Weekend Update - Still Full

Last Friday, we went grocery shopping right after work. Then, we brought Little Miss to pick up a pizza. It's a Lent tradition in our house to have pizza on Fridays.

On Saturday, I got up with Little Miss. We played games, did puzzles, and then I got up to cook because Saturday night, we got together with Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew to eat a massive amount of Asian and Asian-inspired foods. We made the same thing as we did the last time we did this two years ago - sushi, fried rice, steamed rice, egg rolls, and bulgogi. We swapped ribs for marinated London Broil and didn't make the salad this year, but we still had tons of food and ideas for next time. I took a short cut with the bulgogi meat. I didn't like it as much, but it worked well for the short cooking time we had. Great night. I took some great pictures, too, but, well, more on that in a minute.

Sunday, I got to sleep late while Little Miss woke up with Husband. I was taking advantage of a day just for me. I woke up and Little Miss had deleted all the photos on my camera. Luckily, I load them and back them up promptly but decided not to on Saturday when we got home which I regret. Now I have to get Little Miss and Nephew to recreate all that cuteness. While Little Miss took a nap, I watched the Independent Spirit Awards then switched to Red Carpet coverage of the Academy Awards and then watched the awards themselves and then a little post show. In between, I managed to find time to help Little Miss finish her homework, eat dinner and take a bath. 

Oh, Little Miss also begged to make cookies so we made a batch of pink sugar cookies, too. We had dough divided in 4 and made pink, purple (more grey), green and yellow balls of dough. We made pink on Sunday, purple on Monday and I'll make the rest tonight.

Then, of course, it was back to the grindstone to start another week. I did get new glasses this week to replace my horribly uncomfortable glasses I got last time so that's exciting. They're super light and comfy which is very exciting for my poor, blind eyes.

Movies Watched in February 2012

1. The Artist
2. Torchwood
3. 50/50

I finished Doctor Who - well, the seasons available streaming. I have Season 6 coming soon by DVD. So, I started the spin-off, Torchwood. I saw The Artist in the theater, but I didn't have enough time to watch any more of the Academy Award nominated films before the award ceremony. 50/50 was a DVD rental which I enjoyed.

Books Read in February 2012

1. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins

Short month which had the end of my Doctor Who watching and the beginning of the spin-off so not a lot of reading. The one book I did read was a library book. I am almost done with my current book, but it's looking like it'll be in March's post.

Sign Language

I learned very basic sign language back in 4th grade for a girl scout badge. The only thing that really stayed with me was the alphabet though a few random words stuck with me from the sign language club in high school. I'm just bad with other languages. Still, on and off, I'd teach Little Miss the alphabet. Her little hands are still struggling around some of the signs, but she tries and wants to be taught over and over.

Last weekend, we did the alphabet and then I tried teaching her the very few words I remember. Then, I downloaded 2 apps on my iPod, and we spent the rest of the day going through the signs and then quizzing each other on them. We have favorite signs (octopus and balloon) and giggled over some (poo and potty). We signed some during story time (apple and grumpy as we were reading Snow White). It's been really fun to see her little mind soak up everything.

I only got the free app, but it may be a worthwhile investment to get the extended app. We'll master the free signs first.

Weekend Update - Getting Our Ski On

On Friday, we did the usual bedtime routine. Then, I met a friend for a late dinner to catch up. I came home and packed so we could leave in the morning, but then I decided to go to bed instead.

On Saturday morning, we packed and drove to western Maryland to my parents' place. We mostly hung out during the day. Later, my parents watched the kids and my sister, her boyfriend and Husband and I went out to a nice dinner.

On Sunday, we all got up to go skiing. Husband hung around a bit so he could watch Little Miss. She went up the mountain a couple of times, but then she was done. So, after, Husband took her home while the rest of us skied. A whole comedy of errors occurred after that, but it ended up with a night in the hot tub so that's not so bad.

On Monday, we woke up early so my dad could give Little Miss a ski lesson. She really responds well to him and really enjoys skiing with him. She went up three times and had a smile on her face the entire time. Then, we went over to go tubing. Little Miss was disappointed my dad didn't stay. After the first run, she said she didn't like it. When asked why, she responded, "Because of the fast." Somehow, we persuaded her to try once more. She liked it when she went down the hill with Husband so we finished the time slot tubing with Husband. We went back to the house after, had lunch and then packed the car to go home.


Once home, we did a very quick dinner, bath and homework before bed. It was a fast busy weekend, but it was fun.

Daddy's Little Girl

Husband had hockey on last night, and Little Miss watched a little of the second period with him.  At one point, Husband said he'll have to get her a jersey.  She got so excited, sat up straight, eyes lit and said, "4 please.  I wear a size 4."

Bath Time

During bath time tonight, Little Miss started screaming. I asked her what was going on. She said it was "all the imagination she has". That's a lot of imagination.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Out of nowhere this morning, Little Miss asks, "Are you going to be 60 like A-Ma this year?"

