tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204823842024-03-19T01:03:00.486-04:00LumpyheadNobody half-asses it like me.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.comBlogger780125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-28812901676635677042015-10-30T10:43:00.002-04:002015-10-30T10:44:14.869-04:00Hey, Internets.It's been awhile. You're looking good, tho.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiVu5tn8pvfUbwF9FtjdoGQGaLx9aa1wxCT1yReNE9XH2gxVa3XZFvvhkUnI26wcgUTHSoahWLbUhwmonWMHI_NcdSThgkLJlm3LgZ4OpI-MvIpfyseBAz4D1K02WqC4HsyeN/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiVu5tn8pvfUbwF9FtjdoGQGaLx9aa1wxCT1yReNE9XH2gxVa3XZFvvhkUnI26wcgUTHSoahWLbUhwmonWMHI_NcdSThgkLJlm3LgZ4OpI-MvIpfyseBAz4D1K02WqC4HsyeN/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-26871459907372439712013-11-13T11:52:00.001-05:002013-11-13T11:53:48.512-05:00Git Off My LawnAs I waited in the security line yesterday, three young women were chatting behind me. It's a staff-only door, which means the line moves pretty quickly, but also means those crazy kids were gainfully employed and not interns.<br />
<br />
One had a date that night - with Dylan! - and everyone was very excited.<br />
<br />
How did I get this old? Just the thought of dating made me feel ancient and very tired. And how did boys named Dylan get old enough to ask girls out? Jeez.<br />
<br />
**<br />
<br />
When did I turn elderly? Do you remember when someone would ask "You know what I don't get?" and you would automatically mutter "Laid very often?" and it was HILARIOUS?<br />
<br />
Yeah. Now I cannot even think of an instance in which - or an acquaintance with whom - that would be even a little bit funny. It would either be an indictment of your marriage, or an insulting reminder that you're unhappily single, and it would be just plain mean instead of a good-natured ribbing.<br />
<br />
**<br />
<br />
At least I still think farts are funny.<br />
<br />
I think that makes me immature <i>and </i>old.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-84584794018146843682013-05-03T15:06:00.003-04:002013-05-03T15:07:44.032-04:00This Is Why I'm Not Allowed To Do the ShoppingBump sent me to Target for Nathan Jr's prescription and birdseed.<br />
<br />
I bought two pairs of pants, a skirt, a double pack of tweezers, some apples, soda for my office fridge, and I picked up the script. I also impulse-purchased some checkout-aisle ponytail holders.<br />
<br />
Forgot the birdseed.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-29114475730581289722013-03-01T11:34:00.001-05:002013-03-01T11:37:20.115-05:00Max and RubyRuby, and her "little brother" Max.<br />
<br />
There, does that help?<br />
<br />
I've heard a lot of complaining about this show. Where are the parents? Are they locked in the basement? Why doesn't Grandma take custody of those poor neglected things?<br />
<br />
Dudes, Ruby is not Max's sister. She's his mother.<br />
<br />
This is not a show about a three-year-old boy testing his seven-year-old sister's patience. It's a cautionary tale about single parenting. Ruby has to put up with all of Max's annoying behaviors because TODDLERS ARE ANNOYING. And if you don't like it, you should have used protection.<br />
<br />
First, kudos to Ruby for making attempts to keep her "pre-Max" lifestyle. Bunny Scouts, playdates, and dolly tea parties are great diversions from the day-to-day toils of an overworked bunny mom.<br />
<br />
And good for Grandma, who shows up for important holidays and the occasional babysitting event, but for the most part leaves Ruby to deal with the situation she's created. You got yourself into this mess, Girlie, you've gotta <i>handle </i>that shit now.<br />
<br />
I mean, I don't want to appear bunny-ist, but what else can one expect from rabbits? A species doesn't earn a reputation for flagrant reproduction if all the females wait for an advanced degree, a stable relationship, and an established career before starting a family. And it's not as though Ruby is alone in her choice to become a young parent. (Like I'm so sure Morris is Louise's "cousin." Riiiiiight.)<br />
<br />
But I do wonder about Max's dad - personally, I suspect that seriously shady Roger, who is clearly a playboy (har) - and I wish he would take more of an interest in Max's life. I'm waiting for the episode where Max repeatedly chirps "Daddy?" and wonders why he can't have a strong male parent in his life like Baby Huffington.<br />
