Remember the Videos I Promised to Post

Here they are, in all their glory:

part of the reason I married my hot hubby - his mad dance skillz.

Details on how to Mosaic YOU

I actually stole the whole mosaic idea from my new blog pal, Becky. And had fully intended on giving her the credit & giving you the steps to do your own.
But then, the weekend...the fireworks....the cotton candy...and the trying to re-coop, all got in the way - and between me & my laptop.
So, I finally am sitting down & bringing to you, step by step directions to your own mosaic. Now, if you do it, comment & let me know so I can come check it out. And see how similar it is to mine (cuz I noticed that Becky & I had a photo alike on ours).

Okay, here goes friends:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name? AMY
2. What is your favorite food? PASTA
3. What high school did you go to? EUREKA (hence the flooded aerial shot of my alma matta)
4. What is your favorite color? ORANGE
5. Who is your celebrity crush? HARRY CONNICK
6. Favorite drink? SIERRA MIST (FREE, BUT DIDN'T SEE THAT ON THE FIRST PAGE)
7. Dream vacation? HAWAII
8. Favorite dessert? BUBBLE GUM ICE CREAM
9. What you want to be when you grow up? TEACHER
10. What do you love most in life? GOD
11. One Word to describe you. HUMOR
12. Your flickr name. ORANGE MOMMA

Go, have fun, & make little baby mosaics.

The Me Mosaic

My Daughter, the Model

Go to the site of our favorite photographer here in StL:
http://greatervisionphotography.blogspot.com/
& check out the cutie at the top.

Then scroll down.... you will see the photo we (sneakily) had done for Father's Day as a suprise to Jeff. And a little further down to see the G'man's debut.

If you are anywhere close to STL, I highly recommend Starla. She is patient (she should be, she's a mom of 5), she listens (to my crazy ideas, like Flynn wearing her pink high tops w/ her tutu), & is a real pro.
I recommend! I recommend!!

When I do go in with the free coupons to Picture People - now I leave disappointed becuz, well, they're just not Starla.

Sicky

I have been sick since Tuesday. Actually, since this past weekend. Actually, if you want to get technical, I bled for 27 days. Then went to the doctor to see 'what's with the month-long period?' only to find a cyst in my left ovary. But that's beside the point.
Over the weekend, and our camping goodness, I happened to run out of singulair - just in time for some one-on-one with Missouri mold. Which may have been a spring-board for the most miserable allergies I have ever had in my life. These last few days have given me a new-found sympathy for my girl, who faces these symptoms, day in & day out.
SO ....
meanwhile, while going back on the pill to stop the month of bleeding, my blood pressure has decided to fight the hormones by going on to 165ish over 100ish. Consistantly, for the last few days.
Now, the medical professionals will tell you that there are NO symptoms for high blood pressure. But as someone who has had high BP for close to ten years, I will tell you: hogwash. As a matter of fact, ther ereason I knew my bp was going up, was the artery on my neck started to feel 'bulging.' And the headache, oh the headache. And that headache got so bad Wed night that it made me ill. Literally. I spent 1/2 the night sitting on Gabe's potty stool in an intimate position around the toilet.
It topped the charts as one of the top 3 times of being sick.
And I've had some doozies.

I am very guilty of being one of those people who scolf at allergies, roll my eyes at ulcers... guilty of not being sympathetic til given opportunity to be empathetic. In other words, I don't feel bad 'til I walk in your shoes.
And let me tell you, allergies suck.
If that even is what I have.
This feeling of having a dull hunting knife jabbing into the side of my head & being twisted. Or a random swelling of my right eye, wherin it nearly closes & tears.
Good times.
Memories.

So, I lay here - thankful for Vanessa in the next room playing with the kids, keeping them safe & happy. And I throw back the benadryl, take the tylenol to stop my headache, & check the bp.

KK on his Mind

When Gabe woke up, he was very chatty. But the very first thing he said was, "KK"
[and you just need to hear how he says it, he sounds like he turns it into a question & has such inflection on the 2nd syllable].

Kaylee, I think he misses you already. Come home soon.

The Blessed-By-Jesus Drawer

There is a 'skinny' drawer in the kitchen, that I kept 'baby things' in (bibs, spoons, medicine spoons, etc.). Then, when my oldest baby got bigger, I started keeping snacks in there that are safe for her. That way, if she gets permission, she can access the drawer for a safe & (sometimes) healthy snack.

Today she has the munchies. And after earning a marshmallow for cleaning up a mess that Gabe created, she said she was still hungry. I told her she could pick something from her drawer. After a recent allergy fair, I dumped our bag of allergy-friendly goodies. Among those were lots of kosher treats. She spied a tiny package (of about 6) m&m-knockoffs. She was THRILLED. We did our usual take a nibble, wait a few minutes to see if she reacts...then have at it. Well, she fortunately did well, then skipped & sang as she practiced such self-control - a nibble here, a nibble there. She made those little m&ms last forever.
And she was so thankful. She sidled beside me & said, "I'm so glad! Jesus made me a whole drawer of safe snacks!"

I Was the Bridesmaid With the Big Hair and the Big Kleenex

When my sis married my bro-in-law, I was 15. I was a brat. I was obnoxious, opinionated, gutsy, & would do anything on a dare.
I was also crazy about my sister. She was (& still is) my BFF. So, on the day she married, & was to move 10 hours away, I was a mess.
The bouquet I carried hid a big wad of snotty tissue. And I cried so hard during the ceremony that my head can be seen shaking in the wedding video.
When they left for good, I was so silly that I'd sleep in her bed. I missed her so much. I even missed fighting with her (which we were EXCELLENT at).

Not much has changed. She's moving away again. And I'm a mess.
But this time, I don't miss her - as much - as those nieces of mine. Who have not just won my heart, but won the hearts of their uncle & their two biggest admirers - F & G.

Today was our last hurrah together. An outing together. A picnic. And a really brief good bye. To be honest, it was as if God was taking control of the little situation - He brought a nasty storm over the park where we were eating lunch, & clapped what could be the loudest crash of thunder, & poured an extra-large bucket of huge-droplet rain on us. We had no choice but to be brief in our good-byes. Even when I didn't want to let go of the tiny waists I was squeezing, I was forced to, on account of rain streaming down our backs.
It all happened so fast, little Flynn didn't have time to comprehend it all. She was hugged, kissed, & tear-fully told she was loved. All in a milli-second. She knew she was sad....about having to leave the park after only 15 minutes there...and telling 'her girls' good bye. She saw us all sad, fast, soppy hugs -- and my face contort into what could be the ugliest crying face you've ever seen.
So she burst into a fit. And couldn't contain herself. She cried & cried & bawled & refused to fasten herself in. And yelled to me that "I CAN NOT BE WET. MY FEET ARE WET. MY SHOES ARE WET. I DID NOT WANT TO BE WET!!!!!!!!"
It was ridulous. And she knew it. She searched for a reason for her being upset.
And so, pulling out onto a busy road, and re-collecting myself, I could only call back to her tell her that I couldn't deal with her ridiculousness with me having other things to be upset about.

