The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,500 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 4 years to get that many views.
Dear Firefly,
Its been a bittersweet week here in the little blue house as we have geared up for your birthday, I can’t help but think about the boys and girls your age who lost their lives in Newtown, CT. Its hard as a Mommy to look at you with so much love and be so cognizant of what others have lost. We talked about the shooting, so you could be prepared for school and not hear it from others, and you really only had one question, “Why would someone do that?” Its a question that all of us are asking.
But today is your day my boy- how did you get to be seven already? You have really blossomed this past year, losing teeth, becoming a voracious reader, always with tons of energy and lots of spunk. You like to challenge, and you like to argue, and you are a perfectionist for many things- wanting so badly for your drawing or story or lego structure to be perfect. You are convinced that you should have your own cell phone at the ripe old age of seven, “So I can text people!” you tell me, and I wonder of all the things you will see and know about that were not around when I was seven. You enjoy playing minecraft and are patient with your little brother as you guide him through digging and building and spawning bats to scare me. You hate doing your chores and will think of every excuse possible not to do them, but you enjoy doing your homework and will often ask your teachers for extra so you can practice and show them how smart you are. You are also the best person to give presents too- you had excitement and praise for every gift you received – I don’t even know how you do it, but it is awesome.
Today was the winter show at your school- your birthday will always be surrounded by lots of celebration, but you don’t seem to mind- its as if you know that all the parties are really for you anyway. You sang your heart out during the songs, and seemed to know all the words, even the song in Spanish. Yesterday when your classmates went around in a circle and said nice things about you for your birthday celebration they reported that you always have a smile on your face, are a great friend and look out for others. Your teacher told you that she especially likes your sense of fairness, and that you always try to make sure that everything is fair for all your classmates, and that everyone gets a turn.
I am excited to see what this year will bring for you my spunky boy, you are writing and reading so much, and I’m pretty sure that your math skills supersede mine at this point. You’ll be doing gymnastics and choir and will probably beg to do other activities in the spring, and will likely continue to grow like a weed so that your pants seem to be constantly too short. You are my first little bug and my winter solstice baby, and I’m hoping that you’ll continue to ask for snuggles and bedtime songs, and continue to believe in the wonder of magic as you start your next adventure towards 8.
Love,
Mommy
Sporadic posting might as well be my middle name these days, but did not want you to think that I’ve forgotten about you all.
Things have been great in the little blue house- we’re enjoying the holiday season and looking forward to a break from work, school etc in a few days.
Sandy Hook has been on all of our minds, especially every time I look at my own 5 and 6 year old little bugs. This is something I may do with the boys and wanted to pass it on.
http://www.13abc.com/story/20373671/snowflakes-for-sandy-hook
Until the next time, enjoy some of the adventures of the little blue house elf, Jonny Jack George.
This year was the Halloween that almost wasn’t for us on the east coast, following the arrival of Superstorm Sandy. The D.C. area was spared the worst of it, but my thoughts and prayers go out to those in New York and my home state of New Jersey. The devastation of the Jersey Shore where I spent many childhood summers, and have vacationed with my little bugs has been particularly saddening. I know that some areas did have to cancel or postpone Halloween, so in the little blue house we were particularly lucky that we did not have to.
Always creative and imaginative, the little bugs came up with some great costumes this year. Lightning Bug decided that he wanted to be an Orca Whale- I have no idea where he got the idea, but once he had it he pretty much stuck to it. We found him an Orca Whale costume online (because really, how does one make an Orca Costume?)
The cutest killer whale you’ll ever see!
There was one house in our neighborhood that does a “Haunted House”- which is really a haunted path to the porch, but it is very fun, and very well done and the end prize is a FULL SIZE candy bar- you can hear the screams for blocks away. Lightning Bug was a bit apprehensive and torn- he kept saying – I don’t want to be scared, but… I want to go. We told him- you don’t have to go- its ok to just watch, its okay to be scared, sometimes being scared is fun, sometimes its not- you do what makes you comfortable. In the end he went- declared it was not scary at all (after shuffling hesitantly through the whole thing, and clinging to us), and was very proud of his candy bar prize.