<br />
And don't even get him started on the jealous rage Max feels at Little Nutbrown Hare.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-35664773150845302482013-02-07T10:11:00.002-05:002013-02-07T10:12:09.750-05:00I'm Sure He Just Meant My Very Important Position (Which Would Be More Likely If I Was Important)I was encouraged to join an Asian American Congressional staff organization, by a young staffer who emphasized the importance of more senior staffers in the group to serve as mentors. I followed up with him, paid my dues, and became a member.<br />
<br />
But then I was like, "Wait, did that little brat just call me OLD?"Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-86515837151624755612013-02-04T15:24:00.003-05:002013-02-04T15:24:50.056-05:00I Don't Think He Was Referencing SeniorageI bought Lumpyhead (and Lula) coin collecting folders from the US Mint for Christmas. State Quarters and Presidential Dollars, because, numismatics!<br />
<br />
Lumpyhead unwrapped the gift, I explained what it was, and he immediately declared it "a total waste of money."<br />
<br />
He didn't mean that the gift was stupid - although, it was totally stupid - but he thought the actual collecting of coins was a waste of money. Because if you put them in the little cardboard thing, then you couldn't spend them. Wasteful.<br />
<br />
You know what else was wasteful? $9.95 for a cardboard quarters album, and $14.95 for a cardboard dollar coin album. Plus shipping. Times two.<br />
<br />
That could have been a kickass lego set instead, you Dumbshit. Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-35165267853619631812013-01-08T10:00:00.000-05:002013-01-08T10:00:12.150-05:00Bumper StickersI'm afraid I am irredeemably out of touch with the mainstream nutjob movement. The other night when I saw an "I Choose Liberty" bumper sticker, all I could think was "What was the other option?"<br />
<br />
Because, you know. When I think "Liberty or . . ." the first word that leaps to mind is Death. And if those are my options, then yes, I would choose Liberty too. But what if I could have had a bacon cheeseburger or liberty? Then I'm not so sure.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-49619413403743994682013-01-05T10:00:00.000-05:002013-01-17T10:56:21.894-05:00It's Not Even LeatherThis is the reason I subjected you to that old post: we cleaned Number One Cow.<br />
<br />
To recap:<br />
Number One Cow - The Favorite, Lumpyhead's lovey;<br />
Cow II, The Phantom- ordered from an online merchant, never arrived;<br />
Cow III, The Flaccid - a semi-look-alike cow that was actually nothing like Cow; and<br />
Cow IV, The Failed Replacement - an identical item that was never accepted.<br />
<br />
Like a scorned biblical sister, Cow IV is allowed in Lumpyhead's room - in his bed, even - but has never accompanied us on trips or been considered Lumpyhead's "real" cuddle buddy.<br />
<br />
Even when Number One Cow's music box completely broke - making her Cow IV's exact twin, capability-wise - Lumpyhead never considered Cow IV to be an alternate. And by this time, Number One Cow was a filthy mess, thanks to the mechanical music box that rendered Cow un-washable. (Ha. "Rendered." I wonder if cows are sensitive about that word.) Poser Cow IV was never a serious challenger to unseat Number One Cow.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhALA3Rl717NtWZSeLVxgK2C2afTJ5K8mwTAfSxgJikld48K1yE0B8G0VwoiyK1CIHhOwvEY5dmAL3R8rQfnb-7yusdogVr3_dsHktJ6jVCrcqltoCeLSnLHP8xWcSO51HYP2/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhALA3Rl717NtWZSeLVxgK2C2afTJ5K8mwTAfSxgJikld48K1yE0B8G0VwoiyK1CIHhOwvEY5dmAL3R8rQfnb-7yusdogVr3_dsHktJ6jVCrcqltoCeLSnLHP8xWcSO51HYP2/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poser Cow IV (right, pristine) and Number One Cow (loved, but disgusting)</td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.coolmompicks.com/" target="_blank">Cool Mom Picks</a> told me about <a href="http://www.loveyrepair.com/" target="_blank">NYC Lovey Repair</a> - which, holy moly, what an amazing thing - and I was inspired to try to clean Cow. If a Brooklyn woman and her seven-year-old could repair seriously damaged antiques, surely I could make one Cow a bit less toxic.<br />
<br />
