Family Matters, Week of 1-1-06

Oh yeah…the first family update of 2006. It feels so good to say that. Now, on to the update!

Annie (3 year old fantastikid)

My little angel showed some very interesting behavior this morning: Not only did she get up before Mom and Dad, around 7:30AM, she stayed up watching cartoons and, while Dad left for work and Mom was still in bed, climbed on my desk, reached on top of the shelves, and grabbed my Nintendo DS. She was playing it when Ericka woke up.

“Look momma, I’m playing Daddy’s game.”

Now this is cute, but it’s also alarming. I repeat: She had to climb up on my desk, reach up to the top of the desk, grab the DS and then make her way back down. This isn’t something I want to encourage. However, now that the deal is done, and she’s gotten the DS and it’s been subsequently put up, I (or Ericka) can’t really punish her for something done around 9AM this morning.

Oh, the conundrum of discipline. Or maybe I’m just happy she’s a little gamer.

Abby (almost 1.95 years old)

Abbers rung in the new year asleep and happy, much like the rest of the Erwin clan. She’s also speaking more clearly, and as of this morning for the first time she yelled out “Momma! Get me!” Instead of just “Momma!” It’s the little things we parents notice.

She’s also the most sharing kid of the household, ready and willing to let Annie have a bite of her food if asked. Just this morning the conversation went something like this (via my wife):

Annie: “Can I have a bite of your Toaster Stroodle?”

Abby extends her arm. The stroodle in question is a mess.

“Eww. Abby messed it up,” Annie says.

“You don’t want it?” Ericka asks.

“Oh, I’ll eat it, it’s just messy,” Annie replies, taking a bite.

Ericka (her blog)

My wonderful wife was finally introduced to the good folk at the 'tumor just the other day, and a grand time was had by all. We played some Munchkin, which was exceedingly fun, and then we tried out FBI but it turned out to be hella complicated for a learn-on-the-fly approach, so we then settled in with Set. And Set, by the way, is incredibly fun and interesting…if you’re into geeky games. If you don’t know what that means, raise your hand if you’ve ever played D&D. Those with fingers in the air will love this game. Otherwise, you’ll still love this game but you won’t call it a geeky game. You’ll call it ‘a thinking man’s game.’

Also, those worthless punks at the restaurant my father-in-law works at never ordered any cheesecakes, so Ericka’s back to working on weekends and Tuesdays. Here’s to hoping ‘06 brings Ab and Anne’s Sweets mass sales and profits. And people who don’t string her along.

Etc

As mentioned, the fam finally dropped in on AT HQ Monday afternoon and we had a lot of fun. It’s really cool to have new, like-minded friends who are close in age and struggling with the same issues we do (only their boys are a little older). Ericka was thrilled to have a potential shopping partner, I’m thrilled because Jacob is just as geeky as myself. But I knew this from weeks of email. It’s nice we can enjoy each other’s company, for what it’s worth. The kids can also play with one another without losing eyes or limbs, and that’s a plus.

Lastly, because I’m a shameless whore, any name-drops for the Sixth Annual Weblog Awards regarding The Search For A Good Story (located at http://www.misterorange.com) would be appreciated. But if you don’t, that’s cool. We’ll just keep this blog our little secret.

I’m just now finding out
What it was all about