A.K. Today

Ashley Kate:

* has discovered that she has the ability to put her toes in her mouth

* continues to engage me in the diaper war, insisting on rolling over constantly

* got her first servings of really soupy cereal and seems to mildly like it

* got her first serving of slightly thicker cereal and did not like it at all

* can't keep those damn fingers out of her mouth

* log rolls across the room in the blink of an eye

* doesn't do so hot with the whole sitting up business, but is fab with the spitting up business

* thinks its really, really funny to 'stand up' and get her legs underneath her

* seems to be getting some of her hair back

* loves her big sister

* is a counted blessing each and every day

(I apologize for the slight blurriness of these photos, but the flash was just too harsh!)

It Just Doesn't Stop

More Ella Grace:

The other day my mom tells Ella that she's sending her a dress. The next day we stop by the mailbox and lo and behold there is a package. Ella asks if it's her dress from Grandmama and I say no, that the package isn't big enough to be a dress. I suppose she didn't hear me and thought she should put it some terms that we would understand a bit better. Like 'Did MEGAN'S MOM send me a dress?!' Heaven. Help. Me.

This evening Ella says that she would be 'shocked and amazed' if something or another happened. That's all her daddy, right there, shocked and amazed.

E.G. and I went to a local track this afternoon where I jogged and she rode her bike. The plan was to pop into the grocery store afterwards for a few necessities, a plan that wasn't thought out all that well. I tell Ella that I sure do need a tan and when I go into the store in my shorts it's going to be scary. She promptly comes home and tells David 'Mama was scary in the grocery store!'

Also tonight, after Ella had been in her room taking forever to get her pajamas on, I call down the hall and ask what she's doing. To which she replies "I'm just taking care of a few things."

Once the 'few things' have been taken care of (which involved putting on lots of play jewelry) David begins asking her to put away some of her toys.

David: Well, number one, you need to put away your Lincoln Logs.

Ella begins putting away Lincoln Logs.

Ella: No number two, I don't want a number two...

(I hide my face and start to laugh, sneaking a look at David who didn't quite understand what she meant)

David: You don't want what?

Ella: A number two; something else to put away.

(me still hiding and laughing, David catches me and tries to hide his laugh too)

David: Sorry, sweetie, you need to put your bike away.

Ella puts her bike away.

David: And your ball, please put that away too.

Ella, laughing: I said no two and you were planning on it [all along]!

David, laughing: Also! Put your ball away, also!

You know, when other parents told us that our kids would mimic us and say what we say, I never thought that it would apply to everyday phrases and admonitions. I pretty much assumed that meant cussing. Cuss around your kids and you will hear it back. But oh no, no! And the thing is, it's not like I'm saying stuff to Ella that is bad, it's just when she says it back to me then I'm affronted by it. Like after I bump my elbow on something, her telling me 'that's why you should watch where you're going!' or getting shushed if I make a loud noise while Ashley's sleeping. It's all things that I have said to her, but when bounced back at me seen so wrong!

The kicker in all of this is that everyone tells me that this is my child saying all this! Mine all mine. I'm sort of proud in a narcissistic way but then come to the reality that holy shit this is how smart my mouth is! There is a future for Ella Grace at Smartini yet! Oh, and by the way, I bet that Ashley Kate won't be any better, having two smarty pants to learn from!

From the Daily Report, Again

Yesterday's report from preschool included this:

"... Ella is still having a little difficulty with her friends. She tries to be the teacher and the kids tell her they don't like it and she does it anyway."

Like a good mom I snickered at this. I guess I shouldn't because that means she is a little Miss Bossy Pants but it still makes me laugh!

David commented that maybe that's her Aunt Jamie coming out in her... Apparently Jamie liked to play teacher too, and I'm going to guess that it was with David as the student even after he said he didn't like it! (Which makes me laugh, too!)

Horse Show #2

Saturday we took Ella to another horse show. This one was yet again a very small, laid back deal and she definitely got a ribbon (I made sure to check beforehand!).

Such a professional cowgirl

Ella with the loot: two cups, a hoof pick and a Super Star! ribbon

I don't think you get more official than having your very own back number!

As we drove over Ella said 'Aww, Scooter's my buddy!'. Yessirree.

