Old People are Funny

The whole family went out to lunch today and as we were leaving there was this big Cadillac with this ancient man at the wheel driving across the parking lot about to hit us. Raif slammed on the brakes and hit the horn. The man stopped and turned to look at us and first put up his pointer finger, then two fingers and finally three fingers and kept looking increasingly annoyed as he went. It took me a moment to figure out that he was trying to flick us off but either couldn't remember which finger or couldn't get his middle finger up. Silly old people.

Greatest Show on Earth

Sunday we took Greyson and Quinn to their first circus. I was a bit nervous about it and so we bought cheap tickets. Considering the kids' reactions to Santa Claus and pretty much anyone in a costume I was worried the clowns might freak them out.

When we got there I was beginning to think my fears were going to be realized. The pre-show was going on where kids could walk around the circus floor. There were clowns and performers mingling around. Greyson was terrified and wanted to leave. Quinn didn't cry but was clinging to my neck for dear life. We managed to get them to put on some of the costumes but that was about it then it was back to the seats.

I think it was a good idea to get the cheap tickets because they were far away. Our seats were far enough back that they weren't scared of the clowns and they actually really enjoyed the show. When the clowns came out Greyson would say that he didn't like the clowns but wasn't scared and didn't cry. Both of them sat on the edge of their seats the whole time and loved the elephants, lions and the motorcycles. Greyson even cried when the circus was over so I think the outing was a success. Here are some pictures from the day. You can see the rest of them on Raif's smug-mug site:

http://sailrace.smugmug.com/gallery/7197677_HBEjR#P-1-16

Busy Day...

This conversation happened after Quinn's nap today..

Me: Quinn how as your nap?
Quinn: Busy.
Me: What made your nap so busy today?
Quinn: I pooped.

Give me an "O"

OK, so anyone who knows me knows that I was 'slightly' excited at Obama's election. So on Tuesday I suspended my TV watching rule and Quinn and I spent the morning watching the inauguration. OK, in reality I watched the TV and Quinn pestered me to play with her, but we are splitting hairs here!! She does know who Barack Obama is and told me every time he came on TV. She wanted to know what he was going to buy at the mall (as the announcers were talking about how crowded it was). She also clapped at his swearing in - though that may have been slightly prompted by me. The highlight of the morning though, was as I made her sit and listen to Yo-Yo-Ma's musical interlude she turned to me and said that she liked Jingle Bells better. (sigh). But here is a picture of Quinn watching history in the making....

All In The Family

We had a busy week last week. Raif's parents were in town for the week and then Raif's sister and her family came in for MLK weekend. Erims Galore!! Greyson and Quinn had a wonderful time with their Nini and Dede and their aunt, uncle and cousins. Here are some pics from their stay.

Goose or Maverick???

It's A PAR-TY

To celebrate the last day of the Corduroy unit, Greyson's class held a teddy bear pajama party. The kids came in their PJ's and brought their favorite bear.
Here is Greyson's class showing off their bears.

Greyson's best friend Yohannes showing off his Hugh Hefner smoking jacket and his sweet penguin slippers.
Greyson with his Panda and a wicked case of hat hair.

The World's Most Embarrasing Mom. (And a really big moment)

Yup - you guessed it - me.

We went out to dinner tonight and while we were waiting for our food I brought out our little portable chalkboard and started working with letters and lo and behold Greyson sounded out his very first word. "HAT".

Well I got emotional and started bawling in the middle of the Murfreesboro Chophouse and poor Greyson thought he had done something wrong. I am sure he is now emotionally scarred on reading. But I can't help it - I am so proud of the little man!!

So....WAY TO GO GREYSON!!!!!

Martini anyone?

Greyson asked me to help him with his train track but apparently I didn't do a good enough job. When I took one of the pieces off he told me "Stop that Mommy." Then he shook his head and said "Mommy you are going to drive me to drink."

Bridal Portrait

This morning Raif and I got some wonderful news. One of our closest and dearest friends informed us that he is getting married. Our friend Taylor is engaged to a wonderful girl by the name of Ayumi. Taylor has visited before and the kids have talked to Ayumi over Skype so they are familiar with both of them. We spent breakfast this morning talking about the impending nuptuals and how excited we were.

This afternoon while we were playing Play - Doh Quinn made this and turned to me and informed me that it was Ms. Ayumi and that she was marrying Mr. Taylor.


I think Quinn is on to something - everyone has bridal portraits but how many people have their likeness sculpted in Play-Doh? Perhaps we should save this and present it as the wedding gift!!

Seriously though - congratulations Taylor. Ayumi - you couldn't have found a better guy. We are so happy for you both.

A'Hoy Mates

For Greyson's pirate themed first birthday party our friend Susanna got him a pirate outfit. He never wore it at his party because a) it was like 500 degrees outside and b) the outfit was huge. After the party I put it in a box with his other birthday stuff and promptly forgot about it. Well this week while cleaning out the house (one of my resolutions) I found it. I thought - this thing still is huge (12 months size my arse) perhaps Quinn can wear it. Well lo and behold it fits. Here is my pirate girl.

Very Special Guest

This week at Greyson's school they are doing the book Corduroy (one of my favs). Since Corduroy had grand adventures in the book the children have been asked to have adventures with him as well. Each day one child takes Corduroy home and plays with him and then writes about it (OK, he tells me and I write) and draws a picture to share with the class the next day. Well today was Greyson's day. I was interested to see what he did. Greyson plays pretend but never with anything - or not with something that could be animate like a bear. We build forts and he pretends he is a bear or the big bad wolf but never uses any stuffed animals or such when he plays.

However, he took this assignment with gusto. Corduroy did EVERYTHING today.
We rode on an airplane (that's him in the back of the plane!)
Then we all had tea and Greyson even helped Corduroy stir in his sugar.
After that it was pizza for everyone.
Finally it was off to bed and Corduroy joined the menagere of animals that Greyson sleeps with every night.
Here is the picture he drew. For those not well versed in Greyson's artistic style that is a picture of Corduroy in the middle and the airplane we flew on at the bottom.

All in all a very good evening with our first sleep over guest. Now the interesting part will be what Greyson does when someone else takes him home tomorrow.

Well if the dogs are happy.....

I was feeding the kids lunch and turned around to find them feeding the dogs their leftover goose from New Year's Eve. "Greyson, don't feed the dogs your lunch. You eat it."

Greyson replied in a very serious and concerned voice - "But Mommy, the dogs love goose."

He is right.... I guess we have the best feed dogs in Nashville.