Happy Holidaze!

It’s back to the grind tomorrow and something tells me if I don’t do this now, it could be a while. Where I get into trouble is letting too much time pass between entries and wanting to get it ALL down. Then, it becomes a big task to blog rather than a quick update. So I will add to what’s becomeing a mighty long list of resolutions to blog in blurbs in ‘09. Of course, like all the other resolutions that will have to start tomorrow. There is a lot to catch up on tonight.



First of all, Grammy turned 90 on the 18th. Mom and Steve suprised her with a party. Truly something to celebrate!






Christmas Eve we baked cookies and visited the Martinez Outback for the annual tamale dinner and family get together. This year, Grams, Deeda and Uncle Alex did a special rendition of What Child is This. Grams played piano, Unc Alex accompanied on guitar and Deeda sang. It was great! As was Aunt Laudie’s tango and Carlitos’ and Unc Charles’ version of Oh Holy Night. But I wouldn’t be telling the whole story if I didn’t include the fact that G was quite taken with the mike and did several numbers himself. Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snow Man and Rudolph were top hits of the season. G carefully tapped the mike as if to say “check, check” with each number. He was also sure to read the sheet music as he sang. A budding musician? Perhaps. A ham? For sure. If you have any doubts click here.


Christmas morning we had the most wonderful egg enchilada casserole of all time and that’s all I have to say about that -- except sorry. Back to the list of resolutions… So many things to work on. Seriously, the morning was great. Santa was good to us. G’s stocking was full and Wingo, the Elf on the Shelf, must have delivered his message about the Diego Dino Rescue Mountain because there it was under the tree! Santa also brought a big boy bike. Despite the fact a bike was all the talk prior to the big day, it has been of no interest since. That and making #2 on the potty continue to be a bit of a battle.

The top toy of the holiday may well be the little Spiderman Santa thought to put In G’s stocking at the last minute. Who knew? Buzz Lightyear has been big in more recent days. G taped a rocket to his back and has been flying him all over the house. We’re big Buzz fans these days. Tonight at dinner, G was quoting Toy Story 2 (another gift). It took us a while to figure out what our little jokester was telling us but apparently “Pork Bellies are Falling.” The kid truly set us up telling a joke like a stand up comedian. The gleam in his eye, laughing at his own joke. Again with the ham.

The gifts just seemed to keep coming. Four sets of grandparents and an extended family of friends and relatives are too good to us. If there is anything Cars we don’t have I would be surprised. By day four or so of the festivities G was totally and completely spoiled, asking “do we have any presents today?” So we’ve spent the last few, more quiet, days attempting to deprogram. When he wasn’t getting something he wanted last week, G placed his hands on Deeda’s cheeks, looked him in the eyes and said, “Daddy, let me help you say yes.” Clearly, it was time to reel it in a little.

For my birthday we finally made it to Max’s Wine Dive which didn’t disappoint in the slightest. As per usual we had several drinks and then planned the rest of our lives (again). Then we took in Four Christmas’. Vince Vaughn is always good for a laugh and the title seemed like something we could relate to. Before we headed home, I decided I deserved a little vampire “fix” so we made it a double feature and saw Twilight. Yes, it was my 35th birthday but that Edward Cullen makes me feel 16, so it was the perfect birthday date. I admit a little infatuation, but will remind my other half again that the reason I love the story so much is because it’s a true love story and I can totally relate.

In addition to five Christmas’ and a birthday we managed to work in couple of fun shopping extravaganzas, trips to the park, several movies, too many great meals, a trip to the Children’s Museum, a couple of gatherings with friends, a car wash/detail and my first batch of cake balls --we had a few days to sleep in and stay in our PJs. We caught up with our families, some friends and each other. I don’t think there is anything short of a prescription that would keep me from stressing at least a little over the holidays, but it should count for something that the stress comes from the desire to uphold tradition, make memories, wrap really pretty packages and play like a domestic goddess as if I bake and cook like this all year long.

In the rear view mirror I can see the stress comes from wanting so much from such a relatively short period of time. The final word: we made it. And it was fun.

Happy New Year!

Tigers and Vampires Oh My!

