Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Have you ever had one of those days that just turns out golden, from the first cup of coffee with the perfect amount of cream to last page of a really, really great book and turning out the light? Those days are rare, for me, but I had one yesterday. I even had a good hair day, for heaven sake! Found my lucky jeans on the first try, the first sweater I put on didn't make me look like a lactating walrus, MATCHING SOCKS (L and R on the appropriate feet, Mike G.) and none of my mascara fell on my cheek...it all stayed put. Those things alone would've been enough to make the day rather remarkable. Okay, even just finding my makeup made it pretty darn special.

My friend Traci twirled her magic cordless phone and came up with a dependable, kind, starving elementary ed college student who was willing to drive 25 miles to babysit four orangutans. For 6 consecutive hours! So we were able to go to Miles for a girl's day, finish our Christmas shopping, eat a hot meal sitting in an honest to goodness dining room and go into several stores we haven't visited since our oldest children were born. I think we were both watching the other, holding our breath, trying not to tell someone "DON'T TOUCH!". I'm notorious for being a really awful shopper, but everything I needed I found, within budget.

And, wonder of wonders, it was bookclub night. The bookclub I am privileged to be a member of is a group of women that defies description. I hang on every month for that one glorious night when we get together to eat (they are glorious cooks, every one of them), laugh, cry, eat, explore life, drink wine, eat, repeat. And we actually read the books, too. I can't talk about these girls without gushing. So I won't. They'll be all embarrassed when they read this anyway.

I always think back through the day, as I lay in bed trying to wind down, praying with gratitude, perplexment, pleas and everything. This was a golden day and all I could think was "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Beverage Bliss

PopPop and Dad were busting through the drifts in our driveway with the tractor, so I took 20 minutes and bundled the kids up for a 5 minute tractor ride. On my way back into the house for my 5 minutes of alone time (you take whatever you can get, here) I looked at the thermometer. -22 degrees at 4 PM.

Maggie wanted to stay outside and climb the snow mountain left behind, but I unreasonably insisted she come back in for hot cocoa. Angus had boogies frozen to his face, so he was a little more open to the idea.

Here they are, partaking. We had to refill the marshmallow scum three times....it was a great day!

Let's play!

Games Toddlers Play

• It's Mine! A charming little game of keepaway that involves two tots, one broken toy originating at McDonalds accidentally found at the bottom of the toybox. This is a noisy, contact sort of game, involving angry shrieking, running, tackling, crying and so forth. The object of the game is to make the Mommy crazy.


• Kitten-Go-Seek. This was referred to in another post and deserves explanation. One or both of the children obtains a kitten from the porch and transports the animal to a room with a door. The kitten is then ensconced in a hiding place (tomb) known only to the child. Popular spots have been: sock drawer, toy barn, pillowcase and purse. The child then comes out and declares that they can't find the pet. Mayhem ensues until the feline is released. The object of the game is to make the Mommy crazy.


• I Drew You A Picture! (This is one can be controversial, as there are those who would protest that the arts MUST be supported and encouraged. Those who are of that opinion have never had this game played at thier home.) In this game, the toddler first has to determine what is irreplacable, of great value, related to the IRS and the like. When the parent on duty takes his or her ONE ALLOWABLE bathroom break, the toddler quickly draws (in permanent ink) a veritable masterpiece on the aforementioned object of value. When the parent returns, a scant 2.5 minutes later, they are sweetly greeted with grubby hands holding up the art and the words "I drew you a picture!" The object of this game is to make Mommy crazy.


• Cooking and Cleaning, a game that is NOT what the title infers! This game starts deceptively innocently, with toy pots, spoons and the play kitchen that a grandmother who will not be named here gave to the children. Mixing and stirring air is not as satisfying as the JC Penney catalog would lead one to believe, so quickly the cherubs decide to use something of substance. Something like baby shampoo or coins from thier piggy banks. After a time, they look around and realize they have made a mess, so they proceed to get water from the bathroom in thier toy teapot and clean up. The object of this game is to make Mommy crazy.


• Fetch. No, they don't fetch; the parents do. The darlings drop a train behind the couch-Mommy fetches. Oopsies, forgot a cap when going feeding with Daddy-Mommy fetches. In bed, prayers said, lights dimming, child thirsting to DEATH- Mommy fetches. The object of this game is to make Mommy crazy.