Seems I just can't remember to get stuff done... I discovered every converter (ok, the 2 converters) I downloaded had viruses. Luckily, my virus protection and firewall stopped anything from happening. But I removed the software. Anyone know software that converts 3gp video to mpg? That is not full of viruses???
We went bike riding with a friend. Look how nice the trails are at this park!! It is just behind my house...
We saw moss on the north side of trees. We saw cool bugs, sap coming out of a tree, fed the fish and more. I can't wait to go back.
Mamaw bought the boys some moon sand. Interesting stuff. Messy but interesting. My question is... what do you call the 'pies' they make? It's not made out of mud, so it can't be mud pies... And the name moon pies is already taken by an interesting artery hardening junk food. (Which I use to eat all the time... ) I guess we'll just have to call them pies.
We had a friend over to help with the coloring of the eggs on Friday. I just didn't have the time to get the pictures off the camera and go through them for posting. This morning... I did. Here is the table before 3 boys take over (click pictures to enlarge pictures):
Here's Tot watching his in the bowls:
Tater liked using the egg holder:
The finished product! (the elbow in the picture near Tater is the other young man that came to color eggs with us.)
I give up. I started at the A's in my blog roll and was going through posting a Happy Easter on each one. I stopped on the L's. I give up. It took me 45 minutes just to get through the Ls... the rest of you... my apologies... but here is my Happy Easter to you. I have to get back to my kids.
Here is a recipe for chocolate fun for the whole family!
Melt the chocolate using a double boiler... when melted, mix Corn Flakes into the chocolate. Spoon out into cupcake holders, making a 'nest' (room for the eggs). Add the eggs. Wait to cool and eat, eat, eat!
And they look great from any angle...
Seems this is going to be one crazy week. My apologies, but all the cute stories are just floating away. I can't get them down fast enough and my memory is fading quickly. We plan on making 'bird nests' and coloring eggs this week. Hopefully I'll get some great pictures and stories from it. Later...
update: Just saw LemonStand was back. Go wish her a hello!!!
Remember my whining about Tater having to write about a story. Well after 2 hours, he got it done. Here are the results:
Wait... there's more:
I still have issues about this. Why? Because from what I can gather, most of this is because of the FCAT. They are forcing 5 year olds to work more on writing stories, doing math, and memorizing words than getting to learn to enjoy school. This is the time for them to learn that school can be fun and that learning is fun. Don't get me wrong... Tater can do the work, as you can see... he is not the one having issues... I am. He gets home at 3pm... and has homework. By the time he gets to play... he only has about 1 hour, ding... it is dinner time. Then it is a half hour with dad, and the bedtime routine starts. Repeat daily... now add in this new homework of having to write about a story once a week. Due on Friday. Why? Because you are to read 5 stories and pick your favorite one to write about. Hmmm.. seems I'm ranting. I think that after being in school all day that they kids should be able to unwind for a couple of hours at home. Not one hour or less. Sigh. If I find a solution, I'll let you know... and NO I will NOT homeschool. Trust me, I have enough issues helping him with his homework. I can teach older kids just fine one on one and I will 'homeschool' them somewhat during the summer to keep their skills up. This means I will work with them for about an hour a day for 3 or 4 days. But I want to enjoy my children and doing full time schooling at home will not work for me. I know my limitations. But I will continue to look for other options to help my kids out and the school system. I will be involved. And I am always open to hear other opinions and ideas!
Seems our little carrots grew up. In fact, since my kids put the carrot seeds real close together, our carrots became close friends.
I cleaned them up and cut them up. The kids ate them. There wasn't enough for all of us. They did let me have one bite. ;-)
I took some pictures of the eclipse for my boys. Here is an example:
Then my sister, Tink, sent me some pictures she took. She posted them HERE. yaa... we know who is a good photographer in our family and it is NOT me.
It was an animal kind of week... here is what we have seen... Easter bunnies, right?
or maybe a snack for:
and then the leftovers would be for:
Always a busy time here in South Florida...
And to enjoy a little fun... I'm adding the word Dude to this post per Lukie.
The boys made cards, wrote their name in way too many cards, and still look at me strange when I tell them it's my day. Such is life. I plan on chasing them all over the house threatening to kiss them. It ought to be a good day.
And for everyone else. Use this as an excuse to get a little extra attention. It's worth it!
Seems that Tot has learned the secret to winning a race... take a short cut! NOTE: These pictures were taken last week. Right now the doctor says we have a possibility of fever for another day or two... sigh...
Seems Tot is running me into the ground. He was running a 103 fever Saturday afternoon and it has been hit or miss since then on how high it was going to go or even if it was going to go down. Seems that time between 2am and 4am is the 'be-witching' hour for this go around. Last night it went from the chills so extreme his teeth chattered to a high temp. I am extremely tired. But I have another child to take care of and chores that must be completed. Particularly with a sick child in the house. Silly how a sick child that picks his nose can cause me to run around changing his clothes and wiping everything down over and over again to make sure no one else gets sick.
I had this weird song going through my head that I made the title...
Two o'clock, Three o'clock, Four o'clock rock,
Listen to that clock go tick tock.
Another night of worry, is Tot breathing without a hurry?
What time did I give him that Motrin? How long has it really been?
And it continues... someone really needs to examine my brain... then again, maybe not...
Seems flag football and I don't mix. If I have to take the kids to the games from here on out... I will be taking a book. I will NOT get involved. Yaa. I was a horrible person. I was one of those. I yelled at 3 kids that were NOT my own. Sigh. It's a long story, but the basics are:
1. 1 kid with ball ran near me.
2. 2 kids ran after him (from Tater Tot's team but not them).
3. 2 kids grabbed flag belt and would not let go even when 1 kid asked.
4. I yelled at the kids to let go. They didn't and gave me a 'who are you look'.
5. I used my "I'm evil" voice. They let go. There was silence. Got the 'who the f are you look' from other parents.
This is suppose to be fun for my kids. Guess I will not be part of organized sports.
Hope hubby doesn't mind getting up at 7am to get going... kids have to be at practice by 8:30am. Other than my bad mommy moment... here are some cute pictures of practice... click to enlarge.
Tater:
Tot:
Tot always went to Tater's practice group. The kids were divided up into two or three groups to work with the 'coaches/parents'.
Tater had a blast. Tot was fine until they had a game with another team and they got his flag. Yaa. Major meltdown. Tot will have to play defense only until he understands.
Tater is one of the tallest on his team. Seems I have my kids on the 'young' team. Thank goodness!
We had a friend visit while Mamaw was here and he played the Wii with my boys. Yaa... it was cute. We had to move some tables and chairs around to trap Tater. He moves ALL over the place. Particularly in front of whoever is winning if it is not him. GRIN
When I was growing up in Florida I learned to watch the weather... particularly in January and February. It was always crazy. As I get older I find that it hasn't changed. Today in the 80s, tonight in the high 50s. The only thing that has changed is my frustrations towards it since I have a son with asthma. I think we should move to some island that doesn't get hurricanes. ;-)
Seems it has been an interesting couple of days... Dad was gone and Mamaw took over the night reading... In fact, Mamaw says Tot read to her every night instead of vice versa.
Particularly the Clone Wars Adventures... there is one story called Creature Comfort that is Tot's favorite. He read it to Mamaw... in it there is a part where the creatures are running and it has the words "plok" about 15 times. When Tot reads it... "plok" is said about 50 times... or so Mamaw claims. She also informed me that he was very dramatic when he read and should become an actor. Yep, that's my boy!
Mamaw has declared that Pokemon is only played by geniuses or 5 year olds. And she is neither. GRIN. But I got a picture proving she was playing the game!!!
It has been fun but difficult the last week. Not much to post. No sleep makes for poor posting. Here is a picture from Christmas at Mamaw's of me with my boys....
We opened gifts on Christmas day at Mamaw's house... then proceeded to DDPup's afterwards. Here is how the morning started:
And a couple of pictures from DDPup's house:
Mamaw was thinking ahead. Knowing we had a whole day before Christmas... she let the boys open her gifts the afternoon of Christmas Eve. They loved it!
And here they are playing with the new cars... (even I loved playing with them!)
Yep, those are coats... hard to believe it gets cold in Florida, but it was cold Christmas eve and day in North Florida!!!
Mamaw always has stuff ready for the boys. This year they decorated a Christmas tree and made a wreath for the birds.
And the finished product!
The boys put suet into prewired pinecones. Yep, Mamaw prewired a bunch of pinecones for the boys. Made suet. Had a wreath ready. She also had oranges and apples ready for cutting. The woman is unbelievable.
My hands were a messy during the making of the wreaths, so I only have 'finished' product for you to see:
More fun pictures in the future!
We were 4 for 4 by mid-afternoon. Hubby and I were hit the hardest with fevers along with the vomiting and runs. I have some really gross stories, but am too tired to get them down. Funny but gross... as it can only be when the whole family is sick. ok, the boys are laughing, eating breakfast, and ready to roll. Since I have carpool duty this morning... I have to find enough energy to get going myself. Later...
There are a lot of fun pictures, so they will be found under the More Pawprints... click and enjoy.
Here is a tickler sample... Tot helping mixing the dough...
Ok, click and enjoy the rest...
At the beginning there are cookie cutters...
Now the decorating begins... Here is Tater hard at work...
Tot's working just as hard...
Look at the detail Tot is putting on his cookies... the eyes and nose from little tiny sugar beads....
While you see it in the above picture... it seems to disappear as he adds more and more decorations...
Here are the cookies after being cooked:
This year, they are edible!!!!
Seems we lost the cucumber plants... but look what has survived...
Now I have to figure out how to keep the rabbits and squirrels and birds from eating them....
The boys have been working on the Star for the tree.... Here is the beginning...
More to come in another post when they finish.
Click to enlarge. No joke. I was trying to get a picture of a Pileated Woodpecker that had come into the yard... and my boys asked me to take a picture of their butts. How could I refuse?
Last year we made ornaments... and I had to try it again this year. This was the first try ...
and later you will see more results. Particularly since I discovered that giving the boys 4 ornaments to do was a bad choice. I now limit it to one a day or every other day. And we started the Christmas Star. That is a post within itself.
Turns out that Tater and Tot moved the ornaments around to have Robin chasing Cat Woman, the Bat Mobile was chasing some Bugs Bunny ornament. It was funny to hear why which ornament got moved... Even without the knowledge of the Borg and Enterprise, they had the Borg chasing the Enterprise. Very funny.
They certainly kept it entertaining.
The kids got to decorate the tree on Saturda. It is always fun to watch the kids decorate...
It took quite a few tries to convince Tater to put the ornaments he had up higher. Here he is still putting them down low....
Tot was just as busy...
They even worked together nicely!
Dad even got involved and helped out!
More to come...
I made way tooooo much food yesterday... we are all stuffed and rolling along. Notice the turkey breast on the back counter... (and my Mrs. Pollifax book. GRIN).
Not even a couple of bike rides seemed to get rid of the excess food. Ugh.
We went to the beach on Sunday to see "snow". It turned out to be a pile of 'shaved ice'... but considering my kids have never seen snow... it was pretty awesome.
And since I have a whole bunch of pictures... click on 'More Pawprints' to see the rest of them... along with a few others taken at the other stuff...
Ok, got a caption for this one???
We got to check out the firetruck that brought Santa Claus:
What would a celebration be without a bounce house where you could race each other??? And this is where the camera battery decided to die!
We had a blast! Even the snake show went over well... Going to be a busy week.
Tuesday afternoon we went for a hair cut trip... It was perfect that I saw THIS POST the next day. Go on, take a look. You won't be gone for a minute. And I couldn't post this yesterday because I wanted to leave the posts up for my mom's birthday alone.
We go to a place called Quick Cuts. You go in, sign in and wait for the next available person. Though I have made requests to wait for a particular person before... she was not working this week.
As we sit there waiting our turn... the boys found a book with different hair cuts in it. Initially the conversation went something like this:
Tot: Mom, mom, mom... make your hair red... like this
** it was a bright bright red **
Mom: Ahhh. No.
Tater: Mom, get all your hair cut off. Go bald!
Mom: I would be ugly bald and I don't think your dad would appreciate it.
Tot: Ohhh like this one
** it was some movie star ugly hair cut with the hair at the neck and over the eyes and striped **
Mom: No.
Tater: Get it cut just above your ears!
Mom: I would look like a mushroom, is that what you want?
Tater, Tot: YES!!!
Mom: No.
And the conversation continued over to the beautician. Yaa... they asked her to shave me... she said no. Then make me look like a mushroom. She laughed and said no. Thank goodness!!!
Yaa. Next time I get my hair cut without them. ;-)
You know the kids are not brushing their teeth if you hear a singsong voice. What's worse is when you go to check on them and this is what you hear:
Tater: trick or treat
smell my feet
give me something good to eat
if you don't I don't care
I'll pull down your underwear
Tot: I'll eat your underwear
Tater, Tot: **laughter**
boys. I have boys.
I don't know whether anyone else has had pet wild spiders besides my family. First my mom with the spider that kept making a web over the back door of the laundry room. H.u.g.e. web. And my sister that had one that lived under her fridge.
But she did post a 'faceless' picture of me in one of her scrapbook pages on that post I linked to above. Now if someone would please put me in for a 'clothes makeover'. Then I could learn to dress for my uhhh body shape. Geeze. I just realized my hair was permed in that picture. That means it was over 6 1/2 years ago. EEEEEekkkkkkkkkkkkkk. I want my hair permed again!!!! And that weight!!! That means I was 10 pounds lighter!!! hahahaha. Such is life. I still want to get a free clothes makeover whether I lose weight or not! How do those people get on those shows???
Last Day... Go Air Force!!! You are doing GREAT!!! $1 here, a $1 there... it all is adding up for our wounded military personnel. Raise money for Soldiers' Angels for Valour-IT. Valour-IT stands for Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops. My Dad was in the Air Force over 26 years. He loved a good competition and so do I... There are some great auction items HERE... including Thunderbird hat, shirt, poster, pin... and more on page 2... take a look. Enjoy! And we are down to counting hours before a lot of the auctions are over... including Drunken Wisdom auctioning his site.
Mammaw sent the boys some Spiderman Window Stickers. She is one smart woman... as she sent them both the same stickers!
I was tempted to take pictures every day. Why? Because they move them every day. It keeps the door interesting looking...
boxes!!!
They decorated inside and out! Why not when you are spending so much time in it?
And what would brothers be best for? Pushing you around in a box... of course!
The boys were running around 'attached' to one another. It was hilarious. I have no idea what they were playing but they had to have a hold of one another.
seems that Tuesday night was the time to be in ER. I figured I didn't want to be there Wednesday night! Despite the ER trip, we did make a small trick or treat trip to a local mall. Here are the kids posing for pictures:
And here is what we got... trust me we didn't go to that many stores... we carried Tot a lot of the time.
Sleep deprived mom, sick hubby, sick child and fussy child, whiny dog... I am not sure what the posting will be like in the next couple of days... I got some cute pics and stories... we'll see... need sleep.
The fun of Halloween is in the preparations. This year I could not find spider web. Teach me not to go looking sooner!!! But I did a pumpkin on Tuesday and the kids and I got to carve it. I took the top off, gave them some spoons and they wouldn't touch it. No joke. "That's gross" "Ewwww".
Like any good parent (baw ha ha ha)... I grabbed some and went running after them... saying horrible things like "I'll get you with the pumpkin guts!!!" or "Doesn't this look like squished brain?"... yaa they screamed and ran. It was fun.
Then they wanted to draw the face on the pumpkin. Ok.
And here is the finished product:
I did let Tater try to carve some of it. I decided he was going to cut his hand if I didn't stop him. Oh well... maybe next year! Or maybe tomorrow... since the pumpkin got caught out in the rain this weekend.. I noticed this morning it was getting 'fuzzy' inside of it. Only a couple more days... the pumpkin should look gross right???
Oh, and my neighbor threw another dead animal in the swale. I had around 14 vultures on top of my house the other day. I thought if I had the spider web stuff up, the pumpkin and the vultures... what a perfect Halloween picture!! But such is life... didn't work out... no spider web stuff, and the vultures took off.
Well... it is if they are at least 40 inches tall. Better yet if you can avoid the Nemo ride. It sucks. Rotten eggs. But for some reason the boys love it. And at the end we got these cool pictures (though I would prefer to have them hanging their butt out towards me. GRIN
With Tater into Dinosaurs... we ended up at the 45 minute long Energy Adventure ride. It has dinosaurs.
Luckily, the boys were tall enough to try out Test Track!!!
The boys did enjoy the Innovations. Particularly the robots making music with car parts. Tot had a major meltdown when it was time to leave there... ugh.
We were able to go on The Living with The Land ride before lunch. I love the last half of that ride. Why that ride before lunch, because I was able to get reservations at the Garden Grill. A rotating restaurant with characters... that is in the same building. Yipee!!!
Psst... is it Chip or Dale? Not cheating.. the boys actually knew which one it was and told us how they figured it out.
By the end of the day (around 2pm)...
After a 30 minute quiet time at the timeshare with some bananas, grapes the like... time for the pool!!! It really was fun.
Particularly when you get a chance to relax and enjoy it. We got to the parks about the time they opened, got strollers, and headed out. We had lunch sometime around noon and left the parks by 2pm. Yep, it was a great trip.
The first day was Magic Kingdom. The first ride? Buzz Lightyear... poor hubby got stuck with both boys. They wanted to be with Daddy. Bawhahahaha...
We also went on a new one called Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor... it was interactive and pretty funny. But we didn't take pictures there.
Who can resist the Indy Speedway? Possibly me if I have to ride with Tot again. He thought it was fun to bump against the wonderful safety rail in the middle. Bump, Bump, bump, bump. My hubby was laughing so hard when we got off... he asked me if I was in one piece....
Start your engines!
Let go of the wheel after turning it as far as it goes... guess what happens??? Tot has a huge grin and Mom has an aching back!
Occasionally my brain actually works and I remember things. Like making reservations... We had reservations at the Crystal Palace for lunch. It wasn't our first time eating there... in 2005 we went (see THIS POST) and again in 2006 (see THIS POST)... and now in 2007, some more pictures for your viewing pleasure.
And for those Pooh fans (Bou and CalTechGirl)...
Of course we left shortly after this to head back to the time share. Did I mention a friend let us have their time share? Ahhh... It was great... the pool was perfect for our kids... and being on the 6th floor... not so noisy at night.
More in the days to follow!
Nothing like having my hubby have to work the weekend to find all the fun stuff at my house. I burned some oil in a pan yesterday. I know our fire alarms work. I also know that I should have walked out of the house with that pan a whole lot faster since I can't reach the reset button for those darn things.
And today? We went to home depot to buy some vegies for the garden. We planted tomatoes, green peppers and strawberries. We also planted carrot, bean, cucumber, corn and pumpkin seeds. Yaa, a little late but the boys wanted to and it wasn't that expensive.
After helping me for about 20 minutes, they were done. I sent them to the playground. It's a fort with a slide and swings. It also has 'cup' holders in it... yaa... take a look:
Nope, don't have leather gloves... not going to move it. No it is not poisonous. But it would hurt if it bit me. It's a man's job... right????
Ok, I'm still trying to crop pictures and get stories of Disney together... but had to share this one right now... what a day.
For those who read my sister's blog, this will be a repeat for you. For those who don't... at the end of most of her posts she puts a scrapbook page. I stole a bunch from her and put them out here. This is how she does a trip to Disney (We met her there last year)... and in the following days you'll see how I do it. You'll discover she has the creative gene and I'm anal retentive... GRIN...
Tink calls my hubby Brains. Yep I married a man that is smart. Of course! Though he is just a little different in that he is not 'structured' like most smart engineers and is very creative. Opposites attract... Hey.. I'm smart, I'm just anal retentive on the structured part. ;-)
Ok, I'm throwing this one in here just for fun!
