Sorry her name was Lucretia but a great quote

“In the true married relationship, the independence of husband and wife will be equal, their dependence mutual, and their obligations reciprocal.” -Lucretia Mott, 1840s

Amen, Lucretia. Me likes your words! Which is why this morning, as my husband attempted to stay in bed despite having had a hotel room to himself since Sunday, I refused to let him do so. Reciprocal parenting obligations my dear!

Yesterday, Oliver, who has been practicing so diligently at writing all the letters ("in big ones, you know, uppercase"), made me a card. I was very touched to see "MOM" carefully crafted as I don't think he's written that word before. However, I then saw that the word just before Mom was, wait for it, "BUTT." Butt is his very favorite word other than Oliver. It was the third word he could ever spell and as far as I know, the second he learned to write. If you think I take great pride in this, you're slightly off. Yes, yes, I'm happy he's spelling and writing, but BUTT? Recently he wrote LOVE and that was very dear, a nice change of direction. Anyway, I said, "Ol, did you just make me a card that says BUTT MOM?" Oliver: "hah! yes! BUTT MOM! hah!"

Good lord.

Two days ago, Oliver was pretend-reading (which I love and definitely support!) a book in the hall outside Jack's bedroom door. Jack said, "Ol, those are not the real words" to which I replied, "Jack, it doesn't matter, he's learning." I then heard Jack mutter, "yeah, yeah, I guess at least he's furthering his education." Hah!

Hubs is home, tired as get-out

Seeing T walk through the door added three months back to my life, so happy and relieved felt I. I was sad to have a meeting tonight because I really just wanted to snuggle in with him, but while I was out he got his Breaking Bad fix and built Ol's birthday bike, even personalizing it by replacing the original handlebar pads with bright orange ones, Mr. O's favorite color. I am so tired I can hardly type but hey, there's a new pope in town. He's South American, he's Jesuit, he's an advocate for the poor. Amen! I think the fact that he has an Italian last name iced the cake. And even though I think there's something fishy about the Vatican and its inner workings, I do find the whole conclave and white smoke business cool in a steeped-in-tradition kinda way.

Quick dinner recap

Unfortunately, I took the "pig at the trough" thing a bit too seriously last night and went to bed uncomfortably full. Two bowls of beans will do that to you I suppose. These were tasty I tell you. Mmm!

And the tart. Mamma mia was the candied kumquat tart divine. I will post the recipe today.

Friends, my husband (who has not yet left Austin) cannot get home soon enough. This Mom is on her last leg.