Dog Days...

If you knew us pre-children you probably thought we were a bit crazed over a dear dog, Willie. He was a lap dog if ever there was one. He dressed up for Halloween and made it on the Christmas cards. We loved that dog as though it was an actual child. That is until we had a child and then two.

For the last 2.5 years Willie has been miserable. He hates his life. He used to be able to sit on a couch for 10 hours and no one bugged him. Now, he doesn't get a moments peace. Not only do they try and play with his grouchy self they like to share his food too. I would like to say this is not an inherited trait (I was a big fan of some Alpo) but I would be lying. I am not sure what it is about his dog bowls, but they love it. I often find morsels of Kibbles n' Bits in the clutches of Neal's palms. Neal also loves playing in the water. We have had many wardrobe changes due to this fascination.

Poor Willie.

Memories...

When I was but a wee child I remember wanting to have chores so badly. I remember watching my eldest sister pre wash dishes and load them into the dishwasher. Oh I so badly wanted to do the dishes. This memory came flooding back to me this morning as Emerson begged me to wash the bowl and spoon we just used to make Aunt Gee's birthday cake. I was hit with this memory and obliged her request. I scooted the chair over to the sink and helped her up. I thought I was creating a precious memory that will hopefully be etched in her mind too. It was a real Hallmark moment until she continuously kept turning the water up full blast and soaking everything in a 2 mile radius. And then screetched at me as I continually turned it down. This went on for a good 10 minutes. My ideas are so good at the time. I wonder if Joel will notice Emerson's 'help' in the next water bill?

Elmopalooza

Emerson used to be obsessed with all things Elmo. Then it moved to Zoe. Then it was all things Sesame Street. So, being the dopey parents we can be Joel and I got her tickets to see Sesame Street Live for Christmas. We went this past weekend. It was actually not so bad. In fact, I like kid venues. You can talk as loudly as you want, you can throw stuff on the floor, you can get up 100 times without making someone mad and you can always find a kid being worse than your kid! E had a great time. However, she screamed at Cookie Monster when he was on stage as she HATES him. Not sure why, but she has said he is, "trouble." And tonight she told us as we were putting her to bed for the 10th time that he was coming in his cookie van to get her. Joel assured her he beat him up outside and that seemed to pacify her as she hasn't yelled from her bed in the last 30 minutes...