A JC Penny Ad and Some Knowledge The Boogaloo Has Gathered in Her One Year and One Month Here on the Planet

Part of me thinks, "Advertising fail. I will never smile while because of using a whisk broom." On the other hand, part of me thinks, "It would probably be better for my mental health and general well being if I at least gave smiling while using a whisk brook a shot."

Newest favorite activity for The Boogaloo: taking off the door to the filter for the washing machine. As you can see, we're slightly concerned about the fact that it won't go back on as easily as it comes off, but that's okay. We'll just throw it in the cat litter as usual.

It's incredible how much they learn the first year. I'd like to replace the milestones listed in the Boogaloo's baby book with others that are more pertinent to what she's actually learned and accomplished:

Making a noise as if you are struggling greatly to do a task which is beyond your abilities while miming the activity increases the chance that someone will help you reach your goal.

It's never a good idea to stand right next to the hose while someone is turning it on.

A sense of urgency can be conveyed without words.

Everything is urgent.

Waving and blowing kisses gets positive attention from almost everyone.

Torturing the cat is a never ending source of amusement, as are splashing in the toilet and unrolling the toilet paper roll.

Pretending to be obedient and then running away at the last moment is even MORE amusing, as is hiding when you know people are looking for you.

Sign language for "done" is all well and good, but deliberately tossing pieces of food onto the floor while maintaining eye contact with the nearest adult is a much faster way to gain freedom from the high chair.

And perhaps most importantly -

You can probably get away with it if you look like this:

Just in Case Anyone Forgot There Were Other People Living Here Besides the Baby

I realize the baby has been usurping blog space for her entire 12 months of life, but surprise! The rest of the family still exists! For example, there's this one:







This kid still lives here, much to his enjoyment.



Can't you see how excited he is?

Ok so maybe not...but I can still make him laugh -



Sometimes...



Plus, The Sweet Pea is even a high school graduate!



And this kid continues to make as much trouble as she possibly can!



Happy week everyone!

You Know You Have a Lot of Kids When There Are Only Four People Home and the House Feels Empty

The youngest resident at Casa Twipply Skwood turned a year old last week. We didn't have a party, and I'm not a big cake fan so I'm not that great at making them. This did not go unnoticed by baby, apparently.

I did go hog wild with five and a half sticks of butter though, so it tasted better than it looked. Still, the baby was only interested in was the candle and nothing but the candle.



This tastes a lot like wax.


You want me to eat WHAT?!?! I thought I just had to eat the candle!



Sure. I can sit here and look cute for a picture. But I am NOT going to eat this cake.



Okay, I'll taste it.



I'm eating it! You told me to eat it, so I'm eating it!


Can I be done now?



I'm going to put my foot in this cake if you don't get me down from here



Yay! We're done!


That's a wrap.



So yeah, she hated the cake, and so did everyone else's arteries. In fact my Boy kept saying that he wouldn't have to worry about his AP World History exam, because the butter would kill him off before the day of the test. Needless to say he ate his fair share.

One first birthday down, one high school graduation to go! Tune in text time I get my act together for another exciting episode.

Chores R' Us...Or Chores R' Her at Least. I'm Not Really Such a Great Housekeeper as it Turns Out.

I've tried different programs for becoming a better housekeeper. I've tried the Fly Lady, I've tried Motivated Moms, and I've tried lists from Pinterest and trying to tackle one room a day. But the truth is, no matter what the program something else always seems more pressing.



The Beeb on the other hand is very devoted to her chores. She makes sure that as many pieces of clean laundry as possible are unfolded and grace the floor before being refolded and put into drawers.

She's committed to a perfect filing system for the CDs. She makes sure her filing is kept up to date at all times, especially if someone has needlessly put the CDs into that funny little bookshelf looking thing.



She goes through the diaper bag meticulously. She likes to make sure there's enough diapers, chomp on any paper she finds, and chew through any plastic. Also, she likes to make sure no cold packs have been left in there.



She's taken it upon herself to make sure all the items in the kitchen cupboards are spread out around the floor each day...



and that she helps with unloading the dishwasher. Only unloading though, never loading, regardless of whether the dishes are clean or dirty. And only onto the floor, obviously.



Often these chores have to be done multiple times a day. It's an ambitious job for someone who's almost a year old, but somebody has to tackle the housework around here. It obviously can't be left up to me. Happy almost Mother's Day to everyone!