Random list

We finally had Blake's birthday party last weekend, after he recovered from pneumonia (apparently a small case in his right upper lobe according to his xray).

Faith helped me get ready for the event. We made cupcakes and tried to tidy so people think we don't live like pigs on a day to day basis (even though we do). It all went well, including have lots of extra space now that our basement is done. Karen and I even played pool! And, miraculously I won due to a wayward eight ball.

So, after chili, cupcakes, and ice cream (also beer and wine), we declared another birthday party a success.

Anyway, I was doing some more cleaning this week (what's up with that?), and found a random list that Faith had written before the party, each item with a little checkmark beside it:

Blake's Birthday Party

• music
• cupcakes
• presents
• love
  

Cue melting hearts.

Can't go without mention

Due to the wonders of my PVR, I forced the kids to watch the inauguration today after I picked them up from school.

Impressively, Faith made it through the swearing in before she took off to play Barbies, and after a lesson in how to pronounce Barack Obama. More impressively, Blake spent the ceremony replay spontaneously sitting on his potty in front of the TV and pooping!!! So we clapped for him and Obama at the same time. This is probably one of the few instances when a parent's excitement over toilet training success was surpassed only by world events.

Happy Birthday Blake!

Blake turned 2 today! As part of this family tradition, we baked a cake, licked the bowl (I know, I know, raw eggs) and got really messy with the beaters. Afterwards, Blake peed in the potty.

All in all a good birthday so far, despite Blake's recent diagnosis of pneumonia. None of us were sick over Christmas, so the reprieve had to end sometime, right?

Overheard...

Faith and George were reading on the couch with "Executive Decision" playing in the background. You know--that famous Steven Seagal movie. (Yes...another totally inappropriate viewing moment for my children.) When she was done her book, she looked up to see Halle Berry on the screen in her little flight attendant's uniform.

"Hey! I know that lady," said Faith. "She was in the Flintstones movie. She's a really good actor."

I'm sure Halle would love to know she plays well to the under-10 set.

Happy New Year!

Yes...this is a Christmas picture, but I'm a little behind in the photo processing this season. So Happy New Year to everyone!

Four little cousins all in a row...

The kids got to meet their newest cousin, Pearl Clara, yesterday.

Then, today we met bright and early for waffles on my new waffle-maker (can you ever get too many waffles?), and general goofing around with the kids. Faith got a huge kick out of holding Clara...many, many times. Blake thought the "baby" was interesting and was very gentle. Logan thought she was also interesting in a "Mmmm...this looks like a nice new toy" kind of way, and patted her head. This was the result of trying to get all the kids into one picture. Yes...this one's for you Grampa and Gramma!

You know it's bad when...

When the telehealth nurse is trying not to laugh, you know you've entered a new level of parenting hell.

This morning I was feeling particularly parenty, and made scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Faith, being more like her Dad on the breakfast front, decided to just have a banana. Blake, on the other hand, made the eggs with me, and then dove into his toast and eggs like a lumberjack.

Things were going well. Everyone was happy. I was even reading my new book. Peace.

Then, I looked over and Blake had a piece of toast in his nose. Great. So, I pulled it out and told him "No toast in the nose!" He smiled. I should have known.

I went to help Faith get on a web site, then looked back and Blake had his finger up his nose. He looked like he was on a fishing expedition. Freak! So, I looked up his nose, and sure enough, there's a piece of toast where it shouldn't be. Great.

I dialed the telehealth Ontario number (likely the best service the Conservatives implemented), and explained "the nature of my problem".

"My kid stuck a piece of toast up his nose." Words I never thought I'd have to utter.

The telehealth nurse gamely pretended to keep a straight face as she told me he should "blow his nose vigorously". (Yeah right, a 23 month old will do this.) Otherwise, we had to take him to the emergency room to get a doctor to extract the offending object. Great.

At this point Blake started to sneeze and I figured we were home free. In fact, I thought I saw a crumb fly out. I then wrestled him to the ground and shone a flashlight up his nose to see if there was anything left. Just looked like normal boogers, so I was feeling pretty good about the whole thing.

Half an hour later, however, I noticed his nose was really starting to run. Then, he let out a huge sneeze and this baby fingernail size piece of toast came flying out of his nose, snot and all. Yuck.

And this was all before 9:00 am. Can't wait to see what the rest of the holidays brings.