Thought I would let everyone know we are back home safe and sound. Here is the first picture I took (out of the 300):
There are a ton of stories. From the stinky car to Tater throwing up on me. Yep... and the enjoyment of the kids being tall enough to ride most of the rides!!! More later... Hubby had to go to work this morning and I have the kids...
Another note: While I had my pc with me and some access to the internet, I spent my time working on Hubby's Birthday present. He's going to get older soon and I'm not sure I'm going to have it finished before his birthday gets here, even with all the extra time I worked on it this last week.
Also, I missed seeing wRitErsbLock this last week. She tried to stalk me... but with the sick kid and the strange hours we kept (the boys were in bed by 7pm), it made it close to impossible. Hopefully next time or if she comes this way!
Well, the Bug must certainly be enjoying herself. I have not heard from her but once since they got there. And when I did, she sounded more relaxed than I have heard her in a long while. So to celebrate her newfound mojo:
How did the elephant hide in the cherry tree?
He painted his toenails red, silly.
KEY - Why? Because we are off on vacation.
Now I know there are some people with access to my blog... you are welcome to post while I'm gone. And the rest of you just remember to leave me a male maid to clean up any mess. ;-)
See you in a week!
My eyes had to be deceiving me when I read Prochein Amy's post... but I followed the link and from this news article it says:
A new weapon will soon join Nintendo’s armoury: a lightsabre.
Oh boy!!!! Anyone out there already have a Wii? I can't wait for someone else to get it and then tell me if it is really good or not! Keep me posted!!!
The other day I decided to get out the playdoh and have some fun with my boys. I have a couple of playdoh dinosaurs and Tater is really into dinosaurs. Much to my surprise (and I shouldn't have been), Tot was into dinosaurs as well.
At some point, Tater hollared at me to come around and see what his stegosaurus had done. I went over to see little pieces of playdoh piled behind it. Huh? Tater told me the stegosaurus had pooped! Oh wonderful (notice sarcasm).
Then they wanted baby dinosaurs. So I made some...
We also have a mold for some stuff. Puppies, trains, cars, teddy bears. I made a puppy. I was barking at the T-rex that Tot was playing with at the time. He asked for the puppy and I gave it to him. He proceeded to stuff it in the T-rex mouth and say "Yum yum".
He then took it out. Tater took off the head and laid both pieces down beside the T-rex and said that the T-rex had eaten the puppy. Tot thought it was not enough and proceeded to pick up the bottom and just stuff it in the mouth...
Oh wait... the T-rex was still hungry. Let's stick the head in as well...
The stegosaurus on the other had an eating frenzy on some plants and that is the mess you see below:
I was amazed how well they actually played together. And very proud...
Well, proud if you exclude the poop, the puppy eating and then the tongue contest. They wanted to see who had the longest tongue...
Then Tot made sure the T-rex won.... He told me it was going to be long enough to touch the table and it certainly did.
Ahhhh... children... they are good for entertainment.
New hair cuts occurred this weekend. I was amazed at how much hair was on my boys. They grow it like weeds grow in the yard. Unbelievable. Even the beautician was amazed. I asked the boys if I could take their picture when we got home. Tater posed... I'm in so much trouble when he gets older...
Tot held a toy in front of his face, so I told him I really wanted to just get his hair cut, not any toys. He bent over so I could get the top of his head. I laughed. What a card...
Want to see what we saw?
or the 'where is the lizard'?
or something that brought back memories for me...
Nope, we didn't get far... but we had fun.
Seems I had some frozen Lasagna sauce and decide to make some... much to my surprise it was v.e.r.y sweet. Yuck. The boys loved it and ate every bite. Sigh.
Need more garlic bread. Though, they refused to eat my keylime pie. It was yummy. Nice and tart. Both boys spit out the little tiny bite they took of it. All mine!!!! And my neighbor's tree has a ton more keylimes getting ready for the picking.
I had planned on writing this long post on what has happened over the last couple of days but just didn't feel like it last night. Needless to say between the kids on the bus that said they would sit with Tater then proceeded to push him off the seat, the one that wouldn't scoot over and then the parents that had a yelling match at the bus stop, I have had enough. I don't need my almost 4 year old and 5 year old exposed to this much at once. I don't need it. I was surprised I didn't open my mouth and say something, but overall I was just in shock. The kids apologized to Tater, the parents apologized to me (both sets), but I don't care. If this is the way they handle their problems, I don't need the aggravation in the morning. Neither does my son. I want school to be fun and if it is always a fight in the morning, it won't be fun.
The bus ride home is never a problem... and yesterday the ride to school was just fine. But I am still going to take him this morning. We'll work it out after today.
Did I mention that Tot woke me up this morning and couldn't breath? Yaa... I can't wait for this week to end.
Tater has taken a great interest in chess. We have been working with him on it, but thought if we could find a pc game that would help... since he likes playing on the pc... that we would buy it for him. My hubby read the info on Disney's Aladdin Chess Adventures. But trying to find it is another story. Amazon has it and so does ebay. Nothing really good on the few reviews I found... though some had screen shots. Any suggestions? B
I was cleaning in the kitchen when I heard ...
Tater: Mom, look what I can do! With my TOES
Tater: Hold on... let me help Tot, he can do it too...
seems that Tot's marble got stuck in his toes and wouldn't fall... a little more bending and some help with the fingers...
My boys continue to amaze me from day to day on their creative thinking. I would never have thought to play marbles with my toes.
My boys have re-discovered the fun of MSN Messenger. You can have conversations with Mammaw while playing checkers. Or better yet, sending Darth Vader Farts. Ahhhh... and soon Tater starts Kindergarten and I start a slow pull back to having brain cells... Well... maybe. ;-)
Hubby took pictures of the kids this weekend. Just random stuff. And I'm going to post them just because they are soooo cute. Of course I think my kids are cute... they're mine! ;-)
= = =
Yes, I'm stressing over the first day of school. It is this Friday. Yes, my child will do fine. He will ride the school bus and make it to school without a problem, he will find his classroom and he will find his way back home. He is a smart boy. On the other hand, I may go into the funny farm waiting for the first couple of days to come and go.
A year ago I did THIS POST on the shoes we wore. Since then, I had to get some special shoes which are a 6 1/2 versus a 6... Long story, some other time... But even with my new longer shoes... my 5 year old and 3 1/2 year old will soon be wearing bigger shoes than mine. I'm thinking... when Tater hits 7, I'll be able to 'borrow' his shoes. What do you think?
With school getting closer, hurricane season upon us and one sick mommy... Yep, last night I started getting a horse hoarse voice... But I have to tell you this one story...
About a week ago my hubby found a copy of He-Man DVD. The boys love it. Actually, so do I.
Shortly after they saw it, I was driving around I heard Tater singing a song... It was something about a 'super pe-nis'. No Joke. Ta da ta da ta da super pe-nis ta da ta da... right after he finished his song, he said "He-man, defender of the Universe". I almost drove off the road.
I needed a good laugh.
I was over at Lemon Stand and read this. This part of it screamed that she had seen my household and children:
I don't know about any one else's kids but mine were also born without the gene that lets them see dirty dishes, dirty laundry or dirty floors. These things are invisible to them, the poor darlings... It's sad, really.
I love the solution her sister uses... and while I do something similar.. I like her's better. Go take a look and see if you think it will work on the male population in my household! Then again if it is genetic, will anything work?
Hubby grabbed my camera and took some pictures of the boys fighting... I found this one amusing and thought I would share it...
Never a dull moment...
Time to get spruced up for school... and the boys behaved at the beauty saloon. Yep, we changed the place we get our hair cut. It is called Great Clips. And the beautician was v.e.r.y patient. What felt like I was taking a thousand pictures... I finally got this decent one:
Most of them looked like this:
Just saw a cool list of ten things to do that should cost less than a $1...
I had forgotten about poppers and pencil spinners... and I think I have all that stuff here at home. hmmmm....
There is nothing I can think of that compares to having children. I still wonder what I use to laugh at before kids. They are a constant reminder of how funny life can be...
Yesterday I volunteered to take care of a friend's three year old while she try to 'de-flea' her house. The boys love him. I like having him around because he is extremely well behaved and very verbal. We get together at least once a week if not more and have been for almost a year now. But... not usually for 4 or 5 hours.
The funniest part happened when she arrived to pick him up. He is an only child. Yaa.. you can see where this is going. He decided it would be fun to play 'huggy wuggy' with my boys. You remember me telling you about this game? Imagine adding a third child to the 'hug'. I believe the name got changed to something like "Push Down". Now my boys got hit, and had a few marks... but this poor child was not use to having a boy his age jump on his back or land on him when everyone was falling. He got his nose hit by an elbow, then another elbow in the back... enough was enough.
Instead they played tag. Uhhhh... on slippery wood floors. Yep... I'm not sure if Tater accidentally ran into him or if he just slipped on his own.. but he went headlong into a wall. I tried not to laugh. His mom was about the same. I asked her at the beginning if she wanted it stopped and she said no. I warned her that it usually ended up with everyone getting hurt. She still went along with it. And guess what??? She couldn't help but smile to see what was said and done and we are going to her house today. Yep, life will be more entertaining.
Wish me luck. We are going swimming...
Tink is on a roll... first she sends me a link that is really cool on making bubbles and now one on roaches.
The bejeweled insects are kept on a leash, giving them room to roam over your coordinated top.
Folks, I am terrified of roaches. I can handle spiders, lizards, worms, bees, and more... but I hate roaches. And a live one moving around on my blouse??? EWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
UPDATE: She just couldn't stop... here is another LINK to the roach jewelry.
This was fun... Tink sent me a web site for bubble recipes. It worked great... well after I called ddpup and found where to find glycerin in the store. Sigh... some reason I had gelatin on the mind and the two are NOT located in the same place. Thanks to ddpup, I found it! And we had a blast.
Tater told me he was blowing bubbles into the pool for the Gungan city...
That pool has been the best $15 we spent all summer... even when we weren't playing in it, it had great uses. Stories about Star Wars made up by my kids. Gotta love it.
We have been watching some tadpoles grow in our swale. While it was at a heat index of 103... we went out and moved some from one side that had only a little water left to the other side which had more.
A close up of the swale with very little water...
The boys had to give it a shot...
Then Tot asked me to catch him some...
Next was Tater wanted some...
Now we were able to find a tadpole with 4 legs instead of just two...
Rain, rain, rain. Means we now have lots of water for the tadpoles and mosquitoes. Hopefully, I can get pictures of the kids with some small frogs. Then the kids and I can make a 'journal' of our adventure. High hopes... we'll see how it goes in reality. ;-)
Something to do when it is raining outside:
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And this decided to visit our back porch to get out of the rain...
It won I ran.
I couldn't believe it. Tot finally sat nicely and got his hair cut. It took bribing and picking from Tater and myself... but he did it!!! She did the best she could while he kept putting his hands up and hiding his ears and more. Tater? He was perfect. Didn't move until she told him to and was a sweetheart. One of the women in the barbershop wanted to smooch on him. Here are some pictures of the boys with their new haircuts!
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No fun if you can't act up some...
Seems my boys like to compete. It's going to be a long haul for me on this one. Even something as simple as bike riding. Geeze.
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Of course, the longer bike with the bigger kids seems to get in the lead...
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But Tater had to turn around and bike back to enjoy the flowers we found:
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We found a tiny toad as well... but the camera wouldn't focus on it. It was the size of my finger nail. Means the mosquitos will be out in great force now. Oh... they are out... just means it more of them. Ugh.
Tater and Tot made the Father's day card for their dad. Can you figure out who did which one? click picture to enlarge it.
Give up yet? Tot is on the left and Tater on the right. I thought they did a great job. Tot traced it and Tater wrote it himself. Go Team!
Never ever again will I volunteer to help at a VBS. Never. And we are doing an 'Avalanche Ranch' VBS. I thought I was going to be a glorified line leader. Taking 5 or 6 kids from one bible study area to another. Waiting for them to do their thing and lead them to the next one. Uhhhh. NOT. I have to participate and be with my 'team'. Not only that, I ended up with one 6 yr old, two 7 yr olds and two 10 yr olds. Not necessarily the best mix in my mind.
Add to that, two of the younger ones are 'touchy' kids. They want me to hold their hands, or they are consistently sitting right beside me, almost in my lap, or touching my arm or back. Trust me, this is NOT my cup of tea. I hold there hands, I smile and continue to let them sit close to me. It is only till Friday, it is only till Friday... Bou, you can stop laughing now.
Here is where Bou and I do differ. I have no problem standing up, dancing, singing and being an absolute fool in front of the kids and adults and having fun. Won't even make my stomach twinge. Being around people in general is fine, I am an extrovert by nature. Ahhh, here is how we are the same.. Being around small people who demand a lot of attention is NOT fine. I am not a teacher for a reason. This is WHY!!! Don't TOUCH ME! And even I can get sensory overload when every time someone says "God is Real", "God is Strong", "God is with us" every single person (about 70 per classroom) has to shout "WaaaHooo" at the top of their lungs. In small rooms where this is said every couple of minutes is enough to make me want to go to the bathroom and never come out.
Yaa... the best example is the hairdryer. We are in this classroom made for 20, with all 70 of us sitting beside each other on the floor, no where an empty spot. They have a boy stand up with a hairdryer and try to balance a ping pong ball on it. It falls off. They talk about how it is not "Strong like God". Wahoo. How you have to be connected with God because "God is Strong". Wahoo. They plug the hairdryer in the wall... now it is connected to the power... like we can connect to God and we know "God is Strong". Wahoo. They show the ping pong ball now staying balanced above the hairdryer. It now has the strength to hold the ping pong ball up because it is connected to the power. We can get the ability to hold ourselves up when we connect to God because "God is Strong". Wahoo. Ok, so we did 4 wahoos in under 5 minutes. Trust me it didn't take them long on the example and speech. The idea... was cool. Something visible for the kids to relate to... The wahoos. Nope. Stop it.
No kidding. Every couple of minutes we are all having to scream Wahoo. Oh, it gets better. Even the young ones are being taught to scream wahoo. That means on the way home, in my house and every time I turn around... my boys are saying one of the phrases to make the other one scream wahoo. I was talking to Tink about VBS after I got home... and I whispered to her I wanted to tell the boys to "F.cking SHUT UP on the Waahoos" when she said "God can hear you when you whisper." We both started laughing. Yes, I shouted wahoo during VBS. No, I haven't stopped my kids from saying it. No, I didn't freak when we had to sit in these small classrooms... but by the end of the day... even I want to run away.
Seems my boys have thought they could get around the wrestling at different places by telling me they are hugging. In fact, they call it "Huggy Wuggy". Yaa... looks like wrestling to me. Your thoughts?
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Yaa, big bad mommy made them stop. Well, the times that I saw them. This was not my camera taking the pictures. My friend was kind enough to take pictures of my boys and give them to me. Ohhh... I did take the ones yesterday. I borrowed the camera long enough to take pictures of the them bowling for the first time (ya ya ya... I forgot my camera). Interesting how she got better action shots than I did.
A friend had her son's birthday party at a bowling alley. We couldn't resist. Particularly since we knew there would be bumpers in the gutters... even if her son was turning 7!
Tot was up first:
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Then it turns out they have some other piece of equipment for the kids...
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Tater tried it as well:
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Tot was watching his brother closely:
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And there has to be a picture of some silly faces...
Fun was had by all... and there will be more pictures tomorrow.
Ever think that something would be fun only to find out that it is a lot of work for mom? Yaa... I learned that lesson. How hard could it be to make two paper mache volcanoes and then let them blow up? Not too hard unless you have a 4 year old asking every 5 minutes when we could put in the stuff to make the volcano explode. Sigh...
No I did not wait for each layer to dry before we put on the next one... After the layers, we decided that we would not paint them but put real dirt and grass on them. Big mistake. Next time, this is done OUTSIDE, not on the back porch.
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Before the time of explosion, we must do flybys with our new airplanes...
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Great big mess. The kids loved it.
pssst. Notice the grass is starting to turn green? We had a rain a couple of days ago. Yipee.
Ohhh. And we can't forget the flybys after the explosion....
The kids loved it. I will be doing it again, but definitely this will ALL be created and done outside. Where? I don't know... but outside.
...a watergun fight is when it's raining. Like this past weekend.
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Might as well water Mom's plant that she stuck out in the rain... right?
I have been working on table manners for our family. Only to discover... I am going to have to work on Dad's too! Seems all the boys want to talk at the same time. Geeze. Another 'male trait' I'll have to write down in the books.
Yet, it has been fun. We find an object to pass around and the person with the object is the one allowed to talk. Doesn't always work, but we try. And along with it is '20 questions' that everyone gets a chance to answer. Like: What is your favorite color? What can you think of that is yellow? What makes you happy? What's your favorite game to play? And last night... what is your favorite song... And I have forgotten what the boys said because we laughed so hard at Dad's singing.
He was singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"... but instead of an animal... it was:
Old MacDonald had a farm, eieio
And on his farm he had a momma, eieio
with a fart fart here, a fart fart there, here a fart, there a fart, every where a fart fart
(now replace fart with fart noises). Even I was laughing so hard it hurt. He did a great job. But I'll never think of that song the same way again. Neither will the boys. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this little ditty... I may have some interesting songs from the boys to post soon.
And this morning, I read that Bou has questions about farting as well. seems this is a fart kind of week.
Rave asked how the wild fires were doing in our area. I do not smell the smoke when I walk out the door anymore. I'm not sure if it is because I am use to it or it has been blown a different direction. Here are the fires in Florida as of June 1st:
You can find information at Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Forestry Wildland Fires. Phew. Then on the right hand side is a Florida Wildfires Map (pdf). Click there to get the latest.
Wow. The rain came, it poured down. It left puddles of water yesterday. Today it is gone.
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Just a little water left in the swale.. not much... just enough for the mosquitos I'm sure. Sigh.
We got rain last night... look what I saw in our yard this morning:
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And down our road in the swales:
No, it's not enough. but I think my plants might just survive...
To keep my boys busy for a little while, I convinced them to paint some rocks for my garden. It worked...
Seems that the first couple of days of 'summer' vacation are always entertaining. Like it being 90 degrees and Tot insisting on wearing a superman costume. Or playing loud obnoxious instruments on the back porch at 9am. Sure those kids who wanted to sleep in just loved us. ;-) It didn't seem to bother Happy Dog!
Last week was PreK Graduation for Tater. And here is what Tot was doing while we were waiting for it to get started:
Yaa. Just wonderful... (sarcasm here). The pictures of him getting his diploma and certificate didn't come out that well. But as he was waiting for the rest to get done, he was checking out his stuff:
Afterwards, they decided to fill the children up with icecream.
The kids were going to need it for the 'carnival' outside:
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After the outside activities, they had a music/puppet show inside... along with some prizes and face painting:
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It was fun and the kids were tired. Well worth it. ;-)
As a mother, you must remember that a four year old and a three year old do not understand when you are being facetious. Like when they are jumping on the bed and you tell them "You may not jump on the bed, but you may jump off of it". Uhhhh... yaa...
I round the corner to holler at them again because I can tell some kind of jumping is going on in Tot's room... and I see Tater do a flying spread eagle leap off Tot's bed, onto the floor with his head making direct contact on the side of the dresser. A bloody mess. Really. Blood on my shirt, down the side of his face. Sigh. I take him into the bathroom, clean it up. Find a flashlight, check his eyes, and his head. Luckily it is just a surface wound. As this is going on, Daddy is walking in from work. What a day.
Nothing is ever simple at the Bug's house.
Wow. Have you ever seen the Animusic 2 dvd?
Click HERE to see a small sample (I had to download and install the win media 11 plugin to get it to work).
Tot loves THIS ONE. Again these are just small samples of the whole thing.
Tater loves THIS ONE.
And I love them all... but THIS ONE really can get me to stop what I'm doing and watch it. I don't like the music as much, but I love the animation on this one.
Yaa... Mamaw sent us this DVD for the kids and I think hubby and I like it just as much. The kids have already watched through twice and a couple of the 'extra' scenes. We have only had it 24 hours. ;-)
What a weekend. I can't even begin to describe it properly. Hence, I am just going to put something out to help me keep life in perspective (and I should have read ever hour yesterday):
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had been hung on his window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life."