While We Were Out

If you haven't checked out the hippest spot in town, Smartini, then you haven't seen this madness. This is what happens when I start feeling sorry for Maggie and let her inside while we run out 'real quick'. I'm sure there was some help from another dog I may know, but these incidences only seem to happen when Maggie is around so that's why she got the mug shot!

Escapades from the Crib

The other day I laid Ashley down, thinking that she might be in need of a nap. Apparently she had other things on her mind. Like snatching off her socks. When it was obvious that she was not going to take a nap, I went it to pick her up and found this:

When I laid her down, those socks were on her feet, at the other end of the crib. So she must have gabbed her foot, yanked her sock off and threw it up by her head... and then did it again!

Quoted

Ella, from a recent expedition to the mall for new shirts for me:

"You look pregnant in that shirt."

"That looks like a stay at home shirt."

(After being told that we were going to go pay and then I stopped to look at another rack) "This doesn't look like going to pay."

Wow. I guess the tongue sticking out incident was just the beginning...

Smartini

You are all invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of Smartini, a fabulous business venture between myself and five other blogger friends. It's a bar, of the internet variety, that serves up cold drinks in the form of news, celebs, creative writing, recipes and snark. With six of us posting you are guaranteed to find something new and interesting every day, if not throughout the day. We serve all ages, 24 hours a day!

Today would be a great day to wander over to the bar. It's unofficially WTF? Friday, which will leave you confused yet feeling incredibly normal... especially after you see my contribution! :)

www.smartinibar.blogspot.com Add it to your faves!

Trick Rider

This is what happens when I get photo editing software that I can actually use. Somebody stop me!

Ella has really taken to doing tricks on her bike, many of which involve standing on the seat. I have one other picture (that I will try to post later) of her on just one foot with the other kicked up behind her which is pretty impressive! Maybe I should be worried about what this type of behavior, at 4 years old, implies for later in life. I think I need to keep my first aid kit handy for, oh, say, the next 14 years!

Miss Mountain Biker, Ella Grace

Dill Dip

Oh, my, have I come across a recipe that I will use over and over again! Dill dip happens to be one of those things that I could eat my weight in and not think twice. Judging from the response to it at work today (which was to scrape the bottom of the bread bowl it was in before noon), I'm not the only one! Give this recipe a shot the next time you have to contribute to the snack table at a social function. Hell, don't even wait for a social function. Just make it and plunk yourself down on the couch. You won't be going anywhere for a while.

Dill Dip

1 1/3 cups mayonnaise - real, not Miracle Whip
2 2/3 cups sour cream
1 Tbsp dried parsely flakes
3 Tbsp dill weed
3 Tbsp grated onion
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt

Combine all in a bowl and let sit over night for flavors to blend. Serve with beer bread, chips or vegetables.

Sunday Afternoon Ladies

Sunday afternoon proved the perfect time for another photo shoot of my girls. I'm a sucker for Ella and Ashley any old time, but especially when the light is just right and their eyes really shine. Love. It.

And then there is this picture, which cracks me up. Look at what perspective does to Ashley's arm! It looks like a tree trunk!

Feet of Fury

Get ready... get set... here they go! Feet of Fury doing Riverdance!

Nap Time

In the spirit of Pen's picture of N.Lo on break, I caught Ashley on her afternoon break. She has really taken to sucking on her fingers and prefers to sleep on her stomach, just like N.Lo. She also takes really, really long naps on her stomach too (we're talking 4-5 hours)!

Spring Is Here

Proof that spring is here: my strawberry plants from last year are emerging in the garden!

Who Wants a Margarita?

This weekend I realized that I have not shared with you one of my favorite recipes yet: Knock You Nekkid Margaritas! It's definitely a recipe to keep handy, whether you like margaritas or not... you never know when a Cinco de Mayo party will break out at your house, right?!

Knock You Nekkid Margaritas
1 12 oz can limeade concentrate, thawed
12 oz 7 Up
12 oz bottle or can of beer
6 to 12 oz tequila

Mix all together. Using the limeade can to measure the 7 Up and tequila makes it a cinch!

