I had a great weekend with my sister and my niece. Yesterday we road tripped to Christiansberg and did antique stores. Today we organized my niece's house and made her stop practicing to be on Hoarders. Also, at one point today I had a tiny tree frog clinging to my finger. He had gotten trapped under the hot tub cover, and I ferried him back to the foliage. Now I'm tired and happy and I have Plans for the next few weeks. Plans which include painting.

My new niece continues to be the cutest. She met her uncle TCG today, and she didn't even cry when he held her. Her eyes were really open and looking around today, which was different from earlier this week. She also slept right through the football game where everyone was screaming at the TV in the same room.

I sort of love that stage where they sleep anywhere regardless. So portable and adorable.

I sort of love that stage where they sleep anywhere regardless. So portable and adorable.

She really is a very easy baby, as long as she's not cold or hungry, in which cases she will scream and scream until someone fixes it. But she doesn't fuss otherwise and she is happy with whoever is holding her. She does prefer her bouncy seat for sleeping, because apparently her crib is just too big, and the space overwhelms her. She wants to be cozy.

I had a great weekend with my sister and my niece.

Awesome to hear, Zen.

My new niece continues to be the cutest.

BABY. I haven't cuddled a baby in a while. Hmm. Where can I find a baby... none of my friends here have a baby.

I should not still be up... but I've gotten a serious bee in my bonnet about pulling together a Hobbity picnic next Saturday for my birthday (and Bilbo's and Frodo's). So... would love to hear ideas for games, food, favors (yes, this is an adult party, though there may be some kids there). Major bonus points for cheap, easy, and fast.

I've been reading the books with the kids, Sarah. As far as I can tell a proper hobbit meal should have some nice cheese, butter, lots of mushrooms, and a good beer. And lots of it.

Oh, smonster, you will appreciate. I was reading an okcupid message from someone thinking "I can't possibly respond, because your command of spelling and grammar is so poor, it's a shame you're cute in your pictures"....and then I noticed this:

I am also good at krotching and cross stitch

Krotching?!? I'm thinking perhaps she means crochet??

Some of these look good.

As far as I can tell a proper hobbit meal should have some nice cheese, butter, lots of mushrooms, and a good beer. And lots of it.

I think I'd like to be a Hobbit sometimes.

I am also good at krotching and cross stitch

oh DEAR.

Conversation with Ryan last night. Context: he's been sick since Saturday, with a chest cold and fever (we've no idea what we're supposed to feed him). He woke up at 2 a.m. in a state of extreme upset because "someone had been pulling on his Bubby" (i.e. his stuffed toy frog and stalwart sleepytime companion lo these many years gone by). I assured him it was just a bad dream, and we chatted for a while; after he was feeling more settled, he then confided that his nappy was "full of wee", and could stand to be changed. Now, on the ceiling above his change table, we had placed some alphabet stick-ons. Each letter has an animal picture to go with it. Thus begins the following exchange:

Ryan: "There's letter Q!"
Me: "That's right! Do you know what bird that is with the letter Q?"
Ryan: "No, but it starts with Q."
Me: "It does, it's called a quail."
Ryan: "And there's letter V!"
Me: "Right! Do you know that bird?"
Ryan: "Nooo..."
Me: "That's a vulture, and it starts with V."
Ryan: "What else starts with V?"
Me: "Well, let's see. How about violin?"
Ryan: "Yes!"
Me: "And then there's also val--"
Ryan: "And velociraptor!"
Me: "...That's-- Ok, that's very good, Ryan."

The palaeo-love is strong in this one.