As insurance, I searched ebay for another replacement, just in case this all went horribly awry. You know, because Cow IV is SUCH a raging success and FOUR COWS LATER I HAVE NOT LEARNED ANYTHING. New Cows were available for $35-$50.<br />
<br />
Let this be a lesson to thee. Do not allow your children to become attached to loveys that are not machine-washable. (Bump and I followed this important parenting tenet for Lula and Nathan Jr.)<br />
<br />
I made up some dry foam, and Lumpyhead helped me scrub Cow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavrnP5XKdIheP7nXDQDO_zU1Ab8CJjB_2lmYBTzTY3dGJ7Wov6lHWlBN3kYxT84VxWKQuv7Omhc0mLi7AElJfRyi_XJz7IQKzD5vqR_hAhuucV3Dy11MdXhRw9ltY60OiUYG0/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavrnP5XKdIheP7nXDQDO_zU1Ab8CJjB_2lmYBTzTY3dGJ7Wov6lHWlBN3kYxT84VxWKQuv7Omhc0mLi7AElJfRyi_XJz7IQKzD5vqR_hAhuucV3Dy11MdXhRw9ltY60OiUYG0/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
It became immediately apparent that this simply WOULD. NOT. DO.<br />
<br />
So I pulled out Cow's <strike>ass</strike> <strike>butt</strike> rump-seam, her stuffing, her damned non-working music box, and gave her a proper dousing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi722N-E20xsJW2UJNkk9958RDtjJbuP3KkrrTR6RjvYZ-unQw5pZgyv7NUxIKLITPvsThMORmCcZj9ZDCACR3dSpYZQmngXTX30oOSUCk__8KgzTnYnO-zlkqwDvhcTWm_mrQ1/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi722N-E20xsJW2UJNkk9958RDtjJbuP3KkrrTR6RjvYZ-unQw5pZgyv7NUxIKLITPvsThMORmCcZj9ZDCACR3dSpYZQmngXTX30oOSUCk__8KgzTnYnO-zlkqwDvhcTWm_mrQ1/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ew.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBD9D96Xm-Er5IgLm-5Wlmi5x7F0pgtDIDCHPEm0aud3TOFlQ9CiSTAmvpwbpOjysPO9M5yRD5IsU8rj39ACGldjhYpPB_nVk_MkK1vLeyaws5mVI4W5Xu8BUyf41mX3eRaCh/s1600/IMG_2283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBD9D96Xm-Er5IgLm-5Wlmi5x7F0pgtDIDCHPEm0aud3TOFlQ9CiSTAmvpwbpOjysPO9M5yRD5IsU8rj39ACGldjhYpPB_nVk_MkK1vLeyaws5mVI4W5Xu8BUyf41mX3eRaCh/s1600/IMG_2283.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I did it again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And again and again and again.<br />
<br />
I assured Lumpyhead that Cow would be on the DL for the shortest
possible amount of time. So for one glorious evening - during a sleepover in Gramma's room,
even - Poser Cow IV made it to The Show. [bittersweet music plays]<br />
<br />
Number One Cow air-dried overnight, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V7uIZcRKTD5BQrhDp6DRjvF5z42prZBDJtm-cRiRIDnCA8c9-0h4Lh7Bk1zmPWznp4vc5MYRg4Qj9jdTLw8d7y2XiiDiTfqAm7QbdyMsGVWs9keZQCVqWA-jguEMs_1f8TeN/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V7uIZcRKTD5BQrhDp6DRjvF5z42prZBDJtm-cRiRIDnCA8c9-0h4Lh7Bk1zmPWznp4vc5MYRg4Qj9jdTLw8d7y2XiiDiTfqAm7QbdyMsGVWs9keZQCVqWA-jguEMs_1f8TeN/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
and was re-stuffed. After checking with Lumpyhead, I closed up the hole for the music box windup and didn't replace the broken music box. I sewed the rump-seam back up.<br />
<br />
"Buddy!" Lumpyhead yelled when I presented the newly cleaned Cow. Lumpyhead is happy to have Cow back, and I'm happy that she's not as completely disgusting as she was a few days ago. (I'm less happy that I have completely lost the argument that the Cow is NOT A "HE." I'm trying to let it go.) <br />
<br />
But she is. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XrpcNptmQ6pTt5H-bWs6N3j5_mx647W3cLSZvbQ2vJ_J8qQXMELdinME4y1PmFM7BT-Zq4Ehw3pV4w5mTvnDHRJIwYSI942pWS7SOi57IN9pD0gvjk2J_D4s3RxIjap6s_we/s1600/tada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XrpcNptmQ6pTt5H-bWs6N3j5_mx647W3cLSZvbQ2vJ_J8qQXMELdinME4y1PmFM7BT-Zq4Ehw3pV4w5mTvnDHRJIwYSI942pWS7SOi57IN9pD0gvjk2J_D4s3RxIjap6s_we/s1600/tada.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
still not as clean as Poser Cow IV.<br />
<br />
But Number One Cow is back - and clean - thanks to the inspiration of NYC Lovey Repair. Those guys are helpful even when they don't do the work themselves.<br />
<br />
Lumpyhead has even announced that he's glad Cow's music box is gone. Because now, when he accidentally drops Cow on his face, it doesn't hurt. Bonus.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-68020771183425545892013-01-04T16:02:00.002-05:002013-01-04T16:47:23.149-05:00From the Unpublished Drafts Folder - April 20, 2009<i>[As I was madly searching for this post, I realized I never published it. Can't figure out why, what with it being SO RIVETING and all. Sorry. Try not to fall asleep before you get to the part where NATHAN JR IS A WEE TINY BABY. Bay. Bee. Kills me, dead.]</i><br />