Two things: You might want to strain the limeade if you don't like pulp and I found that 9 oz of tequila makes it plenty strong. If you use 12 oz, you might need to change the name to Knock You Out Margaritas! Either way, beware because these go down easy and pack a punch!

Ear Nibbler

Those ears are the best tasting thing around, if you're Ashley Kate!

Heard and Seen

Quotes from the weekend:

When asked what exactly she was doing in the bath, Ella replied "I'm just chillin' ". David's response: "It's going to be a long 14 years." Amen!

Seen at Angies's house "Grant me the patience to deal with my blessings." Amen to that too!

Baby Estes

Marisa found out last week that she is having a baby boy! I think everyone and their dog called it, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that now I will have a nephew and I get to buy all kinds of boy stuff! Marisa and Rusty are thrilled, as you can imagine, that there is a little golfer on the way (actually, boy or not, that baby was going to be a golfer just like its daddy)! Marisa swears that he won't be all country club... just a little bit country and a little bit club. OMG, that is totally a golf pun! Ah, the wit never ceases over here.

Little peanut has a peanut - yea! I'm so excited! (Ok, I really cannot resist this: Baby Estes has testes! Sorry, it had to be done.)

Take This Down

I tried to take notes as Ashley dictated, but I just couldn't keep up. Wow, that girl has got so much to say!

Daily Report

On Ella's daily report sheet from preschool yesterday:

"Ella had difficulty waiting for the bathroom after lunch. When she was asked to wait quietly with her hands in her lap she chose to stick out her tongue and spit." [at her teacher]

Yeah. Not Ella Grace's finest moment.

When David and Ella got home he sent her with the report to see me in the back room. I could tell that the report wasn't good from his instructions to her, but I was expecting something along the lines of 'talked back' or 'bossed the other children', which has happened before. When I read this I had such a loud intake of breath that David announced, from the other room, "I've already talked to her about it!" in fear that I was drawing up ample breath in preparation to unleash a loud fury of words upon her. (Luckily, for all parties involved, I am not a hot tempered girl and I chose to calmly talk to Ella later.) This child just increased the grey hair population on my head by a few dozen. Thanks. A. Lot.

**The rest of this story is that the 'spit' was actually more like a raspberry, not a real spit. And what I might lack in fiery temper I make up for in steely resolve. I called preschool at lunch today to make sure that Ella was behaving and had apologized to her teacher. If not, we were going to have a chat. Also, I should mention that by and large Ella is a very well behaved little girl. We have the typical battles that every parent of a four year old has but overall she's a peach. That's why we were so shocked at this ugliness! According to the daily report, today was a much better day!

Easter Beauties

Easter was the first time I have gotten to fully appreciate one of the perks of having two girls relatively close in age: matching outfits! Grandmama, with her sharp eye and generous spirit, supplied the girls with their very first matchy-matchy outifts (tights and shoes too!). And Easter dresses at that! I just couldn't get over how cute they both looked. I can't wait until Ashley is older and they can stand next to each other to get the full effect. So presh!

Steamroller

Yay! to baby girl for hitting a milestone. The roll over is complete (from back to front) and I actually managed to get it on camera. Check out the size of her belly as she's getting her momentum up! (Heaven help the little baby at daycare who is Ashley's age but about 4 pounds lighter... she might get crushed during their floor play time!)

M's

Angie sent me this in an email and I thought it was pretty interesting. It's a running forward, but not the standard 'Have you ever skipped school?'. You use the first letter of your name to answer the following questions. Feel free to do your own version in the comments (be creative!).

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Megan

4 LETTER WORD: Mama

VEHICLE: Mazda 6 (I want one!)

TV SHOW: Mad TV

BOY NAME: Marshall

GIRL NAME: Marisa

OCCUPATION: Maid

SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Mini skirt

FOOD: Mashed potatoes

SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Mascara

REASON FOR BEING LATE: Missed the bus

SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Move, Maggie!

Little Miss Priss

There are a couple things going on here in the pics...

The first pictures show the kind of sass and attitude that we are dealing with on the home front. They also show the high class livin' that we are providing for our little ones. Ella really, really likes to have curly hair so I got these fancy schmancy ones she can sleep in. Couple that with the robe that she wears after her bath and we have ourselves one ritzy gal. All she needs is a cigarette or a beer to finish off this look!

