Serious

I was all set yesterday with a whiny post about what a mess jelly, and juice and spaghetti sauce making have wrought on my kitchen. After watching all the news from the gulf of Mexico, though, it just didn't seem that terrible. If you possibly can, make a donation to help. Here are some links or choose your own charity.

Salvation Army

Red Cross

List of Charities

Easily Amused

On Saturday L had her official party, her first one. She had several little friends over. It was a beach/pool themed party. At least this kid who wants to swim for their birthday had the forethought to be born in August (versus the winter trend here). We had a bucket of sand cake



tons of swimming, water balloons, water guns, a pinaqua ( a water pinata) and then a Little Pony Palooza.

Today we took the kids to a regional amusement park. It is still a family owned operation but pretty good size. Their unfortunate advertising campaign, however, has a really obnoxious song about "there's more than corn in Indiana". The kids had a wonderful time, eating junk, riding and re-riding, playing arcade games. F (who is 4) needed me to ride most things with him. This would explain why 1) I am his hero for letting him do all the driving in the bumper cars the 7 times we rode them and 2) I am currently sipping a really nice chardonay and considering a third glass.

Progress

We have a bathroom floor!!! Also a toilet and sink. We're darn near 20th century here! (Yes, I know it's the 21st, but considering where we were a week ago, somewhere in the 18th century, I'll settle for the 20th.) The new vinyl is down after replacing rotted floor boards and getting a new subfloor. Best of all, the kids can use their bathroom again and keep all their grubby, fingerprinty, toothpasty, unmentionable filth out of MY bathroom. I still need to get a new medicine cabinet to replace the 50's model which is rusted chrome and flourescent light tubes. I'll get a new light to go above and I need an electrician to put in a ground fault interuptor but progress is being made. Last but not least I need to go to Lowe's and get some baseboard so I won't be bored next week. Now to get some money saved to replace the green shag in the living room. One step at a time I guess.

Happy Birthday Lily

Today Miss L turns 7. SEVEN! How did that happen.


I named you after a delicate flower but Sam or Nick or someother androgynous name would have been better. You are tough, smart and unstoppable. You like animals of all kinds. I believe you still harbor hopes of getting a horse. For now you're content with dogs and cats. You are a loving sister to Mel, change diapers like a pro and are willing to play sandbox for a long time with her. You also fight your older brothers fearlessly, and anyone else (adult or not )who gets in the way of something you want. I'm hoping a little less fearlessness and a little more respect slips in somewhere. You have friends and seem well liked, but I have to admit, from what I've heard you're choreographing what you will all be playing. I have no worries about you doing whatever you want in life. I just hope no one makes the mistake of slowing down in front of you because steam train Lily is coming through!

Cross-eyed Bear

I've prided myself (ah foolish pride) on my slow aging. Vision--no bifocals here, I can run with the kids, play basketball, play tennis but.....evidently it's my hearing that is going. Last night I swore I heard dh tell S he was a cross-eyed bear. Cross-eyed bear I thought? What Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear and Cross-eyed Bear? Ursa Strabismus? Well, never one to worry about looking foolish I squawked "Cross-eyed Bear?" He actually said S is his CROSS TO BEAR. Retiring now to call the bell-tone number!

Back to School

Here they are scrubbed, polished and clad in new underwear!


I once again proved what a geek I am by mentioning to a group of friends how sad I am that they are gone all day. It was unanimously decided that I am truly weird as they all can't wait to get their kids out the door. In an effort to avoid a day of the blues for me and boredom for F and Mel I attended the said get together with friends and went to the "big" library in that town. F ignored all attempts to get a lovely, educational book and checked out Batman comics.

The funniest comment of the day. F wanted to play castle. His instuctions to Mel were "you be the soldiers and I'll be the burger king." Burger king?? What kind of royalty is that?

Back to Reality

Dh went back to work today. The kids start school on Wednesday. (yuck, phooey, blech, blah) I was hoping to go to the reservoir or do something else fun the next two days but it is cloudy and wet today so I guess not. S and C have gone to my dad's to unload a couple of trailers of wood. At least they'll be tired tonight. Time for more coffee and hopefully an inspiration about something fun to do today.

We're Baaaack!

The most annoying yet most amusing part of the trip? Every ten minutes F stated his desire to return "to our Indiana home." (Was he channeling Jim Nabors? Trying out for his shot to sing at the Indy 500?) When we finally pulled into the driveway S said "Hey, F we're at our Indiana home!" F's response, given in a wail "I want to go baaaaccckkk!"

A good time was had by all. The zoo was one of the nicest I've ever been too. They also had a dragon exhibit which thrilled my geeky son. It was set up as though dragons were real animals, along with other animals that have dragon in their name (komodo dragon, dragon fish, sea dragons, etc.) Here are the kids posing on the dragon's treasure. You'll note they are all possessed, lol.


Here are the kids and I in front of the river outside the COSI (kid's science center which was also very cool).

And We're Off

kudos to you if you finished that title with a mental "to the rodeo". I have packed clothes, swim suits, sun block and a huge cooler of snacks. Tomorrow we leave for our, I can't really call it a vacation, so lets just say trip. For some actual reading enjoyment I urge you to read Chris' contribution to dotmoms. Her article Last but not Least probably sums up most mom's feelings who have more than a couple kids.

Imponderables

How does a child who never saw a cradle get cradle cap (at 21mo no less)?

How can children who stay lean ingest bushels, yes bushels of food daily?

How did I, a queen of denial who is sure it's all going to be all right, marry the most pessimistic human being on earth?

Why are there no hotel suites near the Toldeo Zoo, causing me to reserve two rooms, one of which will probably never be slept in?

Why am I taking the most pessimistic human being on earth with me to vacation in Toledo?

When did my life get so pathetic that my vacation consists of a zoo, a cave and a science museum? In freaking Toledo, Ohio??!! Now Toledo, Spain, then we'd be talkin'.

Summer Fun

On Monday we played!
A little food dye and cornstarch!

Proud of his muscles

The Princess on her throne


Unfortunately Tuesday and this morning I had a bad headache so hopefully they had enough fun to make it through to tomorrow.