Elf

The boys both received pajamas from St. Nick this year.  Alex loves the shirt of his but of course decided the material of the pants wasn't right.  This kid and materials.  He has to have his long sleeve t-shirt poking out of his jacket sleeves because the material of every single winter jacket ever made "gives him goosebumps."  And I have yet to find a sheet set that is soft enough.  Whatever. 

Sam LOVES his new pajamas. They are designed to make him look like an elf.  He had them on the other night, came into the kitchen, and asked me to let him climb up on the table.  Once he sat down, he asked me to move the chair away.  And then very proudly said, "There!  Now it looks like a shelf and I can be the elf on the shelf!"

Fancy Dressers

I bought some super cute jeans for Sam because he's still young enough to wear what I buy for him unlike a certain 10 year old I won't be naming.  So the other day, I grabbed those jeans and a cute yellow plaid button up for him to wear to school.

As soon as Alex saw him getting dressed, he asked, "Does Sam have pictures today or something?"  I said no and that he doesn't have to have pictures to wear a nice outfit (read:  not sweatpants and a tshirt).  I got him all buttoned up, and told him to go show Daddy how handsome he looked.

Travis's immediate response?

"Does Sam have pictures today or something?"

I tried.

This is the best of about 8 attempts.  They were sitting and eating their Popsicles and talking and looking so cute...until I tried to take a picture.  Alex instantly did his weird squinted eyes, sealed shut mouth smile and Sam wouldn't stop yell-smiling.  Sam finally at least kept his python jaw closed for one, but Alex was a lost cause of cackling.

Photo Shoot

"Mama!  Let's take some pictures before we go inside!"

"Ok Mama.  Now funny ones."

He really can be the best sometimes.

Back to Fishin'

The boys talked me into setting up the fish tank again.  We got it all set, got some neons and a beta.  All good.  The beta only lasted a couple months and we lost one neon, but they were still happy.  I was not super thrilled though because for some reason, this particular tank is an algae growing machine!  I like having a fish tank so I am not super upset about cleaning it, but this thing has visible algae like the day after cleaning.  So, I started talking about getting an algae eater for the tank.  Sam won't stop talking about when we are going to get our "allergy eater" and it is the cutest thing to come out of his mouth in the last 7 months at least.  Much cuter than his constant repeating of me flippantly calling his butt a "fart cannon."

Kraut!

Travis's family makes sauerkruat pretty much every year.  Like a lot of it.  If I remember correctly, his parents are the third generation that makes it.  This year, Alex and Sam were helpers once it was time to jar all 191 jars of it.  Apparently they helped for a couple hours and did a great job.  I am not a fan of sauerkraut, but I am for sure a fan of cute pictures of my kiddos.

The Puns Start Young

Sam went on a field trip yesteday to Schuster's Fun Farm.  They have a pumpkin patch, a giant corn kernel filled sandbox, all sorts of stuff for the kiddos to climb around on, animals to pet and feed, and a small corn maze.  Sam was telling me about it and then dropped this bomb:
"Mom!  Do you know what happens when you can't find your way out of a corn maze?!  You get cornfused!!"

The joy on his face from this pun made me prouder than it should have.

I Just...What

I hear the boys laughing in the bathroom upstairs.  I don't think anything of it until I hear Alex say, "Hey Mom!  Wanna know how to dye the toilet water?!"  I'm sorry, what's that now?  As terrified as I am to hear what you have come up with, I am equally as certain I need to know what is going on.  So, I sent a cautious, "Sure..." in reply.  "It's super easy!  You just put whatever color PostIt notes you want in there and let them sit for a minute and the water turns that color!!"

One the one hand, he's correct.  The toilet water was a lovely tinge of pink.  On the other hand, DON'T PUT RANDOM THINGS IN THE TOILET CHILDREN.

Pumpkin Time

Aaaaaaaaaaand it's my least favorite season.  Halloween season.  Barf.  But since the kiddos love it and I love them, here we go again.