The bottom pic is from this morning where Ella's all greened up for St. Patrick's Day. Check out those curls (and the not so natural smile)! As I was putting some hair spray in to set the curls against all the rain we're getting, I kind of felt like a pageant mom! Aack! (Actually, Ella's got so much hair that if I really teased it up she would win a crown off volume alone! Must remember for future Rodeo Princess titles...)

Fingers

Finger sucking is a favorite past time.

Such a cute picture (with an ugly gesture)!

Jipped by the GSA

Just this week I received delivery of the Girl Scout cookies that I had so generously ordered a while back. I typically make such a purchase every year since David really likes them but I might reconsider next year. Why, you ask? Because those little girls in their little green outfits are crooks. Sure enough, bona fide crooks.

Three and a half dollars for a small box of cookies? Good. Grief! (Maybe the price is so high because all of those little cookies are infused with crack? Just a thought.) If that weren't bad enough, David and I have come to the conclusion that the cookies, and maybe the boxes, are getting smaller. Those Samoas are teeny tiny compared to what they used to be, right? I don't think that the issue is that we have gotten bigger... we got some last year and I don't remember feeling quite so ripped off. Did they think we wouldn't notice, those cookie miniaturizing swindlers?!

Just up the damn price, if you must, but don't be shrinking the goods. (I'm sure we would all still buy them and at least then the box would last longer than a day!)

Ask and ye shall receive... two weeks later

About a hundred years ago (or maybe it was two weeks), I made the offer to share some really easy, really tasty recipes with y'all. Two of you spoke up, practically demanding to know what culinary gems I was hiding. Demand no more, my friends. Get ready to highlight, print selection and scamper off to the grocery store to fill your basket with the ingredients for...

Spicy Chicken Soup

1 large onion, chopped
1 large can chunk chicken breast, pieces broken apart into coarse shreds
2 10 oz. cans Rotel (diced tomatoes w/ green chilies)
1 10 oz. can Mexican Rotel
1 19 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15.5 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15.5 oz. whole kernel corn, drained
2 14.5 oz. chicken broth
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
chopped fresh cilantro
sour cream, optional
shredded Monterey Jack cheese, optional

Saute onion in a little vegetable oil in a medium stock pot. Add all canned ingredients, salt and sugar. Simmer for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro before serving. Garnish with sour cream or cheese, if desired.

This recipe is really easy since all you need to have is a Handy Chopper for the onions and a can opener. Who can argue with that, right?! It's a little on the spicy side but not so much so that Ella wouldn't eat it. I recommend having something with a little crunch to go with it (and also to help tone down the heat) like tortilla chips or cheese quesadillas. I did the quesadillas and they were a hit, especially for dunking.

Now highlight, print selection and scamper!

Letter to the Readers

My Dearest Blog Readers:

In a effort to explain my absence and absent-minded posting, I offer you this:

Finally, finally I feel like I have my head slightly above the sea of water that is 'work to do'. OK, maybe it's just my eyes that are above the water, but damn if that doesn't allow me to see that the end is near; I've got my eyes on the prize. Maybe I will take a few dips below the surface before it's all said and done but I'm coming back.

Don't count this girl out!

Much appreciated,
Megs

Tagged

Andria recently posted a tag with some random questions, so here I go:

1) Can you roll your tongue? Yes, the taco way, back on itself, flip it (just to the left) and a funky up-down-up wave

2) a) Can you raise/arch an eyebrow? No

b) Can you raise both? Yes

3) Are your earlobes attached straight into your head or do you actually have round, dipping lobes? I've got lobes

4) Can you flare your nostrils? Yes

5) When you "shoot a bird" or "flip someone off" do you bend your other fingers at the middle knuckle or do you hold them with your thumb like making a fist? No solitare for me, I prefer the bended fingers approach

6) Is your middle toe longer than your big toe? No

7) Can you whistle? Yes, just the regular way, not the fingers in the mouth really loud way (although I really wish I could!)

8) Can you sit "Indian-style" or cross-legged? Yes. I think it's mandatory for mothers to be able to sit like that!

