Master

Three relatives, three Valentine greetings but one message. Hmm, I wish someone would have warned me before it was too late!

No More Pencils, No More Books

"School's Out Forever!"
- Alice Cooper 

Inevitable

Guess what happened this weekend?

A) We found Johnny and Sydney curled up together napping peacefully.

B) Owen said, "I love you, Mommy."

C) Owen woke up at 7:00 am and he was happy.

D) Owen cursed for the first time.

E) We three Linkers are all healthy.

Drum roll please....

A) Nope. The war of the roses between our furry friends persists. Our 13 pound cat continues to torment our 50 pound junkyard dog. Owen has taken to chasing Syd around the house so at least she's getting a taste of her own medicine.

B) Again, no. But Owen does tell his Bubbe that he loves her whenever they talk on Facetime and it's really quite sweet.

C) This is mostly true and very, very exciting. Owen did wake up this morning around 7:00 am which is like noon in pre-kid years. As for being happy, I think that crying may be his way of saying, "good morning."

D) Bingo! Honestly, I'm surprised that it hasn't happened sooner. Last night Steve called Johnny a F***** after he jumped on my belly.  Owen repeated the expletive clear as day. Oops.

E) I wish. One of us has pretty much been sick since Thanksgiving. It currently sounds like we all have SARS. 

Young Photographer

A sweet picture of Owen taken by our family photographer, Grandma B (aka Nema).  What's going on in that cute head of his? This photo is also good reminder for this Type A-ish Mommy to just slow down and enjoy Owen's curiosity and enthusiasm for practically everything!

Staff

I have worked for some interesting characters over the years. You'd think that keeping up with the demands of politicians and physicians in political positions would have prepared me for the rigors of motherhood. No such luck. I am currently staff to a tyrannical toddler. The pay is terrible, the hours are long and you hardly get any vacation time. It's a good thing that he's so damn cute!

Steve is on staff as well and he and Owen are on a first name basis. As in, "Steve. Tunnel." Yes, sir...

Our boss is most demanding when it comes to food. Just this morning he looked at me, pointed to the kitchen and said, "More!" I am told that he is very polite at day care and always says, "more, please." I guess manners fly out the window when you're trying to show your staff who's in charge. I get it, you own me!

But as any good staffer knows, when the boss is happy, everyone is happy. And my little dictator likes waffles!

And Steve...

And evidently licking windows?!? This did not happen on my watch, by the way.

More Grocery Store Hijinks

Owen is lucky to have a Dad that makes grocery shopping this fun!

A Place for Everything

We keep finding groupings of Owen's toys strategically arranged around the house. The Sesame Street kids lining up to ride the school bus, for example.

Elmos waiting patiently to eat a snack or going for a walk.

An angry mob, perhaps?

Owen's even getting his trucks, choo-choos and his pal Syd in on the action.  We're not sure if we should be impressed or a bit concerned of potential anal retentive tendencies? TBD...