I’m Beautiful Like Me.

Our little man turned 2 years old today. We had a gathering at our place on Sunday to celebrate. He still fit into his Birthday Prince shirt from last year, so I put it on him!

He was really into tearing off the wrapping paper to find the surprises inside and he has really enjoyed each gift he’s received. He got two sets of play tools, a "work bench" for pounding blocks, a big bottle of bubbles, a remote control car, a big bag of blocks, a potty chair and some pull-ups (both cloth and disposable). My mom’s friend, Mike C. gave Buddha a card that plays music when you open it. I think it might be his favorite.

He blew both of his candles out in one breath! It was hilarious watching him try to eat the giant cupcake. He kept complaining about the icing on his face.

After things settled down and we were getting ready for bathtime, I asked him if he wanted to try his potty chair. I sat him on it, naked as a jay-bird and daddy and I both praised him for being such a big boy. His response? "Dapper." Yeah, he requested a diaper. Potty training him will be loads of fun.

Today - his actual birthday - we took the kids to the park for a bit before dinner. He’s been bugging about getting those bubbles out. Suffice it to say the bottle is now empty.

Blessed Solar Return, my baby!

Husband just spent over an hour digging out our truck and my mom’s loaner. I still can’t fathom driving as our street is still covered in a sheet of ice. I did, however, want to get out of my PJs for once and stepped out for a bit. Sheese, it is still so fucking cold out there - and bright. I hope some of that sunshine will thaw us out. I went back in to get the camera, some proof that I did go out into this frozen hell and a reminder of how everything is completely encased in ice.

Would you look at the size of that icicle?! The thing is monstrously enormous.

If you click on the picture on the right here to make it larger, please note the icicles on the bottom wire - they are almost saluting because they froze at an angle during high winds.

It’s not a very pretty picture, but look closely at the one on the right again and you will see that everything - and I mean everything - is completely encased in a coat of ice. The wires, the bare tree limbs, icicles hanging from every surface. At the trees in the back are sagging from the weight of it.

I have no intention of leaving the house anytime in the remotely near future. I hate this weather and am content to stay indoors until it passes. Husband, on the other hand, along with the children, braved the ICK and got some photos.

Meanwhile, work was closed today. I tried to call in at least four times, but there was never an answer. This evening the boss called to see if I could make it in tomorrow. Not likely, as my entire apartment complex is a sheet of ice at least two inches thick. Sorry, dude.

I hafta admit, though, that it is quite pretty. It’s scary how much damage a little frozen water can cause. Trees are down all over the city and hundreds of thousands of people across the nation are without power. I feel quite blessed that our power is still on, especially considering that it flickered quite a bit in the late hours last night. I can’t imagine how we would cope without it - our heat is electric and there isn’t any foreseeable way off this block.

My insane daughter is actually lying down in the snow. WTF?!