Cruel Trick

There is one item that is on the Bucket List that will never be checked off. “Chores without whining”.  I thought I would “order it in the universe” and see what happened. The hopes turned out to be too high – with a 9, 6, and 3 year old – the whining was destined to be. I must give them Kudos that they have lasted until Mid July without whining.

Tom left out of town early this morning. When the kids woke up, they found that he had left them a scavenger hunt.

The clues:

Yes, I buy Chuck E. Cheese, Cheese…but I still think he is an evil rat. Clue was in the rat bag.

Clue was under the dog food bowl.

Clue was stuck between the piano keys…where they take their piano lessons from Court.

I was thrilled to see the kids went to the oven and not the microwave. Microwaves are intended to pop corn…and reheat cinnamon rolls…and that’s about it. Ovens provide a crunchiness that microwaves simply can’t offer.

And the next clue was found….

They excitement was sucked right out of the room. The kids were not amused. I was.

I am still laughing. Stay tuned for the second half of the hunt. The kids are still doing their chores. Muwhahahahaha!

I LOVE YOU, TOM!!!!!

Three Birds with One Stone

I am all about killing multiple birds with one stone.

Honestly, I don’t kill birds…and if I did, I wouldn’t use a stone. Seems too “Neanderthal”. I think I would use a more sophisticated weapon like a bb gun, or perhaps I would poison their food with something that would cause an immediate, painless death.

What a silly phrase…yet, I can’t say it and move on.  I must know the origin. 

Upon googling where this phrase comes from, I found that one argued origin comes from Greek Mythology…a story about Daedalus and Icarus. (Bickies!)

Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were being held prisoner by a King, in a tall tower. When he looked out, all he could see were high walls around him and huge birds in the sky. Daedalus drew up a plan to throw stones at the birds, hoping to take their wings so they could both fly home.  He found he could throw a stone,striking one bird with the ricochet hitting a second bird, thus killing two birds with one stone.

This post has reminded me how ignorant I find Greek Mythology.  I am now embarrassed that I even googled it. How smart are they? Bird wings gonna make ya fly? Why jump naked? Why not jump together? Looks like the Daddy wanted his son to “go first and try it out”. Brilliant.

Tom is out of town. See what happens when I don’t have any grown ups to talk to? Sorry.

I will now get to my point.

I had a DOUBLE  ricochet and killed THREE birds with one stone. I….

1. Tie Dyed shirts with the kids (on the bucket list)

2. Found something to do on a hot, Sunday afternoon

3. Didn’t have to go shopping for 4th of July shirts for the kids. We tie dyed in red, white, and blue.

The Process: (Photos compliments of Tom’s iPhone) – Sorry for the graininess.

The Product:

Now…if you will excuse me…I am going to go kill two birds with one stone…ordering Pizza Hut….negating my responsibility to cook dinner…and do the dishes ---which would be the result of said dinner.

That’s the silver lining of the hubby getting home late tonight.

Little Fish…Sea of Love

My children live in a constant state of being pruned. Whether it’s the pool, sprinkler, shower, or bathtub --- their fingers and toes are most often found looking like this :

Summer wouldn’t be complete without swimming lessons for some good stroke development.

This year, the kids were so bashful when they met their teachers.

Karah got a “boy” named Cullen.

Not this Cullen…

This one. Eerily similar. Perhaps cousins.

I love this picture. I can SEE her internal dialogue. “Do it right…don’t mess up…he’s watching….must…im…press!”

Cullen inflated her ego by telling her she is SO not a level 3. She is almost a level 5.

He took her to the deep end to work on diving.

He was so gentle. (like a vampire would be). See?

On the other end of the pool…someone was falling in love with a teenager named, Courtney.

I blush just looking at these. (Do you see him smiling?)

This little guy is a beautiful swimmer. Courtney agreed.

My absolute favorite moment was when I caught them flirting…

and he was STILL smiling after she looked away…

When lessons ended – they were begging to take another week. Hmm…curious.

Crawdads and Courtney

Crawdad hunting was on the kids "Bucket List" this summer...and Courtney declared that today was the day. All of those who really "know" me need no explanation of who Courtney is. For everyone else...let me explain.

I met Courtney 5 years ago when I was serving in the Primary (children's program) at church. She was the Primary Chorister. When it was my turn to do Sharing Time with the kids...she would always smile at me when I was talking - and the bonus was that she laughed at my jokes when all of the kids sat staring at me like I was a freak.

One day I was at the church for a midweek meeting. I came out into the parking lot and she was sitting in her minivan with the side door opened. Her van was dirty. (I don't say this to embarrass her - there IS a point)....she had a big, white, standard poodle sitting in the back seat. Her feet were kicked up on the dashboard and she was reading a book while she waited for her kids.

In an instant, I knew that this was someone I wanted to be friends with. She put everything "out there". She wasn't hiding anything. There was nothing artificial about her. She was genuine and real and had a kindness in her eyes that I hadn't often seen. I stopped and chatted with her - and KNEW that we were going to be great friends.

I later approached her at church and flat out asked her if she wanted to be friends. I know it seems unconventional - but that's how I roll, baby. Why deal with all of the superficial garbage? If you know that you click with someone...just do it, right?

She invited me over to her house and the rest was history. There was an immediate familiarity with her.

Throughout the past 5 1/2 years - we have developed a friendship that is precious to me. We have always been there for each other. I know her heart...and she knows mine. She has a nurturing spirit. She has encouraged me when I felt completely defeated. She has watched me cry the "ugly cry" on countless occasions...and I her. We don't even put our hands over our face to hide it.


We love each other's kids and are annoyed with each other's kids...depending on the day...but it doesn't change anything for us. We have had disagreements, knowing full well that we will talk and everything will be better by the end of the week...and it always is.

She once said that she would be happy just worming my dog with me. I know, big compliment :)


When we are together it is effortless. We have gone out to dinner and not said a word to each other because the food was SO good...and it was completely comfortable. We have sat in the sauna at the gym and both cried at how much weight we had gained...sitting there sweating, crying, and laughing.

We pee when we talk on the phone with each other. She is always jealous that I can do it quietly and not get caught...but I catch her every time.

She is a member of my extended family. My mother counts her as a daughter and my siblings love her, too.

She is like a Grandma to my children...minus the sagging breasts, gray hair, and polyester pants. She has treats for them...and gives them annoying toys that I would NEVER buy for them, myself. See? Like a Grandma.

She is my best friend...and I can't imagine if I had never met her.

My children love her. Her children love me. Our children love each other.

So, after all of that - nobody will have to ask why on earth Courtney took the kids hunting for crawdads while I was shopping for a birthday party gift. She is THAT cool.

Wow. If any of you are still reading ---- enjoy the pics from the Summer Crawdad Hunt.

* Note - Courtney did not abuse Bryce. She simply ignored his request to stay down stream and asked him to smile for the camera. He doesn't handle her saying "No" very well. It doesn't happen very often.

Thanks, Courtney for making my kids crawdad dreams come true.

I could watch paint dry with you. Much more enjoyable than watching a dog be wormed, I might add.