Flakes

The district called this morning just after the bus picked up the girl and hauled her away to school. The snow wasn't even falling then, but, in their infinite wisdom (and with one to three inches expected by evening) they'd decided to cancel afternoon classes anyway.

Barely more than an inch of wet snow had fallen when the bus brought her back home. It wasn't even sticking to the roads.

The mind is one thing but a snow day is a terrible thing to waste.

One ring-y ding-y

When the phone rings all kinds of possibilities come to call.

It could be a grandparent calling to say 'hello.'

Or a friend hoping for a play date.

Of course, more than likely these days, it's a telemarketer.

*Must remember to re-up my membership in the "Do Not Call" registry.

This seed was planted years ago

Is it weird that I once looked at these ...




and thought: MMmmmm CANDY!!!


It took me this long to see them as what they really are -- compost.

If the shoe fits ...

The Boy: "These shoes don't make me run faster."

The Mom: "No ... but they'll make you jump higher. They're basketball shoes."

The Dad: (Laughing) ... "Maybe in 1963. But in 2012 they're kind of obsolete."

The Mom: "You're right, honey. Those aren't basketball sneakers anymore. They're hipster chick magnets. Even better."

Toy story ...

Even my kids' toys seem to grasp the absurdity of a panel of "Wise Men" who think family planning should essentially mean "welcoming" a child every 10 months.

Hope the babies won't be holding their breath as they wait for these brainiacs to bring gifts.

Gift of the MAGI

He bought me bread pans for Valentine's Day. You know ... because he's hoping to get me to make more of this ...



I got him a shirt that has to be washed in cold water and can't be tumble dried. You know ... because I needed a new shirt.



I guess we're even.

Dog jackets always bring out the best in people

"What do you think? ... She looks warm right? She hasn't shivered once since I put it on her."

"No, mom. She looks tortured."

"Maybe I should have gone with the blue ... or the shearling?"

"She'd still look tortured."





** For serious, though: Thanks to Sally Newhart for making me the pattern and instructions for this barely-sewn dog cape. It's a perfect fit.

Hearts that go boing ...

Last year we did our own version of this clever little craft over at inchmark, (Brooke Reynolds, btw ... truly a super talent).

This year, Annabel wanted to do that craft again, but add her own little surprise.

Pains in the ....

Had a bit of a mishap yesterday. Ittybit fell a little awkwardly while we were skating. So this morning, when she woke up still complaining of pain in the posterior, I scavenged around my studio and made her a little portable cushion ... you know ... for school.



Her response was fairly predicable: "Oh, mom, nooooooooooooo!"

Her dad's response, though, was why I married him:

"Oh, yeah ... you might has well put a cone around her neck, too."

Hope reminds you ...

In this case, hope came in the form of a second (and third) opinion.

And it could mean that I might be able to take a picture of my parents like this again one day.

And though it's too early to tell if my mom might be able to walk with Silas during his preschool graduation -- or even witness it knowing that he is her grandson -- it is a hope that, even if remotely possible, is too sweet not to savor for a moment.

What 3:24 p.m. looks like on any given weekday ...

HERE SHE COMES! Here she comes ... hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomeshereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes hereshecomes!!!!



WAIT! Where'd she go?



HERE SHE IS! Here she is ... heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis heresheis!