Family Matters, Week of 1-28-07

Annie (4yr Old Snowwoman)

Annie is so appreciative. And I love it. It's a little off-putting for a four year old to lay on the 'thank you's, but it's always satisfying.

"Will I sit in the front seat?"

"Not right now babe, but when you grow up you'll sit right up here next to dad."

"When I grow up to be big and strong?"

"That's right."

"Thank you!"

It's a point of contention with any parent--how much politeness is necessary? What kind of manners? Why is it so important?

Well, all I can say is the payoff is fantastic. She's a please-and-thank-you kinda girl, just the way I like it.

"Can I get <some random toy> for my birthday?"

"We'll see, honey."

"Thank you!"

Too cute.

Abby (2yr Old Parson Brown)

Abigail is finally (finally) making some headway in the potty training department. Whereas almost a year ago she was gallavanting in panties, it didn't take long for babysitting a baby to turn into Abby's Got A Wetness Problem.

These days she's going in panties all the live-long with Pull Ups at night and naptime. Now this isn't a hard-and-fast rule (she does wear a Pull Up from time to time), but overall it's a definite improvement.

She's also getting much better at using the computer, specifically the mouse. To me (being the geek and all), I want my babies to be computer literate, so I download games like Childsplay and LuaLua to keep her interested. Over the past few weeks she's gotten much better at memory, matching, and mouse movement. Woohoo!

Ericka (her myspace)

Ericka's birthday party occurred over the weekend of the 27th, and fun times were had by all. We picked up Singstar which is pretty damn neat. Via the PS2's USB port you connect two microphones and sing the night away. We were rocking out Elton John's "Rocket Man", "Sweet Home Alabama" (yes, we went there) and plenty more the whole night long.

And, of course, the alcohol didn't hurt.

Meanwhile Ericka has been creating some incredibly easy yet tasty dishes in the kitchen. She says they take next to little preparation and that they practically cook themselves.

But the difference is, no matter how easy it may seem, you probably don't want me anywhere near that kitchen. Hell, I just learned how to cook a steak last week. And I've been cooking steak for years.

...incorrectly. So my dry, crappy steaks were indeed my own fault.

Turn once, never poke/gouge, warm up the pan beforehand...where were these tips years ago?

My apologies to all of the unfortunate souls who had to suffer through my years of bad steak cooking. Who knew?

Nobody nowhere understands anything about me
And all my dreams lost at sea