Show and Tell

Lately, I've been trying to cook more homemade meals and order out less. Ideally, I cook while the girls nap. When that doesn't happen, dinner gets going during the witching hour (between 4:00 and 6:00 pm), and then I have a little dilemma: two toddlers at my feet while I stand in front of a hot stove. Solution? Show and Tell Skype. 

Margaret's cousin Ann is the brains behind the idea. Before, skyping would involve typical 3-year-old chit chat:

Ann: (chomping) 

Margaret: "What are you eating, Ann?"

Ann: "I'm not eating. I'm chewing gum. It's grape."

Margaret: "My mom won't let me have gum."

Ann: "My mom lets me have it sometimes. Maybe one day when you come to my house, you can chew some of my gum."

Soon the interest fades and someone needs to potty...until recently. As of late, Ann has added excitement to the skyping experience. It starts with her telling Margaret to wait and that she'll be right back. Margaret hardly moves, staring at the screen waiting for what happens next and then, voila!:

Margaret oohs and aahs. Then, it's Matt's turn with his oversized wheels:

Next up is Margaret. She tells Ann and Matt to stay right there. She runs into her room and runs back with her purple piggy bank in hand. She raises it to the camera, and the audience goes wild. They love purple (or at least Ann does), and they love piggy banks. And this process of show and tell continues for a good 10 minutes, long enough for me to get supper going on the stove. 

What, might you ask, is Louise doing since she's not yet a member of the show and tell Skype club? 

Maybe chatting it up on her TI-83...

...followed by some number crunching...

More than likely, she's buckled in her high chair, enjoying a dumb dumb. That makes her very happy and very sticky. 

Speaking of show n' tell, here is the birthday gift from Josh that I really, really love:

It's complete with a basket and bell from his parents. Inside the basket was a card and this, which I think is hilarious:

Can you see it? Underneath the drawing of the bicycle, it says "alternative energy." 

In the card, he talked about the idea of "back to the basics" and noticing and appreciating simple things....something I'd like to improve on. Going for some bike rides will likely help with that:)