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing."
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
My BIL sent me
and once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. Particularly after reading this paragraph:
So when I got an offer in the mail for a new "IdentityMonitor" service from Citi, which supposedly protects you from identity theft, I laughed. First, because I was sure it wouldn't work. Second, because they were offering it to one of my own stolen identities:
I kept clicking on the next link to see what happened. If you have 5 minutes. It is very entertaining.
9am drop off Tater
9:30am get home and start spaghetti sauce
10am get dressed up
11am show up for mother tea all dressed up with Tot in tow
12pm left
12:45pm met with speech therapist from child find
1:45pm left to get a friend's son (A)
2:15pm picked up A
2:45pm got home
3pm Another friend shows up with m and d for playdate made last week
5:20pm They leave
5:40pm Dinner
6:20pm drag mattress from spare room to Tater's room for A
7:10pm start the bedtime routine
ugh... I'm exhausted and it is going to be a busy weekend. A is staying with us, Tot has a gymnastic show... which reminds me, I have to get the camcorder ready... and our books/dvds are overdue at the library. Someone take me away for just a couple of hours!!!
Tot has asthma. I am very aware of the fires down in my part of Florida. What I didn't realize until I read Sticks' Post was how widespread it was overall...
pic idea taken from Sticks and "The server has been inundated with hits and is overloaded. We are providing a static map of existing wildfires." Hence, I am getting the same picture she has.
I walked out the door this morning and could smell the smoke. Just like Sticks, I'm asking that you add your prayers, good thoughts and whatever it is you do that would help us with these fires.
Tot and I were suppose to have a Mother's Tea at preschool today. Didn't happen. Turns out Tot came down with Croup this weekend and was not really doing better on Monday morning. I made a doctor's appt and skipped the tea. When I went to pick up Tater, I stopped by to say hi to Tot's teachers and they presented me with the following stuff:
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The part that is hidden says "Tot loves "... you can see the rest. You still can't really see he smile and the nose Tot drew... but it's there:
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I wore the necklace and bracelet the rest of the day and will wear it tomorrow and the next day... until I get something from Tater... then it will more interesting. ;-)
I love the vase... it will be perfect for my itsy bitsy geraniums.
My grass is turning a nice brown. I should have taken another picture today... it looks funny around the trees with a little ring of green and the rest being pretty brown. I decided a way to keep the kids busy was to have them water. They wanted to get the water themselves. Not my wisest choice, but cute. (click any picture to enlarge it)
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Tater noticed I had come in with a camera...
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Yaa... I was mopping a lot...
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There is a new avocado, 2 bananas and a bay tree to be watered... along with a Royal Poinciana.
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A better watering place...
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Worth it to see this:
If you have a college bound child, they might want to consider going into the field of therapy. My boys are certainly going to need it. They got to attend a Gyn appointment with me yesterday. Nothing like explaining to your children what is going on and why.
Thank goodness it is Friday. While I'm at it... I love THIS SITE that Ogre pointed out. He doesn't post that much but what he does post makes me laugh. Particularly THIS ONE.
technorati: parenting
Or maybe the title should have been ER visit from 1am to 4am? I think I should have a contest on how many ER visits we will make this year? Any guesses? We made one last night. I'm exhausted. Good thing I wrote those posts last night for this morning. Usually I have a week's worth ready but not this week... and I sure wish I did.
Luckily I have some good friends and blogger buddies sending me humor. You'll see it over the next couple of weeks.
And if you are interested? The kids are fine. Mom and Dad are exhausted, fussy and need more sleep. ;-)
While visiting Grandma & Pop, the boys tried on some hats. Look at these gorgeous guys:
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Tater could not resist putting an extra hat in the picture!
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I think my boys are about ready to start posing for GQ magazine. Now how do I a hold of GQ????
One of those interesting moments when you get to the places you want to take pictures and realize your camera battery is low... so low it won't let you take a picture. Yaa... and the one I charged is 100s of miles away at home. Seems I forgot to put in the new battery and bring the charger. Sigh. We had one camera that was working (Tot's) and it needed batteries as well as Tater's. Luckily their cameras take AAs. Phew. Here are some pictures from their cameras since MY camera does NOT take normal batteries.
Breakfast with Characters (look at Tot's cute face! Click to enlarge):
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Tater was disappointed that Annie wasn't there, but happy that Leo stopped by.
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Gee... a Storm Trooper... they couldn't resist... And yes I did notice the Storm Trooper looks like something is dripping out of his rear.
It was a fun weekend. Been a little busy, so all I have for you is this picture (click to enlarge):
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Don't even ask how long it took to get that picture!!!!
It is weird how a little amount of money can cause children to have so much fun...
How about Spiderboy and his stunt double?
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Watch out for those webs!
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Wait! That's not Peter Parker... that's Tater!
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What would an appointment be like with a couple of Spiderboys at my side? I found out! (The staff loved it)
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Tot has worn his for 3 days now. This includes wearing it to Preschool on Chapel day. I wash it at night since I won't let him sleep in it... I need to get him a new one soon! Ohh.. he is the 'stunt double'... as you can see from his climbing this web (notice Tater is NOT in sight):
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And one last attack!
We are going on a road trip for the weekend. While I will come back with some good blog fodder, I will not be taking my laptop with me. Those who have access to my blog are welcome to drop in a line or two... otherwise, you will have me back on the same bat spider time, same bat spider channel on Monday (or Tuesday).
Enjoy the break! I know I plan on it.
And just to drive you nuts because you can't get it out of your head once you start singing it:
Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies
Look Out!
Here comes the Spiderman.
Is he strong?
Listen bud,
He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread
Take a look overhead
Hey, there
There goes the Spiderman.
In the chill of night
At the scene of a crime
Like a streak of light
He arrives just in time.
Spiderman, Spiderman
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman
Wealth and fame
He's ignored
Action is his reward.
To him, life is a great big bang up
Whenever there's a hang up
You'll find the Spider man.
We decided to have a family exploration and use it to make art. Mom found buttons and stickers, the boys found grass, tree limbs, and more...
Now which picture belongs to which child??? (Answer if you press More Pawprints)
The one on the right is Tater's...
Little behind on getting these out.. but they are cute and bring back memories... they found their easter baskets... about an hour after they got up. The Easter Bunny Mammaw got them most of the candy and the chocolate bunnies. Side Note: They still haven't eaten it all... give less next year!
After dumping the candy and toys out of the baskets, outside to find the eggs...
and let us not forget a picture of the bunny... Tot ate the candy eye and the tail off to start... I forgot to get a picture of Tater's!
The boys also got some non-spill bubble stick and holder. Seems to work until they turn it upside down. ;-)
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Tater kept posing... I gave up on an action picture and just got his cute self!
It's been a busy week... but I love it when I see this picture of Tot at the Beach. You can find the STORY HERE... enjoy the picture!
This is all Mammaw's fault. She cleared off my kitchen island and bought stools. Now I have two little boys peering at me in the kitchen when they eat lunch! (aren't they cuties???)
Seems like traveling with two boys and two doodle pads will continue to be a source of blog fodder...
This time I decided to call AWTM since she is back and see if all is well in her life of insanity and I had not heard from her in weeks...
From the back of the car I hear Tater...
Tater: "Mom, take a look at this picture"
Mom: "What is it?"
Tater: "It's you with a pe-nis!!"
Tater/Tot: Laughing out loud
Mom: "Sigh"
I hate to say it but you could barely see the stick figure because the size of the pe-nis. Guess this size thing starts at an early age.
We went to the community church's Easter Egg hunt. They always have 1000s of eggs and the kids love it. This year my kids got divided between two areas. Tot went to the 'hay stack' for 0 to 3 year olds, while Tater went to hunt around the Pastor's house for the 4 to 6 year olds.
While waiting to get into the Pastor's yard, Tater posed as a Jedi Knight:
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Yep, they just laid most of the eggs in the yard. A few were up in bushes but not many!
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Tot was still egg hunting when we got through. For some reason there was not that many 0 to 3 year olds this year... He got a bag full of eggs!
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In fact, picking up eggs got so boring, the slide looked much more interesting!
Fun was had by all. Definitely more eggs than what was at home! ;-)
Yep, I'm a Christian and I still tell my kids there is an Easter Bunny. It has worked wonders on keeping them a little nicer this week. ;-) Yes, I have also explained about Jesus and the meaning... for what a 4 year old and a 3 year old can take in and digest. If they ask about the Easter Bunny, I will tell them the truth but until then....
I will not be posting again until Monday. Lots to do this weekend. Including coming up with a post to wish my Hubby a happy Anniversary. Yep, it is on Sunday. Still not posting until Monday unless there is suddenly a lot of time on my hands (NOT going to happen!).
Enjoy your weekend, and I will be enjoying mine as well.
Seems that Tater has decided to try out for Darth Maul... Look at these cool moves!
a. 
b.
c.
d.
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Tot did not want to be left out...
Seems Tater has figured out how to drink water and then make a big burp come out. Tot can get a belly laugh from watching his brother and hearing the burp. Now I finally got over the 'poop' discussions and it is not outlawed at my house any more. The boys can say it anytime they want except at the dinner table. That does not mean I will stick around to hear it but they can say it. Now burping... should I outlaw it or not. Right now I don't, but it is getting really annoying. Any thoughts?
And I definitely am living with boys. Tater drew a butt with poop coming out of it on his Doodle pad (or I would have gotten pictures) and Tot was roaring with laughter... after he erased it, he drew a pen-is with pee coming out... more laughter by the boys... finally he holds up a cloud with eyes and the top of a head above it... yaaa... Fart in Your Face... told dad about it and he laughed almost as hard as the boys. I just don't get it. But I have decided to put this in my blog so I won't forget it. Wait till those boys get to have their own kids!
It was the Marlins and the Mets... Marlins in the lead 3 to 1 runs. And Tater yells at the top of his lungs "Go Black Guys". Yaaa... Marlins were wearing black that day. At the beginning to help Tater figure out who was who, we told him that the Marlins were the men in black. I would point out "There goes a man in black, a Marlin". All a matter of interpretation. ;-)
Here are a few pictures. One of the field (if you zoom enough you can see the score!)
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c. 
Little busy getting the house back together after being out of it for 3 days... these are a wee bit old (like a week or two!)... more recent pictures to come later.
My boys have a whole set of kitchen pots, pans, dishes, vegies, and more. They love to 'cook'. Only thing missing was an oven and stove top. The stove top has been solved! While I was out getting the boys, Mammaw found the construction paper, the tape and the container I was moving the 'cooking' toys into that day...
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The boys love it! I can't believe how imaginative my mom is and why she didn't pass it on to me!!!
My kids don't need a lot of toys. In fact, I'm giving them away by the boxful. But there was a toy that was perfect and Mammaw bought it for them... Toy Trucks. Not just any toy trucks. Trucks that could be pushed down the road, loaded up with rocks and dirt, and deposited on my driveway. Yep... perfect.
Just down the road, our neighbor had some dirt dumped by the road... just enough left to keep my boys entertained:
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And the race is on... Tot is in the lead!
Now Tater (look at that wind blown hair...):
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They still take those trucks on our walks. Wonder if I'll ever get them back on their bikes!
It has been depressing here today. Mammaw left to go home. Hopefully, I will be in the mood to post more tomorrow night. I have some great pictures and enjoyed her visit more than I can put into words. Trust me, I have tried to put into words. I want my boys to read this in the future and understand... later... I'll try again.
Hello Blogworld... my BIL has the following question:
I have been trying to get info about a Coke a Cola Bottle I found in Grassy Sound NJ. This bottle has the logo on it but is not the regular and unique shape it is today, (glass), can anybody help?
Anyone know of any good websites, books or the like? Please send me an email or put it in the comments! Thanks!!!
Nothing like getting two people afraid of heights, one with vertigo and the need to get up high. Yaa. I decided to put my Hubby's bottle collection on the shelf around the pantry. This required me to go up the ladder and my mother to hand them to me. I'm shaking as I reach down, she is shaking as she has to look down at the floor and put her hand up. Both of us hoping we don't drop any. Happy no one with a video camera is lurking around. With all the difficulties, I think it turned out great. Here are a few pictures:
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The other pictures didn't really turn out. I'll try to take more later. Mammaw keeps me hopping!
This weekend we decided to take the family to the zoo. The kids took their cameras and we made sure we had the stroller and Mammaw. There was a definite seating arrangment in the van. Mammaw had to sit in the back with the boys. Per the boys. GRIN.
Here is Tot giving me a heart attack... I turned to take this picture and then realized what would happen if he dropped his camera.
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Here is a bird that Mammaw pointed out was on the wrong side of the fence:
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Tot is still using that camera:
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Some fun statues to crawl all over:
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And this was very appropriate... the last exhibit before leaving the zoo...
It's only a couple of weeks away. My mom is heading into town to visit for two weeks. During this time, I will whisk my husband away for a couple of hours. In fact, I'm going to go buy some clothes this week for this day. I will also be able to use the clothes for any other occasion that might come my way.
Yes, Date Day. We are more likely to go to lunch than out for dinner. My kids still get some of that 'witchy' moment around dinner time and will not force my mom to deal with it. Though, we might sneak out after they are in bed!!! Ahhhh... choices are soon headed my way.
They are digging up the swales for city water pipes. We were lucky enough to have them put the dirt in front of our house. That is my neighbor's house you see across the street with the 'money eater'... aka boat.
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Now some pictures of the boys having fun. For those up north... notice the green grass, the green trees and the short sleeve shirts. Yep, it is sunny in south Florida.
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When it was warm out a couple of days ago, it rained. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the nice green grass and plants. They loved the rain. On the other hand... I had to find something for the boys to do.
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We decided to have a picnic inside.
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I knew those old sheets would come in useful. It was fun. Even Happy joined in on the picnic.
Harvey got this POSTCARD from Florida. Well, Harvey, you can laugh now. And Mrs. Who can cry. It is NOT suppose to be this cold in South Florida.
My boys had a special night with Dad for Valentine's via their preschool. This is what they made for him:
I think that was a wonderful idea on the part of the planners.
The boys got to go to a birthday party for a boy in Tater's class where there was a 'hired' firetruck. In fact, one of the things you got to do was hold the hose as it was squirting water out of it. I only had my cell phone with me... but here are the pictures:
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Just a head's up. Posting (and reading of other blogs) will be light this week. I have 2 parties to get ready for (the boys at preschool... yaa I was stupid and offered to help for both), appointments and a whole lot more. And this was the only post I got done ahead of time.
What a week. Last night I had to call the Doctor at 7pm. Tot would not stop coughing. I nebulized, I gave cough medicine, I panicked. He is the one that always get the bad stuff really quickly. Don't get me wrong, Tater had pneumonia of the left lung at 4 months... he certainly can worry me. Tot... Tot just has this knack for getting stuff and not having it really seen by me until it has hit a critically bad point.
Turns out the doctor had me put him in the hot steamy bathroom, give him prednisone and nebulize again. Phew. It worked. I stayed up and wrote posts for my sister, Tink, who had the blue screen of death and then decided to go play games so I could nebulize him one more time before I went to sleep. Not the best choice. I was up until 4am this morning. He decided at 10:30pm (when I was going to nebulize) would be a good time to have another coughing fit.
I also went and marked the following so I could have them in today's post:
Microsoft puts out a Blue Screen of Death screensaver that looks real. (cross posted at Tink's place, go there to get the link). Which reminded me of the old WinRoach program that would have roaches crawl everywhere when you moved a window. Or occasionally just crawl from one window to another.
GuyK had me rolling with laughter on THE POST he dedicated to Bou and myself. Go check it out.
Go wish OddyBobo congrats on her 10 pounds of weight loss!!!
AWTM has a duck recipe that sounds delicious!!! Check it out HERE.
Bou had me laughing with her ability to not hear properly when concentrating. HERE is that post. Not that it had anything to do with my posts on Vultures. ;-)
Pam gives us pictures of her 12 week old. Go Enjoy!
Practical asks if what works with her child will work with her husband in THIS POST. And congrats on the potty chair christening!
And if you have $14.95... THIS POST by Bitterroot will be what you are looking for!!!
Things happen when Mom is not paying attention. Like the hair cut that Tater ended up having this time!
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Tot's hair cut is not that bad but it was definitely a fight to get it cut.
Sunday night Tot had a temp of 103. He waited until 10:30pm to get 'sick'. Yaa... and then yesterday morning around 10am he decided to tell me his ear hurt. Sigh. It is very hard to get into the doctor's office that day when you wait until 10am to call. We made it. They were running late... our appt was at 4:30pm, we saw her at 5:15. And it must have been a sick Monday. There was a 2 hour wait to get your prescription. Ugh.
We went home. Ate a very late dinner and put the boys to bed. I went to get the prescription. Got home, helped hubby out finding tax stuff, did NOT do housework and went to bed. Not much later the wakeups started.
It was a long night. I hate ear infections. Yaa, I'm whining. Now someone pass me that wine. GRIN
Ever hear a rock in your Washer? Thought you got them all and then hear something banging around in your Dryer? Yaa... it's been a fun week. Tater (and sometimes Tot) have been collecting rocks. Those rocks are cars, spaceships, projectiles... and great for pockets. Here is a sample of what I see by my front door:
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Don't go barefooted out my door:
Needless to say that life with kids is always entertaining. Been just a weeee bit busy the last week. Here is an update:
1. Tot's eye is healed.
2. Tater's shoulder is completely healed and has two cool looking lumps of calcium on his bone.
3. Tot played Candyland from start to finish, following the rules. He even won!
4. It is registration time for preschool, and other items.
5. The boys' pc has stopped. I have been working on it for 2 nights. Make it 3 by the time you read this.
Tired, too much to do and not enough hours to do it in. Silly me... if I would just quit playing with my kids I am sure I would find time to do it all.
Nothing like trying something new. I just couldn't resist trying to make marshmallows with the boys. Here is what the first round looked like:
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And this is what was on my mixer:
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It came out more like taffy than marshmallows. Though I notice the boys (including hubby) keep eating it.
The next round I made by myself came out light and fluffy... still very sticky - not taffy sticky. But much better. Not so 'compacted' either, it filled the whole pan easily. Nope, not sure what I did differently. No telling when the kids are helping me. I must have misread something somewhere on the first go round.
Tater and Tot could not resist getting their picture taken... and posed over and over and over again:
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The boys are very lucky. They get the best clothes from their grandparents. We were lucky to have them come by this weekend and enjoy time with the kids. Even luckier for me... new clothes for the boys. I swear my kids grow on a daily basis. Here is a sample of what Tot got:
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And Tater wanted to show off his new sweater:
Some days it just pays to be in Florida...
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Been a busy couple of days. Tired, kids have colds and too many things to get done. Hope everyone is doing well... hope to catch up on my reading of blogs soon!
UPDATE: Look at Thursday night!
Thanks to Sticks, I had a title for this post. That and Tink putting out THIS POST. Ohhh... and the vultures. The other day, while my internet and phone service was out, my neighbor came over to the front door and knocked on it. Scared me as I wasn't expecting anyone. And here is the conversations we had:
Neighbor: Is Happy Dog ok?
Me: Huh? yaaa, why?
Neighbor: Look at the number of vultures on your roof and in your yard. I was worried. If he is ok, what died?
Me: Well, there was a dead small gator and raccoon across the street in the swell.
Neighbor: Hmm. That might be it, but boy are there are lot of vultures.
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No kidding, there were over 200 vultures... that was when I stopped counting. Here are a few pictures of that day:
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And this is NOT the whole set I could have shown. I should have known it was a sign... a sign that I was going to lose phone and internet. ARGHHHHHHHH.
Yaa. I was not a happy camper. Bellsouth (now AT&T) got an earful from me. And yes, it was followed up with an email. I might lose internet again next week. They are sending me a new 'modem' since the one I have is no longer on their list of supported modems. I have an 'old' modem. blhhhhhhhhh. Which you can see is working just fine. Another one of those 'issues' they tried to hide behind instead of fixing the problem. I feel a rant coming on, I'm signing off and going to play with my kids. Also, the in-laws are here and I should really pay attention to them as well.
