Picture of the Day

O standing next to the head of a T. Rex at the Museum of Natural History.

While one has nine inch, serrated teeth and an appetite for flesh (O stops at meatballs), I can't say for sure, barring the whole extinction thing, which one I'd consider more dangerous when left to his or her own devices.

The Votes Are In....

First, I want to know what two people can walk away from a big bowl of Halloween candy and, second, at what point did they sell their soul to the devil?

Does it even matter what the results are? I start by being very picky with my choices, favoring Reese's and Laffy Taffy as available. Then, as the pile diminishes, I'll eat anything....including those wretched Mary Janes or, gasp, Necco Wafers.

Best to just throw it away and blame Daddy.

On to the next poll....

Picture of the Day

Enjoying a dinosaur roar at the Museum of Natural History.

Question of the Day

I have 3,000 toys in my home.

On any given day you can come to my home and feel as though you are experiencing what it would look like if someone ever blew up a Toys R' Us and dumped the remains in someone's home. Princess everything, trucks, balls, train tables, ball pits, zillions of books and puzzles, and too many freshly vaccinated stuffed animals.

Given this salute to materialism (despite my best efforts to avoid raising entitled children), one question remains:

Why must half my morning be spent referring the proper sharing of one 25 cent rubber ball between two normally loving siblings????

Southern Hospitality

Just a few days ago I put a call into my mother (aka Bama) for no reason other than to say hello and see about her day. Since Joseph loves to get on the phone these days (though, talking isn't always part of that), he was quick to usurp the reciever from my grip and carry in and intriguing conversation that, from his end, went something like this:

"Hi, Bama.....uh huh.....yea......yea.....bye bye.......where's Papa?"

Since Papa was at work, my mother suggested that we call him at the office. Hoping we weren't interrrupting an important meeting or more important nap, I quickly dialed his office number and handed the phone back to Joseph. Again, the call went something like this:

"Hi Papa....are you at work?.......yea.....yea....playing with O........fire truck.....Mommy's right here....okay ......bye bye."

Thrilled that a substantial back and forth of information had occurred, I scooped up the phone to greet my dad who was chuckling on the end.

"Hi, Dad," I greeted.

"Uh, hello there," he responded.....only it wasn't him. It was a man, it had a strong Southern drawl, and it seemed to have enjoyed the conversation even more than Joseph. It then said:

"Now, I don't know who Papa is, but I'm pretty sure he ain't me."

"Oh, I'm sorry....must have....wrong number," I stumbled, trying to figure out what number I'd actually dialed.

"Ha! That's quite all right. That little guy can give me a call any time. Have a good one."

Still a little startled, I turned to Joseph who was still stationed nearby, playing quietly with his Mater car.

What did I miss?

I Had a Dream

I had a dream that I was grocery shopping.

Yep, that's it.

I went up and down aisle after aisle just grocery shopping. There did seem to include a climactic moment when, having discovered a steal of a sale on chicken cutlets, I couldn't decide whether or not to get them because they weren't free range.

That's it.

Enthralling.

Looking For Stories

I am starting a new project and am looking for any service man or woman who's been deployed to Iraq, from the Gulf War to present, and who also a very compelling story from their experience there.

My timeline is tight and so, if you know of anyone who has an amazing (and true) story, please direct them to me at: dalessandrochristine@gmail.com. I am looking for all ranks from all of the armed services.

Time is also of the essence.

Other People's Kids

When it comes to the radio, there are few things funnier than a kid dancing and singing to something not exactly intended for their demographic. I recently posted about Olivia and her antics in the school bathroom as she performed "Single Ladies" before the mirror and a wide audience of curious preschoolers.

I also have a nephew that would rather memorably quote the line, "Do the Helen Keller thing and talk with your hips." (shout out to Drew).

But one of my new favorite performances comes care of Colleen McCourt and her too-dorable boys, Aiden and Colin who both like to sing the following:


"ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma......face"

I was howling with laughter....every time they did it, which made up most of the morning I spent with them.

Any ideas on the song??

Picture of the Day Meets What the Hell?!

At John's office Halloween party, the balloon artist was amazing. When he asked Joseph what he wanted him to make, Joseph said, "Sumpin' green".

Amazing.

What the hell is it?

Guess Who? A clue, a clue

Pay particular attention to her accessories......

Guess Who?

Picture of the Day

It's a pillow.

It's a pet.

It's a pillow pet.

People Are Nutty

As the holiday season remains on the not so distant horizon, I have learned that waiting too long to secure holiday outfits for the kids can also mean getting third choices in sizes that are not quite right....on December 1st.

Taking this lesson with me, I began looking early for O's Christmas dress. Ever the Nordstrom fan, I immediately found the dream dress and its irrational price tag (at least, according to my financial advisor) in their children's department and began weighing the pros and cons of such a purchase.

She'll wear it twice.

vs.

It will be immortalized in countless pictures and the annual holiday album.


I HAD to have it. Luckily, my friend Jackie is the ultimate fashionista (a standard I measure by how, when wearing an outfit I would consider fashionable, I inevitably feel like a vagabond standing next to her) and she found the dress in a local boutique at half off!

The catch: it was last year's version and the difference was so slight that the boutique owner didn't even bother to order this year's version.

So, thrilled over the more reasonable price and praying that her size would still be available, I got to the shop as fast as my materialistic heart could take me.

And she had it!!!

A perfect size four!!

What's more....she also had a little guy outfit that complimented it perfectly.....Merry Christmas!!

And, as it turns out, luck was completely on my side.

According to the shop owner, only an hour before I arrived, a grandmother had stopped in and grabbed the dress as a present to her granddaughter, who was living in Dubai with her mom and diplomat dad (la di da). Fortunately for me, she decided she could not bring herself to purchase it after the shop owner boasted that the very same dress was worn by Sasha Obama the year before.

Apparently, Obama's policies were too unfavorable for her to endorse such a fashion statment.

Nutty, Nut, Nuts!

And completely my gain.


ho, ho, highlarious!!

Christmas Come Early for the Maid

Picture of the Day

He works hard for the money.

In Memoriam

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." ~José Narosky

Confession of the Day

I started to watch the Fort Hood memorial, but had to turn it off.

Video Clip of the Day

A sign you've got a problem with the drink....crazy.

Monday Madness

Now that the house is healthy, Monday proved to be busy with much needed play dates and dental hygiene.

The Highlights:

1) Joseph and his friend Colin running around story time chanting "E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!" while the introverted storyteller (whom I suspects self-medicates for survival) stared off in a glazey haze of Winnie the Pooh and the Apple Orchard.

2) Dr. Andy worked his magic for another stress-free dental visit for both kids. On the downside, however, he also told me I should prepare my financial advisor for the inevitable requirement of orthodontic for the little miss and her much too tiny mouth. My financial advisor is on the phone with Dr. Andy (aka Jeremy's little brother) as I type.

3) Joseph asked ME to tuck him in for bed. I wanted to cry a little bit.

Picture of the Day

Apparently there's a Match.com for kids...bridal wear not required.