Too Cool For His Britches

While we were at my parents’ place in June, my nephew brought his new little scooter over to show us.  Then he took this picture of my little guy who couldn’t resist climbing on it.  Lol!  He looks the part, doesn’t he?  Cracks me up!

All joking aside, my nephew wrecked the scooter just last week and broke his foot/ankle in three places.  He’s in pretty serious pain, and he will likely need surgery.  But I am so thankful it wasn’t worse and that it didn’t involve a head injury.  These things scare me!  About the only time I ever want to see one of my boys on a motor bike of any kind is when it’s parked, just like this.  :)

Here’s to hoping that he doesn’t really mean it when he says he’s getting another one when his foot is better.

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Congratulations to Kim @ Homesteader's Heart!  You are the winner of Grace Unplugged and Own It! 

The Great Snowthing Of 2012

The day after the blizzard, the sunshine turned the heavy white blanket into the the kind of snow great things are made of.  :)  My guys looked at the picture on my fridge of The Great Snow Buggy my brother and I made when we were younger.  Then they decided it was their turn to carry the snow sculptor’s torch.

My two oldest boys began working together.

  The snowballs turned to snow boulders in no time! 

 

Greta, of course, got busy making landmines which we had to detour around, lol!  Some help she was!

 

Thankfully, my husband came over to help my oldest son lift the “head” into position.  At this point, they still weren’t sure what they wanted to make.

 

It just kind of evolved. :) A little packing here…a little carving there…and a whole lot of discussion.

 

With the fading daylight, the snow lost it’s magical packing quality and we had to call it finished.  Though we still couldn’t decide what exactly we had made, lol!

 

It was part lion, part dog, a little cat, and who knows what else.  Eventually, the boys began calling it Greta, lol!  My little guy loved riding on its back.  Of course!

 

Sadly, the warm weather and rain have taken their toll… Still, I love the green grass and warmer temps.  It makes walking our real dog SO much nicer!!  Lol!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Christmas 2012

It’s Monday morning.  The kids are back at school.  The house is quiet.  And I’m having my second cup of coffee.  Want to join me as I sort through some Christmas vacation pictures? 

This was our annual family picture by the tree.  A friend saw the picture on face book and made the comment, “Short trees are for old people.  What’s up with that...I see the stand!"  My defense?  There is something to be said for a tree you can:

a. Carry one-handed,

b. Decorate before the attention spans of the kids expire, and

c. Light with the one strand of lights that still works. :)

I like to think I've gotten smarter in my old age, lol!

Looking back over the last two weeks, I have to say, our Christmas was really nice.  We did not travel east.  So I missed seeing our families who live in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.  But we had extra time to relax, which was a gift since we were passing around the flu.  

On Christmas morning, I found this snuggled up under my tree. I know you are jealous!  :)  He was a patient little angel while we got the quiche into the oven, and then read the Christmas story.

As it turned out, it was a LEGO and Soccer kind of Christmas, with each person finding something to be excited about.  For the little guy, mostly LEGO, for my older two, it was soccer jerseys, cleats and video games. 

I’m so glad that the boys have each other to hang out with.  And that they all have interests in common.  None are too old for a good LEGO battle, nor too young for a history channel original. Though I wouldn’t mind if there were less of the second!  Lol! 

Greta kept making her way into pit pictures.  She is the most easygoing dog we have ever had.  And we are loving having her in our family.

This was part of the LEGO Winter Village Post Office set—which had topped my little guy’s wish list for months.  This house even lights up!  They didn’t have things like this when I played with LEGO!I’m so thankful to have snagged it in a lot on EBay for an awesome deal before the prices skyrocketed.  What would I do without EBay?  (I mean, BESIDES clean my house? Lol!)

Let’s see, what else…?  Oh, yes.  The BIG FLUFFY dog that my little guy got.  It was SO soft and cuddly that he hid it in his room so no one else would walk off with it.  :)

I have lots more pictures to sort through.  But I should probably get a shower and at least attempt to tackle some cleaning.  Maybe you can join me tomorrow to sort through some more!  I have pictures of the blizzard, the zoo, our soccer games, and even some of our snow sculptures.  Till tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

Trick or Treat! What Are You Handing Out?

