Domestic Escapades

We have been busy living our regular lives...so this could easily be the most boring post ever.

Bruce has been teaching Kate to play chess. She calls it "Chest" and is very curious to know who are the "bad guys" and who are the "good guys."

She also spent yesterday playing all day with her favorite friends Whitney and Camilla. They decorated cupcakes...

...and had a picnic outside. We have been so happy for the beautiful weather. Except for Powder, anyway. Due to her exceptionally bad stinkiness level, I have forced her to spend her days outside in the sunshine instead of letting her sleep her day away in my bedroom. Honestly, though, her smell has been terrible. Bruce and the girls bathed her today- Bruce pulled out all the stops and used Dawn dish detergent on her. No wonder she's mad at us- I bet she's itching like heck right about now.

Kiki has verbally advanced to 3-word combinations. Examples follow:

Kate: (it doesn't matter what she says, really, Kiki's response is the same)

Kiki: You Go 'Way!

Me: Kiki, don't you want to wear your pretty new dress? (I attempted to find a replica for her favorite dress that she is quickly outgrowing)

Kiki: No, It Stinky.

Kiki throws open the shower curtain on me as I'm showering.

Me: What do you want?

Kiki: Peed down leg.

She also says, "Watch show. Spongebob."

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I've had a couple of questions about my "Health Regimen." I'll summarize. Yes, I'm still taking chia seeds (the things that you use on Chia pets. You have an obligation to now sing, "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!"). For the unitiated, the seeds are protein and fiber rich, and are higher in Omega 3's than flax, with no grinding necessary. For me, they have the added benefit of seriously regulating my blood sugar. I'm completing an online food diary (caloriecount.about.com) which is a great little tool for guaging calories in and calories burned. I try to have a 1000-1500 caloric shortfall daily. The database has about every food you can imagine, so there's no excuse for not recording the cupcakes you're eating from Costco. They're on there. I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day. Lastly, I work out 10 times a week. Not a typo. On the weekdays I wake up at 4:40 a.m. so I can meet my gym partner for an hour of cardio and 20 minutes of weights, weekends I run or do the elliptical at home, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, I do a workout from Jillian Micheals. When I summarize all that, all I can think is that I should be a lot more buff than I actually am. But, I'm feeling really good.

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We got our taxes done, and thankfully will be getting a fat refund this year. Guess all those business losses paid off. In a way.

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Lastly, Bruce and I were watching a show about surfing early this morning, and he said, "Those guys are so lucky that they get to do exactly what they always dreamed of doing." Later I thought, 'I must be lucky, too, because I do.' I always hoped that when I had kids I would be able to be at home with them, and I consider myself very blessed that I get to. I try not to take it for granted, especially since my privilege is made possible only because of Bruce's hard work. He's awesome.