There went a month. What have we been doing? It's been a blur since Halloween. Have I ever mentioned we're a busy clan? I am on calendar overload. Tracking todos and engagements. Counting the days until Christmas. Yikes!

Where to start... beep. beep. beep. let me back up a few weeks.

The Thursday before Halloween Tigger hopped all around with a ton of other neighborhood kids who paraded around the park. It was great to see so many families in the park.

Halloween night didn't disappoint either. We had a great time at the Bromley's block party, trick or treated and made it home in time to answer our own door several times. The Halloween "experience" was complete. Smile.

Toy Story has taken reign as our favorite movie, though Cars remain our favorite toys. At least two still go everywhere we go... G reports they have a "real" Buzz Lightyear at school which may be why we have had wonderful drop offs lately. No drama. All thumbs up from under his new regular "costume" of a baseball cap and sunglasses. Some days he's still wearing them both when I pick him up in the evening. Joe Cool.

The other thing he's wearing these days is underwear (not to be confused with panties - Deeda wants to be sure everyone knows that). After a couple accidents on the bulletproof sofa and several puddles on the floor, the child is proudly wearing underwear to school. We're not there yet but the progress is promising. Let's just say I am not buying the next batch of diapers at Costco (we're now card carrying members). I hope we don't need that many more.

G isn't the only one leaving puddles on the floor these days. Our old girl Dee has been diagnosed with cushings and we're struggling to get her condition under control with meds. In the mean time she's still regularly having accidents because the condition inspires her to drink a ton of water. We've been to and from the vet for many rounds of testing. Please keep our first child in your thoughts and prayers.

After a nightmare on Sunday night, stories of Monsters in his bedroom came home from school with G on Monday. Something has Mr. G spooked. Maybe it's because he got bit at school yesterday? Maybe he's heard me talking about vampires...

Who's excited for the Twilight movie to come out? Had to toss in that little note. Everyone knows this is my current "thing." Thanks to Nennie for the book that started the whole thing. I've always loved me a little "Goth."

For the first time this season, the air is truly crisp today. A jacket wouldn't look stupid at this temp but isn't required either... the cool air feels great! I've been in the mood for weeks. The kind of mood that inspired me to buy goods for baking cookies and to plant mums. I've been nearly giddy the last few weekends. I know. Giddy is not a term commonly applicable to describing me, but I love October THAT MUCH. I would be sad it's almost over if I weren't looking forward to Halloween so much.

I've had Grant's costume a month at least. Tigger. That's what he picked way back when I ordered it. My first EBay purchase was a success. Those things retail for nearly $40... Good thing I didn't spend that, because now he is saying he'd prefer Spiderman. Last week it was Woody from Toy Story. I am considering locating a Spidey suit. He would be cute in tights and we could tease him with photos in about 20 years when we're planning his wedding rehearsal dinner.

Actually, his best suggestion for a Halloween costume has been "a naked jaybird." This is what we call him as he commonly streaks through the living room after his bath. So, the other night after we chased him down and were wrestling him to get the pull-up on before he parked his bare bo-hiny on the sofa he said, "I'll be a naked jaybird for Halloween. Oooookaaaaay?"

In other Halloween festivity news, G made some Halloween cookies with Grams and Pops last weekend while Deeda and Mommy played at the Aggie game in College Station (the day before our "horror-scope" had the word whoop in it. seriously!) The significance of the cookies is that a couple weeks ago, we started talking about Halloween cookies and G said he'd "make Halloween cookies for Santa Ooooookaaaaaay? Pretty cool he remembers making cookies for Santa last Christmas...

But that's not all folks. The things that this kid says never fail to entertain. They're learning about where fruits and vegetables come from at school. Ask the child about it and he'll give you the spiel, complete with hand gestures to help you understand exactly what he's describing. It goes something like this:

"You get some seeds and you put them in the ground. You pat them down and water them every day and they grow big and tall like a beanstalk."

So we were talking about it one night at the dinner table and he was telling us, oranges grow on trees, potatoes grow in the ground, milk comes from cows.... So, I said, "Where do eggs come from?" He looked at me like, "duh mom." And said very matter of factly, "The grocery store."

