omigoshomigoshomigosh -- Dudley! and Hedwig!! and Ginny!!! and Kreacher!!!! and Ron!!!!! and Dumbledore!!!!!! and Snape!!!!!!! and Neville!!!!!!!! and Harry!!!!!!!!! and Voldemort!!!!!!!!!! and and and... the DEATHLY HALLOWS!!!!!!!!!!!
(pant pant pant) wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
/fan girl effusions
(No spoilers allowed in comments!)
Monday, July 23, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Just killing time...
...waiting for The Most Important Book of the Century to come out!!!
Meanwhile, I found this gem at the library today:
The Highwayman. Riding a motorcycle in NY. Pursued by FBI agents with machine guns.
Now THAT'S literature.
Meanwhile, I found this gem at the library today:
The Highwayman. Riding a motorcycle in NY. Pursued by FBI agents with machine guns.
Now THAT'S literature.
More Fun With YouTube
Seriously, check it out: an a capella version of the 1812 Overture, complete with cymbals and bells and cannons!!
Appropriately Witty Eye-catching Title of This Post
Greatest Boy Band Song Ever (HT: Mark Shea)
Ya gotta go to the YouTube page and read the comments too.
Ya gotta go to the YouTube page and read the comments too.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Birthday Blessings
four dozen miniature roses in vases all over the house:
hand-made birthday card and gifts from the Happy Box:
date night at the movies:
(Ratatouille, for those who can't see the picture)
and finally... being 29 YET AGAIN!!!
hand-made birthday card and gifts from the Happy Box:
date night at the movies:(Ratatouille, for those who can't see the picture)and finally... being 29 YET AGAIN!!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Hide & Seek!
This is Miriam's favorite game to play. And Katie, of course, does everything Miriam does.
Monday, July 09, 2007
$70 and 2 doctor visits later...
Well, the good news is that Katie isn't going to lose her eye. And the bad news... well, there really isn't any bad news, thankfully.
Last week Katie was getting out of a dining room chair, and sort of fell off the seat instead of plopping down gracefully as she normally does. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her bonk her head, and as she landed she started complaining and rubbing her eye and blinking a lot. When I checked her eye (prying it open while I held her in a headlock), I could just see a little line across her iris when it caught the reflection from the window just right. Naturally this occurred a) while Paul was here, b) right before naptime, and c) while the doctor's office was closed for lunch. After a couple minutes of whining, she seemed perfectly fine again, so I just gave her some pain killer and put her to bed. When the office finally opened, the nurse told me to go ahead and bring her in that afternoon, which I had originally planned to use to replenish our Mother Hubbard-like cupboards. So I arranged for Paul to be picked up early, and off we went to see the doctor.
Most of you know I used to work for an animal hospital, so detecting & treating eye injuries wasn't news to me. We were taken into a windowless exam room, where we read about 47 books, give or take, while we waited for the doctor. When she finally came in she touched a slim piece of paper with florescent dye on it to the edge of Katie's eyelid. Then she turned on a UV lamp and turned off the overhead light. I wish I had thought to bring the camera: Katie glowed in the dark! Both her flowery sundress and her right eye were glowing florescently. The dye did show a scratch on her cornea, so the doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotic/anti-inflammatory eye drops and off we went to join the rush hour traffic on the Beltway.
After waiting in line forever to pick up the unbelievably expensive drops (thank heavens for insurance!), I had to administer them 3 times a day -- again prying her eyeball open while holding her in a headlock. She hated it, but actually cooperated as much as she could. It was kind of cute -- when I told her it was time for her eyedrops, she would run to grab a tissue, place a pillow on the couch, and then lean her head back against it, screwing her eyes shut tight. She would whine while I was trying to open her eye, but after I finally got the drop in (which always seemed to get squeezed right back out when she blinked) and counted to 10, she would wipe the tear away with her tissue, and merrily go on her way. She's actually pretty docile when she realizes that This Is The Way Things Are Going To Be So It's In Your Best Interest To Cooperate.
