Water Fight!!

That's all I have to say, right? Along with the disclaimer that these are "after" shots, since no way was I putting down my Trader-Joe's-cleaner-bottle-filled-with-water gun in the middle of the brouhaha.


Here's J after an encounter with Bud's Supersoaker (or, as he and Wombles like to call it, "The JokerSoaker.")

I have to say that going up against Bud with my little kitchen cleaner bottle made me aware of the significance of any disparity of weaponry. Which made me feel like I had an idea of how it would be a ragtag going up against, say, and American army. I could be as bold and brave as I wanted...and it didn't. matter. at all. We were hosed. Literally.

When the glasses come off, you know Pixie's all-in.



I joined the fight after J had joined. Originally it was just Bud and Wombles, and the warfare grew. While essentially every man for himself (Salsipuedes!), there was a loose confederation of adults v. kids (if such categories apply during a water fight). Often J would be hiding behind a corner and I would lure the kids past his ambush.

One of my favorite parts was the kids' trying to convince me to come over to their side. They have yet to see the Star Wars movies, but have spent quite a bit of time with some of the books. Bud did a fairly accurate parody of Darth Vader's invitation to Luke to join the Dark Side (pretty sure the parody was unintentional, which made it that much better).
I declined: "I'll Never join you!"


In a U.N.-approved reconciliation move, Bud and J perform the "Top Gun" high-five:



Finally, I would absolutely love this photo if I didn't look 6 months pregnant. Which I have no objection to doing when I actually am pregnant. But I'm not. It's just the way I'm standing, right? Right?!


Hello? Anybody there? ...Anybody?

Georgia on his Mind

Wombles hardly ever takes naps anymore.

By "hardly ever," I mean maybe twice a week. The rest of the time he plays in his bed during quiet time.

His collection of books and toys necessary for quiet time adventures has been steadily growing. Soon, He can just have quiet time in his room...but since he still does need to nap sometimes, it's easiest to have him spend the time in his bed. That way, if he's tired, he'll snuggle in for sleep.

Recently, he fell asleep during quiet time and I didn't realize it. I went in to tell him QT was over, and found him as above. Still not sure how he managed to fall asleep with his elephant on top of him...it's as if he was in the middle of major activity and suddenly zonked, frozen in position.

It's possible.

Looking at this photo makes me smile for a couple of extra reasons...the elephant from Guff & family, the Thomas pillowcase from Mimi, and the UGA football outfit from Nona & DD. We love y'all!

I'm pretty sure that there was a time when I blogged because I had something I wanted to say. A story I wanted to tell. An experience to share. You know, with words...

Now I feel like the blog functions only for me to throw pictures up for family and friends who are far away.

Someday, I like to think that I will get back into a reflecting habit. For now, the whirlwind of four--FOUR!--is energizing and exhausting. Some weeks I want five. This week is not one of them. ;) But I did smile today when I heard about this book:


Nice.

We've closed out a semester and are beginning another--Mayterm. It's intense. It's especially intense as J hasn't closed out the previous one yet--he's grading, grading, grading. I am praying. The grades are due tomorrow. Two of his finals weren't scheduled until Thursday, and Friday-Saturday were largely taken up with graduation activities. Eeek!

Also, I have just four weeks left of my job teaching after-school Spanish. That winds down the same week as our school year, and is the same week Mayterm ends. FOUR WEEKS, BABY!

I love everything I'm doing. I'm just looking forward to a little breathing space. I've always been better at crunchtime/breaktime cycles than maintaining a steady pace. I wonder why that is.

I will still be wondering a year from now. It's just not going to make my Top Ten of "Things to Ponder" this summer...I can tell.

So, Nutmeg (and the rest) are down for the night, and my post-Marie-Callender's Chicken-Pot-Pie-eyes are getting heavy. The pile of laundry on the futon is giving me the evil eye...no, it's the other way around. I guess I have a little energy left.

PS I had a fabulous Mother's Day.
PPS Here's the kid shot for this post:





Yes, that's Wombles with a helmet. He decided to play "army." The choice of a Nerf gun that projects little green balls is understandable. The pink bicycle helmet belonging to Pixie, slightly less so.

The dirt and weeds stuck in the top? Classic Wombles. It's what makes the ensemble.

Four Month Onesie Comparison

It's that time again!


The Sweeties are four months old!

Here's Bud. It's as if he looked into the future and said, "Although you remember me as being very conservative and skeptical, I did have a wild streak. Just look at this hair! Surely I can rival Nutmeg!...although I did have my first haircut later this month. I mean...what would the shareholders think if I turned up at the annual meeting looking like this?...Wouldn't be prudent."



And dear Wombles. Every time someone meets Nutmeg, they ask: "Did all of your kids have hair like that?" And I have to answer, "All...except Wombles." He has a Nutmegelicious smile, though!


So far, the only thing I see in common is the girth. Nutmeg weighed in at 17 lb., 2 oz at her four month check in. She also has a large noggin. And she's not short, either. I find it slightly ironic that the baby girl clothes I've saved from Pixie--through two boys, now to be awarded to Nutmeg--have barely been worn.

Seriously?!? She can NOT have outgrown those particularly sweet saved, cherished outfits before they could even be worn! Yet it is happening. She did have a nearly two-pound head start. Oh, well.


The general consensus this month is that she's a feminine Bud-clone. What do you think?

War Games

I can't remember how this happened a couple of weeks ago.

Probably it was time for recess (Whew! Done with math!) and I left to go change Nutmeg's diaper. All I know is that I came back down the hall and found this in the schoolroom...ahem, main room...I mean, battle zone:


Yes, that's the coffee table from the front room that's being used as a shield. No, it wasn't here in the middle of the room when I left to change a diaper. Why do you ask?


Poor Wombles. Do you think he has a chance?

If not, he's going down in a blaze of glory.

That's all. Just another run-of-the-mill day at our cute little parochial school.

(reloading)

They really do learn normal things, I swear. Carmen correctly used and pronounced Tenochtitlan today!

To quote a Calvin and Hobbes strip, "They'll know normal when they see it." Hopefully, you will, too!

The Floor Gym, Part 172

Nutmeg is a fan of her floor gym.

Wombles, was, too. We didn't have one before that, so I can only speak for the two of them...but it is an ever-evolving hit.

Stage I: Lie on the floor and stare up at the lights
Stage II: Lie on the floor and stare at the lights, realizing the music goes with it.
Stage III: Lie on the floor, stare at the lights, listen to the music, and realize that if you kick things it turns lights and music back on (it shuts itself down pretty quickly otherwise)
Stage IV: Kick like a maniac whenever you're in it because you love the lights, music, and feeling of being in control of something.

(This video was taken during stage IV).

Stage V: Add grabbing the hanging toys and trying to eat them to kicking like a maniac because you love the music, lights, and being in control of those stuffed little dangly toys. Plus they're delicious, because any new flavor after milk and your own hands is a real treat.

(We're currently in stage V).

I'm pretty sure that Stage VI is crying because you've outgrown your floor gym and you're Sooo Over It. I'm hoping that we have a teensy bit of time yet.

But she is growing up. I know because we had her 4-month check-up this morning and she's over 17 lbs, and because she's blown through the first two sizes of clothing already and is feeling comfy in the 6-9 month size.

WAAAAAAAHHHH!

Anyway, here's our Stage IV Sweetie:



Lovin' on Nutmeg,
H

Pixie's New Glasses!

She picked them out herself. I love how they reflect her personality. Pixie's growing up!