Family Matters, Week of 10-1-06

Every week I write about my family. Welcome to it.

Abby (2yr Old Artist)

There's a funny thing about kids and markers. Most of the time, it's great. You want them to draw be creative, fill out workbooks, etc.

But of course, when do kids actually find markers? Just when the parents aren't looking.

I came home yesterday to a desk covered in Abby-art. It was a masterpiece, I tell you. I'm just glad she didn't get any on the monitor. That would suck. Luckily it only took some Windex + elbow grease to get it off. Phew.

Otherwise, she's in the I-need-1,000-hugs-to-sleep stage. Annie went through this for awhile, asking for hug after hug and kiss in the evenings after she's been put in bed. Not that I'm really complaining or anything, it's just another aspect about my babe.

I'm happy to give hugs whenever, as you can imagine.

Annie (4yr old Impressionist)

Annabelle, on the other hand, is doing much much better with his nighttime wetness control. This means she's been waking up dry, an anomaly from her years of experience in wetting diapers.

This, of course, prompts major kudos from mom and dad, as we're just as excited to get her out of diapers as she is.

She's also working on her imagination, as just today she has created a game called 'Little Mermaid'. It consists of her being the title character, and Abby being Ursula. I don't know which is cooler--the fact that she's suddenly making up her own little games/amusement or the mental image of Abby trying to tie her up with necklaces and whatnot they find around the house.

Ericka (her myspace)

My wonderful better half has been busy this week with the 'chillens, trying to keep her composure as there is almost constant running and screaming going on all the live-long day.

T-Rex, the 6-month old she watches, doesn't just cry, he squalls. Oh my God, I went into work late one morning, trying to catch some rest. Well, that never happened.

The worst part is, we know why he cries all the time--he's held constantly at home. Considering she's got four kids during the day, Ericka has no time to coddle the kid. So he screams...and screams...and screams.

By the end of the day, he's whiney but getting over his need for constant holding/attention. Then, of course, his mom shows up...

I worry for Ericka's sanity sometimes.

Etc.

My friend Vincent Phipps is celebrating a year of living after his horrible accident. I for one am very glad he's still around. His book of poetry is also stellar and highly recommended. I need to officially review it here. Sounds like a good post for next week.

Until then, stay cool.

Blame it on the black star
Blame it on the falling sky