Garbage Picker

Our municipality is having a 'large item pick-up' this week, and in preparation every third house has placed piles of old appliances, furniture, etc., by their curb. I know that we live in an age of consumerism, that we're excited by the new and the shiny, but I am appalled to see what people are just throwing out. If I were having a baby, I could easily have outfitted myself with a stroller, high chair, crib, change table, bouncy seats and ride-on toys yesterday. All in good condition, and barely needing a wipe down. If I were furnishing a house I could have picked up antique wood dressers, sofas, chairs, tables....obviously some were things were junk, but a lot of it just needed a lick of paint or a steam-clean. I thought we were having a recession, people?

I drove past all of these things, and then I saw a flash of pink metal. A bike. The girlie needs a new bike. I stopped and got out. The bike was too small, but right beside it there was a wagon. We've almost completely abandoned the stroller, but we've thought that a wagon would be great on day trips to the zoo and such; I just haven't wanted to spend the money. The wagon was in great shape except for one broken wheel. But it was a Little Tikes, and their phone number was right there! Surely I could just order a new one. I stuffed the wagon in my trunk, and took off home, eager to consult the oracle Google.

Let's just say this. Little Tikes can bite me. I won't be purchasing any more of their products if I can help it. They do have a parts department, but it's a joke. They don't want you to fix their products...they want you to dump the massive plastic carcasses in a landfill and buy a new one. I was so disappointed, but Bad was convinced that even if Mommy had failed him, Daddy could fix it. Daddy can fix anything. I told Hubs all about my experiences with the Little Tikes website and "help" line over dinner. "There were a couple other wagons around with missing parts, but they weren't the same kind....I can't believe that you can't even order a wheel from these people!" I lamented.

"Go get the other wagons. The kids and I will meet you in the backyard."

So I went back out garbage picking and my resourceful husband built us a Frankenstein wagon with a Little Tikes body and Step 2 front wheels. I hosed it off and gave it a quick scrub and the kids hauled it to the front for a test drive. It works great, and as Hubs and I sat on the front steps watching our little ones running and laughing, giving each other rides up and down the street, I counted another one of my blessings. I have a talented husband who can fix anything, and he loves me for being a cheap-ass garbage picker. Does it get any better than that?

I'm in love with my boy....

How could I not be? Here are just a few of the giggles he's given me this week.

*****

Bad: "GRRrrrrr....GRRrrrrr"
Me: "What's wrong baby?"
Bad: "My superpowers make me mad!"

*****

Bad (picking up a naked doll and dancing her across the windowsill) "Oh hi Barbie! I have boobies too!"

*****

At breakfast the other day, after being admonished to not call everyone 'poopy-heads'

Bad: Poop on potty, Mommy.
Me: That's right.
Bad: And poop on toilet. Never poop on girls.

I think that's advice everyone should live by.

More Happy

It's been such a busy week that I'm almost glad it's over. It was pretty wonderful though. Ballet is finished for the year, and the Princess' recital was very sweet. My MIL came with us, and spent the night, and I managed to make homemade pizza and cupcakes for dinner since her birthday was the next day. (I also had to change sheets, wash the floor, and pick up wine - she doesn't drink, but Hubs and I find her hard to take without alcohol.)

Also the next day was the Princess' class trip to Puck's Farm. I dropped Bad off for an extra day at the sitter so that I could go along. Farms aren't really my thing, (My dad constantly shakes his head at my squeamish, girlie ways. "I can't believe you grew up on a farm!" he moans) but I'm glad I went.



The Princess rides a pony!



The farm I grew up on didn't have kiddie rides!



The Princess milks a cow! Guess which mommy DIDN'T want a turn. After years of nursing I just felt too much empathy for poor Bessie.

The best bit was that the Princess wanted me with her. She walked beside me and held my hand. She made sure to sit with me for lunch. Some of the other kids were already acting 'too cool' to hang out with their mothers. I'm so glad I made the effort to go on a trip while she still loves me best.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Sometimes the world sucks.

One day a week I send Bad to a babysitter and I run some errands and do a little filing for Hubs' company. I also make his collections calls. I hate it. I'm pretty friendly and laid back about it (which no doubt makes me less effective) but despite that, today I made a grown man cry. The economy sucks, and a lot of Hubs' customers have been especially hard hit. This was a good guy who wants to pay his bills on time, but he can't pay his bills until he has been paid; and everyone seems to be sitting on their money. It's a vicious merry-go-round and I want to get off it.

Birthday

Just when I thought I wasn't going to get any presents, I opened the front door to find a double rainbow.

And it doesn't really matter that my camera isn't up to the task of recording it; because this moment will be forever etched in my memory.

They're too smart for my own good...

Hubs was in Buffalo last night, leaving me to fend for the kiddos alone. After a supremely nutritious dinner of no-name mac & cheese and easter chocolate I took them upstairs for an abbreviated bath. (It was supposed to be a loooonnng bath, during which I would flit in and out of the room while simultaneously cleaning up and doing laundry, but they splashed half the water out of the tub onto the floor and I had a temper tantrum.)

I had heaved Bad's futon mattress down the stairs and set up a big bed in front of the telly so that we could have a cuddly sleepover downstairs, but my monsters were more inclined to use it as a landing pad, jumping repeatedly off the sofa. After admonishing them repeatedly to "just lie down already!" I threatened to make them sleep upstairs in my bed.

"NO MOMMY! NO! We want to have a sleepover!"

"But nobody is being good!" They both immediately fell into bed beside me, and Bad climbed on my chest, looked into my eyes and said, both earnest and straight-faced, "Yes Mommy! YOU is bein' good."

From there the night dissolved into laughter, and tickles, and cuddles, and sleep.

E-mail from my MIL

and I quote:

Sarah, According to today's Toronto Star, women, who have morning sickness during pregnancy have children with higher I.Q Thought you might just want to know that it was worth barfing for. Love Judy

How exactly am I meant to respond?