Snapshot

"Cathryn!  Why is it that right before someone starts crying they say your name?"

Blessing

On the first Sunday of every month our priest calls everyone who has a birthday or anniversary to come up to the altar for a blessing. Usually I skip this, preferring to celebrate these personal holidays, well, personally, but this year Brian turned to me with a smirk and said "Well?". "Fine" I said, and began the trek up to the altar (we always sit in the very back, in case we need to make a quick getaway). The kids decided that something was up and that they had to come with me. While we walked I explained that it was Mommy's birthday and Father Marc was going to say a blessing for me. As we were nearing the front of the church Cate said, in her "church voice" (which is only slightly softer than her "tantrum voice") "Mom? Are you SURE you're turning 51?!?"

Keeweed

I found these little toys in one of those crunchy-granola-we-only-dress-our-baby-in-cruelty-free-fair-trade-organic-cotton catalogues, fell in love with them and bought them even though my kids were clearly too old for such adorable nonsense.  They each got one for Christmas; I gave Jack the little carrot, Cate got the tomato and I gave Ava the pea pod because green is still her favorite color.  I have no idea where the carrot and tomato have gone, but Ava really took to the peapod baby and carries it everywhere.  She calls it her "Keeweed" which sounds like a combination of "kiwi" and "seaweed" and......yeah.  I have no idea where that came from, but I can totally picture a new line of collectible kids' toys: Do you have the latest KeeweedTM?  Get yours today!!

Bunk Beds!!!!

We did it.  We got bunk beds.  What can we say? They were on sale.  And they have a trundle, or as Ava likes to call it "a drawer" (as in: "Mommy lets me sleep in a drawer!"). 

It's weird to see my babies in big kid beds, especially big kid beds 5 feet off the floor.  At first they were a little scared about being up so high, but within 24 hours they were fighting over who would sleep on the top bunk.  At the moment Jack is sleeping up top, Ava is sleeping in "the drawer", and Cate is sleeping on the lone twin bed next to the bunk bed.  No one is sleeping in the lower bunk, unless you count the 3,452,667 stuffed animals.  And their blankets.

So far no one has fallen out of the top bunk and they are still pretty careful on the ladder.  Time will tell if this was a stroke of genius or a really bad idea.  Because with 3 4-year-olds there is no middle ground.

Can't. Get. Away. From. Facebook.

There's a silly thing going around Facebook right now where you write down a list of 25 "random" things about yourself and then send it to all of your nearest and dearest.  For those of my N&D who are not on Facebook (is there anyone out there?  Hellooooooo???) here is my list:

1. The only reason I'm doing this is because I have really enjoyed reading everyone else's and going "OMG! I love gin and tonics too!", etc.

2. I just watched "Flight of the Conchords" for the first time last night and laughed my ass off.

3. I worry that I won't get tenure.

4. I love cream cheese and black olive sandwiches.

5. I have an unnatural fondness for my label maker. Just thinking about it makes me sigh with contentment.

6. I collect: vintage canisters, Josef figurines, purses, fortune cookie fortunes and vintage linen dishcloths. Among other things.

7. I do not watch the news. Ever. I choose to remain blissfully uninformed.

8. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. I read it a few times each year.

9. I like jigsaw puzzles.

10. I love make-up, but seldom wear it. Same for perfume.

11. I don't know what color my parachute is.

12. I am horrible with money, but I'm working on getting better.

13. Sometimes I miss my dad so much I feel like someone punched me in the stomach.

14. Sometimes I love my kids so much I feel like I can't breathe.

15. I distrust people who don't swear or laugh at politically incorrect jokes. Retards are funny, people! Lighten up.

16. I am always surprised at how much I like my family up close.

17. I think the most important thing you can do is to be generous. I usually don't feel like I am generous enough.

18. I adore my husband.

19. I don't walk my dogs as much as I should.

20. I would have a zillion kids if Brian would let me. But he won't.

21. I wish my hair were different.

22. I don't scrapbook, but I desire to have all the tools and papers and everything else.

23. I love fabric stores and hardware stores.

24. I secretly love Martha Stewart.

25. I am happier than I ever thought I would be.