Mistaken Identity

This is Dave blogging from my in-laws house in middle-of-nowhere Idaho (I can't complain too much because they now have high-speed wireless Internet). We have been to Idaho many times since I met Tanya in 1998. On those trips to Idaho, I have been pulled over multiple times (more than once and less than 4 times) by Idaho cops (I swear they profile Utahn's). Admittedly, I do have a little bit of a lead foot (but the speedometer didn't work on our first car either).

Okay, now to the real story. Yesterday, our little family was peacefully driving down a country road in previously mentioned middle-of-nowhere Idaho heading back to Tanya's parents house after visiting her grandpa and her sister/brother-in-law/nephew. Tanya and I were admiring the beautiful sunset, Emma was watching Madagascar on the DVD player that Santa brought for Christmas, and Nathan was peacefully sleeping. All of a sudden, I heard the vivid sound of sirens. I looked in my rear-view mirror and noticed a car that was still somewhat in the distance and was pretty sure lights were flashing. I had the sinking feeling of despair in the pit of my stomach. I proceeded to pull over and wait until the car got closer. As the car got closer, I noticed that there were no lights flashing at all...it wasn't even a police car! I still heard the sirens though. As I started to put things together, I realized the sound of sirens was coming from the movie that Emma was watching. *audible sigh of relief*

I wish I could blame my idiocy on high-definition sound. Unfortunately, we are not that advanced yet.

Fashionably Late

The time is 20 minutes before we need to leave for preschool. Emma has just finished leisurely enjoying her taco salad for lunch today and is now covered with bits of chili and cheese. I busy myself cleaning up lunch and getting Nathan ready to go while Emma heads to her room to change her shirt. At about ten minutes before we need to leave I hear "I HAVE NOTHING FASHIONY!!!" I think she means fashionable. I start my before preschool ritual "Emma, we have to go, hurry!" Ten minutes later I hear "PERFECT, THAT WILL WORK!" I wait in rapt anticipation to see the perfect item. Five minutes later Emma walks downstairs wearing a pink and white striped clearance rack shirt from last summer. She is walking like a model down the stairs in her "fashiony" outfit. We have no time for hair at this point so I rush her out the door. While Emma pulled every item of clothing she owns out of her drawers Nathan waited patiently. I give him a cookie to eat while he is waiting. Emma does not get a cookie, because if you did the math you know we are now late. On the way to preschool Emma begs Nathan to share the rest of his cookie. He obliges and when we get to preschool, I turn around to find Emma covered in crumbs and notice that we didn't wash her face after lunch. We were too busy looking for "fashiony" clothes to look at her face. I have nothing to clean her face with, so I do what every good mom says she will never do. I wash my daughter's face with my fingers and a little spit shine. It was either that or cold snow. We are now officially later than fashionably late as I wave goodbye and send my "fashiony" child off to class. I have a little Deja vu. I think I've done this before.

Snow Party

We held our first Snow Party of the year! This is not the kind of party where anybody gets notice. We simply woke up to a snowy wonderland and decided today was the day. Our young guests got one hour notice to come decked out in their best winter gear. Fun, Fun, Fun!

We warmed up with some delicious hot chocolate and cookies.

Sweet Dreams

Each night just before I slip on my fuzzy socks and climb into bed, I peek my head in "just to check." I can't resist a quick peck on the foreheads as I pull their blankets up to their chins. Tonight I can't resist making permanent my "mother moment". Sweet Dreams my sweethearts.

Lost Cat: Friendly and Loveable

LOST!

Friendly, Black Feline

If you know him, please visit my front porch. He (I'm only assuming it is a He) has become a permanent resident of my porch for the past week.

This morning he ventured from the porch to my front room...and then to my downstairs family room...and then back up to my front room where he found a cozy spot underneath our Christmas tree. How, you may ask did he get into your house? Let me tell you, he is a sneaky little guy. I ran outside this morning to hand Dave something he had forgotten on his way to work. When I got back into the house I joined Nathan at the kitchen table and started hearing a weird thumping noise. I about jumped out of my skin when I saw my furry friend sitting on the couch thumping his tail. I think he was proud of himself. The next thing I heard was a high-pitched squeal "get it out, get it out!" That would be Emma who had just woken up and heard the commotion.

If you are one of my siblings this should bring back fond memories. Remember the Christmas morning that we woke up around 2:00 AM only to find a wild cat (was it black?) rampaging around our Christmas surprises? Mom and dad made us wait until 9:00 AM to open our presents after dad chased the cat out. Like it was our fault a wild

creature had chosen Christmas morning to enter our domain!!! It felt like an eternity of waiting, but now that morning will forever be immortalized as one of my most memorable Christmas mornings ever.

Now that the cat is back outside Emma has become very concerned about it's well-being. She was not happy about the bowl of cold milk I offered the cat this morning. Yes, I know that was probably a bad idea, but I simply cannot let it starve and it is here all the time anyway. Emma wants the milk to be warm "because cats like WARM milk". She fed the cat her leftover crepe this morning and is now insisting that we make it a bed.

Quite seriously, this newest wannabe member of our family cannot stay. I actually kind of wish he could stay because he really is a loveable cat. Unfortunately cats trigger spontaneous sneezing, sniffling, breathe tightening episodes in two members of my family.

Soooo, if you are a neighborhood friend - do you know whose cat this is? Or would you like him to visit your front porch?

Doing my Best...

to convince my children that the holiday season is

cozy


delicious

Joyful

Chocolatey

Goodness


colorful

brilliant

family

traditions

Maybe they already know

Emma Got Tagged

Questions answered by Emma:

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you
2. what makes mom happy? hugs

3. what makes mom sad? Not obeying

4. how does mom make you laugh? By tickling me

5. what was mom like as a child? I don’t know
6. how old is your mom? I don’t know

7. how tall is your mom? 30 feet tall

8. what is her favorite thing to do? Play with her kids
9. what does your mom do when you're not around? Work
10. if your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Playing

11. what is your mom really good at? drawing

12. what is your mom not very good at? Dancing (what?!!! I’m a GREAT dancer)

13. what does your mom do for her job? Play with her kids

14. what is your mom's favorite food? Fruits and vegetables
15. what makes you proud of your mom? Her coloring
16. if your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Giselle
17. what do you and your mom do together? Play and watch movies

18. how are you and your mom the same? Our hair is the same color. We both like to talk.
19. how are you and your mom different? Our eyes, by how we dance

20. how do you know your mom loves you? She is nice to me
Emma tags Sarah, Aaron, and Abby