Morning Laugh

Amanda is a dog person. She really wants a dog. But we have a perfectly good cat, Moose, and he doesn't need to be followed around with plastic baggies.

So far Amanda is the only one in this house who is on Team Dog. I'm not sure where Jack will fall, but it doesn't matter because Moose will be crunching the numbers from now on.

The Little 'uns

Jack and Amanda on the first day of preschool. Well, Amanda is going to preschool. What Jack clearly doesn't realize in this picture is that he is about to spend 3 hours with a room full of toddlers screaming for their Mommies. Mean, mean Mommies.

Psst...Daddy

Huwwy home! You fohgot your wing. It next to wotten stwawbewwy behind da chair. I keep it safe, and I pwomise, I won't tell Mommy...

The Blythe

Chocolate Chai Cupcake with Chai Buttercream Frosting

Happy Birthday Blythe!

In honor of your birthday, and the Indian party theme, we have prepared "The Blythe" cupcake. You are the first to receive this cupcake dedication, but we hope to start a tradition for all family birthdays.

I've wanted to make this cupcake since I first found the recipe, but must admit I took a huge shortcut. I used a chocolate cake mix and just added the chai spices. The frosting is officially from scratch and has already received a thumbs up from Jack and Amanda. Never would have guessed fennel as part of a chai spice mix.

Amanda was a big helper. Jack mostly watched, but also decided that he enjoys freshly grated ginger, which Amanda gave him while I wasn't looking. Best of all, the house smells amazing!

Cheetah Girls, ready or not, here we come...

Blink

Elizabeth, August 2004, first day of "Mom's Morning Out."

Elizabeth, August 20, 2008, first day of Kindergarten.

Love you kid.

Old School Wii

This is actually on a t-shirt and I thought it was adorable.

Kids these days, with their fancy Wii and decked out personal playgrounds.

Back in the day my brother and I had to walk all the way across the street to get to a playground. Then when we got home, I would annihilate him via 5200. Actually, he always won and I usually just wanted to play super breakout. (Mike, you owe me like 100,000 games of breakout by the way). The point is, there was no guitar attachment, no virtual experience, and you were always tethered to the television by a short cord. If you were lucky you got a stack of quarters and a trip to the arcade where you could sit at a wooden box and try to maximize the Frogger experience.

Everything was simple back then - Atari gave you some beeps, some boops. You had to use your imagination for anything beyond 5 colors in round or square. It was good that way. Suffering builds character.

A Mascot By Any Other Name

Once upon a time, during my school years, I was a Ram, a Charger, a Wolf, a Wildcat and a Gamecock. Jay was a Dolphin, an Eaglet, an Eagle and a Blue Hose.

And now,

Please allow me to introduce,

The first, the one-and-only (in our house), the nervous but excited, the brand spankin' newly registered.......

COUGAR!!!!!!!!
(rahhhhhhhhhhhh)

Back to School with Patti LaBelle

Time to brush up on our ABCs, and this has been our favorite version since discovered during our Elizabethan era...

Ni Hao, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth: When I grow up, I want to always live here with you guys. But if I can't live here, I want to live in Chinese.

Dad: Okay...

Elizabeth: But I can't drive, so you'll probably have to drive me to Chinese.

Dad: Well, we can't drive to China. We'd have to fly.

Elizabeth: Oh...okay. Can I just put on some floaties and swim?

To the Morris Family

We introduce Jackboy3, beach ball balance champion, the next generation.

Dear Morris 3 1/2, we need your help.

The old people are still trying to balance on the giant beach ball. Trust us, we were there, it wasn't pretty. It is time to pass the torch. Let's face it, we're younger, stronger, and we're definitely not scared. (Exhibit A, Grant). Perhaps Harry can even figure out how to attach an infant car seat when the newest Morris addition makes HER arrival. Let's show these old timers how it's done.

Love, Nicholson 5

Much Needed Haircuts

This haircut has grown tiresome

Yes, your shears have grown tiresome

When is the time on Sprockets when we dance?

Dear Tooth Fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy,

Your first visit to our home is near. Any way you could speed things up? I'm not sure that is within your powers, but I need you to try.

The thing is, since Elizabeth has developed wiggle tooth, she has thought of little else. Also, Elizabeth thinks out loud.

It is true that I ignored Elizabeth's "my tooth is wiggly" declaration earlier this week. But is this punishment really necessary? I ask that you consider her (numerous) previous false declarations and the fact that "my tooth is wiggly" came right after "I got to hold animal teeth at zoo camp today." She also pointed to 4 different teeth and refused to let me near her mouth.

At any rate, since her Dad informed me last night that her tooth really was wiggly (again, my bad), Elizabeth has become even more obsessed. It isn't so much the dancing in a conga line while singing "tooth fairy is coming to OUR HOUSE, tooth fairy is coming to OUR HOUSE" that I have a problem with - it's just that 5 people must now center all their attention around this wiggly tooth. Trust me, there is no other option.

This morning began with her wiggle tooth highness yelling "isn't it interesting that I'm only 5 and my tooth is wiggly? I mean, that's crazy! Hello, I'm just a kid!" Throughout the day, we have extensively discussed various tooth removal methods, expected blood loss, under pillow presentation styles, tooth fair market value, fairy currency, cost of living increases, etc.

I think we're ready. Let's get this show on the road.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth's Mom

P.S. I trust this matter will receive your utmost attention. I would really hate to have to blow your cover.