Safari, Cooking Help, and Memorial Day

Ella-Kathryn's field trip to the Gentry Safari was cancelled 2 weeks ago due to rain.  Not sure how the public school system missed that one - I mean anyone could have looked at the radar and noticed the HUGE band of thunderstorms that were headed straight for us!  But they didn't, and the poor kids had to load up in the buses and made it half way to the safari before they called it off.  I, unfortunately, made it all the way out there, sat in the parking lot for 20 minutes, and then got the call that it was cancelled:(  Oh well, we loaded up and tried again that following Monday and it was a beautiful, albeit sweltering, day.  I met her out at the safari and then rode on the bus with her through the actual animal part.  She was so sweet - happy to see me and she and her friend Camille shared their seat with me. 

The kids were a hoot.  At one point, we had passed the bison, which one kiddo yelled out "look at the big cows with earrings!" because they had those ear tags on.  Then we saw some "bambies" and some monkeys.  Then there was a lull in the action at which point some sweet kid hollered, "TURTLE" and every little face leaned over to that side to check out the turtle! 

Ella-Kathryn and her friend Camille.

On Saturday these two clowns helped me make dessert for our yummy grilled steak dinner.  We mixed up some chocolate pudding then folded in some homemade whipped cream to make faux chocolate mousse.  Very sophisticated we are!  I think Will's face is the give away as to his favorite part of helping mommy cook!

Memorial Day 2010

Jeff brought home donuts for the kiddos - I did eat one, but immediately felt sick afterwards.  That's progress right???  To atone for my sins, I suggested we jog the trail and the kids could ride their bikes.  Here's Will and  Ella-Kathryn talking to the ducks and geese after the walk.  Note Will holding up his drawers - his underpants are too big even though they're 2T-3T.  Poor kid is just so stinkin' skinny and I couldn't find anything smaller.  He's doing great with the potty, and made his first #2 in  the potty last night.  Although today he's been very reluctant to try it again.  We shall see...

Nice face Jeff!  Look at how tall Jack is!  Oh my, that boy is growing up sooooo fast.

Love this face!  We got called out of church yesterday b/c he was running a low fever and had some green snot:(  I gave him ibuprofen and tylenol yesterday and last night, but he did great last night and slept pretty well.  He seems fine today, so I'm hoping it was a fluke.  I didn't feel all that great yesterday either, so maybe we were just sharing some cooties.  He's finally getting a bottom tooth.  I'll try to get a pic when it's through a bit more.  Still no crawling or pulling up.  Trying not to fret over that since he's tracking everything else just fine.  He says "dada" and babbles a lot, and he's still such a pleasant boy.  Couldn't be more grateful to God for this gift!

This is what jogging, not even running, a mile and half does to my face!  Ha!  Truth be told, I always get beet red when I exercise.  I remember taking different step classes and the instructors would always come over to make sure I was ok!  Look at how big his head is compared to mine!!!  And those creases on his wrists!  And those cheeks!  Can you tell I'm smitten????

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!  We are so thankful for all who served in our armed forces - we honor those who died for our freedom and pray for those who are currently serving our great nation!

My Mind's A'Swirlin'

I have so much swirling around in my head right now.  So many posts that I've written while falling asleep.  Yet, when I sit down, either I'm interrupted by a little person (kids not dwarfs I'm not drinking that much), or I just can't get it out the way I remember it being in my brain!  UGH!
Thus, no posts.  At all.  Oh yeah, and today was the 2nd anniversary of mom's death.  I thought about typing "passing" there, but it always makes it sound like something else - a football pass, passing gas, just passing through.  Well, that last one is true.  She was just passing through.  Our comfort is in knowing that this life was just another leg on her journey.  The best was yet to come.  Makes me kinda jealous actually.  I'd like to think that we were pretty spectacular beings in her life.  Alas, I know Jesus trumps all, so I will acquiesce to His greatness and glory.  I too am excited about spending the next bit of my life with Him.  Although I will continue to believe, deludedly (yes I know that's not a word) or otherwise, that I am a pretty intense amazing influence on those in my life:)

Saturday Night Special

Like most families, Saturdays are filled with family time of some sort.  Today however, Jeff had a motorcycle detail at 10 which meant he had to be out of the house by 9.  I got to sleep in til a gloriously wonderful 7:45 - at which time I chose to get up, or else end up tossing and turning til 2 or 3 because yes, my body hates me that much and just that one hour difference in waking up time will cause me to pay on the back end, not falling asleep til probably 11 or so.  Anyway, by the time I got up, he had to go ahead and get ready and since he thought he'd be gone til after lunch I knew I'd be on my own this morning.  So far this year we've had rain on our Saturdays, making the Farmer's Market a no-go. Today, while it seemed possible that we'd get rained on, the kids and I took our chances and went down to  the bvill square hoping for some fresh veggies.  We were not disappointed!  We snagged a small container of strawberries, which we later discovered are the best we've ever had.  Ever!  We also got some snow peas which I gobbled all day.  There were beautiful lettuces and baby carrots, sweet potatoes that were brought up from the cellars, radishes, onions, and herbs.  I had already bought some other veggies at the store so I only got the peas, but it's great to know that we already have so much to choose from. 

Our garden has yet to be put in, but it's in the works for this week.  I know we'll have to start from plants this time, but since we're keeping it small, I think we'll be ok.
Jeff headed to bed earlier than usual tonight, I think around 4ish.  He's had to be in uniform every day of his "weekend" either for court, the church, or today's detail, so he was just tired.  Plus he finished putting the plywood in the attic - a nice thing for me so I don't attempt any more stunts and/or ceiling redecorating as I did last year! 