My mom, sister, and I took the boys to a farm selling pumpkins on Saturday.  Alex chose a freaking giant one.  So giant, my mom insisted we weigh it.  44lbs.  44lbs of pumpkin that needs to be washed, scooped, and carved.  Oh so fun.  Sam picked a cute little round one and that is why I love him more.

Sam wanted to draw his own design for me to carve and my niece was nice enough to draw an easy-to-carve puppy on Alex monstrosity of a gourd.  Both boys LOVE how theirs each turned out. 

Turn Turn Turn

Not sure, but I thiiiiiiiink lemonade season is over for my kiddos...

Don't worry.  I have everything under control.  I'm pretty sure that is the only thing growing mold in the refrigerator.

Hangin' On

Last night was one of what is going to be a rapidly deminishing number of nights that a campfire is enjoyable, so we headed out to the deck armed with supplies for s'mores.  Sam might have gotten a little too into it.

Modifiers

As I was walking around the back yard, I was startled to see a roll of duct tape and scissors sitting on the deck.  Especially since neither the tape nor the scissors were from my house.  I had never seen either of them until that moment.  We have had a bunch of moderately serious thieves running around the outskirts of Madison lately, so obviously I was positive someone was planning something sinister.  Shockingly, it was just Alex and his buddies.

I showed Alex the tape and scissors this morning and asked if he knew where they came from...
"Oh!  Those are Keegan's.  He brought them over to work on the trampoline scooter."  I'm sorry.  The WHAT now?

Yep.  These kids decided to cover a scooter's wheels and pointy parts with copious amounts of duct tape so they could use it to jump on the trampoline. 

I swear every time I think they have come up with the most destructive and dangerous way to have fun, I am proven very very wrong.

Stage 5 Clinger

We are having a bit of an issue with Miss Lulu.  She is real attached to us.  I'm not sure if it's the herding breed in her blood, or the fact that she is with me all day long, but this is getting a little nutty.  We finally resorted to building a crate that looks strikingly to a human jail cell because she can bust out of regular crates.  But that wasn't even good enough.  She watched us close the crate twice and then figured out how to open it.  So now, we put an upside down cookie sheet over the bars that lift to let her out and then put a 50lb dumb bell on top of the upside down cookie sheet.  All totally normal. But, it keeps her and her peanut butter filled LARGE Kong in.  Oh yes, we had to upgrade to the large one because she kept pushing the smaller one out of the crate and it made me sad that she didn't have her Kong buddy.

So.  We have conquered the crate debacle.  But now a new fresh hell arises.  She is C-L-I-N-G-Y.  Like whoa.  She cannot handle being anywhere in or outside the house alone.  She wants to go outside, but about 93% of the time, if you don't come with her, she will almost instantly turn around and whine at the door to come in, only to whine to go back out because PS? she still has to freaking pee.  She doesn't sleep at night without laying completely against one of us.  Tip to tail.  Resting against Travis, Alex, or me.  Ya know those dogs who will get up the second you move?  She is rapidly becoming one of them.  Except at night.  At night she turns back into Liquid Lulu and you can place her anywhere...as long as she is touching you.

Anywho, just now she was whimpering to go out.  So I let her out and ate my cereal on the deck.  She was happy to prance around outside until I was done.  She came back in with me.  Within 27 seconds, she was sitting next to me while I was at my desk, whimpering to go back outside.  So I let her back out and went back to my desk.  Less than  minute later, I heard an almost inaudible whimper behind me.  I turned and saw this:

Yep.  She is sitting IN the open window next to my desk, staring at me, and quietly dying inside because there is a screen separating us.

Fashion Struggle Bus

I have a habit of dressing the boys very similar to myself.  Not on purpose mind you.  I just end up grabbing the same general outfit for me and whatever kiddo I've grabbed clothes for.  I never notice it until someone points it out to me.  In the past it's always been a daycare teacher giving me some static about being twins with one of the boys.

Yesterday, I didn't notice I did it again with Sam, and the teacher didn't call me out when I picked him up.  I finally noticed it when we were leaving CVS after talking to multiple people...

Apparently I was feeling all sorts of NASA yesterday morning.