UPDATE: There is even a better Stephen King 'story' over HERE.
I decided to try some new 'organic' all purpose flour. This meant fun for the boys. Bread from scratch!
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I must remember to turn the TV off when we are working in the kitchen together:
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Someone stopped by and while I was talking to them out front, there ended up flour all over the floor. Tater was a sweetie, because when I came back in he was trying to clean it up. I vacuumed the flour and my boys and cleaned it up. Next time I will have to just tell them I'll get with them later. Sigh... must engage brain when children are around... ohhh wait... that means it must be working 24x7. Sigh... not going to happen. GRIN
First a couple of these guys moved onto our back porch:
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Which someone told me was not poisonous... they might be but I can't figure out how to look them up to see what they are. Then a new type of spider moved in... this one worries me... it 'looks' poisonous ... ok, to me it does... anyone know what it is?
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Never a dull moment around here.
I posted that 'Dusted' yesterday because sometimes stuff like that helps me get in perspective. Though, whoever wrote that did NOT have 2 kids and a dog and live on a dirt road. Trust me... I have to vacuum constantly or we would be knee deep in dirt. Speaking of which. I have had a week of major sleep deprivation and posting will be light for the next 2 days. I'll get the pictures and stories out as soon as I can start thinking again.
Dusting
"A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture."
I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!
I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect -- "in case someone came over." Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!
Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.
Life is short. Enjoy it!
Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter,bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go -- and go you must -- you, yourself will make more dust!
Remember that little tomato plant that came up in my Gardenia? Here it is now ... with 14 tomatoes:
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And Tater's plant that he started in PreSchool...
It makes me wonder why they give us a sling. Take a look as we walk down the street:
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Having a great time with Uncle B... but notice the sling:
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Yep... that sling is on his back 3/4's of the time. Sigh.... 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks.
Someone call the police!!! There are strepitous instruments being played some where in my neighborhood. Oh wait... those are my children making that noise:
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I am surprised the neighbors did not call me and ask what was going on at my house. Either people are not home at 4pm in the afternoon or they don't care...
Let's try this again. I wrote this post and thought I had put it out and it is gone. I mean... not even in the archives... gone. But the pictures are out in Image Shack... I wasn't totally imagining I wrote it.
My mom started a new tradition with the boys this year. She made sugar cookies and gingerbreadmen for the boys to decorate. After the icing was dry, they got to put them on their tree.
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The finished products:
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Before they made it to the tree a few were missing bites here and there. And a couple of them disappeared completely once Happy Dog realized there were edible items on the tree.
Guess I better get good at making sugar cookies and gingerbreadmen this year!
It amazes me what leap of thought my children can make. I was putting Tot to sleep last night and we were talking. Both boys are into Pokemon, Star Wars and Peter Pan. The conversations can get a little strange.
Last night was about the crocodile in Peter Pan. Tot decided that it was chasing me. Tot was saying it would "Bite Mommy". And being the smart arse that I am, I told him it couldn't bite mommy because I would take off in my race car. Tot got a big grin on his face and said "Flat Tire". HuH??? How did he know a flat tire would stop my car? Where did that come from and the logic behind it. I was so shocked I didn't even correct him and make him say a complete sentence.
Side note, Tot usually talks in complete sentences until he is tired. Then we get two or three word sentences. Like at night.
Even this morning, I am trying to figure out what he saw where to come up with a flat tire would stop my car. I think my hubby said something about Backyardigans and Austin. I'll have to do some research.
Some days I feel like I live on a Movie Set. The drama, the acting. It is just like a scene out of some soap opera.
The scene: The kibbutz* has been awake for 2 hours. Breakfast has been offered and turned down. They have turned down doing the laundry or dishes for me as well. Now it is time to put out the mail.
Mom: Tater, Tot want to help put out the mail?
Tot: Socks and shoes on please.
Sigh. I go get socks, Tot gets the shoes, we get him dressed.
Mom: Ok, let's go.
Tater: Mom, mom, mooooommmmmm. You can't put out the mail. I need some oatmeal.
Mom: Huh? I asked you 2 hours ago if you wanted to eat. You can wait until we put out the mail.
Tater: I want to go. One sock and shoe please.
Mom goes and gets the socks. Tot brings me Tater's shoes. As mom puts on the shoes.
Tater: Only one sock and shoe.
Mom: No, you need both to go outside.
Tater: I don't want to go out. I want oatmeal. NOW. NOW. NOW!
Mom: You want a timeout? Now?
Tater: (very softly) now, please?????
Mom: No, we are going to put out the mail after you get your shoes on. You do not have to go out.
Shoes on, Mom and Tot head out to put out the mail. Tater follows.
You would think the acting would be over, right? Now it is time for the 'oatmeal'.
I make the oatmeal.
Tater: Where's the egg, toast and waffle?
Mom: What?
Tater: Where's the egg, toast and waffle?
Mom: Eat your oatmeal and I'll make the rest.
Tater: Please make the egg and toast.
Mom: Ok.
Mom makes egg and toast, puts it at the table with the now cold oatmeal. Tater gets in his chair, starts to eat.
Tater: Mom, moooommmmm. Where's the waffle?
Mom: Making it. Just eat.
Yaa... always the drama.
* I always wanted to use that word! We don't really live in a communal farm but it is a cool word. Yaa... it is a Mom does all the farm work. Nothing communal about that.
My sister, ddpups, bought a bounce house for the kids to play in while there. YAAAAAAAAA. That was the smartest, bestest, move ever. She has a lovely house, with lovely breakables in it. We were having Christmas dinner at her place. I was v.e.r.y worried. But the kids got worn out in the bounce house.. ok ok... it took the edge off not really getting them worn out. No matter, it made life nicer. My boys lucked out and had it to themselves for a little while. Here are some pictures:
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Evey one made it:
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Happy 2007 everyone. Hope you are getting back into the grove. Give me another couple of days. ;-)
Here are some random pictures from my Mom's house. Starting with the tree she left for the boys to decorate!
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The boys also decorated some stockings for their aunts and uncles:
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And the finished products:
We made the drive home and the trip was pretty much a non-event. Ohhh... what happened before the drive and after the drive is enough to put anyone over the edge... but the trip itself. Not an issue.
I can feel the suspense building as you wonder what could have happened before and after but not effect the drive....
Tot came down with croup the night before we left. Tater fell out of bed that night. Tater has a fractured shoulder. Tot really does have croup and... an ear infection. Yes, life certainly has it surprises. Can't wait to go to the specialist tomorrow to see what they do for a 4 year old with a fractured shoulder.
Needless to say, pictures and posts might be a little behind the times as I handle the 'daily life'.
And if anyone has some cool New Year pictures I could use as a background, please send them!!! I need something to lighten the mood. GRIN.
The Bug & family are at maama's house by now and I promised her that I would post these pictures for her. I just didn't say what time :).
The story goes that D was helping Tot and Bug was helping Tater build gingerbread houses for the holidays.
Sweet little tot was very diligent in building his gingerbread house. He patiently put on candy sprinkle on at a time. I personally think he has been reading the 3 Little Pigs once to often.
While I believe that Tater has taken 3 Billy Goat Gruffs to heart as he would eat the gingerbread man as soon as he had him decorated. I'm starting to wonder what my sis is teaching those boys.
Still the boys did an awesome job with their houses (though if you look carefully you can probably see Tater's half eaten man>.
Tater and Tot asked to make cupcakes. And we did... here was the beginning... the heart shaped cake becomes a tree.
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Might as well let them have a sugar high... go ahead, eat the icing...
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Uhhhh. I leave in 2 days to see my Mom and family. TWO. I haven't asked anyone to post for me, so it might be a little quiet on this blog for a few days. Then again, people with access might just post anyways and that's cool. Otherwise, I still have to stop the mail, the newspaper, get with a couple of neighbors, return library books, laundry, pack....
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
but you can't make him drink... Harvey reminded me of that saying in my comments... only I would change it to:
Last night Tot woke up screaming for R2D2. Ughh. From 2am to 4am. The night before? Happy Dog was sick around 2am. Before that? My Hubby had a coughing fit, twice. Should I keep going? Tater was up for 2 nights with bad congestion... repeat the 3 nights before that for Tot. Ya....
To keep me in the holiday spirit, a friend sent me this picture:
It's amazing what people will send you... I must say, I liked this better... you need someone to remind you of common sense when you are tired:
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
5. You should not confuse your career with your life.
6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
7. Never lick a steak knife.
8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
14. Your friends love you anyway.
15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
16. Thought for the day: Men are like fine wine. They start out as grapes; and it's up to the women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
Been a busy week and this was a busy night. Had to dress the boys up for Tater's concert. The concert was very cute. Here are the handsome boys before they left:
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And then Tater said he wanted to 'dance' for me:
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What I don't have is a clear picture of him when he was on stage. I have video, but not a picture. And you really need the picture to see him. He untucked his shirt. Sigh... you can dress them up, but you can't keep them that way. ;-)
Looking at the pictures lately around the blog-o-sphere... I have noticed a lot of snow. Lots of snow. Just to give you that warm fuzzy feeling, here are some pictures from Florida. Notice the green grass in this picture:
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Green grass and lots of lights.
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And some acting up had to go along....
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And you are not imagining it... this is santa and deer flying over the house. Really... I would like to know how they got that on the roof... or how much power it takes to run it. Very fun for the kids to see it go round and round... disappear behind and reappear.
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And what is Christmas without Palm Trees (though I should have gotten some of the live Palm Trees that people decorated)...
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What about Dolphins?
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Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the Holiday season. It was great walking and driving around with the kids seeing lights.
This is getting out of hand. Tot had 2 bowls of oatmeal, one scrambled egg (ate most of it), a piece of toast (ate half)and drank milk. Tater ate one bowl of oatmeal, two scrambled eggs, a piece of toast and one waffle and milk. Please tell me that they won't be eating that much more when they get older. I'll be selling the house just to buy food.
Part of the season is having fun making rolls with my kids. Cinnamon Rolls. Here they are:
Yesterday I was talking to AWTM on the phone and telling her how worried I was about my boys getting cold. I had just put short sleeve shirts on them with jeans. It had dropped to 62F with rain and 30mph gusts of wind. Yaaa... you read that right, 62F. She cracked up laughing. Then proceeded to tell me it was in the high 30s there. Uhhhh. Ok, that is cold. And to add to it, she had me laughing again when I saw THIS POST. Geeze, you just can't complain around here without someone making you laugh.
For the first time... Tater looks very much like a Boy and not so angelic. Tot finally has all his hair cut straight. Someone tell me when do they stop growing up? I miss my little ones.
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What cuties:
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What didn't get mentioned before was the nightmare that occurred when getting Tot's hair cut. He sat great for the buzz. Then she pulled out the scissors. My quiet child went ballistic. I had to hold him in his seat with his arms pinned. There was n.o. w.a.y. I was going to pay $18 for half a hair cut. What a nightmare. How she got it even decent is beyond me. As more pictures are taken you will get to see it. A little shorter than I would have liked it, but still cute.
Nothing like trying to trick your child for it to backfire. Yep, Dad got a surprise.
This weekend while we were driving to the second to store, Tater kept talking about all the toys he wanted. Star Wars this, star wars that, and so on. Finally Dad said that Tater would have to give up some old toys to get these news toys... and Tater said "Ok, there are some kids that don't have toys and we can give mine to them".
I love my boys!
Last year we had dinner with Tigger and I posted about it HERE. The major part was how Tigger tried to steal his milk and Tater would hide it after that. It is now over a year later and Tater still remembers. Here we are at dinner and we can see Tigger heading our way... as you can see Tater is hiding his milk:
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And now the picture wit Tigger:
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While Tot wouldn't get near Tigger, he did agree to get beside Pooh:
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I was gone when Eeyore appeared. Seemed Tot got down to hide under the table when he appeared. What a picture:
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Seems Tot was ok with Piglet as well. hmmmm...
Finally, the Christmas decorating is done. As many decorations 'came down' as 'went up'. After all the kids went to sleep the other night, I took off the decorations that kept 'coming off' and put them away. Now all the decorations are staying up. Phew.
First, the tree:
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Second, the decorating:
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Last, the final decorating of the house. Yes folks, this is it. I'm not putting out anything else. Maybe next year.
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How is your decorating coming along?
Back at last. Phew. What a trip. Very fun, very long and very glad to be back. The trip home is an example of how the entire trip went...
First, we gave the boys those thin 3 or 4 inch long pretzels. Now I wish I had my camera handy... you would love the picture of Tot with a pretzel sticking out of each nostril. Better yet, when he took them out and ate them. Ewwwwwwww. No such luck on the pictures.
Second, (and you'll be happy I didn't have the camera for this one) Tater got sick and vomitted while we were at a rest stop. Which was a treat in itself, trying to get clean clothes... hmmm which suit case where they in? Get him cleaned off. And then not get sick myself as I see a flock of birds, must have been about 40 of them, go to the spot he was sick and eat the vomit.
My humorous husband couldn't resist telling Tater he was now a mommy bird. That is what mommy birds do for their young. Eat and then vomit it up. Ahhh regurgitate is the better word. Still GROSS.
Funny, sick, busy, slow. We had it all. Phew. Just very happy to be home. I have stories to tell and pictures to post. I'll get them up as soon as I can... in a day or two. Until then... Happy Belated Thanksgiving and I hope you survive the weekend.
PS. I will be putting out a special Thank You for the those crazy 3 that posted for me while I was gone in a day or two. Until then... Thank you VERY much.
I know I was suppose to be posting a story about Bug and got sidetracked this week. I'll have a post on my site later this week or next about it.
Oh... back to the story. After reading that Guy and Sweetthing may try to make a visit to Bug, Brains, and the tater tots, I felt compelled to make sure he knows what he is in for. (Sweetthing will be completely safe).
I think it has been mentioned a time or two that Bug has managed to take out two birds and a squirrel with a golf ball. She has also managed to peg every boy, man or any semblance to the same with a racquet ball to ensure they do not perpetuate life.
So Guy while you and SweetThing are visiting stay away, far away from any sports related subject while in the presence of the Bug.
Bug may want to change her name. I found this today:
The original Volkswagen Beetle was commissioned
by Adolf Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
On a lighter note, Guy, I know where she hides the wine. Meet in the computer room at 8.
Tomorrow we leave for our Vacation to Orlando. I went to check out the weather and saw this:
Folks, I have no clue where the jackets are ... we are still wearing shorts. And now I have today to find them. Did I mention that we have the Fall Festival for the kids tonight? Yaaa... don't mention all the other stuff that has to get done today and tomorrow we leave. I have got to be nuts.
BTW, please be aware that starting tomorrow there will be others posting to my blog. My sister, Tink, has told me she is going to post some stories about me... so if you have any questions, better get them to her asap. Guyk and Sticks have also volunteered. Be kind to them. Don't dirty up the place too much while I'm gone. Or be sure to at least bring the firemen by to clean up when I get back. GRIN.
We went to Urgent Care yesterday. We are both on antibiotics and a lot more. Yep, we're sick. The kids are feeling great. And my hubby almost got a frying pan to his head. (not really, but the thought was there). As he is laying on the couch, and I'm up doing dishes... he remarks "You really are sick, you should be resting, you can do those dishes later". Yaa.... he survived.
Earlier this week, Tot was sniffling and running a low fever. I figured it was the Melaleuca in bloom.
Melaleuca, especially when in bloom, causes respiratory irritation, headache and nausea to some people.
But yesterday showed me my ways were wrong. Yes folks, Tater came home from school and within an hour started running a fever. Last night? Someone remind me why we have children... Tot was up every two hours. Tater's fever spiked at 103 something. Tot got up for good at 6am. I had to fix him breakfast and proceed to try and slow him down. I think the Dimetapp caused him to be hyper.
Personally... it's going to be a long day. Any takers? I'll be glad to go to bed and let you play with the kids and clean house today.
Nothing is as entertaining as getting back school pictures. There are claims that the Spring pictures will be better... we will see:
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For some reason, they let the kids play on the playground before picture time. Can you tell???? Still made me smile and warm/fuzzy inside.
Last weekend we went to the park... on the way home we stopped at McD's and it was a mess. No places to sit. Lots of construction. Next store was a BK. Off we went to BK. Nope, not going to go there again. I was sick after eating there. The best part was the toys the boys got. (Notice the missing horn, it came with two)
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Things I'm Tired of Hearing in my Household:
Mom, Look at me. (usually means impending doom)
Tater/Tot get out of your brother's view of the tv (usually standing 2 inches in front of the other one)
Tater get off your brother (usually standing or laying on him)
Quit jumping on that. (can be furniture or brother or other valuable object)
Don't touch him or Leave him alone (usually they are sitting beside one another)
Mind you, I have said every one of these at least once in the last hour. I need some of that Duct Tape that Ogre mentioned in the comments at this Post
The boys helped make pumpkin pie. I forgot to take pictures until they were putting into the crusts.
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And the finished product!
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Yummy. It was delicious!
Really, it's my hubby's birthday. The kids made him a cake and some cupcakes yesterday. We'll finish decorating them today. You'll have pictures in a day or two.
and the best part? He is finally just one year younger than me instead of two.
My boys love to be on the computer. I have to limit it to one hour. Here is Tot playing I Spy...
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And then here is Tater busy playing Lego StarWars:
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And after Tot put the sequencing together on his screen, he hollared at me to take a look at it.
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Tater knows how to start it up, though there is a log in password he does NOT know... yet. But he can start the browser or the star wars program up without help. He also knows how to shut it down.
Tot knows how to swap cds to get the games he wants and how to play games on the internet.
It is always entertaining in my household. I couldn't resist letting them make apple crisp. I couldn't get pictures when they were cutting the apples with plastic knives... But as they finished up... I took a few.
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And the finished product:
And it was delicious. Well... Dad and I loved it... the kids didn't like it at all.
On a side note... Bou hears about my boy in the strangest ways.
Was it pumpkin week? I thought I would give a jello recipe a try. We had fun but the kids enjoyed trying to eat the sugar sprinkles over the jello. Oh, they ate both, but the little sprinkles were much more fun...
Here is Tot's after he finished decorating it (click to enlarge picture):
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Here is Tater's:
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Here are the one's they decorated last:
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I will not gross you out with what they looked like the next day. Ugh!
Time to carve out the pumpkin. What better way to than to get the family involved?
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and for every face that Tater put on the pumpkin, Tot helped 'improve' it.
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Mom finally just cut out some of the eyes that were initially drawn and a nose. This poor pumpkin never did get a cut out mouth!
We decided on Sunday to take a trip to the zoo. It's a little zoo, but perfect for our kids. Well, until Tot decided to throw his camera down at the very end. He lost all 34 pictures he had taken. It deleted them. Oops. Luckily, mom brought her camera and I got a few pictures. Seems like most of them are the back of the heads... and here is one of the few that is NOT the back of the head.
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And here is Tot taking a picture of ????
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And how could I resist this llama picture... I tried to get the picture of it pee'ing for Ogre but I couldn't get it to click fast enough...
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There is a part in the zoo where they put out a mist... the next two pictures say it all:
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Yaa... we were wearing shorts. It was hot. Florida... yaa.
Seems Michele is trying to age me before my time. Not that I'm old enough already... but two birthdays in a year. No thank you... and then the gifts. Hmmmm... Love Bug Pillow. Yaa... that would be VERY appropriate.
and Tink... you will ALWAYS be older than me... even if I have two birthdays in one year. s.n.i.c.k.e.r...
No big post today... enjoying the kids enjoying the grandparents. Must mention yesterday was no cup of tea. The kids went to get their yearly checkup and it ran 45 minutes late and it turned out it was time for shots. Yaa.... Later!
At my house this morning in Tot's room where the boys are playing. Mom walks by to put up clothes:
Tater: Mom, Tot put me in timeout for 5 minutes.
