now That's Good Parenting

Ruth had her first swim lesson today, and it went very well. So afterward, I offered to take her out for a special lunch at one of her favorite places--Costco--and knock out some shopping while I was there. (Now, I must preface what follows with a reminder of yesterday's blog and the intolerable pickiness we've been enduring). So, we get to Costco, and Ruth orders up her favorite thing--cheese pizza. The slices there are huge and I knew it was unreasonable to expect her to eat the whole thing, so I cut it in half and told her she just had to eat half of it. She took about two bites and told me she didn't want anymore. Based on the week's behavior at eating times, I pressed her to finish just the one half. Costco has earned it's top ranking on Ruth's list of stores because they give out free samples, so I told her that she couldn't have any samples unless she finished her lunch. So, she trudged through the pizza, all the while complaining about having to eat it. Finally, she finished and plunged into her first sample. About five minutes after that, she started coughing and making gagging sounds and saying she was "throwing up"--which is a special trick of hers to get our attention from time to time. I told her once that she needed to stop but she did it again, and before I could correct her a second time she did in fact do just that--and not just a little either. They pretty much had to close down that aisle for a while. Minutes later, she says, "I'm fine. I just ate too much pizza." Ouch! That's going to leave a mark...and a stench!