Evan Hearts TV

Evan came home pretty bored after spending a week in Troy with his cousins, Lincoln and Ada. While visiting there, he had more time-outs than he's had in an entire month-- this wasn't because he and Lincoln were doing anything terribly bad, but rather because when in each other's company their ability to listen and follow directions decreases by at least 85%. Example: when playing "cleaning" in Grandma Patty's laundry room, Aunt Amy told them, "Boys, keep the door open if you're going to play in there." What did they do? Looked at Amy, and then slammed the door in her face. Amy put Lincoln in a time-out, and Evan volunteered himself to have one, too. The rest of the week continued in much the same manner.

Since we've been home, Evan's basically wanted to have "bop, babies, and a show." This means he sits on his blue couch, holding his dearly-beloved baby bear and Pound Puppy, watching whatever happens to be on Nick Jr., sucking on his pacifier. It's a cute sight, but I don't want him to veg out all the time. So, I'll usually turn off the show after awhile and suggest playing something together, like music, or hot cars, or art. He'll usually go along with whatever activity I suggest. This wasn't the case yesterday.

Evan asked, "Mom, I see a show?" so many times that I finally replied, "No, Evan. If you ask to see a show again, I'm going to throw it in the garbage." Smart kid that he is, he stated, "No, Mom. It's too big." He then went on to identify several other reasons why I couldn't throw out the TV: "It's too windy, Mom. It's too wet outside."

What can I say? He's pretty observant, and makes some really valid points.

I'm hoping attending Summer Camp will cure some of this emphasis on wanting to watch TV.

The First Farmer's Mkt. of the Year

Well, today opened the first Farmer's Market Thursday of the year. At 10:00 AM, a whole bunch of mommies bring their kids to the park to play and shop. Evan chose to buy a $5.00 boquet of wildflowers; and I bought some rhubarb, a quart of strawberries, and a bag of fresh spinach.

Evan found a new girlfriend, a curly-haired three-year-old blond named Kate, who he chased all around the playground, his little arms outstretched, yelling, "Hug! Hug!" It was truly brilliant.

It's one of those rare summer days-- hardly any heat or humidity, and still all sun; so I know we have to get back outside before the wrath of July flashes down upon us with the heat fires of hell.

Off to Kroger to return the pop bottles, which is one of Evan's favorite jobs.

Como se Llama....

While browsing through CM Life this week, I noted quite an interesting opportunity listed under "Weekend Events". A Llama show. To be held at our very own Isabella Co. Fairgrounds. Free admission.

Yes, Detroit-based readers, you did read that correctly. Llamas. In these here parts, people actually own animals such as llamas, on their tremendous acreages of land, and they show them as one shows a classic car in a Shell parking lot during the Woodward Cruise. And they get prizes and medals and blue ribbons for things like hairiest llama; funniest llama; llama with best personality; llama with best smile; llama most likely to succeed; llama most likely to live in a house with 7 kids and a white picket fence; etc.

So, this AM, after coffee and breakfast and shower, I packed Evan up and we headed to the fairgrounds to see the llamas. He wasn't terribly thrilled about it initially; in fact, he even said it was "too dark" for him underneath the barn enclosure (which it wasn't dark at all); and the only way I was able to lure him into the mix was point out a booth where one could buy llama-themed merch, such as llama stationary, stickers, stuffed toys, blankets, and so on. Evan chose 4 charmingly homemade llama stickers (someone designed the picture, and then printed them off on their computer); and I bought a winter scarf that better damn well be part llama, it being bought at a llama show. (As a suburban girl, I succumb easily to the charm of homemade things-- as I bought the scarf, I thought, "This is made of llama." Fact is, I wouldn't know if it wasn't-- it could be possum, or goat, or even beaver-- I'm going to tell everyone who asks that it's llama, based on purely anecdotal evidence and very uncritical reasoning).

Anyway, my impression of llamas was pretty good. They seem like gentle and tame animals. Less hyperactive than dogs and more interesting than cats. They have Snuffleupagus-looking eyelashes, and cute pointy ears. Their hair looks pettable: something like Cree Summer's 'do from her first few seasons on "A Different World". If Evan asked for a llama today, I might've said yes.

We were only there about an hour, but it was a very interesting and random hour. It was, as I see it, an experience that isn't likely to be repeated in suburban Detroit, unless you go to the zoo. It's wild country up here, folks. Believe it or not.