Stuff

1) The Gatekeepers is a very interesting documentary, and I highly suggest you watch it. It's about the Shin Bet, an Israeli intelligence/security operation (distinct from but in communication with (I believe) the Mossad and the Knesset), and the belief in the two-state solution. 2) Tom just stubbed his toe, to the point of bleeding, whilst stretching. I needn't say more, right? Jesus h.

3) Jack had an enormous meltdown today when, after telling him not to do something five times, I caught him in the act of doing just that. He lost dessert for two days, not least because he actually disobeyed and then lied about doing so, and then accused me of being horribly unfair. I was laughing my face off because the entire situation was so ludicrous and said to him, "Jack, this is absolutely riDONKulous." He then got even angrier and proclaimed, "that is NOT EVEN A WORD." I'm still laughing.

Book date, oh my

After camp today, I took the boys to the Grands' house with me (they love them) and then we went for frozen yogurt and to the bookstore for a book date (bowling was cancelled because our sweet friends, whom we were supposed to meet at the alley, tested their mother's nerves just a bit too much this morning and so lost the privilege of our outing; good for you, mama!!). Anyway, at the bookstore, each of my loves got to choose one book and after no deliberation, Oliver chose Polite as a Princess. Jack spent twenty minutes in flux because there was no hardback copy of Harry Potter #4, The Goblet of Fire to be found so what to do: order or choose another? He opted for Socks, by Beverly Clearly, which thrilled me because Ramona Quimby, Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford and so forth are some of my best childhood literary memories. Regarding Oliver's choice, he has come to the Princess love a bit later than did Jack, but a) I think it's darling, and b) why on earth would I argue against purchasing a book about being polite?! On the contrary, I was thrilled and we read it three times before bedtime.

Twenty minutes ago, I went in to check on the kids and found Polite as a Princess tucked under Ol's pillow. This was rather endearing because he'd made a big to-do about putting it on his  bookshelf  before bed, as if he weren't dying to sleep with it. I wonder if I'd even closed the door before he snuck out and fetched it for a sleep-mate. Anyway, I kissed Jack, who sleeps like a hibernating bear, and then went into Ol's room to kiss him. He awoke, said he was thirsty, drank a big glass of water, looked at me beatifically and puked all over about six times. Oh lordy, say it with me, "it is always something."

I washed his feet and hands, Tom brushed his teeth, I tucked him back in bed with PaaP under his pillow. I think it is Camp Mommy tomorrow. And with that I bid you goodnight!

Silly morning, and so forth

This morning at 4:20am, I was awakened for the second time by darling Oliver. First he was thirsty and needed to go to the bathroom (OK, great, but why this needed to involve me is unclear); then, wait for it, he was beset by dueling boogers, one in each "nose" as he calls his nostrils. "Mom, do you have Kleenexes?" "Of course, honey." "Can you help me with the boogers in my nose?" "OK." "First this side, yuk."

Yuk it was, and I'll spare you further detail.

"Now there is one in this nose." "Got it, Ol." "Where is Tool Sheet?" "Honey, I don't know. Please go back to bed." "OK, Mom. I love you. I want to kiss your nose."

This is all very dear but I suspect Oliver has mastered the art of loving, procrastinatory BS. Ya think?

By 5:40a, I was starting to feel hostile so hauled it down to the basement where I slept until 8:45, then woke with a start, raced upstairs to make sure everyone was fine, found that T had actually made lunches and was about to take the kids to camp (husband of the year) and then noticed a very strange tinge to Ol's legs. As I came to find out, he had taken it upon himself to color his body with black marker. Jack had very helpfully smothered Ol's back in this nightly hue, and then they had sort of air-brushed everything with their hands. Long story short, Oliver looked rather gray all over but it was too late to do anything so I simply sent yet another email to camp, this time clarifying that no, the children aren't filthy so please ignore all discoloration. Truly, it is always something. And I sometimes question my fatigue and spaciness. For the love... They are pretty amusing children most of the time so there's that.

I just got back from the doctor because two days ago, the baddest day, while in the dressing room of a favorite workout wear store indulging in some serious retail therapy, I noticed a golf ball-sized lump just to the left of my upper spine. I'm not much in the way of a physical health worrier, but this was odd so I scheduled a look-see. People, it seems it is a lipoma which is nothing more than a fat deposit. Is it all the ricotta I eat? Shite, this is just nasty but benign it is, so c'est la vie. The doctor said I could get it ultrasounded (ridiculous; this is the prob with our healthcare system; to his credit he did not recommend this!) or just wait and see. I'll just wait and see.

Always something.