She seemed to understand where I was coming from. And a few seconds later, it kinda came together for her...

"I need to know when I am spending the night with Aunt Gi again."

I know what you mean Flynn.

Highlights

of the weekend include...

• sleeping in Grammy's camper (& momma & daddy sleeping in their own tent)
• Flynn learning to use the brake on her big girl bike on level streets at the campground
• swimming in the pool, all of us, together
• the new Dora bug-catching kit
• Flynn's new rocks for her budding rock collection
• a fruit salad bigger than my head
• summer solstice moon
• hearing morning dew drip onto the tent
• doing our own family variety show at the campground's amphitheater (vid coming soon)
• tent naps
• roasted marshmallows

of today include...

• the bug man
• Flynn hearing the song, "You Never Let Go" & running to me yelling, "It's YOU NEVER LET GO, YOU NEVER LET GO!!!"
• my sis consenting to a last Grant's Farm trip before their departure in less than 40 hours
• Jeff taking the kids to the library & park before leaving for his soccer game (& I got to stay behind & do one of the four loads of laundry that await in the laundry room)
• Flynn being excited about carrying around a little Gideon New Testament & opening it & saying, "Would you read me this 'book'?"
• Flynn calling the dragonfly of rhinestones on her top, "Golden"
• Gabe's cocoa kiss when I was walking out the door this morning for staff meeting
• unpacking 'goods' from my sister's deserted pantry
• a full gas tank & a/c in my vehicle
• teaching the kids the 'robot' & seeing Gabe shake his boot'ay
• Gabe running to the potty at almost ten o'clock tonight; not making it in time & saying, "Oh man!"
• Gabe seeing Jeff's boo-boo (giant shin gash) after his game & voluntarily kneeling down & kissing it
• both kids cleaning Jeff's boo-boo & dressing it

This Weekend

We'll be doing this.

In Case There Was Any Question

I'm crazy about my nieces.
Read below the email sent to my eldest niece (note: keep kleenex handy)

Dearest Pookie Sr,

I'm afraid this is goodbye. I figured the other day when Papa picked "yous" up, I wouldn't be seeing you again before you & your dad take out Sat a.m. But I didn't say anything cuz I didn't want to have to do an official good bye. I would've just gotten a red/swollen-eyed & my nose turns red like Nana's. Or A Allie's. Either one. And Flynn would've gotten upset & then every single human being in the world would fall prostate in tears, if Flynn would've cried. Big brown eyes w/ giant crocidile tears (all of a sudden, I can't spell crockidile/crocadile/crockadile/crotchdial).

It's all too familiar a scene ---- not too different from the one 17 years ago, when we came to see you on your BIRTHday. I remember how hard that was to tell you good bye (funny, I was 17 then too!) & how hard we all cried. Up until that point, I pretty much only loved myself but then you won the place in my heart & at that point, I loved no one else as much as you.
When Papa & I said good bye & both shed a few tears (him one, me one thousand), we drove off out of Clio & I cried & cried & cried. And Papa patted me & said, "You alright sugar?"

I hope you're only gone a few years this time too. So pls make a pact w/ me. NO GETTING MARRIED OUT THERE & NO SETTING UP ROOTS OUT THERE. You hear? You might have been born in MI & headed to CA, but MO is your home.

So take this as my good bye. You'll always be my Thumper, so don't be gone too long. Blow the horn all the way there. Make us proud. Quit growing up. You're beautiful, hope you know how much. (can you tell, lots of snippets of advice here) Always keep God #1. I couldn't be more proud of you. Smile, Jesus love you. Puppets forever. (sorry, gotta keep it real)

Love, love, love YOU! See you Soon.

Love,
Meme

Pet Peeve of the Day

When people think that because I work mostly from home, I don't really work.

Giddy'Up!

I was invited along for a birthday celebration of a friend at church, who was turning '30'.

and where should a bunch of church girls go, but D&B's.

Back in our single &/or childless days, Jeff & I had some pretty good times there.

So many times, that we had racked up lots of 'points' on our D&B's card -- with no reason to spend them.

So when I added about a cool thousand to those points, I went to see my damage.

Imagine my shock (& everyone else's) when I realized I had enough points to buy the 3rd most expensive prize in the whole place....

This large stuffed, winny'ing, trotting, horse (cowboy not included):

I laughed hysterically, the rest of the night while I toted this around & out to the car, where I shoved it in the birthday girl's mom's trunk.

And because I didn't get home 'til about 2 am, I had to wait to show my kids the awesomeness. But it was well worth it, when they woke me at 7 am & I had this hiding in Daddy's bathroom.

Tutu Cute

This was my favorite part (next to the blowing kisses part), a sure uterus ache indeed.

I don't know what she was doing here, but I could still take a bite out of her cheek for being so dern cute.

Happy Father's Day

To the Daddy who made me a Momma I say thank you.

The best gift I've ever received...

And to my Dad I say thank you for helping to shape me into the Momma I am today.

I always say that I hope my kids know just how lucky they are...to have such great men in their lives.

Happy Father's Day!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far....

My friend Amanda (momma to Madelyn) just sent me some fantastic photos from last night's BIG DANCE RECITAL. I couldn't help but get a big case of aching empty uterus. But, the uterus only aches for little girls dressed in a scrumptious pink & creme, fluffy tutu'ed ballet costume.

Anywho, this one in particular cracked me up. ..

Look at her. Her class is in the MIDDLE OF A PERFORMANCE. There is an audience of several hundred. Ballerinas are arabesquing & jete'ing & Pas de Basque'ing away. Look at Jordyn with both feet off the floor & arms in perfect form. It's also important to look at Madelyn, who is no doubt at this point looking at Flynn & wondering WHAT IN THE WORLD IS FLYNN DOING BACK THERE & WHY IS SHE MAKING THE OTHERS LAUGH. SHE IS GOING TO GET IN TROUBLE & IF I'M NOT CAREFUL, SHE'LL TAKE ME DOWN WITH HER...JUST LIKE MONDAY'S REHEARSAL.

I think it's probably no surprise at this point to tell you that for most of my life, in most settings, I've been the clown. In each situation, it's been of utmost importance to me to cut a joke, make everyone laugh, draw attention away from the focal point.

And it appears,

it's hereditary.

Day 13 of No TV

Yep, tomorrow will make two weeks since our TV got scooted out of the livingroom, to make way for new flooring. And when that flooring was complete, I requested that Hot Hubby did not scoot it back.

It's very much habitual. Sometimes that's bad & sometimes it's not so bad. For me, TV was like a night cap. It was like a martini (is that a night cap?, show's you how much I know about night caps!) & the recliner was like my smoking jacket. And within minutes of turning on Millionaire, I'd be out like a light.

