Happy Birthday, Auntie J!

Happy birthday to the best sister and aunt around.

Love,

The Kid and I

I'd like to thank the Academy

Two of the nicest people around nominated me for a blogger award. Coming from them just makes it that much nicer. Thank you!! (And if you are ever up this way, I can't cook, but The Kid and I would GLADLY go out to dinner!)

Now, since that Academy Award that I had planned on winning from the time I was about 9 isn't going to happen anytime in the near future, I would like to take this opportunity to use the acceptance speech that I have been working on for the last 25 years. Let's assume I've done all the obligatory thanking of my agent, academy voters and cast and crew.

"I'd also like to thank my junior high and high school choir directors. Now who has NO TALENT, NANCY and STEVE???? Thanks to my family for always being so supportive. Hey Jeff/Ryan/Joel/Jeremy/Mike! I bet you are sorry you turned me down when I asked for a date NOW, huh?? Thanks also to my incredible husband, Orlando Bloom (when I was 9 this would have been Harrison Ford and/or John Taylor of Duran Duran.) You complete me, babe!

I'd also like to thank the sweetest little girl in the world for giving me the inspiration to keep up my semi-regular posts. This is for you, Kiddo!

Now, I guess I'm supposed to nominate some other nice people. So, if any of these fine people have already been nominated, I guess it just means that you are extra nice.

First off, two moms that I have never met but would LOVE to someday.

Eliza's mom. I only recently came across her blog, but can just tell what a kind and sweet person she is. Plus, Eliza is adorable.

Second, Beverly. Another blog that I've only been reading for a short time, but I just love her stories about her daughter, Glenys. That little girl is a hoot and so is her mom!

And finally, Me, You and a Dog Named Zu. I know this couple personally and I don't think I have ever had the pleasure of meeting two nicer people. They will make the best mommy and daddy in town.

I believe I am supposed to nominate 7, but that's all I can think of at the moment. If I think of any others I'll let you know.

Sunday in the park

Lovely day for an impromptu picnic and playtime.

I have no clever title today

I always know that if I ever slack with Ye Olde Blog that someone will make it known unto me. So, that's why I'm taking a break from my oh-so-busy life to give an update.

We're good. Preschool is still good. Although, I just *think* preschool is going well because I haven't heard of any problems. And if it weren't for the weekly newsletter from the teachers, I would have NO CLUE what they do each week. Every day after preschool, this is the general conversation between The Kid and I.

Me: HI SWEETIE!! How was preschool today??!?

TK: Good.

Me: What did you do today?

TK: I don't know.

Me: Did you play outside?

TK: Yes.

Me: Did you play with your friends?

TK: Yes.

Me: Did you fly to the moon and slide on a rainbow?

TK: Yes.

I remember when I was just a little older than The Kid coming home from school and my mom harassing me about what I did in school that day. She just would not stop with the questions and I seem to recall punching her in the stomach. (Sorry about that Grandmumsy!!) I still to this day need to decompress for a bit before I feel like talking about whatever happened during my day. (And when you factor in that you really best not speak to me much before 10am, I have a limited window of conversation with people during the day. ) I want her to tell me about her day, but I also don't want to hound her for info.

And now, for a certain someone who complained because I hadn't posted anything for a while, I give you "The Many Faces of The Kid." I working on sharpening The Kid's acting skills. What do you think? Her next face will be BLUE STEEL.

Mad

Happy

Sad

Sleepy

Scared

A meme

I haven't been tagged for this, but saw it around and wanted to do it, too.

Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line four, and write what it says.
"If you press the shutter button halfway and return to the..." (from my camera manual)

Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?
My printer. Junk. The Wall.

What is the last thing you watched on TV?
News

Without looking, guess what time it is.
10:23pm (actually 10:27)

With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
My ceiling fan humming and me sniffling due to allergies.

When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
When I came home from work.

Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
I checked out all the blogs I read and checked my email

Did you dream last night?
Yeah. Some weird thing about high school and having to take a typing class but I had to use the old computers that we had in elementary school that used giant floppy disks and everybody else had fancy laptops. Then I had to go to gym class. I would call that a nightmare.

When did you last laugh?
Probably when I was putting The Kid to bed. I had to tell her towelie to have sweet dreams, too.

