Grant's quality time in the W.C.

Grant's future self is going to KILL me for posting this, but I couldn't resist. Every day, right after school, Grant takes a break in the loo. 20, 30, sometimes pushing 40 minutes. Long enough that his legs and feet, inevitably, fall asleep. He makes snack requests(which I sometimes honor), and typically takes in either a good book or a pad and paper to write alphabetical lists of things. He has been known to study his Kids' Encyclopedia in there, and I even caught him poring over our globe, with it comfortably (?) perched on his bare little lap. How I love this boy.

But today, things got even more creative: he took the digital camera in with him. Something of a "self portrait session", shall we say? Enjoy. Feel free to insert your own captions...

Fall in PA

We took a little excursion into the Poconos last weekend. Talk about livin' the dream. Breathtaking scenery, an envigorating bike ride along the Lehigh River, great friends (thanks, N,R,E, I, and L), and way too many treats made for some much needed R&R for our minds and souls. If I find out that I've got a week to live, I told Nate that this is where I'll go.

Heaven on earth!

it was THAT good

I don't often go a-postin' about food I eat, although it does constitute a lot of time and thought in my little head. (And mouth.)

But this... whoa. My friend Janelle changed my life tonight. Red Velvet Cake Balls. Check 'em out. Yum.

please read

I don't know them personally, but I have been extremely touched by this family's story. Please take a look and lend your support...

For your entertainment: 3 vignettes

#1: Willpower

Nate and I were in Grant's classroom at Back to School Night, meeting his teacher and the other parents while sitting in a circle. His teacher (who is, in all seriousness, fantastic) was explaining the strange phenomenon that spelling is no longer taught in school as a subject; rather, it is incorporated into the curriculum in a variety of other ways.

Nate shoots me a note that says,

"speling suks."

And then a few minutes later:

"hoo kares if yu can't spel"

I lost it. Right there in front of all the other sophisticated (fine, there was one permed mullet) parents, I started faking my way out of hysteria with these pathetic, high pitched little wheezes. I think I was winded for the rest of the night. I hope by being the homeroom mom in Grant's class, I can make it up to his teacher...

#2: "Nursing" my "Wound"

I'm speaking in code here, ladies, and there won't be any pictures to support my post.

I think it's time to "pull the plug." "dry the tap." "end the party."

The girl's got teeth, and they draw blood.

#3: Our Twist on Time-Out

No, no, it's not what you think. We don't usually throw our kids in dumpsters as a form of discipline. Rather, we (er, I) throw our only set of car keys in dumpsters as a form of masochistic entertainment. We were at the Jersey shore, celebrating Nate's fantastic finish in a 75-mile bike race, and were about to go enjoy the beach when, OOPS!, I accidentally dropped the keys in the dumpster. Way, way down in the dumpster. Past all the garbage bags and into the slewy, thick swamp of sewage and other unknown waste. Aarrgghhh!!!!

What to do????

Grant stepped up galantly as the man of the hour. Willingly, he let his dad hold him by the ankles and dangle him down into the dumpster, where he fished around in several unsuccessful attempts before finally, heroically, locating the keys. His biggest dilemma after the event was not how to get his arms clean, but how to accurately and vividly describe the event in the prescribed two sentences he is allowed for "sharing" in his 1st grade Monday morning routine.

(Unfortunately, I didn't think to grab the camera until Nate was pulling him out for the final time. It was much more poignant when Grant's legs were straight up out of the dumpster and Nate was holding him by the ankles. Also, it's interesting to note that our other two children were seemingly unimpressed by the whole event.)