lessons in mechanics

Whenever my daughter tells me, in her "I'm-five-going-on-18" voice, that she knows everything --yes, she says exactly that--I have gotten into the habit of saying "Oh yeah? Well, how does a combustion engine work?!" and she says "I don't know!" and in my "I'm-29-going-on-5" voice, I say "SEE? You DON'T know everything!"

Today, however, as she tells me that I don't know everything (which I wholeheartedly agree with), she says, "I do know everything and you don't. Cause I know how an engine works and you don't!"

"Oh really?" I say. "How does an engine work?"

"GAS!" she says, and practically preens. "SEE! I asked someone! and now I know!"

"I absolutely love you child" I say, grinning at her.

though, I am not sure if that's how a combustion engine works....cause I don't know everything. But still, the idea that she asked someone, and remembered the answer, is pretty cool.

Fleece---The New Silk

I have fallen in love. I giggle, I stare off into space. I can't help but lose myself in thoughts of my newfound love.

Fleece sheets. yes, I know! Doesn't that sound Heavenly!?! Actually, most people seem to feel that fleece sheets would be too hot. Wierdos. Luckily for me, my sister knows that I am part reptile, some freak of human nature who is always cold, unless I have some external heat source. Up until now, I've used my husband. However, for Christmas, my sister got us fleece sheets.

I say "us" though we all know Mike could probably survive without fleece sheets. Too bad.....just kidding. He's actually being very nice about it, even seems to enjoy them! Yay! I get to keep them! I couldn't bring them back with me on the airplane, so my mom mailed them to me. Last night I put them on my bed, and had such a hard time getting up this morning! now, all I need to do is dryclean the extra thick blanket Mike and Kathy got us, and my bed will be perfectly made.

That might be dangerous. I may not be able to get out of bed. Until summer.

well laid plans.....(aka, fantasy vs. reality in the mommy world)

Having "the talk" with my kids has never been a fear for me. I figured when they reached a certain age, they'd ask about....stuff....and I'd calmly and concisely tell them the truth. Sex to me isn't dirty, or wrong, and I always pictured this open, easy relationship with my kids that would allow heart to heart conversations on this and myriad other subjects.

I didn't really expect to have "the talk" for awhile yet, either. My daughter is FIVE.

Then, last night as we are driving home from Andrea and John's house....

Kaia: Mom?

Me: Yes, darlin'?

Kaia: How do babies get in their mommies tummies?

Me:...................................

Me:................................................

Kaia: Mom?

Me: I'm here, honey, hold on.

I look over at my husband driving, but he seems to be obliviously concentrating on the road. And somehow, at this age, my ideas of open and honest discussion seem a bit...well...too detailed. So I try to give her only what she asked, nothing more.

Me: They grow there sweetie. Their daddy puts something called sperm in the mommy, where there is a tiny tiny thing called an egg. They both travel into the uterus, which is way up inside the mommy, up in her private parts. The sperm and the egg get together and grow into a baby.

Kaia:....................................

Me: Does that make sense?

Kaia: Yes.

She's looking out the window.

Whew! I think, mentally patting myself on the back.

A minute or so passes.

Kaia: Mom?

Me: ummm....yes?

Kaia: HOW does the sperm get INTO the mommies private parts?!

oh shit. drat. thought I'd skated over that well. apparently not. silly mommy.

Me: Well.....umm....sometimes when mommies and daddies are in bed, they get together in a special way, and that's how.

Kaia: Oh. Okay.

So, not at my best. But I think I did okay. at least until she realizes she has no idea what "special way" I am talking about. Which could be any day now. I'm never off the hook for long with this child.

Where the Hell this come from?!!?

Yesterday morning we woke up to a bright sunshiney day. There was a bit of frost, yes, but the sky was clear and the sun was out.

Then at about 2 o'clock, it started to snow. and snow. and snow. and here is what it looked like at 5:15 pm! and here are Mike and Kaia with their beautiful snow man!

Pretty in Pink.....

Here are a couple pictures of the dress I will be wearing in my sister's wedding! This is the wrong size, but you get the idea.....

Overheard.....

Kaia is playing with her horses and her little animals....I am sitting on the couch.....and though I am not listening to what she is saying, this gets my attention--

"oh little fox, we roasted you...yes, we roasted you little fox"

all in a sweet little voice that you'd normally hear saying things like-
"Oh, I love you you sweet little fox" type of things....

I said

"you ROASTED little fox!?!"

"yes, we did" she says.

from the other room, I hear Mike start to lose it he's laughing so hard.

A photo essay......in no particular chronological order...

Disco Fever! yeah, baby.

These were taken toward the end of the night...well, middle...or some such...taken after much alcohol was imbibed.......

Unsure why I'm playing dead...I remember doing it! Just not why...... and I absolutely love this picture of John and Andrea, taken at about 2 am!

We all went out to keep Andrea company while she took care of the farm critters...head lamps on drunk folk are dangerous!

Andrea unsuccessfully hiding behind her daughter......
Me and My Honey! Both of us slightly (!!) sloshed.

Me taking the obligatory pictures of me with another person.....usually if I don't take these, I'm not in the pictures at all!

Then we have Mike tasting a lime.......

And John.....totin' veggies. Yeah, we live dangerously!

Have no fear, we rode horses in the late afternoon, before the really serious drinking began.

Somewhere along here are Kaia and Liam, playing with his new barn.

I learned how to layer drinks! It was quite fun, though as you can see I haven't perfected keeping clear stuff clear....the top layer is vodka.....

This drink was very yummy....Alabama Slammer!

These are only small peeks into the night. Nothing was shot of the Family Guy game that fizzled...( i just don't know enough of the answers!) Or the viewing of Bacon Sandwich's namesake on The Young Ones. Only one picture of the dancing was taken, which is probably a very good thing.