Monday, December 31, 2012

Drama at the Canyon


"Oh, no. Then what happened, Bob?"

"Then after Daisy got out of her collar she went running and running and running and she went over this fence and straight down this cliff and she kept running away."

"What did you do?"

"Dad and I were yelling at her to come back and Teddy stayed with us and I got scared that Daisy would never come back and then I was crying and everything."

"Uh oh."

"Yeah, but then she ran up this hill and she didn't see me and then I grabbed her and got her and I wasn't crying anymore and so we still went on the hike."

"You saved Daisy. You were very brave."

"I really was."

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Smacksy Sunday Links

This is a flash mob I can get behind.

A list of 7 things you will smile about when you're older. (I love lists.)

And a sweet fawn. (I also love fawns.)

Happy Sunday.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Effects

"Phyew phyew phyew phyew-phyew-phyew. Neener neener neener nerrrrrrrrrrrrr. Errr. It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain. Weeeeher weeher. Plah! Plah! Plah! Vooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Voo. Choowah. I have come for your men! Blam. Kablam. Blam! Prepare for lift-off. Kapeeeeeew. Shjjjjjjjjjj. Shjah sjah sjah! I am an alien. I am an alien. I AM AN ALIEN. I AM AN ALIEN. Phew!"

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Smalls Talk

"Hey, Felix? What was your best memory of your life so far?"

"Probably going to my grandma's for Christmas and getting the Vampyre Lego set. What was yours, Bob?"

"Disneyland. Best day ever."

"That's nice."

"Yeah."

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

99 Cent Gifting


Some years back, we began a tradition of letting Bob loose in the 99 Cent Store to do his Christmas shopping. As always, his picks were thoughtful, and this time he insisted on using his own money. Here are some highlights from his shopping trip:

Aunt Jen - Liquid Hand Soap  "Because she likes that green color."
Barry - Santa Hat  "For the celebrating."
Dad - Brown Baseball Hat  "So his head doesn't get cold since he doesn't have any hair."
Grandma Jan - Mixed Baby Lettuces  "She loves salad."
Auntie Dawn - Dog Biscuits, Ear Buds,  Long Stemmed Silk Rose  "Because her dog and also flowers are pretty and she has red colored hair."
Pops - Flashlight, Mentholated Analgesic Back Pad  "In case the lights go out and because sometimes his back hurts."
Mom - Striped Leg Warmers, Hair Scrunchies With Owl Decorations  "For her hair and legs."
(And apparently he knows I enjoy an 80's theme.)

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Happy Christmas to You

Blowing out the candles on Jesus' birthday cake. "I hear he really likes mousse cake, Mom."

Monday, December 24, 2012

One Sleep 'Til Christmas

"Mom? I saw my name on that present. It's for me."

"Okay."

"That means I can open it now."

"Nice try."

"No, seriously."

"Seriously, no. It doesn't work like that."

"That's disappointing."

"Sorry, Bud."

"I'll be in my room. I'm requiring privacy."

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Smacksy Sunday Links

I like these 134 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness.

This is billed as 12 Steps to Avoiding Disappointment This Christmas but I like to spin it as 12 Steps to Help Enjoy This Christmas.

And the The Meaning of Christmas from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Happy and Merry Sunday.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

Last Year It Was Lego Wisemen

Today I came upon this tender scene atop the piano. What nativity is complete without two little sheep and three angry birds?

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Eye of the Beholder

"... And then instead of putting the really delicate ornaments on the big tree in the living room we can hang them on this little tree up on the buffet instead. What do you think, Bob?"

"The little tree looks like a crooked cactus."

"Let me put the lights on... Isn't that better?"

"Crooked cactus with lights on it."

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Back to the Couch

Rats. I sent Bob back to school too early. He came home today and "stomach flu-ed" all over the place. Hopefully he hasn't infected his whole class. In between disinfecting the perimeter and laundering more pajamas and keeping the guy hydrated, I got to hang out with my sweet little sick one for the rest of the day. We hung out on the couch and watched SpongeBob and drank juice and played Go Fish and it was a grand sick day. If there is such a thing. (There is.)