Mom: Uhhhhh... he's just joking.
Tater: No he's not, I punched him.
Mom: Well, you are only 4, so your timeout can only be for 4 minutes. Tot just thinks you are a 5 year old.
Tater: Oh, ok.
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A few minutes later...
Tater: Tot, I'm only 4, my timeout can only be 4 minutes.
Tot: Ok Tater.
Nothing like glue, scissors, construction paper, eyes and crayons to make for fun. Time to make some ghosts and bats. Enjoy the pictures. Click to enlarge them! Hmmm... now where can I hang these things????
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We had a trip around the neighborhood a couple of days ago. We picked up 'bones'. Turns out that painting them was much more fun than trying to put them together as a dinosaur.
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Sad to say, my nephew leaves today. It has truly been fun having him around. We are very similar. In fact, we worked on my boys computer together... discussing geeky stuff.
He also helped make the Ghiradelli brownies last night. Any excuse to pull those out and make them!!! And having help? Wow. He vacuumed, picked up after himself and played with the boys. Life has been very good.
The boys are into magnets... after watching Bill Nye, the Science Guy on magnetism. Luckily, my nephew had bought them magnets for Christmas last year. In fact, I got a picture of them playing with the magnets. I couldn't resist and joined them. It was a blast.
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He's gone. Sigh.
Seems my nephew is ready to leave already. Guess he doesn't want to fix the fence, plant my flowers, watch the kids and make cookies. Geeze. What is his problem??? hahahaha. Actually he has some other friends he wants to visit. Today is probably his last day unless I can convince to stay one more. More posting later in the week.
After While Crocodile.
I am sooooo excited. My nephew should be here today. It was a last minute thing, but it makes me happy. I can't wait to see him again. Will take pictures and make sure to make notes of the stories... I'm sure there will be a few!
Later Alligator...
Seems Tammi is having a Family Day...
I tried to just put a comment out and have her point to one of my old posts. I loved that post. Brought back memories. But did my comment work? Yaa.. It made it, but I felt sorta guilty... My blog was made for my family. Yaa... I stray and do quiz's and meme's and other stuff. But basically I try to tell stories of my boys and our family.
So what was the Post I loved? It was THIS ONE. Where the boys are playing in a laundry basket. That is what my life is right now, boys, laundry and fixing food. I swear some days that is all I do... Oh and occassionally I get to see my hubby. ;-)
This is a great idea to help you remember how much you love your family and I hope more people go put out a fun post about your own family. I love that stuff.
There is nothing like stopping Tot and Happy Dog from running out the front door when you see this:
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Yes, that is a snapping turtle. I almost took pictures of the invasion of baby frogs the other day... but this tops it. You get the wildlife in my yard. Ants, snakes, frogs, walking sticks, birds (including vultures), armadillos, and now a snapping turtle trying to make it's way into my house.
It will be interesting as the boys get older.
We took the boys to the Ft. Lauderdale Science Museum. While the boys had a blast, hubby and I were disappointed. It was a lot of money for over 1/3rd of it to be closed. But enough whining... I can do that in a separate post... here are some pictures of them having fun!
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Tot just can't keep from touching different textures... Good thing they had some different stuff for that boy to touch!
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While Tot loved the keyboard that made 'waves' in the styrofoam beads, Tater loved the magnets. He could have stayed there all day trying different stuff.
be very very quiet. The boys are asleep at 8am. Of course, my hubby says on the lines of "The boys are asleep, should we wake them, is something wrong?" EEEEEEkkkk. Let them be! We will miss church, but it is worth it this time. The boys have not slept like this in weeks. They both were asleep by 8:15pm last night.
Yaa. I stayed up and put together a table and did dishes and laundry. With all of that I slept last night for 7 hours. I am a very happy woman.
The first thing I see when going out on the back porch the other day was this baby snake (I believe it is a baby black snake):
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And if that wasn't enough, we have these huge walking sticks as well...
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If that wasn't enough, I got a couple of more pictures... notice the little one attached to the bigger one... I think this means there will be a whole lot more walking sticks around our house soon. Sigh... they are longer than my hand.
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Never a dull moment at the 'bugs' house. ;-)
I was hoping that creating a calendar would help my kids figure out what was happening and when. Particularly Tot. It hasn't sunk in quite yet. I am now getting him to put stickers on his activities as well as just look at the calendar each day.
Yaa... here is a picture of it before we got too far into the week (click to enlarge it):
I am not completely anal.. I drew the fish for swim lessons!!! Well... only because I couldn't find a picture I liked. ;-)
Thought that bush dogs were funny? Try being a mom that has to make play-doh toilets for her boys. It started out with one greenish toilet ...
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and a blue bear...
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Tater makes some 'poop' and puts in the toilet... btw, Tot takes it out and flushes the toilet...
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This was not enough... Mom had to make a blue toilet for just Tater...
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There was even a 'stream of pee'. yaa... just wanted I wanted to do in the afternoon with play-doh. My flower and butterfly just wasn't any fun.
What is it about boys? Make that boys and their fascination with butts... farts, poop, and the like? We went to the zoo on Saturday. When leaving the zoo, they talked about the giant anteater, the prairie dogs, and the naked mole rats. But when asked later in the day what they liked most...
Oh yes. While there, we spent a good 10 minutes standing at the bush dog exhibit. There was 3 bush dogs playing 'follow the leader' in a large circle. Every time they passed a particular tree, they would lift their hind feet off the ground and wipe their butts on it. Every time this happened, my kids would break out in l.o.u.d laughter. Yaa... some days I wonder what it would be like to have girls... but then I remember those big smiles. Sigh.. even if they are smiling about dogs wiping their butts on a tree... they are great smiles.
Tot only goes to school on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tater goes Monday thru Friday. On Tuesday morning, we went to the calendar and talked about the day. Tater and I told Tot how only Tater had school. It became time to go to school and off to load up the van. Hmmm... Tot was missing. After much screaming, kicking and running away... I got Tot in the van.
On the way to school, Tot was crying. Tater, being a good big brother, told Tot to stop crying... Tot was going to get to stay with Mom and go to the Big Park. A few cuss words went through my mind but no good way to shut Tater up. After he repeated it twice, Tot stopped crying. In fact, the rest of the way to school all I heard about was the Big Park. There was not enough time for me to go to the Big Park but I knew I was going to have to do something. I ended up going to the 'small park' for a short period of time.
I think Tater was sweet thinking about his brother, but I could have screamed when he made a commitment that I couldn't keep. I talked to him before we left on Thursday and made sure he understood that I would N.O.T be taking Tot to a park.
...you know you are in trouble.
I'm not the only one with Doctor visit blues... but I am the only one without an excuse. We got right in to see the doctor and yet my kids were like they had taken Terrible Two drugs. They were climbing on the chairs, trying to get behind the table, fighting over the stool. yaa... nightmare doubled. I threatened a timeout and they stopped... for about 2 minutes and then proceeded to try pushing each other off the stool. That is when the doctor stepped in and told them if they didn't stop, he would put them in a timeout. Sigh... Hard to listen to the doctor and watch two kids.
Monday was the first day of preschool for my boys. Tater has been going since he was 2... no biggie for him, real biggie for mom. Tot is going for the first time. I tried him last year and he cried so much he barfed... and I kept getting called. I pulled him out. Try try again... Here are some pictures from the first day of school.
First is Tater in his new classroom (yaa that is Tot in the background):
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And here is Tot in his new classroom:
See that smile? Yaa... I kissed him and said goodbye... I got back "bye bye mom". The little sh.t. I love him and was very proud of him.
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Now the picture of when school was over:
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Tater had a great time. Tot... so so. When they opened the door, they asked for Tot's mom first. Usually you go in order that you are in line. Sigh. Tot had been crying. She said he did really well until they switched activities and then at the very end. I am still very proud of both of them. Now I can get some rest...
At the Naval Air Museum, the boys had a blast playing around. They have really made this museum kid friendly. Take a look for yourself:
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We had a blast.
We took a trip to a museum in Pensacola... the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum (what a mouth full). Mammaw and I thought the discovery section was a little small, yet the kids had a great time...
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"Swab the decks!"
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"Get in the boat Mammaw, Get in!"
Some more pictures of a cute boy (or two) showing off his custom that lights up!!!
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And we can't leave out Tot.
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Turns out that the average Heat Index while we were there was around 103 every day. Ugh. Great thing Aunt DDPuppy and Uncle G got the boys this pool. It was worth every penny... they loved it and used it every day we were there. Must see about going to get a little plastic pool for here...
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Took a couple of pictures before we took off. It was a small plane. 2 seats on one side, one on the other and 17 rows total. Tot and I sat in the 2 seats side by side and Tater sat on other side. Using his cool booster seat from 'Auntie Bou'. I was ready to throw it away after we got to Pensacola. I had 2 kids, a stroller, a diaper bag, a backpack, a purse and a booster seat to get through security. Yaa.... Never again. But enough of the whining...
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Since I could see this happening in the VWBug household, I thought I'd post it here...
I came home from grocery shopping and placed a few items on the kitchen counter and some on the table. My 2-year-old son gravitated toward one particular bag on the table -- one with puffy popcorn-like things. Very excitedly, he raised the bag in my direction.
"Popcorn, Mommy!"
"Yes, you can have some later," I responded.
He got down from the kitchen chair, bag in hand and announced "I go ask Daddy..... Goodbye Mommy!"
Little stinker!
Wow. Hard to believe we have been here 5 days. Ok, 4 1/2. Still... time flies when you are having fun. There are lots of stories and pictures. Which means I will have a lot of typing to do and uploading of pictures when I get back. This is the first time I have had a chance to really sit down and type. And I'm sure it won't last.
Then again, my sisters must have taken 600 pictures between them on Saturday. I am hoping I still have a few spots left on my memory card... I have taken close to 100. Nope, not as crazy as my sisters on picture taking. Might be because I can't take the pictures off my memory card and am stuck until I get home. Or it just might be that they like to take pictures more than I do.
No matter the reason, I'm excited that I will be getting a copy of them. Particularly since most of them were taken at Tater's birthday party. Oh... did I mention Tater turned four on Saturday? Yep, he is now the big FOUR.
Like I said, lots of stories and pictures.
I called my hubby on the phone to let him know we made it. He asked if there was a lot of whining and crying. I said "No, the boys were actually very good"... he said he wasn't talking about the boys. GRIN. Yaaa.
Tater was up at 2am, Tot at 3am and 3:30am... we had to be up by 5am to get ready and drive down for the flight. I'm a little tired and whiney! But happy to be on the ground and at Mammaw's house. Probably the last time I'll be on the computer for a week. Enjoy!!!
Yes folks... I am flying to Pensacola. Just me and the two kids. I am out of my mind. I can't wait for my mom to see the kids though. They have changed so much since the last time she saw them. Wish me luck. And hopefully I have a couple of guest bloggers taking care of you while I'm gone. 5am is going to be here way too early.
This is what the table looks like before hand:
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And while Grandma and Dad helped the kids...
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The in-laws came to celebrate Tater's birthday early since we'll be gone when it occurs. Oh... did I mention I fly out Thursday with the boys? Just me and the boys? yaaa. It's only a 2 hour flight. We'll see how it goes. We are off to visit Mammaw. I'm sure I'll need a vacation when I get back!
My boys can look like twins on occassion. And playing in the rain together made them look like twins to me!
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and then you have Tater 'dancing/singing in the rain' while Tot is showing his abilities to 'slide to the plate' in the background.
Still not completely back to 'normal' on posting. Hopefully I'll catch back up soon. It is not so easy getting the data off the old laptop and saved. Funny how that takes time. Something I don't have a lot of now adays.
But the good news... and one of the things taking time... my hubby bought me a new laptop. Which means I'm getting data off the old one, saving it, installing new stuff on the new one, trying to get everything set up on the new one. Not exactly easy stuff when you only get a few minutes here and there.
Oh... and I have to get the guest room cleaned up... the in-laws are coming this weekend. I think they are going to be surprised. My hubby probably has a ton of chores for his dad! That garage door opener, leveling out some ground, installing wood in the attic floor... ;-) Hopefully they will just get to enjoy the kids!
The boys had some fun with Daddy and his friend. They all decorated cupcakes. For the picture the 'old men' stepped out of the way. Yes, there are red, white and blue cupcakes... along with green, purple and other colors.
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And Tot kept eating more icing than taking the time to do some decorating. Crazy kid. I'm just lucky he didn't bounce off the walls so hard to do damage.
Tot's namesake came to visit. He is great with the kids... you can see from this picture:
Posting will be non-existed for Tuesday, July 4th. But will continue on Wednesday! Please have a safe and fun celebration of our Country.
Tot found my sunglasses early one morning. Go ahead and click on the picture and enlarge it. Notice the very cool socks, pj bottoms and shirt. Nope, nothing matches. Sigh.
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And later that day, he found them again... notice the little third hand that has appeared in the picture...
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And that means the Thief Tater had to have his picture taken as well...
Some days I wonder what goes through my mind... clue, paint, boys... yaa... I lost my mind...
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Living in Florida does have a tendency towards ocean scenes. Particularly when you have tons of shells. I'm open to any other project my boys can do with shells. I have a lot more to get rid of somehow.
My sons have been very tired lately. Tired enough to take a nap or two. And if their eating habits show me what it is going to be like as they get older, I need to get 2 jobs just to feed these boys. Seriously. Tot ate a pork chop, rice and 3 (you read that right) bowls of oatmeal for dinner. For the life of me I can't remember all the stuff he ate during the day... but that night for a snack... yes he wanted a snack... he ate about 9 or 10 crackers... some with peanut butter on them. And Tater? 3 apples 30 minutes before dinner, a pork chop, rice, corn and he also had a snack that night.
Either I need 2 jobs or I need to learn how to grow fruits and vegies in large quantities. Luckily this is a growth spurt and should slow down. It is just weird that they are both going through it at the same time. Phew...
Yaa... no water and then lots of it does odd things to a garden. Like this wonderful cucumber plant:
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Then there are the tomato plants we picked up at Disney World. Literally. They were laying on the ground and I picked them up. It was some free ones that Home Depot gave away as part of the Garden weekend. Guess someone dropped their plants and decided to let them die on the walkway. Their bad... and my good. Note that there is a tomato on the plant!
Going to the playground is always entertaining. For the climbing of the 'ladder', I could only get a picture of Tater on it. Seems every time Tot got on it, my camera wouldn't click. Yes, they both climb these 'ladders' and usually at fast rates. Gotta add to those grey hairs.
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And 'hiding' from mom is always fun:
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Click on More Pawprints to see the rest of the pictures!
How to walk down a slide:
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Come climb with me mommy! Now!
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Look at me! Honest, I won't let go this time.
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Mom is busy up on the top of a play area taking pictures... watch me climb climb climb...
I was busy helping both boys make the cupcakes to take pictures. But I thought you would get a kick out of the colors they chose for the different cupcakes. And how they got 'mixed' as they went along.
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And here is a better view:
While trying to take a picture for Father's day... we got some interesting poses. I should mention that the orange paper has "Happy Father's Day from Tater and Tot, 2006" on it. Since you will be seeing the back that has some other decorations.
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And it pretty much continued that way. When I did get them to hold up the sign, it covered their faces. Next year I spend the $5 and go to Walmart.
Mom finally gets a computer that is working and I didn't have time to post today. Didn't have one lined up and didn't realized how busy I was going to be. Took some pictures of our activities (like making cupcakes for Father's day)... but haven't had time to upload them.
Hopefully tomorrow night will settle down and be easier. Ohhh, I don't have anything ready for tomorrow morning to post. I'll have to wing it.
Nothing is better than a good mud puddle. Here are my children enjoying the last 5 minutes... (click to enlarge)
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It does make me wonder how much mud they ate...
As I was picking up toys for the umpteenth time, an odd thought crossed my mind. What does a living room look like when you don't have kids? I can't remember. It has only been about 4 years and I don't remember. Why? Because mine always seems to look similar to this:
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We have a 'family' room as well. That is where the TV, couch and loveseat are located. And toys.
What does your living room look like?
Took the picture before we started to get rain. Surprising that the garden is surviving. Must say Tater shocked Dad... when Tater went over and was pulling weeds out of it yesterday. Yes, weeds, not the plants. But getting those boys to water it??? Wasn't happening. Good thing we are getting rain.
In a couple of days, I'll post a picture of the garden now that it has been raining for 3 days in a row. Bet you see a big difference.
Nothing like teaching your sons manners to have it backfire on you. I was trying to get the kids to pick up their stuff. Looking straight at Tater and in a very commanding voice, I told him to "Pick up your shoes and put them away". Without missing a beat, he looked me in the eye and said, "Mom, you have to say please." ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
And I am trying something new in our household. For 30 minutes after lunch, the kids must play in their rooms. They can play together or separately, but in one of their rooms. One day, I hear a lot of laughter. A lot. I go back to see what is happening. They are in Tot's room. I had left out the saline solution I use on Tot. They were taking turns squirting it up their noses. Oh geeze.
Anyone else want to shoot the kid underwear industry? Why did they put the Super Heros on the butt? Huh? The kids can't see them that way. How many times do I have to convince Tater to put them on the right way???
Yes, life is always exciting in our household.
Some days I question my sanity. I have decided over the summer we would have 'class time' twice a week. Only to discover last week that Tater wanted more... and I didn't have more. Tonight, I will be making copies of exercises for him and Tot to do. Did I mention the monkey see, monkey do? Though Tot does not get the same out of it, he wants the same pages and wants to do the same thing. In fact here is their latest art project:
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Your name splashed up on my next post for the first person who can guess which one belongs to which kid.
Good luck!
When I did my "5 Meme", I mentioned I carry a hot wheels car in my purse. Harvey had the gumption to ask me which one and wanted details. Off I went to find the car and truck I carry. Two, because I have two boys. I found crayons, shot records, Rimadyl for the dog and more... but no cars!!! Uh ohhh. This is a BAD thing.
Now I have selected two new cars to put into my purse. And one of them is the truck that was actually in my purse before... a Ford F350 Super Duty Pick Up Truck (made by Tonka in 2002). On the side it says Tonka Tractor Supply. The other is a Cadillac V16 (made by Hot Wheels in 2003).
Pictures to be gotten later when the kids are asleep.
I was happy that we started to get rain. The kids loved it. In the 80s (F), a big puddle, and mom says YES.
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Then we ordered and got sod. It hasn't rained since.
When I saw my boys fighting over the vacuum cleaner I was so happy... and then reality hit... they are only 2 and 3 years old. But I have blackmail pictures for later.. enjoy!
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There is a new game in the house. When mom is busy doing something (dishes, laundry, cleaning toilets), children must run around like mad men. Tater then will put out an arm and 'whack' his brother as they run past one another. Tot has not quite caught on to how this works... that and his brother's arms are longer... for now.
Watch mom get pissed off, put children in time out or possible just one child (hint hint - rhymes later), let mom cool off and then repeat. It's going to be a l.o.n.g summer.
Tink very kindly made this scrapbook page online for me.
This is what is said in the lower right corner...
Life is like a plate of Cake, it is all in how you make it.
While in Orlando last week, we also went to SeaWorld. Tink got the greatest picture for me. A VW Bug painted like Shamu with the SeaWorld logo on it. Did I mention she saw it at a Disney hotel? Very funny!
Here I am swimming with the fish!
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And here I am again, at the Shamu show... (ok ok, so I'm practicing the stuff my sister showed me on Paint Pro...)
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If you ever get a chance to go to SeaWorld, it is very relaxing. And for those that drink beer... it is a way to get free beer. That Busch stuff.
Mom and Dad enjoyed the playground as much as the kids. But they look so much cuter in the pictures:
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And this slide just makes me wonder...
Here are a few more pictures to make you smile...
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And when nothing else at Epcot can make your kids smile... let them play on the lawn. 'Rolling down the green hill, Rolling down the green hill..."
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Did I mention I was traveling with males? After a few gaseous moments... I understood this picture a whole lot more:
Just for Ogre, I got pictures of my kids brushing llamas!
