The Wiggles are Dead to Me

http://www.thewiggles.com.au/au/mediacentre/news/31

Greg is quitting the Wiggles due to orthostatic intolerance--
The symptoms for this condition may include the following:• Excessive Fatigue• Exercise Intolerance• Nausea• Tachycardia• Palpitations• Tremulousness• Weakness - most noticeable in the legs• Chest Discomfort• Shortness of Breath• Migraines and Other Headaches• Gastrointestinal Problems.

The Wiggles have been an everyday part of our lives over the past three years. Juliette fell quickly in love and Evie has followed suit. Indeed, much to Juliette's dismay, Evie ALWAYS chooses to listen to the Wiggles in the car when it is her turn. Not Rocknocerous (although she loves them) Not spanish music, not parumpum pum pum. Only the Wiggles. Ever.

Bruce has long hypothesized that Greg was the only one with talent although I harbor a fondness for each contribution that Murray Anthony and Jeff make. Greg was indeed the front man, with boyish charm and that sunny yellow shirt.

Although, when forced to vote - I voted Greg most likely to tarnish the Wiggle star by scandle. Perhaps it was the boyish Bob Crane-like looks...

Back to the diagnosis, I have at least five of those symptoms. I wonder if I'll be retiring soon.

No! It is the bumble - surprising where creative juices take you.

Is this mommy without coffee?????

Miss Momma

Many of you know Evie has referred to her teacher as "Huggins" since the beginning of the year. Apparently, Mrs. Huggins really likes the idea of a proper address.

Since about a week ago, I've become "Miss Momma".

Bruce is "Miss Daddy".

Juliette is "Miss Ju Ju".

In most of our conversations (especially if Evie is in one room and we are elsewhere in the house) a typical Evie conversation with herself goes like this-

"Miss Momma! More cereal, please!.... "

"Miss Momma??? "

"More cereal!!"

"Miss Daddy?"

You are thinking - Could this child be any cuter?

I offer the following contrast.

Evie's potty training continues in the typical sporadic Bruce and Jennifer fashion. Today's lesson involved pooping on the floor in the kitchen, stepping in it, and tracking it across the kitchen floor in under three seconds.

I swear I do not make this stuff up.

Happy thanksgiving from Evie!!

Happy Thanksgiving from Juliette!

The expression on Evie's face before she strikes - will it be a lunge? A hug? A jump off a cliff? You never know until it happens.

Ten ways to do a turkey

Since the little girls have gotten sick, we've been watching hours upon hours of the Food Network and drinking cans of ginger ale, aka nectar from the gods if you are four.

Here is a sampling of the ways we've seen the birdy prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Deep-fried
Individual cornish hens stuffed
Turkey cutlets
Turkey under a brick
Turkey ravioli

Here is what they have made stuffing with-

Corn bread and sausage
Pumpkin muffins and zucchini
Cranberry muffins and onions
Cornbread, tomatoes and basil
Cornbread and oyster stuffing


It makes me long for the days that only PBS had cooking shows and Julia and Jacques Pepin would banter about the use of butter and how to debone a turkey.

Someone pour me another glass of gingerale, Alton Brown is about to teach me how to make the perfect gravy.

Mmm chocolate

On the Fifth Day of November

On the fifth day of November, Evie got sick. Since then we've had-

One Nasty virus
Two sick children
Two wonderful houseguests (who helped enormously with sick children)
Three bottles of Motrin (kidding)
Four grumpy family members
Five sleepless nights on an air mattress

and no work done!

When Life Hands You Lemons, Play Golf

I was making a recipe that called for the zest of 20 lemons Saturday morning. Saturday, Juliette had 2 birthday parties of classmates to attend. There was also card making, gift wrapping etc. to be done. Evie was devastated she wasn't getting to go to the party and consequently howled when Juliette left with Bruce.

To comfort her, I handed her a lemon. She put it on the floor and ran for her golf clubs.

Five Observations on Halloween

Yes, we celebrate it - Juliette and Evie traditionally with our friends Amelia, Rachel, Ming and Korrinna. I have a few observations on last night.

1. Halloween brings the girl out in our girls. Yes, Juliette may give a death sentence to an ant or person (more about that in a future blog) , but she is really afraid of everything. Evie, our bolder child, is even MORE afraid of everything than Juliette. This is ok. It means they are not jaded or worldly-wise, or destined to become so by the time they are five. So it limits the houses we can visit (deemed too scary) and may include a walk around the block to avoid said scary house or a spontaneous bursting into tears, but that is ok. We want them to be little for as long as they can.

2. Mind control doesn't work, packaging does. When Juliette is presented with an enormous bowl of candy and is told she may have ANY SIX SHE WANTS she goes straight for the nerds, starburst, and laffy taffy. Meanwhile, her mother is inwardly screaming - ALMOND JOY, REESES, dump the junk, GRAB THE 100,000 Bar! The clever bright packaging is a cruel reality for a chocolate-loving mama.

3. Costumes are all about accessories. We got two-dozen compliments on our off-the shelf cow costume - all because of our cow bell and milk pail. There is a lesson in there for me - I'm sure it has to do with makeup and manicured nails, but I just can't quite get it.

4. Halloween is way bigger for parents than kids up until age 8. There were so many dressed up parents. 80% of the women were witches. Why? Why not Dorothy, or Pippi Longstocking or Lara Croft or Wonder Woman? What is it about witches that is so appealing to adult women? We all own a 70% black wardrobe - is it to cut down on costume expense? (No, I do not dress up. I can't believe you even wondered it.)

5. On the eating end, Halloween is bigger than any other holiday for our children. They could NOT believe their mother was letting them eat all of that candy. I caught several sidelong glances of disbelief as they plunged into another lollipop or box of nerds or twizzler. Six little girls, six sugar hangovers. No one went to sleep until 3 am. K