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

He Must Be Feeling Better

"Bob, please don't put your hands down the back of your pants. You don't need to be spreading bottom germs, especially while you've got stomach flu."

"Bottom germs, bottom germs."

"Bob, come on. Go wash your hands and stop touching things."

"Touching the pillow... touching your arm... touching my cup... touching Teddy..."



Monday, December 17, 2012

Take Two Asprin...

The Rosenbergs have been hit with the flu. Bob was throwing up all night while I was down with chills and a fever that had me glued to the bed for 36 hours. It was probably hardest on Jeff who had to take care of us, do continuous loads of laundry, and clean up the disasters we left in our wake. We are finally coming out from under so you can expect to read something here tomorrow other than barf-updates. *crosses fingers*

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Smacksy Saturday


As we all struggle to do the impossible, make sense of the senseless, I offer you two things which are helping me today.

My friend, Dr. Tina Bryson gives us tools for our kids - and ourselves - for dealing with the unthinkable.

And a prayer for this day from Marianne Williamson:

Dear God,
We come to You with broken hearts,
surrendering the catastrophe that has occurred  in Connecticut.
We cannot comprehend the darkness that led to this,
or the suffering of those who have loved and lost.
They are both too big.
But in You, dear God, there are Answers we cannot surmise and Light we cannot summon by ourselves.
For those who bear tonight the unbearable burden
of unimaginable grief,
who in their agony yell at the forces of fate...
For those who moan and those who faint,
for those who rage and those who pray,
we moan and pray along with them.
For tonight, those were our children too.

 May a legion of angels come upon the parents
and bring to them an otherworldly touch,
an otherworldly comfort
and otherworldly sense that their children are well,
that they are safe with God,
and shall be with them always.
Give to those who grieve what no mortal force can give...
the touch of Your Hand upon their heart.
May all who are touched by this darkness
be lit by Your grace.
Please wipe away all tears, dear God.
as only You can do.
We present to you our brokenness, and the horror and pain of those who grieve.
May those who died find joy in the immortal realms.
May those who mourn them be comforted in this hour of their agony.
And may our prayers and actions be guided by You, dear God,
to create a world where this occurs no more.
Amen

Love to all of you.

Friday, December 14, 2012

What If

"Feel how loose my tooth is, Mom."

"Wow. That is really loose."

"What if it falls out tonight while I'm sleeping? Or what if I swallow it while I'm asleep? What if I lose it in the bed? How will I give it to the Tooth Fairy? How will she know I lost my tooth if I can't give it to her? What do I do? How am I going to collect my cash? Why are you laughing, Mom? This is serious."


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Rock Off and On

"Was that song rock and roll, Mom?'

"Yeah."

"It didn't sound like rock and roll."

"It was a ballad but it was still rock and roll, I guess."

"Now who is this band, Mom?"

"This is Guns N Roses."

"I don't have to ask about this Roses band, Mom. They're definitely rock n roll. I'm six and I know this."

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Little Brown Houses

On Friday morning, Bob and I made a swell little a-frame gingerbread house from a kit we got at Trader Joe's. I took Bob to school and when I returned, the house was gone and our dog Daisy had tell-tale frosting crusted on her paws and muzzle.

On Sunday evening, Jeff and Bob started another gingerbread house from a kit we got at Von's. After the walls dried, the guys discovered that they had mistakenly used the roof pieces for the walls.

Then Daisy somehow got up on to the counter again and made a meal of one of the roof/wall pieces.

We are now in the market for a third kit.


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Checklist

"Mom, I'm super glad this hotel has beds. They're extra good for jumping on. There's Cartoon Network too and free breakfast so I could basically just live here."

Monday, December 10, 2012

Eight Nights


We celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah at our house. I like to go with a theme every year for Mr. Rosenberg's eight night of gifts. Past themes have included Eight Nights of Salsa, Eight Nights of Hot Sauce, and Eight Nights of Underpants. This year I have chosen Eight Nights of T-Shirts.