<br />
Hey, remember Lumpyhead's <a href="http://lumpyhead.blogspot.com/2006/07/bovine-expungiform-replaceopathy.html">Cow</a>? More importantly, do you remember my attempts to procure a spare Cow, which is how we ended up with <a href="http://lumpyhead.blogspot.com/2006/07/cow-iv.html">Floppy Cow</a>?<br />
<br />
Cow still accompanies Lumpyhead to bed. Cow II (who is actually Cow IV, because real Cow II never showed up and Cow III turned out to be Floppy Cow - but whatever - the Emergency Replacement Cow) is also still hanging around, although her music box died almost immediately and she was quickly spurned for the poser she is. She sits in a corner of Lumpyhead's bed, looking brand new. Cow (aka "Number One Cow," as Lumpyhead calls her - although Lumpyhead and his father refer to the animal in the masculine - which drives me fricken nuts - it's a COW, not a BULL, it's a GIRL) has lost her beloved bell and her music box still makes noise but doesn't really operate as the manufacturer intended. Number One Cow comes out to the living room with Lumpyhead and spends her day there, until it's time to go back to bed.<br />
<br />
Here's Number One Cow with imitation Floppy Cow - who was recently [<i><a href="http://lumpyhead.blogspot.com/2009/04/more-cowbell.html" target="_blank">not that recently, actually</a></i>] perched atop Nathan Jr's head.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP-1t2pJVwTZzqKVCCz_PaSL8DxblCwWkhjZqkNeayyugp0X8EDQsksIIeiJVSrm5poeWzqYRL09x3ETsbrdAheaaz6P1NznXAdXDFyyNl0pXUL_isB87iZcpciEt3-wQQA8/s1600-h/IMG_9727.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326796080972181810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP-1t2pJVwTZzqKVCCz_PaSL8DxblCwWkhjZqkNeayyugp0X8EDQsksIIeiJVSrm5poeWzqYRL09x3ETsbrdAheaaz6P1NznXAdXDFyyNl0pXUL_isB87iZcpciEt3-wQQA8/s400/IMG_9727.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I set them up like this when Lumpyhead announced he wanted to take a picture, too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxkVsOQfPdFMPEkANaKZlsvcx-HjlNWXfx7YFS8nQUXCMIHtmdqrf5kzncWLSECTYpUk-4IApk9NmkdqLTCGaIQjuB2ZLPNK2C3Ptximp9fFr3qKNtN0KoWa6I1bZtthR2F8/s1600-h/IMG_9728.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326796083022105298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxkVsOQfPdFMPEkANaKZlsvcx-HjlNWXfx7YFS8nQUXCMIHtmdqrf5kzncWLSECTYpUk-4IApk9NmkdqLTCGaIQjuB2ZLPNK2C3Ptximp9fFr3qKNtN0KoWa6I1bZtthR2F8/s400/IMG_9728.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Nathan Jr is just glad the damn thing isn't on his head anymore.<br />
<br />
Lumpyhead's picture is pretty good:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJlaTHSvmzHg6S9QF4fms36QnhtE2yPhT8yNyMFaDzlKo84tdxAjC5-Pl0OL-YKBikqUrdxY1WCq_YDoe0TI_GP0yrTMEewfuwP__5xCyE2Qv1Xh33AiwDwkxakJl0XDmbYw/s1600-h/IMG_0203.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326796088462796178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJlaTHSvmzHg6S9QF4fms36QnhtE2yPhT8yNyMFaDzlKo84tdxAjC5-Pl0OL-YKBikqUrdxY1WCq_YDoe0TI_GP0yrTMEewfuwP__5xCyE2Qv1Xh33AiwDwkxakJl0XDmbYw/s400/IMG_0203.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Right before Lumpyhead took his photo, he chirped "Say cheese, Guys!" at the cows, which is apparently what someone else <span style="font-style: italic;">always </span>barks at him and his sister.<br />
<br />
Bump thought he should have said "Make cheese, Guys."<br />
<br />
Bump did not make fun of me for our child parroting my words. Even though I always laugh at <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span> when Lula demands "Did you hear what I just said, Lumpyhead?" as she's ordering her brother around.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-31260355378436310422012-11-21T11:39:00.002-05:002012-11-21T11:39:59.651-05:00It's an Excellent QuestionEvery time we drive by a CVS, Nathan Jr yells "C versus <i>what</i>?"Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-8246566359001574022012-11-06T13:57:00.000-05:002012-11-06T13:57:48.353-05:00Happy Erection DayYep, still an infantile jerk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGgsMidt6xtdioCi9KD9uwfBVuY1h5RYUlbTcktxq352gc9pZYFqyZWti7j_htdxHs4wRTavM3aY59tS3IH88yg7J4u9SY2UzGKsnjxKxkPU-jw6GYV59FnqO5iOwUGsr84ux/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGgsMidt6xtdioCi9KD9uwfBVuY1h5RYUlbTcktxq352gc9pZYFqyZWti7j_htdxHs4wRTavM3aY59tS3IH88yg7J4u9SY2UzGKsnjxKxkPU-jw6GYV59FnqO5iOwUGsr84ux/s400/IMG_2018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-15921607720083074162012-11-01T11:15:00.003-04:002012-11-01T13:59:42.266-04:002012 Costume Post (Mortem)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsrIwoUYXXBWFPvRwIDrob8A9NxNhcyMfg_xvI5THPaGnA_mYsbZAyOf2QJItsX42tfKbbILWiIkr9Xf-82uX4UUSOKpIhvRwIC5IPrcU4ObHudPStQ9hCr8JN84bC1b4jNUb/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsrIwoUYXXBWFPvRwIDrob8A9NxNhcyMfg_xvI5THPaGnA_mYsbZAyOf2QJItsX42tfKbbILWiIkr9Xf-82uX4UUSOKpIhvRwIC5IPrcU4ObHudPStQ9hCr8JN84bC1b4jNUb/s400/IMG_1952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
1. Nathan Jr</h4>
He wore the braid! He wore the braid!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGR3GkxzHYBz_180tf92KOngZ0iVjwYOl6T-NA96K_wovz_0hkMN2rY6dUhqawAzR6GUnzJRd1Pe8yrK4klWqFtEHieZIeZdAeA8y1T6P3AJiufALgpvJNNLPIrk-O7NkTybD/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGR3GkxzHYBz_180tf92KOngZ0iVjwYOl6T-NA96K_wovz_0hkMN2rY6dUhqawAzR6GUnzJRd1Pe8yrK4klWqFtEHieZIeZdAeA8y1T6P3AJiufALgpvJNNLPIrk-O7NkTybD/s640/IMG_1924.JPG" width="382" /></a></div>
His cooperation may have been related to the threat of no braid = no lightsaber.<br />
<br />
(Winning!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/images/PRODUCT/icon/5840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="ProductPic2272" name="ProductPic2272" src="http://www.simplicity.com/images/PRODUCT/icon/5840.jpg" title="" /></a> I made the tunic using Simplicity pattern 5840, which is sized for adults. (I know, HAWT, right? Adult male Jedi costume. I just. . . )<br />
<br />
Anyway, you know where this is going, right? I made a smaller version of the tunic and it was waaaaay too big for Nathan Jr.<br />
<br />
Solution? Lumpyhead's school costume = Origami Yoda. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvixLbhyxx5Jj7msjm-lyb-DFKp0fpftTpdJXo2QAdwUrIxRYYcyq5obxhtS2EHOvuyE4TsBs73leLSF63PB-tm4X3y0rEWBToSb11FaHxx4Xpqwz1Nj0gRJOzYl04kUil5kB/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvixLbhyxx5Jj7msjm-lyb-DFKp0fpftTpdJXo2QAdwUrIxRYYcyq5obxhtS2EHOvuyE4TsBs73leLSF63PB-tm4X3y0rEWBToSb11FaHxx4Xpqwz1Nj0gRJOzYl04kUil5kB/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" width="351" /></a></div>
(The tunic was also slightly too big for Lumpyhead. Shut up.)<br />
<br />
I then made another - smaller - one for Nathan Jr, which, as you can probably tell, is almost too small. Awesome. <br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Lula </h4>
Lula was Leia on Bespin, which I guess technically made her a Disney Princess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGnoK-SISbeiZ6u2jgxdHPFqyC7UFKLHBiOzF8qDgv5WzO33S2DUMJDhh76JnmriOY2vGfgRJ5ZMB2NtgBWlXn6Z4EE_cC6oyz0xV-gH_Vc-7U3nnGm1XYXmvQ13FhxkcxeUW/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGnoK-SISbeiZ6u2jgxdHPFqyC7UFKLHBiOzF8qDgv5WzO33S2DUMJDhh76JnmriOY2vGfgRJ5ZMB2NtgBWlXn6Z4EE_cC6oyz0xV-gH_Vc-7U3nnGm1XYXmvQ13FhxkcxeUW/s400/IMG_1944.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
She chose Leia on Bespin because she wanted to wear her hair like that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-LxH4JFU7DaROcuDHyyIaTZi68DBoBngcxLc687zs-QiZOFq89B5YHN7_um2aKSlO7EK4F6wJESQQd-S7iEqGjYiH0MfNgiEc5YkzR034NlABmsnr0p2beWP2gJXkgqWBxH/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-LxH4JFU7DaROcuDHyyIaTZi68DBoBngcxLc687zs-QiZOFq89B5YHN7_um2aKSlO7EK4F6wJESQQd-S7iEqGjYiH0MfNgiEc5YkzR034NlABmsnr0p2beWP2gJXkgqWBxH/s640/IMG_1941.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
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<img alt="Boy & Girl Costumes" border="0" height="204px" id="ProductPic2193" name="ProductPic2193" src="http://www.simplicity.com/images/PRODUCT/icon/4797.jpg" width="142px" /> </div>
I used Simplicity pattern 4797 for the most part, but borrowed heavily from <a href="http://www.costumersguide.com/maggie_costumes/my_leia_bespin.html" target="_blank">Maggie</a>. I had plans to include the embroidered embellishments - Maggie kindly sent me the pattern - but using a paint pen or a sharpie instead of actual embroidery (I think I just heard Maggie wince).<br />
<br />
I decided the costume was "representative" enough, and gave up on the whole idea. The cloak was more see-through than it appears in the photos; it was the cheapest plain white cotton fabric I could find, which - surprise, surprise - was quite sheer.<br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Lumpyhead</h4>