So far, on our 'break from tv', here's what I've accomplished:
nothing

I'd like to say that I've finished a book, or read 1/2 the bible, but I haven't. What I do know is that I haven't had to turn off the tv when no one's even in the room watching it. And I haven't had to worry about what the kids might accidentally see. Nor have they been the target of advertisement.

In the evenings, we've busied ourselves with talk or have migrated into our bedrooms.

Hot Hubs might have a thing or two to say differently. He's not on board.
BUT, his summer school classroom has cable.
So, he's getting his fix.

Mom's Taxi

I know she's only four, but I'm a little put-out at my girl right now & the feelings she has of ungratefulness & lack of appreciation for all the time I spend with her.

At least 20 times per day, she approaches me... usually with a book in her hand, wanting me to stop dead in my tracks, plop down on the couch, & read to her (or play with her, or take her somewhere, etc....etc.). When I give her my reply, "I can't right now, I'm [washing dishes] (insert any given chore I must do on a daily basis)", she gets mad, "You NEVER do anything with me."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Yesterday, we spent each waking hour of the day (there was a lot of waking hours for she was napless yesterday) TOGETHER. She was by MY SIDE in every single moment, save for the few times at the park yesterday morning when she ran off to play with a friend.

Just now, she got frustrated at me because I wouldn't stop what I was doing to "read!, just this page!!"

So, I gave her 'what for':
"Flynn, how can you say I don't do anything with you???? Monday night, I took you to eat, to the library, & to visit with friends! Yesterday morning, we spent an hour & a half at the park with friends! Then went straight to McDonald's for a lunch date with friends...then onto the pool with our friends, where we swam for two hours. Then, we met Daddy for supper so that we could see him before his soccer camp. And then we played here at home & momma gave you a nice long massage before bed time.
Then we wake up this morning & all cook french toast together.
Maybe I'm spoiling you! Maybe you have too much to do & it's making you think that every minute I should be entertaining you!!"

After I calmed down, I called her aside:
"Does Momma have a job? At church? And what things do I do during the week, when we're not at the church?"
Flynn: "You send postcards to little kids."
Me: "Yes, and I help teachers & helpers by reminding them of when they help us & teach. And what if I didn't remind Miss Bitsi that she was going to be your teacher? She might not show up. And what if she showed up & said, 'Kids, I don't have anything to teach you because Miss Amy didn't buy curriculum this time. And we have no snack either.' Baby, I work hours each day to plan things for church, to organize things, I call people & make sure that families are happy."

She took it all in. Then I went on to break things down for her as for my responsibilities here at home....reminding her that if I didn't do laundry, we'd have no clothes to wear. That if we didn't clean we'd have bugs. Or would not be able to find anything.

She listened actively, as if she understood. She interjected things that I do. And I explained that the mornings or full days, that we spend doing fun things so that we have a good summer, that I have lots to do once I get home. And unfortunately don't have time to sit down any old time & read a book.

I felt we really understood each other. And when I was walking away from the bathroom, where we had our chat, she yelled out to me,
"Hey Mom! Can we go to Delaney's house?, we haven't been there in a long time."

Ugh.

Beans, Beans, Good For the Heart...

...and I think you know the rest....

My MIL, who might be one of the best cooks I know, gave me this recipe. It appears to have been created as a dip, but MIL used as a side dish one evening & I fell in love.

It's a cool side dish, perfect for 95 degree days wrapped in 100% humidity.

Here it is in all its corny glory:

Sherry’s BEAN Dip

1 can pinto beans (drained)

1 can black beans (drained)

1 can Mexican style corn (with green and red peppers (drained)

2 cans Rotelle w/Cilantro and Lime

A few green onions sliced or small red onion chopped

Approx. 2 Tablespoons Italian Dressing

Dashes of chili powder, cumin and garlic

Marinate all for several hours (longer the better)

Drain most of the juice

If desired add 1 cup (+/-) sharp cheddar or Monteray Jack cheese

I add a bit of salt and fresh cilantro

(Can be eaten as a side dish or as an appetizer with Scoops)

One Tough Cookie = Big Sis

I figured I had better blog this before I forget....



With us putting the floor in, there were a few different times the kids & I absolutely had to make a break for it. To get us out of Daddy's hair & to give them the chance to burn some pent-up energy.

One morning in particular, when PeePaw came over to help, I recognized the need (for all parties) for us to vacate the premises.

We went to Walgreens, wherein the children (who by the way, don't fit so well together in a walgreens cart) played like the monsters from WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. They showed there terrible teeth & their terrible claws & made mischief in the seasonal aisle. Giant rubber balls bounced high & knocked large clocks (I know!, a big clock in a aisle full of sprinklers??!) onto their backsides. Large singing rubber ducks got cleared from their spot into Gabe's skinny two year old grip.

By the end of our trip there, I realized that the energy being expeled was mine. Gabe ran from my side into the parking lot, where my heart was swallowed by my stomach. In an attempt to grab his shoulder, shirt, anything, my finger nails (the only part of my grip not used up by my 4 bags of purchases) scratched his neck & drew blood.

Ugh!, I felt so bad. He cried so hard. I had to make it right....

"We'll head to the park!!"

But the wind & ominous skies started to blow something nasty in & I had no other choice.

McD's playplace.

Ugh.

Remember the ranch dressing??

I looked at the clock in the car. 9:44 am. How many kids could be there w/ dripping nuggets?
I told the kids as we approached the restaurant, "Momma's not totally sure we're staying because we're really here to return a video to the Redbox."

When we got in there, only one kid was there. I approached the area & it looked clean.

I also noted a sign with MUST WEAR SOCKS (available for purchase at counter). I looked down at my kids' croc-clad feet, no socks in sight. So, after getting my kids settled at the playplace, I sauntered toward the counter to purchase said socks & we happily played for the next 45 minutes.

What seems to be a trend is the grandmas who babysit their grandchildren & then proceed to take them to a playplace & then allow their wicked grandchild to terrorize the other kids while granny takes a break & reads or sits in a vegitative state.

Meanwhile, I watch my kid like a hawk so that they don't so much as breath a rule-breaking breath.

So, the terror-of-the-day was a little boy, about 4 or 5 - taller & stockier than either of my petite two. He reminded me of the tasmanian devil, flying through the tunnel at warp speed, knocking into kids, then running on with an evil smile upon his face. He slid down the slide behind Flynn who jammed her finger at the bottom of the slide. Flynn cried, which is rare, so I knew it hurt. And as he inched by her & peered down at her finger, he gave out a hearty laugh.

What I really wanted to do was to reach across & grab his cheshire grin & give it a squeeze. But I didn't get all hand that rocks the cradle on him.

Instead I gave him a little lesson in manners, "It's NOT funny when someone's hurt. QUIT LAUGHING."

And then I tripped him when he was walking away.

Just kidding.

Not really.



So, I was not surprised when I saw his mean shadow lurk through the tunnel toward the direction of my two.

