First Blood

Right now Madison is busy making a kill jar.

I had no idea how much thought went into making kill jars. They have to be small enough to carry around, but large enough to fit a nice sized bug.

Madison got her first taste of bug collecting at her science class this morning. They were each given their own nets and set loose to find bugs. She caught a bee and a water skeeter. Apparently she gets to bring them home tomorrow.

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. Just last week I said, "You know, this house could really use a box full of dead bugs."

Madison wanted to know if it would be bad for her to sit and sniff the fingernail polish remover in the kill jar. "Hmm. Lets think about this. The fingernail polish remover is what turns a regular old jar into a KILL jar. What do you think?"

Perhaps We Should Just Invest In Some Bug Spray

"Mom, I'm wearing this to Madison's track meet because I don't want to get a mosquito bite. Only I'm afraid I might look a little ridiculous. Do you think I look a little ridiculous?"

The Results Are In

Getting ready to start the 400 meter. Madison is in lane 8.

Yesterday Madison ran the 200 and 400. She came in 8th (last) in the 200 and 7th (second to last) in the 400.

I told her if she didn't win I'd break her fingers. Even better than breaking one is chopping one off so that's what we decided to do.

Though, it looks more like she pulling a gang sign than crying over a missing finger. Next time we'll have to pull out the fake blood.

Trackitude

Do you remember when Madison placed third in the 200 and 400 meter? That particular meet was the local Hershey Track meet and the first and second place winners would advance to the district meet. As I mentioned Madison placed third. She ran her guts out and placed third. Even though Michael and I were insanely proud of her she was pretty disappointed because she wanted to advance. Last week I got a phone call and was informed that the second place winner wouldn't be able to go to the district meet and so they wanted Madison to go in her place. I was thrilled and thought Madison would be too-- she wasn't. Her response was something like, "Oh. Cool." When I asked if she wanted to call and tell her grandparents she said, "Um . . . I guess so." I know her, and I know she's not thrilled because she got third in the qualifying meet and so she thinks she won't win at district.

Tonight is the district meet. I told her that if she doesn't win I'll break her fingers, but I don't think she believed me. I also told her that she should be proud that she is at the district meet and if she tries her best then nothing else matters. Unfortunately I don't think she believed that either.

Cross your fingers for her. I'll post the results tomorrow.

My Baby is Two

Davis Making A Dandelion Wish

Davis turns two today.

We had a much harder time picking a name for little Davis than we did with the other kids. I was pushing for James Marshall (after Jimi Hendrix) but Michael thought it was too boring. Michael wanted to name him Zentrig. I said no because it sounds like a brand name for a washing machine. He suggested Rennie, I said no because we were having a boy not a girl. So he suggested Edvin, I said no because we were having a boy not a vampire. Then he wanted Mats (pronouced Motts) or Viggo. That's right--applesauce and the villain from one of the worst movies ever made.

We still hadn't agreed on a name when I had him. Seeing as I was in a heavily drugged state when I turned to Michael and said, "Just name him whatever you want." I'm pretty lucky we don't have a little Viggo running around.

However, what we do have running around is one of the most independent children I know. Last week after he finished his bowl of corn starch laced applesauce he climbed out of his high chair, closed the Internet browser (he'd been watching cartoons), and put his bowl in the sink.

At night he likes to turn off his own light and tuck himself into bed. It won't be long before he's reading himself a story and running his own bath.

He is much older at two than the other kids were--which is a little maddening because as the last baby he was supposed to stay a baby longer.

Regardless he is growing up and there isn't much I can do about that. He is growing up into a little boy with his own thoughts and opinions. He is good as saying, "leave me alone mom!" or "Let go!" and hiding something behind his back to keep the other kids from taking it.

He is 2 going on 20 so when he occasionally stops for a hug or a kiss I take what I can get.

C'est Fini

I love it. It looks much better than the yellow.

Scenes From the Park

So, yeah . . . go ahead and let me know how that works out for you.