Another quick one. It's so cute to observe him learning the language. He gets the concept. Really does. Here's how I know. He was naming the tools in his tool box with Pops who said, "pliers" as G pulled the plastic pliers out of the box. G corrected him. "No, I just have one plier Pops."

And last but not least, a new three syllable word arrived at the park the other day. He wanted to stop swinging. So I stopped him. He said, "Let me get situated" and adjusted himself in the seat. Then we were off and swinging again.

In other news the pile of tree limbs and fence was removed from our front yard this week. We're scheduled to get a new fence on Monday. Hooray!

Back to the grind and that’s good.

The word of the day is raisins – that’s short for decorations.

It’s a grind until you’re all out of the routine and then you miss it so. This weekend brought a feeling of normal and a feeling of fall. After a long week of tearful drop offs at school and catching up at work, it was so good to have some home time. We needed it to continue the clean up but we also managed to watch a movie, cook a meal at home and eat Mexican with friends. What more could we ask for?

Going to the store to restock the freezer never felt so good. G was a model child on the trip and the nightmares and flashbacks from the trip I can’t even bring myself to write about a few weeks ago are starting to subside. I still have to play the Rocky theme song in my head to gear up for taking him, but we proved this weekend it’s possible to go and get back without incident or the need for assistance from law enforcement. Someday I’ll tell the whole story….

Anyway… Add to the full fridge, a return of one portable AC unit to Home Depot, a Prince’s Hamburger lunch, nap time yard work and an afternoon run to Target and we were all on cloud nine when we sat down to have this year’s inaugural batch of pumpkin soup for dinner.

Princes Hamburgers is full of neon lights and sparkly vinyl chairs. It looks an awful like the sha-boom life would be a dream scene in Cars. G was amazed and he got his first gumball there—and his second when number one hit the floor. He also liked pushing buttons on the juke box and we heard “If you’ve got the money honey” while we were there. Reminded me that I still love that song…

This morning I had to giggle to myself as we all puttered about. G was reuniting with every toy in the cabinet by pulling them out on to the living room floor, Deeda was in this garage reuniting with his toys too and I was placing Halloween spiders and ghosts throughout the house sipping my second cup of coffee. We all needed the time together and the time in our own surroundings doing “our thing” respectfully.

Despite circumstances, we made good memories while we were evacuees. Many trips to the Wal-mart, Lakeway park and “chick a fill” back and forth down the roller coaster street with the windows down (Living in H-town the hilly drive to Casa Butera really is something special for a two year old). We swam at the Sullivan’s (G still wants to go back). We had a super Austin-style Friday night mole Mexican meal complete with live music and a lake view. We walked dogs “all by ourselves.” We made a good soccer team. We ate Papa eggs. G had the Cabelas experience and hasn’t stopped talking about it since. And we are now the proud owners of one rescue helicopter—just like the one we saw land at the top of the hill. WOW!

We saw at least 10 great sunsets. G even appreciated the sunset. He was still for the sunset. He told us what color the clouds were. Ole Ike made us slow down a little. It felt good.

Toddler Tip: If you make pumpkin soup a dipping sauce (like ketchup) , a two year old will eat it. He even dipped his green beans!

Ike Blows

I didn't make that title up. But I love it! I saw it spray painted on a boarded up window in a photo reminiscent of "Breast Pumps Suck." I will make a million on that T-shirt yet.

Certainly things won't be the same at home for some time. I have been glued to the news and Internet trying to comprehend the impact of Ike. I want some facts of course... but I have spent a lot of time viewing photos. I can write my own story based on what I see. I don't want the spin. That said, I saw Geraldo standing in front of a pile of rubble tonight and a Seawall Blvd. green street sign was so strategically on top, I could hardly stand it. This is why I love to hate him. I heard he blew over at least once during his reporting. I would love to find that clip too!

As for our Ike story, there's no drama (thankfully). On Thursday we had decided to stay home and hunker down which was what our Mayor and Co. suggested. Deeda was hard at work boarding up the windows... I was at the store in line. And then we were "ready" with nothing to do and a view of plywood. So we opened a bottle of Champagne.

