Family Fun Night

I realize this is a bit late (I'm catching up on blogging, can you tell?) but I thought this was pretty funny. On the opening night of the Olympics a few weeks ago, we decided to have a family theme night. We do these on occasion, as much for Grace as a break from the ho hum for us. In keeping with the theme of the Beijing Olympics, we got take out Chinese, a real treat since we don't get to pay true Chinese prices for our American import. We also put on some of our authentic Chinese music we picked up while visiting Beijing (I'd tell you what instrument it is they play on the CD, but I don't remember the name). And it just wouldn't be a Chinese theme night without chopsticks. Not to be outdone, Grace asked for hers (which are Peter Rabbit ones Grandma and Grandpa picked up while living in Hong Kong). She actually did quite well with them, better than I did. I cheated and reverted to my fork.

Who needs me?

So, I am upstairs and I hear, "Mommy, I'm all done!" Hmm, all done cutting your own hair? All done feeding your brother things he shouldn't eat? I had been upstairs for all of 5 minutes, so surely it couldn't be too bad. Here is what I come down to find: Grace had apparently gotten herself up onto the potty (complete with reading material) and was done doing her business. I wonder what she needs me for? Oh, wiping. Well, at least I'm need for something.

And apparently also for kissing our first major boo boo.

More catch up time

Hmmm, I'm seeing a trend here. I think I have gone back to my old ways of the bi-monthly blog. How do you other ladies get it done?

First, let me vent here for a moment. It was a rainy day here today and instead of getting to go to the pool as originally planned, I decided instead to attempt going to the grocery store with both kids. I have gone a few times before, but only for a couple items. Today was for the big shop.

Grace was going to have to walk because as many of you know once you put the toddler in the seat and the baby in the cart, there isn't room for much else! I bribed her with promises of the bakery cookie and getting to put things in the cart. This actually went much better than I thought once she understood that she couldn't touch things (a lesson learned by almost knocking over the whole display of cantaloupe and then the display of bell peppers).

We did pretty well until Matthew lost it (nap time). Once he started on the crying, I knew we were done. So off we go to the check out line. I get behind someone who is having trouble with their coupon and is demanding they make it work. And I realize that I have a "trainee" check out boy. I notice this all, of course, after I have already unloaded all my groceries. So we wait. A dear lady with a single loaf of bread comes in behind me, sympathetic to my plight. She tries cooing at Matthew who only begins to scream. I end up having to hold Matthew to keep him somewhat quiet, all the while trying to keep an eye on Trainee Boy who tries double charging me for a $8 block of fancy-pants cheese. Nice try, Trainee.

After what seems like ages we finally get all rung up and head out to the car, at which point Grace decides to loose it. So here I am trying to load the car with two crying kids when the poor woman who was behind me with her one loaf of bread comes out and gets the pleasure of also parking next to me. She is a dear and puts back my cart for me saying she remembers those days. Although after witnessing my children's display I'm sure she is thankful those days are behind her! I think I learned my lesson and will keep my big shop for evenings or a weekend, even though I really don't like that solution either.

Matthew turned four months old last week. At his check up he was a rolly polly 16 pounds, 11 ounces. 75th percentile for height, weight and even head circumference. At least he's consistent!

Catch up time

I have no excuse not to blog, especially since a friend has four (count 'em, four!) posts since she gave birth a week ago- with a c-section no less! So I am convicted to play catch up here. As I believe some wise children's book author said, the best place to start is at the beginning...

Erik turned 30 on July 30th. I can state this fact because I am not far behind him. This also gives me free rein to rub it in. Honey, I'm still 29. Whoo hoo!!

His mom, dad and brother (Stefan) came in for the week. It just so happened that Erik's company had some extra seats to the tennis tournament here in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Masters that leads up to the US Open) on his birthday, and Erik was able to score three of them. These are the kind of seats that will make a tennis fan out of you (four years ago we got to go to the final and see Agassi and Roddick play- I had no idea then how lucky we were to get those tickets). Front row, box 1. But apparently no matter how good your seats are they only sign autographs for kids. On obscenely large tennis balls. Ahem.

The old man and his brother.

Grace also turned a little more fishy over the last two weeks. This is Grace being a diva in our backyard swimming pool. For anyone who knows her, this is a major feat, having absolutely no contact with the ground below her and having her head dangerously close to getting wet. I haven't taken the kids to the pool much this summer because 1) I am outnumbered in the drowning department- one adult to two kids 2) Matthew is still too young for sunscreen, and really shouldn't be out in the sun anyway 3) I also don't feel like Matthew can handle hot and humid weather without the cooling relief of being in the pool- for which he cannot; see reasons one and two.

I have been trying to let go of the perfectionist in me and instead embracing the disaster area that is now our home. So one day instead of being the same ol' same ol' overwhelmed mommy, Grace and I had a carpet picnic in the basement for lunch. We also tried our hands at Candy Land for the first time. I was surprised that she got the gist of it. She also beat me. And that was without cheating!



Here is another testament to Grace's new-found swimming abilities. We had the pleasure of getting to go to our friend's neighborhood pool (which is really closer to a mini water park!) and Grace not only played happily in the baby pool, she also, on her own initiative, went into the big pool hanging on a single float and swam around. I may not have the fishiest fish around, but for Grace this was huge. And she knew it too! I feel bad for not being able to take her to the pool more often this summer.

There has been more going on around here, but it really will just bore you (if you aren't bored already with our ho hum days). I will try to get some more pictures posted soon.

P.S. Similar to the early media reports when Tom Cruise's daughter was first born, a lack of pictures does not attest to the fact that Matthew does exist! I promise we really do love him, I just don't seem to have the camera in his face very often.