Have I mentioned that having children is a humbling experience?

Today Cate and I were having a really lovely mother-daughter moment. Ben was still asleep and so we piled some blankets and pillows on the floor of her room and curled up to read stories. We were giggling and talking about the pictures and I thought to myself, "I'm so lucky! I really need to try and remember this moment on days that I'm short on patience. What a great kid!"

At that moment, Cate looked at me and said, "I love daddy."

I smiled, "Me too. He's a really good daddy."

To which Cate promptly replied, very matter-of-factly, "I love daddy more than mommy."

(sigh).

Why I Have Not Packed a Single Box Even Though I Am Moving in Less Than a Month

Chris and I have always prided ourselves on the fact that we don’t watch a lot of tv. Sure I tune into “Law & Order” re-runs whenever I’m on the treadmill and we watch our fair share of Iowa basketball games but, overall, there aren’t a lot of shows that we watch on a weekly basis.

So whenever someone asks if we’ve seen the latest episode of “Survivor” (or “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Dancing with the Stars” or “Lost”), we simply shrug and say (a bit smugly), “Actually, we don’t watch a lot of tv.”

This, dear friends, is a lie.

For the past two months the minute our kids are in bed, we dash upstairs, flip on the tv, and sink back into the couch, hoping we can squeeze in two (okay, maybe three) episodes of what we now refer to as, “The Best Television Series We’ve Ever Seen.” Ever.

We are enamored (enthralled, mesmerized, captivated, fascinated) by the HBO series “The Wire.” To say that it’s a police drama, set in Baltimore—although true—merely scratches the surface of what this series is about.

It’s about the drug trade. It’s about the police. It’s about politics. It’s about education. It’s about the media. It’s about all how all of these facets of society impact each other and it’s phenomenal.

“The Wire” is about people. One of the most refreshing things about this series is that the people (even the “good guys”— who aren’t always who you think they are) are flawed. Some do the right things for the wrong reasons and some do the wrong things for the right reasons. It’s surprising. It’s unexpected, but it’s never unbelievable.

It was with mixed emotions that we sat down last night to watch the final two episodes. We couldn’t wait to see how it would end, but we didn’t want it to end at all. We’ve spent the last 24 hours analyzing the end of the series, the main characters, their motivations.

The only upside to finishing the series is that now (approximately 23 days before we take possession) we can begin packing in earnest.

Watch “The Wire.” You won’t be disappointed. Then call us so that we can rehash it from beginning to end.

Overheard

Mommy: Cate, why is your tongue blue?

Cate: I don't know.

Mommy: Really, why is your tongue blue?

Cate: I ate blue marker.

*****

Cate: I like parakeets. They make me happy.

*****

Cate: Can I use the apple cutter?

Mommy: No. That's only for grown-ups.

Cate: When I'm a grown-up, can I use it?

Mommy: Yeah, of course. What else will you do when you're a grown-up?

Cate: I would use scissors.

5 Minutes in the Life of Ben: A Photo Essay

Halloween in August

Even though summer isn't even close to being over we've started to receive catalogs featuring Halloween costumes. This has sparked a great deal of conversation at our house.

Mommy: What should Ben be for Halloween?

Cate: A cowboy.

Mommy: What are you going to be for Halloween?

Cate: A cowboy girl.

Although this is subject to change, we are now on the hunt for munchkin-sized cowboy/girl gear.

Grandpa Doug will undoubtedly approve of cowboy boots for both Ben and Cate given that he sports them year round, and for (almost) all occasions (including our wedding)!

READ!

I'm on the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation board and at our annual fundraiser in May personalized "Read" posters were among the silent auction items. Here is our "Read" poster complete with Cate's favorite book "Five Little Monkeys."

At least she hasn't lost her sense of style...

After a long week filled fever, vomiting, irritability and sleepless nights we headed to the Peds Clinic today.

Diagnosis? A nasty, nasty virus. Nothing to do but wait it out.

But no matter how badly she might be feeling our little fashionista only leaves the house dressed to the nines.

As you can see today at the Peds Clinic she wore a trendy, but comfortable ensemble: lime green pajama top, knit lavender floral skirt, and camoflauge rain boots (they're actually Ben's but he won't be big enough to wear them until next summer).

Signs Your 2-Year Old is Really Sick

1. Cries when you offer her popsicles at 10:00 in the morning

2. Bursts into tears when you ask if she wants to watch Sesame Street

3. Asks no questions and makes no comments as you read 23 stories out loud

4. Closes her eyes and sighs when her little brother crawls over her and her books to get to some electrical cords (rather than shouting “NO BEN!”)

5. Throws up all over her bed. Poor Cate.