Incentive.

Pippi got ready for school today in record time.

The Motorcycle Is Here

We all tried on the helmet weeks ago. And now the Warlock is busy running errands --any excuse to get on the green monster.




Yes, that's right. The long awaited fuel efficiency machine is here. Pa drove it down this weekend through crazy weather. And then, he helped us do yard work and even gave me a reprieve from walking the dog. We love you Pa! Maybe you could stay a week next time?

The Last Piece of Romaine

"More lettuce," Bardo screams at breakfast this morning.

"But I want the last piece," calls Pippi as I hand over a Romaine leaf to Bardo.

Bardo with his ridiculous grin, pops out his first sentence ever, "I love lettuce."

And Pippi cries. She cries because she knows it isn't true. She cries because she really does love lettuce. And she cries because Bardo seems to be rubbing it in. Bardo waves the leaf around chanting, "Lettuce lettuce lettuce." Is it possible for a child, not yet two, to torment his older sister? He then deliberately takes a large bite and then says, "Done." But he will not let go of the lettuce. He runs it around the kitchen island like a small flag, the dog following closely behind him.

Note: I do not serve lettuce for breakfast. This piece just happened to be leftovers from last night. Bardo happened to see it wilting on the counter when I put him in his high chair this morning.

Writing

I remember so vividly the first time Stacy wrote her name. I think she was 3, and she'd been trying very hard to write letters. One day, she brought her plastic pink IKEA piggy bank to me, with her name written in marker on the belly. I was so happy for her. I cried. She then proceeded to write Mom, Dad and Pippi, and then, "I love you." If I'd have saved every love note I received from her, I'd have filled our Manhattan kitchen. Some of her last minutes in the car were spent painstakingly writing a letter begging her grandmother to come and visit her in New Jersey.

Pippi has followed in her sister's foot steps, writing frequent love notes, enough probably to fill 2 Manhattan kitchens. Who couldn't feel loved with Pippi around, after all? And she writes with such feeling. This year, she experimented with swirls on her letters when she discovered that was how Santa Claus wrote. "I love you" really took up a lot of space during that phase. Pippi also composed her first note to a friend: "Dear R, I like you. I want to be your friend. Will you be my friend? Love, Pippi" She's also written me, "Dear Mom, I love you to the moon and back."

Once in awhile Pippi writes a letter to Prairie Smoke. She always gets a prompt reply with stickers and cute stories of Praire Smoke's life. Those letters are keepers.

Occasionally Pippi gets notes from The House Fairy. She gets these notes about as often as she makes her bed. They come with a little treat.

Today in church, Rebecca got a letter from a counselor in the primary presidency. She turned to me after she had read it and said, "Mom! This was a good letter. It said lots of nice things about me and how I help in primary and how I am a good big sister to Bardo."

May we all use writing for it's core purpose: to express our love to one another. Have a great week, and I love you guys.

Pippi Punch

This is Pippi's own after-school invention, her own words:

1 lemon
1 tangelo
1 otter pop (any flavor will do)
2 strawberries
water
Malt Ovaltine- 2 handfuls
sugar, to taste

Cut lemon. Squeeze the juice into a tall glass. Cut tangelo. Squeeze the juice into the glass. Squeeze each strawberry into the glass. It will feel slimy. Put water in glass, 2 inches not full. Mix sugar into the drink until it tastes sweet enough. Add Malt ovaltine--2 Pippi sized handfuls. Stir. Enjoy.

Why the Silly Witch is a Perfect Match for the Obnoxious Warlock

The Silly Witch is seriously deluded if she thinks she can make an anniversary post like THAT without me hacking into her blog and offering a fair rebuttal and/or a competing "why I think you're pretty neat-o" post. The Silly Witch is #1. All others are #2 or worse. Here are the reasons why:

1. She understands the concept of a "man cave". Women view the relationship between Man and Television/Golf/Video Games/Workshop/Other Activity Not Necessarily Estrogen Approved as either a scarcely tolerated yet ever present mistress or as Vital Part of Male Psyche Which Helps Them Deal With That Whole Commitment Thing. In this respect, the Silly Witch is unique - she understand the purpose and need for a man cave so much that it was important to her in searching for a house. While my Media Mecca may pale in comparison to other landmarks (the Garage Majal jumps to mind), her willingness to create a shrine for me is not to be understated.

2. She is beautiful. Men are not above being shallow in the same way the sea is not above the clouds.

3. She is not scared of her own shadow. Back when I was applying to law school, I had several friend who were friends who were exceptional students but had spouses who were afraid to move to the Evil Outside World Where Mormons Are Served For Lunch With A Side of Fries. The Silly Witch gladly followed me to New York, Tokyo, New Jersey and now Houston, with not so much as a complaint along the way.

4. She is very spiritual and prone to inspiration. For example, on the way back from Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago, she turned to me and said, "You need a motorcycle." Now, I'm not entirely sure I got the same message, although I allow that I did fall asleep during part of the Stake President's talk, but that sounds good to me. On a completely unrelated note, I am encouraging her to attend General Conference in person. I could really use a few new firearms.

5. She's tough and never complains. Unless you don't provide bedstands for her.

Climbing

Several times a day Bardo pushes a chair and climbs onto the counter. He's usually not hunting for anything in particular. He just loves to rummage through the spice and baking supply cupboard. He does seem to like baking soda. I feel lucky. It's probably the easiest thing in there to clean up. And I would know.

Bardo also as a fancy for the pantry. He climbs the five-gallon buckets and loves, much to Hunter's delight, to sprinkle cereal all over the floor.

Any tips, anyone? I'm open here. How does one entertain a silly toddler and get the housework done?