And then heard, echoing through playland,

"HHEEEEEEEEEY! You do NOT push MY BROTHER!!!!!"

And soon after, the greasy little brat followed down after my two. They were in a strong embrace like they'd just survived the frightening rapids of the mighty Mississip.

The little (mean) boy, who incidentally reminded me of "Randal" on Monsters, Inc., followed them down. He looked at me, once he reached the ground, almost as if he expected me to say something to him.

But I think my girl took care of the situation.



She repeated the scenario to me once she got to where I sat proudly. I just nodded & smiled. But later, I wanted to make a bigger deal out of it. So when I laid beside her at "light nap", I told her of my pride,
"Flynn, when you defended Bubby today at playplace, Momma was so proud of you. That is your job, to take care of your brother. And it made me happy."

She looked at me, glad I giving her the props she deserves & figured she had better say a thing or two,
"He was mean & he was icky. He started to push us. And we started to fall....
and we grabbed each other....
and were falling...."

SILENCE

SILENCE

"falling...

falling in love."

And I started to laugh. And, when she should've been napping, we laid there giggling.

Monday Redbox Code

Enter this code at the Redbox for a free flick....but ONLY TODAY:

6TK2A3

Redbox movies are only rented for one day.

Monday Mumblings

• 
  
• 
  
• Flynn had dress rehearsal today.
• 
  
• The kids have been at each other like a cat & a dog. A dog that pinches.
• 
  
• Gabe was up in the 6 o'clock hour, Flynn too.
• 
  
• Flynn got in trouble at dancing...for talking too much to Madelyn instead of standing where she was supposed to & waiting for the cue to go on stage. Her teacher said, "I know you & Madelyn are friends, but you need to listen." Uh-oh. Those girls are really going to be in trouble in ten years. Can you imagine if they end up in the same high school??! ;)
• 
  
• We had a good playdate with our friends Alex & Baby Aidan. And when Madelyn & Matthew showed up, Flynn was in friend-heaven.

• We went to BK with Alex, Baby Aidan, & Ms Kim. There were no tables big enough, so I sat the "big kids" at a table by themselves. It was so cute!! And they did so well. Such good buddies.
• Gabe needs to go to a LISTENING BOOT CAMP.
• I signed both of them up for an acro camp at Flynn's dancing school. I told them that Gabe wouldn't be 3 til August but they decided to let him sign up anyway. He'll have so fun. So will I, sitting in the parking lot IN TOTAL SILENCE.
• We had our first spill on the new floor. Gabe's burger king cup....he still doesn't get the concept of DON'T TIP BACK A STRAW WITH A CUP. I must say, it cleaned up rather nicely, minus the mad momma.

Hot Days of Almost Summer

Wowwee, what a whirlwind weekend full of parties & love & fun. But that can only mean one exhausting Sunday night -- full of crabby momma & overly tired (read hyper) kiddos.

Friday night, the Mr. & I had our evening together, set aside to celebrate our 6 six years of love. After the insane, crazy day we had on Friday, I just wanted a little peace, a little quiet...and a little Chinese.
Actually Hot Hubs is the one who suggested it & since we never take Flynn to a Chinese (too risky) restaurant, it was a good time to go w/ them at Nana's & all. We went to an afforadable, take-out'ish kinda place. And yum, just talking about it is making me salivate.
Then we had a relaxed trip to Target, to pick out some new sandals for Gabe & pick up some things for church.
Then we headed home for the peace & quiet part of the evening.

I plan to post another entry on all that was accomplished on Sat., before heading back to Nana's to pick up Precious #1 & Precious #2. Then it was onto another party.

And we attended another family gathering, of fun, too much sun, & lotsa water. Family, tons of laughs, & a lot of love. This one was another chance for us to send off my sis & her family to the coast. A great idea, by my cousin's wife (I think).... we all secretly signed a mat for a frame. We did a family shot. And she hurried in & printed it out. She threw it in the frame & presented it to them. A few tears shed (believe it or not, not by moi) & a great momento.

One of the more tiring things I did this weekend was a fun kick off to summer for our elementary program at church. We're doing Flipt & we did a pancake FLIP. The kids did a pancake flipping/whipped cream relay. And we had a huge pancake breakfast. I have only taught that age group twice in the last six months & let me say that I love them dearly. When I'm with them, I realize how I am made for that age group -- even tho there isn't an age group that I can't get along with.

It's all been pretty insane.

And I'm going to go read to at least one of my off-spring & tuck them in....

and send Jeff for chinese.

DARN YOU Caleb Zustiak!!!

Who showed me this video a few days ago & IT WILL NOT LEAVE MY HEAD.
I wake up with it playing in my head, go to sleep with the tune singing, & I kid you not, keep finding myself whistling it.

WARNING, has a few icky phrases that might not be suitable for the 'aware' kids.

Otherwise, join me on the planet of CATCHY TUNES STUCK IN MY HEAD.


Click Here For Catchy

Another Crazy Day

While I am very careful about what I say, I don't necessarily assign words so much power that I believe what I say dictates the events of our lives.
So, I think it's 'okay' that I felt (this morning when I woke) like it was not going to be a great day.
After a few things, not worth mentioning, set the tone for the day, I felt like just crawling back in bed. But we had a fun birthday party to go to, that we wouldn't have missed for the world. So, not getting on with our day, was not an option.
Then, I am helping Flynn pull a fun birthday dress over her head when I see something under her arm. What in the world? When I inspected closer what I saw was a tick. No biggie, they're thick 'in these parts', so I escorted her into the bathroom where my tweezers are kept.
At closer look, I realized that the legs were dangling & free.... which I thought would make for an easy removal. I picked up the tweezers, gave the tick a pull (all the while Flynn is freaking out), but it would only pull her skin UP with it. Which meant that tick's head was good & embedded. I tried everything -- the handsoap on the cotton balls to smother it....the cotton ball sopped with hydrogen peroxide, you name it. And I had read up on the stuff that's no longer considered safe. Thirty minutes of pulling this tick in hopes the head wouldn't detach & stay in her skin.
I called Grammy, who knows all about anything outdoors & asked her advice. Then I called Nana, who like Grammy is a Christian version of witch doctor & have every home remedy. But no one's advice was helping us, so I called the pediatrician's office. And made an appointment for as soon as I could get in.
Which meant scrambling nervously about, getting peeps dressed, jumping in the shower, etc., etc. Then it was one of those, Gabe having an accident right before we walk out of the door, can't find the keys, can't find other things I need to find, - kinda day.
On the way, we hit something on the highway, which nearly sent me into hysterics. There was massive traffic, and everyone in front of me drove ridiculously slow. Then there were NO open parking spots at the ped.'s office, so we had to park really far away & take the basement entrance. We waited over 5 mins for the elevator & on the way up, I realized I didn't have on a spec of make up...my wet hair pulled back by my sunglasses. 'Gees' I thought, 'I sure hope I don't see someone we know.'
But we of course (how often do you see a friend at the DOCTORS OFFICE?) saw Al, his mom, & Baby Aidan. But she's seen me at 6:30 am many a day sans make up, so I doubt she cares.