It’s almost time for the neighborhood kids to come knocking on your door.  You look around.  The pumpkins are carved.  The candles are ready.  The walk is swept and the porch light is on. 

You turn to your bucket of treats.  Will there be enough?  Will the kids like them?  Lol!  I think I wonder that every year.  Do you do that??

Our Greta wishes she could go trick or treating this year!  But who gives out doggie biscuits?  So she’ll stay home with my husband to answer the door.  :)

For fun, I thought I would list good and bad treats according to my kids.

Good Treats

• Any and all chocolate  (from the mini bars to the king size bars) 
• Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Almond Joys
• Jolly Ranchers
• Smarties
• Sour Tarts
• Snack packs of Fishies, cookies, etc.
• Granola bars
• Laffy Taffy
• Spooky Gummies
• novelty pencils and erasers

Unpopular Treats (To kids, that is!  We moms think many of these are great!)

• Gift certificates for places like Wendy’s or McDonalds (Who wants a piece of paper, they say, lol!)
• Apples
• Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Dots
• plastic teeth and rings 

So what am I giving out this year?  Shhhhhh.  I’m straying from the approved list and handing out...  Fudge Rounds!  :)  We shall see how they go over!

What are YOU giving out this year?  What’s the most creative “treat” your kids have ever brought home?  Any duds that made you scratch your head?

If you or your little ones participate in trick or treating tonight, stay safe and have a wonderful evening!

A Mom With A Camera NEVER Passes Up An Opportunity!!

I’m sure you won’t be surprised that I grabbed my camera yesterday and took a few pictures while he was all dressed up.  :)   Getting boys in dress clothes long enough to take a picture is about as easy as getting a cat in water long enough to give it a bath!

Here are Middle Man and my oldest son 8 years ago when they fit into the matching suits.  We had just moved to Indiana.  Sigh.  Where does time go??  Notice the nice (cooperative and genuinely happy in-spite-of-the-matching-duds) smiles?  I miss those days!

Middle Man was 5, and my oldest 7--the same age my youngest  is now.  I must have lost one of the ties in the move ‘cause that blue one definitely didn’t come with the outfit!    :)

 

Can you tell they’re brothers?

 

Of course, this…

…is more like it for all of them!

Have a wonderful evening, friends!

Anyone Want To Get Married?

As I was cleaning out his closet, my little guy discovered an old set of dress clothes.  You’d have thought he found gold as he ripped them off the hanger. 

“Awe man, I’ve always wanted a tie!!”

He riffled through his shoes for the dress ones a friend gave him last year.  Then he yanked everything on and dashed to the bathroom.  I trailed behind, suggesting (to no avail) he go look in my mirror, where he could see himself. 

I guess when you are a little boy, floor length mirrors are optional! Lol!

“Hey mom!  Can someone hurry up and get married so I can wear this and stand there?”  :)

Don’t you love it?  At least he didn’t suggest HE get married! 

Happy Tuesday!!

Which Picture Do You Like Best?

I know.  It’s totally crazy.  But I was sitting at the bus stop with the kids and the raindrops on the windows were begging me to take their pictures.  Just begging.  Lol!

All three pictures are taken with my cell phone.  I didn’t change anything from the first picture to the second. 

But look how different they are!  I can’t figure out why one is gloomy and the other is so blue.  Or which one I like better, for that matter.

 

I took the next through the little tinted strip on the windshield.

Aren’t they fun??  I’m thinking of using one for wallpaper on my cell but I can’t decide which one.  Which one do you like best?

Fall In Indiana

The other night, my husband and I spent time on the porch simply enjoying the colors of fall.  The dark clouds and blue sky made the perfect backdrop for the golden leaves.   

This is looking towards the pond in the back of our yard.

Here’s another view, not zoomed in as much.

