So good for the ego

Lena was helping me put away the laundry in my room today, I had her in charge of my dresser. So anything that belonged in the dresser, she would find the drawer it belonged in. This meant all my bras, panties, nighties, workout clothes, etc.

As I was in the closet hanging up shirts, I heard her say, "Whoa!" so I peeked my head out to see what was up. Here she had a pair of my panties in her hand. She looked at me and exclaimed, "These are sure big!"

Thanks, Lena. Thanks a lot.

Children are morbid

So apparently my children (with the exception of No.4) love beets. Fresh, warm, buttery cooked beets. I knew they liked canned ones and so the other day at the grocery store I picked up some fresh ones. Lena was my helper, she "inspected" the beets, and good thing because she noticed a moldy one that I'd thrown in the bag.

So I cooked them up last night, but instead of boiling or roasting I decided to throw them in the mikey. Peeled and cubed them, tossed them with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and cooked them until they were soft. And wouldn't you know it, they were the life of the party. Instead of the "Ewww, what the heck are these?" I expected to hear, instead I got "We want more!"

And so I said to the kids, "Wow, you guys really like these! They must taste really good, eh? Guess your ole mom is a gourmet cook." There was a beat of silence during which they exchanged glances, then Gunnar says, "Well, yeah, they do taste really good... but..."

"Mostly we just want to see our pee and poop look all red and bloody!!" Ardan piped in.

Niiiiiiiice.

Meet "Lainee", the "Psycho Drum Killer"

My daughter is a natural; she's got rhythm, talent, and of course, those killer Kasha looks. Is it any wonder she picked up the drumsticks and started banging away like she'd been on tour for years? I'm so proud. When she played her very first song, Eye of the Tiger, we all kind of stood there in stupified amazement like, Is this really happening? She can't be that good, can she? Holy crap, look at her go! If she gets to a part of a song that gives her trouble, I just stand behind her and guide her hands through the rough patch and that's all it takes. The next time she hits that part, she's got it. Its actually kind of thrilling, to see this raw potential and talent in such a tiny package. It makes me excited for what her future will be, what other talents and interests she'll have and develop over the coming years.

She even created a Rock Band 2 character, Lainee, who is a punk rocker with shocking pink hair in long pigtails with pink and purple bangs, has a pink skull tattoo on her arm, has pink and purple Kiss-style eye makeup, and of course, electric pink lipstick. Lainee's band is named Psycho Drum Killer because: one, Psycho Killer was one of the first songs she excelled at; and two, she obviously kills on the drums. So playing Rock Band is her new addiction; its the first thing she wants to do in the morning, I have to limit her to a four-song set list, and she'll continue to ask me all day long, "When can I play drums again?" She wants to show off her newfound talent to everyone and anyone. And so...

Take it away, Lainee....