The Last Day

I worked my last shift today. It went smoothly. I saw a few of my favorite patients. I cleaned out my box, and turned in my key, and uploaded new pictures of the girls on the desk computer. I did pretty well until the very end, when I was doing all the end-of-shift stuff ... for the last time. I took my nameplate down for the last time and put it in my bag to bring home, instead of back in the drawer with the others. I started to feel a little weepy, but I didn't cry! It's nice to know that I can stop in whenever I want. In fact, the girls and I will be joining everyone for the doctor's birthday lunch in a couple of weeks. But ... it was a very strange feeling.

I don't like change! That is, I don't like it when it's happening. I know that God has a plan for my life, and that He will bless me for doing the right thing. I just struggle with the adjustment period. Therefore, I'm looking forward to the new "normal" for us, and am hoping to make the transition smoothly.

I love this verse (even though quoted by itself it is taken out of context):

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, 

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end. 

Jeremiah 29:11

What Day Is It?

Not going to work yesterday really threw me for a loop. I kept thinking it was Tuesday or Thursday. Eric said he was thinking the same thing on the way home from work! Then a few minutes later we were talking about a day coming up later in the week and I got that one confused, too. It's going to take me a while to get used to this staying home business.

FIL picked up the Boogie in the morning and took her to school where he was preaching chapel. She had a great time, and Peabody and I spent some one-on-one time doing puzzles and shape-sorting, which she does very well. The girls play together so much that I forget that I should make sure to play with them, too!

Peabody napped for a long time in afternoon and when she woke she was burning with fever and threw up shortly after. Great. I spent the next half hour comforting her while watching the clock hands creep toward 5:00 when I could check to see if I had to report for jury duty today. Thank the Lord, I was excused -- my mind was racing trying to figure out what I would do if I had to report! I snuggled with her for the rest of the evening. She watched episode after episode of Barney -- it was one of those times to be especially thankful for my Nook and library ebooks. She stayed up much later than usual but by bedtime was acting normally, slept through the night, and seems totally fine today. If it weren't for the fever I would have thought she ate something that disagreed with her. Tummy bugs are no fun but if they're going to come to my house, the short-lived kind are the ones I want. I think this is the first time she's caught one, and it seems to me that we get hit with some kind of stomach virus every year right around Easter. What's the deal with that?

I was so relieved that I didn't have to report for jury duty. What if my friend had come to watch the girls yesterday? We would have exposed her kids to the tummy bug. What if I'd had to report today and Peabody was sick? For sure I will request an exemption if I'm ever summoned again while we have little ones.

Today is sneaking away from me. Time to see if I can salvage the rest of the afternoon ...

It's Only Spring After All

The last couple of days have been much chillier. The heater runs off and on all morning, after several days of not running at all. If it's sunny it warms up nicely by the afternoon. Eric bought a new mower over the weekend and mowed after work yesterday. The hand-me-down electric mower that he used all last season just wasn't working very well and it took him forever to mow with it. The gas mower is a great improvement. I love the look of freshly cut grass. I usually love the smell of it too, but we have a lot of onion grass in our yard and that stuff is overpowering! Wow.

Mama Dog has been super itchy for the better part of the past two weeks. We've been giving her benadryl which helped a little. A few days ago I suddenly put two-and-two together and realized that the constant scratching-biting-chewing started at the same time as the really nice weather ... when she began spending the better part of every day in the yard. For the past few days she's spent more time inside than outside and whadaya know, now she is way less itchy. I'm thankful that she's doing better; however, I'm reeeeally hoping that she isn't allergic to our grass! That would be a major bummer, dude. Hopefully she's just sensitive to the pollen from all of the trees blooming right now so that when they stop blooming, she'll stop itching. Meanwhile we're keeping her inside as much as possible, wiping her belly and feet when she does go out, and I'm trying an anti-itch spray as well as a diluted raw apple cider vinegar spray to see if that helps. She smells like salad dressing, but oh well. Could be worse, right? Poor thing, she wants to go outside so badly. She lays on the floor with her nose pointing at the door.


