Postcards from the Everglades

 

So many pretty birdies.

 

Willa calls them "dirdies!"

And gets very, VERY excited to see them.

'Gator faces.

...and 'Gators!

To warm your heart

This ad makes me want to buy the world a Coke. Stay cozy y'all!

Some Important Safety Reminders for Holiday Travel

I'm usually guilty of ignoring the pre-flight safety brief, but I could watch this one over and over again.

Three little reasons why I love being a Mom.

You guys, this seriously just happened.

We had some little friends over today, including a darling 2-year-old named Carrie. As I was helping Carrie slip into her sparkly white sandals, Willa looked at me and said, "Mom, I want shoes." Now, Willa is nearly 17-months-old, and she is a Tillemann-Dick, so I was impressed but not flabbergasted with her short but grammatically correct utterance. And, since Willa has NEVER shown the SLIGHTEST interest in bipedal mobility (which, at nearly 17-months, is a bit crazy -- even for a Tillemann-Dick), it's true that I seldom put her in shoes of any sort. So, I told her as much. "Willa," I said, "when you start walking, I'll get you shoes." She looked at me with resignation, and replied with her standard, unenthusiastic "okaaaaaay."

Then, she stood up and took three, very deliberate, steps. Then she did it again.

So I ordered her some shoes.

****

In the car this afternoon, Hettie and I had the following conversation:

H: Mom, is Tom my uncle?
K: Nope. He's Mercina's boyfriend. Maybe they'll get married, and then he'd be your uncle.
H: So, you can just marry who you want to, as long as he's not your uncle or brother or cousin?
K: Well, it's a very important decision, so you have to think about it very carefully. But yes, you get to choose who you marry.
H: So, when I grow up and I'm an astronaut, I can marry Tom? If Mercina doesn't marry him first?
K: Ummmmm...
H: How long is Mercina going to be in Canada?

****

Also, I know it's not really responsible, but I kind of hope Phineas becomes a dancer.

The end.

Guess what? Apple Butt.

As requested, lyrics and original video after the jump:

But I don't understand. . . cereal is delicious.

Mr. Gosling and I obviously have different opinions of cereal.

Good People are Good to Everybody

I saw this over the weekend. I was, quite simply, touched.

And by touched, I definitely mean that I sobbed for 15 minutes after watching it.

Why? Because science, that's why.

Shiloh, Mercina and I got back to New Haven today. Even though school doesn't start until Monday, I decided to start the semester off right by doing some larnin on the Youtube. If you're looking for a good time, watch this video of Richard Feynman discoursing on, among other things, how fire is recycled sunshine and trees assemble themselves from thin air. But "how is it the tree is so smaht?" Wonder no longer -- Richard Feynman will tell you.

Good Stuff Right There

I think that you'll really like this. . .

Silent

This summer, Momo and I went to the Boulder Chautauqua's screening of Rupert Julien's Phantom of the Opera. It was sort of fantastic. Now, sometimes, when I'm feeling artistic and morose and procrastinate-y, I'll watch a silent film. Unlike the Chautauqua, I don't have a beautifully improvised live piano score, so I've had to cobble together my own, one shuffle fits all playlist. It can often not make any sense, but occasionally, you witness some really beautiful, cohesive, unanticipated art. Here's a sample film (Alice in Wonderland) and my playlist -- you might want to try making your own combinations, though (if you can get past the general insufferableness of all this).

 

A little reminder

Even though the Junior Representative from the One Family spends much of her time unphotogenically strapped onto bellies or into strollers, here is a little proof that Baby Disco is pure sunshine. She has bright blue eyes, deliciously chubby legs, and the most infectious giggle ever. We love her.

Oh bird. You so sessy.

Three, Four, Z, and myself had a late night with National Geographic Youtube videos.

We were all quite taken with this smooth little dancer.

What can I say? He'd get my number.

Only a few weeks left. . .

Isn't this little video rather magical? I love how the mess and clutter of everyday life becomes almost invisible when you focus on the miracle of new life. I must have watched this five times today. Obviously, I'm hormonally inclined to like stuff like this right now, but I hope you enjoy it, too!

PS - have you seen the gorgeous jewelry from Scarlet Samples? There are still a few more days to enter for your chance to win!

Shaky Shaky Shaky

So, I found Chary's respiratory therapy vest. . .

And I don't have the ICU to blame. . .

also. . .

Join our GIVEAWAY!!! It's nice free stuff!

Harmony

Mr. One's cousin (or, rather, one of his 50 [first] cousins) is an amazing cellist and bona fide YouTube star. His latest video just happens to be a mashup of two songs that are particular favorites of mine and Two's, respectively. It's rather lovely, and I thought I would share...

Thank you. . .

A small Valentine's Day token from Two. It doesn't begin to cover all of the beautiful cards, garlands, packages, and general goodwill she's received and continues to receive during her stay here in Cleveland, but it's a start.

Much love,
 All of us (but especially Two)

Tunage

Oh hai.

I thought you might like to listen to this.

Aren't random Norwegian musicians the best?! I have a lovely dream that one day I will direct an exquisite film version of Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, and I'll use this song to score the execution scene.* It makes my heart hurt every time I think of it.

*I'm watching you, Sofia Coppola

Happy Day!

Our dear Auntie M sent this link to celebrate Two's big move out of the ICU today! The video is so perfect, I just had to share...

Sunshine