Firefly wanted to have two costumes- he wanted to be a ninja for trick-or-treating, but decided that a ninja costume did not fit his school’s “No Violent Costumes” rule for the Halloween parade, and decided that he wanted to be a Lego Block for the parade.
An all black costume necessitated some glowing accessories so we could keep up with him during the trick-or-treat marathon
I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to go about making a lego block costume (and at first I was a bit worried that he wanted to be a Lego person- which seemed a whole lot more complicated), but after some internet research we decided on a process.
Some friends of mine collected cat food cans and we procured a box- it was a bit big, but seemed to work ok.
During a teacher work day Firefly and I got to work, and by work, I mean Firefly played computer games while I constructed his costume.
First, I taped the box together since it was flat when we got it. Then I cut holes in the top and sides for arms and head using a utility knife. I used a dinner plate and dessert plates as my outlines, and because drawing circles freehand is not a strong skill of mine.
Then we wrote LEGO on the blocks using a hot-glue gun- it took me a couple of tries, but I soon got the hang of it.
Next, we glued the cat food cans onto the box using superglue. I figured that I did not want any Halloween parade day meltdowns because of a missing can. The hot-glue gunning and superglueing were very easy and fast- quick drying items were key.
Finally came the part that Firefly had been waiting for- spray painting! We got the glossy kind from a home improvement store. I’m not sure about other states, but they carded me before I could buy it- I learned upon questioning the cashier that you have to be 18 to buy spray paint in Maryland (I’m hoping I was carded because I still look 18, but I’m thinking that it was more of an automated process). We took the box outside and went over safe spray painting procedures, and then went to town!
We only used 1 can- and it seemed to cover everything well.
Today was the Halloween parade- postponed because of Sandy and Firefly’s costume was a hit! I think it was smart to only wear it for the parade- it probably would have been a difficult costume to trick-or-treat in, but he just threw on some blue clothes and was all set!
Dear Maryland Voters,
You are probably as sick as I am of the campaign ads and issue propaganda that are overtaking our TVs, radios and everyday life. If you’re like me, you can’t wait for November 6th to come so that politicians will leave us alone get to work advocating for us their constituents. Sandy has actually been a reprieve from all the annoyingness. All that being said, this election is significant, particularly in Maryland where we are voting on a number of important issues. As most of you probably know (unless you have been living under a rock- or are relegated to only watching kids programming on TV -in which case I really don’t blame you- I’ve been there) Maryland is voting on the issue of gay marriage. I know that most of you who read this are friends and allies of marriage equality, but some of you may be undecided, and some of you may know folks who are undecided or not supportive of marriage equality. If thats the case, I urge you to read this, pass it on and consider the adorable little boys pictured.
Voting No for question 6 is a message to these little boys that their family is not legitimate, and that they are unworthy of the protections that legal marriage affords. Opponents of question 6 will tell you that question 6 is attempting to redefine traditional marriage. I’m not sure what “traditional” marriage is, but I do know that until Loving v. Virginia in 1967 a good portion of the parents of the little bugs friends would not be allowed to marry. “Tradition” has long been held as a reason to continue unfair, prejudice practices (Did you know that Alabama had a ban on interracial marriage in its Constitution until 2000? -what is wrong with people?) 
Question 6 “protects clergy from having to perform any marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs” (and while I think this is an important part of the law, I honestly can’t imagine hordes of LGBT folks storming unwelcoming religious institutions and demanding marriage- but regardless, under question 6 Clergy are protected- so breathe deep sighs of relief unwelcoming Clergy- the gays won’t bother you). Question 6 will not interrupt, harm or otherwise affect any “traditional” marriages. Traditional people will still be allowed to get married (I think)- we probably should vote on that too, but alas we won’t be this year. 