Mr. Rosenberg is getting on board this season by giving me Hanukkah gifts with a theme. He has chosen Eight Nights of Christmas Tree Ornaments. Really.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Smacksy Sunday Links


Fascinating Photo Essay: Chinese Factory Workers and the Toys They Make.

These are super easy to make and extra good. If you live on my street, you can expect to get these delivered to your door on Christmas morning by an elf named Bob.

This missing two-year-old boy was watched over by the family dog. Dogs are nice people.

Happy Sunday.

Today

Happy Hanukkah. Happy Day 8 of Advent. Happy Saturday.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String


"Bob, I think this year we can keep the gifts under the tree. I think you're old enough to leave the presents alone, don't you?

"Yeah, Mom. Totally."

"Great."

"So, just tell me is that big one Legos? Because I shook it and it definitely sounds like Legos. Is that for me? Mom? What about this little one? I think it's a DVD. Is it? Is it a DVD? Because if it's a DVD it's probably for me or maybe Miss Judy. Is there anything in that bag? Is it for me? Is that bag for me? Are any of these Hanukkah presents or are they all for Christmas? When does Hanukkah start this year? Mom? Mom!"

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Oh, Christmas Tree

Last night we went to the hardware store to get our Christmas tree. Bob helped pick out the perfect Fraser Fir. After we tied the tree to the top of the car, Mr. Rosenberg and I stood outside and paid the sales clerk. I heard yelling and looked behind me. Bob was alone inside the car, buckled into his booster seat, with the windows rolled up. He was screaming with excitement, "We've got the tree on the car! The tree is on the car, everyone! We have a tree! A tree! The tree is on the car! Woo hoo!"

When we got home, it was late. I told him that we could decorate the tree in the morning. He held me to my word. We decorated the tree this morning. At 6:40am.

Excited.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Holiday Card Front Yard Photo Shoot

"Okay, say cheese, Baby. Cheeeeeese! Okay but this time with your mouth open, smiling. Cheeeeese! And try to hold still. Okay, say Ch-- wait, again but eyes up. Eyes up. Up. Up. Up. Eyes up. Okay great but this time don't move your whole head up, just your eyes, just your eyes, just your eyes, Honey. Just your eyes. Great. Perfect. Perrrrrrfect. Hold it just like that and what are you doing? Is that the robot? We're doing the robot now?"

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

It's a Virtue, Maybe

"Bob, I noticed how patient you were being with the giant bubble wand. That was great."

"I was what with the bubble wand?"

"Patient. You were patient."

"What do you even mean, exactly?"

"I mean you had to be patient and stand very still while you were making ---"

"Oh, I know. Got it. Patient."

"Try that again?"

"Thank you, Mom."



Monday, December 3, 2012

The Hike

"Dad, do they have a snack bar here?"

"No, Buddy."

"I thought maybe they did because it's called 'Eaton Canyon.' Get it? Eaton?"

"I get it, Bob. That's funny. Good joke."

"It's not even a joke, Dad. I'm hungry."





Sunday, December 2, 2012

Smacksy Sunday Links

 The wonderful Kristen Howerton put together this list of gifts that give back.

I'm loving the interactive Cookie Advent Calendar on Saveur.

And a corgi in a box.

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Graffitti


"Bob Rosenberg! What did you do to your wall?!"

"Mom! What are you doing in my secret hideout?!"

Friday, November 30, 2012

Secret Translator





"Mom? Mom?"

"Yes, Bob. Why are we whispering?"

"Because I'm talking about the people at the next table."

"What about them?"

"They are speaking Spanish."

"Yes, they are."

"I heard him say 'queso.' That means cheese, Mom."

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Report

"... and so your teacher had all of those good things to say at your parent teacher conference. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom. I'm proud of you too."

"Thanks. Now the things she's thinking you could use a little improvement on are listening more and not vocally disagreeing when she's talking, especially without raising your hand."

"What do you mean?"

"We've talked about this before. I mean like backtalk."

"I don't do backtalk."

"You do."

"Do not."

"You're doing it now"

"Am not."

"Are."

"Nope."

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Say What What?

