Bibbity bobbity who?

Daddy threw Munchkin off the other day by requesting that she say the "magic word" before receiving something. She'd never heard that phrase before (usually we just say "what do you say?" or look at her with raised eyebrows). So I told her that there are words that make things happen, like "Bibbity bobbity boo." I then asked her if she remembered who says bibbity bobbity boo. She nodded and said, tentatively, "Cinderella's... sparkly friend."

More Athens pictures

In case you didn't already figure it out, I was in Athens last week (at my company's European User Conference). Here are a few more pictures. Most are of/near the Acropolis, with the exception of the last one, which is actually the view from my hotel room. So there's a tree in the way, but I was still pretty impressed. I think it's... The Temple of Zeus? Eh - not as much time for sightseeing and history lessons as I would have liked... But awfully nice to see anyway.

I spent most of the time in the hotel's conference center doing demos, talking with customers, and generally being a diligent employee. But I did get an afternoon to sight-see (thus, the numerous pics of the Acropolis, which was just a 15-minute walk from the hotel). And I also got two evenings to head out on non-work dinners out, which were very European and enjoyable. (Read: long and leisurely, with good food.)

As fun as it was to be able to go exploring a bit, and see new things, I was relieved to get home... the Munchkin was dealing okay with my absence, but she had returned to waking in the middle of the night (not seen since teething last fall) and general crankiness at bedtime and at drop-off for daycare. I think she's happy to be back in the regular routine. Mom's home, and all is right with the world.

Today's funny: "angel muffins" instead of "english muffins." Which reminds me, we have the only child in recorded history who doesn't like peanut butter. What's up with that? Even people who are allergic to it like it. Weird taste buds, this one.

Three guesses...

...where I was last week... No photoshopping or anything -- that's really me up there. More later, but had to show off this one. I don't get to travel anywhere fun for my job very often (and for sure nowhere as cool as this before) so this was a nice perk. The only downside is that with a toddler at home, it didn't make sense to do as a family trip, so I left Monday and came back Friday -- am still jetlagged.

The Munchkin did more-or-less OK... bedtime and daycare drop-offs weren't so good, but she seemed to do well the rest of the time.

Still haven't guessed where it is? Here's a hint: that's the Parthenon.

More soon...

New duds

Miss Thing in her cute new clothes -- note the new dress for Baby too!

Little sailor

Another lake outing, this time on a paddleboat... Munchkin did great, as you can probably tell from this picture. She wasn't too wild about the lifejacket, but she wanted to (and got to) sit in her own paddleboat seat and had a marvelous time. Not quite as many turtles this time around, but there's always lots to see and comment on.

She's on the cusp of constant speech, which makes it funny when she wants to have the effect of talking as fast as us, but doesn't have enough real words to say. The other day, she said to me conspiratorally, "Momma, come here, I want to tell you something." I dutifully came over, and she started in on complete babble, all the while motioning with her hands as if to make a point and nodding her head periodically. Then she said, "OK, see you later" which was clearly my cue to leave.

Our poor cat

Max is one good cat. He has put up with squealing in his ears, being pet backwards (up his fur, not down it), getting his tail tickled, and a range of other indignities without losing his cat cool. Last night was the latest round: being covered up with a towel by Munchkin because she thought he might be cold. She first did this inside, then followed him outside and continued re-covering him while he sat on the front lawn. The next door neighbors were cracking up at all this.

The others are Munchkin showing off her new dress (notice the ketchup stain -- argh). That will come out in the wash, with any luck (and a lot of Shout). And the other of the princess riding her carriage (with the hapless horse hiding out underneath).

Rowing!

The Munchkin finally, after much anticipation, finally went on a boat in the river this past weekend. She was not so happy about it initially -- she looked like she was nervous to even move her head, but loosened up about halfway through, and by the end of our trip, was leaning over the side of the canoe to dip her hand in the water. We also all went to a special flower park, which was very hot but very pretty.

The next two pictures are from breakfast the other day. Cutie-patootie in her braids, and the first picture she's taken all by herself (with a little aiming help from Mom). She was very proud of herself, and I have to say it's a pretty darn good first picture. Maybe she'll take over the photography arm of this blog. ;-) Apologies for the photo graininess all around... These are all phone pics... Some days we're just not coordinated enough to bring along the real camera.