Two days later we went back for a follow up, and followed the same routine: after 1,000 books we had another glow-in-the-dark Katie show -- this time I pulled out a mirror so she could see herself ("I'm all glowy! My eye is gweeeeeen!"). Her eye was completely fine -- the doctor had said it would probably heal within 24 hours, but we needed to be diligent with the drops since eye injuries get infected so easily.
So, now I have a 1/4 oz. bottle of $27 antibiotic eyedrops, and a couple more gray hairs (added to those I earned when Miriam broke a tooth on the piano bench).
Now, can anyone tell me what's up with Miriam's left eye?
--------------
UPDATE
Well, another $20 and an afternoon driving in rush hour traffic later, we learned that Miriam has a stye. Fortunately we're able to use the same drops we used for Katie. After just one application the eye looked remarkably better. After a couple days of treatment it's almost gone. Thank goodness for modern medicine!
Last week Katie was getting out of a dining room chair, and sort of fell off the seat instead of plopping down gracefully as she normally does. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her bonk her head, and as she landed she started complaining and rubbing her eye and blinking a lot. When I checked her eye (prying it open while I held her in a headlock), I could just see a little line across her iris when it caught the reflection from the window just right. Naturally this occurred a) while Paul was here, b) right before naptime, and c) while the doctor's office was closed for lunch. After a couple minutes of whining, she seemed perfectly fine again, so I just gave her some pain killer and put her to bed. When the office finally opened, the nurse told me to go ahead and bring her in that afternoon, which I had originally planned to use to replenish our Mother Hubbard-like cupboards. So I arranged for Paul to be picked up early, and off we went to see the doctor.
Most of you know I used to work for an animal hospital, so detecting & treating eye injuries wasn't news to me. We were taken into a windowless exam room, where we read about 47 books, give or take, while we waited for the doctor. When she finally came in she touched a slim piece of paper with florescent dye on it to the edge of Katie's eyelid. Then she turned on a UV lamp and turned off the overhead light. I wish I had thought to bring the camera: Katie glowed in the dark! Both her flowery sundress and her right eye were glowing florescently. The dye did show a scratch on her cornea, so the doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotic/anti-inflammatory eye drops and off we went to join the rush hour traffic on the Beltway.
After waiting in line forever to pick up the unbelievably expensive drops (thank heavens for insurance!), I had to administer them 3 times a day -- again prying her eyeball open while holding her in a headlock. She hated it, but actually cooperated as much as she could. It was kind of cute -- when I told her it was time for her eyedrops, she would run to grab a tissue, place a pillow on the couch, and then lean her head back against it, screwing her eyes shut tight. She would whine while I was trying to open her eye, but after I finally got the drop in (which always seemed to get squeezed right back out when she blinked) and counted to 10, she would wipe the tear away with her tissue, and merrily go on her way. She's actually pretty docile when she realizes that This Is The Way Things Are Going To Be So It's In Your Best Interest To Cooperate.
Two days later we went back for a follow up, and followed the same routine: after 1,000 books we had another glow-in-the-dark Katie show -- this time I pulled out a mirror so she could see herself ("I'm all glowy! My eye is gweeeeeen!"). Her eye was completely fine -- the doctor had said it would probably heal within 24 hours, but we needed to be diligent with the drops since eye injuries get infected so easily.
So, now I have a 1/4 oz. bottle of $27 antibiotic eyedrops, and a couple more gray hairs (added to those I earned when Miriam broke a tooth on the piano bench).
Now, can anyone tell me what's up with Miriam's left eye?
--------------
UPDATE
Well, another $20 and an afternoon driving in rush hour traffic later, we learned that Miriam has a stye. Fortunately we're able to use the same drops we used for Katie. After just one application the eye looked remarkably better. After a couple days of treatment it's almost gone. Thank goodness for modern medicine!
