Growth spurt?

Last night was Taco Tuesday at our house. I forgot to fix the rice to go with it, so it was just tacos last night. I wondered how well Paige would eat. Sometimes she loves tacos, sometimes not so much. She ate 3. That's 3 tacos with everything: meat, cheese, salsa, tomato and lettuce. Plus the shell. I couldn't believe it! I decided she must be hungry & didn't think anything else of it.

Tonight was pork chops with green beans and mac & cheese. I made 1 extra pork chop so I would have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. My left overs? Currently sleeping down the hall. Tonight Paige ate 1 and a half pork chops. Plus a large helping of mac & cheese and green beans. I couldn't believe it. I'm guessing a growth spurt must be coming on.

I mentioned it to a friend who told me she was a picky eater at this age, and how much picky eaters bug her now. That got me to thinking. When I was a kid, I was a picky eater. I didn't like meat very much. My cousin Stephine didn't like veggies at all. Worked perfect. We sat next to each other at the dinner table and switched plates.

At Granny & Paw Paw's 50th anniversary party, we told on ourselves. We thought they knew! I mean, how slick could we be to get away with that? We were kids. Granted we sat at the end of the 8 foot table, but still. They had to see us, right? Nope. They grounded us. Hmmmm. I wonder if we're still grounded.

And for the record, I still prefer veggies over meat. Except for a good steak.

Well, at least she's honest

This morning Paige & I were laying on the bed trying to decide if we wanted to get dressed for the day. We were laughing & playing before facing the day.

Mommy: "You make me happy."

Paige: "I make Mommy happy. And Daddy. And Grammy. And Grumpy."

"Yep! You make us happy."

"I make everybody happy!"

She stops to think for a moment.

"I make people mad too."

She may be a bit conceited, but she does realize she makes us mad sometimes.

Batman's Cate

Batman & Superman both have cates. Did you know that? Me either. We have Superhero PJ's: Batman, Superman & Spiderman. The cool thing about them, is they have capes that velcro on the back. Paige keeps calling them cates. We're working on it, but she still keeps calling them cates.

I wonder how Batman feels about this.

Relay for Life was fun!

We had an absolute blast! I knew when I signed up that I wouldn't be able to make it all night. I knew we had too much to do Saturday for me to sleep the day away. Besides, I get cranky when I'm tired. Kelli and I left work at 3 to go set up our tent. We didn't have much in the way of decorations, but we had plenty of food & drink to get ready.

The event kicked off with the Survivor lap. There goes Todd & Kelli starting their victory lap.


Then no survivor got there alone, they all had to have a caregiver. The second lap is the survivor with their support. Kelli and her sister Katie, Todd and his wife Jessica. This was my favorite picture of the entire night.


There were activities planned all night. There was line dancing, a scavenger hunt, mascots from local schools out there, shaving a balloon, and a talent contest. The organizers also scheduled a movie, video games, and a few other things to keep people awake.

The luminary took place around 9:30. The entire track is lined with luminaries. They were in honor of those who had died, celebration of the survivors, and support for those going through cancer now. I probably should have taken pictures, but it wouldn't have done it justice. The entire group walks the track as one, and in complete silence. All lights are turned off, and the only thing lighting the way is the luminaries. After the lap is complete, everyone gathered at the stage to watch the slide show. It lasted until around 10, which is 2 1/2 hours after Paige's bedtime. I looked over and found this.

It may look like he's sleeping, but he's not. Just enjoying a bit of snuggle time with his little girl. Ronnie left a full day of work to come out and grill for us. We had hamburgers, sausage, and hot dogs. He's so good, he even kept all the pork away from the beef so that our Muslim attendees could eat! After this they both came home & went to bed.

I made it until about 1:30. Ronnie came back to help us break down & load the huge grill pit back into the truck. I spent yesterday recovering & unloading. My van was packed full from all the stuff we needed. I cleaned out ice chests, dried out banners & tents, and ran 2 full dishwashers. We're already making plans for next year. We're thinking a luau theme for our tent. I can't wait.

If you've never participated, I highly recommend it. Amy posted a comment in another post asking what to expect. Bring a chair, plenty of Coke, good TP for the porta potties, a towel to dry off everything when it gets wet (we live in a very humid area), and a box of Kleenex. If you don't tear up with the Survivor Walk, then you will with the luminary walk. Also bring a camera to remember the times. And like us, you'll probably be taking notes & discussing what you can do next year to make it even better.

8 Things

I was tagged yesterday by Heather. This looks really interesting, so here goes:

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

• A nap today.
• Getting to the bottom of why I have so many migraines.
• Finishing the scrapbooking I have pulled out to do.
• A visit to my best friend Kim, one day.
• Going back to Germany and showing Ronnie all the great beer.
• Having another baby.
• Paige sleeping late.
  
• Breakfast.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

• Went to work early.
• Ate Taco Bell.
• Texted some friends.
• Emailed clients.
• Drank a lot of Coke.
• Grilled.
• Didn't watch any TV.
• Walked in Relay for Life until 1:30 this morning.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

• Play more with Paige without getting tired.
• Get rid of my migraines.
• Take a vacation to Disney.
• Sing without making dogs howl.
• Stand the idea of watching Little Mermaid again, I know Paige will want to today.
• Speak another language.
• Get Paige to stop twisting her hair.
• Stop Paige from sucking her thumb.

8 Shows I Watch:

• CSI
• NCIS
• Dr. Who
• TORCHWOOD
• Smallville
• Top Chef
  
• Dora the Explorer
  
• Toot & Puddle

8 Songs on my iPod

• Angela Dangerlove
• Stadium Arcadium
• No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem
• Changes in Lattitude, Changes in Attitude
• Bob the Builder
• Benny & The Jets
• Just a Dream
• 1999

8 Favorite Warm Weather Activities

• Going to the beach.
• Laying in the hammock, taking a nap.
• Reading on the porch swing
• Watching Paige drive her Jeep.
• Grilling
• Playing in the sprinkler.
• Sitting inside in the A/C.
• Slip n slide.

8 Favorite Happy Things

• Ronnie
  
• Paige
• A good book.
• Afternoon naps.
• Time spent with friends.
• Finishing my To Do List.
• Pedicures
• Video Games

8 People to Tag

• Monica
• Beth

OK, so that isn't 8. But, they are 2 that I think will do it.

Relay for Life

One of my coworkers, Kelli, has been the driving force in my participation this year. She found out when it is being held, created a group, and told us to sign up. Tomorrow night I will be participating in my first ever Relay for Life. The activities begin at 6pm with a survivor lap. After Kelli and Todd (another coworker) complete their lap, it will open for the rest of us.

The local chapter of The American Cancer Society has some good activities planned. There's a childrens area as well as events planned all night long. The goal is for us to walk until 6 am. I'm not sure I can make it that long. Someone from our team should be on the track at all times. I think there are enough of us that we can achieve that goal.

This is a family event for us as well. Everyone is bringing their spouse and children, if they have any. I've put together some things for the kids to do other than what's already scheduled. We've borrowed a canopy. Ronnie is bringing out the big grill pit. Everyone at work is bringing something. This should be a nice get together for everyone involved. And at the same time raise money for a good cause.

Our Superhero Names

Every good Geeky parent deserves a good superhero name. And sometimes, the Geeky child deserves one too. So, after Sunday's dinner fiasco, I have given us all our superhero names.

Presenting:

Meany Mommy

Diabolical Daddy

Pouty Paige


On the plus side, Paige ate dinner again tonight.