What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Paint

Seen anything weird lately?
Heck yeah. I see weird stuff all the time. I was at a renaissance festival just the other day. Talk about weird.

What do you think of this Meme?
Ehhhh.

What is the last film you saw?
In the theatre, Harry Potter 5
On video, The Little Mermaid and Hot Fuzz

If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A theatre company

Tell me something about you that I don’t know?
I have a very hard time with organized religion, but I consider myself religious/spiritual. I just have never found the right thing to tie into all of my beliefs. But I also think that religion and spirituality are very personal so I don't talk about it.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would you do?
Equality and tolerance for all. (I know it's two things, but if you can do one, you might as well do the other.)

Comment to President Bush.
If I can't say anything nice, I won't say anything at all.

Would you ever consider living abroad?
If that lottery ever comes through I'll be out of here so fast......

What do you want to say to God when you get to heaven?
Thank you. I had a lovely time.

Weekend Roundup

First off, a quick update about preschool. Day two went smashingly well for both her and I. She even brought home her first bit of artwork. I'll scan it in tonight so you can see it. It's titled "Flying Giraffe" and I think it is exceptional. Also, when I asked her what she did in preschool on Thursday, she said she played with her friends. I asked what their names were and she just shrugged and said "I don't know....MY GIRLS!" HA!

Over the weekend, we did one of my very favorite things in the world. We went to a renaissance festival and made fun of the weirdos. Wheee! I was in heaven. The Kid was too. She got to see fairies, pirates, get a dolphin painted on her arm AND ride a REAL LIVE HORSE!!! She also got to practice two of her new favorite phrases "Arrrrrr, Matey!" and "ROCK ON DUDE!"

And here's a little quiz or a puzzler for you all. What do you do with a child who has NEVER made a fuss about taking a bath OR washing their hair and then suddenly acts like I have poured hot lava onto her head? Seriously, what used to be a fun bonding/playtime activity has now become pure torture for both of us. She will absolutely freak out if I try to wash her hair because it gets in her ears or her eyes. But, if she would sit still, it wouldn't. And then after we finally get her hair washed, she gets one of her tub toys and sprays water in her face. What's up with that? Why is that any different? Ugggghhhhh.

Well. That was really much harder than I expected.

I should have known. I cry all the time over weird little things. So why I thought I wouldn't cry taking my little girl to her first day of preschool is beyond me. I was so calm all morning, but then when I made The Kid stand in front of the door so I could take her picture, I felt a twinge, a little burn in my eyes and my throat tightened just a bit. I ignored it, and it quickly went away. Then, as we were in the car, on our way to preschool, out of nowhere, my eyes started burning again and my throat got a little tighter than it had before. But I was still able to blink and swallow to make it go away. And then I was fine! I was fine when she got out of the car and we walked in the building. Still fine as she hung her 'pack-pack' up on the wall. And I was really STILL fine when she went running into her classroom without so much as a "Bye, mama!" No, really. I was fine! But when I saw her teacher pick her up and give her a great big hug, I couldn't stop the burning or the tightening. It was all I could do to keep from making a complete arse out of myself in front of complete strangers. And if there is one thing I CAN'T STAND, it is crying in front of people. So, I basically just had to run out of there.

Don't get me wrong. I love that she is so confident. And I can't help but feel like I've done a pretty good job making her feel safe, secure and loved that she has no fear about going into a totally new situation. But.....she's my little girl! And yet, I was so proud of her today. I peeked in the room for the last 15 minutes or so, and she was taking it all in and in the middle of every bit of activity. I wish that I could be more like her.

And I don't think I mentioned it, but at last week's preview, The Kid was pretty tight with one little girl, in particular and her mom sat down next to me and we got to chatting and they are waiting to adopt from China! And they went through the same agency that I did! Small world, ain't it?

And finally, I'm sure my kiddo can't be the only one whose favorite bedtime friend is a rubber chicken, right? The Kid would like you all to meet Marcy, the chicken. Marcy was a gift from Crazy Uncle Mark. (You should have seen the looks we got at Super T @rget yesterday with her carrying that thing around and hugging it and talking to it......)

First Day of Preschool

Pics for now. Thoughts on the day later.


She just took off....not even a look back.
This was the point at which I started bawling and had to leave.
Dancing to The Fish Song.

Saying good bye at the end of class
In the zone.
And she's out.
Celebratory Ice Cream