Chupachubra

I have managed to come up with no less than 47 random nicknames for my kids over the years. Zachary was Zachary-do-dah (and occasionally turkey butt). Alden is my Noni or sometimes Onion (his evil doppelganger). Eleanor has been Girlfriend (said with the connotation that it should followed with 2 snaps up). Now the time has come for Harper to earn her nicknames. I am fairly sure that I have called her 'Harper' maybe 4 times in the 9 weeks that she has been around. It started out as Chubba-Wubba, then it evolved to Chubba-Dubba (the kids call her Chubba Dubba Wubba) and now she has become Chupachubra- not to be confused with the chupacabra since she tends to prefer a goat-free diet. Notice the theme of chub in the names. Bless her heart, she has the sweetest little chubby legs and cheeks- I love them. After the craziness that was Eleanor's infancy (well, the craziness continues but just to a lesser degree), Harper is a welcome respite from the storm. Let's just hope that she doesn't hate me for all of the nicknames.

















Tonight

If you hear a strange popping sound around 8:00 pm tonight, don't worry. That's just my head exploding because I am *that* excited to see the Indigo Girls tonight. Keep your fingers crossed that Harper loves them too and let's me enjoy the music.

Daddy's Little Girls

Since Justin doesn't get much face time here, I thought I would throw on some cute pics from this weekend of him with the girls. As a Daddy's Girl, I had some clue of what he was in store for when we had girls but he was completely blindsided. Just wait until they're teenagers. :) I had a wonderful relationship with my Daddy and I look forward to watching our girls develop that kind of bond with Justin. As you can see, they are a cute trio.





























18 Million Cracks

I often hesitate to post about politics here because this is supposed to be a blog about the kids and our family, but last night, I witnessed something that was simply amazing and has everything to do with the kids and their future. Anyone that knows me, probably knows that I have long been a huge fan of Hillary Clinton. During this past Democratic primary season, it was hard for me to not support her. Really hard. Her actions (along with those of Bill) made me sad- she was just not a candidate I wanted to support any more. She was a woman who let me down. I have long dreamed of a woman becoming President (as have so many women who came before me) and I have looked forward to the day that Hillary was able to raise her right hand and take the Oath. But unfortunately, for me, this wasn't a time where I could support her and I found myself almost to the point of hating her towards the end of the primary. And leading up to the DNC, I was just tired of the speculation of what Bill and Hillary were going to do about the nomination- what they were going to say and how they felt about the whole shingdig. But last night, she came through. She bought me back. As I was laying in bed snuggled up with my girls, I listened to her speech and cried. Cried for the hope that one day, one of my girls could be addressing the Democratic National Convention and know that so many great women came before them. To know that, while there are so many who don't agree with Hillary and her methods, she did indeed attack that glass ceiling and I am grateful for my girls that she did it and she did it her way. Last night in her address to the DNC, she was simply amazing and I still get chills thinking about it. Thank you Senator Clinton leading the charge and yes, it is time to get going.

In canse you missed it, here is the speech.

Things I've Learned from the Olympis: Part 3

The one thing that is keeping me from finishing the 400m at world record pace is a serious lack of accessories. Sure, I've got the sunglasses down as an integral part of my race outfit but what I am missing is a large necklace and either a pair of diamond earrings the size of marbles or a pair of hoop earrings large enough for Eleanor to be able to jump through them. Maybe top those off with some seriously intense nails and I might just be able to break that record. Maybe.

Things I've Learned from the Olympics: Part 2

If you are 5'8", you are considered freakishly tall for rhythmic gymnastics. Well, there's goes my other shot at going for the gold (after the trampoline). I am pretty sure we'll have to cross it off the list for Eleanor and Harper as well. Oh well, I need to call and cancel my order for a custom made zebra print sequined leotard. Darn.

First Day: 3rd Grade


So our day began at 4:30 am this morning- why would that be you might wonder since school doesn't start until 7-something am? That would be because Zachary was so hyped up about school that he was up at 4:30 am wanting to getting the shower. Seriously. I mean, I used to be excited about the first day of school- heck, even when I was in college, working a real job, and taking care of Zachary, I still got those butterflies of excitement on the first day of classes; but I definitely didn't wake up at 4:30 am! Of course, I also wasn't up until past midnight the night before gorging on the Olympics so perhaps sleep deprivation alters my opinion on the matter. I *might* still be in denial of Zachary even being in 3rd grade. I mean, I remember my 3rd grade year very vividly so it seems freakish to me that I have a kid doing things that I did not that long ago. At one point, my lack of attention span forced me to steal a roll of tape from the supply cabinet in our classroom and use it to make a little chicken-leg shaped tape "sculpture." No joke. I took one piece of tape and ran it from the top to the bottom of the opening on my desk- then slowing wound the rest of the roll around it until the entire roll was gone. Let's just hope that Ms. Allison keeps her supply cabinet locked up tight in case that kind of wackiness is hereditary.