"I just wanted to make them laugh"

We all went out to dinner tonight with friends K and J. We went to this child-friendly pub over in Hollywood. They have a play area that is visible from all tables so that you can sit, eat and drink and watch your child entertain themselves with other children. E was pretty much occupied the entire meal; running from the play area to graze on his dinner and then run back for more action.

So as we settled down for coffee at the local coffee shop. We are now a captive audience to E: with adrenaline pumping he starts in on his "kinder caca" routine. He begins to regale our friends with constant references to his dog pooping, his dog "forting", his dog was so surprised that he ran around and pooped...on and on it went.

The evening's nightcap was the little story about how some dog in the neighborhood pooped on the sidewalk in front of the front enterance. And he quoted A. who had told me how she heard some skater who had yelled the "f-bomb" as he skated through it.

So on the way home I tell him that it would be a good idea to come up with some other stories to tell our friends besides stories about pooping and farting. "Otherwise," I tell him, "all of our friends are going to think that all we talk and think about is pooping and farting." But I can't think of anything else, he says, "I just wanted to make them laugh". "Can you help me think of something else?" He asked. Ummm...we couldn't.

Walking the Dog

Walking the dog through the neighborhood when he started to push around a purple balloon along the sidewalk. I grab the leash trying to get him to leave it alone. He persisted and found enough energy and endurance to push the thing.

It was not until we turned the corner (underneath a street light) that it popped and it became obvious that it was a (used??!!!) condom.

Who uses purple condoms? Who would take a slightly used provalactive, put it to their lips, blow it up and then knot it? Obviously someone with more imagination than I. Or wait a minute, maybe less than an imagination. How boring does your life have to be that the idea of a purple condom sound revelatory and innovative.

Anyway, after it popped and he tried to eat its little shrivelled remains, I kept thinking, "another reason not to let the dog lick my face."

Absolutely Fabulous

absolutely fabulous
Originally uploaded by iaminpdx.

All that I can say about this outfit is that it was innocently knitted by an adopted Auntie.

After his bath he went upstairs wrapped in a towel, dried himself off and grabbed the knitted sock-scarf-thingy slid inside of it and said, "Papa, look at me."

a and e and milo

a and e and milo
Originally uploaded by iaminpdx.

And I wonder why I have such a difficult time keeping the dog out of the purple leather chair...

Quotable Song

Elliott sang a little song with the repeating refrain, "My dog fills my heart with hair."

In the Barber's Chair

While Elliott was in the barber's chair today, he exclaimed, "I want a mullet!"
"Elliott, who do you know that has a mullet?"
"Mandi."

I am 5.

The one handed salute. I am five.
Originally uploaded by iaminpdx.

It is hard to believe that E is five. Of all the things that elders have uttered in my presence, the only one that I don't hold with some skepticism is "time flies". And the more fun that you are having, it seems to go by even quicker.

Indeed.

Happy Birthday E, here's to many, many more.

Happy New Year from A and M

Happy New Year from A and M
Originally uploaded by iaminpdx.

Happy 2005.