So, since daddy was in bed, our dinner consisted of popcorn, Nutella and Fruit wraps, apple slices, and cheese and crackers!  Mommy of the year right here people:)  Seriously though, this is my favorite way to eat:snack-style.  We grazed the treats from 5-8, read the bible together and then prayed together.  Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night! 

We did manage to do a little dancing though.  Sat. nights on NPR there's a bluegrass show that always provides us with the best dance music and often some funny lyrics to talk over.  I will say that tonight was the first night I caught a cuss word, and unfortunately Jack heard it too.  Thankfully, he didn't make a big deal of it and didn't say anything about it, so the others were none the wiser. 

So, here's some randomness from our night.

Spin your partner round and round!

You never know what you'll find in my kitchen sink!  After many baths involving screams which caused my ears to bleed, I finally got smart and tried the sink. Still screamed.  Then tonight, it dawned on me to put his bath mat in the sink so it wouldn't feel so cold.  Much improved:)  No screaming and he actually splashed and played a bit.  Karen, note the pirate eye;)

Homeboy Will kickin it in his Old Navy jammies, brother's tball hat, and freebie National Geographic Kids inflatable globe being used as a soccer ball.  Just wait, all the gangsta's in east LA will be throwin' away their piece in favor of the globe.

Ah, precious electronic devices which cause my dear children to disperse into the far corners of my home and become completely oblivious to all activity around them.  How do I love thee?  Well, I don't mind them a bit actually.  There's a time and a place for sure, and we have time limits, no school days etc but quite frankly they enjoy them and so we've allowed them in our home.  Here they are catching a few minutes while I got their snack ready.  Note Ella-Kathryn's tongue:) 

Hope your Saturday was a wacky as ours!

Too Funny

Saw this on another blog and 'bout spit my coffee on the computer screen!  Hope it makes you smile too:)

Rules For Campfire Fun

I don't know about your family, but round here, when we do up a campfire, we take our pants off.  Well, only some of us do.  Apparently, he had spilled something on his shorts, and of course, the logical conclusion is: when you get something on your clothes, said item must immediately be removed.  Got it?  I guess we need to rig up some sort of yard ordinance prohibiting anyone over the age of 3 from following his example.  Of course the Sarge could just haul you in if you break the law.  Then again, the Sarge has been know to walk around in his skivvies too, so I we're really not setting a good example.  Again, I point out a basic difference between men and women.  Ladies, when was the last time you did the dishes in your undergarments?  Um, never?  Of course I also don't rub my belly nor stick my hand down my pants, so there you go.

Back to the campfire: when placed on a blanket with toys, one is to totally ignore the toys in favor of gathering the blanket up until you can reach the nasty tag sewn into the corner of the fabric, which provides endless minutes of chewing enjoyment. This was after Will had to move his plate for the 56th time out of the reach of this little man's hands.  Who knew 9 month olds could appreciate nitrite free turkey dogs?  And yes, to answer your question, he is a handful.

On a final note, it is always advisable and really just plain desirable to have a cheerleader when learning to use the potty.  Look at that smile from big brother.  Don't you want to use the potty too?  Will's look of sheer determination, or perhaps complete boredom, but whatever.  I don't want any comments either about why we don't have a training potty.  By glory, we just got around to using toothpicks, we're sure as heck not going to baby them in the bathroom too!  So what if you fall in.  Just saves me a step later by not having to give you a full bath. I can just whip out a diaper wipe and clean off any other exposed parts. 

And this picture blows wide open the myth that only women go to the bathroom in pairs.

Peace out.

Everything's Better With Toothpicks!

Over the years I had read articles/posts of moms who declared that toothpicks were a sure-fire way to get picky eaters to eat.  Not my children, I thought.  They will eat their food as presented to them with the proper utensils.  Yes, you do correctly note a tone of superiority and downright snootiness. Well, my day of eating at the crow buffet has come.  Will has never been a big eater.  He will eat, but in smaller portions typically, and if a whole meal is set before him, then much coaxing and threatening will ensue.  So, for lunch today I decided I has nothing to lose, excpet perhaps one of his eyes via impalement from said toothpick.  But at this point it was worth it.  I dished up some cubed cheese, apples, and a handful of pretzels.  I know, no veggies, but he did eat all of his salad last night so I was cutting him some slack. Anyway, I made a big show of the fantastically wonderful toothpicks and set the plate down before him.  No kidding, the kid ate every last bite in under 15 min.  A new land speed record around here.  Shockingly, the pretzels were last, perhaps because they did not necessitate a pick? 

Here's the satisfied customer showing off his amazingly cool 'picks.

This little man finds that one's toes are far more appetizing than cheese or apples could ever be!

He just recently started this feat of acrobatics - at least it's a gold-medal earning feat around here where I'm considered the most "bendy" person and I can barely touch my toes!  It is so cute to watch him do this, although I find myself wondering when his last bath was.  He's not walking yet so how dirty can those feet really be, right?

MMMMM!

Tomorrow he has his 9 month checkup so I'll update more then, but I am simply blown away that this little man is already so big.  I wish he could get better though - still fighting the runny nose, congestion etc.  Poor guy, it must be miserable to not be able to blow your nose:( 

I just started reading Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity and so far it's been an easy read, but I have stopped on a couple of different points so far.  Namely, how common insecurity of some sort is to most women, and how irritating this is!!!  I for one am done with this, and as she aptly pointed out, for me, it is a place of self-centeredness when I am so concerned/worried about how I look/feel in a situation.  I find myself constantly sizing up other women - comparing, judging, you name it.  I so want to shed this ugliness, un-Christlike attitude!  My friend H read and reviewed this on her blog, so you can check that out too.  I'll keep you updated on my own journey too.