Family Matters, Week of 2-26-06

Each Wednesday I write about my family. Welcome to it.

Hey-hey, it’s another fun-filled edition of those weekly updates everyone enjoys. Allow me to thank all of the wonderful comments I received on my Rules for Haters post. I appreciate them!

And, for those who voted in the poll from a few weeks ago, yesterday’s post (First Date) was for you.

Moving on:

Annie (3yr old wunderkid)

Don’t call it a comeback, she’s been here for years. Annie has basically decided that the house is ran her way or no way, and will let you know of it.

If there’s something that you’re doing that is ‘wrong’, she gives you a stern lecture on it. It’s funny the way the tables turn when a parent, and not her sibling, is on the receiving end.

“You s’posed to put the lid back on the bottle!” She yells at me when I don’t do so.

“Annie, you don’t talk to your dad that way.”

“But you s’posed to put the lid back on the bottle!”

“I know honey, but daddy hasn’t yet, that’s all—”

“You’re s’posed—”

“Annie,” I say in my best dad tone.

“But dad,” says, leaning in for a hug, “I love you!”

“I love you too baby.”

“Now,” she says slowly, “put the lid back on the bottle…”

Abby (2yrs)

Abby is finally recovering from a phenomenon we thought we would never see again: diaper rash. Somehow, this stuff creeps up when she stays with relatives not used to the rhythm and frequency of changing diapers.

So after that crying and screaming bit is over with, she is still half-sickly. It’s strange how colds can arrive, stay for a week or three, and never really come to fruition. No fevers, no doctors visits, just enough to keep her ‘under the weather’ and pitiful.

The biggest news, however, is that she officially began using a Big Girl Toddler Bed on Monday night. This went just as I expected and the opposite of Ericka’s fears: Which is to say, without incident. Sure they still both get up after finally going to bed so they can use the bathroom, but otherwise there are no 6AM wake-up calls, there is no falling out of the bed.

Matter of fact, when Ericka converted the crib to a bed, the kids switched beds! Annie now sleeps in the crib/bed (one side of the crib was basically removed) and Abby sleeps in what was Annie’s bed. They both like it that way, and I’m happy that we’re moving on. Two years in a crib is a long time.

Ericka (her myspace)

This Thursday Ericka returns to the Center For Cake Knowledge (also known as Sugar Bakers) to receive training in a little thing called ‘fondant’. Don’t know what that is? Then read this or try this instead. If you remember the pictures from last week, that pig is covered and shaped via fondant. This class should get her into World Renowned(tm) status, and I expect $100,000 wedding cake orders any day now.

Yup…anytime.

Really.

Otherwise, she’s been taking care of the children and is as enthralled with Survivor much like I am with American Idol. Different Strokes, I guess…

Etc

Word of caution: Blogads are coming. The rates are set higher than the average bear because, well, you guys (and my site) is worth it. If you want your wares or your words hawked on this site, you’ll have to pay for it. If no one buys any ads, I’m totally cool with that. But as a creative endeavor, it’d be nice to make something on the back end, at least enough to pay for hosting (roughly $20/month).

This change will also bring a new template for misterorange.com. So lookout for that (and if you just read the feed, I’ll let you know when it’s up).

Also note if you read the RSS feed you’re completely in the clear: This site will have its full feed published as long as it’s around.

Why? ‘Cause I love you, that’s why.

Until tomorrow, gunslingers.

Burn it down till the embers smoke on the ground
And start new when your heart is an empty room