What's Cuter Than A Baby Elephant?

Duh.  Trick question.  Probably nothing is cuter than a baby elephant.  

When I visited the Portland Zoo this past October, I had the privilege of seeing the very pregnant elephant, Rose-Tu.  Pregnant animals are pretty fascinating and cute in general, but even more fascinating when their gestational period lasts from 21-24 months!  That is an awfully long time to be pregnant.    

After just 30 short hours (relatively, speaking) of labor, Rose-Tu gave birth to her little 300-pound baby elephant early this morning.  And it's a girl!  I bet nobody was happier than Rose-Tu that this little baby finally popped out.  The baby doesn't yet have a name, but the Zoo will release a list of possible names and the public will get to vote on her name.  I'm for sure going to vote!  The baby's brother, Rose-Tu's first child, is named Samudra, which means "ocean" in Sanskrit.  I think this little animal family is just too cute!  Congrats, Rose-Tu! 

If you're interested in reading more about Rose-Tu and her new arrival, you can read the full story here.

Get Your Happy On

How's your day going?  Oh just OK?  Well, here's not just 1, not 2, not 10, but 180 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT from the Mighty Girl blog.  This list is not messing around.  Three of my faves from the list are the sound of my children making each other laugh, rainbow sprinkles, and forehead kisses, and the list goes on.  So if you haven't smiled enough yet to today, go check it out :) 

Old School So Cool

If you watched a lot of Nickelodeon in the 90's (if you didn't you were totally missing out) then this is for you.  A little quiz to help you decide once and for all which 90's Nickelodeon character you are.  I don't want to brag or anything, but I got Alex Mack.  Yessssssssss.  I was fist pumping and trying to brag about it to my husband, but he was just like, "Who's that?"  Some people are just not that cool I guess....  Anyways, I'm going to go reminisce about Clarissa Explains it All, Salute your Shorts, and all my other old favs.  See ya.

A shout out to Matt:  I predict you got Chalky Studebaker from Doug, am i right???

A Hilarious Haircut

I ran across this story today on my favorite celebrity gossip website - Pink Is The New Blog - and I just had to share it.  I love NPR and I love that this NPR writer, Jeff Cohen, decided to interview his daughters about their little haircutting mishap.  They are both so serious in the interview and so smart for being 3 and 5!  I love it.  I think most of us were on the cutting or receiving end of a bad/hilarious haircut in our youth, so this might bring back some memories.  Enjoy! 

I'm not tech savvy at all, so I couldn't really put in the media player like all the other websites have, but you can listen to the interview here: 

Two Little Girls Explain The Worst Haircut Ever

Cotton Candy!!

While I can't say I've been a big fan of cotton candy since about the age of 9, I can definitely still see the allure.  It's just a huge cloud of sugary goodness to sink your teeth into.  I have to admit that I do still like the texture of it a lot and I can definitely enjoy a taste now and then.  But, by far, the best part about cotton candy these days is watching my two favorite little boys eat it.  First, there was the complete and utter excitement at the prospect of the pink sugar high:

It's bigger than his head!! 

And then there were the amazing mid-snacking moments when it seemed like more ended up on their faces, than actually in their mouths.  I especially LOVE the cotton candy beard.  Spending time with these two little guys is one of the things that makes me happiest in life:

Such a good look for you, Miles

LONDON 2012! USA! USA! USA!

The countdown to the OLYMPICS is on!!
My cousin Peter is on the US Men's water polo team, so we are super excited around here.

Pete with his #1 fan (Charley) who now wears his water polo cap everywhere...to school, while he naps, at the park...I practically have to pry it off his head.  Him and Miles play "water polo" all the time now, in the living room, with no water, where Charley makes up his own rules of the game and changes them constantly.  Oh, and there's lots of tackling.  

A Giant Sham?!?

Back when we had cable and got like 440 more channels than the 10 we get now, I admit, I watched a little HGTV from time to time.  Okay, maybe more than a little.  When I was pregnant and couldn't sleep I could easily watch like 5 episodes of House Hunters in a row in the middle of the night.  So good.  Waking John-Paul up in the middle of the night to tell him that we needed to move to Texas, and how we could get so much more for our money there.  Yelling at the dumb woman who was not choosing a house just because of the color the walls were painted.  You're going to give up the bonus room and master suite because you can't handle repainting a couple rooms?!?  Come on!  

Then yesterday I read this article and learned that it was all fake.  I feel so betrayed!!  Everyone knows most reality shows are scripted and edited to make better stories and more drama, but House Hunters?  I mean I assume that buying a house doesn't only consist of going to look at exactly three houses and then going out for coffee with your realtor, picking your favorite one, and living happily ever after, but the fact that a lot of the houses they looked at weren't even for sale is kinda extreme.  House Hunters (and House Hunters International, House Hunters: on Vacation, AND even House Hunters: Living the Dream) I will no longer watch you!  Maybe because it's because I'm taking a stand against all your lies, or maybe it's because I don't have premium cable anymore...