The dr WAS able to get that nasty tick out... in a jiffy. Here's how:
when a ticks head is EMBEDDED, you must make him open his jaw. Using your tweezers or nails, take his BODY & bend it, almost like he's doing a back bend. And that will cause him to unclench his jaw & his head will then come out of the skin.
NASTY!
But now you'll know.
I wish I had,
I would've saved a co-pay.

I called Amy to get directions to Delaney's party from the dr's office. She told me about flynn's cake alternative plans & the tricky labeling made her think what she had planned to buy was unsafe. So, a trip to walgreens was in order...they usually have a good selection of safe cookies. So I swung by there for some NUTTER BUTTERS, yowsa!, $4.59?? So, I got a $2 sleeve of them. But those things are so tasty -- well worth it.
But on the way there, at a somewhat busy 4-way stop, a person who should've been like 2 turns after me, someone nearly clipped us.

Thank goodness for a fun bday party to take a break from the madness.

But on the way home from the 'city', we had to drive through the storms. Two tornadic storms passed through. We only had to drive through sideways rain, but made it through--it just took a LOT longer.
Gabe took his nap on the last 1/2 of the ride home (a whopping 20 mins) & when he does that, he won't return to his slumber once we're home. Which means, short nap, early bedtime, waking up in the middle of the night. Sorry Nana, didn't this happen last time?
My parents are keeping the kids tonight so that Jeff can take me out for our anniversary. Honey, I don't know what you have up your sleeve, but there are supposed to be storms for the rest of the day....let's just hang out here on our new floors?

So, schwoo, home dilly dally. What a day.

Hope yours was just as great. ;)

Quick Q & A

Because I've been a bad blogger lately....have been a bad blogger commentor (commentEr?) but that's more of google reader's fault...and haven't commented back on any of the questions on my blog, in like a month.

Have I mentioned that life's a little crazy lately?
Well, it is. It doesn't seem to be slowing down at all, but that's no excuse.

Here we go - some of the questions as of late & my answers:

Faith Hope Love Mama said...
Funny. My daughter uses the BFF with her girlfriends. Hope you survive the remodel project. I'm sure it will be lovely when you are finished. Any before shots you can give us. I'm slightly addicted to HGTV so I love transformations. :)

I'm sad, I didn't get great before shots (that would've been a great idea!). I did get a couple during the pulling up of the nasty carpet & the bare floor. I will be sharing. It is such a dramatic change tho, with just different flooring, that I wish I would have. Also, not everything that was in there (TV?), is going back. So, the room is bound to be more spacious.

Thank you for the Anniversary wishes everyone!

4under3 said...
Fabulous choice on a wedding date. You beaut of a bride. And what'd it take to get Mother Nature to cooperate so nicely? It looks like it was perfect out.

Well, it did NOT rain, so I guess the weather did cooperate. But our pay was 93 degrees with our usual Missouri humidity. It was perfect, all of it.

Jenn said...
WOW! I'm ready to kick some booty too! How absolutely selfish and hateful some of the commenters were. And am I correct in my understanding that this would be for one game only? What the heck is the big deal then? What jerks!!!!!

Yes, it's just ONE game. Let's just say, there are some seriously hateful & selfish people out there. And, they're dumb. (I can say that on here, my kids can't hear me type ;)

Faith Hope Love Mama said...
Can I stand along side you and kick them in the throat also?!

Yep!

MCK Mama said...
Oh, Amy. I can't even imagine! So glad the darn toaster strudel packet corner came up finally. And I LOVED that you asked for a photo in front of the ambulance! They obliged, didn't they?

They did oblige. And I have the photo (along with about 835,561,799,620 others) ready to scrapbook!

Kristi said...
Great story...and you told it so eloquently too! :-) What a scary moment...well, until that toaster strudel came "popping" out!

Oh Kristi, hee hee hoo ha. That's a good one.

MCK Mama said...
Oooh, we've not seen it. We will have to, based on that rave review!!Switching parts, SO impressive. Who "started that", could you tell?And MUGS of pasta. Great idea!!! I have a ton of little Pampered Chef prep bowls that I use, but they are a little small. And quite a few large, adult ceramic bowls. But mugs is a truly great idea! Did you come up with that on your own? Totally stealing it, k? Plastic=icky.

I couldn't tell who the director was in the scenario. ;)
Hope you're using the mugs by now. :)

Faith Hope Love Mama said...
Seriously one year ours were up till August and I was disgusted with my husband for that. He kept joking that he was going to turn them on for the 4th of July. I was not happy! I make sure he gets them down before the snow melts now.Our next door neighbors have not mowed their grass yet this year. I was tempted to go over their yesterday and cut it for them just so I wouldn't have to look at it anymore. Is that weird?

I don't think that would be weird at all... I'm tempted all the time. Of course, hot hubs is the one who mows, so I guess I'd be pimping him out.

MCK Mama said...
Yeah for summer!!! (Can you please tell it to come here to Minnesota, too?)

I'd imagine that if I told it, it would tell me that I'm slow & that it's there by now.

Kim said...
If it's summer, then WHY am I going to school tomorrow (and for TWO more weeks!)?

Because you are TOTY (said like "tottee") Teacher Of The Year.

Faith Hope Love Mama said...
I second MCK mama. Glad someone has summer weather! Can you send some our way?

Is it there?, 'cause I told it.

Sue said...
Yay! We're back and forth between beautiful spring weather and cooler spring here. But I'll take any temperature where the girls can get outside!Where did you get that caddy? I LOVE it!!!

The cute faux-leaf, green, plastic caddy was an Easter gift 2 years ago....to Flynn, from Aunt 'G. It was full of super cute, bug-handled garden toys. God only knows where all the garden tools are these days, but it seemed to be the perfect going outside crate. It has sunscreen, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, band-aids (had peroxide last yr), garden gloves, seeds, kiddy sunglasses, & I usually jam my phone down in there.

Tiffany said...
What a fun little basket. I bet you all are almost in need of another bottle of that sun screen by now. Not us. Not us. (sigh)

I hope you're at least close to finishing up that first bottle. Last month we had to go to good ol' Target & buy more. In another post, I will share my favorite sun block.

All the Way, Baby

Cuz I don't do it half-way....

That's why, when just now, when I was making room in the fridge for the mammoth bowl of watermelon I'd just cut, I made a giant mess.

No, it could'nt have been a SMALL pitcher of tea I dropped, nope -- cuz that would be just 2 quarts of tea spilling all over my kitchen floor & making it's way to the brand new flooring in the livingroom (& would be far to easy to clean up)...

Nope, it had to be the big kahuna.

And of course, was it close to being empty?
Heavens no.

Three beach towels & most of it's sopped up.

