Well, the Apple had better not fall off anything! Cutlet, get away from my laptop!
He's actually got his own "computer," which is a toy one made by, uh, who is it? IBM? With some "video game" software on it ... oh, what's it called? Windows Vista? Yeah, it's worthless, so we let him have it. That way he'll learn what a real computer is and love the Mac.
*I also have this photo as my desktop image on my Dell at work, just to be ironic.
Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be playing photographer at a friend's wedding. This is the one at which I offered to do it for free, but I'm not bitter. I'm just hoping to get a "thank you." Not too much to ask, right? I'm saving them what probably would be a couple grand for hiring a respectable photographer, and my pics will, at least a few of them, be pretty darn good. The bride-to-be was supposed to send me a list of shots she wanted, but she's a Pro Crastinator. Like, true professional putter-offer. No list yet. So I've devised my own list ...
Well, hey! Long time no see. We survived the wedding, and I (along with some in-law family members) survived the St. Patty's Day 5K run. For being a fatty who doesn't run much anymore, I surprised myself by a) finishing and b) finishing third among our little group of eight. I have some more to tell you about that later, and also a short video of the Cutlet dancing during the reception to upload. Be patient!
Figured I'd give you a blatant baby picture and a little story instead.
Actually, the baby came first. My sister birthed her third on Monday, my first niece. I'll see her in a few weeks. At the time of this writing, I hadn't even seen a stinkin' picture of her. Shame on my mom! There is much more to tell, but she deserves a future entry all to herself to best explain it all.
We're going out of town for a wedding this weekend ... the Petite Filet's youngest sister is reboarding the Matrimony Express. Instead of courteously running off to Hawaii and eloping like she did the first time, she's dragging all her friends and family into the mix.
"You can't catch me!"
This picture isn't hot off the presses (it hasn't been cold enough to dress like this in months), but it shows how fast the Cutlet is growing up. He's quite the little driver, and can even tow a "trailer" (a little red wagon).
I don’t like going to the mall. That’s no news flash … I’m male and getting grumpier with age. But we went to lodge a complaint/seek assistance about a misguided purchase we made at one mall store, and then went to buy some pants for me from another. For those keeping score, a man buying pants = women buying swimsuits. Hate doing it. Don’t want pants. Wish I didn’t have to wear them. Trying them on sucks, and I don’t like how the waist sizes keep pace with our growing national debt.
With 4-year-old Cutlet in tow, and Riblet toted, we made some obligatory mall stops:
• Our first stop was for talking to managers, with lots of unfulfilled promises to come. Leaving unsatisfied, with an unsatisfying phone call in the meantime, we will be visiting again on Wednesday to return our large purchase for a full refund. As the Petite Filet dealt with the staff, I wrangled the kids and tried to keep the Cutlet from unintentionally shoplifting something from the “Cars” movie toy collection.
• The Food Court. We scored a bag from the Great American Overpriced Semi-Yummy Cookie Place and sat at a large-bloom-bedecked table to partake. This in no way will help with my pants size, I thought, as I gobbled an M&M cookie.
• Cutlet had to go potty, and as our family’s Ambassador of Male Bodily Functions, it was up to me. Mall restrooms are only a notch above facilities in train stations and airports. It’s a small notch. Cutlet goes. I go, too, and Cutlet makes his usual announcement to anyone in earshot or echo-distance, “You’ve got a big pee-pee!” Nothing to be ashamed of, of course, but quite embarrassing when said aloud by a 4-year-old. Someday the Cutlet will make an excellent wingman for a buddy, but only if there happen to be available women in the men’s restroom. And they’re not creeped out by the proclamation.
• Made our way to Pants Central, where I picked out five likely pairs. Slipped into the dressing cubicle and found two that seem to work (despite my apparent king-sized manhood and unquenchable cookie habit). Scoured belts for a new brown belt (riveting stuff, I’m telling you), paid and left.
• Went to Family Restaurant Near Mall Parking Lot and ate a decent dinner. Headed home still really hating the mall. And pants.
In other news …
Friday, at last! This was a tough week for Familia del T-bone because, as mentioned previously, it was the Petite Filet's first week back after maternity leave. But it went as best as it possibly could, I think.
• The Riblet's caregiver said he is the sweetest, best-natured baby she has cared for in 15 years of providing childcare.
• The Cutlet was his class "super star" this week, which meant he got to be the teacher's helper and bring special things like a movie to watch, CD to listen to, poster of himself (courtesy of Mom and Dad) and a snack (chocolate donuts). He seems to be getting back into the five-day swing as well, although it's wearing us all out.
• The Riblet has sort of slept through the night for two nights in a row. Not shattering any world records, of course, but a positive step for our sanity and well-being. Plus - TMI ALERT! - the longer me and the PF are in bed together each night, the better chance that interesting things can happen.
• My previously mentioned bonus was added to this pay period's check, saving our bacon until our tax refund comes in what is expected to be one week from now. One of these days, I'm hoping to blow bonus money on something fun, like a kayak, new bike or family trip. Alas, I don't get many bonuses, and they always seem to come at times when we need them. I can't really complain about that, though.
• It's supposed to get a bit colder here this weekend (lows in the 30s, highs in the 50s/60s), but it's been remarkably beautiful here with early signs of spring. That means we're lacking in the rain department again, which is bad but good: don't have to mow the lawn much and the cars are staying cleaner. Except the inside of our cars are getting their normal workout with snacks, diapers and toys.
But: we're still adjusting to the schedule, working to be more organized and trying to get more sleep. Argh! But a do-next-to-nothing weekend will help us get through the next one.
