Happy Birthday to Sophie!

...unfortunately she's had better. Monday night she was complaining of a tummy ache, and Tuesday morning she said her legs hurt. I took her on an errand or two, thinking she had just slept on them wrong, but when they were still sore to the touch an hour or two later, we went straight to the doctor. He tested her for the swine flu and it came back negative, but she's on antivirals just in case since she's got every symptom except the cough. Poor thing. Not much fun to barf all over on your birthday! The mermaid party had to be postponed, so more pictures later on that...

Happy Fifth birthday Sophie Sopra Tootie Toodles Joy!

Just Venting

It seems to me that if you compare current politicians' words and actions these days, they just don't add up. I don't care what your party affiliation is, or where you get your news - facts are facts. And there are some serious liars out there. "There are no earmarks in this bill." No, only over 7,000 of them. "I don't want to take over GM." Lie - Obama did and gave it over to the unions as a payoff for their support. "Acorn will receive no more federal funding." Lie: it will be reinstated at the end of October, but nobody is reporting that. "If you have insurance that you like right now, under this plan, you can keep it." Lie: see page 84 of Baucus bill. "It won't give health coverage for illegal aliens." Lie: see page 50. "Abortion will not be covered." Lie. "Care won't be rationed." Lie. Lie lie lie. It's all such a huge power grab. I am so sick of it.

I wish I didn't have to care, but this is my future and the future of my kids, and of my country, that we're talking about there. It is my duty as a mother and an American citizen to care. I CARE!

Divine Del Mar

We just spent a week down in Nana and Papa's new place in Del Mar, CA (just north of San Diego) and it was jaw-dropping. Inlaid marble everything, a movie theater room, personal golf cart for getting around the resort (the Grand Del Mar), a grand piano you can program to play anything for you, private yard with hot tub, three gorgeous pools, a spa to die for, and the most dazzling palm trees I've ever seen. A private elevator and butler? Really? But where's my private lounge and pool boy? Oh, right there.

It is a really tough life.
A California sunset after dinner at Il Fornaio in Del Mar.

What's a trip to SoCal without Disneyland? Highlights: meeting up with dear LA friend Pam Welch, the ice cream sundaes at the Golden Horseshoe and a good dinner with Nana and Papa in the French Quarter, and hopping on to Peter Pan without a single second waiting in line!

The Fab Four: Haley Cranney, Gracie Hunter, Maggie, Katelyn Cranney

Poolside catering, a favorite with all the grandkids.

The Foyer (you must say it in a snobby French accent). The elevator's to the left, spiral staircase to the right. I kept expecting footmen to greet me at the door and give me back my glass slipper.

Our real favorite thing: playing constantly with the cousins! We actually had two villas this time, right next to each other. The Cranneys and Dave Hunters stayed in one, and the Lambs, us, and Nana and Papa, were in the other. We swam, rode the golf carts, put on plays, went on walks, and watched movies to our hearts' content! Kenneficks and Rochester Hunters, we missed you!!!!

When can we go back?

Funnies

Had a few good laughs today already - Spencer took off this morning down the street, and when I caught up with him and asked where he was going, he said "Nana and Papa's house." I asked him how he was going to get there, and he calmly assured me he was going to walk. He'll do anything to see his grandparents, I guess! See ya next spring, buddy!

Then later, Sophie told me her penis was hurting. Had to have a little talk with her about that one. Sure, I guess that "penis" kind of sounds like "peepee", one of our euphemisms for the female part, but really... it sounded so funny coming out in her sweet, girly, innocent little voice! I guess I've been a little free with the term around here lately as we've contemplated potty training Spencer...