On Friday morning, Deeda finished up some additional boarding I requested Thursday evening, while G and I went to the park, with about every other mom and kid in the hood, to run off some steam... As the morning went on, I kept seeing on the traffic report that the roads were clear and kept thinking, even though we weren't at all ready to leave, maybe we should just get outta dodge. I was scared. I was scared G would be scared.

Once the decision was made, we were gone in about 30 minutes. A major record for the Dionne's but time was running out and the wind was picking up. By Bastrop it was blue skies and smooth sailing. So, we made a late escape and were almost feeling guilty yesterday evening when we sipped our cocktail in the AC in Austin.

Today we learned from our neighbors our house is fine and major tree limbs intact. Our fence is down but it was on its last leg anyway. Our neighbors lost a beautiful pear tree in their front yard. It was always gorgeous in the fall...

I am relived but I also have to go moderately melted Velveta and say I realized only a few miles down I-10 west that it didn't matter if we had the things we thought we needed or if the house has a foot of water in it when we get home. Deeda and mommy-mommy-ma were riding up front, Dee-dog and G-man were riding in the back "happy together." We made PB&J and ate Pringles on the road.

Deeda was up texting for updates in the wee hours. It was awkward to wake up not knowing how things were at home with our family and family of friends. And it felt even funnier to go about our daily rituals in a basically business as usual way.

By about 1o we were at Home Depot in search of a generator (couldn't hurt- this won't be our last rodeo and we're unsure how long this one will last). The customer service lady told about five people standing there, a nearby location had 4 generators left. It was like a race to the cars... as our favorite comedian says, "everybody out!"

By 10:30 we had arrived at Home Depot number two where we put our hand on the last box first (we win)! We are now the happy owners of a generator. I can finally put all those safety tips I've written about for the Co-op to good use. Generator or not, I'll admit, I hope to have my happy-self here at Camp Butera until the generator is not a necessary tool. I don't do heat. Everyone knows this about me. I don't catch either. Most people know this about me. (except Kyle Haver who learned a few years back)

After a trip this afternoon to the nicest Wal-mart on the face of the plant (no kidding!) we were home for a steak dinner. We brought them from our freezer. Can't let a good steak go to waste! I know everyone who spent Saturday evening in the heat at home is hating on us. We know. You're still welcome to join us. Come on up.

Ike is over but it ain't over... the hard part is only just beginning. I hope as we hear from more of our peeps we learn nothing but good news.

G-man thinks the greatest thing about the last couple days is that he can hold Huey's leash on walks "all by himself." He walks confidently and when he's really proud of himself he shrugs his shoulders. Yeah, we don't know either. It's like a bird strutting his stuff...Friday he said, "I have an idea" and "I have a special game for your mommy." Loved both those things. And he introduced me as Amy to the dog. AND he now pretend answers the phone "this is Grant Thomas Dionne." No lie.

Why ask why?

Tonight I am recalling the successful ad campaign “why ask why?” G has been in his new big kid class for two days… For two days he’s come to me when I pick him up and said, “I had a bad day.” It’s killing me. He misses Luci and Bertha his teachers from the two’s room. But his friends Brooks and Zachary gave him a very warm welcome Tuesday morning, so I am comforted by that… still, transition is hard. And some of the kids in this room are considerably older. Almost four and going on three are very different. Already I can see he’s learning a lot from the older kids. The word of today is “why?” Tomorrow it might be something choice like SH#*T, so I should be grateful I suppose.

Here’s a taste of turkey taco dinner with the Dionne’s tonight.

“Grant, sit down. Don’t stand in your chair.”

“Why, Mommy, me no stand on my chair?”

“Because it’s against the rules."

Sitting down slowly he says,"Why?"

"It's not safe.”

“Why?”

“Because you might fall down and hurt yourself. Plus, it’s not polite.”

Deeda adds, “You don’t see me or mommy standing in our chairs do you?”

“Why?”

“Grant, that's enough. Be a good boy.”

“Why be a good boy, Deeda?”

“Because if you are a good boy, and you don't stand in your chair, and you eat your dinner you may be lucky enough to get a Popsicle.”

(Now I am rolling my eyes at Deeda for the bribery- thinking the child has just gotten exactly what he wanted)

“Me have purple Popsicle?”

“Maybe. It’s a surprise,” Deeda says and smiles at me thinking we’ve dodged that bullet and then…

“Why?...”