 
"Popco-heh. Popco-heh. Popco-heh."
 
"Bob, what is that? What are you saying?" -
 
"That's how you say popcorn with a Spanish accent." 
 
"Gotcha."
 
"You're the best mom ever, Mom." 
 
"Thanks for telling me that today. I kind of feel like I've been dropping the ball lately." 
 
"That's okay. I've been dropping the ball too."
 
"You have?'
 
"Yeah, except I don't really know what that means."

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A Solid Offer

"Mom? Dad? Hey you guys? Who wants a piece of my rainbow? You guys?! Is anyone listening? I have a rainbow cut in pieces here! Hey! Is anyone listening to me? IS ANYONE LISTENING? HELLO? WHO WANTS A PIECE OF MY RAINBOW???"

Monday, November 26, 2012

Light My Way

Mr. Rosenberg's band, Lavender Diamond, has released a new video.
Go ahead, get up and dance.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Smacksy Sunday Links


This is Stella, she belongs to some friends. We got to pet sit her this weekend.

Gorgeous photos of gathering storms.

56 Things to do instead of spending money - there are  good things here, but some of the suggestions remind me of when I was a kid and complained that I was bored, my mom would say, "How can you be bored when your closet is so messy? Go clean your closet."

And a slow loris eating a rice ball.

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Friday, November 23, 2012

Working It

"Mom, can I just have the marshmallows off the top of the sweet potatoes?"

"No."

"Can I just have the skin part off the top of the turkey?"

"No."

"Can I just have the whipped cream off the top of the pie?"

"Yes."

"Did you change your mind about the marshmallows?"

"No."

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Today

On Thanksgiving I get to wear my special apron with the embroidered turkey on it. I get to hug on friends and family and decide the best way to make acorn squash. I get to eat pie and hear Bob sing the An Indian Wears a Buckskin Suit song. I get to look around and feel grateful, yes for the food but mostly for the relationships - including the ones I have with you guys. Yes, lots of grateful over here.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Regulars


There is a restaurant in our neighborhood that we find ourselves in a couple of times a week. It's an old school coffee shop with booths and a counter and a glass case filled with pies and cakes. They serve breakfast all day and the music they play is always pre-80's. (Winchester Cathedral, Horse With No Name, Standing in the Shadows of Love) I think of it as an extension of our house. When Bob was younger, sometimes he would lay down in the booth with his head in my lap and fall asleep. Now he goes up to the cashier to pay the check on his own. My order, however, stays the same.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Name Game

 
"... so then I got the ball from Breast-ton."

"Breast-ton? I think you mean Preston."

"No, Mom. His name's Breast-ton, he told me."

"I'm pretty sure it's Preston."

"Press-ton? What kind of name is that?"

Monday, November 19, 2012

Good Morning


"It's time to get up, Bob."

"Mom, I want to sleep."

"It's Monday morning!"

"It feels like a thousand Fridays."

Friday, November 16, 2012

Good Argument


"Ryder, can I play with your airplane?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"It's mine, Bob."

"But sharing is caring, Man."

Thursday, November 15, 2012

He Has a Point. As Usual.






"Mom, guess what? When Edward in my class started school he thought the first day of school was the same as Turkey Day."

"Why did he think that?"

"I don't know. Your thoughts are your thoughts, Mom."


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Talking Turkey





"Mom! I forgot to sing the five fat turkeys song to Dad before he left and he won't be here for the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Pageant so I need to call him in Tokyo Japan and sing it for him! Right now! Hurry!"

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sayonara


"But Mom, why does Dad have to go to Tokyo Japan?"

"He's going for work, Honey."

"But, Mom! Why?"

"He loves us and takes care of us by going to work and this is one of the things he does for his job."

"But, Mom! It's making me so sad that he's going to Tokyo Japan and I miss him so much, so much!"

"I'm sorry, Bob. We can see him on the computer and talk to him while he's gone. The week will go by really fast...  Do you want to practice singing one of your songs for the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Pageant?"

"Yeah, but first I'm going to cry a little bit because of the Sad-Tokyo-Japan-Dad thing. Then we can sing."