Sophie's new smile

She scrunches up her face, closes her eyes and hyperventilates through her nose all at the same time. She's been doing it for a few weeks now, and we hope she sticks with it.

Man in uniform

Andrew LOVES being a cub scout. He says being a scout means you "always have to be ready to help."

Overheard

At church on Sunday, Sophie was very giggly while she and I were sitting next to Abby, the 5 year old daughter of some friends.

Abby: I know why Sophie's laughing so much.
Me: Why?
Abby: Because you're wearing a PINK TIE.

Abby's tone of voice can best be described as vicarious shame mixed with a strong hint of "duh."

I was totally unaware that I had crossed such a serious boundary.

Glamour

I asked Emma to get herself dressed this morning and she came back looking like this.

(She just saw me typing this and said, "Dad, I look GOOD." Yes, Emma, you do.)

UPDATE: It got better as the day progressed. Check out the ensemble below, and take special note of the layering of shoes. You can't teach this sense of style--you're either born with it or you're not.

Barbie is real

We met her in Indianapolis yesterday.

Overheard

Two events to report today.

Situation #1

Lady At The Security Desk: Name, please.
Me: Elliott.
LATSD: I LOVE the name Elliott. I have a baby niece with that name.
Me: Oh... That's nice.

That's the second time I've come across a baby girl named Elliott. Soon there will be no names that belong exclusively to boys. Sheesh.

Please join me in a boycott of this show.

Situation #2

Lady At The Checkout: You're named Elliott?
Me: Yes.
LATC: I LOVE the name Elliott.
Me: Funny you should say that. I had a person say the exact same thing to me today. That person told me she has a niece named Elliott.
LATC: A girl named Elliott? That's weird. I like the name because I LOVE the movie ET.
Me: Hmm.

fyi

This is what a monitor lizard looks like when it is attacking you. Be warned.

It's going to be a sad day...

...when these little legs get wrapped up for the winter.

The many faces of E.L.P.

Notice that she forgot to smile.

Overheard

Preface: Our boys haven't had a haircut since they got buzzed back in May.

Me: Andrew, do you guys like your hair long like this or do you want to get a haircut?

Andrew: Whatever gets us candy.

Emma started preschool this week

She is a big fan. On her first day as she walked out the door she told me she was going to be "nice". It seems to have paid off, because she is having fun and making new friends.

Today she got to pet a rabbit. She is very brave.

Happy birthday Andrew!

Andrew had a birthday this week...

...and he got a pet tarantula!

More importantly, he was baptized a couple of days later, and we had lots of visitors in town for the occasion.

Overheard

Me: Guys, I don't want you watching Jetix right now. If you want to watch TV, you can watch something educational.
Ethan: This IS educational.
Me: Oh yeah? What is it teaching you?
Ethan: How to FIGHT.
Me: Exactly.

Sophie got in a fight

A fight with the hardwood floor, that is. She tripped and fell this morning and gave herself a fat lip and swollen face. Ouch.

But she's not letting it keep her down. Hopefully it won't stop her from giving out kisses, which she likes to do unprovoked.

Overheard

Post Office Employee: Oh, I'm sorry. I can't take your credit card. It's not signed on the back.
Me: Oh... What if I sign the back of the card right now?
POE: Okay.
(I sign.)
Me: Can you take it now?
POE: Sure.

Luckily, when I signed the receipt at the end of the transaction, the signature matched the one I had just put on the back of the card. So the transaction was OBVIOUSLY legit.

It reminded me of this.