Silly stories

That's what I feel like my blog (and life!) is lately -- a series of silly stories. They say we should keep records of our lives because they will bless the lives of our descendants. I have a feeling it's going to go something like this: "Well, there was nothing spiritual or profound in your records that we were able to glean, but thanks for all the weird anecdotes, great-great-grandma Megan." Oh well...

Silly Story #1: Walmart is testing out a pilot program in our area that includes free grocery delivery. I cannot fully emphasize how much I appreciate this program. I shop for everything online, and then the next day, a delivery man hauls it up the three flights of stairs to my apartment and puts everything on my kitchen table. No dragging my toddler to the grocery store, no long checkout lines with Cal screaming for candy, no trips back and forth to my car lugging heavy bags upstairs...IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

We have had a few interesting scenarios with our orders. Sometimes, you have to order produce by the pound (which isn't a big deal when you're dealing with apples, but who uses a pound of garlic at a time?). I needed a red onion, and just figured they'd pick me out three or four, and I'd find a way to use them. Nope, we received ONE red onion, weighing in at over a pound, just by itself. I had never seen a larger red onion. Neither had Cal!

Silly story #2: We were invited to go camping at the beach back in July, and I'd forgotten a few last-minute essentials like bug spray, so Cal and I made a trip to Target. The store had some summer items (including stuff for s'mores) displayed right at the entrance. Cal has been obsessed with marshmallows ever since getting to roast one at a backyard BBQ a few weeks back, so he grabbed a package and wouldn't put it down.

I often let him hold on to something until we check out (you do what you can to keep a three-year-old quiet in public), so I didn't think twice about it and hurried around collecting the things we needed for our trip. It wasn't until we were in line that I looked down and realized he had basically chewed a hole in the package.

All the marshmallows inside had teeth marks all over them, even in places where the plastic wasn't actually broken. I told him, "Stop chewing that! Gross, Cal!" But he didn't even flinch! His eyebrows just got all...troubled. It was like he was telling me, "I wish I could stop...."

We definitely paid for this package of mallows. Sick!

He was pretty excited about all the food that came with us on the campout. Here he is with his new best friend, a box of wheat thins:

(He held the box the entire drive to the beach!)

Silly story #3: We've been really grateful to have a pool at our apartment complex this summer, especially with some of the temperatures we had in July. Cal and I go down often; he is crazy about the water! There's a nice big pool, and then a really shallow, 8'x8' kiddie pool over to the side. (Side story: one time, when I was describing the pools to someone, they remarked, "Oh, too bad it's a kiddie pool and not a hot tub." It made me realize, at this stage in my life, I would SO much rather have the kiddie pool!)

Anyway, I looked over after a long afternoon of swimming, and this is what I find:

 Our little lizard, stretched out on the warm bricks bordering the kiddie pool!

Silly story #4: Cal loves playing hide-and-seek (which he pronounces "high-seek!"). Last week, when we went over to a friend's house to babysit her three-year-old boy, Cal found the perfect hide-and-seek companion. Take a look at these cute pictures:

My favorite parts of their version of the game? (a.) First, they watch each other hide, and then close their eyes and start counting. (b.) They hide in the same spot without fail. (c.) Hearing Cal's little voice counting all the way up to TEN! (d.) Cal makes squeaking noises as hints for the seeker. (e.) Listening to them giggle as I announced all the wrong spots where I was trying to find them. I think I may love "high-seek" just as much as Cal!

Silly story #5: I watch my friend's two daughters once a week, and they and Cal have become great little friends. Here we are at Red Robin this past week:

 And here they are having a CRAZY balloon fight in the back of the car on the drive home:

When the balloon-chaos had died down, the older girl started singing the lantern song from Tangled, and I joined in, trying to keep the car ride calm. We were almost through the whole thing, when Cal had apparently had enough. Out of nowhere, he bursts into a Broadway-worthy belt: "TINKA TINKA LITTA STAAAAAARRR!!!!!"

Someone does not like to be left out! 

That's it for my silly stories...for now. Really though, one of the best parts about my day is re-telling all of these anecdotes to Reed after Cal is asleep. We just laugh and laugh. Thanks for keeping life interesting, Cal! We love you!