Recalls

So I'm sick and tired of all the toy recalls. Used to be they never seemed to affect us - it was always stuff purchased at the dollar store, or some other discount store we never frequent. But now the mainstream companies are being affected more and more, and we have just been hit with our third recall affecting our family.

The first one we dealt with was the Thomas recall because two of the multitude of trains we inherited from my sister were included. Not too hard to work around. Once I got them out of sight, there were enough other trains (especially when combined with the cheap ones I got at Target - my kids aren't tied to having just Thomas ones), that they were quickly forgotten.

Next recall was the Polly Pocket one. Grace has one set involved in that, but was okay with sending it back when she realized she'd get a $22 voucher and would be able to get a new Polly.

But this latest one popped up today. I've hit the point where I realize many times it is simply easier for me to purchase two of something to keep the fighting ("I had that first!") to a minimum. But now I have to figure out how to explain to Alex that HIS David Kirk snail push broom and bug rake from Target can't be played with anymore, but his sister's are okay. And of course being almost October there is no chance of finding replacements. Damn.

Anyone know if the federal government is looking into the rash of China-oriented recalls? Or is free enterprise too much of a hands-off system to merit concern?

Another Alex word

Pokey pine - name used for both porcupines and pine cones. Pretty much works in both situations.

Also, probably about a year ago he started describing something he didn't want to hear or see (a song on the iPod or a movie that Grace picks out) as being "too wobbly and long." As in "Mommy, I don't want to watch Mulan again - it's too wobbly and long." Don't know where he came up with that one.

If you kids only knew what we gave up for you...

That's the phrase we think a lot when we actually go out on the town on a date. Especially when we go see a live music show. Every time I go to a show it hits me again just how fun it is to see a band play. Last night Jim and I went to the Lakewood Theater to see Richard Thompson. It was an amazing show. The last time we went to see him I was pregnant with Grace, it was standing room only in Deep Ellum, and we had to leave halfway through because Jim had a 7am flight the next morning. This time we had reserved seats (aahh), it was closer to home, but weirdly the average age at the show had to have been about 50 years old. We very much felt like the whippersnappers there. Other things that were strange is that it is ridiculous to get carded when you have as much gray hair as I do, and it is insane that anyplace in Texas that serves beer would NOT have Shiner Bock available, but the show was wonderful just the same. Richard Thompson himself is 58 years old, and he rocked out for at least 2 hours straight. He is such an amazing storyteller, and when he played "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" solo on an acoustic guitar I had goosebumps for the entire song.

By the way, that song is on the "Rumor and Sigh" album from 1991, which I highly recommend. That is the album that introduced me to Richard Thompson, and will probably always be my favorite.

The kids stayed with a babysitter for the first time since the grandparents weren't available for a sleepover. But that went great also - we had Grace's teacher Miss Andrea from last year babysit. Grace has been excited about it ever since we found out a month ago that Andrea was going to babysit. Alex was resistant to the idea, but I knew it would be a good night for everyone when he stopped the game they were playing to run over and tell me goodbye before we were even ready to leave for the evening.

2-year old fun

Funny Alex stuff:

New word for the lexicon from Alex. Attackle. What he says he does when he runs up on an unsuspecting creature (Jim, Lucy, etc.) and does a flying leap/tackle onto. Pretty accurate.

He gave me a "stamper" on my hand yesterday, which if you are a parent of a small child you know is an ink stamp. Later that day I noticed a telltale pink circle on Lucy's paw. "Alex, did you give Lucy a stamper today?" "Yes, Mama." "Don't give Lucy stampers anymore." "But Mama, she LIKES them."

In the bath last night we are playing with his Backyardigans pirate ship. I describe how Uniqua has an eyepatch and Pablo has a pegleg. "But Mama, Pablo isn't a pig. He's a penguin." "No Alex, not pig leg, PEG leg. See - made out of wood." "Mama, it looks like a pig leg." Said with the expression of "you idiot" written all over his face. Hmm...maybe you had to be there for that one.

All out of sorts

I've gotten so bad about posting. My only excuse right now is that I've had a houseful of sick kids for the past week or so, combined with constant sinus pressure the past couple days for me and just the overall trying to get back into the groove of things with the school year starting.

I did have a true "mom moment" when I had to write my first note for my child explaining why she missed two days of school last week.

Maybe I'd have more energy if I started exercising and I'd be able to get more done. But getting over that first hurdle of actually waking up early enough to exercise before I have to rouse my family is a hard one to get past.