Thursday, January 26, 2017

So much scouting

The boys didn't join us on the march because it was Eli's first Pinewood Derby. We joined this Pack at exactly the wrong time. It's the tail end of all the Cub Scout activities, but Boy Scouts hasn't started yet. So basically Eli started just in time to graduate. We're very proud. 
Super cheesy family picture. 
 The Arrow of Light is supposed to represent all of the work that you did during Cub Scouts. Some boys had these super full arrows, with stars and stripes and feathers and the works. Because Eli's been doing this for about three minutes, his was more "sparse." That didn't stop him from being all about it though. My favorite part was when he left his dad standing in the front of the room to bring me his pin, since "Dad got the last one." Goober. 
Guess which ones are Syd and Eli's? Hint: the ones that look like children touched them. 

Goober 
 And to really drive home this phase of our lives, it's also Girl Scout cookie season. It's a lovely time that triggers every tiny piece of competitiveness in my soul, resulting in my purchasing at least $100 worth of cookies so that Syd can "earn" a pair of socks. She is quite the hustler though. She LOVES door-to-door sales and has even figured out that she can use her sister to her advantage. The two of them KILLED it. Those socks are going to look amaze-balls on her.

Monday, January 23, 2017

We Marched!

Sydney, Averson and I joined the 2+ million women worldwide who marched on Saturday. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea, since it would be me and the girls alone in the crowd marching to the Capital. I neurotically planned out my strategy in case things went South, including not making signs so that I'd have both my hands free in case we had to run (BTW, really really sad that that was such a prominent concern.) I knew that I wanted to go in support of equality, women's rights, and decency, and I knew that I wanted my girls to be a part of it and to be able to remember being there. After a close call Saturday morning where it looked like I might have to cancel to pinch hit for C at a Boy Scout function, I rallied and met a friend at the train station to join her and her family. 





I am SO GLAD that we went. I was overwhelmed by the sense of unity and am proud that I added my voice and my feet to the 20,000 women, men, and children that marched peacefully to the Capital. There was so much love and support and kindness floating through the crowd. I saw LITERALLY one person, riding by on a bicycle, who said "Trump's our president. Get over it." He didn't even say it loudly. It was wonderful and inclusive and gave me such hope. The rally kicked off with all 20,000 people chanting "Stay Loud!" and "Love, not Hate! That's what makes America Great!" 

At one point Averson and her friend were running amok and a lovely woman bent down to Avery's level and asked her, quite seriously, if she would like to have one of her signs. Avery said yes, and then earnestly listened to the woman explain what a big responsibility it was, that she needed to hold it high, walk slow, and explain to people what it meant. Avery took this on like it was her job. 
Could this be any more perfect? 

Did I mention how glad I am that we went? I am energized to love and advocate and speak out. Sydney learned a few new words and was inspired by the Vagina Monologues quilt (no picture, but it was as pretty and weird as it sounds). Averson found her voice (and may have become internet famous). 

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Conversation with Averson

A: Shrieks
Me: Hey! We don't scream inside
A: Do we scream outside?
Me: Yes Baby. We can scream outside but not inside. Please don't scream inside.
A: Why not?
It should be mentioned that this conversation is happening in a public bathroom stall.
Me: Because when you scream inside, it hurts my ears. Now pull up your pants.
A: (without pause) But what if I was alone? Would it hurt your ears?
Me: No, I guess it wouldn't hurt my ears if you were alone. Pants.
A: Then I'd like to be alone please.

Apparently I've become her straight man?



Monday, January 2, 2017

Kicking off 2017

We kicked off NYE at a family sleepover that was about as stereotypical as they come. A bunch of middle-age parents minimally supervising their children between shots of tequila and dance-offs. One dad is a DJ (or has a lot of random equipment) and he set up a ridiculously large speaker, then let Eli play DJ E Skeezy all night. 


He also gifted Eli the hat, which he hasn't taken off since. It has batteries. 

Let's call this a "tequila selfie" 


I woke up like this. At a friend's house. Thankfully so did the rest of my family and we were able to leave early before I had to make small talk with last night's makeup on my face. 
Syd lost her first tooth at the party too!
We were totally useless yesterday (see tequila shots and staying up WAY too late). I binge watched almost an entire season of Shameless on my headphones and the kids ran feral. 

Today is shaping up to be much of the same. Even the tooth fairy is lazing and didn't even come until after Syd had been up for a few minutes. We're assuming the rain caused her a delay. Plus, I think the $5 was at the bottom of her bag because it was super sparkly. She's trying to decide if the sparkles will help her fly.