Of course....

You may think this is funny. But it's not.

could it be...?

It would seem that it has happened. In the last week or so I wouldn't let myself believe it. But then this morning it was obvious, even to the children...


spring has come.

Walking out the door this morning I laughed out loud. In relief, in joy, in celebration.

The Lamb has discovered a new fashion plate for the season, denim.


And I think she rocks the look (ladybug boots and all).


The Lion Cub did manage to grab a quick snack of snow here and there when my back was turned, but her attention was diverted by her soon-to-be new hobby: dirt and rocks.



Fortunately, or unfortunately, the previous owners of our home weren't people much for gardening, and so our lawn and patio are surrounded by beds and beds of rocks. The first patches of which are slowly becoming visible through the snow and general muck. The Cub minds not the muck. In fact she loves it and had a fine collection of rocks by the end of the afternoon.


It was a joyous time for all, followed by a quick load of laundry.

Wishing you all a good long bout of sunshine. It would do us all some good.

Snow Eater

The Lion Cub loves snow. Eating snow, that is. She's been munching a bit on her snow-encrusted mitts and I've had to tell her more than a couple of times not to do it. Earlier this week I was bringing the groceries in from the van and peaked outside to see what the girls were up to... and obviously she was seizing the opportunity to literally shovel snow into her face while my back was turned. If you look closely you can even see her lick her chops hungrily at one point. Take a look for yourself. Note how at one point she bows her head and crouches down submissively - this is her "repentant" pose. Grandparents, don't be fooled - notice how she looks up at me again to see if I'm buying it? LOL!



Anyway, so there's a bit of insight for you into one of the Cub's latest habits. Her other fave is eating her cereal in the morning "like a cat". There's a lot of mess and meowing, trust me.

I could cry.

End of March 2007:


End of March 2008:


This was today actually. When will it end???

Can I brag?

Not about my kids this time (though I surely could) - it's my husband who's making a splash around here these days... I thought I'd share with you some photos of the recent art show at the university library which features his own personal sketches and drawings. I thought previously that all architects knew how to draw. And were exceptionally good, as the Professor is (machallah). But apparently NOT, because many of the other professors were surprised he has this 'hidden' talent. There you go... enjoy it because he doesn't actually *know* that I am posting these and might remove this post at any time...

This is the display, a collection of 20 or so sketches from his personal notebooks, travels, etc.


The LionCub attends the opening night, the local celebrity with sunglasses, attitude and all:


I took a couple of photos of my favourites, just with my Canon snapshot. This is the Radcliffe Camera at Oxford University. The line down the middle is the seam in his notebook.


This one is from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul:


Here's a shout-out to the Smiths... recognize this conservatory?


And another, this time in Glasgow... This chair sat by the bay window in his aunt's living room when we were there during our honeymoon in 2000:


Sorry that shot is kind of blurry.

Anyway internets, I'm off now, my secret mission is complete. xo

Reality is what?

Lamb (4.5 years old) standing at her play kitchen says

Do you want your sandwich hot or cold?

Me: Uh, hot.

Lamb: Hot means cold.

Me: Okay, cold.

Lamb: And cold means hot.

Me: How about... hot, then?

Lamb: Cold means hot and hot means cold, so....

Me: I think I want it hot.

Lamb (impatient): No...

Me (unsure): Or actually, cold.

Lamb: You want it warm then?

Me: Yes.

What's 600 times 130 million? Don't tell me.

Dear Taxpayer:

We are pleased to inform you that the United States Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which provides for economic stimulus payments to be made to over 130 million American households. Under this new law, you may be entitled to a payment of up to $600 ($1,200 if filing a joint return), plus additional amounts for each qualifying child.

From The Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

So let me get this straight. I might get $600 from the United States government, to spend on whatever I want... but our local school district had to cut 1.4 million dollars from its budget this year? I just don't understand how our community can be expected to lay off teachers, close libraries and DRY UP OUR LOCAL POOL to save money - only to have George W. Bush then give me $600 to buy myself somethin' pretty. The Early Childhood Family Education came around, practically begging for 20 bucks! I do not understand this president. I do not understand how you could ever take money OUT of education. I think that every government employee should have to send their kids to public school. If the state or the nation pays your salary, your kids go to the neighborhood school, mandatory. It would change a lot around here.

You know you have girls when...

... you do your laundry like this:

Whites.


Colours.



And Pinks.

Child's play

It was warm today. And it wasn't long before someone...


noticed a puddle.

And so what happened next was...



followed immediately by...


And after about...



a million times...



we were soaked.

But happy.

Ginger bread

The Lamb is really enjoying baking these days, so we find any excuse to whip up a batch of this or that. It's really great pre-math skills for her in measuring and counting, plus gives her confidence as she becomes more and more adept at stirring and scooping and mixing. Here's our latest round of fun:








(I'm going to make these for the Professor's next big meeting. Let's hope I get architecture cred for using my Alvar Aalto cookie cutter.)

Architecture can be funny!

The Chronicle of Higher Education proposed a 'back of the envelope' contest asking readers to submit (on the back of their envelope) a design for the George W. Bush Library. A library, ironic, I know. It's a 500-million dollars building proposed for the Southern Methodist University of... of which I cannot discern the exact location - fitting somehow. The actual building will be designed by Robert A. M. Stern, but the Chronicle apparently received 120 very interesting entries. Some of the finalists are very entertaining. More than one building is pictured floating in the air, with no visible support, or suspended by "disbelief"; while one building is almost completely underground. Some of the other features include:

the WMD Stockpile of Manufactured Evidence Library

U.S. Economy Roller coaster

the "We Do Not Torture" Torture Viewing Theater

an elevator to new "undisclosed location"

the "Al Gore Garden" for meditation on what might have been

a rooftop revolving restaurant (resembles the top half of military tank)

Voldemort in 2012 Election Center

ENJOY.

Another fabulous cake by M.

Nan is here to help in the kitchen, but Big Sister is basically in charge of design...

Red icing please!

Candle and Curious George cake topper!

Cake is ready, lots of clean up for Mom!


Happy Birthday our little Cub!


Hey. What's that on George's feet?


What are you *doing*???


Digging in!

There you have it... She's officially...

Happy Birthday

Paul Potts

something inspires me in this video clip from the reality show "Britain's Got Talent"... it's the look in his eyes, like he'd been waiting his whole life for someone to believe in him...

She's a *little* young to be getting into politics

Tonight in bed my 4 year old turned me and told me that she had made up a special song. One she thought I would like. I will transcribe it best I can here.

O-Bama! O-Bama!
Ten to O-Bama! Ten to O-Bama!
O-Bama! O-Bama! O-Bama!
he's some people's favourite
like mama or Aunty Kathleen...
O-Bama! O-Bama! O-Bama!
some people like Panera
and some people like
O-Bama! O-Bama!
OBAMA!!!!
OBAMAAAAAA!!!!

(followed by sheepish look, trying to determine if I was suitable pleased by her semi-devotional chant. do you think we've watched the Yes We Can video too many times around here?)

Heard in my kitchen

"Check it out, Mama!"


Then, pouring water all over the kitchen floor, "Check ME out Mama!"

No joke.