Anyways, my current house hunting strategy is to win the lottery and then buy this quaint little place that's for sale a few blocks down from our place...

Awesome ways to waste time

I've been kind of slacking in the posting department, and the only excuse I can come up with is that I've been spending what little spare time I have playing word games and apps.  It's an addiction.  My phone isn't used for talking to people anymore, just for word game apps.  This weekend my husband told me I "should just marry the iPad."  Clearly he is just jealous that I always beat him in Words with Friends.  On the bright side, I am kind of a connoisseur of word games now and can pass on my favorites so you can become addicted too.

*First there is the classic: Words with Friends.  This is just like Scrabble.  Insider tip:  There are sites where you can plug in your letters and it will show you the best move, so if someone is constantly playing words that you have never heard of, they are probably just cheating.  Or maybe thats just what I tell myself to feel better when I lose :)

*Then if you're looking for something a little more fast paced there is Scramble with Friends, which is a lot like Boggle.  Jessica and I have an ongoing Scramble rivalry, and so far she wins like 75% of the time.     I am currently plotting ways to dominate her at Scramble, and my two top tactics so far are to try to play her late at night when she is tired or after she has been drinking.  So all I have to say to you Jess is, you better watch your back.

*Then there is Puzzlejuice.  The app says that this game "is like punching your brain in the face."  A more gentle way to describe it would be Boggle and Tetris having a baby together??

*And lastly, my new obsession: Spell Tower. It's also has Boggle and Tetris elements.  Soooo addicting.  I need someone else to get it so I can play "Debate Mode" via bluetooth.  Come on guys.

Now that I look like a huge nerd, my job here is done.

EDIT: In case anyone wants to take the downward spiral into the dark world of word game apps with me, I forgot to put my username for Words and Scramble with Friends.  It's Kristionary.  Play me.

 

MANATEE MONDAY

For me personally, it doesn't get much cuter than manatees and sloths.  I mean...come on!!!

If your day is getting a little hectic you can head on over to calmingmanatee for some more manatee love

A Baby Hump for Hump Day

Okay, okay, so I know manatees aren't exactly humpback whales, but I needed a catchy title.  And I certainly needed this adorable picture to help get me through the work week.  I wish I worked at Sea World and got to feed baby manatees all day long.  This little guy might even be as cute as the baby sloth... 

Mean Tweets

I saw this a couple months ago on Jimmy Kimmel.  Watch it.  I think you'll laugh.

Inspiration

Since this blog is all about things that are happy & cute & that we absolutely love, I thought I would start off my posting with the most inspirational story I've heard this year:

Annie Clark, a 7-year-old girl was born with no hands.  But she has learned to write with a pencil wedged between her arms and in April she won an award for Excellent Penmanship!  Annie was adopted from China in 2007 into an seemingly amazing family.  And she is obviously flourishing.  If little Annie can learn to write with no hands, and write exceptionally well, it doesn't seem like much can stop her.  What a lesson for all us.  Thanks, Annie, and congratulations!  You can read the full story here:  This is one amazing girl!

Plumeria..POOmeria..

I love my nephews. Their smiles make me happy.  I love everything about them most especially when they add "poop" to words and think they are modern day comedians and crack eachother up.

After the park the other day we were walking home and Miles pointed out a "plumeria" flower.  He still can't say his "l" so it sounded more like "pumeria".  Charley thought that was absolutely hilarious and they would not stop saying "POO-meria" all the way home...

I just LOVE them and can't get enough.

HAPPY FRIDAY

Whats cuter than a baby sloth?  I don't know

Caine's Arcade

Watching this video will for sure make your day a little happier. Right up front I have to tell you that my sister sent me the link to this video a couple weeks ago.  Growing up, if I ever wanted to borrow her clothes she would make me swear that if I got any compliments on my outfit that I would be sure to let the complimenter know that it was not because of my great style but only through the extreme generosity of my sis that I managed to pull off a such a cute look.  She would make me rehearse before school with her saying things like, "Hey, thats a cute top," and me having to be like, "Thanks!  My sister let me borrow it."  So, if after watching this you think to yourself, "Hey thats such a cute video!" then here's me saying, "Thanks, my super wonderful and cool sister sent me a link to it awhile back."
Enjoy!


Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

How cute is this kid?!?!  You're a little happier now right?

HELLO WORLD!!

Hello world!  Actually, hello to the one person in the world who knows about this blog!  Thats right husband, I'm talking to you.  You can be the subject of my first post ever because 1. you make me happy. 2. you're cute. and 3. I love you.  Done and done!!  Plus, I know when you get home from work you're going to be like, "Hey girl, don't even worry about all the toys and cheerios all over the floor,  I'm just so proud of you that you've started what will probably be the raddest blog ever.  Why don't you just go have a cup of tea and relax while I straighten up the house."