Monkey See

One of Peabo's favorite things to do now that she can walk around independently is to take one of my purses, or something that has handles like a purse and either sling it over her shoulder, or carry it by the aforementioned handles. It's a total kick to watch, but it really struck me that of course the reason she does this is because she sees me do that same action a million times a day as we run our myriad errands. It's just so remarkable to me still how the most mundane of activities becomes something new and interesting when viewed from toddler eyes. It also reminds me that I need to be exceedingly, exceedingly, exceedingly careful of what I say and do from now on out...

Braaaaaains

Not having gone through the 'toddling' stage with Bean, it has been a kick to watch Peabo pick it up seemingly overnight. Admittedly, now we have to watch her more closely, particularly since 'climbing' comes along with 'toddling', but such is life.

The funniest thing is the realization that kids don't learn to balance with their arms akimbo to the side, but rather straight in front. Combine that with the drunk stagger, and you have yourself a two foot zombie. She knows enough to laugh when I imitate her and say "braaaaaains...braaaaains."

I realize I should relish this time in my life when I'm actually funny and cool in her eyes.

6 Years, 3 Hours, 5 Minutes Ago

I became a mother.

Happy 6th Birthday, sugarplum.

Category: Droll

Yesterday was an oddly run around kind of day, but not in a particularly awful way, just a run around way. Running. Around.

Anyway, had to pick up crap appropriate to 5 and 6 year olds for stuffing goody bags, due Friday in Bean's kindergarten class. Twenty six bags of appropriate crap. Twenty six bags of appropriate, gender NEUTRAL crap. I know some parents are a lot more organized than I am, and probably have the list of students with them while shopping, get the requisite number of 'princess' bags and the requisite number of 'Buzz Lightyear' bags but...not this girl. I have to say the actual bags are maybe a little schizophrenic because of it, but dudes, you do what have to. I at least found some horse stickers, since Bean is, you know, mad for horses. And yes, I put candy in there. Jesus, people. I'm not that bad.

Actually for all my not-really funny bitching, it was sort of sweet to do - for one, it reminded me afresh that Bean has a community of friends and a life separate from home that is really so far beyond what I often allowed myself to imagine, and that is just great. For two, kindergarten is about the last year you do goody bags for the whole class, and unless you throw a party at home, kind of the last year for goody bags at all - might as well give it your all. On the other hand, taking a semi-mobile toddler to a party store is like letting an alcoholic loose in the back alley of Jack Daniels' headquarters. It was...interesting. We didn't break, steal, or otherwise compromise anything (much), and I managed to snag the gumball out of her hand in about 0.5 seconds, and so YES I put it back. I did. She's not sick anymore.

Took Bean to riding, Peabo actually decided to walk around a bit on her own while we were there, that was fun and entertaining, until she made a beeline for what I think was maybe a dirt clod, but looked an *awful* lot like horse, um, leavings. Gene met us at physical/occupational therapy (Wednesdays are busy days) so that I could book up to the city to be on a parent panel for a class at SFSU, taught by Bean's former vision specialist. Basically these students are on one of two tracks, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Specialist, so we were there to just informally talk about our experiences with the whole early intervention process, etc. It was actually pretty fun, and I got an Easter sugar cookie kit out of the deal. Score!

Since the kids were going to be in bed anyway by the time I finished, Gene had encouraged me to take a book and go out for dinner while I had the chance, which I did, ending up at Old Krakow in West Portal. Exactly the kind of comforting, garlicky food my continuing cold required (and in passing, I'm finally going to the doctor for a suspected sinus infection. Feh to the max). The food was tasty, the atmosphere cozy until...the Asian Woody Allen showed up. Seriously, this dude was sitting behind me, with his...girlfriend? Friend who he wanted to become girlfriend? I have no idea but damn he did not.shut.up. DID.NOT.SHUT.UP. You could tell he thought he was ironic and super cerebral and beyond funny and I just wanted to turn around and say "honey, that is not going to get you laid." It was surreal in a way, but also funny as hell. I was only sorry that my ears are still enough congested that I wasn't able to fully eavesdrop. Because really, why do we go out to eat by ourselves? To eavesdrop, yes.

And now I need to go find 26+ birthday cookies for tomorrow. I kind of want to know where my cookies are - I was the one in labor 6 years ago, after all.

Oh my god, I'm KIDDING.

Today, I Feel Not Dissimilar

Ok, maybe minus the comment about eBay.

This cold is kicking my ass. MWWWWWWWWOOOROWOWOOWOWOWOWOWOROROORR. Hiss. Hiss.

Yeah, I'd Pretty Much Agree

Officially Too Old: Cracked