We are go for launch!

The backyard rocketship playset is nearing completion. There's just a few finishing details and accessories to add, if Eric's patience can stand it (and me.) Not that I've been a difficult project manager, but I have a feeling I've used up all my spousal favors on this one. He's tolerated every crazy request and suggestion that I've been able to throw at him. After all, it's for the kids, right honey?

OK. I admit, this rocketship was as much for the kids as it was for me. Deep down, I had an unfulfilled desire for a playhouse that my dad promised me he'd build and never did. Not that my dad could have even attempted to build something like this. Not in a million years. But when you're a kid, don't you believe that your parents can do anything? I did.

The coolest thing is, Gus is going to remember Eric building this for him. And Bea will see photos of herself at age 3, giggling with delight inside the rocket swing on a spectacular fall day.

Thanks Dad. We love you to the moon and back.

Our Bea is Three!

One of these years I'm going to hear "Mom ... enough with the bumblebee cakes already!" But until then, I plan to keep Bea's birthday buzz-a-licious.

This year we celebrated with a Number Three Bee-striped cake and some Oreo bumblebee cookies. I'm thinking that Nabisco needs to become the official sponsor of next year's party if I keep pimpin' their product - seems like I use a lot of their cookies in my stuff. (Hey, Nabisco, call me.)

Happy #3, Bea. You make life so sweet.

OUCH!

Two weeks ago, Gus stepped on a Hawthorn tree branch in the backyard, and this thorn broke off inside his left foot. Eric took him to the emergency room, but x-rays didn't show anything inside. So they put a bandaid on it and sent him home. Well, he hobbled around for two weeks while his foot turned red and swollen and full of pus. Obviously something was still wrong. So we went BACK to the doctor for antibiotics. And then last night, a 1-inch thorn freakishly shot out of his infected wound.

Ewwww.

Amazing how the body heals itself. Gus is finally on the mend and walking with both feet again. Thank goodness. (I can't imagine how bad that must have hurt.)

A Shocker Rocker.

Well, I've done it again. I volunteered Eric to help me with a project. (Somebody coined the word: "voluntold." That's probably more accurate.)

The WSU University Relations department was asked to donate an artist's chair to the Orpheum Theatre's "Red Chair Affair" this month - a charity event to raise money for new chairs in the theatre. And after brainstorming with my workmates, we decided on this cool Shocker Rocker. The only catch was, we needed someone to build our fantastical idea. 

Eric to the rescue. He built our pint-sized, WSU rocker in no time flat. And I took it to Signs Now to have the vinyl graphics applied. 

Now go bid on this! Tickets for the "Red Chair Affair" are available online at www.redchairaffair.com. And thanks again Eric, for making me look good.

Chocolate Broccoli.

Or Chocolate Broccoli Cookies? Or Choccoli? Or maybe ChocoBrocco? I'm not sure what to call these, really.

Andy, my broccoli-loving co-worker, is celebrating his birthday today. And while he probably would have preferred a big, healthy bowl of the real stuff - I had to take the dessert route. Don't I always?

These lovely tidbits of temptation are made with Tootsie Rolls and No-bake Cookies. (And probably the only kind of broccoli I'll ever get my kids to eat.)