Leaving on a Jet Plane

When I got out my suitcase to head to NYC for work, E&Z decided it was a perfect fit. Note that they wanted to ensure proper compartmentalization via the zipped median:



Step 1: Place flap over cargo.








Step 2: Secure cargo.

The two faces of an indignant Eleni

I did something bad today.

I can't remember what, but I now undertand that it must have been biased and unfair. I know this because I got the official Eleni "Bad Mommy" treatment:













Step 1: Talk to the tushy





















Step 2: Undergo the "you know what you did, you bad, bad mommy" glare.

Momotographer's dilemma

To flash or not to flash?





No flash = cute but dark & fuzzy pics

Flash = crystal clear, well lit photos of small, blinded people.

Sure sign you're the parent of twins

You're 1/2 hour home from work and wearing two pairs of lively colored socks.

Zoe and Eleni love picking out socks for me when I change out of my work clothes.

And they're both extraordinarily pathetic if I don't pick their pair of socks.

I tried alternating days, but I'm a sucker for a pathetic toddler, so...I spend a lot of time wearing two pairs of socks.

ABC -- A Musical Interlude

And now, for your listening pleasure, Zoe performs the ABC song.

You are Diamond

Eleni coins the new slang phrase of 2009:

"You are sooooo diamond."

Zoe Zoomer

Today at "soccer," Zoe not only beat all the boys (and mommy and Eleni) in a race around the gym, but then decided to reprise her winning lap in the other direction.

A Measure of Distractibility

Among the many differences between Zoe & Eleni is a marked difference in level of distractibility.

Case in point: Recently, their cousin Gia was over. The girls had just sat down to watch their pre-bedtime TV show, when Gia saw something cool outside the window.







Eleni popped up to investigate immediately.


Meanwhile, Zoe (and Blankie) appeared to be unaware of the entire proceeding.

Do Not Disturb (Baba)

When Kostas works from home, he almost always has conference calls that last past 5pm, which is when I get home and take over from Zoryana.

-

There is a strict "no bothering Baba in the office" rule in the house, which includes no banging on the office door.

-

That said, there is no rule against "eavesdropping on Baba in the office to see whether he might in fact be off the phone and ready for a visit from his two favorite little sushis."

-

It's all in the technicalities.

It's Better to Be Prepared

Because you never know when there could be an air raid in the kitchen, it is better to be prepared.*

*As I wrote this, I realized the awful truth that there are so many 2-year-olds in the world who do in fact need to worry about air strikes in their kitchens. What are we humans thinking?

Makeup Expertise

Not to toot my own horn, but I am something of an expert when it comes to makeup application.

I can, for example, put on mascara and lipstick in a speeding NYC taxi -- with no mirror.

This kind of expertise takes some time to cultivate and master.



Let's just say Zoe's not there yet.

Bubble Bath

How lucky are kids today.

A bubble maker for the bathtub.

Are you kidding me?