the restroom break rescue and other tall tales

i have come to the conclusion that there are many foods that i enjoy simply for their condiments.  primarily mexican foods.  or anything that calls for the addition of sour cream.  or guacamole.  or wine pairings.  mmm...

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i have also come to the conclusion that my children are perfectly spaced in age.  what made me realize this was a funny incident occuring while i was going to the bathroom... i will share:  asher, being a total momma's boy and me wanting to keep him within viewing distance for safety reasons, was placed right outside the bathroom door with a favorite toy while i took care of my business in the w.c.  the door was, of course, open because i am a mother and do not have to luxury of privacy.  asher played with his toy and iris was doing something in the other room.  then asher decided that a clump of dog hair on the carpet was far more interesting than a bright chunk of plastic.  of course, everything that winds up in asher's hands will eventually find it's way to his mouth (everything, with the exception of actual food, that is.  but i digress) so i begin calling for iris, using catch-phrases i was sure would get her attention, from my precarious position,  "iris, come rescue asher!"  "iris, you have to take something out of asher's hands!"  i was a bit concerned because this could play out in any number of ways, including, but not limited to:  iris over-zealously grabs, twists, or tackles asher to wrestle away whatever it is he has, resulting in injury and crying; iris has a blonde moment and pretends she has no idea what i'm talking about or where her brother is; iris ignores me completely.  but the result was better than i could have imagined... iris came promptly to my call, she quickly assessed the situation, gently removed the clump of dog hair (which had come perilously close to the boy's mouth) from her brother's hands, patted asher on the head saying, "don't eat dog hair, brother!", sat down with him and played with asher's toy with him.  WITH him.  it was lovely.  iris actually helped to take care of her brother while i was indisposed.  anyway, they are spaced perfectly because any younger, she wouldn't know what i was talking about; any older, she'd probably be in school.  (and in case you were wondering, my dog sheds GIANT clumps of hair at a time.  the baby could have choked.  iris may well have saved his life.  and, note to self, asher's reach is greatly increased by his ability to lunge.  i will henceforth vacuum before relieving myself.  probably not, but i'll at least be more on-the-lookout for the fur.)

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while i'm writing this, iris is reading "green eggs and ham" to herself.  adorable. "i cannit[cannot] CANNIT on a BOAT! i cannit CANNIT on a TREAM [train]!"  

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while writing that, i got a call from mom saying that papa has cut off ANOTHER finger while woodworking in his shop.  the one next to the one he's already cut off.  the last time i was at his shop, he showed me what he was currently working on:  small boxes to give to all the grandkids, at MY request.  yes, i had asked him to make something for me.  and he has teased me about the fact that because i wanted something, he had to make something of all of us grandkids, and gave me a hard time about all the work i've created for him.  all in good fun, a good natured ribbing.  and now he's cut off another finger, probably while working on the project that i was responsible for.  in a family that NEVER lets a good story die, i'm sure i'll be hearing the blame for this for some time to come!  [ed. note:  papa is currently in the ER with my dad.  apparently he was chatting it up with dad, discussing which would be the best route to take (yes, he called dad as apposed to an ambulance), and expressed his hope to be home in time to get the driveway snow-blowered.  when the ER doc asked him to rate his pain from 1-10, 10 being worst, he responded that he was experiencing "about a 1".  seriously?!  he's severed his ring finger between the first and second knuckle completely OFF and his pain is a 1??  i'd say a one is a splinter! the man is crazy, but aside from that, doing apparently well.  just wanted to fill you in and let you know that i'm not so selfish as to be merely concerned for my own future ridicule.  but it is MY blog, afterall.  but i digress, yet again.]