Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

Boy, my head is spinning a little.  We have not exactly eased gracefully into the new school year.  None of us seem to have latched on to the concept of, "Early to be, early to rise..."  In fact on Monday morning, after she had fallen asleep in her cornflakes three times, I simply sent Sophia back to bed and took her in to school an hour late.  I decided it was more important that she be conscious than on time.  Call me crazy. I am enjoying the one on one time that I have with Lili now that those other people are off at school all day.  Having me all to herself means that Lil has plenty of time to declare her appreciation for different parts of my body.  This is particularly apparent when she climbs into the shower with me, pats me on the bum and chirps, "I like ya booty, Mama."  We've also played countless games of "Hide Seek."  When the excitement level gets too high, sometimes Lili forgets which part she is playing.  She has been kn...

Here is a news flash:  I love babies.  Babies are little, innocent, cuddly people.  Everything in this world is a novel discovery for a baby, and having a baby around makes mundane tasks seem new and exciting again. Something crazy has happened, however, since our third little bundle of fun came along.  Sometime while I was changing diapers and playing peekaboo, my two other little kids decided to grow into big kids. And guess what? Big kids are hilarious and fun in a different way.  Big kids make jokes that actually make sense.  If you aren't careful a big seven year old might, while at the local lake, announce to everyone who is within earshot that she is going to go and dip her "ass in the water."  The ass to which she is referring is, of course, a donkey- (a.k.a "ass") shaped animal cracker because a nice seven year old would never use that word in its naughty context, right? Big kids have their own taste in music and fashion.  A big ...

It has been a little bit difficult to write lately because quite frankly Lili does not approve.  Anytime I sit down at the computer, she is there, standing next to my chair on dainty tiptoes, yanking my hands repeatedly away from the keyboard.  You might be thinking, "Why doesn't she write while Lili naps?" to which I would respond, "Have you met Lili??"  She still catnaps sporadically during the day, preferably on my shoulder, NEVER in her own bed.  It's alright though because she is very cute and sweet and did I mention she's my last?  Nap time was never established since I  have two other kids who always seem to need to be toted around here and there.  Lili catches zzz's in the car, in the stroller, or in the baby backpack.  Whatever.  It is what it is.  Right now I have a few minutes of peace as she is seated on the floor next to me wildly shaking a crackly-sounding Barnes and Noble bag.  You should try it sometime. ...