Not-so-Groundhog Day

Although I often feel like I live in a "Groundhog Day" atmosphere, I am forced to realize that everyday has its own little eccentricities.  Each week has its own series of moments and events that make it unique.  It is through these small happenings that the fabric of our life is woven.  I thought I would take the time to share with you some of mine.

1.  Bastian made a little girl cry.  This was by far one of the funniest.  Right before you get to the Palace Green (where he usually does his business), there is a public bathroom.  Just as Bastian was trotting by, a little girl ran out of the doorway and almost into the dog.  He looked at her and kept going.  She ran back into the bathroom, screaming in terror.  All I could here was sobbing and then her mother saying, "Que mal?  Que mal?" (What's wrong?  What's wrong?)  Then I heard her mom say, "Un perro?" (a dog?).  I thought about trying to explain the situation, but then thought better of it.  Bastian had done nothing wrong.  Plus, I was too busy laughing.

2. Ben tries to give me kisses...I think.  This was a very sweet moment.  I was holding him.  He was climbing all over me.  He kept smiling and putting his open mouth on my cheek.  It tickled, so it made me laugh, which made him laugh.  That's one to keep with you I think.

3.  Burger King with Ben.  Ahh, his first value meal.  The King would be proud.  After his first doctor's appointment of the week, I ran to the post office and checked the mail.  You could tell he was tired of being in his car seat, so I really didn't feel like putting him back in the car.  And well, I could always use a snack.  I scooped him up and we went to Burger King.  I put him in the high chair and we shared chicken tenders and onion rings.  The man behind the counter even gave him a fire truck.  It was just really nice. 

4.  Parenting Advice.  Now this one made me feel pretty good.  This morning, I met my lovely neighbors Joe and Minh for coffee.  They brought their daughter Brooke, who is about five and half months-old.  Minh was talking about giving Brooke crackers and rice cakes, an idea she got from me.  Then she said that she has gotten good parenting advice from me.  That made me feel wonderful, especially because they are a lot older than me.  I do contribute to society!  I am not a waste of space!  Though I did want to giggle when they asked me how I knew if Ben had a temperature.  (I checked it with a thermometer.)  What makes this very funny is that Joe is a PA and she used to be a dentist.  Way more medical training than me!  But of course, I freaked out the first few times I had to do it.  I am in NO way judging.  It is only funny when it is happening to someone else.

And that is my week.  Time to go rest up for this next one.