Lumpyhead was Darth Maul, and we totally bought that entire costume for
slightly less than I spent on the materials for either of the other two costumes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUPK2Q12uU_gLNeFbw1fWuUJR3vr3ELmDEwh4rnwNZdf4yMoy_tx1SVJZcqgMx_UIN26vXPgFSzQaYXvukhHotz2XBCQojPOl8yG7S3PiZb0CzRA6tZkYswZYKmUcYU9SXHf6/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUPK2Q12uU_gLNeFbw1fWuUJR3vr3ELmDEwh4rnwNZdf4yMoy_tx1SVJZcqgMx_UIN26vXPgFSzQaYXvukhHotz2XBCQojPOl8yG7S3PiZb0CzRA6tZkYswZYKmUcYU9SXHf6/s400/IMG_1926.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I'm an idiot. </div>
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Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-42948583989304521152012-10-26T14:30:00.001-04:002012-10-26T14:35:08.186-04:00Halloween Costume PreviewYesterday, I went to not one, but TWO beauty supply stores for a fake hair braid.<br />
<br />
1. Beauty supply stores are freaky, godawful places that frighten me. Like that first time you stepped into Babies R Us for a shower gift and had to run screaming from the place. It's like that, but with wigs.<br />
<br />
2. I also went to Auto Zone and bought new wiper blades. That was much less baffling, but still not my regular kind of venue. Wiper blades always remind me of my friend <a href="http://apprehended.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Emily</a>, who once had a mechanic tell her that "all right-thinking people change their wiper blades every six months." I hope she doesn't use that mechanic any more. Because all right-thinking people are obviously like me, and change their wiper blades three rainstorms after it becomes painfully apparent that their wiper blades are shot.<br />
<br />
3. [hysterical aside] HURRICANE SANDY IS GOING TO END US ALL! AHHHHHHHH! (I bought the new wiper blades before I learned a franken-cane was going to kill us all to death, bee tee dubs.)<br />
<br />
4. Numbers 2 and 3 have nothing to do with Halloween costumes.<br />
<br />
5. My son refuses to wear a fake braid.<br />
<br />
"Hoods are better than braids," he told me, as he casually leaned against the couch this morning. Here's the photo his father took at the preschool costume parade this morning:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4Fcj7lmVouNW3vuHhN65-bfgCKYGVjEMZTApN_JFWToySwhtag65nWcPSrkVsDLDVxivgG4Bj1_Lxeeqp_27nWfS-6IzMxb0MD5NQfcaACBDtxcrSlUwvQCrxE_ohbq9CRDv/s1600/anakin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4Fcj7lmVouNW3vuHhN65-bfgCKYGVjEMZTApN_JFWToySwhtag65nWcPSrkVsDLDVxivgG4Bj1_Lxeeqp_27nWfS-6IzMxb0MD5NQfcaACBDtxcrSlUwvQCrxE_ohbq9CRDv/s400/anakin.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Whatever. Maybe he'll wear the $9 fake braid for trick-or-treating.<br />
<br />
Lula is going to be Leia on Bespin, and Lumpyhead is going to be Darth Maul. If the HURRICANE OF DOOM doesn't get us first, that is.<br />
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Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-53327014180079177572012-10-24T15:28:00.000-04:002012-10-24T15:28:39.321-04:00Next Up, String Theory<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I had this exchange with Nathan Jr in the car last week:<br />
<br />
<b>Nathan Jr:</b> Do you know Kate?
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Kate who?
<br />
<b>NJ:</b> [<i>indignant</i>] No! This isn't a knock-knock joke.
<br />
<b>Me: </b> [<i>not laughing, no really</i>] Okay. [<i>maybe snickering a little</i>]
<br />
<b>NJ:</b> [<i>slowly, like I'm an idiot</i>] Do you know Kate?
<br />
<b>Me:</b> [<i>mentally ticking through all the Kates with whom I am acquainted; and they are many</i>] Which Kate do you mean?
<br />
<b>NJ:</b> He's in my class at school.
<br />
<b>Me:</b> [<i>Now legitimately confused. </i>Kate's a dude?]
<br />
<b>Bump:</b> You mean Kate Something-Something (I'm not protecting identities here, I don't remember what he said) from school?<br />
<b>NJ:</b> Yes.
<br />
<b>Me:</b> No, I don't know her.
<br />
<b>NJ:</b> [<i>getting to the damn point, already</i>] Sometimes she calls me Nate-Nate.
<br />
<b>Me:</b> She does? (Awwwwww)
<br />
<b>NJ:</b> [<i>sternly</i>] Yes. And that's not appropriate.
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Okay.
