for the love of kids~

You know you have arrived as a lunatic mom who would do anything for her kids when:

-you are recognized by the garbage man in the post office as "the mom who chases garbage trucks on Tuesday mornings."

-your friend calls to tell you of the sale on gummi fruits, Cheerios and box drinks at Kroger and you go to buy some and then while you are there, buy some for your friends who may not know of the great deal.

- you swing upside down on the monkey bars (for the first time in like 25 years) b/c your son pleads with you to show him how and then proceed to "ooh ooh ah ah" like Curious George did on the episode where he breaks his leg in the museum.

- you kick the penny horse at Meijer repeatedly b/c it ate your only penny and your kids are on the verge of meltdowns and the smallest bill you have is a 20. After seeing that it isn't going to start hee hawing anytime soon, you lug the kids back out to the car reassuring them the whole way that you'll get another penny. You then search every ashtray, door unit and seat to finally discover a sticky grimy penny in the backseat cupholder!

- after a long exhausting playful day, you let the kids play carwash in the bathtub despite the fact that water is an inch deep on the floor, bubbles have reached a dangerous level and your kids need goggles and snorkels to get around in the tub. But their laughter is contagious and beautiful!

- you are 15 minutes on the road headed out for the day and already running 20 minutes late and you look in the mirror to see your daughter frantically looking for her blanket (aka: life support) which you accidentally left on the kitchen counter. You proceed to turn around, head back home and get that blankie which is a small price to pay for peace, quiet and harmony in the car.

Welcoming Spring's Arrival

Workin' at the carwash.. yeah...

Parker and Lillie have this love/hate relationship with carwashes. They are absolutely fascinated by them and love watching other people in them but when it comes to our van they want no part in them and want me to stay far away from the crazy brushes and hoses.

So, today while we were out on a run, we ran past a gas station carwash. Lillie was begging me to stop and was gesturing for me to run thru it. Parker leaned over and in a very serious voice goes, "But Lillie the soap they use isn't tear free. It would burn our eyes."

That wasn't exactly the reason I was going to give her for not running thru an industrial carwash but it seemed to suffice and there was no further discussion about it.

This storm too shall pass...

Prayer by Parker this afternoon during a crazy thunderstorm:

"Dear Jesus, in my heart. Make this thunder you made stop. I know you made the thunder so you can make it stop but you aren't and i don't know why b/c it is hurting my ears and scaring me and Lillie...pleaseeeeee stop it NOW! and Amen.

Boy in tree

I was informed today by a semi professional that "my bark was dieing and it needed surgery." It looks hopeful. Apparently surgery entails some sort of chopping with a plastic hammer and grinding with a Fisher Price saw. Post op is several hours and visitors are allowed during daylight hours only.

Life of the party?

Yesterday while eating lunch, we were all enjoying a nice leisurely meal together. I guess Lillie thought conversation was unusually dull around the table because out of nowhere she took her spaghetti and hung it on her face and in a deepish 2 year old voice started saying "Ho Ho Ho!"

Huh. Guess she can do other things besides suck her thumb. Who would have guessed!

Snack attack

Conversation with Parker before naps:

Parker: "Mom, did you know I really really love Old Newmans."
Me (slightly confused): Oh yeah? What are Old Newmans?"
Parker: It's what we had for snack at school today. They were really good."
Me (still confused): "So, what exactly are Old Newmans Park?"
Parker: "They're these cookie things with stuff in the middle."
Me (a little help here would be nice): " And they're called Old Newmans?"
Parker: "Yup."
Me (still trying to figure this one out without appearing too dumb): "So, they're a cookie? Do they have fruit or icing or something in the middle?"
Parker: "They have fruit stuff I think and they are little and square."
Me (finally figuring it out and feeling proud): "ohhhh.. I think you mean Fig Newtons!!"
Parker: "Yeahhhh.... thats' what I said Mom...Fig Newmans."