Jenni Gregory’s spot

Tonight was one of those perfect nights. I took the kids to the park after Barry left for work and we played for quite a while.

There were some other kids already there. Usually I hate when other kids are around…I find most of ‘em…well, frankly, quite rude. From the looks of these kids they had that punky, angst vibe –they were somewhere in the tween ages, a couple were younger. One little girl was probably 5 or so.

Anyway, Chloe couldn’t wait to get out of the stroller and go play. I was kinda worried because the other times I been at the park and there’s kids there, she’s gotten pushed out of the way, seen kids making out, overheard other kids being…well, jerks. So I kinda wasn’t too excited to go to the park for any length of time.

The older kids had a football they had been tossing around. It was laying on the playground by the time I got Chloe out of the stroller. Chloe does love to play with balls. So she made a bee-line over to them and started to play with the ball. I was expecting the boys to be like my previous experience where some other kids had had a ball and just left it there while they played, but when Chloe went up to the ball, they suddenly got all possessive and grabbed the ball only to set it down again away from her.

Well, not this time. Much to my surprise, these were really, really nice kids. They let her play with the football, tossed it to her a couple times, and were extremely careful about how rough they played around her. Yep, like I needed to feel like a schmuck.

The topper was Chloe got back into the stroller when I told her it was time to leave. No big crying jag, no having to chase her down, she got in the stroller when I asked and we went home.

My big girl!

Even bath time tonight was a breeze. I put Chloe in the tub to play while I gave Fox his bath.

I think someone switched the kids because there were no fights tonight, no tears (well, except when it came time to brush Chloe’s teeth, then she screamed like a banshee). But that lasted only a little while.

She even told ME she wanted to take a nap. So I put her in her crib, not even a whimper.

The planets must have aligned right, the gods smiled down upon me kindly, because it’s seldom do I have nights like this. Boy was it nice!!!

Saw this guy talking with his friends. He had a cool look. His friends…not so much.

So it’s almost mid-October…that means it’s time for Disney to start hawkin’ the Christmas stuff!!

Oh, those silly Brits!

So I’m trying to convince Barry to let me redesign the Familiar characters Chloe and Maggie. He ain’t going for it. Wish I had started off like this, damn those style changes!!!

Watched ” A Man for All Seasons” this week. Costumes were too cool.

My pal Esly (a way talented sweetie!) sent me this wonderful poem. It expresses just about everything I feel about being a mom. Visit Esly’s web page at www.esly.net

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Since having children I think I’ve become more observant about parent interaction. Sometimes you just see parents and kids together and you can just tell how much they love each other.

The Stitch ears cracked me up. Another cool gothy girl at Christmas time. There’s this weird fashion thing right now where folks wear pajama out. Kinda creeps me out.

Another character sketch for September Days. The guys at the bottom are suitors.

Some day I’m going to do a story with a wizard in it. Who doesn’t love those pointy hats?

The lady in orange had such a peaceful face.

Gotta love those Disneys costumes. This

This guy had the worlds thickest mustache. Mustaches creep me out. I think it’s a proximity thing with the lips and nose. Creeps me out.

I can’t STAND the penny smooshing machines. Do you know how much it costs do make a stupid smooshed penny?

Vacation ladies who lunch. But the pizza sure looked good.

The lady in the red and blue shirt wasn’t in a great mood. She had this ‘don’t even look at me vibe.

A cute daddy with his daughter. I love to see that.

So this little kid in water wings come flying past me making a mad dash to the bathroom. He had the most desperate, determined look on his face.

He made it.

I think.

Couple o’ Brits here.

The guy in the khaki’s looked like he was about to go on a jungle safari. I love jackets with all those pockets. Makes you wonder just what they are hiding.

Still on the Bush theme…

Q: What does Bush think of Roe vs. Wade?

A: He doesn’t care how people get out of New Orleans.

Love the birds.

Gotta throw in a few more birds. Here’s a pelican and a african crowned crane.

This girl was just sitting listening to her CD player. She was kinda lost in her own world in a guys please check me out kinda way.

Here’s some folks.

A cool gator I’m gonna start using.

Daring fashion sense. Not everyone can pull off blue lips. I like goth and I like punk but does everyone have to be so dower?

Zebra finches and an Amazon Parrot.

The lady with the braids was really funny. She was walking past and I just happened to draw her. Then about 15 minute later she stopped at the stand and started to talk to me.

I quickly closed my sketch bookI didn’t tell her I had just drawn here. That wouldda been kinda creepy.

I thought the guy with the knot in his beard was kinda funny. He seemed kinda in a pissed off mood though. Everytime I saw him walk past he was scowling and kinda had this aggressive movement with his shoulders. But he was fun to draw.

The yellow guy is an amazon parrot.

A game Barry and I like to play whenever we are out and about is…spot the Brits. I dunno, maybe it’s the black socks and sandals, maybe it’s the ‘football’ jersey’s they wear, the obviously painful sunburns they sport, or all the tatoo’s everyone has (chicks and guys…babies, too!), but you can spot a Brit.

While Tember was living with us, she got really good at picking out the Brits in a crowd and she was from small town Mississippi.

Here, you play.

Ok, there aren’t any Brits in this one. But ya gotta love the guy that’s daring enough to wear camo to Disney. Let’s go mouse hunting!!!

You can even play in black and white!

Some folks walking past me. The surfer dude was really funny. He was hanging out with a bunch of his friends and they seemed cool.

The lady had a beautiful salwar. She was British.

This guy (at the bottom with the hat) looked so resigned and fatalistic. He wife and teen daughter where in the giftshop and he was just resting against the wall with this “I’m soooo broke ” look on his face.
Disney ain’t cheap.

I have to admit after being around so many British folks, that they have been the nicest, most polite, yet wild group ever. I always thought Brits were supposed to be so reserved, stuffy, but maybe we just get them all on their good days, because they are really fun.