Mother and Father of the Year!

Well, we all watched the Oscars last night as a family.

Abbie wasn't overly impressed, but she tolerated it in the name of a "family activity." She did, however, comment that Demi Moore looked "absolutely lovely" and Sandra Bullock was "beautiful." I agree.

Lila was disgusted. She cried all night. She thought Sarah Jessica Parker made a horrendous choice, and crying was her commentary on the ridiculousness that is print fabrics in evening couture. (By the way, I totally disagree with her stance, and we tried to discuss again this morning. I only succeeded in upsetting her all over again.)

In the middle of the Oscar extravaganza, James went to the kitchen to clean up dinner, and I went into another room to take a quick phone call. Apparently, we did that just in time to leave our five-year-old daughter alone on the couch while the Academy paid tribute to the Horror Film genre.

That's right folks! Abbie watched a montage of horror films that included Nightmare on Elm Street. She started to ask questions like, "What's wrong with his face," and she was convinced that The Blob was the most terrifying thing she's ever seen.

As soon as James caught on to what was happening, he ran into the living room and tried to run interference saying things like, "Oh that was just pretend...." "No, Abbie, that wasn't blood. It is called a Blob. It's like Play Doh." She wasn't buying any of it.

Ahhhh, some of our best work...

Just another day recovering from no sleep last night and Being Billingsley...

Mommy Free Zone

So, today Abbie brings me a picture she had just drawn. It was a sketch of a lady with some very tall purple hair and a tasteful red dress on.

I thought it was odd that she was so intent on making sure I knew it was a picture of a "Mom." She said it over-and-over again. "This is a picture of a Mom." I was a little puzzled.

But, when I walked to the back of the house a few minutes later, I understood why she wanted to make sure I got it. Notice what she did with her picture of "Mom."


Notice where she put it...


That would be her bedroom door.

Just another day working on a sign of my own and Being Billingsley...

Words of Advice From Abbie Part II...

Well, she was persistent...

She dressed me all up and feels strongly we should maintain the look daily. It makes me look more like a bride...

The look was replete with veil, tiara, butterfly necklace, maternity dress, pink scarf, and sparkly pink "lip glops."

Just another day of following directions and Being Billingsley...

Words of Advice From Abbie...

I am working really hard today to get my house back in shape after being sick last week. Trust me when I say it's a doozie!

While attacking the mountain of junk on the coffee table, my daughter struck up this conversation:

Abbie: "Mom, I need to fix your hair so you won't look like a disaster."

Me: "Well thanks."

Abbie: "You should surprise Daddy by not being in your jammies."

Me: "Well, Mommy's been sick. So, she's been wearing her jammies a lot lately because they are comfy."

Abbie: "Your feet are really dry. It's embarrassing. You should try to look more like a bride."

Me: "I'm sorry you are embarrassed. I'll work on it."

Abbie: "Seriously, can we pull your hair out of that ponytail and do something with it?"

Shortly thereafter, she came into the living room with a dress, some make-up, and a brush to do my hair. She's my own personal Oprah.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Another of Abbie's Tremendous Talents...

Abbie does hair! She actually specializes in coiffures for male figure skaters.

After all the hard work Abbie put into getting James' hair all fixed this morning, James said he's pretty sure he's getting the gold.

If you watched much male figure skating this year, you know that between his hair and the amount of sparkly spandex in his wardrobe, James CAN'T lose.

Just another day using Olympic amounts of hair gel and Being Billingsley...

Well, The Bastard's Back!

I guess that stomach bug Abbie had last week had some unfinished business with the good people of Chez Billingsley because I got it, and I got it bad.

Good grief, I haven't been sick like this in a good long while.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

The Princess Is Five

I cannot believe my girl is 5 already!
Abbie trying out a new smile.

The poor thing was EXTREMELY sick on her birthday with a stomach bug that was apparently showing off for his stomach bugs friends. It was particularly cruel, but Abbie eventually showed it who was boss. We think she has officially kicked it.

We had to reschedule the official birthday party with her friends, but we knew it was the right thing to do. We were selfish and didn't want to share our little stomach bug with others!

Abbie did get to celebrate the day with her very brave Gigi and Pops. We all ate a very nice dinner while Abbie watched us, and we all enjoyed the birthday cake that Abbie couldn't eat. So sad. She did, however, have no problems opening the excellent gifts Gigi and Pops brought and a few other special gifts.

My friends Cheryl and Anna both brought gifts to the house. They both quietly left the gifts on the front porch and ran back to their cars before any germs could leak out the key hole and get them.

My girl Anna made Abbie her very own sketch pad. She also gave her the coolest crayons and markers for Abbie to work her creative magic.

Abbie posing with the excellent hop-scotch game from Cheryl.
When we are 100%, I want Cheryl to come over and show Abbie how it's done!

Abbie, you are hilarious, strong, brilliant, kind, and extraordinarily talented... not to mention gorgeous. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Girl!!

P.S. Please don't get me sick!

Just another day Being Billingsley...