Rituals, routines, & schedules

Children love them; routines, rituals, & schedules! Anyone who wants to argue, I am solidly convinced, is either an idiot or simply ignorant. Part of our Friday routine...

Every Friday is storytime for the 2 & under age group at our local public library. Adelaide loves the library and finds storytime very amusing. It's also a good time for mamas to visit, so this Mama is happy oblige Bitty's insistent requests that we attend. Also, we get new books for the week as I can only handle reading the same thing for so long.

Emily & Johanna sent us some cute headbands and hats and Bitty insisted on wearing hers to storytime. She thought it would "... look just lovely, Fancy Nancy would like it Mama!"

Kolleen here is our storytime hostess and she loves to do it and the kids are ardent admirers. She tells a mean story, sings really silly songs, and even starts the session with bubbles.

LindyJean, Bitty, Violet, and Holly (Holly is my good friend and walking companion). Bitty is obviously jazzed 'bout her iridescent floating friends.

LindyJean is always absorbed in the storytime rituals and behaves herself quite nicely when we go.

The throne.

This may be slightly crass, but the photo is something I find very amusing. LindyJean uses the throne.

One evening, before bath time I set her on the toilet. As she can sit up and she's not so small she'll fall in, I thought if I poured a little warm water on her she would relieve herself there and not in the bath. Subsequently, she pooped and has every time I've done it. Bizarre.

Adelaide gives her much encouragement and it has become obvious, even at the tender age of 7 months, that Bitty's approval is very much sought after.

I apologize to our loyal followers for my lack of updates. Staci called me the other day and asked me (as we usually talk on the phone everyday, at least once), "What are you doing lately - your blogging stinks and I haven't talked to you much." She may have threatened blog purgatory and possibly excommunication if I didn't get it together and post something soon. Of course, my lame excuses are that we are super, dooper busy and I can't ever remember to snap photos. There's been plenty of social occasions presented for excellent photo opportunities... however, I haven't managed to remove the camera from my bag. Either way, I intend to do better, we'll see!

Ducks & Auburn

Last night, our neighbor (who is a former U of O quarterback) hosted a party at our local brewery so we could all gather (40 people or so) to watch the Oregon/Auburn championship game. Needless to say, the whole Lusk family are freaks for the Ducks. The entire brewery was decked out in yellow and green, they gave out door prizes, costumes, and beer. It was a hoot. While the Ducks may have lost, it was an incredible football game to watch and Mr. Stagg enjoyed himself immensely.

As a graduate of Oregon State, Eric is a Beavers fan and so he and Kevin constantly go back and forth over the Ducks and Beavs. Kevin did not find Eric's apparel to be Duck enough, so he hooked him up with something very festive indeed.

6 months and counting...

The baby has reached the six month mark. Aunty Staci, whose talents are beyond me, snapped a couple photos of Miss LindyJean, Butterbean, in honor of the occasion. Most of them are black and white as the light was not fabulous and photographer Staci demands perfection. Unbeknownst to me - black and white hides lighting imperfections with grace and ease.

A word about LindyJean Cornelia Stagg. She is roly-poly, cuddly, loves to shriek and squeal, giggles at Bitty's antics, has little patience (when she wants something, she wants it immediately), adores her older sister, digs commotion, and is a keen observer of her surroundings. She is very much attached to Mama (& Mama to her). She loves Daddy's silly faces & odd noises. She is a blessing and a beauty. We love her.