ABC's and 123's

We practiced up a bunch and look what we can do! E: the pound-for-pound challenge is back on with a vengeance. See you in September!

looks can be deceiving

These socks are the crafty project I worked on while the in-laws were here. Other than a few spots when I had to refer to the directions every row, they were relatively mindless knitting. I got to use brand-new wool/bamboo/nylon yarn and my bamboo needles, and I was even able to try out the nifty ball winder my mom sent me (could use some practice there...). Fun little project that went pretty quickly. End of story, right?

Not exactly. I snapped the above picture not long before starting the heel to the second sock. Word to the wise: when you think you are having at least a modicum of success with a new skill, don't screw it up by knitting the toe and heel of one sock at odd angles to each other!!

oops. They still work, but every time I put them on I have to laugh. Well, that and twist the sock around until the heel is straight and the toe is sorta straight. Good thing I have enough yarn for a second pair!

taste the rainbow

um...so I experimented with kool-aid dye and some fisherman's wool. Let's just say I learned a few things about painting yarn and color combinations, and will be re-dying shortly (mom, any color suggestions?).
On the upside, the pattern I followed was really easy to read, and the entire thing (0-3 m size) only took me two days to knit! Will definitely be trying again with new wool, this time with just two colors. Like maybe blue and white...which is the color the wool starts out in the first place.

multi-use pot

The day the potty took up permanent residence in our living room, it was doomed. Not only has it been used for its intended purpose by the human little(and thoroughly washed and sanitized after each use, thankyouverymuch), it has also provided many minutes of entertainment for all three littles in the house. It's been filled with blocks, toted around as a convenient spot to perch for a minute's repose, and chewed on by the biggest little. Lately, however, it has been overtaken by the littlest little. And I don't think she's moving out anytime soon. FWIW, the boy did try to sit on the potty anyway, with her in there, and got a nice couple of scratch marks in a rather sensitive area for his efforts. The dog was quick to come to his rescue, but gave up after a bite to the ear and a swat to the nose. Hmm. At least there's always the back yard ;-)



































OH, and for those of you bemoaning the lack of boy pics lately, I present to you the face I get every time I pull out the camera (and don't automatically hand it over). if you could only hear the accompanying sound effects.

If you're going to the beach, bring a man.

So we went to the beach with some friends this weekend. We have been here--on an ISLAND--an entire year, and this is our first time. What on earth were we waiting for??? It was in the 100's in housing, but in the 90's and breezy on the coast. We avoided going when Gma was here because, well, you've all heard about the beaches in Europe. This beach happily broke the stereotype: it featured free parking, clean sand, modestly clad swim-suited patrons, blue water, and vendors selling everything from jewelry to floaties.

The boy made friends with a little italian belle, I swallowed much too much salty seawater, the beach chairs (don't ask where I found them ;-)) were utilized, as was the sunscreen and water, and fun was had by all.
EP fell asleep right before it was time to pack up, so we had to pose for just one more picture:

When we got back to the car, we were quite relieved to note that it had not been broken into while we were cavorting. After arranging to meet up with our buddies at our new favorite pizzeria for supper transferring the still sleeping baby to the very hot carseat, and shaking out as much sand as we could from our clothing, we pulled away from the curb. With the AC blasting, the only thought on our minds is a cool shower and no more sand.

Thump. Bump.

uh-oh.
"honey...is the car riding a little funny to you?

Like maybe something's wrong?

Like maybe we have a flat tire??"

"um. yes."

Here's where the title of this post comes into play. Because our car seems to have an innate ability to find every single pointy metal thing
in the road, Mr. Waaz has become extremely skilled at changing tires. So skilled, in fact, that taking the back tire off, replacing it with the spare, taking the front tire off and replacing it with the back tire took under 30 minutes. AND the boy stayed asleep, which proves that there was no yelling or banging involved whatsoever. What a man. (what a man what a man what mighty fine man)

We made it home in time to shower and change clothes before supper. Which was superb, by the way. No pictures because we ate it too quickly...but if you come visit me, I'll take you there, promise.

uh-oh

We have a great morning routine here in the waaz household. I wake up, deposit the boy outside so he can...you know...commune. With nature. Utilize the diaper free opportunity to water the grass at will. You get the point. Anyway, while he's toddling around in the back yard, I feed the dog, enjoy a latte and some cereal, browse the net, and think about what new and wonderful things I'm going to do that day. Somewhere in there, once EP has been quite relieved, I escort him back inside and outfit him with a nice clean diaper so he can go about fulfilling his other morning ritual. A couple of weeks ago, I sort of forgot about the second part of our routine. That was also the morning the dog was feeling extra cuddly and decided to sit right down behind the boy and make sure his backside wasn't catching a chill. Bad plan. Anyway, I digress. This morning I didn't even get to my coffee because I got distracted playing with this fun tool and messing with the blog (love it? hate it? mom, what's the message board sign-in info?). While I was busy cropping, refreshing, and squinting, EP wandered inside and under the table and over to me and was almost to the back door again when he whined. I paid no attention. And then he peed. oops, shoulda listened to the whine, I guess. I won't even tell you what happened after I got that cleaned up and before I could slap a diaper on the child. No, I'll just let you use your imagination and assure you once again that there are redeeming qualities about an all-tile floor. This is helping ready him for potty training, right?! and it's the last time it'll ever happen? stop laughing, moms. no, seriously. it's not that funny. I'd like to see you react with as much poise and aplomb. At least I didn't take a picture...

blech. we are now fully diapered and ready to face the day. what a relief. What's your morning routine?

eta: actually posted by mira, not granny, but I forgot to sign out and back in. deal with it.

The Skinripper

The Irony: not only do I tell nearly every single person I meet to cut AWAY from their bodies, but do you see that other scar? another skin-ripping incident from a couple of summers ago, that one involving a saw. I guess some folks never learn...

ps: no, lb, I didn't go in and have it looked at, though the thought did cross my mind as *gross out alert*my palm filled with blood during the five steps from sewing table to sink and kept opening every time I moved for a few hours after the fact. *gross out alert over* The crime pic was from the next day and now (5 days after the incident), it's a lot better. Sure wish I'd had butterfly bandages handy though!