Family Matters, Week of 2-11-07

Annie (4yr Old Valentine)

This week was The Week Of The Cat, which arrived a few days ago and has since been mauled by the children. Not mauled per se, more like Held More Than Any Cat Ever.

So this week is a lot of me saying "Annie, leave that cat alone! Just pet it, don't hold it all day long."

Then she pets it a bit, I turn around, and she picks it up again. Argh.

Annie, my beautiful babe, well, she needs to learn how to read. I'm not sure where to start. It's obvious that phonics are the most important part, and I don't really have a great guide beyond "B makes the buh sound".

Of course, the interwebs are big and vast. I'm sure I can find some free resources out there somewhere. But I'm hoping that before Spring is over, Annie will be reading books to herself. It's a big goal, but as they say, aim for the moon, the worst you can do is hit the stars...

Abby (2yr Old Candy Heart)

Abigail is of course squealing with glee at the new kitten in the house.

Oh, did I mention his name? Bowie. That's right, if you're going to name an animal, give him something with pedigree. Not to mix metaphors or anything, but I'm sure Ziggy Stardust would approve.

Abby has the same problem that Annie has (continuously holding the cat), except she's smaller and not as 'aware' as Annie is right now of her actions. To her it's a necessity, a must. It's a conscious thing, but heavily influenced by the fact that Annie is constantly reaching for the cat, so if Abby doesn't, she things she won't get to spend time with him.

Oh, the pushing and pulling of new pet ownership. Yeesh.

Ericka (her myspace)

Ericka, my lovely wife, has fallen ill this week. Today is probably the worst of it (but you never know what tomorrow brings). She's sniffling, she's sneezing, she feels horrible.

This was compounded by the fact that a friend of hers died earlier this week. A preacher, no less, was at a construction site when a large pipe fell, bounced on the concrete and then struck the back of his head. He ah...didn't have a chance. The back half of his skull was pulverized.

So not pretty in any sense. Ericka was thinking of taking Annie, as much of her family is going to the funeral this evening, and I'm pretty sure there won't be an open casket (for obvious reasons...but I've seen open casket services when a guy blew his head off in a suicide, so who knows).

Either way, I hope she feels better soon. It's been a rough week for her.

Etc

I'm still working my way through The Blogging Church, I'll give that book its own post soon.

Until next week, stay classy San Diego!

No Notorious Lightning, Yes I had to ride you
And trash the crystal jets they kept in storage inside you