Yesterday the girls were watching Blue's Clues. The Boogie chose the episode "Steve Goes To College" where Steve, guess what? leaves for college, and is replaced by Joe. Apparently she hadn't seen that one before. Toward the end of the episode she called to me and said with quivering chin and quavering voice, "Steve is going to college. Why is he going to college? I don't want him to go," while tears began to slowly roll down her cheeks. I hugged her and we talked a little bit about how it makes us sad when people we love go away. We talked about going to college and she said repeatedly that she doesn't want to go! "That's fine," I told her, "you don't have to go to college. But maybe someday you might decide that you want to go, and that's okay too." No, she insisted, she did NOT want to go to college. "And, Honey," she added, "I don't want to watch this one [episode] anymore, because it makes me cry." She's so cute.

I was summoned for jury duty this week. I thought, no big deal, I can make arrangements for childcare for a couple of days. Then while trying to figure out who could watch the girls for what times for only two days (not to mention figuring out a way for the dog to NOT have to be crated for hours on end), I realized that if I am chosen to serve on a jury it could be for several days. Why didn't I request an exemption or postponement? I'm happy to do my civic duty, but I'm the primary caregiver for my two small children and we certainly can't afford to pay a babysitter for several days; to be honest, I don't even know anyone I could hire to watch my kids for several days! Family and friends are always willing to help out; however, there's only so much time they are available for, even with juggling kids around. Thankfully I was excused for today and hopefully will be again tomorrow.

When the Boogie found out that I don't have to work today, she got very excited. "Yay, now we can go to the library!" she shouted. Poor kid. I can't remember the last time I took them to the library! We used to go ALL the time. I went weekly when the Boogie was a baby, lugging her around in the infant carrier. When she got a little older we went every two or three weeks. Now it's been months.

I have been informed several times by coworkers that I cannot leave until I put updated pictures of Peabody and the Boogie on the desk computer for the screensaver. I've sadly neglected picture-taking for several months, so I've been trying to remember to pull out the camera and get some candid shots. Both girls, however, are attracted to the camera like moths to a lamp, and as soon as they see it they stop what they are doing to pose and say "cheese." Last night they were pretending to be dogs. Never mind that they actually have a dog, it's way more fun to pretend to be one.

I love this face!

I'm so thankful that they play nicely together (for the most part,) and that they like to play together (well, you know, for the most part.) They are best buds and I pray that continues.

A New Chapter

I'm quitting my job.

A few months ago Eric and I decided that we could make it on his income. For so long I've wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom. I even quit once before and went back to work when Eric's hours were cut. That was in 2009 and I never thought I would still be working almost 3 years later. But despite my heart's desire to be home with our sweet girls, deciding to quit was hard, much harder than I anticipated! The doctor has been so very good to me; I love everyone I work with; I enjoy what I do. The day I gave my notice I came home and cried; Eric hugged me and said, confused, "I thought this was what you wanted?" And it is ... it just took some getting used to the idea.

I gave almost two months notice and this is my last week. Today was my last afternoon, and Saturday will be my last day. I'm glad that I get to work Saturday. I've been training my replacement for a few weeks, and while she's very nice and I like her a lot, it's just not the same as being at the desk by myself. So, it will be nice to have one last shift on my own.

God is so good. I truly believe that He gave me this job, and even though I didn't understand why His plan was for me to be a work-outside-the-home mom for almost five years, I'm so thankful for the position He provided. It's been such a wonderful place to work. If it weren't for our two little ones, I would work there forever! But I'm ready to start the next phase. I'm ready to be home all the time. I so look forward to eating dinner as a family every day, and spending the evenings all together, and having time with the girls before they go to bed each night! I'm grateful for my husband's willingness to make sacrifices so that we can do this.

Saturday Again

That week seemed to fly by ...

What gorgeous weather we've had all week! All of a sudden all of the trees are blooming. I remember going  home from the hospital after I had the Boogie, the last week of April, and how I noticed that trees were blooming. This is a full month earlier. I know I keep talking about it but I just can't get over it. Our yard is so lush and green ... and needing to be mowed. Of course today it's supposed to rain. That just figures, right?

