Follow Up on Moo Start Up

Mom asked Dad to give the Moo three dollars today, because the school is hosting its annual Talon Tournament (basketball) and the student council was selling concessions. Mom was not sure if they would selling them during today's school-wide pep rally, and wanted to make sure the Moo had money in case they were and she wanted to purchase something. Dad called Mom at work this morning as he was taking the girls to school:

Dad: What was the money for again? I gave her three dollars but she does not know what it is for.

Mom: It's for the pep rally at the Talon Tournament.

Dad: ???

Mom: Let me talk to her.

Moo: Hi Mommy!

Mom: Moo, the money is for the Talon Tournament, in case you want to buy something. I'm not sure if they will be selling things during the pep rally, but in case they are I wanted to make sure you had some money. You don't have to spend it.

Moo: I am not going to, even if they are selling things!

Mom: Really? Why not?

Moo: I'm going to use it to start up my business again!

Apparently, when you are in the LCDS rock selling business, three dollars in seed money goes a long way!

Sign of the Times

The economic ennui appears to even be effecting the Kindergarten set. Below is as close to a verbatim transcript as possible of a conversation in my car after picking up the Moo from her afterschool art club:

Moo: Mom, today was a good day and a bad day.

Mom: How was it a good day?

Moo: K and I started a business. We set up a store and we sold rocks. All kinds of rocks, big ones and small ones.

Mom: That sounds like fun!

Moo: Yeah, but we went out of business. That's the bad part.

Mom: Oh, did recess end? Did the teachers tell you not to play with rocks?

Moo: (sad) No, we didn't get enough customers. We sold the rocks to some big kids, but we only made one penny, and we needed to make 25 cents. (indignant) They started paying us with walnuts and sticks and we could not make any money with walnuts and sticks. So we had to close up the shop. (brightening up) I think tomorrow we will go back in business though! I think maybe a restaurant will be a better idea!

Bean: AN AMBIENCE RESTAURANT!!!

Mom: You know, statistically, most restaurants fail in their first year.

Moo: Whatever . . .

Recycled Pooch!

The LCDS student council Green Committee is holding a contest to raise money to buy new recycling containers for the school. It's a sculpture contest, the only rules being that the sculptures have to be made from recyclable materials. The Moo loves to participate in the school's contests, as evidenced by past postings that have included the posters she has made for the Fall Fun Fair and her Gingerbread lure. This time was no exception. We asked the Moo what she wanted to make, and she said she wanted to make a sculpture of Fidel. She identified the materials she wanted to use, and drew a mock up of the sculpture. Mom and Dad helped when the hot glue gun was needed, but otherwise the end result was designed and executed by the Moo. We think the Recycled Fidel is AWESOME, and Fidel seems to agree!
Speaking of Fidel, the Moo woke up this morning determined to rename him Henry. I don't know why, and I don't know why Henry, but we had to tell her that after two weeks of teaching him his name is Fidel, that ship has probably sailed. She settled on making Henry his middle name. The girls are over at their music corner right now, singing a song the Bean made up. The Bean is playing guitar and the Moo is playing her drum kit. The name of the song? "Evil Fidel." Bean, why did you a song called "Evil Fidel?" Bean says: It is because he is cute. He eats stuff and he destroys stuff. In the song the aliens come and he is terrified." Apparently, the dog found the Bean's newly acquired alien doll and chewed on it. She chose to take her revenge in song.

Yay, Bean!!

We received official notification today that the Bean was accepted at LCDS!! We are very proud of her (and very much looking forward to having only one school to drop off and pick up children at)!

Bean says: I feel very fine going to Molly's school. I am excited about the parties and about Jake.

Happy Heart Day!

Just a quick update on what has been happening in the Moo Bean house this week. We have not had much time to update the blog or anything else, as we have pretty much been consumed with trying to housebreak the puppy. Thus far we have had mixed success -- he gets what we want him to do when we take him outside, but does not appear to have grasped the other half of the equation (that this is not something we want to see him do inside). Dad worked all last weekend and until about midnight every night during the week, so the housebreaking duties feel mostly on mom, leaving her little time for anything else including feeding the girls, since the dog had to be watched every minute. I am sure last week will fondly be remembered by the girls as a fast food fiesta -- not my proudest moment as a mom!

Dad's week finally started to lighten up on Friday, and on Saturday we enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day. We had our traditional family date at the Hidden Horse Tavern in Middleburg. The food was great and the girls could not have been better behaved. The owner always remembers us and remarks on how the girls have grown, which I find very impressive considering he only sees us once a year. We followed that up with a trip downtown on Sunday to see Disney on Ice at the Verizon Center; the girls enjoyed it but did not seem as engaged as they generally are when we take them to see plays, so I am not sure we will be repeat customers of this particular show. We had a really good time, regardless.

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are some thoughts from the girls on love:

Bean: Valentines are candy and sweet, sweet, sweet chocolate and gifts and hugs and kisses. Love is hugs and kisses and also love. I am a vulture so I love garbage. I dig in every single dumpster. If I was not a vulture, I would love clean stuff.

Moo: Love is little bugs that bite you and make you love someone. That's my guess. Valentines are things that make people happy that you give to your favorite people. I love Fidel because he is so soft and cute. I also love Mommy because she always gives me Valentines and Daddy because he always gives me Valentines. I love Hani because he was a good fish to me and I love Pizza because he was really funny. At school I love Laura because me and her are best friends.

Secret Joys of Naming Your Dog after a Communist Dictator

(warning: some adult language follows):
Despite the fact that some people assume the name is an homage, there is a lot of pleasure to be had by saying the following phrases, all of which I have uttered in the past week:

• Fidel lacks control of his bowels
• In three months, we can neuter Fidel
• Fidel can be a real pain in the ass.

El comandante en jefe!

Below is a slide show with some recent pictures of the Moo and Bean putting together puzzles with Dad and enjoying our newest family member, Fidel the pooch. And no his name is not an homage to any aging Caribbean dictators. It's a perfectly good name that has unfortunately been sullied by association, and it has the benefit of being a nice reference to both Soviet era Russia and Latin American, two important areas in Grandpa D's and Grandma L's professional lives, and therefore in my life growing up.

He is a good little boy and has settled in very nicely. Last night we had no issues at all with him, including no crying or whining during the night. He did well in his little space while Mom was at work, and we have only had one indoor "incident" (five seconds after Dad asked "should we take him outside" and Mom said "He just drank, let's give him a few minutes" it turned out that, as per usual, Dad was right). Anyway, he is adorable, he is tolerant of the girls, and he seems thus far to be a perfect addition to our family. He was a wonderful birthday/Valentines present from Dad, who seems to be the one who most enjoys playing with him! [Click on the slide show window to get to Picasa, and then select Slideshow to view the pictures in larger form]

Ice Capades

Here are the little ones enjoying the results of last week's ice storm. Sorry not to type more, but I have the newest member of the family -- a miniature dachshund named Fidel -- on my lap. Will post pics once we take some!