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Oh wait... I think those were goats not baby llamas... they smell about the same. If I remember correctly, the only llama was behind two separate fences. Hmmm... I wonder if it was in time out for spitting. GRIN
We went to the McDonald's at Disney. I would not suggest it. But I did get some cute shots of my kids waiting on the food!
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Tater was explaining how he broke the toy truck in his hand. Knowing I had just told him not to bang it on the table.
Just throwing out some pictures quickly... hopefully will have more time this weekend to get it organized!
Here is our hotel for the 4 nights. Not a bad place. Wish we could have spent more time at the hotel having fun at the pool and playground... it seems the kids have fun anywhere and with anything...
Learned something new this vacation. I sing to my children when they are really sick and need to be held and comforted. Guess I have been doing it for years and just forgot that I did it... until now. I had to sing in front of my hubby. I am aware that my voice sucks. But to my kids it is a comfort. While in the hotel room, I had to sing to Tot to get him to settle down. This is my version of "Hush Little Baby" that I sing:
Hush Little Baby, don't say a word
Momma's gonna buy you a mockingbird
If that mockingbird won't sing
Momma's gonna buy you a diamond ring
If that diamond ring turns brass
Momma's gonna buy you a looking glass
If that looking glass gets broke
Momma's gonna buy you a nanny goat
If that nanny goat won't pull
Momma's gonna buy you a cart and mule
If that cart and mule fall over
Momma's gonna buy you a dog name Rover
If that dog name Rover won't bark
Momma still loves you with all her heart.
So what do you sing to your children or self or animals?
Got some great shots of the kids with Dad... (click to enlarge)
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You gotta love how big they are all getting.
While talking on the phone to ArmyWifeToddlerMom, another call came through. She listened on the cell phone while I talked on the land line.
My neighbor called... well distant neighbor. Her dogs were going nuts and trying to get out of the yard down to my direction. The culprits? My kids with whistles and loud voices. She wanted to know if my kids were ok. Oops. Yaa, they're fine, just noisy.
I then made the kids stop. I had no idea how loud they could get. Guess I need a meter to read how loud those boys are when they are busy on the back porch.
We also went to Sea World. First is Tater and Tot watching Dad and M on Kraken:
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Next is Tater checking out the Seals... we decided against feeding them. Something about holding stinking, slimy dead fish and throwing them... I could see someone getting it on their clothes, hair and more.
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And a few cool pictures that turned out:
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We are now finished with the Orlando trip that included M. Stay tuned for the Orlando trip that includes a whole lot more people in a week or two.
While Mom and M were riding the Test Track (I may not like heights, but I love speed... no wonder my kids like cars.), Dad found a spider web. Spiderman, aka Tater, had a great time. Tot did too.
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Having fun on the 'Backstage Tour' with Mom while M and Dad are off on the Tower of Terror and Rock-N-Roll Roller Coaster.
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Tot sleeping during the Stunt show while Tater can't take his eyes off of it:
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The bad guys in Black cars are jumping ... after the hundredth time Tater has verified that the bad guys are in the Black cars and the super hero is in the Red car. Sigh. There is no super hero, just a hero. The guy in the Red car is just a great car driver and has NO special powers. Repeat again in 2 minutes.
While searching through some pictures... I found these of Tater...
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Here I was holding him after a bath...
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Let's start with Race Cars!!!! Vroom Vroom! Tot is really getting into the race car idea now. Click to enlarge:
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M had enough sense to be first and stay ahead of everyone!
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And Tater was so excited because he passed 2 cars on his way. Even though he was behind us at the 'finish line'.
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It was fun and the kids (all of us) loved it.
Too much happened to put it all in one post. I'll start with our sleeping arrangements. And some far distance memories. Before Kids (BK), I was a planner. An organizer. Someone who paid attention to details. All that has changed. And here is a great example of that...
I got a special deal for Florida Residences / Passholders at Disney for the Fort Wilderness Cabins. It could sleep 6. It had a 'kitchen'. I was psyched. I looked at the pictures and it looked like everyone slept in the same 'area'. 2 queen beds (one was a murphy) and a bunkbed. Kids could sleep on one queen, mom and dad on the other and M could have her choice of bunk beds.
Remember that person who use to r.e.a.d. and pay attention to details. She's gone. I missed the part about one queen and the bunk beds being in a separate room. Oh yes folks... that was NOT the layout I wanted. My kids are too young to be on a top bunk.
Now let me explain a little about the sleeping arrangements at home... I put Tot to bed and he doesn't like to be touched when falling asleep. Hubby puts Tater to bed... and Tater likes to be touched as he is falling asleep. Are you catching on to the problem here? Two kids, one single bed and difference sleeping patterns. The first night we didn't get the kids to sleep until after 9:30pm... and they woke up off and on all night. Here is a picture of the 'darlings' (click to enlarge):
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The next night was again an after 9pm sleep time... and Tot successfully pushed the bed rail off and fell to the floor. At 3am. Sigh. You are catching on to what is happening here right?
Yaaa... we were tired. All of us. But we did have some fun. I'll be posting some more pictures in the next day or two and stories of the fun times we had!
Tater got put into time out. Tot decided he would join him... even though the time out was due to Tater taking a toy from Tot... I'm in trouble when they get older.
M took this cute picture of my boys.... All I noticed to start with was the laundry on the couch. ;-)
Did you see all 3 of my boys? Happy Dog is in there as well. Picture perfect!
What a title huh? Sticks and Richmond have kindly agreed to post an item or two for me while I'm gone. That's right, we are headed off to Sea World and Disney. Might as well give M a whirlwind tour of them as well.
Considering this is what we saw just after leaving the Everglades, I'll be interested to see how things go in Orlando!!!
Wish us luck... it's going to be interesting. And be kind to Richmond and Sticks. Though, I am just a teensy bit worried what Sticks may say about me. Hopefully she will keep it ... uhhh... in the comments. ;-)
Yaa... they are a little late this week. Let's trade lives and see what you get posted each day. blhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I am very excited about the rest of this week. We are going to see King Tut tomorrow. Then possible a trip to the Everglades on Sunday ... because we have a party to go to on Saturday. Yep... busy busy...
There are a lot of pictures... click on "More Pawprints" below to see them...
First things first... let's wake up M and make sure she comes to find her Easter Basket with us!
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Tater finds his Easter Basket (yes it is a small plastic bowl):
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Here is Tot with his Easter Basket.
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What do you mean I have to get dressed before going out to hunt eggs... I have my undies on!
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Running out to get the first egg!!!
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Look at Tot carefully go out and get an egg. Sigh....
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A few spider webs won't stop Tater from finding those eggs!
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And a close up of the web and spider!
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Finally got the photos uploaded from our trip. There are a total of 19 pictures. Be sure to read the sign in the Lion picture. I hope you enjoy the zebra picture. There were too many times when we got stopped by animals crossing the road... at least the rhino didn't go after us! And yes, that is me with the boys at the alligator picture. M was never able to get all of us looking up at one time.
Never tried the 'Flipbook' option of ImageShack before (it will randomly select 5 pictures and let you see them... changes everytime you come to the site)... let me know what you think:
And while I'm at it, I have never tried the 'slideshow' option of ImageShack before... so let me know what you think about this one as well:
It wouldn't let me put all the pictures in the same one easily... so here are the rest of the pictures:
Even Happy dog is worn out!
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From Lion Country Safari to Dr appointments to school to music to the mall to making cupcakes and the list just keeps going. Today is Dr. appt, breakfast with Bou, Easter Party, phone store and... hmmm... I forgot something.
I have some great pictures to post soon. Just not enough time in the day to get it done.
A quick story about Tater. When we were leaving the mall, he asked M to carry him because he was tired. She said ok, and picked him up. It started to sprinkle as we were walking to the car, so Tater put his hands over her head to protect her like an umbrella. And then he wanted to open her door for her. What a good boy he is getting to be!
While M is here, I cannot help but make comments to her about what is going on around here. We both have gotten a good laugh at my commentary, so I thought I would share a couple of them with you... it is 'me' speaking for 'her' to 'her mom'...
Mom, you aren't going to believe what just happened! Tater was going the bathroom... he left the door open and started to shout about how stinky it was. AND... when any one went by, they would say 'PPPP UUUUUU that stinks'.
Mom, these people are crazy. They take me to the beach for a cookout and then tell me how wonderful it is that it rained! Not only that, after the rain stopped and we went back to the beach... they made me put more sunscreen on. Really!! The sun wasn't even out, it was cloudy. I questioned it, but they really said I had to put it on.
Mom, we played the 'Game of Life'. And when VW's hubby landed on one about Grandchildren... well I just had to question the fact that he had NO children in his car to start with... where did these 'grandchildren' come from? Bad enough he made his wife ride in the very back of the car the whole time but this as well?
Having M here is great. She plans on continuing in Mathematics and is looking into Computer Programming. Oh yaaa!!! She plays Sudoku in her spare time. And that makes me happy. My hubby just shook his head and said there is another geek in the house. GRIN
Remember the other day when I asked about how old a boiled egg could be? Well, here are the pictures from the days before that... when the kids were coloring them.
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We plan on doing this again... this time right before Easter. GRIN (And no I won't eat them after two days even if I didn't get sick this time)
It all started with a car like this:
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Not that exact car, as ours is missing in action. And has a lot more worn look to it. Wonder if Uncle J took it home?
I wasn't in the room when it started, but when I showed up.... they were holding this car over each others head and talking about poop. And hollaring to get it off as they didn't want poop on their heads. Each taking a turn doing this to the others in the room. Except Aunt B. For some reason she got left out. It may have been her willingness to be a victim and let them put the car on her head. Or just because Uncle J was much more expressive when it was done to him.
Either way, Uncle J, Dad and Tater were having a blast. Tot was laughing along with them, even if he wasn't really participating. I thought better of it and just left the room again.
Next thing I know, we are in the car going to the store and Tater is asking Uncle J to tell him a story. Right now we are into Pirate stories. Tater will pretty much tell you the story he wants you to tell him. Uncle J had a different idea and wanted to tell him a "Poopie" story. Just to help you out, Uncle J should have been an actor. His facial expressions, body language and voice can make you laugh at just about anything. Add to that a 3 year old and the laughter is infectious.
Tater decided that it should be a Pirate story... hence it became the Poopie Pirate story. I think the actual story is 5 lines. But the ability for Uncle J to get us all to laugh at it was great. And now I am asked when Uncle J is going to be back to tell us another Poopie story. Yes folks, I convinced my kids that only Uncle J could tell those stories. Not mom. Phew.
Oh, the story? It went something like this (with much laughter):
There were two pirates... Goof and Ball... the brother goofballs. They were on a pirate ship. Goof had to go the bathroom. There wasn't one, so he went on the ship. The poopie pirate ship.
The end. Now keep in mind I was laughing so hard, I'm not sure if I have the story right. The kids faces just were too much!
Now all I hear about is Poopie. Oh yes, I am thinking this might be better than farts.. but not much.
Tater started with a sinus infection, then got croup and now has a cold. He has been running a fever of over 103 for 3 out of 5 nights. Needless to say, it has been a long week... Tot is following in his footsteps. I was amazed that I had forgotten how kids got croup. I found THIS ARTICLE and took a piece out for you:
How do you get croup?The virus can either be transferred through airborne droplets produced by coughing and sneezing, or passed from one person to another by touch. From the hands, the virus may enter the mucous membrane of the eyes and nose.
Croup is usually caused by the parainfluenza virus, although there are many other possible viral causes. These include the RS virus, influenza virus type A, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and Coxsackie virus.
If a child has had croup before, it tends to recur when they have a cold. After the age of four to five years, these symptoms decrease in severity.
There may be an allergic element connected to the parainfluenza virus.
It has been a long week and it looks like we have a couple of more days for Tater to finish it up and Tot probably has a couple more past that. Now if Mom can just keep from catching the cold. ;-)
Seems one can't sick without the other following quickly behind. It has been a long couple of days. And this time I am happy to have company. They have been doing dishes, picking up stuff and entertaining one kid while I medicate the other. Wish I could figure out how to keep them here a little longer! I even got a 45 minute nap in today... considering the overall sleep index has been about 5 hours in 48...
Something to keep you entertained over the weekend. Blame this on Mausi over at The Gray Monk.
Kakuro games
My eyes deceived me... It had to be a joke... But it wasn't. Here are my boys sleeping during the day light hours:
PS. In-laws coming tomorrow... will be a little busy for the next couple of days and not sure what all I'll get posted.
A box is fun, can be anything you imagine, and when it gets destroyed you just get a new one. Gotta love having a box around. My sons were lifted into this box so they could play:
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Peek-a-boo
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Say "Cheese" for the camera:
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Oh yaaa... they got out themselves.
Seems that we are doing a lot of baking lately. One of things I use to do when I was stressed. No wonder I gain weight! But I have started doing it again. Now with the help of two little boys. Tater wanted to bake Dad something. I had all the ingredients for a cheesecake. It started out with both of them helping.
Here they are crushing the graham crackers for me:
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Tater wanted to help with the eggs. How could I refuse? I didn't have many eggshell parts to pick out - really!
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And then there is the hand mixer. Ahhhhhh. How much of a mess did I want to clean up? Why not let him learn now? The hard part was convincing him to keep it down on the bottom of the bowl. He did quite well.
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Did I mention he wanted it red? Oh yes, we added red food coloring to it. Seems like it must have been pretty good. Dad ate 2 pieces.
Not me. My mom. Really. Tink and I were talking... and this is what Tink had to say:
And she really is a Saint to have put up with the antics of shorty and vw. As the oldest you would have thought I would have been the one to push her over the edge (Tink did occasionally - GRIN), but I just brought mice and snakes home. Whereas shorty and vw tried their best to give poor dear mom a bad rep.
Case #1: Shorty was riding her bike. She rode it down a hill she was told not to. Fell. Skinned up pretty badly, blood everywhere. So what does she do? She goes into the house crying (by the way mom had company) and saying "I didn't mean it mom. I'm so sorry."
Case #2: vw and the horse (okay sis, you were actually there so write it correctly)
I'll take it from here... I use to ride and teach horseback riding. There was one day when I was working with a new horse and it tried to jump the fence. Normally not a problem but on the other side of this fence was a very deep swale. Nope, not going to let the horse jump that one. Stubborn horse. I ended up having to bring it down to stop it. Down on my leg. Ouch. Well, I'm crying (it hurt), I'm trying to check out the horse, and then one of the stable owners comes over. She helps me make sure that the horse is ok and then offers to take me home. I start freaking. No No, I don't want mom to know I'm hurt. She explains there is no way I can ride my bike home considering how bad I'm limping.
I let her take me home. Now I'm really freaking. Mom comes out and the owner is telling her what happened and how it's not my fault. I'm apologizing to mom for getting hurt. Mom is very calm about all this (guess past experience helps) and told the owner she appreciated her bringing me home.
I remember the next time I went to the stables the owner gave me a hard time. Telling me how nice my mom was about it all and how silly it looked with me apologizing for getting hurt. What can I say?
Now who doesn't think this woman should be made a saint?
Sometimes I wonder what goes through my mind and out of my mouth. I told the boys we could make a green cake yesterday for St. Patrick's day. And they could help. Uhhhhhh. Now I had to find something we could make green. I decided I had all the ingredients for a Lemon pound cake. Let's just add green food coloring to it. Right?
Here they are mixing the ingredients for me:
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Here they are squeezing the lemon for me:
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I tried taking a picture of the cake, but it just doesn't come out the true weird coloring it is.
Nothing like eating a green cake and tasting lemon.n
Mammaw bought the boys a paint set a while back. They still love to use it:
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And who could resist this cute face (as with other pictures, click to enlarge):
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The only problem I have found is that they no longer make refills for it. I'll have to go to a hobby store and see what kind of paint I can use instead. It has to be 'dry' initially and I mix some water in it. Any painters out there? What do you suggest?
I was surfing the blogs trying to spark my memory to come back. There has been a lot of blog fodder this week, but I didn't write anything down. Now I can't remember it. I was hoping that reading blogs would help stimulate my mind... until I read a comment at my own blog by my own sister!!!
In response to GuyK at Bou's, that is because they were all at VW's wedding and simply disappeared after that. I have a picture around here somewhere to proof it. That is, unless, of course, bug, wants to fork over some blackmail so I don't post it.
And so you don't have to go hunting for GuyK's quote on Bou's story about our kids eating breakfast together... here it is:
Good looking bunch and must be pretty good kids-I didn't see any policemen in the background nor a fire anywhere
Ok, Sis... what do you want? No fireman/policeman pictures over here. I would never live it down.
Been a little busy and forgot to send you HERE. Yep, there are pictures of Bou's boys and my boys together. Her boys had a school holiday and we all went to breakfast. She got some great pictures.
And it is not me. I even forgot to get Valentine Cards for Tater's preschool class. Sigh. Good thing the teacher and my hubby are more inclined to remember this stuff...
From Tater's class:
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Or this cool picture of an outline of Dad's hand (this was sent home a couple of weeks before Valentine's day) with Tater's inside of it.
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And from my hubby:
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Sigh. I need to be better at this next year.
Here is a picture of Tater throwing his 'line' in the water... notice the red fish that is already attached (and I caught it in mid flight).
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Here is Tater and Tot after they tangled their fish together (Tot has the green fish):
Tammi had a fish story, Bou had a fish story... I had to throw one out here too... Do you have any good fish stories?
This is not about trimming nose hairs. This is about two overly active children tormenting one another. And on one car trip, Tot was trying to fall asleep and Tater kept touching him. I warned Tater I would stop the car and put him in a time out if he didn't stop. He stopped. My first moment of disbelief.
About 10 minutes later, I hear Tot fussing again. I look in the rearview mirror and see Tater touching the top of Tot's head. Again I tell him to stop. Then for some odd reason, I ask "what are you doing?". Tater tells me that he is putting boogers in Tot's hair. In a rather reasonable voice, I again emphasize that he should stop touching his brother. Not a word about the boogers. Mainly because there is a disbelief that he was picking his nose and doing this.
Mom was wrong. As I go to get Tot out of the car seat when we get home... much to my surprise... there were t.w.o. LARGE boogers in Tot's hair. Absolutely gross. I will not doubt Tater when he tells me what he is doing again. And poor Tot will never want his hair washed again by Mom. GRIN
It would appear that VW's ISP is giving her a hard time and she is not scheduled for service until tomorrow. Trust me, she is very ready for internet connection!
The kids are adjusted to the home and Happy Dog seems to love it too. It would appear that their furniture is all in and now what is left is the unpacking.
Her sweet boys are keeping her hopping. Her sweet boys... People stop us when we have breakfast. Her boys are so beautiful.
It's funny when we walk in with all five boys, ages 10-2, there is a look of horror on patron's faces, as if the carnival has just come to town.
But my boys love her boys, like little brothers, and her boys love my boys, like big brothers, and they watch out for each other and keep each entertained and their behaviour is always exemplary and it never fails that as VW and I are wrapping up to take the circus home that someone stops by our table and compliments us on all our boys and how well behaved they are.
It's been too hectic for us to do breakfast this week, but next week... it would appear we have a breakfast with all five again. It's always entertaining!
I spoke to VW today and she is still without internet access.
They are in their new home, slept there for the first time two nights ago, and are still moving. She has phone as of 3:00, but no internet.
She sounds as sane as one can sound while moving... with two little boys... and a big dog the size of a pony.
Hopefully she will be back tomorrow. If not, I'll try to post on how smoochie her little men really are since I actually know them. They are all she says and a bag of chips!
Why is growing up so difficult. I hate it. But I love watching my children. Tater has decided he does not need to sit on the booster chair anymore. He is a 'Big Boy'. And once that happpened... Tot moved to the booster chair and out of the high chair. Sigh.
Which means they both sit at the table together. On the same side. I did it so I could watch both at once. What I didn't realize is how easy it would be for them to reach each other. Pinch, Hit, Take each others food, Push off the chair. All new games to add to each dining experience and mom's frustrations. Oh yes... A new level has been reached at this household. Any ideas on how to keep the fighting to a minimum?
