Where to start, where to start? I thought it had only been a week, but it's been almost 10 days since I've posted. My muse abandoned me and I'm not sure it has yet returned. Most of my schoolwork this semester consists of writing so I guess I am getting my outlet that way.

This week Ariana took a big step and made a phone call to a friend herself and invited her over for the night (this was with my approval). This is a big step for her because she is very shy and has in the past refused to make phone calls. She was asking if Lexi could stay overnight and I thought about it and realized that I don't mind the friend over--I just don't want to be making those phone calls for her. So I told her she could have her friend over if she made the call herself, and she did. Friday night, then, Lexi's mom dropped her off around 8 pm (after a basketball game at which lexi had some cheerleading thing going on). While the girls took off to play (followed by a phalanx of boys), I stood and visited for awhile with Lexi's mom. Lexi has a little sister named Sarah, who is a couple weeks older than William. According to Lexi's mom, Melissa, young Sarah has recently revealed in interesting misconclusion. She figured that the thing she saw on a daycare boy that she does not see on herself is an extra toe. Can't say I've heard that one before, but now that I think about it, I can see the resemblance!

Elijah was very pissy that Ariana had a friend overnight. Not because he wanted HIS friend over, but because he thought he should be able to be in there with them, gossiping and doing sleepover stuff and ultimately sleeping with them. I ended up having to have he and Ben both in my bed because Ben rooms with Ana and Lexi was using his bed. The laugh of the day came in the morning when we located one Mr. Wils slumbering amongst the girls.

Ariana finally summoning the courage to make that phone call has opened the floodgates and I am now officially the Ernestine of my own switchboard. Ben wants to call Maggie and DJ, Elijah wants to call Allie and Noah, and here's my favorite--Wil wants to call Kooper, Tyler, and "Gabin". We figure Zac also wants to call Grace.

Yesterday on my way home from work I called home to see if there was anything I needed to pick up at Target (by the way--never ask Elijah that question). I thought it was Ariana who answered the phone--I can't tell them apart. So i said, "Is this Ana?" And I heard back "No, Mother, it is I." That was Elijah being a dork. No, Mother, it is I.

So, anyway, having revealed that it was he, I asked what they were doing. We are playing doctor, he said. My ears perked up. Everyone knows that "playing doctor" is kid talk for doing bad things. How so? I asked. Well, he said, we are being that kind where if you have a problem the doctor tells you what to do. Ben hired me, he said, but I'm doing it for free this time. Tell me more, I asked him. Well, he said again, I'm working on Wil right now, and his problem is that he gets mad too easy, so that's what I'm talking to him about....................

Wils saw some snowmobiles for sale-I dont' know how he knew what the sign said--but he asked if we could go back and get his wallet. Seems like his fiscal intelligence has now reached the level of his father's.

To close, I thought I'd share an anecdote from work. We had a patient this week who was diagnosed with a paraphilia, which is new psychobabble for being a pervert. His fetish? Carnal relations with his vacuum cleaner. I wonder if he needs viagra.

That note leads me to a bit of sad news, and I'll explain the connection in a minute. My aunt Marilyn died this Thursday at age 61 of a very aggressive form of kidney cancer. She was diagnosed in August but by then it was widely systemic and breaking her bones. Horribly painful way for her to spend her last months. Hans and I did get up to see her about 10 days before she died, so that was good. Anyway, how that last paragraph made me think of her....she would have thought that was hilarious. I'm working on a tribute for her funeral right now and when I'm done I'll post it (it will be a few days--as I said, my muse is missing).

I need to call home and tell them to give the cats and dogs water--when I left for work this morning, Blue was in the heated dish, so I believe I am safe in assuming there is no water in there :)