Then, if you looked just slightly to the left, you would see this.  Pictures never quite do the vibrancy justice.  But it was pretty!

My husband has the skid loader out to replace a leaking hydraulic hose.  But it’s color is perfect, isn’t it?  Lol!

It was such a quiet evening.  Cool and calm, and beautiful.

Of course we weren’t alone. 

There is always at least one cat who insists on being included.  :)

I’m so glad we added the two porches onto the house last year.  We are certainly enjoying them!  And this year, it will be wonderful to host our annual neighborhood bonfire Saturday and have the porches for people to hang out on as well. 

In fact, I’m off to go decorate for it right now.  We like to put a few fall-themed things out, along with some party lights.  You have to have party lights, right??  :)  I’ll try to post some pictures later in the week.  We’ll see if my internet connection cooperates.  It has been more down than up lately. 

So tell me, what is your favorite fall decoration?  Maybe it will give me some more ideas!!!

I Dare You To Top This

Or not.

I once made a candle in day camp.  That makes me an expert in all things candle, right?

Wrong. 

Yesterday, I melted down a jar candle to insert a new wick.  I’m not even sure if that’s possible.  Or if you have to use a special kind of string.  Usually, I Google things like this.  But, I reasoned, who needs instructions to melt wax and hang a string in it?   

Um.  Apparently me.

As I was removing the jar from the hot water bath, I lost my grip. 

An understatement, wouldn’t you say?  Lol!

It was the kind of thing where you freeze--openmouthed,  and stare wide-eyed at the carnage thinking “NO I DID NOT JUST DO THAT!” 

It looked like a scene from C.S.I.

All of my utensils, which were hanging on that wall, received a thick coat of wax.  So did several prescription bottles, my son’s cough syrup, two plastic cups, a potholder, a pretty little basket with a fabric heart, and my grandmother's hand-painted trivet. Not to mention my hands.

The boys immediately loved it.  They wanted to keep it for a Halloween decoration. 

I, however, in the horrified panic that ensued, began wiping at the mess. First my grandmother’s trivet.

Then the medicine containers, cups and the pretty little basket.  Ugh!

The utensils were awful.  The more I wiped, the more I worked the now hardening wax into every little crevice.  No doubt, we’ll be tasting “Cinnamon Apple” forever.  (It’s not toxic, right?)

The wall was depressing.  I took a spatula to the now taffy-like wax, scraping off what I could.  Then I scrubbed at the rest with a steaming hot sponge. 

Unfortunately, after an hour and a half of unplanned cleaning, a thin layer of “pink” still clings to the surface in the shape of the splatters.  It will probably never take paint again. We’ll have to live here forever.  Cause who wants a kitchen that’s been murdered? 

You can laugh.  I give you permission.  I had a few giggles myself.

But how incredibly frustrating!  In need of some sympathy, I posted a picture on facebook.  Several friends shared tips that would have been handy to have two hours before.  I’m trying not to feel as dumb as a rock.

When Hot Wax Spills (Or Covers Your Kitchen):

1. Put anything that fits in the freezer for five minutes.  The wax will pop right off.  (SERIOUSLY?? Duh. Why didn’t I think of that?)
2. Take a blow dryer to the wall and wipe with a hot towel. 

That first one could have saved a ton of work!  And I”m hoping the second one helps me complete the cleanup.

However, the biggest thing I learned through all of this, which I will now pass on to you in the form of a Universal Tip, is this:

If there is no (real) blood involved in your crisis, take a moment to post it on face book. 

The comments could save you a boatload of work!  LOL!

Friday Funnies: Romantically Challenged

I’m SO glad it’s Friday!  Aren’t you?  One of my favorite parts of Fridays is checking out Kim’s Friday Funnies over at Homesteader’s Heart.  And this week, I have one of my own to share.  :)

My family loves the Skit Guys!  And this skit had my husband and I in stitches!

For more family friendly funnies, join Kim at Homesteader’s Heart!

Have a wonderful Friday, friends!

