We're All Alive

Even more so, now that it's finally raining here.  Yahoo!  It's been raining since before dawn.  Our drought-ridden area says "ahhhhhhh."

Nevertheless we've been busy.  The Husband has been working crazy hours (hopefully ended now) because cement plants, particularly big, new, state-of-the-art plants, don't always do as they are told.  And when they are disobedient, things burn up and money and cement are not made.  So last week was a little...hectic, with Mama playing Single Parent.  (Fervently grateful that I am really no such thing.)

On Saturday we realized that almost every single thing Miss Boo and Buddy owned was too small.  Therefore, on Sunday we went shopping.  We got jammies, and undies, and socks, and pants, and shirts, and shoes, and a couple of fun things apiece.

For instance, the cowboy hat.  And the checkers.

No, they weren't really observing the rules of checkers.  Pretty much we were concentrating on one rule at a time, and the one we could manage for today was TAKE TURNS.  ("No, that means he gets a turn and then you get a turn and then he gets a turn again and then you get a turn again...don't move his pieces.  Buddy, don't move her pieces.  No, take turns.")

I have a handsome little cowboy, don't I?

She's a ballerina-mermaid-astronaut-superhero today.  At least until lunchtime.

Ever notice how she's hardly ever still in the pictures?  Somehow I didn't think she'd be the one with that personality, but hoo boy--she is.

"Smile!"  (Cowboys don't smile with their teeth showing, just look at old pictures.)

Well, unless they're offering you a checker.

Soon the game degenerated into "stack the checkers in interesting ways" and "make checker murals".

Which was okay by me, because Littleman was busy doing this behind me.  He likes to pull up on the bookshelf and throw as many books out as he can before I get over there.  It's like a race.

And then he makes his escape!  Usually the books slow Mama down for a few seconds, giving him a chance to break for...

...the hallway!  And the older siblings' rooms!

(Random picture of the book Miss Boo loves best this week.)

Made it to the linen closet, but is distracted by a blanket hem sticking out of the cupboard.  Unluckily scooped up by Mama.  Immediately starts plotting his next escape attempt, like Cool Hand Luke.

The babysitter, feeling put upon.  As indeed he is--the baby literally puts himself upon the dog.  Good dog, Pat.

That's a checker, in case you can't really see it.  I foresee this becoming an issue as we learn the finer points of the game.

Deposited on the (boring) lambskin with an approved (boring) toy and (boring) book, Littleman begins to think about making it to the window.

But he'll humor his Mama and smile for the camera, instead.  Thanks, kid.

Cheers,

Breanna