LLL

Remember, back in high school, all those acronyms you'd sign at the end of the NOTES you weren't supposed to be writing & exchanging with your friends?....

SSS (sorry so short)

'91 Rulz (should I lie & say something like '98?, I'd sure like to be turning 28 instead of 35 in 2 mos)

LYLAS (love ya like a sis)

SMILE! (not an acronym, I know, but there was definitely a "smile!" trend there in the early 90s)

TLA (true love always)

2 cute + 2 be = 4 gotten (this was usually saved for the end of the yr. yearbook signing)

Anyway....
it's been pretty dern busy around Chez Perry, what with us taking on a slight home-improvement project (putting down faux-wood flooring) & what not.
We've been like vagabonds in our own home. Stowing away in the basement, or our rooms, to avoid the dust & the hammering. And mostly, to keep our little toes & fingers out of harm's way (aka THE way).
Our house is a little topsy-tervy (okay, a little more than usual) as our kitchen & lvgrm are having to take turns, holding the other's furniture.

So, between now & the time I actually get to post something, have fun clicking over on the right sidebar....check out MOMMA'S FAVS & hopefully the laughs & tears will get you through 'til my next post (so highly anticipated - pardon the sarcasm).

'Til then,
LLL (longer letter later)

And, pretend this post has those fancy folded corners that my BFFs & I used to do to our notes.

Has It Been Six Years Already?

People always say it, but it's true...

in some ways it seems like it's been forever that I've been Jeff's wife;

but in other ways, it seems like just yesterday.

I can still smell the smells of the warm summer air...my roses...

And the feel of my dad's strong arm as he walked me down.
How handsome Jeff was in his tux & how I just knew this would last forever.
and we're well on our way....

Happy Anniversary Jeff, I love you!

A Hot Day in June

-just like this one, a bride-to-be nervously scoured her to-do list...knowing that she had less than 24 hours until her life permanently changed.

And just like everyone always says, there were little complications; like the cake being delivered (sans box or crate) 24 hours early, or the ground being damp & soft where the wedding would take place (at her parents'), or one of the flower girl's dress being sewn a little incorrectly.

She felt such excitement: Not for the friends she'd see, or the family that she hadn't seen for so long. Not for the hard work over the last 8 weeks that would pay off when she would see the beauty of the flowers & greenery. Not for the ceremony, so intricately planned. But for the marriage, that she knew would last a life time.

There was very little time left & it felt like the grains of sand in the hour glass were sifting through faster than the seconds ticking by. No time left to perfect the song she'd sing to her groom. No chance of losing those last couple of pounds. One more night left alone in her apartment as a single person.

But one thing was for sure, she never felt so sure about any other decision she'd made in her life. And when she thought of the days that would follow, she smiled inside & knew that God had rewarded her for being faithful to Him.

What's More Carefree Than Being at the Park?

Spending a day at the park with your friend,

walking the edge of the playground, in 70 degree weather.

(obviously a month ago)

Momma's Quote of the Day

Heard, coming from the bathroom, earlier today:

"You Guys! No fighting while Momma's cleaning up poop!!!!"

The Bragmeister

Yep, that's me.
Like every other mom, I think the stuff that flies from my kids' mouths (save for vomit & chewed up food) is STELLAR & hilarious & intelligent.

So, here's the part where I document it because we all know that momma's brains become mush & there's so little we remember. And I don't want to forget a thing.

Yesterday, we were outside in the 85 degrees playing our little hearts out. I grabbed us bottles of cold water. Flynn unscrewed hers & started chugging away. She took a breather & said, "Phew. This is sure refreshing on a hot day like today."
I laughed & laughed & tried to burn it into my brain. But apparently, at dinner when I retold it to Jeff, I was a little bit wrong & she corrected me. Because she has a snap shot brain like her dad's; wherein she remembers quotes of movies & quotes of herself.

Some other noteworthy things I've heard her say in the last few days:

"Mom, this is amazing."

"I'm mad at you. I'm going to turn around so you can't see me." (don't explain to her that just because she can't see me that I can't see her)

"Oh look at bubby. What a cute little baby."

"Mom, you know this picture where Bubs is in your tummy & I'm kissing it? Was he born the next day?"

"Pink is my favorite color. I reeeeally like it."

"Mom, I do NOT like riding in the cart."

"I don't like having long hair. I want to get mine cut."

"Momma, would you call Grammy & tell her that I like going to her house?....
I want to spend the night with her. Mom, next time can I spend more than one dark nap there? And go to Nana's too?
I like both of those places....
can I spend THREE NIGHTS at both of those places?
I like spending three seconds at places (somehow nights converted into seconds), I never get to. I want to." (I think Grammy & Nana would prefer 3 seconds over 3 nights anyway)

And, I can't brag on my girl, without bragging on my boy.........................

Who thinks the word for DOG is "Woocy" (woocy = Lucy, Grammy's dog)...I think this is due to the fact that he knew her as a baby, before he got exposure to any other dogs.
He even calls a hot DOG a woocy.

Pee-Pee Pot is what he dubbed sitting on the potty, a long time ago. So much for the 'correct' words we taught Flynn (restroom, etc.). I have a feeling he's not going to use the anatomical terms that we use around here.

The bedtime routine is completely dictated by him. Typically, Daddy tucks him in, I tuck in Flynn. He tells daddy, "Down" for him to put his head on Gabe's pillow. And when he's tired, he'll just cut things short & say "Go" or "Bye" & point to his door.

He rides his horse & yells "YEE-HAWWWWWW!!" I need to get him boots & a hat.

He sings Itsy Bitsy Spider & Twinkle Twinkle...and bless his pea-pickin' heart. All I have to say is thank God he can carry a tune. Otherwise, I'm not totally sure we'd understand what song he is singing.

He knows his colors, has for a while now, but we're just now getting to the point of understanding which color is which. For a while, everything sounded like BLUE.

And, we're sooo close to be officially trained. He has been in undies during all his waking hours, all week. And save for Tues., where he both poo'ed AND pee'ed in his undies (numerous times) for my BFF who was visiting, he has done excellently. He yells "PEE PEE POT!!!!!!!!" and takes off trucking down the hall to the bathroom. I figure we'll save a good $40 each month (cable/satelite anyone?, just kidding) once he's fully trained. Of course, this week, what we've saved in diapers, we've spent on water to wash the bajillion soiled underwear. Or to replace the pair I *CUT* off of him & threw away.
Let's just say, some stuff should never go through the washer. ;)

Kids Eat Free

It's easy to just look at a K.E.F. list & get to go wherever. But just like anywhere we go to eat, it takes research (& prayers) ahead of time.

So, here is a list of St Louis area restaurants who celebrate participate in a KIDS EAT FREE night (or more). note: to my friends in other states, some of these restaurants are in your area too, so read on!

Kriegers Sports Grill: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
Their ingredients/nutritional facts are no where to be found. I've emailed them for that.