Fourth of July traditions
Like any new family we've had fun establishing family traditions. (There's no tradition like a new tradition!) One we started when Miriam was a wee babe was going to see fireworks at a local park for 4th of July. They actually have a pretty impressive display, with the requisite fireworks-on-speed grand finale. Last year we popped the girls in the double stroller and hiked the mile to the park, since the horrendous traffic afterwards makes it faster to walk. This year we actually biked, since the weather has been unseasonably lovely lately. (It's not much fun biking uphill when it's 98 degrees and 95% humidity.) So at the time the girls normally got ready for bed, we bundled them into the trailer.
Katie demonstrating that safety is VERY important.
Baby doll came along too.
In addition to the usual political booths, concert stage, and expensive carnival food stands, THIS year the park also had kiddie rides, which the girls found extremely exciting. But the Pickle parents being stingy enough not to want to fork over the $2 per ride, the girls had to amuse themselves in the usual way:
running in circles.
Mr. Pickles, the genius, also brought fixings for s'mores (another July 4th firework-watching tradition), so we whiled away an hour getting more and more hyped up on sugar. Our park waits until it's good and dark before the display starts, which doesn't happen until about 9:30, giving the girls plenty of time to get sillier and sillier as they get more and more tired.
While we were waiting there were a couple other local displays that could be seen over the trees.
Miriam practicing her coping technique for the loud booms.
FINALLY the show started, and we all sat entranced. Everyone's a kid when it comes to fireworks. I think I heard more "oohs" and "ahhs" coming from the adults than the kids.
Katie wasn't crazy about the loudness. Her silliness had peaked just before the show started, so she was acting tired and ready for bed. She was fine with my All-Natural Mommy Ear Mufflers, though. Miriam said Baby Doll said the fireworks were too loud, but SHE didn't mind the loudness.
Finally we packed up and coasted home on our bikes, laughing in derision at the poor saps who were stuck in traffic. Ha ha, just kidding -- it was more like a feeling of superiority and pity.
Now that Miriam's school age I've been trying to take advantage of "Teaching Moments" to enrich her experience of the world. We still do not have an American flag to hang outside *slaps unpatriotic hand* so I bought some mini ones, which ended up being perfect for the girls to wave around. (I happen to know that Baby Doll waved a flag exuberantly when there was a firework she particularly liked. ) I went online and showed Miriam the flags of different countries and explained why flags are important and why we should treat them with respect. She thought this picture was pretty cool and kept asking to look at it. I also talked about the meaning of Independence Day, and King George, and the Declaration of Independence, and what the fireworks symbolized. I found that I really enjoyed opening up American History to her -- at least, as much history as a 5-year-old can comprehend. :) She seemed really interested in everything, though, which makes me really look forward to building up her knowledge each year. I think next year we'll learn the National Anthem and maybe part of the Declaration of Independence.
Raising the next generation of patriots!
Katie demonstrating that safety is VERY important.
Baby doll came along too.In addition to the usual political booths, concert stage, and expensive carnival food stands, THIS year the park also had kiddie rides, which the girls found extremely exciting. But the Pickle parents being stingy enough not to want to fork over the $2 per ride, the girls had to amuse themselves in the usual way:
running in circles.Mr. Pickles, the genius, also brought fixings for s'mores (another July 4th firework-watching tradition), so we whiled away an hour getting more and more hyped up on sugar. Our park waits until it's good and dark before the display starts, which doesn't happen until about 9:30, giving the girls plenty of time to get sillier and sillier as they get more and more tired.
While we were waiting there were a couple other local displays that could be seen over the trees.
Miriam practicing her coping technique for the loud booms.FINALLY the show started, and we all sat entranced. Everyone's a kid when it comes to fireworks. I think I heard more "oohs" and "ahhs" coming from the adults than the kids.
Katie wasn't crazy about the loudness. Her silliness had peaked just before the show started, so she was acting tired and ready for bed. She was fine with my All-Natural Mommy Ear Mufflers, though. Miriam said Baby Doll said the fireworks were too loud, but SHE didn't mind the loudness.Finally we packed up and coasted home on our bikes, laughing in derision at the poor saps who were stuck in traffic. Ha ha, just kidding -- it was more like a feeling of superiority and pity.