<br />
<br />
I love that my four-year-old is exploring the concept of appropriate, something I have clearly not yet mastered. Also? It's funny to hear a four-year-old say the word "appropriate."</span>Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-275478685775290842012-10-22T09:53:00.000-04:002012-10-22T09:55:03.053-04:00Bingo Night at Chez LumpyheadAunt Bob and Pete came over on Friday night. Over dinner, one of the children asked, "What's a tyrant?"<br />
<br />
"It's an adult who acts like a two-year-old," I said.<br />
<br />
The adults ignored me. I muttered to Pete that I defied him to prove me wrong. Bump played it straight. "It's a ruler who uses power unfairly," he said.<br />
<br />
I looked at Pete pointedly. "See? How is that not how a two-year-old acts?"<br />
<br />
Pete continued to ignore me.<br />
<br />
"Like a ferowa?" Lumpyhead asked.<br />
<br />
"A what?" everyone responded.<br />
<br />
"A fah-row-ah. Or maybe it's a pah-row-ah."<br />
<br />
Oh, it was on. A puzzle cannot be left unsolved - not in this company - and you could see four adult brains scanning all that he could mean. Pete and I went the video game route. Mario character? Someone in Rayman?<br />
<br />
"Tell me more about it," Bump asked.<br />
<br />
"Like in ancient Egypt," Lumpyhead said.<br />
<br />
Bump got there first. "Do you mean a pharaoh?"<br />
<br />
"AH-HAH!" the other three of us yelled.<br />
<br />
A fah-ROW-ah.<br />
<br />
Also, we're huge dorks. Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-15801508124990901412012-10-03T15:14:00.003-04:002012-10-03T15:15:25.879-04:00At Least I Got a CorndogBump considered bringing Nathan Jr to the Nationals game this afternoon, but the cheap tickets dried up and he changed his mind. He opted to bring Nathan Jr in to have lunch with me instead.<br />
<br />
But when Aunt Bob called with an extra ticket, he was sorely tempted. In the end, he decided he needed to run the errands he had put off this morning. He declined.<br />
<br />
When we met for lunch, I tried to get him to go to the game. I offered to take Nathan Jr to Costco and pick up Lumpyhead and Lula from school.<br />
<br />
"Really?" Bump said, looking at me as though I had just claimed I could move a pull-out sleeper sofa by myself.<br />
<br />
"I'm not saying it would be without disaster," I clarified, "but I could do it."<br />
<br />
I'm sure Bump weighed the attraction of an afternoon baseball game in the sun, with discount beer and no children, against the impending doom of me driving the van, trying to navigate a warehouse store with a sugar-saturated four-year-old, and picking up two children from elementary school.<br />
<br />
Yeah, it would have been a shitfest of apocalyptic proportions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsKHGxQYbA-FlDeWARWlmZmuRGAymznlQVSWBZi03yb9wjj_ZbJLnG8jBa9LagCIzCKx22qzQDYsptaFsIeci9qG8JcqiYttWbcvUXLqovYcAGMaS1fol20XiZhMxH5dPfjbU/s1600/Washington-20121003-00056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsKHGxQYbA-FlDeWARWlmZmuRGAymznlQVSWBZi03yb9wjj_ZbJLnG8jBa9LagCIzCKx22qzQDYsptaFsIeci9qG8JcqiYttWbcvUXLqovYcAGMaS1fol20XiZhMxH5dPfjbU/s400/Washington-20121003-00056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We had a good lunch, though.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-40508568406530673652012-09-24T11:29:00.001-04:002012-09-24T11:29:35.678-04:00It's Better Than Calling Them "Choking Hazards"My kids refer to those decorative things you stick into your crocs as "giblets."<br />
<br />
I can't think of a single reason to correct them.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-32197575828522985432012-09-21T09:54:00.002-04:002012-09-21T09:58:12.220-04:00Stellar Moment in ParentingLast night I let Lumpyhead and Lula watch <i>Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog</i>. The whole thing.<br />
<br />
They've seen bits and pieces of it before, but never the ending. They like the songs, and I think I just talked over the one snide sexual reference in the show during previous partial screenings.<br />
<br />
I turned on the TV planning to stream a <i>Phineas and Ferb</i> when they begged ("but we haven't seen it in a looooong time, and I like it") and pleaded ("pleeeeeeease"), so I relented ("eh, they've seen most of it already").<br />
<br />
I kind of wanted to see it, too. Bump hummed along with some of the songs. Then it ended.<br />
<br />
Lumpyhead shouted, "Wait! What just happened?" in a tone that dripped of seven-year-old WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT.<br />
<br />
I told them, "Well, Dr. Horrible got what he wanted, but it turns out that wasn't
really what he wanted at all."<br />
<br />
They shrugged and went off to bed, but of course this morning Lula kept repeating "the hammer is my penis" and giggling. We've been talking about "appropriate" without mentioning the irony that "appropriate" might have included not letting them watch a musical tragedy in three acts that was first broadcast on the internet. AM A GENIUS.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-8473021416309999172012-08-20T14:12:00.005-04:002012-08-20T14:12:49.260-04:00ProgressI'm getting better about not cursing around the kids, but one day my
children will be very confused when they discover the word "nonsense"
does not actually begin with the letters BULLSH.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-12005694022696075992012-07-11T00:29:00.002-04:002012-07-11T00:37:26.280-04:00Lowhbstah. Uh yuh.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BR2wSP0LwGymoomG0n_h_tjL9YMCpyudSCMkq5PUQVEAnrhaAsDHHvf74sQHiS_-IJ4IlOwk3edxN4BhQyeNTcZEB6mg3ao3Nudgr1WHd_794BPP0XUiPtOmrK7wpy3yOv5r/s1600/lobsterman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BR2wSP0LwGymoomG0n_h_tjL9YMCpyudSCMkq5PUQVEAnrhaAsDHHvf74sQHiS_-IJ4IlOwk3edxN4BhQyeNTcZEB6mg3ao3Nudgr1WHd_794BPP0XUiPtOmrK7wpy3yOv5r/s640/lobsterman.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-72125121450573334372012-06-06T12:49:00.002-04:002012-06-06T12:50:12.582-04:00Vader Bobblehead is Bewildered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHftYWGq0_eC9GbXQgZr3aBXlNUHCq2OgoQvehrENISqmKSbRvazA4zfz5AgRnjIUS9O9rygTwdG3W78H4IXn0wm5gtZLRG2okQh2eNBgJ8-2XDo5UOERFfBpba_XS1jMz9gd/s1600/vader+bobblehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHftYWGq0_eC9GbXQgZr3aBXlNUHCq2OgoQvehrENISqmKSbRvazA4zfz5AgRnjIUS9O9rygTwdG3W78H4IXn0wm5gtZLRG2okQh2eNBgJ8-2XDo5UOERFfBpba_XS1jMz9gd/s400/vader+bobblehead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Lumpyhead got a set of Star Wars bobbleheads from Nana for his birthday. Nathan Jr got to this one before Bump could stop him, and Darth suffered the indignity of being handled by a three-year-old.<br />