The past few weeks have been a little challenging with the Boogie. Our normally cheerful, obedient, easy-going girl has been rather obstinate and willful lately. But the other night she did something that made me so proud of her. At our church's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study the kids have Bible club. They sing a lot, play some games, have a lesson, and always eat a snack. As I get the girls ready for bed after church I always ask the Boogie what she had to eat. This week she said, "Well, I didn't eat a snack because it was fruit snacks. It was blueberry fruit snacks and they are gummy and you told me gummy things are bad for my teeth. And that's what the dentist told me. So I told DiDi [teacher] I'm not allowed to have any." Now, she is allowed to have fruit snacks, though they are an occasional treat because I don't buy them. But bless her heart, I was so pleased that she did what she thought was right! When parenting is challenging those little moments make you feel as if all your hard work "ain't been in vain for nothing." (Name that movie.)

She told me today that when she grows up she wants to be a mom and an animal rescuer, and that I can watch her kids while she goes to work. What a deal, right?

I think I'm ready to share some of our news. Dog 2.0 has taken up residence in our house. I had such terrible (debilitating, unprecedented) anxiety with Sophie that after we took her back to the shelter I thought I was cured of wanting a dog for a long, long time. But several weeks ago I started thinking about it again, about how we'd always wanted one, and about how we were so pleased that this house already had a fenced yard so that we could get a dog, and so on. Eric and I talked about it and started praying and looking again and found this little girl about 2.5 weeks ago.

She was a rescue from a southern state (Georgia?) being fostered by a couple in Philly. They guessed her age to be 1-2 years old. She was described as a corgi mix, and I can definitely see some corgi in her face and ears and body, though her legs are too long! We can't figure what she is mixed with -- maybe a terrier?

She was very mellow when we first got her -- she was on antibiotics for a respiratory infection and now that she's off of them and more used to us she's much more playful. She tolerates the girls well but prefers the attention of grown-ups; however, she immediately rolls onto her back for a belly rub from anyone of any age. She's been very good about leaving kid toys alone, and quickly learned that she's not allowed into the playroom, or up on the furniture ... she also quickly figured out that if we are all asleep we won't see her on the couch or recliner!

When we got her she had just weaned a litter of pups about a week before; that seemed so sad to me since she is barely more than a puppy herself. I started calling her "mama" right away and now it's a habit.

Mama Dog loves to be outside and if the weather is nice she will hang out in the yard all day, barking at passers-by with her funny little raspy bark, and lounging in the sun or shade as catches her fancy.

 

She often has to pick up a leaf or twig or pinecone to bring into the house when it's time to come in. Funny dog. We make a fuss, and after she drops it we quietly throw it in the trash or back outside.

I'm doing better with her than I did with Sophie. I've had some anxiety -- though not nearly as much -- mostly triggered by a couple of minor health-ish things she's been dealing with, and by the shedding. Oh, the shedding. I don't like it but I'm trying to handle it the best I can, including ordering that magic tool known as a Furminator. And thanks to some wise counsel and Philippians 4:6-9 I've had less anxiety for the last couple of days, too. *Thanks, Mom*

But that's not all! I'll have one more thing to share in a day or two. And no ... not a baby announcement. :)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9

Spring!

We've had spring-like weather for several weeks now, it seems, but today we are officially finished with winter. The warmer temperatures have been strange combined with still-bare trees and bushes, although buds are popping out all over the place and daffodils are everywhere! It's nice to hear birds singing and the other night after work I had my car window cracked and could hear peeper frogs. I actually wore short sleeves to work yesterday. Peabody brings us "plah plops" to be put on her and asks for a "coh" to wear "ou'si'." Sadly for Eric, warm weather means growing grass. I don't think mowing can be put off much longer.

I learned something new about my husband the other day. He made us each a cup of coffee and put both cups on the table. One was light blue and the other was a pastel green. He told me which was mine. I quickly drank it and a few minutes later he came over to the table and asked, "Where's my coffee?"
"It's right there," I said, "I drank mine. You said mine was the light blue one."
"Yeah," he said, holding up the green cup, "this one!"
"But that's green!" I argued. "You said mine was blue so that's the one I drank."
"I meant this one," he said, peering at the cup in his hand, "it's kind of blue-green."
"Well, maybe a little bit blue-green, but next to this one ..." I got mine and set them side by side, "... yours is definitely green and mine is definitely blue."
He stared at them and shook his head. "They both look blue to me. And this one is lighter," pointing to the green one.

How can I have been married to this man for almost six years and never realized that he is color-blind?!

