Snack Attack

Since starting back to work last week, I discovered that my old nemeses – the munchies in the vending machines – are still beckoning me to come and visit them every afternoon when my energy wanes. So I will use snack food as the theme for these little stories that I wanted to share from our last week. I hope these stories will satisfy your appetite (without adding unwelcomed calories).

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Church is Supposed to Calm the Soul– Right??

I’m trying to get the Hen and Chicks to church every Sunday. I'm not a consistent church-goer, but like to go to church to reflect on my life and my place in the universe and to think about how I can become a better person.

We’ve gone for the last 3 weeks and I have to tell you that the experience -- so far -- is not what I had hoped for. Regardless, of what hour we've gone (I've tried early mid and late morning), the girls act up so much that I have trouble feeling very spiritual during services. I think I've probably defeated the purpose of church if I'm thinking less than holy thoughts while I'm there.

Libby Doodle Doo - in particular -- is a handful in church. Holding her yesterday was like holding the Tasmanian Devil – it took all my strength to keep her in my arms and not flying out of them and onto the floor. Plus, she also is a vocal child with a booming voice. Not only does she shouts out her baby babbles during singing, during readings, and during the sermon (which I can handle), she also uses that booming voice to squeal out in displeasure when she's unhappy (which sometimes gets disapproving stares from the congregation).

Little Zo Peep seems to feed off of the Doodle's crankiness and is constantly fidgeting or whining or both .

I've avoided going to the baby/cry room so far because it's such a free-for-all in there with kids running around and shouting. I fear that if the girls are exposed to seeing other kids act up like that in church it will be even more difficult to teach them self-control and restraint during mass.

My prayers for more patience and fortitude have -- so far -- been unanswered. I'm determined to try again next Sunday.

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Morning 1 of Beach Bead Experiment A Success

Little Zo Peep's behavior getting ready this morning was exemplary. I can't recall having such a pleasant and hassle-free morning. Did we get out the door by 7:15? No, but we did get out by 7:35AM which is much earlier than any day last week.

Zo Peep laid out her clothes last night to facilitate a more streamlined morning tomorrow. I think this little experiment may just work!!!


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Libby Doodle Doo’s Turns the BIG “01” This Weekend.

Miss Doodle’s First birthday will be this Sunday March 2nd. She seems so little to already be turning one. When people meet her they usually guess her age between 6 and 9 months – she's such a peanut. (16 pounds, 14 ounces at her last Dr. visit)

I'm so happy that she is home with us to celebrate this milestone day. I'm going to have a quiet little celebration for her with a cake, ice cream and some friends and family.

I'll be thinking a lot about her birth mom that day. Libby Doodle Doo was kept by her birth mother for the first 9 days of her life. I infer from that behavior that her mother may have had a very hard time making the difficult decision to give up her baby girl.

So March 2nd -- a day of great happiness for me may be one of great sadness for that woman on the other side of the world. A sobering thought indeed.

I've started a post about my ongoing relationship with two women I have never met -- and may never meet -- the mothers of my two beautiful girls. It's a subject that requires a lot of soul-searching and contemplation. Stay tuned.

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Little Red Hen Debuts this Saturday

I don't have some unnatural fascination with poultry-- Really-- in spite of the name of this blog.

But I did find it somewhat interesting that Zo Peep's Kindergarten class is performing the story of the Little Red Hen this Saturday. That's the story where the Little Red Hen asks for help in making bread but all of her barnyard friends are too busy to help ("Not I," said the cow.) until the bread is ready to eat.

My Peep, unfortunately, did not get the coveted role of the Red Hen , but will instead play Mouse #3 one of the barnyard narrators of this classic story.

Remember there are no small parts -- only small actors.