I don't have this issue with Alex anymore since he just grabs his clothes, but he is a hot mess in his own right.  He doesn't really care about matching/appearance.  As long as it's comfy, he'll wear it.  This leads to him usually just grabbing whatever shirt and pair of shorts are on top, no matter the color.

He's been riding his bike to school again, but it was rainy this morning, so I told him I would drive him.  After some back and forth and him revealing the plans he made with a couple neighbor kids to ride together that he had not told me about, he was back to riding his bike.  It was no longer actively raining, but the pavement was wet, so I told him he could ride if he wanted to, but his butt was going to get soaked from the spray of his back wheel.  "Oh, don't worry, Mom.  I've got that covered."  He comes downstairs, poses in a "ta da!" type stance, and says, "See?  Double shirt, double shorts.  I'm all good."

Watch Dog

Alex is at the middle school this year and he gets home a little later than he did last year.  How long do you suppose it's going to take Lulu to figure out that Alex isn't on the bus when it makes it first trip passed the house?  Poor little thing is gonna wear out her ear muscles keeping those satellite dish ears perked up in anticipation for so long!

Back At It

Today is officially the first day of school for the year.  Alex was seemingly over his nerves and was excited to go to a new school.  Sam was just about crawling out of his skin he was so excited.  I'm lonely but also enjoying the quiet.

Picnic

Every Thursday evening in the summer, our town has live music at a park.  Last night was the last event for the summer, so naturally we finally got around to going.  This one mostly caught my eye because the band Natty Nation was playing.  Travis and I both like them, and the boys now love "Jamaica" music, so off we went.  The description of the event said there are local businesses providing food options, so we figured we'd just grab something there.  Not sure if it was because it was the last one of the summer or what, but the available food was one table with pizzas that a local business had donated.  Which is very nice, but not dinner...unless we could grab like 75% of one of the pizzas.

Travis wondered out loud if JimmyJohn's would deliver to the park, and then called and sure enough!  Subs, chips, and drinks delivered while we sat in lawn chairs listening to reggae.  Not a bad deal.

We spread out a blanket for the boys to sit and eat, and we quickly realized the park grass was too uneven to keep to go soda cups standing.  Alex had already taken his shoes off, so Travis suggested they put the cups in the heels of Alex's shoes to keep them upright.  Bang bang choo choo train, good to go.  Then Travis went full on Dad Mode and named the invention, "Shoezies."  "You know...like coozies, but with shoes."  Yes, Travis, I get it.

The boys thought is was hilarious and brilliant.  Travis made sure everyone in a 20 foot radius heard his creative name.  I was pissed I didn't come up with such an epic pun.

Getting Ready

Both boys had Back To School events last night.  First up was Sam:

He was so excited to meet his teacher and go to the big school and take his backpack and see the gym and play on the playground and meet new friends.  He. Was. Excited.  The teacher handed out yard signs for the Kindergarten students and come on...could this kid get any cuter?

 Then it was Alex's turn:

He is not excited.  He is "fine" with his teacher.  He is nervous about going to the big school.  He's usuing his backpack from last year.  He thinks the gym is normal.  He is not pumped about the playground.  He has zero interest in making new friends.  Have I mentioned pre-teens are really fun?  He is however excited about his locker.  And the fact that he mastered opening it pretty quickly.  And as much as I cannot believe he is old enough to have a locker at school with a comb, I have to admit it was fun teaching him how to use it.  I am really proud of him, and he's gonna kick 5th grade's butt.

Never Ending

Thnking about having kids?  Fun!  Rewarding!  Exhausting!

I know I've told the story before about Travis and I both seeing some HotWheels in our nephews bathtub and it sparking the desire for kiddos for each of us.  Well, my boys are definitely living up to that standard.  Every time I go to take a shower, I have to clear out the bottom of the bathtub and put everything that will fit in the sink to finish drying out.  Every.  Time.

Henry Vilas Zoo

Our little zoo in Madison is free admission so it makes a nice quick afternoon trip.  Sam would have stayed longer, but Alex was on a mission to see every animal for .7 seconds apparently.  I did managed to snap a few pictures...

