When the cat's away...

Why is it that when one parent has to go on a trip, the child in the scenario decides to do otherwise very quirky things? Matthew is on an Economics retreat (the kind where you don't retreat FROM economics, but rather dive into it! Yeesh!) so it is just us girls for a couple of days. We went to a "Music Matt" concert tonight. Music Matt is Abby's absolute FAVORITE music artist and for good reason; he is an outstanding performer and his music is the kind that everyone can listen to in the car! Abby got to request three songs and Music Matt even personalized them for her and sang right to her. She wont soon forget her first concert!

A and I had dinner together and then got her ready for bed. I figured that she could sleep in our bed tonight. Nope. She tossed and turned and finally came out to the livingroom and said she couldn't sleep. She actually wanted to be in her own bed. Then she came out with poop on the sleeve of her nighty (after a failed attempt at taking care of business by herself, poor kid.) So she had a bath and as we went to get her new jammies, I very nearly stepped in another surprise pile on her floor! She said it just slipped right out!

Matty, things just are not the same when you are away. You do such a good job of killing the spiders, chasing the "monsters" away from under the bed, singing "Dogface Boy" by Phish to Abby at night, making us all feel so comfortable and safe as we drift off to sleep, making excellent coffee in the morning, and, of course, using that extra measure of elbow grease on the carpet, when needed. We miss you.

copycat

Abby was trying to share a picture with Matthew a minute ago and Matthew decided to copy everything Abby was saying (Abby does this to us from time to time). Abby was getting frustrated so I told her to say: "fathers, do not exasperate your children." She obliged:

A: Daddy, "faders, do not raspberry children!"

A new species discovered

As I rode my bike to an appointment at school today, I felt something scratching or biting my right shoulder. I turned to see what it was and was terrified to see a gigantic, bright green praying mantis! The thing was an inch from my face! While still pedaling (I really should have stopped), I swatted at the tenacious thing with my left hand several times. It would NOT let go, which freaked me out even more. Then it was making clicking sounds or something. It might have been its wings. Anyway, I kept swatting and swerving until I thought it was gone. I kept riding and a few minutes later (after a few false alarms, during which I shook my head, swatted at my hair and nearly crashed because of my shirt tag), I decided it was gone. I was wrong. This bug must have travelled across my hair or my back until it reached my left shoulder. I caught a glimpse of it and immediately stopped my bike, nearly running into a well-dressed man in his 60s. (I hope he wasn't a university dean!). I asked him if there was a bug on me and he said yes, which made me start swatting and freaking out again. He said "Wait, be still. Don't worry, I'll get it." It took him three swats and FINALLY that bug was on the pavement. I thanked him (and the gentleman across the way who was laughing).

After telling Abby about this episode, she waxed imaginative. She described a bug called a "meninin." Here is what she had to say:

A: "It has a bump that has pokie edges. If you sit on the pokies, it will hurt your bum. It walks, it runs so fast and it has little tiny eyes, tiny, tiny, tiny. it has little silver black stuff that has little pokie edges and it has little gooey-purplie fishes on it."
G: What would you do if you saw one of these bugs?
A: "If I went near one of these, it will poke me on the back. The yuckie stuff is all over them, legs and top and all everywhere, tummy and head. I would run away and call for you and you wouldn't hear me across the street. I ran and found the house, and I was smiling that I found you and I said "mama, I'm so glad you're here!"

Abby later said she would "freak out" if she saw one of these bugs.

Gee, thanks!

Abby watched "Toy Story" tonight. It may have been the first time she's seen it; she just got it in the mail from my mom (her "Mia"). As I was saying goodnight to Abby, she had something to tell me:

A: I want to be da girl on Toy Story, da one wif da hanger (it's a shepherding staff) and da dress.
G: That would be sweet.
A: I want daddy to be da guy, um, Woody!
G: Yeah, that would be fun huh? Who would mommy be?

Abby had to really think this through. It took her a minute.

A: Mrs. Potato Head!

more confusion

As usual, we prayed last night before munching our (yummy thai food) dinner. Many times Abby prays, but this time deferred to Matthew. Apparently he did it wrong.

A: Daddy, you forgot to pray about the orphans and the houses that, that, that the water went rushing through!
M: OK, we can pray about that...

Matthew then prays about Katrina victims and the many orphans in the world (note: Abby ALWAYS prays about the orphans). Then start eating and Abby chimes in again:

A: Mommy, when you were born, were you a girl?
G: Yes, I was always a girl.
A: Daddy when you were born, were you a girl?
M: No, I was always a boy, even in my mommy's tummy. (pause) Abby, when you were born, you were a.... (waiting for answer)
A: Orphan!

We clarified that this is not true, that she was and is a girl, and not an orphan, thank goodness.

Go Matty!!!!

Matthew was informed about 15 minutes ago (by email) that he has PASSED his 4th and final preliminary exam! In fact, he didn't just get a pass, he got a GOOD, which is no small feat. This test was the hardest he's taken yet. He spent a year taking Behavioral Economics classes at Berkeley in order to prepare for this, and the Berkeley professors wrote and gave the exam. Matthew took the exam surrounded by Berkeley students.

So now what? I asked him this question a moment ago...

M: Well, I guess I'll get my PhD.

While Forest Gump-like in the understated truth of it, Matthew is now cleared to do his research and dissertation writing. We're guessing this process will take 2 more years. Anyway, if you are inclined to do it, email or call Matthew with congratulations. This is a massive hurdle accomplished! pearson at ucdavis dot edu (I typed out the symbols so that "spambots" don't get his address. I'm inclined to believe Matthew that these things exist, but then, he also told me that jackalopes were real too.)

confusion

One drawback of learning your catechism by listening to catchy songs: the answers can sometimes sound a little ambiguous...

M: Abby, who made you?
A: God.
M: What is God?
A: A spirit.
M: Where is God?
A: Everywhere.
M: Who were our first parents?
A: goddam and Eve.

roasting

Matthew went to get "Fluffy Doughnuts" this morning.

A: Oh-uh, I want daddy to hurry up with my doughnut, I'm roasting!
G: You're roasting hot?
A: No, I'm roasting hungry.

for the record

The other morning Abby, Matthew and I were snuggling and chatting as we often do in the pre-coffee part of the morning. Abby started talking (again) about how she would like to have a sibling, a sister, to be precise. We are not quite ready to become pregnant at the moment, but we have no problem thinking about the fun details of welcoming another member into our family. For the record, Abby predicts that we will have twins. She has mentioned this several times, which freaks us out (for no good reason besides just the thought of twins). I did want to share one funny moment...

A: Momma, when we get the new baby, my new sister, I want to name her Emma.
G: I like that name very much. What do you think her middle name should be?
A: Little.
G: You want the baby to be called "Emma Little Pearson"?
A: Yes.

Try saying that name aloud a few times.

bad blogger

Matthew told me that I'm a bad blogger for having gone so many days without a word. Part of that is going to be the way things are once classes start, but it has been a crazy week for us (as I am sure it has been for many of you). Abby and Matthew were both sick, then we had a terrific 3 days in San Francisco with my mom and grandmother (thanks mom! Happy Birthday!!). Anyway, our hearts go out to our friends and family dealing with the storm fallout in the South. Hopefully this will cheer you a tiny bit.

Tonight I brought home some Mexican food for dinner. Abby began eating her quesadilla and rice but wasn't eating her beans.

M: Abby, why don't you eat a few bites of beans?
A: No fanks, daddy.
M: How about just a bite or two?
A (more distressed): No, daddy. I don't want beans, they might make me toot!

She likes beans, but was exercising some real self control.