Five Pictures From My Bus-Stop-Run This Morning

We live on a ridge, and our bus stop is about a mile down our road, just off the main highway.   On our way down this morning, this was the view through the trees.  I’m glad my phone takes decent pictures!

The river mist blanketed the valley under the crisp blue sky.

After we parked at the bottom of the hill, I snapped this shot through my front windshield. 

My son’s friend said it looked like we were under water looking up at giant lily pads.  We all laughed at the thought of a giant frog jumping through them into our world. 

After the kids got on the bus, I went home.  As I pulled into the driveway, I decided to turn around and go back.  The sun was just enough higher that it was making the tops of the trees glow. 

This time on the way down, I got a bonus.  :) 

Just before the big hill, a family of deer was grazing along the road.  I wondered if I could get a picture before they ran.  So I slowed to a stop.They looked up, and then went right on grazing.   They didn’t  care a bit that I was watching them!

It wasn’t until I pulled forward again that they took off across the road and into a field on my right.

I made my way back down the hill, turned around, and saw what I came back for.  This is at the bottom of the same hill, looking up.

I love fall!  And the color show is just beginning here.  :)

How about you?  Do you have a favorite season?

Do you like how I just ignored the fact that I took a mini vacation from blogging?  Lol!  It’s just been a crazy couple of weeks.  I plan to write about some of the things that have kept me so busy—complete with pictures.  Pictures make it all better, right?  :)

Way Too Funny Not To Share

There are Saturday mornings where our sleeping-in takes precedent over snuggle time with our little guy.  Knowing he would wiggle until we got up, we sometimes have to bar him from our bed.  I know, call us mean.

On one such occasion, I told him to go back to bed, or go play, or go do something as long as it was out of our bedroom. 

When he was no longer inches from my nose, I assumed he had gone.

However, when I got up to go to the bathroom a little while later, this is what I found at the foot of my bed.  Lol!  How on earth he tucked himself into that clothes basket with a blanket and a comforter is beyond me.  He IS seven, now, and nearly up to my chin.

I couldn’t resist grabbing my phone and snapping this picture.

Don’t kids just crack you up sometimes?  I love this boy.  I kind of wish he’d fit in my basket forever.  :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

And don’t forget to stop by Kim’s at Homesteader’s Heart for more Friday Funnies!  Oh, and link up one of your own!!

Ah,The Pitfalls Of Blogging…

After drooling all over the pictures of my friend’s birthday peanut butter pie on Homesteader’s Heart, I had to ask for the recipe. 

And then I had to make it. 

And after I gave the boys each a teensy weensy piece, I dished myself up a rather large piece on the sly. 

Later, I had to come back for more because—well—just because. 

And when I got up at 2 in the morning for a drink of milk, I had to eat a piece of the pie that was sticking out funny. 

Had to, mind you. 

It seems I’m totally powerless to resist it.

Even now, the quarter of the pie that is left in the fridge is calling to me.

No one on face book can answer my question.  So I’ll ask you. 

Why can’t broccoli call to me instead??  Lol!

You should try this pie.  Seriously.  It is DE-licious!!!

Thanks, friend, for giving me five more reasons to go back to CURVES this fall!  Jeesh.

A Slice Of My Day

Usually I bring an idea to the computer.  But this time I thought I’d type on the fly--because windows of quietness don’t wait for fully formed ideas, right?    

I know, it’s probably reaching too far to write two posts in one week with three boys in the house.  But at the moment, all three are occupied elsewhere in the house.    

The squeak of my chair usually calls the boys to stare over my shoulder, and ask what I’m doing, and pull up a stool.  Their goal?  Either hijack my computer, or hang out until I give up.

I spoke too soon.

My little guy is heading my way.  I’m sure he’s hoping to catch me looking up LEGO sets on Amazon for his birthday.  Hah! 

However, this screen doesn’t seem to discourage him.

He is now climbing up my back and wedging himself between my back and the chair while I type.  And blocking the air from the fan.  That air was feeling good, too.

My 13 year old just pulled up his stool to my right.  Do I know my kids???  Lol!

Sigh.  It’s not easy to type with a boy draped across your left shoulder. 

“You are soft like a puppy, mom.”  My little guy has his cheek mushed up against mine.  His chin on my shoulder.  I hear a chuckle from the peanut gallery on my right. 

“Hmm.  A puppy, huh?”  :)

“You’re warm, too.  Do you know that, Mom?

Sigh.  I’m glad I didn’t have anything important to post about.

  “…MOM!  I said you’re warm.”

“No, actually, I’m hot, and sweaty.”

“Mom, click on that.”  My oldest says, pointing to a slip of a window sticking out in the corner.  “I want to see what that LEGO set looks like up closer.”  It’s an attempted high-jacking in progress. 

“Not right now.” 

“What?  You’re blogging?  What are you writing about?”  And here would come the staring over my right shoulder.

“It’s rude to read over my shoulder.”  I remind him.

“Oh.  Sorry.  When you’re done, can you click on that picture?”  He grins big.  Like that will work.  

“You have a lot of freckles.”  My little guy is now running his finger up and down my arm.  “In fact, I could point just about anywhere and be right. on. one.”  You should hear the amazement in his voice.

All right.  He’s examining my arm like it’s crawling with bugs and he’s cracking me up.

“Here.” 

“Or here.”

“Or here.”  He has now crawled around to my my lap and is pointing to my nose, his face inches from mine.  Typing blindly is not something I like to make a habit of doing.  Lol!

“Mom, can I have a fudge round?”  That would be my 12 year old calling from the kitchen.

Umph! My little guy is sitting on my bladder full of diet coke.  Yep.  Not good.

“Mom, want to play a game of Mile Bornes?”  My 13 year old is now pacing in boredom to my right.   Obviously, waiting for me to get done. 

This is my life, friends.  :) Full of half thoughts, distractions and hijackings.  And hardly a complete thought to be had. 

I only have about one month left before the little guy in my lap heads off to school for first grade.  He’ll be gone all day every day.  Just like his big brothers.  Sigh. 

I think I’ll go play another game of something with the boys. 

Blogging something deep can wait. :)

What’s filling your summer days??

What’s The Craziest Use For A Baby Stroller You Can Think Of?

We bought this beautiful Evenflow stroller new for my youngest son and we absolutely loved it.  It was a dream to push, and the screen, which you could pull down and clip to the tray, was awesome for evening walks.  It kept the mosquitoes circling instead of biting, plus it made it harder for him to toss his toys overboard.  Lol!

Sadly, in the course of cleaning out for our Office-To-Bedroom Transformation, I decided to sell it. 

I went over it thoroughly to make sure it was clean and ready for a new baby.  Then I listed it on Craig’s List.

In no time at all, I had someone arrange to come pick it up. 

With mixed emotions about letting it (and this stage of life) go, I opened the door to a young couple.

They immediately exclaimed how perfect it was.  (Of course.)

I handed her the instruction manual and started to explain why the car seat latches were removed and carefully stored in a baggie.  But the young woman shook her head.  “Don’t worry about it.” she said.  “We don’t have any kids.  We’re going to use it for our two bulldogs.  They hate to walk.”

Yep.  Her two bulldogs.  Can you believe it?  All I could think was, “I just spent all that time cleaning and sanitizing this beloved stroller so they can sit their bulldogs in it? 

You have to laugh!

I sure hope those dogs know how good they have it!!  Lol!

“Why Marrying A Good Speller Is Important”

Have you seen the video that is going around on face book of the 911 call reinforcing the need to marry a good speller?  It is pretty funny!  Here’s a link that will hopefully enable you to go see it.  If it does, it is well worth the time it takes to watch the 20 second clip.  I promise!  :) 

Have a wonderful weekend!! 

What To Do When They Ignore You. You’re Gonna Love This!

Don’t you hate it when you ask your kids a question and they totally ignore you?  I mean, seriously, don’t you hate it??  Well, I may have found something that will fix their hearing in a hurry.  Hee-Hee!