Cici's: KIDS 3 & UNDER ARE FREE EVERYDAY.
We had decent luck with Flynn was a baby with plain pasta. HOWEVER, the last few years, we have not taken her in there. The open food bar poses too many threats.

D Dooley's: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The website gives no ingredients/nutritional facts (just a menu), so this is one place we'd have to "chance" going & seeing firsthand (which does sometimes have its advantages) if they had anything that was safe. Doing it this way sometimes brings the manager/owner out of the woodwork & will show firsthand, if a restaurant is allergy-friendly or not. There are only 2 locations: Fenton & Eureka.

Fortel's Pizza Den: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The pasta (we have had good luck w/ spaghetti) as well as the red pasta sauce, are both safe. She loves it. They also get their drinks free! (adults, bring your cups from last time & get a super great discount on your drink)

O'Charley's: KIDS UNDER 10 EAT FREE *EVERYDAY* (doesn't include drinks)
"O'tenders" are safe for Flynn. As are the fries.
We love this place, even tho the service is hit or miss.

IHOP: *KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY*.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them requesting ingredients.

Pasta House Company: KIDS EAT FREE SUNDAYS.
Plain pasta has been fine for her in the past. And the rolls were fine when she was a baby but the ingredients may have changed.

Culpeppers: Monday nights KIDS EAT FREE.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them to ask for them. Flynn's never eaten there.

Fazoli's : Tues nights, kids eat for 99 cents.
Flynn has plain spaghetti...there is one red sauce that's 'safe', but she prefers plain anyway.

Ponderosa: (or as we call it as we drive by "Pon da gross a", because we're so mature) Kids Eat Free on TUESDAYS.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.

Captain Ds: KIDS EAT FREE after 4:00 on Thursdays. Includes the drink.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.

LoneStar Steakhouse: KIDS EAT FREE, 11 am - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Again, totally unsure what's safe for the girl -- email has been sent.

Fuddruckers: Kids 12 and under eat 99 cent meals on Monday and Tuesday after 4:00 pm, up to 2 kids per parent. They get an entree, side, drink and cookie.

Fraileys: Mondays KIDS EAT FREE.
This is pretty far from us, so I wouldn't go through the hastle of finding out what's safe for her.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Mondays KIDS EAT FOR 99 cents.
Email sent to them to get ingredients, meanwhile, we go elsewhere.

WHAT DO I SAY IN MY EMAIL?:
We're planning a trip to your restaurant but were unable to find the ingredients anywhere on your web site. My daughter has a severe allergy to milk-based ingredients. It's just easier if we find out what foods are safe for her, before we go to a restaurant.Is that something that could be emailed to me?
I really appreciate it & thank you in advance!

SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND TO TELL ME, BASICALLY, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, TO JUST NOT BOTHER.

Meanwhile, eat up, for cheap!

The Part Where I Want to Kick Someone In the Throat

...on account of reading some of the comments posted here. In response to our MLB stadium making a decision to open a peanut free section (ONE section) at one of the games this season (ONE game), they opened the question up to some the fine (using the term loosely) readers on their site.

Some people still think that parents of allergy kids are overreacting & blowing things out of proportion.
I wish those people had been around the evening last summer when Flynn's airway closed. And then I could've jammed the giant needle of the epi-pen into their leg as well.

As I read, I thought to myself, 'Really? Are there really people that ignorant? Really?'

And then I commented. And so did Jeff. And I wanted to kick someone in the throat.

Operator. What's Your Emergency?

"Well, my 11-month old daughter is gagging, kind of choking on something. She has been for about 10 minutes & I just talked to the phone nurse at her pediatrician's office & she told me to call 9-1-1."

"Okay, sending paramedics."

"Okay, well, could you tell them that when they get into the subdivision, to turn OFF their siren & lights? I don't want to needlessly alarm any of the neighbors." read: embarrass the heck out of myself, since I'm a parent educator to some of the residents in this subdivision.

That was 3.5 years ago. Flynn was my only baby. And she LOVED, absolutely LOVED sticking things in her mouth. Even when there was nothing to stick in her mouth, she still found something. Remember the bug?

Here's what happened that cool October 29th Friday afternoon....

I had hot plans to dress our baby girl up in her chicken costume & head up to Daddy's classroom party. But not before a visit from our Parents as Teachers parent educator. I was also a p.e. for PAT & was sure to clean extra well that morning, so my co-worker didn't think I was a slob.

Baby Flynn crawled around on the squeaky clean, freshly mopped kitchen floor after our PAT visit. While I gathered our bag & her costume & all the other steps to the departure routine. But before we headed out the door, she sauntered up to me looking alarmed & kind of doing some kind of motion with her mouth. Then she gagged & coughed. And shortly after that I realized that she must've swallowed something. No surprise for me, Mom to the most oral kid on the face of the earth. That girl threw anything & everything in her pie hole.

But, after the foreign object (which at the time I thought could've been a hair or a piece of her lunch from before) hung out in purgatory forever, I figured I'd better just get some medical advice.

As posted above, my advice turned into panic & before I knew it, I was hearing a siren in the distance. Well, even my first-time-mom'ness knew that a screaming siren, lights, & men busting in the door & heading to my baby just might alarm her a tad. So, we stepped out on the stoop & I pointed & showed her the special lights & visitors headed her way. My little socialite even grew excited as her new "friends" approached our drive. Drool running from her mouth, she kicked & waved & welcomed them.

I explained to them that she wasn't actually choking...at least not by my standards. But that there was definitely something that wasn't going down & that I was unable to get with my finger sweeps.

Each of them took their turn holding my girl & checking her mouth & throat as she played with their EMT badge & batted her long dark lashes. They commented that it was an easy call & that she was so friendly.

As the last one gave it a shot, they asked me what I'd like them to do. And suggested that they could take her in for an x-ray, or that I could.

And just as I started to tell them how silly that would be, I saw my girl doing almost a swishing motion with her toothless mouth.
"She looks like she's bringing something up."
And I stepped forward to reach as far as I could & just pinch something, anything...

And that's when I got it.

Embarrassingly enough,

the teeny tiny, light-weight (as easy to hang out right at the top of one's esophagus as it is to be swept/mopped to the edge of the linoleum) see-through, snipped CORNER of a pouch of icing,

belonging to a toaster strudel.

And (mystery solved), they had me sign a slip, something eluding to the fact that the 'patient' wasn't treated, nor transported.

And then,

I asked if I could take her photo with them in front of their ambulance.

'Cause I figured,
they probably already knew I was crazy.

Here's Your Sign

Go to Kindra's blog & check out her new contest. She's opened an Etsy store with primitive signs & is very talented!
Good luck!

One of the Funniest Things I've Seen

in all my 34 years....

The movie, Ice Age, had practically found a permanent home in our mini-van's DVD player. The kids loved & I could tolerate hearing it from the driver's seat.
So, each time we were on the road a lengthy amount of time, I'd press play & the kids were in movie heaven (poor little tv-deprived babies).

