Man, this was a successful year of Trick or Treating for sure. I didn't have to buy or make any costumes since everyone was happy with things we already had. No one had a meltdown at the end of the evening, and they all fell asleep less than 2 minutes after I tucked them in.

I realize I am tempting fate by posting this, but I just have to share my good fortune with y'all.

I hope you had a great evening too, but if not… just remember that I am doomed next year to not repeat this perfect night :)

Just a minute ago. It didn't wake the kids up, but it was a reasonably long one.

I went into the kitchen where Craig was making dinner and he didn't even notice it was happening. I mentioned it might be a good idea for him to put down the giant chef's knife he was using to point out the swaying fruit basket.

Ah, California.

In case you were wondering, I will not be doing NaBloPoMo again this year. I barely have it in me to do the little posting I do now, and if I added the pressure of must-post-daily to my brain… well, it would just explode.

What I remember from last year, however, is that many of those who participated spent so much time posting that they no longer had time for commenting, so I'm just waving to y'all and saying "See you in December!"

Have fun :)

How hilarious is it that when asked to draw a picture of his house, Mike draws a floorplan?

The answer is, of course, it is very freaking hilarious. Well. To me at least.

(Special note to stalkers: you're welcome.)

So every Monday Mike's teacher sends home a lot (maybe all?) of the work he's done in school. I love it because I get to see the wide range of things they're studying in kindergarten, and he really likes showing off what he's done.

There are some days, however, when I am at a loss for something he's written. I'm totally on-board with the whole "sound it out" theory of learning to spell, but in some cases I do have to ask him the ever so insulting question "Hey, so what does this say?"

I'll show you an example. Here's a little booklet he brought home today.

Cute, right? Inside he'd drawn pictures with captions such as "MOON" and "MASK" but then there was this:

Hmmm. MIEGRRAD.

Norwegian for migraine? A city in the Ukraine? I had no idea and I had to ask. When he told me, it made perfect sense, but I don't think I would have ever come up with it on my own.

So here's the test. Are you a better mommy than I am? What do you think it says?

Yes, it cramps my style a little bit, but it is certainly better than when he's standing next to me mad and yelling:

"Mommy, you poopy!"

"I'm not going to be your best friend."

"I don't like you mommy! You a rock!"

How in the world is all this coming from a kid who is not yet three? Third child for sure…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved labeling changes for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs in the class that includes Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra, to display more prominently the potential risk of sudden hearing loss, and to guide consumers on what to do if they experience sudden problems with their hearing.

I know there's a joke in there, I just can't find it…

This doesn't seem right.

I get that some kids need this for medical reasons, and certainly there are times when they're going to have a celebratory huge feast, but the implication that "Hey it's OK if you just feed your kids junk" doesn't sit well with me. The "extra" calcium isn't going to make up for a crap diet.

Or is it just me being cranky?

To continue on the Chip theme, the other day he got mad because I wouldn't let him close the cabinet lock in the bathroom.

I thought the matter was settled.

A minute later Chip walks over to me. Looks me right in the eye. And says "I open it" and stomps away.

Note: that isn't the manufacture-approved opening technique, and I am a little bit afraid of his strength.

Great interview about what sounds like a great book.

One of my favorite continuing sagas.

Go here and lend a hug.

You make me laugh too, and that's not sad at all :)

Yay!

Ack, disgusting. I guess now I'm glad they don't deliver in my area… Ew.