A Win!

The other day, I saw a post about a kiddo that was upset that some other kids called him a name.  If I could remember what the name was, it would help the story, but we will say the kids called him stupid.  And instead of asking who said it or asking more about the situation, the parent asked, "Well, are you?"  The kid said no, and the parent then talked about knowing yourself and not worrying about what other people think because you know who/what you are.

I thought it was an interesting approach, and I actually got to try it out last night

Sam was all sorts of upset because some kids at school called him "Chucky Sam."  (I have no fucking clue what that is supposed to mean, but Sam was upset about it.)  I was thiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to asking who said it, but then I didn't and I just asked, "Well, are you Chucky Sam?"  He was still super pissed and yelled, "NO!  I'M SAM!"  So I said, "You're right.  And they are wrong about who you are.  Does matter more that they are wrong or that you know that you are Sam?"  He started explain yelling that he was still mad because they are saying he's something he's not, so I told him again, "Yes, but you know who you are.  And that is what matters."  He sat for a minute, and then all of sudden stopped crying and smiled and said, "Yeah!  I know I'm Sam!  And it doesn't matter what they think because what I think about me is right!"

You guys, I swear I almost passed out.  Now, I'm not saying this will be a lasting lesson or anything, but dang if it didn't work!  I rarely take parenting advice to heart, but this is a keeper.

And while I was basking in this parenting win just now, Alex brought me right back to reality with, "Moooooooom!  I broke the sink!"

Fantastic.

All's Good

Once again, it's been a long time ("Been a long time, been long time, been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely lonely time." - Led Zeppelin) since I've posted anything.  Things 'round the Julius's - Cottage Grove Edition are just fine and dandy.  We're gearing up for school, while begging for more summer.  Nothing too exciting.

The boys have had a summer of laziness, camping, swimming, day care field trips, and sibling fighting.  Pretty typical.

My latest bit of news, other than deciding it was a good idea to become the concession stand manager for hockey (not my wisest decision) is that I bought a blanket that looks like a tortilla.  It is everything I wanted it to be.

Yes, I did make Alex take a picture of me wrapped up like a Jackie Burrito; but that was only because he is becoming a straight up pre-teen and is consistently shying away from "embarrassing" or "uncool" things and wouldn't roll himself up for a photo.  He'll figure out what he's missing one of these days.  And no, I was not drinking when I made this purchase like I was for the purchase of my "Guess What? Chicken Butt" tshirt.  No matter the state of sobriety though, both were AMAZING purchases.

Mini Adventure

The boys and I went for a walk on the Glacial Drumlin trail yesterday.  We took a little detour off the trail, through a small tunnel under the railroad, and to a park.  We found 6 kindness rocks at the park!  I love love LOVE the whole kindness rocks idea, but I have never found one.  Alex's art class participated this year, so it made it even more fun for him to find some.  We all enjoyed finding new "hiding" places for the rocks too.  And then we headed back.  And that's when Sam decided a 1/4 mile walk was just too much for his little legs and refused to walk any more.  So I carried him.  While swatting mosquitoes and sweating my butt off in 76% humidity.  Yay for family outings!

I snapped this picture of the boys and the dog and when I took it, I didn't realize Alex's head was all but covering the "head" part of "Trailhead."  Now that I see it, I can't stop noticing it.  Unintentional pun!

Meaning

While trying to get Sam to sleep last night we had some interesting conversation...

There was a big ol' pile of blankets on his bed and he called it a "pile-ette" and then asked me if that was a bad word.  After a fair amount of confused back and forth, I finally realized he was trying to say "shut your pie hole."  Great.  I explained it wasn't exactly a bad word, but it definitely wasn't something nice to say.  He followed that with, "But the 'shit' word is a bad one, right?"

He then launched into telling me that he loves me, but sometimes he gets mad at me.  I took that opportunity to remind him that it's ok to be mad at people, and even though we can get mad at each other we always love each other no matter what...

"And Mama?  Sometimes when you get mad at me, it makes me cry."

"Yes Buddy, I know.  I'm sorry it makes you cry.  But even if I'm mad about your behavior, I always always love you."

