The Postal Bandit

A while back I mentioned that you need to be careful when sending us gifts, money, diamonds, and beautiful peep toe shoes because mail in our neighborhood was being stolen. I had a check and a few other things go missing. The Baldwins had a few gift cards no-show, and when it was Audrey's b-day they got a package that had been cut open and the card was missing. But, then the guy was nice enough to tape the package back together.

Yesterday Jeana forwarded me the following email from our HOA:

Just got off the phone with a homeowner Mrs. Drum whom was a victim of postal theft. She has worked directly with the “postal police” and set up a sting operation. The postal police issued and mailed her gift cards to a local merchant. One card was indeed stolen and used at the merchants. The merchant in turn capture video evidence of the perpetrator, that per Mrs. Drum was indeed the postal carrier for the community. The postal police have recently notified Mrs. Drum that they have indeed filed charges and are prosecuting and now have enough evidence to do so. Mrs. Drum will be forwarding me more information via email, and has authorized me to forward to the community, which I will gladly do.

I was supposed to do one of these sting operations too, but I never received my paperwork... perhaps the bandit disposed of it. Anyhow, I'm glad they caught him. I've heard of this happening before. My friend in Santa Fe knew a guy who delivered to a house that was vacant, so he took their new exercise equipment home for himself.

Apology

I would just like to apologize to all the passengers on Express Jet flight 311 to Albuquerque.
Lucas was good for the first part, but for the second half of the flight Lucas was not only the worst he has ever been on a plane, but the worst I have ever seen any kid on a plane. The poor kid had to wake up 3 hours early and was exhausted... so when he got frustrated, he screamed and screamed until decent into ABQ.

The airport was a complete clusterschmuck this morning. I had never seen Xjet or any other airline so unorganized... we'll save those stories for later. I'm just so thankful I had Ben with me!

Until next time, you stay classy.

Messes...

Yep, its after midnight and I'm supposed to be packing for our flight at 8am, but I just wanted to relay these two stories before I forget:

Today Lucas and I were very busy getting ready for our trip. Jeana was kind enough to let Lucas play at her house while I mowed the lawn, then we had a play group, then nap time, cleaning, errands, dinner, etc.

While I was in the shower this morning Lucas was out of sight. He finally came upstairs with a strawberry in hand. The kid had been in the refrigerator. I managed to get the berry out of his hand with minimal staining on his shirt and headed downstairs. I found the refrigerator door open and the strawberry container on the floor - empty. I know there were 3 or 4 strawberries in there and I found him with 1. So, there are a couple missing. Maybe he ate them whole and unwashed or maybe he hid them somewhere safe - I checked the toilets and they aren't in there. I did have to clean a couple spots off the carpet, but we made it out pretty good for Lucas having free range of the fridge and strawberries.

My next mess took place while I was cleaning up after dinner. I went in the living room to find Lucas playing with the vacuum. He took the whole thing apart - filters, dirt, etc. There was dust mite poo all over the carpet in a couple places.... and on Lucas. The problem was that the vacuum cord has a short and I couldn't get it started earlier today so I didn't know how I was going to clean up the mess. Luckily, after dinner I did manage to get it started and clean the mess, as well as vacuum the upstairs and find one more strawberry spot.

Well, I'm off to pack the diaper bag with goodies that will occupy Lucas during our 2 hour flight. Hopefully he will sleep since it's so early. I don't know what I'm going to feed the kid for breakfast. I got rid of all the decent food in the house. I guess I 'll make some oatmeal.
Have a most magical weekend!

Spring Time

Although I suffer horrible allergies in May and June (thanks, Austin!), I still love the Spring time.
And although Lucas and I had a horrible night last night - he went to bed two hours late and woke up two hours early - I still love Lucas. AND because he woke up so early, we managed to go on our walk when it was only 80 degrees out instead of 90. It was pretty perfect - we had a little cloud coverage, a little breeze, and most importantly a lot of birds. Lucas loves birds so we always look for birds when we go on our walks.
Today I was walking down the street and I saw this lump on the side of the road. It was this little guy in the picture. I thought at first he was dead, then he moved his head. Then I thought he was just gonna die soon. I looked at him for a minute then saw his mom looking at us, so I didn't want to stress her out too much. As soon as I walked away, he got up and walked away himself. It was the cutest thing ever. He was so young, but he tricked me into thinking he was all gimpy and sick and then got up and walked away.
A while later we walked down the same street and I managed to see a few of his siblings all running around. I tried to get a video of one on my phone, but it didn't turn out well. While I was following him his parents were freaking out a little. Then I walked away and they pulled the same trick and tried to distract me from the baby by sitting on the ground and looking a little gimpy. What smart little guys!
Does anyone know what these birds are? They are my favorite and they are all over the neighborhood. The adults have a white belly and a white stripe on their wings.

