Ollie's little noggin is still adorned with her enviably fashionable headgear. I had to bribe her with a chocolate cupcake from Starbucks to get her to take it off while we were in the grocery store. Once the word "chocolate" spilled from my lips, however, it didn't take much convincing.

And on the subject of grocery stores, how sad is it that I get excited shopping in this one particular store? The grocery store where I usually shop has very low prices which make up for its total lack of atmosphere and product selection. Since we are a one-income family, the low prices win out every time. Today, however, I needed only a few items - one of them being a Venti Vanilla Latte - and since this particular store has a Starbucks inside, I figured it wouldn't hurt to kill two birds with one stone. The problem is, once I had my Latte and started to wander around the produce section, I saw more and more things that appealed to me (organic vegetables, miniature watermelons, giant strawberries) that are not available where I usually shop. Through the natural progression of things, I browsed the fresh seafood market, the Angus beef, the magnificent beer selection and so on. My cart was full and I hadn't even gotten the 3 items that I originally went in for (besides the Latte). I just love this store, though. Their products are attractively displayed, the lighting is soft and calming (very important when shopping with a 3YO), and the selection is overwhelming. I bought stuff I didn't need just because it was unique and interesting. And that's why I can't shop there anymore. Sigh....

Speaking of shopping, any ideas for what I can get my husband for his birthday? It's on Monday.

Ollie is running around wearing her bike helmet and swimming goggles. I don't know why. (She's also "hiding" The Fuzzbucket under her dress.) The helmet is bright blue and the goggles are pink. They look just smashing with her lime green Crocs adorned with blue and purple octopi Jibbitz. She just announced that she is wearing this ensemble to carpool to pick up Grover. I must admit I'm a little concerned.

BA, got any advice, o ye of plentiful young'uns?

Why are Purple Finches so named when they are actually red? Was the ornithologist color blind?

I just read that Jerry Falwell died. Now who's going to tell us that America is going to Hell in a handbasket?

I've concluded that The Fuzzbucket is a vegetarian. I know this because she's eaten two of my daylily plants. Then again, she eats just about anything that's within her reach including plastic and paper. On the plus side, she appears to be very close to being housebroken. And she trained on the underground electric fence in a day - apparently high voltage increases learning capacity. Take that, Pavlov!

UPDATE: Within moments of my post, The Fuzzbucket peed on the floor. I knew I shouldn't have said anything.

Here are a couple of pics of said furball.

5 weeks old


14 weeks old