The Boogie did some schoolwork this afternoon. I've discovered that she recognizes a few sight words -- along with all of our names, she recognizes red, blue, yellow, and green. I'm very impressed considering that I have never really taught her any words at all. She is also learning how to use scissors, something I recently realized that I had been neglecting to teach her!

We played outside this afternoon with chalk, then went for a long walk after Eric got home. I just can't get over this weather. It's as if we skipped March and April and went right into May! It will be a shock to have real spring weather, if/when it happens.

Peabody loves to have her picture taken and says "cheese" or "cheeseburger!"


She sings all the time, just like her sister.


I caught them wrestling and giggling the other day.

Peabody: the winnah

Goofy girls.

Sunny Saturday

We should be playing outside right now but we just got back from a short walk to find that the pest control people had sprayed our yard. I knew they were coming but I forgot. So now we have to wait a little while.

It has been a very very lazy day. Peabody slept late so when the Boogie got up she came into bed with me and played a game on the Nintendo DS while I dozed. Eric is the only one who has accomplished much of anything today, and even he took a nap. It's been an old-movies-on-Netflix kind of day.

This morning Peabody said, "Honey, look," and showed me something suspicious on her hand. It turned out she'd been digging in her dirty diaper. Yuck. I am really worried that she will fill a diaper during naptime and decide to take it off. Later I told her to throw something away and when she came out of the kitchen she was eating a chip she'd taken out of the trash! Nasty child.

She has pottied in the toilet once or twice almost every day this week. Sometimes she tells us she needs to go, and sometimes we catch her in the middle of going and run her into the bathroom. She gets an M&M for producing something. "En em!" she shouts, jumping around.

When I give her something she says, "Day doo. Day doo, Honey." If I offer something that she doesn't want she shakes her head and says, "No, no day doo, Honey." So cute.

We went out for dinner and got the girls ice cream to share. "Ah wa', ah wa' i' meem! [I want ice cream!]" she exclaimed.

She likes to point to and identify things around her. In her crib she has to name blankies, George, pillow, cuppie, and herself.

The Boogie said to me, "I think girls have pink bones and pink hearts so you know they are girls. And boys have red bones and red hearts so you know they are boys."

Her marker dried up while she was using it. "Oh no," she said sadly, "my pen ran out of oil."

I let her watch the Shirley Temple version of Heidi. I thought it might be over her head but she watched the whole thing with interest and running commentary. Later she told Eric that she really liked "that movie Haiti." It took a description for us to make the connection!

Springing Forward

It wasn't so bad on Sunday morning, despite girls going to bed 1.5 hours late on Saturday night. We managed to get to church on time, even though Eric and I ate breakfast in the car on the way, and I had to ask the nursery worker to please feed Peabody her waffles during Sunday school. We all even took naps in the afternoon. But today ... oh today ... I'm dragging. Losing the hour and having to adjust is the only thing I dislike about daylight savings time; I love the extra daylight at the end of the day! It might even still be light when I leave work tonight which would be wonderful. Only EIGHT days until spring! I see daffodils blooming everywhere and am kicking myself for not planting bulbs last fall. The weather has been so nice and this week we are supposed to see temperatures in the seventies, several days in a row.

Well, let's see, what is there to write about today ...

The other day the Boogie ate an apple all the way down to the core. She brought three seeds to me in the palm of her hand. "Look!" she said excitedly, "Apple seeds! I want to plant them and grow an apple garden."

And speaking of planting things, we were in the backyard on Saturday and Eric started poking around in a little sinkhole that's back there. He grabbed a shovel and dug up some strips of metal, some bricks, an old kitchen knife ... and then started pulling old bottles out of the dirt! He found about a dozen good-sized bottles. I didn't look too closely but he said a label (or a cap or something) said it was some kind of champagne. They were definitely the size of wine or champagne bottles, and the glass seemed pretty thick. None of them were broken. A previous owner must have buried them there, but why? Why in the world would someone bury empty wine or champagne bottles in their backyard? That's, like, way more effort than tossing them in the trash.

He was all for continuing to dig but finally decided that one hole at a time in the backyard is sufficient. Now we'll have to find some fill dirt. I wonder what else is back there? And ... I wonder if I really want to know?