And that’s just a sampling. The hits kept coming. Why, deeda, me no pee pee in bathtub? Why no watch more lightning mcqueen? Why brush my teeth? Oh boy!

Anytime we are in transition, from play to dinner, from dinner to bath, from bath to bed, from book to lullabies—we have stalling. Laying on the floor. Changing his mind 200 times. The stalling has been getting insane and now the child has a new tactic in his bag of tricks. The famous, infamous, "Why?"

I can hear the whole bit Bill Cosby does in his Himself show. Next thing we know, we'll be asking why did you drink my drink and his line will be I don't know. (You said for me not to drink your drink. Then, why did you do it? I don't know.... )

Anyway, we first attempted reasoning. Such a rookie mistake. And so we quickly learned the best way to end the interrogation and resorted to the classic, I never wanted to say because I hated to hear it as a child, “because I am I said so.” This doesn’t end the questioning but it doesn’t offer a new topic query either. It’s something.

The other favorite phrase these days is: “heeeeey, wait a minute!” A line of Mater's when he realizes it's not the Ghost Light. Speaking of Cars,he has two new additions to the box and hasn’t put them down since he got them. Tex and Dinoco Lightning are the hottest “fast race cars” in the box right now.

Singing is also in Vogue. “Our favorite song” as he calls it is, Happy Together by the Turtles. We heard it one evening on the radio about two weeks ago and he loved it from the first time he heard it. Easy to learn, long notes he can sing LOUD. So happy to-geth-eeeeeeeer!

Not so easy to learn but another fav is "Old Mc Farmy had a duck. E-I-E-I-O." He’s close. Of course Old McDonald had a Farm…and then the duck, but you get the point. I am laughing out loud just typing this one. It’s really funny!

My favorite phrase these days is “Hold me like baby. Never let me go.” This is one he says when we tuck him in to bed. A request I love to hear.

Age of Aquarius

A partial eclipse of the Moon took place on Saturday, August 16. I wouldn't have known if I didn’t get some very informative junk e-mail from astrology.com Monday. According this site, the eclipse was in Aquarius. Confusing leadership situations, power struggles and sharp words were to be expected. These are all details Deeda might have liked to have known before I went all psycho over the weekend. No reason. All’s well now (always was)—just temporary insanity.

I was already blaming it on the full moon when I got the eclipse memo. But I was most happy to have the fact that the sun, earth and moon literally aligned to blame for my behavior. Intrigued, I dug a little deeper and expect I will now get MANY more junk emails from astrology.com because I made a few clicks.

According to the astrology experts, the lasting effects of the eclipse depend on what house the sign Aquarius falls in on your personal birth chart. Turns out Aquarius is barely on the cusp of my 10th house. Which means nothing for this eclipse based on what I can find. Still, I told Deeda I was CERTAIN birthing one Aquarius boy who lives in my house counts for something… And there you have it. I am not crazy. I am a mom. A working mom. And I just want some time for myself every now and again- Damn it!

Ironically (or maybe not) Aquarius in the 10th house is all about “focus on the goal of many.” This sign in this house is connected to far-seeing visions and group work. To that I say hmmmmmm and announce the first meeting of 10 or so mom’s who really want to see their kids ride their bikes to the neighborhood public school is scheduled to be at our house tomorrow night. I do believe I have “a cause” I will be working on in the coming years. The global hope is quality education and community. The underlying benefit is saving 10s of thousands of dollars on private school so our kid can go to college someday instead.

And while we’re on the topic of planets, let’s talk about Krypton—as in the planet Superman is from—for a moment. You didn’t think I would post without a G-man story did you?

So, I have glasses. I never wear them. But I’ve been so tired lately and my eyes are bothering me. I decided to give them a try for the second shift in the evenings. So, I am wearing them last night and G says to me,

“Mommy, you’re like Superman. You have glasses. Take them off. Fly me.”

So, I took off the glasses, closed the computer, put on my cape and knee high red boots and flew G to the bathroom for his bath. My kid thinks I am like Superman. I can live with that.

p.s. I am also most impressed he knows the Clark Kent look and relates it to the man in tights. Where did he learn that!?