One of Melody's latest favorites to read is the book Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. We read this most nights before bed, adding in the appropriate funny voices for either Sam or his erstwhile victim. Melody loves it and knows several bits and will "read" along with me. This book, for those who lived in a hole during their childhood, is the story of a fellow minding his business reading the newspaper who is suddenly accosted by Sam, a green eggs and ham promoter. Sam arrives in the unnamed victim's life on the back of a dog, asking if his mark like's green eggs and ham, then hounding him throughout the story, stalking him and brow beating him until the poor soul finally breaks down and eats green eggs and ham. GREEN EGGS AND HAM, people!

I can recall as a kid reading this book and really resenting Sam for his persistence in forcing this innocent guy to eat green eggs and ham. Not just green eggs, but green ham. Ick! My heart went out to the unnamed pawn in this green food conspiracy. Frankly, even in kindergarten I knew deep in my soul that meat products should not be green. Veggies, sure, even some fruits are green, but fowl and pork products? I think not. And on that deeper level I felt it was just wrong for Sam to continue with his ridiculous quest for green food domination when this poor martyr clearly stated on numerous occasions that he did not like green eggs and ham. I related to this sentiment, for I too despised many green foods and did not want to eat them, either.

Without completely spoiling the ending for those of you who haven't read it, let me just say that should you be accosted by a furry fellow riding a dog and holding a sign that reads "I am Sam" in one hand and a plate of neon green fried eggs and a ham in the other, RUN!

Melody has been attending the same daycare for the past two years and up until recently the same three children had been there for about the same time: Melody, Mark and Gianna.  Gianna went off to another daycare recently, and some new children are now attending, but through it all, it's been Melody and Mark.

All weekend long, Melody will ask for Mark, ask what he is doing, ask where he is.  She loves Mark.  They are best buddies.  I ran into Mark's dad the other day and he said it's basically the same thing at their house, with Mark asking about Melody.

Last night, as I was sweetly singing the ABC song to Melody before bedtime, she asked to sing along and of course I said yes.  She proceeded to sing "Mark" in place of all the letters. 

She is fixated.  It's her first crush!

He is awfully cute.

Before the mad dash to the emergency room, we had a very lovely weekend. Saturday, Melody and Mom joined Auntie Kathy, Gramma Alice and Gramma Marie for a Mother's Day Tea at the Victorian Manor in Old Towne Orange. This is a lovely Victorian cottage that has been converted to a tea house. The teas range from decaffinated and regular to herbal and interesting. We started with wild berry, moved to Irish breakfast, then closed with rose petal. The meal was a delightful and light luncheon consisting of scones, salad, finger sandwiches, fruit and cookies. Melody had her own luncheon that closed with ice cream, but don't doubt that she enjoyed the cookies too.  

Outside in the gated yard, the flowers were blooming and picture spots abounded. We took advantage of the gazebo, an archway and bench for some photo mementos from the day. I hope you'll take a look, there are a couple of Melody that, if I must say so myself, are gorgeous photos.

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Saturday evening we played at the park with Caelen, our neighbor. Hide and seek was the order of the day and Melody and Caelen had a wonderful time!  On the way home, they held hands. It was so cute!

Sunday, Auntie, Mom and Melody visited the new Civil War event in Costa Mesa. It had a small turnout due to the fact that it was Mother's Day, but it was a nice little event all the same. We have great hopes for the event in 2010.

Sunday night was spent with Uncle Steve, Aunt Kathleen, cousins Shawn and Jake (Melody's new best friend!), Gramma Marie and us for dinner. Uncle Steve spent the better part of the evening trying to convince us that Melody needs a brother, either the normal way or a cousin-brother. He showed off some fish pictures from a recent fishing trip and on Monday Melody announced that she wanted Uncle Steve to come fishing with her. We really had a nice weekend (until that last part) celebrating Mother's Day and family!

There comes a time in life, for parents and for children, that they must make that first, brave pilgrimage to the unhappiest place on Earth: the hospital ER.  We found ourselves making the mad dash last Sunday night during the waning hours of Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, as we were getting ready for bed, Melody thought it might be fun to play one last game with Mom and tried to shut the door between us so she could run down the hallway.  Weeeellllll, little Melody had her little foot in the way of the big door, and needless to say, screaming and blood were involved.

It was just more than Mom and Dad knew what to do about.  I won't go into the gorey details for you here, just suffice it to say that Melody will be growing a new big toenail.  It hurts just to say that.

But it certainly hurt us so much more on Sunday night.  She was in great pain and frightened because Mom and Dad were hovering over her trying to figure out what to do.  Then came Dad carrying her down the stairs, still in her pajamas, out to the car and Mom rushing out behind them and actually sitting in the back seat with her.  This must have been overwhelming for her.  Mom and Dad can only say that we are eternally grateful the injury was not life threatening because the wait was at least 30 minutes in the waiting room.  Once we were in a treatment room the care came quickly, but oh, her wails and cries.  It's enough to make a grown man cry.

Melody will be fine, by the way.  She was walking today and just will have to wear a bandage for a while which precludes a shoe.  Her pediatrician thinks that it will grow out just fine and we will let nature take its course.  Yes, all's well that ends well, but oh the getting there can be so traumatic!