update on the cooking stuff

Some of you have been asking what I found out about selling stuff I cook. Basically, I'm SOL. Apparently I can't even give away food I make from home. I've been breaking the law for years!
Here's the email from the county:
To be in compliance with the State Rules, you would need to find a kitchen which can be permitted by the ATCHHSD. You would need the permit even if you were giving the food away, there is no minimum of sales before a permit is required. The City will not permit a private home as a food business and we are not able to make inspections of a private residence. There are some commercial kitchens around town, which lease time for food businesses such as yours.
I don't know if I'm going to do it or not. The kitchens cost $20 per hour, so I'll have to do some math. So much for a "home-based" business...

Addy Time

Just wanted to let you know that Ben's Central Market bag won a silver Addy at Nationals. I'm very proud of him and his sweet bag. Sadly, we won't get the trophy to decorate our house... it will decorate the office instead.

Recent Funnyisms

Just thought I'd fill you in on a few funny things Lucas has been doing.

First of all, when I go to the store, instead of whining for candy like most kids, Lucas whines when we reach the strawberries. Last week they were on sale luckily. We went through three pounds of strawberries in just a few days! I also bought some frozen blueberries and I can bribe Lucas with either one. If he won't get in his high chair I just ask him if he wants some berries and he'll usually come running. He'll even do the sign for "more" over and over.

Last week Lucas learned how to open the refridgerator door, which in itself is a bit of a nightmare. At one point I came downstairs and the door was open and Lucas had red juice all over his mouth and on his white onesie - he opened the strawberries and enjoyed one... nice and dirty, too.

Friday night we had some friends over. Lucas came and sat on my lap at one point. Wendy reached over and patted his little bum and asked, "Is he wearing a diaper?" I thought she was crazy, but then I felt and sure enough, the diaper was MIA. Lucas reached up his shorts, undid his diaper, pulled it out the leg and left it in the hall. Hey, everyone knows it's better to go commando, even Lucas. Luckily he didn't have an accident in the 10 or so minutes he was diaperless.

In Primary yesterday the kids filled out little Mother's Day forms for their moms. Ben filled one out for me - from Lucas (in little kid hand writing, with misspellings, and all):

I love when my mother sings songs
I love my mother because she is butiful
My mother likes to dance with stars
My mother is happy when I am happy
The funniest thing I ever did with my mother was spin.
My mother is sad when I whine
The funniest thing I ever saw my mother do was laff
The color my mom likes best is pink
If I could give my mother anything, I'd give her fansy close
The first thing my mother does when she wakes up is hug me
I like when my mother makes dinner for me
I like to be have for my mother
My mother's favorite food is good
My mother does not like to eat poop
My mother works at home
The color of my mom's hair is gold
My mother is 22 years old
My mother's shoe size is 13.5
By: Lucas

I thought it was pretty cute. In nursery they sent Lucas home with a cute picture of him from last week and then a small picture of him in a frame. He looks pretty funny in both pictures.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies!

help?

Hey all you smart people,
Does anyone know how to get a business license that will allow me to sell things baked in my own kitchen? I don't know if it's even possible in Austin, but no one will call me back...
Thanks!

Die, Scum!

Lucas and I just went on a big walk and upon our return to the house, we were greeted by one of these in the garage. I hate scorpions with a passion, so I squashed it on the floor and its guts squirted everywhere.
Lucas kept looking at the scorpion and laughing. I've taught him well...

Back to Business

Well, it's back to business for Lucas and me. We got back in town Wednesday night from Albuquerque. Lucas brought back with him a fever and whiny attitude. I brought back the need to lose 5 pounds in a month.
We had a fun time in ABQ. Lucas always enjoys playing in the backyard, collecting rocks, and "playing" with the dogs. Sadly, the dogs don't think "playing" with Lucas is quite so fun.
Lucas only woke up our first night in town. After that he slept like a champ. He was even really good for my Dad, Maddie and Carrie on Saturday when I was gone from 8:00 - 4:30. No tears at all.
This picture was one of my favorites from the trip. Bath time is always an event in ABQ. My sisters like to be there to take part in the fun and Lucas likes all the attention. Most of all he likes the cool faucet in the bath tub. It makes a fun waterfall and likes it to be running for most of his bath.
Here's a little video of Lucas in the tub: