Grumpy Monday

Bryce was in his crib this morning...shouting toddler profanities. "Hate it!"..."Hate You!"...over and over. I knew it was going to be a rough start to the week. I decided to ignore his venomous rantings and waited for happier sounds before I got him out of bed. I brought my camera into his room - so I could interview him about the source of his anger. We got to the bottom of it.



Who wants to start their week without their favorite donkey? Today's mission...clean my filthy house, do enough laundry to provide the children clean underwear through the remainder of the week, and retrieve the donkey.

SBL#13

#13 On the Summer Bucket List was to go on a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Goal accomplished June 22-24, 2010. We went to kick off Karah’s 8th birthday week of festivities! We first stopped at Grandma’s house for some hugs and kisses.

After a yummy lunch at Culvers -We checked in and enjoyed a day of swimming…

*NOTE* Bradley is not wearing a floatie in the pool. He SWIMS SOLO!!! YAY!!!

We all loved the waterslides! The new Triple Twist ride is a bit spooky, though. Bryce loved the kiddie slides which gave a pint-sized adrenaline rush.  

The kids had a blast on the obstacle course. I insisted on a life vest due to the depth of water and odds of falling into it. Bradley did not appreciate this request. He’s 5, ya know. 

Tommy T helped him navigate his way until he could figure out the timing.

Contrary to what it looks like – we were not swimming in a dungeon. Pictures were compliments of my “water-safe” disposable camera…that obviously needed some flash power.

We stayed in a “Kids Cabin” room.

 

It’s a traditional room with a 3 bed kids cabin also built into the room. Karah was sweet enough to gift the top bunk to Boo. That night we ordered take-out and enjoyed it in the room since we were all so wiped out from swimming and sliding all day. By bedtime, the kids were bouncing off the walls. Tom was nominated for a “Father of the Year” award when he said, “What’s that noise? I think the police are in the hall – coming to see if all the kids are in bed!”

Seems innocent enough…except Bradley has an insane fear of policemen. He ran into his kid cabin and hid under the bunk bed. Go Tom.

Bryce was scared, too.

As I said…Go Tom.

He felt horrible about scaring them so badly. I had to document it so the kids would know someday that I was not the only person responsible for messing them up.

They got plenty of hugs, kisses, and “just jokings”…and snapped out of it.

*note* Bradley’s cut on his eye came from Karah’s foot when she came down too fast on a waterslide. Poor kids. He felt the pain and she felt the guilt of hurting him, even if accidentally.

Eventually…they all went to bed. Hallelujah.

We spent the next day swimming, sliding, playing in the arcade and playing their magic wand game.

Bradley won a set of dentures at the arcade.

Later that night we went to Grandma’s for dinner. We meandered through the lobby later that night – looking for dessert #2. That’s what vaca is for.

The next morning was breakfast at Grandma’s. Her famous French toast…topped off with bubbles while Tommy T took care of some of her yard work.

 

She looks like a gangsta in this picture…but I promise she’s not.

Tom and Grandma took the kids to Science City at Union Station and I headed back home to prepare for Karah’s big birthday/baptism weekend. It felt yucky going home without them…but I didn’t want their fun to have to end early on account of my To-Do list.

It was such a great and memorable trip. “Together is a great place to be.”

Smiles and Glares

Karah and Bradley spent some time at a neighbor’s house…making humungous hair flowers. They were so large that I didn’t quite take them seriously. I thought it was more of a novelty. Much like a giant foam finger. You don’t intend it to be used as “a finger”…it’s just fun to have. You know what I mean?

I quickly realized that the kids were PROUD of their creations and wanted to wear them everywhere. I told Bradley that people might look at him strangely – because little boys usually don’t wear huge flowers in their hair. He said, “Mama! Mine is a boy flower. I picked a green pom-pom to go in the middle of it. Karah’s has a rose in the middle of it…hers is for girls! I don’t care if people look at me! I like it!”

The jury deliberated and decided he had an excellent argument. I allowed them to wear their creations on our trip to TJ Maxx, Home Depot, and Sams Club.

He received many adoring smiles from young mothers at TJ Maxx…and I received several “What kind of pathetic mother are you??” glares from old, bitter women. At Lowes he received 3 high fives from different men…and was called a “little stud” by one of the workers. At Sams Club – I got a few dirty looks and he got a few sweet smiles. We then ran into a Father with his teenage son. The kid had a huge cowboy hat on and a wad of chew in his lower lip. He passed Bradley and GLARED at him. Bradley said (without breaking eye contact) - “Why is that cowboy so angry?”. We ran into them again on the next aisle and Bradley yelled out, “Oh great! Here comes that angry cowboy again!”

I love that he marches to the beat of his own drum…that he is not persuaded by society’s pressures…and that he is okay with other people “not being okay”.

He wore his creation proudly…and his smile made all of the dirty looks I received, totally worth it.

I love my Boo.

p.s. – yes, the dirty looks could have come from Bryce being barefoot. He will NOT wear shoes. He was born in the South, ya know. Authentic Redneck.

