Photography Challenge Day 11: Something Blue

With the new pool, I have several blue photos. 

Next up in the Photo Challenge: Sunset.

Note: If you'd like to do the challenge too, all of the days are listed here. I think there's an actual month long challenge, but I'm not doing it. I'm just doing them when I have time or just the right picture happens. If you like to take pictures, I encourage you to do the same. I'd love to see your photos too :) 

Smart(ass) Kid

Everyone wants their kid to be smart, I'm no different. Everyday I see in her talents that will one day lead to a successful career; some examples:

• She'd make a great manager - she bosses us around all the time.
• A food tester - assuming I can actually get her to taste it.
• A Wal-Mart Door Greater - Anytime we go shopping she randomly hellos people. She also greets all of her classmates enthusiastically in the mornings, or so I am told.
• IT Manager - she's really good with computers and has been for more than two years now.

A mischievous smile if I ever saw one... 

I also note a few things she probably won't excel at, like:

• Babysitter - she carries her doll babies around by their hair. Note: she did not learn this from me. Also, they are always naked. Again, not something taught by mommy.
• Lifeguard - she refuses to go under water.
• Anything requiring a lot of patience. Note: I have no patience for this characteristic. I'm certain she got it from her father.

Angie sure is smart though, at least in my opinion. I've never been around small kids much, so I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Let me give you an example.

Last week on the way home from school (which is an hour drive) she tells me "Mom, I need to go potty."

"Can you hold it until we get home?"

"No, but I can hold it until we get to McDonald's..."

"But can you hold it until we get home?"

"Mom, I already told you," she says slowly and distinctly, "I. can. hold. it. until. we. get. to. McDonald's."

Smart ass kid, "but we're not. going. to. McDonald's. Can you hold it until we get home?"

Heavy sigh from the backseat, "yes..."

Mom 1, Angie 0.

She's 4. What's my life going to be like in 10 years??

In other news, I bought the book Monsters Eat Whiny Children, as I said I would. It's very cute and Angie loves it. Probably because it's fun for mommy to read. It's not scary at all.

However, one night when she was trying to delay going to bed (again) she said, "mommy, there's a monster in my closet."

"Honey, as long as you don't whine, the monster won't eat you"

She offered no further resistance and I went on to earn a Top Ten Tweet of the Week from @RubySpikes.

Mom 2, Angie 0

Don't worry though, the score is probably more like Mom 2, Angie 1,274. She certainly keeps me on my toes. For example she peed in my car the week prior to the day mentioned above, without even telling me that she had to go potty! So, the whole McDonald's ploy may have had pre-planning.

Today was a good day

Nomnom enjoyed her meals.

Angie helped make dinner.

Lenny made fried cauliflower, broccoli and shrimp.

Can't you just feel the love? I can :)

Photography Challenge Day 10: A childhood memory

Pooh Bear has always been with me, since the very first day of my life. I am almost positive that he was a gift from my Aunt Pat. 

Yes, I was a fat baby. 9 lbs. 2 oz. I was also a month late.

Pooh Bear has been "re-furred" twice over the course of his life, because I loved him bare. 

Hehe, a bare bear. 

I still have him. He now hangs out in my library with many of my other old toys and books, and every time I see him, I can't resist giving him a hug.

He's been with me through thick and thin for over 40 years. It's had to find a better friend.

He's not as fuzzy as he once was, and one of his eyes has been replaced, but he's still my best friend.

My friend Wendy (yes, I have a friend Wendy. No, I'm not referring to myself in 3rd person) linked me this yesterday and it seems so fitting I'm putting it here:

Image from www.rockpapercynic.com

Photography Challenge Day 11: Something blue

The Lady Bug Game

Recently I bought Angie The Lady Bug Game. Here's a short review.

The game is for kids aged 3 and up. There are small pieces, which seems to be the criteria for ages under 3. (I'm here to tell you that wanting to put everything in your mouth doesn't always stop at 3, but I digress).

It's very reasonably priced and actually quite a lot of fun. The game is simple enough for kids to grasp quickly, yet interesting enough to keep everyone involved until the end. There's no reading required, once the kids learn what the cards all mean (which didn't take long at all).

I find it to be enjoyable to play, which is good because I've played it several times a day since we got it.

I highly recommend this game for young children. It teaches them basic math skills, taking turns and how to win and lose well. And best of all, it's fun to play! :)