Hedgehogs & Foxes

The overtired 3.75 yr. old is unexpectedly napping! At the same time as little bro, 22 months old this week! I am so shocked by this turn of events that I don't know what to do with myself. I'd planned...uh, nothing. Low expectations. (And then crazy high expectations for the two days a week they're in daycare during the summer. 'Tis my way.) This morning we went to Target and the library. The boys are doing a summer reading program where they get points for books, then prizes for points, as the 3.75 yr. old explained to the charmed Target cashier. He told her he was going to read a book and get a hedgehog. As you do.

Turned out the hedgehog he's had his eye on was really a lip gloss in disguise. Another mother pointed that out -- one of her girls was getting the hedgehog lip gloss. My kid still wanted it. I like to think that I will be OK if my boys want to wear lip gloss, but for one, they're too young for makeup, and two, I think they should wait until they're past the temptation to eat it. For me, that was age thirteen. I mean are you aware of Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers products? Delicious. The boys also are big on smearing messy things across non-messy surfaces, and as we prep to put our house on the market, this is pretty super and very helpful. Part of the Target errand was for those magic eraser things that take stains off the walls. Anyway, kiddo opted for a squishy globe instead. He helped little bro pick out a squirty fish for the bathtub.  

Everyone's still catching up from our 2000-mile road trip. My cousin and his lovely bride were married at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA. We stayed in a neat house on a cliff and climbed some rocks at the beach. I sat in the yard and re-read Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple and at one point looked up and found myself staring at a gray fox. This was shortly after reading Bernadette's last name, which is Fox. The gray fox stared back and then we both gasped and ran in opposite directions, which means neither of us is likely to have rabies. Good thing, considering my dog bite in March.

And now the little one's up. As mentioned previously, he doesn't really wake easily. He howls. I mean screams. I mean really gets his point across loudly and his point is displeasure at remaining in his crib for a second longer than he'd like. Wait. Is quiet again. Maybe I can go out on the porch and read more Lydia Davis? Maybe? Please? (Said rudely while signing "please", a slap across the chest, toddler-style, which takes something away from the politeness element?) 

Would've mentioned Lydia Davis as a favorite writer in my earlier WordLab interview, had I been deeper into her collected stories at the time. Good gravy. Why haven't I been reading her all along? WHY DIDN'T YOU PEOPLE TELL ME? Had a really great time at WordLab, too, recapped here, thanks to Metonymy Media and Theresa Beckhusen. Next up is the fantastic David Blomenberg, on July 7 at 7 p.m. 7/7 at 7.

Now trending: the number seven. And foxes. Which, by the by, is my favorite superlative for an attractive person. The band Fleet Foxes ain't bad, either, and could be a compliment for an attractive and gracefully quick person. Go out on your porch -- ours is newly painted! buy our house! -- and read some Lydia Davis. Or something else. Reader's choice.