"And sometimes Mama?  When you tell me you always love me it makes me cry too, but a different cry."

"Do you mean it makes you feel so happy it makes you cry?"  (I said while barely holding it together.)

"Yes!  Like that!  I love you, Mama.  Can I have one big kiss?  Not a billion little kisses though.  Just one big one."

"Absolutely."

These two

I wouldn't have had to crop Lulu out of the picture if she would have looked at the camera...but by that standard, I probably should have cropped out Sam as well.

Snapped!

When I finally, and fully snap, on these fools I live with, please please PLEASE use the following picture as Exhibit A in my defense of whatever heinous crime I have committed:

Long Days of Baseball

Alex completed his first season of kid pitch baseball.  Given the majority of the kids had never thrown a pitch during a game before this season, it was a long season.  Lots of walks.  But his team progressed throughout the season and took 2nd in the end of year tournament! 

Now, since there are so many walks, the games have a time limit of an hour and half.  Not once, in the 26 games throughout the season and tournament did a game get beyond the 5th inning before time was up.  One game only got to 3 innings.  It was a test of patience some evenings.  Especially for Sam.  We brought different toys to each game and there is a playset, but there were 2 to 5 games a week.  We were at the ball park A. LOT.

Saturday's first game had a rain delay, and then a lot of mud puddles.  Good thing we brought monster trucks!

But even the joy of mud and trucks to drive through it weren't enough.  He is done watching his brother play baseball...

Busted

This is the face of an almost 10 year old who just learned a valuable lession in social media.  The lesson?  Make sure you clicked on the correct recipent so you don't send, "Dude you're an idiot." to your mother.

Furniture Connoisseur

I was preparing the playroom/my office so I could run the carpet cleaner around.  I employed Alex's assistance in said preparation.  I present the following conversation as proof the addling of my brain has roots in the behaviors of my children:

Me:  Ok buddy, we have to pick up everything off the floor.
Alex:  Everything?  Like even the ottoman?
Me:  What ottoman?
Alex:  The ottoman.
Me:  What ottoman?  There isn't an ottoman down here.
Alex:  This ottoman!!  The one I'm SITTING on!
Me:  Dude, that's a futon.
Alex:  Oh.  Tomato, tomahto.

Summertime

It's officially summer break.  Well, the 4th day of summer break.  And Alex and I have only fought approximately 874609 times.  It's gonna be a good one.

Alex's Biggest Fan

Sam is good at cheering for his big brother at various sporting events, but we all know why he really went to hockey games...the Zamboni.  Same idea goes for baseball this year.  He will watch approximately one play of the game, yell something random at Alex (last night's was, "Go Alex!  Don't just sit there like a duck!"  Alex was standing and playing third base.), and then find a patch of dirt to play in.  Last week, they had mowed the day before and he was more than delighted to build a "garage" for his trucks out of the dried grass clippings under the bleachers.

Last night was slightly different only because he was tired and decidedly NOT in the mood to be at the baseball fields.  This sentiment was loudly expressed to us multiple times before leaving the house and while in the car on the way to said fields.  Anywho, we got to the third baseline bleachers, found him a patch of dirt, and set him loose with his HotWheels bulldozer.  All was good for about 3.4 seconds.  That was the amount of time it took a little bunch of gnats to settle in right around his head.  Immediately he started growl scream crying, "UGH!  I HATE THESE BUUUUUUGS!!" with his little hands in fists pounding the air at his sides.  So we moved to another dirt patch.  The gnats moved too.  So we moved again.  So did the gnats.  After one more attempt, we finally went to the bleachers just beyond the outfield where there was just enough breeze to keep the gnats away and a big ol' patch of gravel and dirt just begging for a 5 year old and his bulldozer.  And he played the whole, slow, painful, tonsofwalksbecauseitskidpitch hour and half of the game while happily chewing sunflower seeds.  Pig pen it up kiddo!

I assure you the bottom half of this kid was just as filthy as the top portion pictured here.

You Are My...Sunshine?

The project was to create a rising sun on a piece of paper with a semi-circle and the letter of your name as the rays.  Sam NAILED IT:

1st and Last

That time of year again.  First Day of School vs. Last Day of School:

 Alex conveniently wore the same shorts so we can see how much his legs grew.  And that he is obviously very concerned with fashion.

Knobbly Knees McGee here clearly put a lot of energy into growing his hair this year.  I absolutely love it.  And he has heard me say I love it.  So he asked for a haircut.  After adamently not wanting a haircut for months.

Father's Day

Sam got to give Travis his Father's Day present early since school will be done before Father's Day arrives.  He made a giant construction paper card, but this is the highlight of the gift if you ask me:

Brunchin'

A couple weekends ago, we went to a little farmer's market near us to get some tomato and basil plants for our garden since yet another year of trying to germinate from seeds had failed.  The boys were coerced into not complaining with a reminder of the bakery that has a stand at that market with super yummy cookies.  Good good.

Except for we got there to realize the bakery doesn't have a stand there this year.  Oops.  There was a little food cart that had tamales though, so I was good.  Anywho, we got our plants, sprinted to the car to avoid getting struck by lightning, and agreed to lunch at a restaurant.  With the boys.  This rarely goes well.  They are not restaurant kids.  They get impatient waiting for our order at Culver's.  But, there was a Buffalo Wild Wings close by, so we figured we could swing it.  Except for it was before 11am.  Turns out there's not a big enough deman for breakfast buffalo wings for that establishment to be open at 10:15am.  Oops again.

We finally settled on a little place in our town that none of us have tried.  I was leary as it was a diner that most likely wouldn't be super speedy.  But these two were super well behaved, ate all their food, and kept us giggling the whole time.  Who knew they had it in them!?

Graduation

Sam got to have a graduation ceremony celebrating the completion of 4K.  It was a rough year of coloring and playing, but he persevered.  They sang cute songs, gave their teachers hugs, and got to wear caps and gowns.  It was all as adorable as you would imagine.

Blankets and Love

My kids are very attached to their blankets.  ALL of their blankets.  They each have their favorites for sure (see:  all posts about Yellow Blanks.)  Sam recieved a new blanket for his birthday that he loves and is wicked soft.  Alex was snuggled up in it the other day and announced that he wants one...but his needs to have Lulu's picture on it, "so she can see how cute she is."  Aaaaaaaaaaaand ordered!

Adjustments

I was all excited for Sam to tick off one of his "When I am 5" accomplishments and asked him if he was going to sleep in the top bunk last night.  This change would mean both boys and the dog would stop sleeping in the guest room.  Not that we need our guest bed every night, but I wouldn't be sad if the boys would use the damn bunk bed I bought for them.

No matter my reason though; it didn't happen.  When I enthusiastically asked him, I got a reply of, "Ummm, I'm not going to do that until I am a certain number...and that number is 6."

The art of procrastination is strong in this one.

Here's to 5!

It's gonna be a big year.  Once again, here is the list of things Sam has been waiting to do until he turned 5:
1.  Ride his bike without training wheels.
2.  Do a back flip.  (Not sure if this is in the pool or on the trampoline; both options are terrifying.)
3.  Swim without floaties.
4.  Learn to skate.
5.  Sleep in the top bunk.

Happy Birthday Samalamadingdong!

Put Him in Coach!

Breakfast Confusion

Setting:  Sunday morning.  I'm making breakfast.  I have already said I'm serving scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit.  Not sure if Travis wants scrambled eggs or fried eggs, I ask, "Just doubling checking everyone wants their eggs scrambled, right?"

Travis:  Yep!

Alex:  No thank you.

Sam:  I don't want mine scrambled!

Me:  (In the kitchen with a baffled WTF face)  Ummmm, ok.  Then what kind of eggs do you guys want?

Alex:  I'd like scrambled eggs please.

Sam:  Me too!!!  I want scrambled eggs too!

Me:  (stunned silence)

Travis:  Guys....really?

I start cooking.

Me:  (knowing Sam does not like cheese in his eggs) Alex, do you want cheesy eggs?

