THE! Elmo Cake

My sweet baby boy is now one year old. We had a small cook-out the weekend before his birthday. For this occasion, I baked a tiny two-layer round cake especially for him. Brett tore into it. By the end of the evening, he was a chocolate, blue icing mess (an understatement), but his messy happiness was positively contagious.

Well, when Andrew and I decided to invite our family over for a shindig the weekend of Brett's special day, I knew we would just have to have another cake. I already had Sesame Street on the brain when I discovered the Elmo cake pan at Michael's. Luckily (and oh so conveniently), I also had a handy 40% off coupon, too. I spent hours locating the proper preparation materials and cooking-up this work of Elmo art. The effort, time, and energy I expended were all worth it--Elmo came out looking fabulous!

It was so neat for me to do something so different, so out-of-line with my habitual interests. Before Brett's Elmo, I had never even considered decorating a cake. And now? Haha...Don't get too excited. I'm thinking once a year is probably often enough. We shall see!

Nico, the new creature

We have a new visitor at the Johnston home. It's the same story every time.

I come home from work, walk up the front steps, and everything goes down hill from here.
Me (to myself): Do I hear barking? [my pulse quickens, my face reddens, and I clinch my fists]
Me (aloud now): Andrew!!!!! Is there another dog in my house?
Drew (through shaky laughter): Uh, yeah.
Me: Why do you keep bringing dogs home?
Drew: You never let me keep them.
Me: Because you keep bringing them home!

We usually carry this conversation full circle a couple of times before I storm off, screaming, "You do not respect me!"

This week's lucky puppy is a two year-old Yorkie named Nico. He's pretty cute, I guess. He is badly in need of a hair cut, though. I think it's safe to say he's fairly normal. Although, he is a licker. I'm not so fond of lickers, really. According to Andrew, licking issues or not, Nico is sticking around. I can't help but wonder: if I give in, when will the madness stop?

I suppose things could be far worse. We have had some special dogs over the last five years. I'll attempt a recap.

1. India, the crazy yellow Lab
2. Some old Shih Tzu, blind as a bat--deaf, too, if I remember correctly, escaped under the fence the very first day at our house
3. Sheba, the Chinese Crested peed everywhere
4. I think there was a chocolate lab puppy somewhere in here. I don't recall a name.
5. Bennett, the Maltese puppy who had Parvo and loved rolling around in his poop
6. Grits, the mutt brother of Biscuit and Gravy(?), thought he could scale my shower curtain. I had a breakdown over this one.
7. Diego came next! (He had a broken leg.)
8. Savannah, the Doberman with a broken leg
9. Mr. Al, the black Lab who did not like to be touched
10. Champ, the black Lab who was terrified of thunder and once jumped on my head during the middle of the night
11. and now, Nico

It is likely that I've forgotten a few names here and there. It really is difficult to remember them all. The top ten, though, they'll stick with me, I'm sure.

I guess, for now, I'll just pray, for the preservation of my own sanity, that Nico remains mentally and physically stable and that my dear, sweet husband does not feel inclined to foster any more creatures any time soon.

Skippyjon is back... and we're loving him!

Every night before sleepy time, we (my sons: Connor-5, Brett-10 months, husband: Andrew, and myself) all snuggle into Connor's tiny twin bed. Connor insist that both Brett and he "be in the middle," even on nights when it's just the three of us (because Daddy's busy) and there can only really be one little boy in the middle. Naturally, though, I agree because as Connor says, "It is more snugly bugly that way."

When we're finally settled and squished together in the most snugly way, I ask Connor which story he'd like to read. He has quite the library--all of my children's books, his uncle's, even some of his Mimi's childhood favorites, not to mention the many treasures resulting from my fast pass to the Scholastic warehouse sale (FABULOUS!). With so many options, it seems Connor can never choose just one book. Thus, every evening I have the privilege of making the choice myself, pulling my favorites from the shelves, fingering their pages, and smiling at the opportunity to share those favorites with my two little guys.

We have certainly acquired some new favorites (thanks to that fast pass) recently. We love all things Mo Willems and David Shannon. As of late, though, Judy Schachner's silly kitty, Skippyjon Jones, has once again topped our list. He's back in Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones. Who wouldn't adore a tiny Siamese kitten with humongous ears, who aspires to be Skippito the chihuahua of his day dreams? Clever names, playful alliteration, and a sing-song beat make this story enjoyable for kids and grown-ups, too. You'll be on the edge of your bed as you seek to determine the fate of Skippito Friskito in his closet adventures. No spoilers here, though! You'll have to check it out yourself. I will warn you; it has life-altering potential. We are seriously considering changing Don Diego's (more to come on our family's very own chihuahua soon) name to Skippito Friskito. Yes, it's just that good. You'll see.