Now that Miriam's school age I've been trying to take advantage of "Teaching Moments" to enrich her experience of the world. We still do not have an American flag to hang outside *slaps unpatriotic hand* so I bought some mini ones, which ended up being perfect for the girls to wave around. (I happen to know that Baby Doll waved a flag exuberantly when there was a firework she particularly liked. ) I went online and showed Miriam the flags of different countries and explained why flags are important and why we should treat them with respect. She thought this picture was pretty cool and kept asking to look at it. I also talked about the meaning of Independence Day, and King George, and the Declaration of Independence, and what the fireworks symbolized. I found that I really enjoyed opening up American History to her -- at least, as much history as a 5-year-old can comprehend. :) She seemed really interested in everything, though, which makes me really look forward to building up her knowledge each year. I think next year we'll learn the National Anthem and maybe part of the Declaration of Independence.
Raising the next generation of patriots!
Friday, July 06, 2007
This is too good not to share
Katie, on the difference between boys and girls:
"Boys have a peanut, and girls have a oval!"
"Boys have a peanut, and girls have a oval!"
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Yay for cousins!!
A couple weeks ago we had a jam-packed cousin-filled week! Edy and Uncle Phil came to visit us for a couple days. We proceeded to wear the kids (and ourselves!) out while Dr. Phil attended his conference.
Within 5 minutes of Edy walking in the door (perhaps even less time), the girls went downstairs and transformed into this:
bee-yew-tiful princesses! They spent most of the week trading dresses -- I don't think they wore their regular clothes except to leave the house.
Many thanks to A. Terri for the sprinkler ball! We've used this many times already -- it's great for hot days.
Why, yes, Katie put her swimsuit on all by herself! How could you tell?
CLASSIC Katie mad-face.
Edy and Katie got along really well -- they had a lot of really cute moments together.
Also thanks to A. Terri for the matching striped shirts! It was easy to pick them out in a crowd when we went to...
Chuck E. Cheese!!! I think Katie rode the mini carousel about 20 times.
Edy was here for 3 whole days, and each one was jam-packed. We went to playgrounds, played in the backyard, went to Chuck E. Cheese, and even went to a waterpark (forgetting the camera, of course!). We thoroughly spoiled Edy... and then sent her home. :) Hey, that's what Aunts are for, right?
playing all week long is hard work! (Mr. Pickles is laughing b/c Katie is trying her hardest to get into as horizontal a position as possible)
We had lots of fun, and missed them both a lot after they left. Now Miriam is asking for a cell phone of her own so she can "walk around and call Edy whenever I want to."
friends forever!
Within 5 minutes of Edy walking in the door (perhaps even less time), the girls went downstairs and transformed into this:
bee-yew-tiful princesses! They spent most of the week trading dresses -- I don't think they wore their regular clothes except to leave the house.
Many thanks to A. Terri for the sprinkler ball! We've used this many times already -- it's great for hot days.
Why, yes, Katie put her swimsuit on all by herself! How could you tell?
CLASSIC Katie mad-face.Edy and Katie got along really well -- they had a lot of really cute moments together.
Also thanks to A. Terri for the matching striped shirts! It was easy to pick them out in a crowd when we went to...
Chuck E. Cheese!!! I think Katie rode the mini carousel about 20 times.Edy was here for 3 whole days, and each one was jam-packed. We went to playgrounds, played in the backyard, went to Chuck E. Cheese, and even went to a waterpark (forgetting the camera, of course!). We thoroughly spoiled Edy... and then sent her home. :) Hey, that's what Aunts are for, right?
playing all week long is hard work! (Mr. Pickles is laughing b/c Katie is trying her hardest to get into as horizontal a position as possible)We had lots of fun, and missed them both a lot after they left. Now Miriam is asking for a cell phone of her own so she can "walk around and call Edy whenever I want to."
friends forever!
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