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I bet Admiral Ozzel and Captain Needa think this is hilarious.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-19357881935554915472012-05-23T16:39:00.002-04:002012-05-23T16:50:32.388-04:00Summer ActivitiesLast year I made a list of summer activities, for Bump and the tormentors to consult should the "I'm bored" chorus become too much for Bump to bear.<br />
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It was even double-sided.<br />
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It was used approximately ZERO times.<br />
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The image I have in my head when I'm at work, of stir-crazy summer days with idle hands and grumpy slouching, is actually harried hours full of errands and lunchtime and playdates and snacks and pool visits. They rarely search for "activities," and when they do, "watch TV" works just fine.<br />
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But I made a list, dammit.<br />
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And for some baffling reason, I thought I should update it this year. Because it was <i>so useful </i>last year.<br />
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I did a google search and clicked a random link and went here:<br />
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Dudes.<br />
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Cork stamping.<br />
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And I laughed and laughed and laughed.<br />
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I imagined ruined clothing, furniture, and carpeting. Permanently stained fingers and faces.<br />
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The next project was chocolate pudding "potted plants" and I envisioned sneering faces and revolted grimaces.<br />
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For a moment I considered attempting each of these activities and posting the hilarious results, side-by-side with Martha's artful presentations. "Adorable butterfly cupcakes" and "tic-tac-towel," my ass.<br />
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Then I realized that in order to do cork stamping, we would need corks.<br />
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Lots of lots of corks.<br />
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Which means you would have to come to my house and help me drink lots of wine.<br />
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Camp Lumpyhead is totally taking on cork stamping this summer, bitches.Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-53611638690276486502012-05-09T12:58:00.002-04:002012-05-09T13:03:07.968-04:00Hi.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How ya doing? The name's Nathan Jr. How's your day going?Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-36406216719783501882012-04-27T09:37:00.000-04:002012-05-25T09:28:35.497-04:00Take Your/Our Daughter/Son/Gender Nonspecific Child to Work DayApparently yesterday was <a href="http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=936" target="_blank">Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work </a>Day. Next year Lumpyhead will be within the target age range for this, and for a moment I thought "He would like that" and the next moment I thought "What the hell would I do with him all day?"<br />
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I guess some organizations have a program. They assign some junior admin staffer to babysit the children for the day. The poor sucker scrambles to plan workshops and discussions and office tours, then spent yesterday shepherding munchkins around. Today she is furiously trying to catch up from a whole day away from her regular duties.<br />
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I was going to say "he or she," but I'm guessing it was a she.<br />
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Am I wrong about this? Did you take part? Did your office? Do you know anyone whose company plans activities, without dumping all the work on some already overworked assistant?<br />
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My colleague said she used to do it with her kids, but I realized she was just being snarky when she said, "Back then we called them 'Snow Days.'"Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20482384.post-28446947204131959072012-04-26T14:18:00.000-04:002012-04-26T14:19:14.477-04:00Playground Stop - Trenton NJThe <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/09/AR2008120903059_4.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> told us about this place. <br />
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Veterans Park
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<span dir="ltr">2206 Kuser Road</span></div>
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This park is about ten minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike, off I-195 (exit 3). Not the first place I would expect to find a great playground -- no offense, Trenton -- but it's worth the detour. (New Jersey, man. It's like a real place off the toll roads. Where people live, and stuff. Who knew?)<br />
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There is another park entrance off Klockner Rd, and that parking lot is closer to the playground equipment. The Kuser Rd entrance gets you to ball fields, a helicopter/memorial, and trails that will lead you to the play area.<br />
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We haven't been there since 2009. Nathan Jr is almost too big for that entire outfit Lumpyhead is wearing.<br />
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Sunrise, sunset, all that bullshit. Go to this park. </div>Lumpyheadsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448242506597812607noreply@blogger.com1