Curious George took a break for a few nights but this morning the Boogie discovered him hanging on the doorknob on the inside of their door. "Do you think he was trying to get out?" I asked. "No," she shook her head, "I think he was just trying to get into trouble." She has been rather, hmmm, let me see ... negative lately, arguing with and questioning things all the time. She is normally fairly cheerful as a rule but has been more pouty when she doesn't get her way. We deal with it but I hope it's a phase that passes soon as it's getting pretty old, man.

As for Peabody, she continues to occasionally tell me or MIL that she needs to potty, and will go in the toilet or her little potty seat. Not bad for 22 months old! Her vocabulary improves every day and she speaks to us in phrases and sometimes short sentences. The other day she said, "So, Honey, ah you do-ding [how you doing]?" Talk about a little mimic -- the Boogie says that exact phrase all the time. "I'm good," I said, "how're you doing?" "Goo'," she said, nodding. When she prays sometimes she folds her hands nicely, and sometimes she rubs her face and head the whole time; however she always keeps her eyes squeezed tightly closed. She still goes around and has us all kiss her fist at bedtime, and it still makes me laugh every time! She is starting to say names of colors though I know it's just coincidence if she gets something right.

Enough procrastinating! I have work to do before I go to work. Such is life, right?

A New Cousin!

The Boogie and Peabody have a new cousin! Baby O -- or should that be O-Baby? -- was born yesterday afternoon. SIL2 only went four days past her due date so I imagine she is happy about that. I got to go visit for a little bit this afternoon and hold him for a few minutes. As always when I hold a newborn I was struck by how small he seemed, although at 7 lbs 10 oz he is nicely average. It's hard to remember my girls being that small. (Actually, only the Boogie was that small. Peabody was almost nine pounds.) Anyway, it's nice to have a baby in the family again! Praise the Lord for a healthy little boy.

It was warm and windy today. DR came over and we played outside for a bit. All day the three kids were just off: Peabody was whiny and clingy and getting into everything she wasn't supposed to be; DR and the Boogie picked at each other, and the Boogie talked back to me and tattled on the other two constantly. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with everyone ... and then I remembered -- it was a full moon last night. I don't understand why it is, but on more than one occasion I have dealt with crabby people during the full moon! That includes children and adults. It is a bizarre thing but I'll bet that if you are observant you will notice the same thing.

Children are soundly sleeping and it's time to put George up to some more shenanigans. Stay tuned for more news in upcoming days ...

Wednesday Ramblings

Yesterday the Boogie went to play with her cousin DR, and the Pheebs went grocery shopping with me. Peabody was VERY unhappy that she didn't get to go with her sister into DR's house, but was easily distracted by some fun kid music in the car and a Tic-Tac. Tic-Tac's, I have learned, are the remedy to soothe many upsets. The Boogie had a blast with her cousin and I didn't have to listen to her constant chatter for several hours. Bless her heart, I am thankful for her ability to talk, but some days it is never.ending. I often remind myself to be thankful that she wants to talk to me because I know that the day might come when she won't want to. I pray that day never comes, though!

It was fun to shop with only the Pheebs. She did remarkably well despite our needing to go to four places. She waved and said hello to everyone! Most everyone smiled and said hello back; I don't understand the ones who ignore an adorable toddler cheerily greeting them. What is wrong with some people? Yogurt-covered raisins got us through Costco, and french fries from Burger King kept her happy through Aldi. In one store she tried to lay down in the cart seat saying, "I pleepy. Go ni'-ni'!"
"You're sleepy?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said (it sounds like ja when she says it,) and grinned impishly at me, "I pleepy. Go ni'-ni'. Where cuppy?" A sippy cup is a requirement at nap- and bed-time. But she didn't go to sleep at all, not even in the car on the way home.

We had plenty to time to browse around. At TJMaxx I found a new bag for my Sunday school curriculum. When I did our wedding registry at Macy's 6 years ago they gave me a vinyl-ey tote; I've been using it for Sunday school stuff for the past several years. It's starting to crack and tear so I figured I should replace it before the handles come off while I'm carrying it -- you know that would happen at the most inopportune time, like right over a puddle in the church parking lot or something. My new bag is a bit bigger and should last me a long time, I hope.

At Costco we cruised up and down a few aisles not previously explored. I am constantly surprised by the amazing variety of things you can get at Costco; yesterday I was surprised by large appliances (think washing machines and dryers), mattresses, and picture frames.