Two out of three prefer Cheerios to Raisin Bran
Yaa... this is what you get when I'm sick. ;-) ;-) Not bad for a 12 year old.
Tink, my sis, sent this to me. Her daughter, D, made this up when she was about 12 years old.
Once upon a time in a city far, far away in a little pink house lived a
little lady. She spent her days tootling around in her little pink car and
cleaning her little pink house.
On one eventful day after eating her meal in her little pink dining room,
the little lady took a bath in her little pink bathroom with its little pink
sink, little pink toilet, little pink tub and little pink shower curtain.
After her bath she put on her little pink robe and little pink slippers and
brushed her teeth with her little pink toothbrush. Since it was still fairly
early the little lady decided to go down to her little pink den and read a
book.
When she got to her little pink den, she walked across her little pink
rug to her little pink chair and sat down. She took off her little pink
slippers, curled up in the little pink chair, turned on her little pink lamp
and proceed to read.
She was about a quarter of the way through the book when her doorbell
rang. She put her book on her little pink table, put on her little pink
slippers, walked across the little pink rug to the little pink foyer and
opened the little pink door. On the little pink doorstep was a man dressed
in blue. He said that his car had broken down and did she have a room for
the night.
The little lady invited the man into her little pink foyer and walked him
to her little pink stairs. Once upstairs she showed him to the first pink
door on the right. In the room was a little pink rug, a little pink dresser,
a little pink night stand, a little pink lamp, a little pink bed with little
pink sheets, little pink blankets, little pink pillows and a little pink
comforter. Little pink curtains hung from a little pink window.
After showing the man to his room, the little lady decided to go back
downstairs and finish her book. When she got to her little pink den, she
walked across her little pink rug to her little pink chair and sat down. She
took off her little pink slippers, curled up in the little pink chair,
turned on her little pink lamp and proceed to read.
She was about half of the way through the book when her doorbell rang.
She put her book on her little pink table, put on her little pink slippers,
walked across the little pink rug to the little pink foyer and opened the
little pink door. On the little pink doorstep was a man dressed in green. He
said that his car had broken down and did she have a room for the night.
The little lady invited the man into her little pink foyer and walked him
to her little pink stairs. Once upstairs she showed him to the first pink
door on the left. In the room was a little pink rug, a little pink dresser,
a little pink night stand, a little pink lamp, a little pink bed with little
pink sheets, little pink blankets, little pink pillows and a little pink
comforter. Little pink curtains hung from a little pink window.
After showing the man to his room, the little lady decided to go back
downstairs and finish her book. When she got to her little pink den, she
walked across her little pink rug to her little pink chair and sat down. She
took off her little pink slippers, curled up in the little pink chair,
turned on her little pink lamp and proceed to read.
She was about three quarters of the way through the book when her
doorbell rang. She put her book on her little pink table, put on her little
pink slippers, walked across the little pink rug to the little pink foyer
and opened the little pink door. On the little pink doorstep was a man
dressed in yellow. He said that his car had broken down and did she have a
room for the night.
The little lady invited the man into her little pink foyer and walked him
to her little pink stairs. Once upstairs she showed him to the second pink
door on the left. In the room was a little pink rug, a little pink dresser,
a little pink night stand, a little pink lamp, a little pink bed with little
pink sheets, little pink blankets, little pink pillows and a little pink
comforter. Little pink curtains hung from a little pink window.
The little lady decided she would finish her book in bed, so proceeded
down the little pink hall, she entered her little pink bedroom, with the
little pink rug, a little pink dresser, a little pink night stand, a little
pink lamp, a little pink bed with little pink sheets, little pink blankets,
little pink pillows and a little pink comforter, where little pink curtains
hung from a little pink window. She put on a little pink nightshirt and hung
up her little pink robe and put her little pink slippers in her little pink
closet. She turned on the little pink lamp, pulled back the little pink
comforter, little pink blankets and little pink sheets and crawled into her
little pink bed, pulling the little pink sheets, little pink blankets and
little pink comforter up over her and finished her book. She laid her book
on her little pink nightstand, set her little pink clock, turned off her
little pink lamp and went to sleep.
When her little pink clock went off in the morning, she got out of her
little pink bed, dressed in her little pink jeans and little pink blouse,
putting on little pink sandals. She put her little pink nightshirt into her
little pink hamper and made her little pink bed by pulling up the little
pink sheets, little pink blankets and little pink comforter and placing
little pink pillows along the little pink headboard. Now it was time to exit
the little pink bedroom, go down the little pink hallway and down the little
pink stairs and through the little pink archway to the little pink kitchen,
with its little pink refridgerator, little pink stove, little pink sinks,
little pink drawers and little pink cabinets. She opened one little pink
cabinet and took out three little pink bowls and put them on the little pink
table. Then she opened a little pink drawer and took out three little pink
spoons and put them on the table.
The first man in blue came down to the little pink kitchen and sat in a
little pink chair at the little pink table. The little lady asked him what
he would like for breakfast. He said Cheerios. So she poured the Cheerios in
to a little pink bowl, took a little pink jug of milk from the little pink
refridgerator and poured some over the Cheerios and set it on the little
pink table in front of the man in blue, who proceeded to pick up a little
pink spoon and eat.
The second man in green came down to the little pink kitchen and sat in a
little pink chair at the little pink table. The little lady asked him what
he would like for breakfast. He said Raisin Bran. So she poured the Raisin
Bran in to a little pink bowl, took a little pink jug of milk from the
little pink refridgerator and poured some over the Raisin Bran and set it on
the little pink table in front of the man in green, who proceeded to pick up
a little pink spoon and eat.
The third man in yellow came down to the little pink kitchen and sat in a
little pink chair at the little pink table. The little lady asked him what
he would like for breakfast. He said Cheerios. So she poured the Cheerios in
to a little pink bowl, took a little pink jug of milk from the little pink
refridgerator and poured some over the Cheerios and set it on the little
pink table in front of the man in blue, who proceeded to pick up a little
pink spoon and eat.
And the moral of this story is................................................
Go ahead and guess. I'll give you the 'moral of the story' D made up tomorrow.
My Brother-In-Law (BIL) sent me THIS ARTICLE. Here is just a quote from it:
That ice cream you're eating or the lipstick you're wearing just might contain extract from crushed bugs. On purpose.
It made me sick initially. Then I realized I had been eating crushed bugs for years... oh well. I'll survive. To be honest... I would rather NOT know that a product is using crushed bugs for the coloring. Yuck.
I must remember that just because I'm at home with the kids, does not mean I can go and do a ton of things. Yesterday wiped me out. Today, you get this little post because I wasn't up to uploading the cute pictures last night, nor look through my humor.
What did we do yesterday? Breakfast with Bou, go to the park, go to music lessons, deal with mortgage companies, builders, movers to get estimates (that didn't show up), get medicine from the pharmacy (which is close to hubby's work but opposite direction of everything else today), water the grass at the new house, feed the children, clean up quick because they wanted to show the house between 6 and 7pm... walk the children and dog... show back up at the house at 6:30pm hoping they had seen the house... throw the boys in the bath, get them out and hear a knock at the door. The people are here to see the house. I'm alone with a 140 pound dog who is friendly, 2 wet naked boys and I look like crap. Oh yes. It was a long day.
Did I mention I was suppose to get Tater a helmet for school? Another long story. I lucked out... my bike helmet seems to fit him. Scary but true. Now is my head small or my child's big?
When you go to get laundry out of the dryer and move wet laundry over to the dryer, you must do it in two steps. Remove the laundry out of the dryer and take it back in to the family room. Check on children. Then go and move the wet laundry to the dryer. If not... this is what you may see when you get back:
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Magnet letters everywhere. I'm still not sure if I found them all.
On the way to Grandma and Pop's, Tot fell asleep. They had both been eating lollipops... and it made for a cute picture (click to enlarge):
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Tater waited until we left Grandma and Pop's to fall asleep. He should have known better. (click to enlarge)
Funny how when we started out, Tater was glued to Mom or Dad. But as the day progressed... he decided he liked Z better. She was great with him as well. It's hard to believe how much she paid attention to him and talked to him. Made the trip well worth it. And here is a picture of the two:
Have you been to Disney World lately? No? You gotta go. Are you a total geek? Yes? Then you have to go check out the newest entertainment at Epcot. Turtle Talk with Crush. Totally awesome. This is Crush the surfer dude turtle from Nemo. My hubby and I are still discussing how they got Crush to talk to the kids. It is v.e.r.y interactive. Did you record a bunch of words and have someone type them in? How is he able to do the names of the children so well? Or is it someone on a microphone? Then how is the mouth of the turtle doing so well at moving with the words? I'm telling you... this is great for a geek as well as children under the age of 8. Not sure if older kids would really care.
And I can't let you go without showing you a picture of Tater and his Cousin Z. Here is a picture of the kids in front of the Living Seas:
Had a blast visiting with in-laws and my sister. More later... nice to be home.
My boys have entered a new era in our household. They pose for pictures. And not necessarily how Mom would like them to pose. Tater asked me to take his picture. And this is what I got (click to enlarge):
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It gets better. He wanted me to take another... and Tot joined in.
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Now tell me when it ends?
If you touch a hot engine, it will burn your hand. If you do everything your brother does, you will get hurt as well. Yes, my sons learned that if you touch something hot it burns. Tater got his left palm burned and Tot his left finger tips.
They are fine. By that night, they had forgotten it happened and took a bath without a hitch. Only when someone reminded them of it, did they suddenly have an 'owie'.
I can tell life is going to take a turn for the more interesting now. Hopefully this lesson took and won't be repeated.
Soon my house will be empty of food. Really. My children have become tape worms. They eat and eat and eat. I would like to know where it goes. Here was yesterday's menu:
Breakfast to Lunch:
Tater: 1 bowl oatmeal, 2 bananas, fish pretzels, regular pretzels
Tot: 2 bowls oatmeal, 2 bananas, fish pretzels, regular pretzels
Lunch to Dinner:
Tater: 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (full size), 1 banana, 2 choc chip cookies, regular pretzels
Tot: 1 mini bagel with cream cheese, 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich (full size), 1 banana, 1 candy cane, 1 choc chip cookie, regular pretzels
Dinner till bedtime:
Tater: 3 helpings of chicken/rice (mainly just chicken), 1 black eyed pea, pears, 2 1/2 bowls oatmeal, regular pretzels, crackers with peanut butter
Tot: 2 helpings of chicken/rice (eating all of it), 1 black eyed pea, manderin oranges, 2 bowls oatmeal, regular pretzels
Tater is not even 3 1/2 years old... Tot just turned 2 in October. Exactly how much will my kids be eating when they are 10 or 11? Will I be able to stock enough food for them? Should I be scared or not?
Some of the best gifts are the boxes that other things come in! Here is an example of Cousin B and Tot playing together in a box:
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You can even eat an apple in the box. I'm surprised that Tot didn't take it from him. Guess when you are hiding in a box together that being nice is the better option.
Since you saw my sons' wonderful decorations, I thought you ought to see what my mom did.
And yes, she really did make these:
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This is just the way she puts stuff together... isn't it grand? Wish I had gotten those genes from her.
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My mom did pass this talent on to my other sisters. Here is proof... Tink crossstitched this Angel.
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I can fix a vacuum but not put together a bunch of Christmas decorations and make it look great. Maybe my boys will be better at it than I am. I can always hope.
Here is Phase 1 of the tree. Dad was brave enough to give them real candy canes to put on the tree. It will be interesting to see if they survive till Christmas. After the candy canes, they put on the decorations they painted. Seems our tree is a little one-sided on decorations. But we left them were the boys put them.
Next step? We put on garland. Not the smartest move on my part. Did you notice it was the 'foam' rings? I didn't realize when I bought it that you have to punch out the holes for the piece to go through to finish the ring. Oh yes... I had a ton of these little 'holes' all over my carpet. Tater had a great time doing that part of it. Tot just kept ripping them off the strand. Both wore them as braclets for a little while.
Here is the best picture I could get of the tree. It was fun.
My kids made a tree topper. I let them pick the construction paper, the items to put on it and basically even let them do a lot of the gluing. Yep, I was out of my mind. I must say, it turned out great.
I told Tater we had to let it dry over night. The next morning... he wanted to put on that Star. And I let him. Next time I will try and remember to dress them first. GRIN.
And keep an eye in the background as the pictures progress.
It was time to paint the decorations for the tree. Tot refused to let go of the dvd case but I let him paint anyways.
Tater decided to paint his hands as well as the decorations. And the paper and the chair and his shirt. Phew. Good thing I caught him before he painted the whole house.
Here you can see both busy painting. And keeping mom on her toes watching them.
It's really going to happen. I'm heading to my Mom's house for the holidays. Well, for Christmas. I have the last 2 posts done for tomorrow that show the rest of our Christmas Tree. I will try to post them before I leave, but if not... Mom has Cable Modem!!!! You might see them late Friday night.
I hope everyone celebrates the holiday of their choice. But most of all, Thank you for being with me through so much. It has been wonderful. I hope the following year is just as fun and entertaining.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and just have a astounding time if you aren't celebrating at all.
I'm raising my children to like and enjoy computers. Sometimes I wonder if that is a smart move... Here is Tot at my laptop:
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And when Tater saw me taking Tot's picture, he immediately 'posed' for his picture:
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I finally got both of them without Tater 'posing' for me:
Even my two boys can get along for a short period of time without fighting. Then again, it helps if they are falling asleep from a long weekend of Christmas tree decorating.
Here is a picture of our Christmas tree:
That's right family, I bought my first cut tree. It has a huge hole on one side, it's only 4 feet tall to the top while in the stand, it's dropping needles, the stand cost more than the tree and the tree has no smell. Sigh.
The kids love it and the dog hasn't pee'd on it yet. I would say that would make it a success!
Hope to decorate it today... more pictures this week of what we did this weekend.
Pssst: AWTM, what kind of tree is it?
The disadvantage of having a laptop is its ability to be moved. Ohhhhh. That is suppose to be an advantage? Well, it might if my sons didn't want to play on it. They have to take turns. What better way to keep them entertained while I do dishes, fold laundry and vacuum? Let one play on the computer while the other paints... and hope the two never meet.
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Notice the smile that Tot has... the computer is playing some kind of music that he likes. Observe the intense concentration of Tater. (click to enlarge)
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Did I mention that Tater already knows how to plug the mouse into the correct USB port? Ohhh... so does Tot. Somehow I think I'm going to be in a lot of trouble in a couple of years.
Shhhhh. Be very quiet. My sons are playing together. Really! No sand throwing, no pushing, no taking of toys. Look and see for yourself:
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Side Note: Did those from the great white North notice something? No SNOW on the ground? Ahhhh. Some of the advantages of living in Florida. ;-)
Monkey see, monkey do... notice Tater is twirling his hair and Tot's hand is on the way up to do the same:
Bird (Great White Egret) spots Tot:
Bird takes off in flight as Tot gets closer. I'm amazed at how big that bird was compared to my son.
Sometimes you do something just because. This was one of those moments. I bought a 'prebuilt' ginger bread house. Came with icing and decorations. I bought some decorations (holiday M&Ms) to go with it.
I thought it would be a cool center piece for our Thanksgiving table. What do you think?
The final product? You'll see that in a couple of days in the picture of the table. In the meantime, just to let you know... we had to cut the decorating short when Tot discovered you could eat the decorations and that they tasted good. He loves M&Ms. The roof with mainly M&Ms is his.
And even though Tot took a few off the roof as I was confiscating the decorations... we will not be eating this house. I saw Tater put a few on that came out of his mouth. Yuck!
Ever have one of 'those days'? Mine happened on Tuesday. (Actually I'm writing this Tuesday night.)
First some background:
Tater: Been sick since Friday and still running a temp on Monday.
Tot: Top 2nd year molars broken through, bottom ones red and puffy. On Monday started coughing, but no temp.
Mom: Makes appt for both kids, just in case.
Tuesday morning:
Tater: Still running a fever and lots of snot.
Tot: Now running a fever and coughing more.
Mom: Playing with Tot, runs toe into wooden leg of couch. Toe swells, turns blue, red and purple and is at an odd angle. It hurts.
Click on More Pawprints to see the 'rest of the story'.
Off to doctor's appt. Two clingy, sick children. Doctor says Tater has a sinus infection and Tot has bronchitis.
As we leave the doctor's office, the Real Estate office calls and wants an appt to show the house at 3pm. Uhhhh. Yes!!!!! We haven't had anyone look at the house in 3 weeks. I'll take anything. Some other realtor is bringing a client. Yaa Team.
Oh yaa... I haven't cleaned in 4 days and now my foot feels like it is on fire. Hmmmm....
Go home, feed children, clean house, cry, scream, do laundry, do the 'hiding' routine, get the dog out of the house, get the kids out of the house (no they do NOT want to get in the car again) and off we go.
Did I mention my foot was killing me?
Get back, dog won't get in car, must let him run beside the car the whole way home and keep an eye on him. Tater fell asleep. Had to move the extra car seat out to the car (did I mention my foot?) and it was in front of... you guessed it... Tater. Sigh. Was not able to get him out without waking him up. Poor kid, a 15 minute nap is not enough.
Hmmm ... No card from the realtor. Wonder what happened. Call the Realtor's front office... oh no they aren't coming today, they rescheduled for Friday. Excuse me? Where was my phone call? Front office replies with "oh, they didn't call you?" NOOOOOOOO, You were suppose to call me. Front office says "that's not good, well is Friday going to be ok?" Sigh. Yes, Friday is fine.
Not 30 minutes later, I have a voice mail on my phone from my realtor apologizing for the front office and then an email with the same message. If they only knew about the sick kids and the foot. Good thing I didn't mention it, or I would have to kill them. GRIN.
Hubby comes home late, but life is livable. Well, until 10pm when Tot has a croup attack. Luckily we have medicine and are able to keep it under control. But in order to keep me from going totally crazy, he ends up in bed with us. Hmmm... not the smartest move since I can't sleep with a small child beside me. Ok, I can fall asleep, I just don't stay asleep. Something about being hit in the face with flaying arms, or kicked in the stomach, or head butted. Or the fact that I'm listening to every breath he takes, just to be sure.
Did I mention that foot?
Ok, we are alive and surviving as of Wednesday morning. Can't wait to see what today brings.
I can find no words to say how much I miss you Dad. Here are some pictures... I added a recent one of the boys for you.
This is going to be a rant and some strange humor. I hate children's medicine that do not come dye free. You can get Motrin dye free, Benedryl dye free... but not Dimetapp, Cough Syrup and countless others. Why is this important?
Have you ever tried to clean up vomit that has red color in it? It doesn't matter what color carpet, couch, shirt, pants that you have... it will stain it. No matter how fast you clean it, no matter what you use. Unless you bleach it out.
Where did this rant come from? Tater decided to "toss his cookies". I was able to get him to the kitchen tile, but by then he was almost done. The couch, the carpet, Mom, himself. Ugh.
Stop reading here if you have a weak stomach. He had just a little left when we got to the kitchen. He had just finished eating part of an apple. Chewed apple along with the Dimetapp gives a chunky red goo when it comes out. Which smells horrible and looks horrible... well, until I ended up laughing. He was barfing so much it came out of his nose. I have never seen chunky red goo come out of someones nose before. And all I could think was that when he is older, he would want to do this for fun. Ok, part of this is sleep deprivation... but it is still funny seeing apple chunks come out of someones nose.
Yaa it's been a long weekend and it's going to be a long week. I'll try to keep the sleep deprived weirdness out of it from now on. ;-) And if you think I'm the only one giving sleep deprived weird posts... check out THIS POST from Graumagus. And do not go to
just plain weird.
