An Open Letter To General Electric

re: Child safety outlet covers

Dear Sirs:

I am writing about one of your products, the outlet plug cover (model GE2502-44, made in China), which is supposed to keep small children from inserting objects into a live outlet.

Here's a shocking (pun intended) video showing how it held up to the probings of a recently-turned-two-years-old boy.



Since it is laughably ineffective as a child safety device, here are some other ideas we thought of.

Puzzle
Probably not the best idea since it only took our son a few seconds to remove both plugs. Most puzzles take him as least a couple of minutes. Even replacing the plugs himself and removing them again didn't keep him occupied for long.

Teething Aid
Except that it's a little harder than most teething products and it's also a little smaller, which brings us to our next suggestion...

Population Control Device
If the child doesn't immediately stick something metallic into one of the slots he could always just put the plug cover into his mouth and choke on it, a two pronged approach. Which leads us to...

Nose Plug
As our child later demonstrated, the two prongs are just about nostril width apart.

Home Security Device
Those buggers hurt when you step on one with bare feet. If you're defending your home against an attack of barefoot burglars, it might slow them down.

Sincerely (sarcasm intended) yours,

Ma and Pop Cruncher

Shoe Shine Boy

Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday. Make sure Daddy's shoes have the special shine that only comes from a gravel scrub. The douglas fir cones add extra scrubbing power.

Happy Spring!

Well, we're having a beautiful spring in the Northwest, so far. The Crunchers thought they'd go out on the deck and bask in the....snow?

Easter Eggstravaganza!

First, the huntin'

Then, the findin'

Next, of course, the eatin'

Finally, the obligatory close up shots.

A Close Scrape

Apparently he was teasing his mama and he jumped off the couch, landing on a truck.

Been there, done that.

The Virtues of Hard Labor

For Easter, we decided to give Grant (in the red) his dream come true: An entire trailer full of wood to unload. Cole really got into it, too, but he sort of has fun with it. You know, goofs off half the time. Grant has a particular ability to focus on the labor at hand, especially when it comes to wood.*





It was a wonder filled morning for both boys. And once the last piece was unloaded, Grant did the most logical thing; started loading the wood back in. That's my boy!

*The second to last picture is worth clicking on to get the full "tongue out" intensified effect.

Caption Contest Results

At long last, I have decided to declare a winner in the caption contest. Thanks to everyone who participated. In review, here is the photo in question:

And the entries:

• "A mind is a terrible thing to confine to a tub"


• "Reading Scientific Literature upside-down is better understood in an open air tub"


• "Take your favorite book out to the One-Holer"


• "I'm here until the sun disappears, until I finish this novel or until the kitties come home, whichever happens first."


• "Don't I just look so sweet and cute in this tub? Look at this pleading look. So now will you come and read to me?"


• "I'm a Bucket Bum - cousin of Bucket Heads"


• "I really wish (edited for brevity and clarity) right now????!??!!!!!!???!!"


• "I wish Dad would hurry up and fix the bathroom!"


• "They said the way to scientific acheivement was thinking outside the box."


• "What does a twin hafta do to get a little privacy round here?"


• "Rub a dub dub...ONE man in a tub!"


• "This tub ain't big enough for the both of us."


• "I can go to Clark College with Cutie. I'll be show and tell!"

And the winner is... a three-way tie.

"Take your favorite book out to the One-Holer"
"I wish Dad would hurry up and fix the bathroom!"
"What does a twin hafta do to get a little privacy round here?"

I'm not sure why all of these have potty reference but that's the way the votes tallied up. Congratulations to Grandma, Uncle Gary and Mona. Your fabulous prize is a free night of entertainment, Crumb Cruncher style! Come to our home and play with the Crunchers while Ma and Pop go to a quiet dinner and movie or the temple or just sneak into their bedroom to sleep. Please call to arrange a night when you are available. And for the rest of you who didn't win, the consolation prize is an evening of fun and frolic with the Crunchers while Ma and Pop go to a quiet dinner and movie or the temple or just sneak into their bedroom to sleep. Supplies are limited so call now to reserve your spot.

Barbershop Book Club

Sometimes a little reading material can help the haricut go by so much faster.

Rub a Dub Dub...

Four kids in a tub.

Cole and Grant's favorite play friends moved to Wyoming for the summer so we had a final hot tubbing party with them.

We miss you already.

O Danny Boy

I don't want to dilute the awe you might be feeling after watching Cole's popcorn video, but since it's St. Patrick's Day, I feel the need to share this video clip, which touched me deeply and nearly made me shoot milk out of my nose.

Popcorn Popping

One of the comments from the previous post stated that "It's a good thing he doesn't know how to turn it on yet." We should be so lucky.

Popcorn anyone?

Microwavable

I don't know what he was trying to make, but I don't think I want any.

Tractor Beam

It's been quite warm recently and our lawn has begun to grow. It's time to review the rules of yard work.

Rule number one: make sure the riding mower is running well.

Rule two: the key goes in the slot easier if it's well lubricated.

Rule three: Remember the buddy system.

Pop says there's more rules but we'll have to cover them when we're older.

Twin Tower

Since the boys were turning two, we decided it was time to get rid of the Cole's crib. We replaced it with bunk beds. Here's Cole helping out.
	Make sure that screw is tight. We don't want this thing falling apart.
Now, up the ladder to check out the top bunk.
	Grant is right behind.

And finally, the full snuggle test with Mama to make sure everything works right.
Nighty night!

Field Trial #1: Gear Testing

Welcome to a little preview of the Outdoor Adventure Kid Co. line of fantastic waterproof gear! We had a photo shoot with the kids wearing selections from our first arriving inventory.
Our models never complain about the working conditions.
Here's Mika in the purple splash suit, and Cole in the All Weather jacket, Oaki pants, and the soon to be famous Oaki Water Trek Boots.
Grant is sporting the "Green Day" colored jacket, which is deflecting Cole's splashing with style. See? He doesn't even notice!
And finally, how many Adventure Kids can you fit in a puddle?

Terrific Twos

The boys have officially decided that they like birthday parties. They don't realize that it's not quite as fun when it's someone else's birthday but they'll figure it out soon enough. When the singing started they both had expressions of amused wonder, as if to say, "Why is everyone looking at us and singing the same song all of the sudden?"
Cole had no problem knowing what to do with the candles, he didn't even give Grant a chance to blow. (We forgot to buy regular birthday candles but we had a couple of votive candles left over from Halloween.)

In lieu of a cake Ma made sugar cookies decorated like various tools. The boys love to play with their tools at their workbench. Here's a better view.

Papa Z's musical birthday card was a big hit.

Their presents included trucks, balls, tools, clothes, piggy (well, actually bear) banks, money, candy, bubbles, and puzzles. But the best present of all was having so many great friends here to celebrate with us.

Thanks everyone!

Birthdays: Two-Year-Old Style

Notice: The following are a series of photographs actually taken on the birthday of twin two-year-olds. No toddlers were harmed in the taking of these photographs, although there may have been a head bonk or two.

First, make sure your nose is on tight.

Those rascals will up and run away from you without any notice.

Make sure you have a proper dismount from the bath; stick the landing.

Settle in for a viewing of your favorite movie.

Who is that handsome devil?

For those who didn't attend last year's party, here is an excerpt from the video presentation which is, in fact, their current favorite DVD.

Now we can get ready for the party tomorrow...