At Aldi I picked up a bunch of six roses for $3.99. Really, you just can't beat that. They are so lovely and I am kicking myself for not buying TWO bunches. Maybe I'll stop again on my way home from work tonight.

Now the dreaded grocery shopping is done and hopefully I won't have to go again for a while, aside from a quick trip for milk and eggs and fruit. The older I get the more I dislike it, yet I know that the bigger our kids get (and the more we have!) the more shopping I will have to do. Bleh.

Also I feel like this most days:

(Someone posted this on Facebook, and I imagine it came from Pinterest, but that's as much credit as I can give.) I wish I loved to cook ... but I don't. Maybe someday I will.

Stay tuned for some changes around here. No, baby #3 is not on the way. But I'll have some news to share soon!

Or Not

It would seem that in my case thirty days does NOT make a habit.

Yesterday Peabody got in the car and put down the arm rests on the Boogie's seat. "Look!" the Boogie exclaimed, "Peabody put down my arm relaxers so I can relax my arms!"

We heard a motorcycle on a nearby road. "What's that?" the Boogie asked.
"What do you think it is?" I asked her.
"I think ... it's a molarcycle."
"I see," I said, "and why do you think that?"
"Because it sounds fast, like a mole!"

Curious George has been up to more shenanigans in the night. This morning he was discovered in a bag hanging at the foot of the Boogie's bed. "My goodness, would you look at that?" I said. "How do you think he got in there?"
"I don't know," said the Boogie, "I couldn't see how he did it because I was too busy sleeping."

SIL2 is due any day with the newest cousin. Every time the Boogie sees her aunt she asks, "So, how's the baby doing in there?"

We went to Friday's for dinner and the Pheebs got chicken strips and some fruit. Her chicken came with a honey mustard sauce. "Deeep!" she said delightedly, and proceeded to dip everything into it, including diced mango and pineapple. Yum ... blech. She will eat just about anything with dip ... or rather, she will eat dip off of anything. She has to be reminded to actually eat the food because it's so much more fun to just suck sauce off of things.

She loves to put on "plah-plops" and if she asks I'll let her wear a pair of Croc knock-offs in the house. However, slippers are way less fun despite monkey faces on them. Why is that? I am constantly putting her slippers back on her. Since our house is built on a concrete slab, the floors can be cooooold right through the carpet.

She can climb up on the dining room chairs -- I keep a coloring book and some crayons on the table for her -- but can't get down. "Honeeeeey," she whines, "I guuuuck!" Similarly she can pull out the piano bench to climb up, and lift the piano lid. She "plays" and sings which is very cute (for a while) but doesn't know how to get down.

She is saying so many words and phrases so clearly. Not only can I understand her but other people can often make out what she's saying, too!

Someone gave us each a treat last night at church. Peabody found hers today and asked for it. "Mmmm, cookie," she said repeated contentedly as she ate it.

 

30 Days Makes a Habit

That's what I've heard, anyway. Today will make thirty days of posting so we'll see about that.

I am incredibly happy that we've made it to March! This is going to be a good month, I think. The winter has been so mild and we only have a few more weeks until it's officially spring. I only have one very small, miniscule in fact, complaint about a mild winter with hardly any snow -- the girls got sleds for Christmas, and this was the first year I actually bought snow boots for them. The boots still have tags on them and will be outgrown by next winter. Oh well, at least the Pheebs should be able to eventually use the ones I bought for the Boogie. And hopefully no snow during the winter won't mean a drought this summer.

Also it occurred to me the other day that a mild winter might mean worse insects during warmer weather. Could that be true? I really hate mosquitoes, and we also get these teeny tiny pinching bugs in our yard. We didn't spray for bugs at all last year but I think we might this year. I have plans for the backyard and I don't want pesky insects keeping us from using it.

The Boogie and Peabody are playing with some flashcards. "Honey, we're playing school!" the Boogie exclaimed. "Peabody is the teacher and I'm her dassistant!"

I walked into a room to find her tracing all over her open palm with the finger of her other hand. "Hi Honey," she said, "I'm pretending this is my iPhone, and I'm playing games on it." Oh, this age we live in. She was probably playing Angry Birds.

So as not to exclude the small one, how cute is this?

 And this?