Happy Birthday Mamaw
It's so hard to say how much you mean to me. I look back at the heartache and worry I have caused you - amnesia (3 times, once as a kid bike riding, once as a teenager playing baseball, once as a young adult in a car wreck), my cut finger that you thought was a cut leg (I still remember the look on your face when I took my hand off my leg and showed you my cut finger), the horse accidents, getting married, getting divorced, moving away, moving to Europe after my divorce by myself for 6 months while not knowing any one there and unable to speak the language, having children at my age, and so much more.
Then I remember the good times we had together. Building log cabins, wearing the clothes you made me (loved the costumes), you drinking the coffee I made you as a kid that tasted horrible, playing cards, baking together... particularly the fudge and cinnamon rolls, having you listen to me talk about school and college, teaching me to love animals and plants and people, and this list could go on forever!
It is hard to believe so many years have gone by. Yet I would not trade one moment of having you as my mother. You have been supportive, loving and there for me. If I am half the mother to my kids as you have been to me, I know they'll turn out great.
Here is a collage for you from the kids (click to enlarge):
Pssst. I didn't tell your age. Aren't you proud of me?
There is a reason why people live in Florida. Going to the beach is one of those reasons. Going to the beach in NOVEMBER is another. (and for those who offered to come stay with me... sure... but you have to do Nanny/Cleaning services in return) GRIN. Here are a couple of pictures of us at the beach. Well... M, Dad, Tater and Tot. I was taking the pictures. ;-)
We are at an inlet near the beach. It was very 'wavy' today and lots of seaweed at the 'beach'.
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Someone at the beach asked me if she was the mom. **snicker snicker**
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Off to go out further and see the fish swim by under the water.
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I couldn't believe it. Tot, who is not a water boy, is dropping his legs into the water and playing. Tater, who is a fish, refuses to put his legs down and wants to go back to shore!!!!
Later, of course, Tater was having as much fun. It seems he was worried about the crocodiles. Once he was convinced there were no crocodiles in the area, he had a blast. Super Pickle Boy to the Rescue!
Pictures of the boys and their cousin in the pool. Crazy but she could be their mother. Well... I'm talking about ages here. And for those of you posting pictures of snow and falling leaves... blhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Click on More PawPrints to see the pictures.
For Halloween, I am posting pictures of the boys at the Pumpkin Patch. We never did buy a pumpkin. And I never got a good picture for Christmas.
When we first got there, I tried to get them to sit together in a bench chair. These are the results:
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Next, they wanted to pick up a pumpkin or two. Tater started it:
And while I was taking this picture, Tater let go of the pumpkin. Why it didn't go SPLAT, I do not know.
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Tater has reached the point were he loves to get his picture taken.
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And here is 'ol fuss bucket, asking to be picked up:
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Let's just go running up and down the pumpkins:
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Mom tries one last time to get a picture of the two of them together. Everyone was happy and running around. As soon as I pull out the camera... the acting begins. Tater clowning around and Tot 'crying'. The most fake cry you ever heard.
Guess I'll try again some other time to get some pictures of the two of them together.
It's my husband's birthday today. I searched the web for a poem to post that said it best. Writing about my love for my husband is not easy for me. Give me numbers any day over writing. But I decided to do this on my own. Patience my friends and family, I will get it out:
Husband, I love you. You have helped me through hard times, you have held me for no reason at all, you have helped raise our children, you are fun and funny. It is hard to put in words all the wonderful feelings I have had over the years. The excitement of learning about hockey from you, the fun of teaching you about horses. Traveling the world, staying home and being together. Not every day has been wonderful, but I wouldn't trade what I have with you.
I hope your birthday is fun and you can look back at Wilma and the things we went through with a smile. I hope your birthday gifts actually make it in the mail soon. But I think they are going to be late. Happy Birthday Husband.
VW is hunkered down with her family staying safe from Hurricane Wilma. She wasn't sure if she would have electricity, opportunity, or sanity in order to post today. Rainy days with kids can drive you nuts if you are not prepared. So, here are a few suggestions and links to keep the monsters children occupied and help you maintain some sanity.
Kids First Internet has several suggestions. You can have a treasure hunt, make play dough or do a talent show.
The King County Library has it's own kids page. It's full of suggestions and links.
The University of Florida has a site for kids too.
So, before the rain comes and the electricity goes, check these out, prepare and maybe being stuck inside will be fun for everyone.
Here is my niece's son, B:
I thought of a whole lot of different captions but none seem to fit quite right. What do you think?
Yep, my sister, Tink, is a grandmother to kids that are around the same ages as mine. What a weird spred of kids.
She took some really cute pictures of B in that hat. The rest are in the extended entry with a story, press More Pawprints to see them.
I was trying to come up with a story on this one. My imagination is lacking this morning.
Here is Indiana JonesB deciding to go on a trip:
Indiana JonesB is now headed towards the SuitCase of Golden Toys:
"It's this way! Hurry", says Indiana JonesB:
Finally, we have reached the Suitcase of Golden Toys. Yipee!
Here is a lesson in tackling someone larger than yourself:
Be sure to lay across the stomach and force your brother to roll out from under you.
Ok, what's going to happen next?
We made a trip to Busch Wildlife. They had a special... hold an animal and get your picture taken for $5. I couldn't resist. Sigh. My kids refused to hold the owl or the skunk... had to be the snake. Here are two cute pictures. Enjoy!
Look at the concentration Tot has going! Look at the fact they are sitting next to each other and NOT hitting, screaming nor pushing.
We went to Animal Kingdom as well. Here is Tot on the Safari ride:
Here is Tater on the Safari ride:
Here is Tater on the boat.
And now they have a race car sitting in front of the Race Track. I couldn't get any pictures without another kid around. Seems like the parents were a little busy talking to each other and friends. Hence the odd crop and never getting a picture of Tater looking at me. Sigh.
Here are a couple of pictures of our Disney Trip. You remember Tater taking some pictures while waiting for the boat? Here he is waiting for it:
And here is Tater acting up while waiting in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride. Yes, I really did go on it.
They now have a Winnie the Pooh play area... here is Tot hanging out in Rabbit's house.
We're back. It was fun but had some hard spots. Took Tot to the Doctor last night and found out he has an infection in each ear. Which explains why we didn't get any sleep. We meaning Tot and myself. I have some great stories and a few more pictures. Here are a couple that were just too cute...
Here is Tater enjoying the spinning tea cups:
Here is Tater with his new binoculars and Tot with his new hat.
More later!
And thanks for the new furniture and stuff for the house. Just lovely (notice the sarcasm).
While the Open House was happening, we went to Lion Country Safari... I forgot the camera, but luckily I had my cell phone. The quality is not that good, but you can still see the little guys.
Tater is in the hole for the picture, Tot is off to the side sticking his head through another hole. Tot is able to move faster than Mom. I know this because I tried to get over to get Tot's picture and as soon as I got the phone up, he took off.
Tater is such a ham!
Tot was finally willing to get his picture taken while Dad was with him... but look who sneaked in!
I cannot wait until October gets here. Then I'll be the first on my block to download "The Hairbrush Song" from Veggie Tales for my phone.
Either that or I need to find a link to a "plugged butts" song to assist with the insanity that Ted at Rocket Jones or Bou at Boudicca's Voice has started. Why me?
PS. The open house went find. I, on the other hand, want to curl up in bed with hot tea and book and not move for 48 hours.
It's getting to be that time. I had a 'trial run' the other day. I thought I would take a picture of what you would see when you walked in the door. Now remember, I took the tablecloth off, hid all the bibs, and a few other things.... Still have to get rid of that chair and the newspapers... sigh... but we have open house on Sunday and it'll be gone one way or another by then.
Also, I bought a bedskirt and comforter for Tater's bed and it came in today. Side Note: That is what you see in the background of the picture through the door (mainly because I hid stuff under his bed as well!). Hopefully, it will make it look a little nicer as well. Hope the people like construction trucks. ;-)
Anyone want to buy my house?
Been busy getting the 'old' house ready to sale. I love flowers, but do not like to have to water every day. It took having to sale this house to get me to water every day... I think I will enjoy it for a while as I see the flowers come out on these plants.
My neighbor helped me put it together and pick out the flowers. Of course Tater would also add a odd plant here and there. It turned out beautiful.
When I was trying to get a close up of some of the flowers, another beautiful object moved into the view... Don't you think?
BTW, this work on the garden took over a week. It might have gone faster without the kids, but it was sure a lot more fun with them.
My boys love to dress up and act like they are building things (or tearing them down). Here they are having fun with Dad.
and Super Chicken Boy... Every super hero needs a tool that can change into anything they need. From a bed, to a car, to a hiding place. Here are Super Pickle Boy (Tater) and Super Chicken Boy (Tot) playing with some boxes.
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I zap you with my ray gun!
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Duck Super Chicken Boy! That way they can't see you! Darn, Mom took the picture from the top... how did she know we were here?
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Ahhhh I needed a good place to sleep. And hide from Super Pickle Boy. zzzzzzzz
We have new super heroes in our family. One, in particular, has become somewhat infamous. Hence the name of this post. Let’s start with the introduction to how we came up with super heroes in our house and their names.
In the beginning there were made up stories at night for Tater. Then they grew to be made up stories that included the family. One night, my Husband decided to include super heroes. Spiderman, Superman, Batman and others that my son knew about, though never really watched. And that led to the night that my son became a super hero!
With my Husband's help, they came up with names. Mind you, Tater picked them out and even came up with a few. Trust me; I heard some of the names my Husband was trying to get him to use. I was very happy to hear they were NOT used. Here is the lay of the land:
Tater = Super Pickle Boy
Dad = Super Ketchup Man
Tot = Super Chicken Boy
Mom = Super Banana Mama
Dog = Super HotDog
And while Mamaw was here... Tater decided to call her "Super Macaroni and Cheese Mamaw". Yep, the whole thing. What a mouth full!
Now you have the whole crew. In the future you will be hearing some of the unique experiences that come from having a super hero in your household.
We filled up a 5x8x8 A/C'd storage unit. We know have a non A/C'd unit. So some of the stuff in the A/C'd unit can be moved to the non A/C'd unit. Boxes of pots and pans, books shelves, strollers. And then all the linen, shirts, winter clothes can be moved to the A/C unit. Sigh. Too much to do, not enough time in the day. I'm going to leave you with some old humor:
God is sitting in heaven when a scientist prays to Him,
"God, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally
figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other
words, we can now do what You did in the "beginning."
"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.
"Well," says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form
it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus
creating man."
"Well, that's interesting...show Me."
So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to
mold the soil.
"No, no, no..." interrupts God, "Get your own dirt."
(posted by Marie)
The other night we went out to eat at a casual burger restaurant. We arrived early, thinking it'd be a quick in-out. The place was mobbed. Once we were seated, we were told that the crowd was due to The Wiggles being in town. I nodded like I knew what the heck they were talking about. All I know is that I had to scrounge up a high chair from another table because they were all in use by Wiggle fans.
So today I poked around online and found out that The Wiggles originate from Australia. They do music, videos and tv shows for children. Yes, apparently I live under a rock. Maybe Santa will bring us some Wiggle music this year.
So, ... What's a good video or album to start with, parents of Wiggle fans?
Also, please tell me that The Wiggles aren't as annoying as Elmo! Please!
Just a quick post to show what we found painted in our Garage this last weekend:
Good thing we have a sense of humor. ;-)
That's right! I have a new child. This time a fully grown woman I have known since highschool. But I am trying to get her fully birthed with blogging.
Her blog is: From Chaos to Serendipity.
Her handle is: Sticks
Her email is: chaos.n.serendipity (at) gmail.com
I have known her since high school. Yep, she has stories about me that I am worried about. ;-) But her first couple of posts are great. Teenagers and Sex, Laziness is Hard Work. Go check her out; well... at least check out her blog.
If you see some stuff missing on her links (like a LOT of stuff), that is my fault. Been a little busy. And will be for the next week or two.
Let's try playing with the Peach in hand.
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Who's quicker at getting back and going down the slide again?
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What happens if you slide down with your feet up?
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Just having fun!
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Don't you wish you could just play all morning?
There is a valuable lesson in this post. Keep reading...
This is what happens when you go to the bathroom while your child finds a crayon.
Ready for the lesson? 409 does NOT remove crayon from the Fridge. In fact, I had to use Dawn Dish Liquid, Water and Muscle to get it off. Anyone have a better way? I feel this is going to happen again.
The good news: My mom is coming to visit next week and help with getting the house ready for the market. We are shooting to put it on the market by the end of the month.
The bad news: I won't be posting much. I'll try to get stuff ready for the next couple of days. But will need help after that. Which is open to others that read my blog. If anyone wants to put out a post once or twice, or even the whole time... let me know. Send an email to Happydogspeaks (at) gmail.com.
And I can't see anything ugly out of any of this. If anything, I imagine I will have a lot of blog fodder to tell you about when I can get on the computer. Nothing like packing and painting with small children around to add humor to a situation.
This poem says it best! Happy Birthday Tink.
Glad You're My Sister
I just want you to know how happy I am
to have you for a Sister
There are times.. like right now...
When I want to let you know exactly how I feel.
To put it simply, I don't just love you.. I really like you!
Even if you weren't my sister, I'd still enjoy being with you.
It's true that we've had occasional disagreements over the years,
but that's how we got to know each other better...
to respect one another's self-worth
and value each other's uniqueness
I appreciate the many ways you've helped me.
You have a real talent for knowing just when I need you the most
I know I can count on you for support and encouragement,
and you've always been able to make me feel good about myself... and life.
You brought something special to our family, too.
Life just wouldn't be the same without you...
and all the wonderful memories you've given me.
I'm so happy to have you as my sister!
It amazes me what kids will find to play with that are not toys. They have always loved playing in the hamper. This time they succeeded in ripping the side of it. But not until I got a couple of good pictures.
Here is Tot. The first instigator:
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And then all I saw were feet! I ran over to get this picture:
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Suddenly, Tater saw what was going on and had to join the fun:
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And Tot took advantage of Tater trying to hide from the camera:
My sister, Tink, is taking care of her grandchild, Zozo. And here is a sample of what kind of conversations you find in her household:
Do not ever, ever, ever watch the History Channel with a 6-year old unless you are prepared for the ultimate question...
Just this week I was putting ZoZo to bed and thought I would turn the TV to Radio Disney. (btw Radio Disney makes MTV look tame). Listening to a bunch of kids give the news cast at 9 p.m., was not very conducive to sleep in my humble opinion. Therefore I turned the television to the History Channel. There being a method behind my madness, I assumed that if you listened to Bach while the child was still invitro it will produce a musical genius, then surely falling asleep to the sounds of the History Channel would make for a historical genius. But I discovered that God has a twisted sense of humor and has provided one 6-year the ability to differentiate between right and wrong.
That night the HC had a show about the Holy Grail. 6-year olds are naturally inquisitive and the first ultimate question: "What is a grail?" Easy enough hon... a grail is a cup. "Why is it called Holy?" Because it is believed to have belonged to Christ, i.e. Jesus. "Who is Jesus?" Don't be silly, you know who Jesus is. A chuckle behind a hand.... "Jesus is the son of God." That's right. "Who was Jesus' mother?" The Virgin Mary. "So when did God and the Virgin Mary get married?" Well they didn't get married. "They didn't get married. Whoa, that's just wrong." ZoZo, shut up and go to sleep.
I guess I will be out looking for a priest to answer this question. And good luck to him. But then again it must run in the family. I was the one to ask the priest where the people in the land of Nod came from.... You may want to reread Genesis.
Tink
And what worries me, is I know this runs in our family. I can't imagine what my sons are going to ask me. Are all children this way?
I have great neighbors. They have given my kids so many things. The last go round I got the picnic table. It is extremely nice. This time, a box full of plastic bugs and a jar of plastic snakes. Oh yaa. I think this may get more entertaining over time. A couple of those bugs look pretty real.
I wonder if maybe they aren't so great? I am trying to get my house ready to sell. What happens if one of those bugs gets seen by a potential buyer? GRIN
It was time for an evening walk to the new house. Walk? Naaa. Those boys want to run!
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First we have to get through the front yard to see the house. (pssst, this is where the septic drain field is going).
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Then we have to play in what's left of the septic drain field dirt!
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Tater is KING!
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But our dog loved it too!
This just cries out for you to take a picture!
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Notice the head turn... go check out the Hat picture. Pulchritudinous with or without a hat! Ok, I just couldn't resist using the big word. ;-)
People look at my boys and wonder where the blond hair came from. It came from my husband and myself. He and I are now dark haired, but not back then. Here is the proof from my side:
Me with my sisters:
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Anyone remember Romper Room?
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While my dad was in the Air Force, we had the opportunity to go to Hong Kong. Here are some pictures of me in Hong Kong:
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And of course saving the best for last... here I am at 2 months of age:
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Every once in a while we all have to try out something. This time it was a hat. We have had it around for a while. It was given to the kids from a BIL.
First let us start with Tater!
And he just continues to be cute!
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Next is Tot. He has to have a shot at it as well.
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And we can't leave out our Puppy dog. Ok, so he's not a puppy... but he is still precious!
Something interesting always happens when I have breakfast with Bou and her boys. This time it was two-fold. First my son and his trips to the bathroom, see HER POST HERE. Definitely a laugh.
Next was on the way out. Only a kid can come up with something so ironic. Her youngest, Bones, was leaning against Bou as she was trying to buy some cookies. Tater was trying to count the stuff behind the counter and kept bumping into them. Bones says in a very serious voice, "Tater, You are invading my space". Straight face and very serious. All the while, leaning from his shoulder to his ankle against his mom. Maybe it takes someone who likes her space to really see the humor in this... but I thought I was going to die laughing. He can invade mom's space, but goodness, no one should invade his!
First you have to do something to get over the Florida Heat. What is better than going to the neighbor's house and playing in the water. Not a thing! She has great containers for us to use... take a look (click to enlarge)
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The water is always better in the other container... Tater must be where Tot is! And vice versa.
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Yo Mom... my diaper is a little full!
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Mom has a camera - check it out!
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Time to get dressed so we can go in and watch the Space Shuttle count down. Naaaaaaa let's run around the yard first. Come on Mom, come get me!
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Mom got us dressed just in time to watch the countdown and see it take off on TV at the neighbor's house. Then outside to see it go the rest of the way up in the sky.
Watch out Marlins. My boys are going to be Baseball champions. Along with soccer, hockey, football and what other sport they decide to play.
Just look at the form Tater is showing! Look at that face (click to enlarge).
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Tot might need a little help on that form.
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Here's Dad to the rescue.
saline nasal spray. Saline Nasal Spray. SALINE NASAL SPRAY. RUN RUN RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
Why do kids wake up if they cannot breath through their nose? They have a mouth. It is possible for breath to come in and out of the mouth. But not for my kids. In a dead sleep, they must wake up screaming because they took ONE breath out of their mouth.
Now you must sit in an upright position and hold them until their nose clears. Why does this always happen sometime after 1am?
The only thing that keeps me going is that I love my children. And I know this too will pass.
Side Note: I have a date with my husband tonight. Yep, it's been 7 months since just he and I went out. Tonight we have that wonderful chance. Bou is coming to babysit. She is bringing her 3 boys and keeping my 2 boys entertained. I love it. Almost wish I could be a fly on the wall watching the 5 of them. Almost.
Last year, Bou, gave Tater this cool pool. We never really had a chance to blow it up and use it. This year... I opened my big mouth and the kids got all excited. Our pump didn't work. So Daddy blew it up himself. Not me! We all know who has the hot air now. GRIN.
Here are some pictures of the monsters kids having fun. Click to Enlarge.
This is how to jump backwards into the pool!
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Tot's relaxing (yep, that is his head and toes appearing just at the top of the pool) and Tater is ready to change all that.
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Tater's jumping in, run run for the hills (or fall out of the pool)
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Tater's jumping in, run run for the hills (or continue to fall out of the pool)
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Yes, we can play in the pool together.
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And then the fun began. Click on More Pawprints to see the rest.
This pool also had cannons that shot water out. Daddy hooked it up. And proceeded to have cannon wars with Tater. Daddy won this war.
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This time Tater wins!
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And here they are in action:
