Reflections in the Dragon's Eye: A Journal

So, we had a pretty damn good weekend, but the last fourteen hours or so have not been what you'd call good for technology.

Matt and I let Penny play in the pool last night before dinner, and sometime while we were all outside, our DSL went kaflooey. It hiccups occasionally and has to be reset, but this time, resetting didn't do the trick. As of this morning, our connection still says, "Looking for PPPOE Host..." and refuses to find one.

And then this morning, while I was watching Penny run around like a miniature dervish and Matt was brushing his teeth, our power went out. We left the house only about ten minutes later, but the power was still off. I hope it comes back soon, or the house is going to be totally unbearable by the time I'm home from work.

If that wasn't quite enough, Matt dropped his phone just as we were getting in our cars, and from the cursing that issued forth after he picked it back up, I'm guessing it was damaged.

Jill arrived Friday night just in time for dinner, and of course she came bearing gifts for her favorite (only) grandchild! The hands-down winner, as far as Penny was concerned, was this cute little tea set. Penny was knocking back imaginary tea like they were shots of harsh whiskey. Matt called it the Old West Tea Party.

Matt and I gave Penny this little playhouse, that she also seemed to like quite a bit. This side shows the theater; the other sides are a grocery store, a post office, and of course the entryway. Penny was not impressed with the doorway; she did most of her exits Dukes of Hazzard style, via the grocery store window.

Now that it's over and done, I have a confession to make: I've never actually made a layered cake before. But Penny actually had two cakes - this one, which was a chocolate and strawberry checkerboard cake, and then a smaller lemon cake with cream cheese icing. Both turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Okay, the flash made the colors look really unnatural, and the checks are a little lopsided, but overall, I'm pleased with how it turned out.

After the cake, we gave the sugared-up kids access to the pool. Weirdly, there were never more than two kids in the pool at any given time. Jess was content to play inside for a long time, and Braz had to be sent home for Emma's suit, so at first it was just Penny and Savannah.

Just about the time that Braz showed up with Emma's suit, Savannah got out and dressed again. And Penny decided to stick with Savannah, so the two of them ran around the playhouse for a bit.

Lo! and Amazement! Jess actually got in the pool, and seemed to be having a good time! (I didn't get pictures of Jess and Penny in the pool together, but several other people did.)

After the pool had been drained, some of the kids decided it was time for some supplementary ice cream. Penny, of course, was at the top of that list.

After I took a picture of Penny eating ice cream, Emma said, "Take a picture of me, too!" So I did. She held that pose for several seconds, just so I could get it right.

Penny and Jess played together with Penny's new toys. I'm glad those two get along so well, but always a little amazed by it, because they have such different personalities.

Sunday afternoon was hot and slow, so we got the pool out again. I love Penny's dubious look in this picture.

The thing I found most hysterical about the party was that there were more cameras than kids present. (Five kids. Six cameras.) And my brother's, Braz's, and Elizabeth's were all very nice cameras, low-end professional or high-end amateur models.

Everyone taking pictures promised to send or post them, so I'm sure I'll have my pick of pictures for the photo album, before long!

Unfortunately, several days of eating unrestricted cake and ice cream and cupcakes and junk food set my diet back almost to where it was after the summer bash.

So I'm resetting the counter again, and going back on the wagon. The current goal is to lose 10 pounds before my birthday. Wish me luck.