36

A few weeks ago I turned 36. It’s quite odd to be rolling towards the big 4-0. Quite odd, indeed.

I was positive that this was going to be a downer birthday because Tom had to be out of town. I was quite dreading the entire thing. I was pleasantly surprised when it ended up being one of the best birthdays ever.

Tom had a “day-before-my- birthday party” for me since he had to fly out of town. I unwrapped a few gifts and he then told me I had an appointment in the morning for a massage! He topped it off with Creme Brulee that he ordered from my favorite restaurant. It was such a happy night.

The next morning, sweet Courtney had arranged to take the kids ALL DAY…so I could have a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. She ain’t called “Sweet Courtney” for nothin.

I realized I hadn’t checked the mail the day before – so I went out and found my “new” friend Louise had mailed me a beautiful necklace…all the way from KC. It was such a sweet surprise and a great way to start the day!

My mother in law also sent me a package that contained 12 of these… a woman who knows my heart!!

It had been arranged for the cleaning ladies to come on my birthday. They brought me these birthday flowers, too!

 

It was BEAUTIFUL ….being massaged…while knowing that my toilets were being scrubbed, my floors were being mopped, and my children were being kept alive...simultaneously.  THAT is what I call a gift.

My brother John met me at the spa and we headed out to the lake to look at some property. We stopped for lunch at a deliciously greasy hole in the wall…and enjoyed one of their giant ice cream cones…to top it off. I was reminded how much I love spending time with him….minus him constantly threatening to vomit from the windy roads. I am always guaranteed to laugh when I am with him…good times with my little brotha.

I came home and took a nap. Another gift. :)

When I awoke, my friend, Marie, brought me these….

   

and these…

My friend, Sherry, brought me these…

My friend, Amy, brought me this…

Later that night, the kids had a sitter and I went out with some of my favorite ladies. We went out to dinner…endured a creepy waiter with OCD…. and then went to see Robin Hood.

It was great to see Russell Crowe. I ALMOST forgot what a jerk he is in “real life”.

My ma and pa gave me this…

 

My friend, Anne, gave me this…which was ironic because I had been thinking of how I wanted to study the lives of the women in the Old Testament on a deeper level. Timely!

 

My friend, Stefanie, brought me a wonderful pedicure kit!

And on TOP of taking my kids all day…my friend, Courtney, gave me this…

and this…

 

and she MADE me this…

After the girls night out…my babies sang Happy Birthday to me…

And I made a wish.

The kids were tucked in bed and I spent the evening reading sweet facebook birthday messages with Courtney. She had arranged to spend the night for a good old fashioned slumber party. It was complete with laughing until all hours of the morning.

The next day, my wish came true and Tommy T came home safely to me.

Another box showed up…and he had ordered me…

 

A new set of PING G15 irons….and a new glove…and balls :) I have never had my own set of lady clubs. I have always used his old Pings…man clubs. It is exciting that we have reached a point where I will be able to play more often and spend that time with Tommy T out on the golf course again. I have missed those days. It’s also great that the kids have started playing, as well. I hope it’s something we can share with them into our retirement years.

This birthday wasn’t one of my best ever because of any gifts I received…it was wonderful because of the amount of love I felt from my family and dear friends. I love that Tom found a way to still make it special for me even though he had to be away. It was a great day…and I have since decided that 36 rocks.  Bring it.

Karah's Baptism Video

Summer Bucket List

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Clean Garbage

Recently, I watched the movie Food Inc. – and it forever changed the way I view our food supply. Scary, people. You can watch it for free on Netflix!

Tom recently developed a mysterious allergy to food dyes/preservatives. This aint no child’s play allergy. This is a “have your throat swell shut and not be able to breathe” allergy. A “get moved to the front of the Emergency Room line” condition.

In an effort to preserve the life of my husband and enhance the overall well being of my family…I have been transitioning to mostly organic products. Until you have an allergy to colors/preservatives…you have no clue how much crap is in the food you regularly eat. They are even beginning to add color to “fresh” produce in the grocery stores. Ridiculous.

We now buy organic meat, milk, and fruits and veggies (until our garden can pick up the slack). It is expensive…outrageously…but we are just looking at it as an investment.

Our latest love is fresh, local, free range eggs. We buy this brand because we like knowing our hens are in good hands.

Another bonus of the Natural Food store….you can STILL get your kids “crap” cereal…but not feel as guilty. It’s natural “crap", after all.

Have I mentioned the packaging? I love me some happy packaging. THAT is some happy squash.

Another thing I love…is that we can enjoy boxed products again. Though we try to limit them…it sure is nice for last minute meals…it is darned tasty and the bonus is…it won’t kill my husband!!

The kids have transitioned to natural PBJ…

and healthier Mac & Cheese…also happy packaging :)

And lest you think we are going completely “hairy armpit crunchy people” on you…rest assured that we still find ways to eat garbage.

Clean garbage. :)