Julianna provides foster care for small mammals through
a rescue organization. She's had several hamsters for a few weeks
at a time. Last week, we added a foster guinea pig to the
family--a pregnant pig. Flora had her babies this morning!
We've been holding her and feeling the little critters squirming in her
belly. This morning, I checked on her and fed her and she was
still shaped like a ladybug:
But about 20-30 min later, Julianna checked on her and she'd had
them--FOUR little cuties. Apparently, guinea pigs are born with
their ears full size, so they look like tailess, curly-haired
rats. Since mom is Flora, we'll give them flower names. We
can't tell sex until they're about a week old.
Here they are, fresh out of the oven. Umbilical cord still on one of them.
And now individual portraits:
This is the biggest baby, the one Julianna plans to name Sunflower:
Here's one either Lily or Ben will name:
Poppy:
And the other to be named by Ben or Lily. Ben wants to name one
Thistle. Lily wants to name one Princess Lily. Luckily SHE
has a flower name already.
We're all painty-handed from painting the school today. They're so, so cute. And chirpy. love 'em.
Ben's joke today at dinner:
Why did the ferris wheel give a knuckle sandwich to the merry go round?
Because it was so annoying.
It's Ben, ladies and gents, he's here all week!
And in other Ben news, I found this yesterday:
I don't allow him to have toy guns, but he makes them constantly and
has for years. With this one I just had to say, "Damn, that's
pretty good!" There's a lantern from the Playmobil castle, sculpy
clay, twist ties and the handle from a play screw driver. He has
vision. If only he'd use his powers for good.
Crikey, it's hot. But there's still a good breeze
coming from the back, so this mountaintop living as it's
advantages. The last two nights we've gone to the pool after
dinner and it's been downright COLD. The water is like a bath,
but the air has been chilly enough to make it rather
uncomfortable. The kids don't mind, of course. Well, Ben
does. But that's because he's sitting on the step complaining
that no one will come play with him and refusing to get on a floaty so
he can join everyone else. Lily has just taken off with her
swimming. I put a floatation suit on her and she just goes.
Paddles all the way down and back up the lane. Julianna is
worried that her sister will learn to swim younger than she did..
But on the whole, the evening swims are quite idyllic. The view
from the pool is pretty and there is an overall feel of mountain
resort. Which is just what Braddock Heights used to be.
I have my 20 year High School reunion next month. I have nothing
to wear and too much body to put it on. I've given up trying to
lose weight and I'm focusing on just not gaining any more. I had
bought a dress a couple of months ago b/c it was only 30 bucks and I
figured I wouldn't have to think about it any more if I did. I
tried it on recently and realized that it doesn't cover my knees,
making it hard to go stockingless (which is imperative). So I had
Julianna take a pic of me wearing it and posted it on my PD
board. Almost unanimously (thanks Dawn!) it was deemed Hideous
and Unflattering. So no freakin' way could I wear it now.
But I don't want to spend more than $50. Which is limiting my
options....to like none. Chris and I went down to Montgomery
County to try to find a dress in one a them city stores. I had
high hopes for H&M, but was let down. Lots of fun
casual things...and even most of those were just too young. It's
hard to be 38 and cool, let me tell you. Flouncey paisley skirts
just look silly. But I'm not ready for the rack at Lord and
Taylor either. All those dresses just screamed Office Christmas
Party. I'm working awfully hard to make it look like I don't have
to try. Help me!
Julianna loves birds. Her favorite, to my
never-ending amusement, is the blue tit. Today, she was trying to
draw a picture of a fairy on a branch with a bird (I know, I know).
"Mom, do you know how to draw a tit? Any kind, really, not just a blue one."
ahem. "No, I don't"
"Have you ever seen a tit? In real life I mean?"
(why are you DOING this to me?) "No, no I haven't"
"I hope I get to see a tit someday. They're my favorites."
Since it took me so damn long to finally post, I just need to get some
funny Ben stuff out there, before it leaves my brain entirely.
My favorite: Ben walks into the room and says, "Mommy?
What's that thing that hangs behind my penis and looks like a brain?
Funny you should put it that way, son...
Driving to NJ, we stopped to pee. We got back on the road, the girls
fell asleep, all was quiet. Ben piped up," Daddy. I gotta tell you.
You've got a big penis." Let's just keep that in the family, okay,
boy? Well, except the internet, which totally doesn't count.
I had some of my imaginary friends from the PD board over last
weekend. Ben has been talking about Julian's return since last year's
gathering. First thing as Julian comes through the door, "Do you want
to come see how clean my bed is?" They were thick as theives, too,
making "chemicals" out of sodas and juices. There was a brief blow up,
in which Ben cried that Julian was "acting like he owns this place, but
he DOESN'T!" which is MUCH better than last year, when he lay in the
middle of the yard, beating his fists and kicking his feet and
screaming "I HATE THESE PEOPLE!!" We're planning to go to Julian's
birthday party in Virginia later this month. Ben cannot wait.
Literally.
Lily, tonight in bed: Mommy, I have a question.
Me: Oh?
Lily: When I grow up, I'm going to get toenail polish.
It used to be that she'd say "I need to tell you a
question." and then say "Newspaper!" and laugh her butt
off. Now it's the toenail polish. And I do polish her
toenails if she asks, but I won't let HER do it w/my "grown up
polish." So she looks forward to that proud day when she can
wield the brush herself.
Lily: At the candy store, they had pink toenail polish. It was the ABC's.
Me, wheels creakily turning...uh....*bing*: Oh, at the CVS? There was toenail polish?
Lily: Yes! at the C.B.S. (it's the "candy store" b/c that's
where Steve takes them on the weekend to pick out a candy. They
think that CVS is just the most magical place. CVS and Akron,
Ohio.)
Lily: Mommy. I have another question. When I grow up,
I"m going to be Superman. I'm going to walk on the ceiling.
Me: You ARE? Wow!
Lily: Don't worry Mommy, (puts her arm around me) I just Lily. I just Lillian Greenberg [well, "Wiwian Gweenbuhg."]
Lily: Mommy? I have another question. When I grow up, I'm going inside that ceiling.
Me: Yeah? What do you think is in there?
Lily: Blood.
Me: Um, ew.
Lily: Yeah, when I go in there the blood will get all over my pants and my toenail polish.
WTF?
Lily: Mommy? I have a question.
Me, a little scared now: oh?
Lily: When I grown up, I'm going to get toenail polish.