9) Have you ever broken a bone? Yes, one finger

10) Do you pop your knuckles? Eew, no. I can't stand to listen to it...

11) Anyone else have any random questions to add or are these odd enough? I'm going to add 'Can you move your ears?' Yes I can.

Let Me Explain

this dandy of an outfit.

It all just sort of built up as the day went on, culminating in one final cacophony of mixed pieces. (I am generally 'that mom' who insists that her child's outfit somewhat matches and looks like it was chosen in a well lit room with mirrors. Usually Ella will agree with my suggestions so, mercifully, I rarely have to battle it out.) We are pretty slack on the weekends around here so when there is no call for going out in public, outfits like this happen.

This morning I agreed to the skirt, tights, white shirt and plain pig tails. Great! Then Ella wanted her pig tails braided. Sure thing, sweetie. Then she wanted to go outside, which mandated the jacket and boots. Fine. Then playing outside turned into 'hoeing the garden' and everybody knows you need a ball hat and some gloves (your new Easter gloves from Grandmama, no less) to do that! Whatever.

It was only after I went outside and witnessed the spectacle of Ella 'working in the garden' and providing constant narration to Lilly, that I could fully appreciate this ensemble. What a classic!

Float Like A Butterfly...

Ashley seems to be figuring out the little sister lot in life. Big sister plays with little sister like a doll, little sister lays there and takes it. That's pretty much it. For instance, Ashley has already been subjected to being picked up and moved around in the well intentioned but quite unskilled ways of her four year old big sister. She has also had her hands, legs and arms moved in not quite natural positions by Ella who is 'just playing' with her.

So what's a helpless baby to do? I think Ashley's using that big ol' noggin of hers and has figured out that she can pull off slight forms of retaliation under the guise of 'being too little to know what she's doing'. And she moves so fast that often we don't see it, just hear about it from Ella.

The other night I caught one of Ashley's sneaky offenses with the camera. Here's how it all played out:

Look at me just laying here, sucking my fingers all innocent-like, luring Ella into my strike zone...

And ker-pow! Ella gets it in the face!

But it's ok because 'I don't know what I'm doing'! Mwahahaha!

E.G.M.

The genius just keeps pouring out of little Miss Ella. She had some help from her teacher with the spelling, but the writing is all her. And then some random cut outs from magazines. I'm not real sure about her choice of pictures here... Betty Boop and a Big Mac? But obviously the girl has a political interest with the '08 Election 8 ball choice! I wonder who she would vote for? Peter Pan, maybe.

Here and There

* I seem to be losing my hair at break neck speed. Here I was thinking that I escaped this last pregnancy without losing my hair like I did with Ella. Ha. It's coming out in gobs and I am haunted by the memory of before when I could see a thinner spot by my temple. Oh. No.

* I have an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow. I plan to keep the bangs since not only are they hip and stylish, they will assist in covering up a potentially thinning temple. See above.

* Along with two vehicles and Ella, we now own Ashley outright. I finally wrote the last few checks last week... No one is coming to repo my baby!

* Today is March 4th. The only day of the year that is a command. Wow, that's lame. :)

* Obama, Hillary. Hillary, Obama. Would someone please clinch the nomination so I can quit hearing about it already? I don't really care who, as long as I can never, ever hear Hillary's super gay theme song (in response to the 'Yes We Can' video of Obama's) 'Hill-a-ry for de-moc-racy!'. Make. It. Stop.

* It seems like all of the sudden every fast food joint has decided to acknowledge our good friends the Catholics and offer a fish sandwich through Lent. Is that everywhere or just here in the land of the Catholics? You know me, I'm all 'Whatever, I'll have a burger/chicken sandwich/BBQ!' Hee hee. Methodists rule, Catholics drool!

* I simply must remember to drink more water. The water that is combined with syrup to form Coke does not count, as much as I might wish for it to.

* I have two recipes that I want to share but think y'all might be a little run down with me and my cookery. Maybe if I promise that they are really easy and really tasty? Perhaps?

More Photo Shoot

The photo shoots just seem to keep happening at the McClure house. How can I deny Ashley the lens time that she so obviously deserves and demands?!

