Quasimo(squi)do

I took the kids for a walk on Tuesday morning when the temperature was a balmy 65 degrees and the humidity must have been at least 85 percent. Yesterday, we sat in the park for about 20 minutes around 11:00 a.m., still in air wetter than any tropical destination. Without knowing it, I managed to garner 27 mosquito bites, some of which penetrated my shirt (and I even have one on the bottom of my foot, right in the arch). They are gigantic and are driving me completely crazy! The biggest one of all is right on the back of my neck and leaves me looking like a poor old hunchback with only one thing to say: SANCTUARY!

Six Days Left

The kids and I are flying to Utah on Friday, never to return to our little house in the ghetto; I am so excited to be out of Lansing but feel a little melancholy to be leaving such wonderful friends (being away from Adam for a month is awful, too!). We've been here for three years--longer than we've lived anywhere as a couple--and I actually do feel a bit sad to be moving on. As ridiculous as it may sound, I've grown to love going to playgroup because I've met many amazing women (and their darling kids) who are wise, friendly, and funny to boot. I'll definitely miss everyone in the Holt Ward...and the pizza from DeLuca's! :)

From Baby to Big Girl in No Time Flat

I'm amazed by how quickly children grow up, especially when they do it right before my eyes. Just last week I felt like Karli would be a tantrum-throwing, whining infant forever, and yesterday I noticed she was talking to everyone like a tiny adult, reasoning and communicating with actual words instead of wailing and sobbing. Suddenly, she's even more entertaining and loveable than before and it's so fun to see/hear her develop into a big girl.

We marked the occasion (and her upcoming 2nd birthday) by getting her long-awaited earrings today. She was so brave and only cried for a few seconds. She told me she wanted "Monsters, Inc. earrings with soap in them", so I made an executive interpretation and ordered the clear, sparkly kind that I liked best. She has been such a good girl to not touch the earrings and lets me clean and medicate them without a fight. She says she looks like Giselle from "Enchanted" and is so excited to have pierced ears like Amber. Her little ears look darling!

Death by Olives

My poor digital camera finally gave up its ghost after three long years of toddler abuse. It's door hung by a meager, broken hinge for at least a year before it finally snapped off, thus rendering the camera useless (the broken door leaves the camera in a permanent "off" position; I'm considering a law suit against HP for an inherent design flaw). Goodbye, dear camera, you've been a great help in documenting some magnificent moments in my life.

One ray of light in this tragic moment is the slew of pictures I took just before zero hour: a feast of olives by Amber and Karli. I've only met one person who doesn't like olives (Adam) and I got a big kick out of seeing Amber and Karli put an olive on each finger the way I used to when I was a kid. Karli even managed to fit a few on her smaller toes (I envy her flexibility but am certainly glad I'm past the years of thinking it's cool to eat with my feet). They had a blast making "monster hands" and eating the olives off each other's digits until Amber accidentally took a bite of Karli's index finger.

Nudie Fest

Karli has finally taken someone over to the dark side; Rex enjoys spending time in the buff just as much as she does. Thank heavens he can't vocalize his desires like Karli can. She always yells out, "I want to be nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnNUDIE!" even in the grocery store and Relief Society.

Gas and Giggles

Rex has been smiling a bunch; of course, his best smiles occured just before we turned on the camera today. He is very well natured and we love having him around!

Rachael Ray, Beware

Amber is going to take over your career! She loves to cook and even has her own little toque. Here's the first take of the "Cheese Pie" episode of her cooking show. :)