A-Ma is Mother-in-Law and Little Miss's grandmother. And, NO, I am not going to be 60 this year.

I think Husband is still laughing at this.  I am not amused.

Word of the Day

This morning, Little Miss was watching The Octonauts. It was the episode where a sea urchin and carrier crab have a falling out. I came in right at the very end. First, let me tell you that there is nothing cuter than a toddler saying "urchin". Anyway, she was explaining what the sea urchin does. Then, we saw how the sea urchin and carrier crab were friends (the sea urchin protects the crab while the carrier crab shares his snacks). I thought it was nice of the cartoons to be friends. She very solemnly looked at me and said, "it's symbiosis". And it is, but I didn't really expect such a big word so early in the morning.

Sick Days

I've had a variety of odd symptoms since the beginning of the year - cold and/or allergies and/or sinus issues being the most evident.  I picked up a few more symptoms over the weekend and was generally feeling poorly.  So, I asked Little Miss nicely if she could be patient with me because I wasn't feeling well.  You have to know that Little Miss is rarely sick.  She sometimes has the sniffles, but she mostly shows she's not feeling well with a touch of a fever or some special bathroom time.  Otherwise, her behavior is often unchanged.  So, after asking her for patience, she waits a beat.  Then, I hear, from the backseat of the car:

"OK, Mommy.  Just don't poop your pants."

She meant it so sincerely so I tried hard not to laugh and thanked her for her medical advice.

Weekend Update - Busy Bees

It was a very busy weekend. On Friday, I took a half day off of work to travel to Bethesda, MD. I wanted to avoid the traffic. I walked around Bethesda and mostly spent the time watching streaming video on my iPod and nook. I've been mildly obsessed (read that as extremely obsessed - like watched 5 seasons in about 3 weeks). The signing was fantastic. Although I've met Kristin Hannah a few times, this was the first real signing I've attended. Plus, I got there so early that I had time to say goodnight to Little Miss before bedtime.

On Saturday, I woke up with Little Miss and then went to book club. We discussed the book and met at Founding Farmers. It was delicious as always, and we even discussed the book briefly. After, I went home and tidied up because Little Miss had a sleepover with her older cousin. They played, ate dinner, had a bath and then had some quiet time in bed. As a matter of fact, they put themselves to bed and fell asleep earlier than I was going to let them stay up.

On Sunday, Nephew woke up with Little Miss (though it's probably more truthful to say he woke up Little Miss). I heard them playing and then Nephew fixed Little Miss breakfast. At some point, Husband woke up to supervise. Then, I woke up and took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese and met up with Sister and her boyfriend. I woke up feeling poorly so I feel lucky I survived the day at all. Still, Little Miss had a blast and the mother of all naps when we got home. My parents stopped in briefly in the evening and now we're just doing dinner and bedtime.


The weekend was busy, but it was planned well in advance. Now we just have a few more busy weekends to go before we get to exhale and relax again. Hopefully, I can kick this cold some time in February. I've had it since last month and today got some additional fun symptoms. I'd like to be clear of all of it if possible without going back to the doctor, but we'll have to see.

Weekend Update - Nephew Time!

This begins our crazy busy February. On Friday night, I left work and went to my parents' house. My sister was borrowing their house for a jewelry party. So, we got some pizza. I bought some jewelry. Good night by all. Below is Nephew with my parents' kitty, Toby.

On Saturday, we cleaned the apartment a little. Then, Little Miss took a brief nap. If I remember correctly, so did I. Then, we went to Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's apartment for dinner to celebrate the In-Laws' birthdays - one is in January and one is in February. Little Miss loved playing with her little cousin (she didn't get to see her older cousin on Friday, but he'll be spending the night with us this coming up weekend).

On Sunday, we all slept in a bit. Then, we had brunch before I met a friend at the movies. After, I came home and started making food. We had a couple over to watch the Superbowl. They were patient enough to play with Little Miss and help her with her homework before and during the first half of the game. I made a basic Tomato and Mozzarella salad with prosciutto. Husband made scallops wrapped with bacon, chicken cutlets and penne with vodka sauce. Our friends brought shrimp, chips and buffalo sauce dip. All was pretty yummy! And that wrapped up another weekend.

Pictures were taken with my iPod this weekend so apologies for the grainy quality.

One is the Loneliest Number

Last night, Little Miss was talking in her room. This isn't unusual. She often talks to her stuffed animals or reads. Last night, we heard her talking to an octopus though. Then, I went in to check on her and she popped her head up and said she was playing Hide and Seek with Professor Inkling (You can see his picture here - he's the pink octopus). She mentioned that he wasn't real, but she was playing with him. This morning, she mentioned that he's imaginary and only she can see him, but she likes to talk to him and asked if she could bring him to school. We said yes, of course.

So, yes, one is the loneliest number... unless you have an imaginary friend and then you're never alone.