If I Play a Song for You

We go to our local FedEx almost every day. Conveniently, it's located right next to a coffee shop so I can lure the children into compliance with bribes of hot chocolate milk if they behave in FedEx.

Our FedEx guy is wonderful. He knows the kids' names and ask how Dave is doing (sometimes I make Dave do the shipping runs) every time I drop off our packages. But the real highlight is that he offers the children stickers. Now I don't know if it's because he's really nice or it's part of FedEx's plan for fostering brand recognition before children know what hit them. Either way, my kids yell "yippee" when I tell them I have to go to FedEx. And it's reciprocated too.

Last month, Ellie took her accordion (which she received for her birthday) with her on one of our daily trips so she could play a tune for the FedEx guy. Jonah meanwhile, made sure to sport his fireman's hat to show off. Here are two pics that I quickly snapped from that day:

The Word of the Day

.....Is Pipples.

Ellie (in the shower): Mommy make sure you wash my pipples.
Me: What are pipples?
Ellie: You know, the stuff on my neck under my skin. My pipples!

Whistle While You Work

We listen to a fair amount of music. Whether we are schlepping to FedEx to drop off packages (I haven't gotten around to request a pick-up from the house yet, well, that and there's a coffee shop I like to frequent right next to FedEx yum!) or hanging out at home, it seems music has become our constant companion. Frankly I use music as my crutch to get through some of the most grueling parts of my day.

So here's what I'm listening to today while I bag, tag, package and ship:
Writers Block Peter Bjorn & John

What are you listening to? Any recommendations?

Sworn to Secrecy

Right now we are working on our new products for '08. I'm incredibly excited about them. Now I can't say anything or even hint about what's coming out until everything hits the scene. After all, when we first came up with the ORIGINAL design of our Reversible Tutu there wasn't anything like it on the market. Now when you google reversible tutu, you'll have to sift through tons of links with imitations. In fact some of them don't even bother to change the copy I wrote for our website—they lift full sentences. Where's the imagination, creativity or pride in that?

I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It just makes us work harder to stay fresh and one step ahead.

But quite honestly all of this covertness about our new stuff is killing me. I am not good with keeping secrets—especially ones that I'm excited about. But I'm learning...quickly.

So keep your eyes out for some new EBK items to hit the scene in the coming months. Until then, my lips are sealed.

In Case You Missed It

The fall issue of Classic Play went to over 1,500 subscribers. If you missed your copy, click here for your own personal pdf.

This is by far our most ambitious issue yet—the photography alone is amazing (the ideas for the features ain't too bad either wink, wink). I'm not sure if we can keep this up. But I will say this, while it is an enormous amount of work, it's also quite fun. I just hope people are enjoying it as much as I am.

Dave on Word Origins

Picking up toys off the floor (have I mentioned he's the clean one?): I think the word kid derives from Latin for mess.

It's Live

Dave's photography website is now up and running. Pop on over to davekcooper.com and let us know what you think.

Jonah On Being a Big Boy

I caught Jonah in the act so to speak so I said, "let's go sit on the potty so you can finish going poo poo." He cheerfully replied, "Okaaaaayyyy."

However once we arrived at the deposit station, he tensed up and refused to bend so that I could sit him on the seat. He didn't care if his feet were going in the toilet water, just as long as his backside didn't sit on the seat. For him that would mean defeat.

So of course I broke out the heavy artillery—bribery. "But look, I have big boy underpants. Don't you want Thomas and Lightning McQueen underwear? They have the piiiistoooon cup on them. OOooooh, the piston cup." And with that I start to move them back and forth in the air as if I'm hypnotizing him with the lure of cartoon characters who want him to poop in the toilet.

"Nope."

As I let out the heavy sigh of defeat I take him back into his room. Then I resort to my one last trick. "Honey, diapers are for babies. Are you a baby?" Jonah shakes his head no. "Oh, so you're a big boy. Big boys wear underpants." "I no want to wear big boy underpants." There is a pause. Then with a pitiful look and a small little voice he repeats his position, "I no wanna wear big boy underpants." I replied, "But why honey?" He tilts his head down and looks up at me. It is at this point he must have channeled the classic pathetic puppy in a store window. It would soften the hearts of even the most diaper-changing weary (me). Then he responds in a sweetly soft voice, "I don't want to be a big boy. I want to wear a diaper." And that my friends is how the battle is won. Jonah 2 Mommy 0.

The Toothfairy

Today during Ellie's quiet time I hear her yell, "Mommy, Mommy, Daddy, Daddy, it's out!" This could mean only one thing. Ellie has lost her first tooth.

For the past week, Ellie has been working on her wobbly tooth. She has been telling everyone (and I do mean random people on the street) about her loose tooth. She reveled in the dentist's position to have her eat chewy candy (which the dentist made sure to tell me was not something she typically recommends) to work the tooth out.

I guess it all paid off this afternoon.

The tooth currently resides on her shelf so she can take it to school to show all her friends on Monday. After that it will be tucked under her pillow for the tooth fairy. And the thought of all this makes Ellie a very happy girl.

Happy Halloween

Here are a few pics from last night's festivities along with a few quotes of the night...






Man: "Oh look Pocahontas"
Ellie: "Actually, I'm Tiger Lily"
Man: "Okay, sorry about that."
Ellie: "That's alright." Pause "You can call me whatever you want."

Jonah: Just went up to a house to get candy. Comes running down the walkway, "I got some! I got some!"