The Two Towers..

Today, I am thankful that my furnace is working...because Aunt Kate's furnace is not.  So Noah (or No-nah, if you're Vivi) are staying the night!  Cousins are great teachers, and Noah was quick to help Vivi learn how to build a "really, really, REALLY good tower."

Unfortunately, no matter how great Noah's tower was, Vivi was really, really, REALLY good at knocking them down, as she does not quite yet grasp the finer, more permanent aspects of architecture.  

So, we divided the blocks equally (sharing being a good lesson as well), and like Sauron and Sauroman, they separated and built their own towers, each keeping a watchful eye on the other.

"His tower is totally better than mine.  Crap."

Fleah.

So..on Tuesday (yes, four short days ago), I blogged about halcyon days, and how wonderful the weather has been.  Last night, it snowed enough to accumulate and stick.  ARGH.

So today I am thankful for the fact that while the snow was still there when we went outside after breakfast, it was gone by noon.  And wherever it went, I hope it stays there.  

So, here's our little snow bird's maiden voyage of this winter's snow...

She was fascinated.  Clearly, she did not get this trait from me.

She even managed to liberate her purple hippo from a chunk of snow and join him for a moment of quiet reflection...

Funny story about the snow suit, PS...Vivi REFUSED to let me put the pants on first, insisting "Jacket.  Outside.  Jacket."  For those of you who have never tried to dress a 16 month in snow pant overalls AFTER putting on their fluffy jacket...well, let's just say it is challenging.  Something to look forward to for the next four months, I suppose!

"You Distract Her...I'll Go Get the Net..."

Today, I am thankful for our cat.

Stop laughing.

Seriously.  Russ left on Monday.  He doesn't get home until next Thursday, AFTER 10.  This means I am a one-woman band, and getting ready in the morning has its ups and downs.  Fortunately, I am able to get most of what needs to be done done before Vivi wakes.  And for what I can't get done...well, the cat's there to distract her.

Vivi LOVES Hippo.  She chases him all around the first floor, calling "Kee-tee. Kee-tee." as he runs in abject terror, trying to find a place to hide.  She is totally content to chase and never catch, and while Hippo may be acquiring a few gray hairs in with the black, I can get the dogs kenneled, throw my lunch into a bag, and find my jacket (according to Russ, if I hung it up this would not be a problem.  Hmph.).

I would love to show you a picture of Vivi with our cat, but Hippo ain't no fool.  So instead, here is a picture of Vivi with Baby, the cat who lives next door and is young enough to be naive and to want to play with Vivi.

Gracias, Gatitos.

Poh-Toh

Today, I am thankful that Porter (or Poh-Toh, if you're Vivi) is patient.

She really is a sweet, patient dog (aside from that whole thunderstorm behavioral quirk), willing to put up with dang near anything.  Observe...

Here she sits, happily, with one of her most favorite things in the world: an empty soda bottle.

Unfortunately, Vivi also thought the empty soda bottle was quite cool, and that she should have it instead.

Now, Porter does have a tend to fixate obsessively on toys (which you are aware of, if you have ever played ball with her), and occasionally we will have to remove a toy from her sight so she will be able to break focus and do things like, oh, say, eat.

I will assume that Vivi was trying to help her, not tease her mercilessly, when she stole the bottle, and ran in a giant circle around the first floor waving it over her head.  Poor little Porter just followed patiently behind,waiting for her to drop it, even though she could have bowled Vivi over and taken in it back in about two seconds.

Eventually it ended in a very one-sided tug of war, as Porter allowed Vivi to "play" with her.

I do not think Porter was tugging very hard.  Eventually I rescued her bottle and gave it back to her, and then Vivi and I shared a very special lesson on washing our hands after playing with the doggies because GROSS.

Bless your heart, little black dog!

Mi Familia(s)

Today, I am thankful for my family.  Seems so obvious,doesn't it?  But I have so many families!  The family I was born into.  The family I married into.  The family I am creating with Russ.  My family of friends.  My work family.  There are all these different relationships and ties and interactions that will help teach Vivi what it means to be a close family and a close friend, be you tied by blood or just by love (or both!).

I really value that.

Families are always there to pick you up when you are down, to give advice when you need it, or make you laugh...or just to sit and read you a book about kitties.  (Please do take time to note the awesome Cindy-Lou Hoo hair in this photo--stellar!)

Sometimes, your family members will even loan you highly coveted driving toys...and not be TOO offended when you try to hide them as they are getting ready to leave (sorry about that, Noah!).

Viva las familias!

Halcyon Days...

Today I am grateful for this unexpected nice weather.  It has been in the 70s for the past four days, and while it does get dark early, it is still totally lovely when I take the dogs out at 10 pm.

We've been making the most of it.  Vivi is becoming very interested in plantlife...future botanist, perhaps?

Or...uh...future vegetarian.  Hm.

I cannot help but think though, that these are our halcyon days, not just weather-wise.  Once it finally gets cold, the next time it will be nice enough to go outside in short sleeves, Vivi will be a different kid.  She may be long past the toddling stage, able and desiring to walk around under her own power instead of being carried.  She'll be able to do stairs and climb into her castle unaided. She will be almost two!  

We've spent our summer out on the porch and the drive way soaking up the sun, learning to walk and talk by observing her very big world.  NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING TRAPPED INSIDE. Damn you, pending snow!

Pirates, Ye Be Warned

Today, I am thankful that somethings never cease to be fun...like a fort made out of a blanket and a laundry basket.

She and Jack-Dog sailed off for quite some time in her basket/pirate ship (heck, if she's not able to tell me exactly what she thinks it is, I'm going to decide for myself.  Vivi's not the only one with an imagination.)

"Careful, Jack.  We're off the map.  Here there be monsters!"

"Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of milk!"