What Question 6 will do is give Maryland a place in history as the first state to approve marriage equality through the voting process (sorry Maine and Washington, Maryland polls close first). Voting yes on Question 6 protects all children and their families- it protects the little bugs (don’t you want the little bugs to be protected?) Question 6 is not about religion or politics, it is about civil rights, and affirming that Maryland protects the rights of all citizens. To those of you who are still undecided, take a step back and consider whether or not you would want an entire state voting on your civil rights- what if the tables were turned and your family was all of a sudden “not traditional”- what would you say then? For those of you who are supporters and are already planning on Voting Yes on Question 6 (or already have- pre-Sandy)- talk to your friends, family and neighbors- the message is often a lot more powerful coming from some of you “traditional” folks, and Thank you- from two exuberant little bugs. 
We have had quite a crazy busy week here in the little blue house. Lightning Bug turned five, and birthdays are quite a big deal around here. I once put on a birthday celebration for a stuffed animal (I mean, really who can pass up an opportunity for celebration and cake)- so obviously when the birthday involves an actual person you can imagine the festivities. Lightning Bug had pretty much a perfect school day birthday- involving a field trip and double birthday celebration with his class and his birthday twin in his class.
After school we went home and opened presents. The boys have recently started watching tv with commercials, having outgrown most of Disney Jr. and PBS, and are totally obsessed with the “as seen on tv” crap fun toys for kids. LB is now the proud owner of not only a Stuffie, but also Stompeez. Yup- I am a sucker. S.U.C.K.E.R. The Stuffie is quite a hit, and has travelled up to bed with him each night. The Stompeez are a bit flimsy- cute, but hard to actually make pop up.
After present-palooza we headed to Chevy’s for some birthday dinner fun. LB requested to go to the restaurant where they give you dough and sing to you and give you a hat- so onward we went and had a fantastic time.
Yesterday was the big birthday party bash with twelve 2-7 year olds at a local indoor splash park with slides and squirty things and lily pads to jump on. The kids all seemed to have a fantastic time and I brought two very exhausted boys home. All in all I think that the birthday festivities were a hit, and the little blue house is now inhabited by a very proud five year old.
Don’t be fooled though- even though Lightning Bug has officially passed the edge of toddlerhood and is now on the official boyhood train- with all the fun, adventure and life that that will bring him, he is still my baby. He is a sweet and tender little guy, with a very rough and tumble nature. He is a boy who loves cute little big-eyed Zoobles, and disgusting, squishy Trashies. He is still learning to solve problems without slapping those who annoy him upside the head (a skill it takes many years to master), still scared of monsters (sometimes- mostly just at night), and is learning how to read, surprising me often with how much he can do, and how much he knows, but he is still my baby- needing to be comforted when balloons escape to the clouds, and when his big brother leaves him out of bigger boy things. I tell him often that he will always be my baby (well I tell both little bugs that, because it is true), and I am celebrating LB’s milestone into boyhood and mourning a little the leaving of toddlerhood and very little boyhood behind. Hopefully five will be a fantastic year, full of adventures, laughter and fun. Happy Birthday, Lightning Bug!
The Birthday Boy!
A birthday sparkler in the shape of a 5!
There are times in parenting when you feel like you are being tested, and you know its a test you’ve thought about and prepared for, but well… sometimes it just doesn’t go the way you planned in your head.
Picture it… modern day Maryland suburb… 7:30PM
Firefly is complaining about some failure in my parenting (I’ve either blocked it out, or wasn’t really listening in the first place. Now that I think about it, it may have been my lack of listening that he was complaining about- ah well).
I told him that when he was a grown-up he could have his own kids, and let them do what they wanted.
Firefly said, Well… I probably will have an easier time because I’m only going to have one kid.
Oh? I said- is your kid not going to have any brothers or sisters? (Firefly was lamenting about having to share legos earlier so it was not too shocking to hear that his ideal parenting experience will only have one kid that doesn’t have to share).
I guess I might have more than one kid, but let me tell you one thing for sure. I am definitely not sticking my penis in my wife’s thing to get any babies. She’s going to have to make those babies some other way.
And now I know where the birds and the bees analogy comes from, because really the only thing you could hear at this point were the birds chirping. I mean really- what do you say to that?
Luckily, Lightning Bug was busy as a bee and oblivious to the whole thing (or so he is quite adept at pretending – until in 2 weeks when he says something to me that clues me in that he was very aware of the whole thing).
Well- luckily I’ll have some more time to study up for that parenting test.