By the way, I found yet another use for the Boppy pillow in propping AK up in the corner of the couch! Man, those things are handy!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Marisa!

It's the second anniversary of her 29th birthday and in what seems to be my tradition, I found a picture that I though she would most appreciate.

(That drink would be sans alcohol, given Marisa's state of affairs!)

Sisters

I came across a picture of Ella at 4 months last night and I was struck by how much Ashley looks like her then! In the spirit of Andria's quiz and Pen's deja vu moment, here is my version. I think they practically look like twins! (Except that Ashley now has a *few* pounds on Ella then.)

Am I crazy? TWINS, I tell you!

Throwing Her Weight Around

Last night we had a photo shoot, of sorts, with Ashley Kate taking center stage. I didn't necessarily set out to take about zillion pictures of Ashley, but she insisted on trying to roll over (!). She never could get it done, but I thought a little documentation of the effort was in order. (I was so tempted to give her a little nudge, because that was all she needed, but thought better of it. I bet that once she actually makes it over to her stomach she is going to be upset about the change of events and I don't want to be responsible for that!)

Miss Mags

Maggie is so chill.

More Ashley

When the readers demand more Ashley videos, who am I to deny them?

PenelOccupation

We here at the McBlog aren't afraid to do some shameless promotion of ideas, products, children, recipes, whatever. It's our specialty, let's say.

So you won't be one bit surprised when I tell you that you really need to go check out The PenelOccupation. Penelope writes about her job as the Manager of a Company (read: mother of two small children) in a way that is creative, witty and sharp. You don't have to be a Manager yourself to appreciate her occupation and the job it totally is. And she posts regularly, unlike... others...! ;)

I have added a link to Penelope's blog under the 'My Peeps' section to the right (more shameless promotion of blogger friends). Perhaps on those days when I haven't posted-what?me?-you can just click right on over and see what's happening at the Lo.Co.

Here's a fine example of the Manager's take on recent office goings on (ripped straight from The PenelOccupation):

Employee Demands a Thatsit

One of the things I like so much about writing, as opposed to talking, is the ability to think about and edit what I'm going to say before I say it. Being human, I'm not always perfect on the first try with speaking. I do get disappointed in myself as a Manager maybe too much with this shortcoming, but once you speak the words, they are what they are, and you can't take them back. So you can't worry about it too much, just try and do better the next time.

For instance, I don't particularly like to tell my employees they are "being bad," but well, sometimes they are being bad, or at least the one who's been with the company long enough to be bad is being bad. I know, according to all the Managerial Training Books, managers shouldn't really phrase admonitions this way to their employees; it doesn't help productivity or overall work satisfaction for anyone in the company. A manager instead should patiently point out that the behavior is "not acceptable," advise of the "appropriate behavior," and/or distract the employee, blah blah blah. Maybe in an ideal office environment, where The Manager has an unlimited supply of patience and perfection, this procedure would always be possible. Frankly, it's less that I don't want to tell K.Lo she is "being bad"--because if she is, she needs to know. It's just that there are better ways to say it. That way is not always on the tip of my tongue.

On the other hand, not communicating the right words can be entertaining, even when you don't mean them to be. After clocking in from Break this afternoon, K.Lo filled her chocolate quota for the day, and then continued to ask for more. I offered the alternate options of "pretzels, grapes, or... that's it." It didn't exactly make sense. But K.Lo, not going for the first two options, settled on the "that's it," requesting whatever a "thatsit" is several times. Maybe she thought it was made of chocolate.

Out of Context

Various quotes from Ella Grace:


"Don't worry about it. I've got it under control."

"Mama, that was a waste of money!"

"Why? It's just the same old Ashley."

(in the dressing room with me) "Mama, you're showing yourself your rear end. Why?"

Ella's School Photo

Proof

This picture from my new renewed license proves three things:

1) I did get those bangs I was talking about.

2) It is possible to take a decent photo for your drivers license (I'm keeping this bad boy forever. Good thing the state of Kansas makes their licenses good for 7 years!)

3) It is impossible to sign your name normally on those stupid electronic thingies. Here's an idea, stupid electronic signature thingie makers, how's about you make the window big enough for those of us whose letters go BELOW the line? Preesh.