Alex:  Yes please!

Sam:  No!  I don't like cheese in my eggs.

Me:  Yes, Sam I know you don't like cheese in your eggs, that's why I was only asking Alex.  I have made your eggs without cheese in them.

Me:  I'm going to have my eggs in a tortilla like a scrambled egg taco.  Would anyone else like tortillas?

Sam:  Yes please!

Alex:  No thanks.

Sitting down to eat.

Me:  (juuuuuuust about to take a bite.)

Sam:  My eggs keep falling out of my tortilla!

Alex:  Actually, I changed my mind.  Can I please have some tortillas?

Sam:  Hey!  Alex has cheese in his eggs!  I want cheese in my eggs!!!

Me:  SAM!  Are you serious right now?!  You specifically and rudely reminded me you don't like cheese in your eggs.

Sam:  Weeeelllllll, I do like cheese IN my eggs.  I just don't like cheese ON my eggs.  Like when you put it on top.

I'm counting it as a win that I managed to not cry in my coffee.

Another Bath

Sam's all time favorite thing is to take a bath.  He will sit in there for hours playing.  And while I don't want to spend hours sitting in the bathroom with him, I let him play but keep the doors open and so I can hear him.  And if there is quiet for any length of time, I yell out a "Sam?  You ok?" and immediately get a "Yepperdoodle!" in response.  About half the time, this arrangement works great.  The other half, I will find a half flooded bathroom on one of my multiple visual check-ins.  Fun fun fun.

I present:  "The Afterbath."

Please note the giant towel hanging on the rod because it is drenched with water from the floor.  And the bottom of the tub completely covered in toys.  ALL THE TOYS.  And lest we forget, the washcloth splatted and stuck to the wall above the shower wall.

This could also be titled "Hey Jackie?  What's It Like Giving a 4 Year Old a Bath?"

Field Trip!

Alex asked me to chaperone a field trip this year and yesterday was the day!  We went to the Capitol and the Historical Museum.  The whole group went through the tours together so we weren't assigned specific kids and I was A-OK with that. 

I was unsurprised when Alex requested we come back to the capitol when it's warmer so we can climb the steps up to the outdoor observation deck, but I was surprised when he also asked if we could come back when the Senate was in session and watch because he wants to see how it works.  Will see how long he can sit quitely before he deems it painfully boring. 

Puppy Love

Pretty sure everyone involved is happy Lulu came into our lives...

Pick Up Your Shit.

I spend a solid portion of my days cleaning up other people's (read:  my children's) stuff.  Usually it's just what needs to be done to keep some sort of decorum in this house.  But sometimes, I just can't.  Sometimes, I am just too sick of picking up stuff that isn't mine.  That is the case with this sad little can of 7Up. 

It's been sitting out there since Saturday.  It's probably come close to freezing the past couple of nights.  It's currently being rained on.  It's gonna sit out there until whichever one of the filthy children I am raising realizes there is an unclaimed soda available.

Also, is everyone one impressed with the smorgasbord of patio furniture I have accumulated?  Yes?  Good.  Matching patio sets are boring any way.

Waking Up

Morning Thoughts From Sam:

Mom.  If I had wheels on my penis...I could just like roll around when I do the splits.

...

Oooookkkkkk.

Favorite

Every night at dinner, we go around the table and say what our favorite part of the day was.  Every night Sam says the same thing, "Going to two schools."  He goes to 4K/pre-school, but it's not a full school day, so he also goes to daycare which he calls school.  So, two schools.  Favorite part.  Every day.  Got it.

Buuuuut, then most mornings, when I say it's time to get ready for school, he topples into a sad pile of Sam crying and yelling about how he doesn't like school and he doesn't want to go to school and school is dumb.  Until I remind him that every night he tells us school is his favorite part of the day.  Then he pops up, smiles, and says, "Oh yeah!  Ok!  Let's get ready!"

Totally normal.

So Sweet

Even if he won't let me give him kisses...he's still pretty cute.

Feelin' the Love

This was Sam's reaction when I tried to give him a kiss a couple days ago...

Nice.