Preschool Report

C got his first report card from preschool last month. He's doing pretty well. But curses that balance beam!

We'll work on it, Mrs. Peterson. Promise.

Dear Michigan State:

You had me worried for 38 minutes that I might have picked the wrong team to round out my Elite Eight.

But in the end, you managed to (barely) pull it off. Way to bring it home. Now, if you wouldn't mind stepping it down and losing to Louisville this weekend, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Restless Mom (who is currently in the top 42 on ESPN.com's leaderboard)

Pajama Wednesday

One Wednesday morning when C was two years old, I was just too lazy to get out of bed, get dressed, and do anything besides pour cereal. It was probably a gross day outside. So I declared that day to be "Pajama Wednesday."

And ever since that day, we've maintained this Wednesday tradition of staying in our pajamas all day and lounging around. Usually, this means he gets to eat breakfast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too.

Last week, however, for some reason, we couldn't do Pajama Wednesday, and since we've been sick for the last several days, we've had a lot of Pajama (Fri-Satur-Sun-Mon)days this week.

The poor kid is out of pajamas. Time to do some laundry!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

Four years ago, our little C was born.

The minute he was born, he was our "Bud." Who knows why, since I don't necessarily see a resemblance:

But really, kiddo, you really ARE my favorite Coco in the whole wide world. We are so happy you're a part of our family.
I'm so glad you had a wonderful day at preschool and with Mimi, Daddy, Baabaa, and Grandpa. We all love you SO VERY MUCH.

I Beat the President - Day 1

President Obama, Day 1: 11/16 (D average)
Me, Day 1: 15/16 (A average)

I know better than to be too confident after the first day of March Madness. But I kind of really want to beat him.

Could it be?

I don't want to jinx anything...

...but with this weather forecast, I'm pulling out the spring clothes.

From earth to outer space

Out of nowhere, C just said, "Mom, I love you. All the way from earth to outer space."

I think he was inspired by that book, "Guess How Much I Love You?", but I'll take it.

And kiddo? I love you all the way from earth to outer space . . . and back. ;-)

It's nonstop

I guess I really won't complain, because April showers DO bring May flowers, and it's not even April yet. So I should really be grateful that it's not snowing. But apparently, when it doesn't snow, it pours.

This is what the river two blocks away looks like today. Our sump pump has been on overdrive. And I saw our neighbors across the street pumping out a ton of water from their basement window well yesterday. That would stink. Literally.

Normally, you can see this tree's root system. Not today. Nope.

And normally, you don't see the river and the park intersecting. (By the way, it's soggy at the park. My shoes and socks got soaked. Ew.)I drew in a yellow line where the river bank is SUPPOSED to be.

As long as it doesn't creep into our basement, I'll just be grateful that it's 56 degrees outside today. :)

Intimate conversation

I could only hear a portion of their very hushed conversation, but here's what I could decipher:

"Hello, hippo... you have a big nose... how come you move your head side to side?... look at that branch... can you pick it up?... look at that branch...

I didn't know it could dive, Mom. I didn't know it could dive, Mommy!"

This was our first time seeing an underwater hippopotamus. I laughed out loud. What a funny animal.

Sushi night

For some reason, whenever D's parents are in town, I always feel like it's my Japanese duty to make sushi. Even though they can probably get better sushi at Isobune or Kirala in Berkeley.

So anyhow, here's what we had for dinner last night, along with my mom's delish miso soup. This was modified to include imitation crabmeat (so not the same, but oh well), eggs, carrots, and cucumber. So maybe like a kani-tamago-ninjin-kyuri roll. Or a kantaninkyu roll?

Oui, Oui, Paris...

What City Should You Live In?
	You should live in Paris. The city of lights will appeal to your appreciation of beauty and romance. You are a lover and a poet by nature, and Paris' sensitive charms will be a perfect match for yours.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

I thought the results would place me in London but I guess Paris is the place to be for me. My mission was indeed inspired...

Mystery Bun

Today while shopping at Super H Mart (one of two Asian supermarkets in Naperville), I challenged C to sample a mystery bun. If you know C, he has a very limited non-sweet diet (which includes McD hamburger, fries, hot dog, mac n' cheese, dinosaur nuggets, and fish sticks). I told him the mystery bun was sweet and of course his eyes lit up. So he gave it a try. After three rounds of bun samples, C was fooled into eating a "sweet" Chinese Green Onion bun. I am glad deep down he has my "gourmand" genes. After checking out, C told me that he "Super H loves me". I don't know if that means he loves me as much as he loves "Super H" but I'll take it as a compliment.

Rise and Shout

I'm on Facebook right now and this is the ad that's popping up on the sidebar:

I'm so glad we're done with the potty training thing. Otherwise, I'd actually consider caving to this meticulously placed ad so that D could actually LEARN the first... oh, 20 lines of our alma mater's fight song.

Our kiddo, who knows as much of the fight song (four seconds worth) as his dad.

One question, though. Is it "Loyal, strong and true?" or "Loyal, brave and true?" I never figured that one out. I just mumbled something to get through the line so I wouldn't look like a total idiot:

"Loyal, strave and true... wear the white and blue
As we sing get set to spring.
Come on Cougars, it's up to you!"

Yeah. I still don't know.

First in line

Last night, my friend Rasa and I went to see my favorite folk guitar artist ever.

Although he didn't sing to me specifically like he did last time, I did manage to strategize my way into his life. Via being first in a very long line at a post-show meet/greet. Embarrassing, I know.

And really, not for nothing. I somehow convinced the tour manager to give me his contact information. Next time they're in town, I have ins and welcome permission to drop off cupcakes. AND I got this great picture (and an autographed CD for C) out of it.

He's super talented. Beautiful lyrics. Amazing melodies. Quirky inspiration. I like him a lot. Go iTunes Joshua Radin. (Wow, I wasn't even paid to write this. Word-of-mouth marketing works when it's something this good.)

P.S. Thanks to new friend Jessica who saved the day by taking this picture for me (and actually followed through with sending it over) when my phone died. :)

First Talk in Primary

Today, C gave his first talk in Primary at church. His topic: fathers.



It's kind of long, so if you want to read a quick summary, here's the stuff behind the teleprompter:

"Today, I have been asked to give a talk on fathers.
Fathers preside over the family with mothers.
My mom and dad talk about important things for our family.
Fathers also provide for the family.
My dad works at BP. He looks at numbers all day.
Fathers also protect the family with love.
I am grateful for my daddy because he plays with me.
I am grateful for my daddy because he goes to the library with me.
My daddy prays for me when I get hurt or sick.
I am grateful that Heavenly Father gave me my mommy and daddy."

C wrote this on his own, but D threw in the "mommy and daddy" part so I wouldn't feel left out. What a nice guy.

Great job, bud!

Saturdays with C

C and D go to the library every Saturday morning to make a craft, play computer games, do puzzles, and check out books and DVDs.

Apparently, our library has won awards for being the "Best Library in America." (Our city is a little full of itself.) And I firmly believe these animal headsets might have tipped the scales in our library's favor.

I don't know if they're supposed to be bears or rabbits or monkeys or ferrets or Arthur or what, though. Any ideas?