Between their opportunity to memorize this movie, added to that their inherited (from hot hubs) skill to burn parts of movies to their little brains, they can walk around & quote parts of this movie. And thank goodness, the parts are funny & easy on the ears.

I guess with Gabe having a speech delay, I have expectations on him that are -- shall we say, adapted. And because of that, when he does something spectacular, it completely knocks my socks off. And plus, he's still my baby (well, he always will be, even when he's not 2).

So, when these two, polishing off mugs (I know, weird, but the whole plastic thing has me freaked out enough to have pushed all their little kiddy bowls to the back of the cabinet) of pasta, started Ice Age dialogue... I started throwing roses at them. (whew, sorry for the world's longest run-on sentence there).

And it wasn't enough that one of them would take one part & the other be the 2nd character....and that they used annunciation, accents, & hand motions; but that after the 30-second BIalogue, THEY SWITCHED PARTS.
I. kid. you. not.

And so, first thing tomorrow morning, I'm calling St Louis Actors' Guild, to see how young they take them.

Nan-Cam

I recently had Nana's memory card from her camera & 'stole' these photos:

The prettiest 14 & 17 year olds I know.

Sleeping beauties. PS Does anyone know a fool-proof way to keep someone from moving to California?

KK, the kids' youngest girl cousin, is famous for playing with them whenever she's around.

Sure to Get You in Trouble

Thank goodness she doesn't access my blog because if my firstborn had seen that last photo UPSIDE DOWN, there would've been meltdowns to be had.

Here is the sketch is it's right-side up glory:

I'm sure some famous artist somewhere had a painting displayed upside down & it became famous for that.

So, if my previous post makes my little artist rich, she'd better give me half.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto

Magna doodling by Flynn, May 2008

He's Lucky He's So Hot

because goodness knows, he's not a grown-up.

check out the eye-candy I get to wake up next to everyday

even our poor children's leapfrog fridge game letters aren't sacred

Luv is Bloomin'

Mr Postman brought us this dandy in the mail the other day. I was almost as excited as Flynn.

I really think Tiff should make an etsy shop & sell these little beauties. She's as talented as she is cute. She calls'em LUV BLOOMS. It looked super cute the other day when her hair was down & swept to the side with her bloom.

And as much as Jeff thinks it's corny, I love having blog-friends!

Nemo, 'Pooky!

Yesterday, Hot Hubs played hookie & with what had to be the MOST beautiful day I've seen in a while, we headed to the zoo.

The kids knew we were going to be going & it got Gabe up at 6 am where he went in & woke Flynn. Jeff laughed that if they were this excited about leaving to go the zoo, imagine next summer when we go to Disney.

So first I'll explain the title...

one of the first things we did once we got to the zoo, was to go into a cave-like thing, which they had painted & decorated to look like a whale. There was whale song piping from the speakers & walking through it was cool & dark.

The whale language reminded Gabe of Nemo.

The darkness was 'pooky (spooky) to him.

So, as we walked through it, he yelled, "Nemo 'pooky!!" & made some kind of signs w/ his hands, which must indicate a scariness of some kind.

This made quite an impression on him. It was all he could talk about through the whole zoo.

And the day after. At lunch today, I asked what his favorite thing was,

"Nemo pooky."

So, trying to get him away from what seems to be scary association, I wanted him to think about the other things we saw. But all he could think of (say) was POOKY.

So, we said, "Were the monkeys spooky?...no....Were the butterflies spooky?...no..."

And he interjected, "Wuh wions pooky?....m'bo...." [were the lions spooky? no]

We could hardly contain ourselves. And were of course thrilled that he put together a 3-word sentence. Apparently speech therapy is working!

*special thanks to the zustiaks for lending us their camera. ours is no more (got old) & the zustiaks got a new one & have lent us their old one until we can get the funds together to get a new & great camera*

This butterfly house was one of my fav parts. There were so many friendly butterflies, we really had to watch the wheels of the stroller & our shoes.

Do you see the hitchhiker on Gabe's hat?

Gabe spotted the giraffes a mile away. He was beside himself to see them:


We got the zoo an hour early to get free admission into everything (except the train, unforunately, so we didn't ride). One of the new attractions is the Dinosaur land (don't know the official name):
The night before the zoo, Flynn was so excited she couldn't fall asleep. So she asked me to tell her a story. I told her a story about the family who went to the zoo the day the elephant escaped. Oddly enough, the zoo keepers asked the family to help them track down the elephant. Thanks to a trail of peanut shells (which the brother in the story found) & some big elephant tracks (which the sister spies), the elephant is found & put back into his area. The family saved the day. When we saw pretend elephant tracks in the concrete, she remembered....

I don't think they were trying very hard. They're still at that stage where they don't get these things. They kept wanting to go around to the other side:

One of Flynn's favorite things in the WORLD is a carousel. We couldn't get to this in the one hour of free'ness, but the $2 per kid was WELL worth it.

Flynn chose a caterpillar to ride. Gabe chose a lion, but it didn't go up & down, so Daddy talked him out of it.We're thankful a million times over that we bought this backpack carrier. It's perfect for the zoo, Gabe (or Flynn when they take turns) is as tall as an adult while he's in it & can see everything. Flynn rides in the stroller & hops out at each thing.
Send help! I'm trapped in a frog dome!

"Mom!, It's amazing, did you see it?!"
I *LOVE* this photo...
she might beat the daylights out of him at home, but when we're out & about, she takes care of him. Look at her hands on him.

Here she pets the guineas while Gabe reacts to a squawking parakeet.

Thank you Daddy for skipping work to take us to one of our favorite places. A reason we love living in STL is the very awesome & free zoo. We're glad to take a trip to the city when we get to spend the day together, excitedly checking out all the animals & their habitats.

Wait 'til you hear what we did today.

We're a family on the go!!

Confirmation

That it is indeed summer:
The crazy neighbors next door just had their father over taking the CHRISTMAS LIGHTS off the house.
And the whole time I'm thinking - given the average month to put up lights is November, aren't you just 1/2 a year away from putting them back up?
Or,
you can look at it like this:
they definitely got their effort's worth.
You know, some people go through all this trouble to have their lights up for "only" a month. This way, the neighbors really got to enjoy their dad's effort.
Sidenote: Jeff thinks one of them is gay.

It's a great place to live.

It's Official...

It's summer...

Who Does This Kid Think He Is?

This was a night when Flynn was "pending the night" w/ a family member (I can't remember which one) & Gabe was taking full advantage. Sprawling out, claiming the whole house, making everything in his sight his territory....drinking his milk everywhere, carefree...

Jeff & I got so tickled to see him head over to the recliner & kick up the foot rest.

Ironic considering his feet don't even go to the end of the SEAT part of the recliner.

Jeff grabbed the camera & said,

Look at this kid! Who does he think he is?? You need to blog this & call it, "Who Does this kid think he is??"

And so I did!