Filanthropy Friday

I'm pro-protesting (the peaceful kind). 

During the past week, I've been fascinated by the Occupy Wall Street movement.  Their major position is that they are sick and tired of the greed from the top 1% of our country.  The movement represents  the diverse group Americans who comprise the bottom 99%.   They are peacefully protesting in Liberty Square.  

I've read a few articles that say this is like the Tea Party for Democrats although the movement claims to be non-political (there is actually a Occupy Party website, but the Occupy Wall Street group is not affiliated).  I do feel that regardless of the political party in power our government is run by a small number of corporations. 

Occupy Wall Street doesn't seem to have clearly defined goals (although, one should be - free cookie dough for everyone), but I'm excited to see people doing something (even if that's just standing in the streets with clever signs). 

This week I donated $10 to Occupy Wall Street.  I hope they use my money to make signs and buy cookie dough.

The movement is spreading and there's an Occupy Austin -  marching today on Bank of America at 4 PM. I donated $5 to them.  I hope they use my $5 to make it rain (like real water falling from the sky). 

Dear Cash - 18 months

Dear little man,

Eighteen months!  Happy half-birthday my little sugar man.

Eighteen months feels like such a milestone.  I look at the pictures I've taken of you in recent days and think - He's turning into a little boy.  What happened to my baby?

You were barely starting solid foods this time last year and now you're a little carb-eating machine.  It's not very shocking that you love your cards - bread, cereal, rice, cookie - your dad and I love them too.

You use sign language like crazy right now, but still no real words except for "ut-oh" and sometimes/kind of "bye".

Your new addiction is Yo Gabba Gabba.  You have actually started watching television - your dad and I don't know whether to feel thankful  or like bad parents.  In the afternoon, when I'm getting your stuff ready for the next day - I can give you two crackers and say, Go sit down and eat your crackers. And you'll hop on the couch and sit there mesmerized by the television while slowly eating your crackers.  It's pretty cute.

You still love outside and if given the choice between television and outside, outside always wins.

It is so difficult to believe that six months from now - you will be TWO YEARS OLD!  I'm still kind of in denial that you are a year old. 

There is nothing I wouldn't give to keep your whole life free from pain, sadness or sickness.  Everyday I am more  grateful than the last for your smile, laugh and health.  You make your father and I so happy - I know we're your parents, but we find you endlessly entertaining. 

Please be sweet to me and your dad and please don't grow up too quickly.  

Love you so much,

Mom

To celebrate your half birthday today - I got you a cupcake.

As a comparison, here's a picture of you and your cupcake from a year ago.

Here's a picture today.

 

I know, you don't look very interested in it - I have failed you as a mother.  My takeaway from this experience is that I've grossly underfed you cupcakes this past year.  I promise to work on this for the next twelve months.

Wordless Wednesday

Again with the Yassos

This morning most of our running group did Yasso 800s. 

My one running friend didn't do 800s today because she's running in the Chicago Marathon this weekend. I blame her for my slower-than-last-time Yassos. 

We were supposed to do two more than last time, so I should have done eight (others should have done ten).  However, I'm beginning to think that the other runners in my group are cheaters (or maybe, I'm just really slow).  I got to yasso #6 and I was the only one left on the track (except for the high school kids) so I stopped after #7. 

All my times were between 4:10 - 4:25 and I'll poop magic beans if I run a 4 hour 25 minute marathon. 

Here's is Cub today trespassing in our neighbor's yard.

Misfit Monday

Misfits - official trade show picture:

 

New misfit - hard at work:

 

Little Cub - up to no good: 

Great Day!

OK - lots going on, so I'll just do bullet points.

• 10 mile run yesterday - great and easy. I LOVE it when 10 miles is easy (it also didn't hurt that it was 59 degrees).
• Went to movie with Liz yesterday afternoon - Killer Elite (about 2 cookies) - the action stuff was fun, but the plot was just so-so.  However, you don't need a great plot for a fun Saturday matinee.
• This morning I went to a Baby Mama's brunch and it was so nice seeing them.  It's so hard to believe that we've only known each other about 17 months.  
• Cub has tooth #9 and I think #10 will be here soon.  This has meant a little grumpiness.  
• This afternoon, we took Cub to an elementary school playground that had a really nice selection of toddler toys.  Here he is playing peek-a-boo inside a little house.

 

We also took puppy to the park (I think his name is becoming Riggs) - he had a good time too. 

 

Here's a cute picture of Buttin, Cub and puppy at home in the backyard this afternoon.

In honor of Fantastic Fest (the one week movie festival Buttin has been at) ending, Cub decided to make his own little horror movie - via red washable paint all over himself. 

Puppy : Day 1

OK Wow - I forgot how much work is involved when having a puppy - especially when the puppy is an ultra-mega puppy.

The training is slowly coming back to me . . .

Puppy still doesn't have an official name.  In all honesty, I think I'm holding off on falling completely in love with him until puppy is a little more integrated.  I have to keep reminding myself that this big-little dog has been through a lot in the last month or so and throwing a new house, new owners, two cats and a napoleon-esque chihuahua at him all at the same time is probably a little overwhelming. 

For the most part, puppy is pretty calm and has managed (in one day) to learn to spend a little time outside alone and in his crate without barking. This is actually quite a bit of progress considering where we started the day (barking anytime he was left alone).   

Cub seems to be getting used to puppy, but I'm sure it'll take a little while.  This puppy moves a lot faster than Molly did and I think all he motion is a little frightening.  We're really trying to focus on getting puppy oriented to the pack order (meaning that Cub is above puppy).  Cash gave puppy lots of kisses on his feet and nose today and overall their interactions were very sweet.  

At one point today, they were both in the kiddie pool together.  Here they are playing next to the pool.