This morning, I asked my little guy if he wanted to wear his big coat or layer two jackets.  He didn’t even look up--just went right on firing his missiles and shooting the bad guys.

I’m all for The Force, and everything.  But when I’m trying to get things ready in the morning, punctual answers make me happy. 

So I turned abruptly and said to him, “O.K., you owe me a hug.”

He froze.  (Ha!  He CAN hear me!)

“What??  Why??” he said, all incredulous.

“You owe me a hug because you didn’t answer me.”

“No way!”  He backed up against the wall like I was the boogie man.  Great for a mom’s ego, by the way.

“Yep.  Come on.”

He continued to stare at me.

After a few seconds, he said, “No, YOU give ME a hug.”

“O.K.  I can do that.”  (a hug is a hug, right??)

As I started to wrap my arms around him, he stipulated, “But no kiss!”

I had to giggle.

After the deed, he not only picked out his coat, he put his milk back in fridge and got his book bag ready to go.  Whoa!  Now we’re talking!

I can’t WAIT to try it out on his older brothers!!! 

Tricky, I know.  Lol! 

So I’m A Little Nuts…

Last week, while the temps were hanging around ZERO, I decided to drag out the hose and enhance an icy area just off our back deck.  For hours. 

Can I just say that I’ve done smarter things??  Lol! 

I didn’t kill myself.  But let me tell you.  It was one crazy slick area!!  In the end, the boys only got to skate a little bit on it for all my hard work (and F-F-F-R-E-E-EEZING FINGERS!).

But it was fun while it lasted!

It was totally cool to walk out the back door, sit down on the deck, and put our skates on!

We even got to drag our hockey stuff out and give it a go.

Now, I know I’m totally biased.  But isn’t he just the cutest little hockey player ever? 

Because it started to warm up, the guys took me skating on a real ice rink Sunday afternoon for my birthday.  Aren’t they the best? 

Now it’s your turn.  What’s one of the craziest things you ever did for fun with your kids?  Come on, don’t leave me in the crazy zone all by myself!

I’m all ears!

Who Said It’s Not Fun To Drive On The Ice?!

Unfortunately, I can’t drive the boys’ Green Machine to the grocery store!  Lol! 

In spite of their fun, the boys didn’t last long because of how crummy they were feeling.  They came in, turned on a movie, and tunneled under a mountain of blankets. 

We ended up getting a half inch of ice, followed by two inches of sleet.  At some point during the storm, it all solidified into a rock-hard solid layer of white ice.  You can’t chop it.  And with the cold temps, the salt isn’t doing any good either.

The main roads are fine.  It’s the getting-to-one that’s the problem!  Lol! I guess that’s why they closed school for tomorrow, too.   

As a side note, My husband and oldest son came down with the flu yesterday morning.  I’m the only hold-out now. 

My oldest doesn’t seem to be feeling too badly and is enjoying the extra snow days.

My husband on the other hand is feeling pretty cruddy.  If he didn’t have pressing things to sign off on at work, he would have stayed in bed.  I’m hoping he can leave a little early.

I have a pot of chicken soup all ready for dinner.  :)

At the moment, the sun is shining brightly in a vivid blue sky, making everything all sparkly. Sometimes I imagine God playing around with his cosmic Photoshop, saying, “Hmm.  Let’s give things the “Sparkle” effect and see how that looks.” 

I like it.  :)

Thanks for letting me just ramble today.

Do Tell! Who Was On Your Lunch Box?

I saw this Holly Hobbie lunch box on Ebay and was immediately transported to my elementary school cafeteria! The smells!  The sounds!  It was like it was yesterday. 

Every day, Mom packed the same lunch for me.  Peanut Butter and Jelly on white bread and two chocolate chip cookies.  My thermos was always filled with iced tea.  Always.

I studied every side of that lunch box and compared it to the boxes my friends carried.  I remember getting my finger pinched in the handle sometimes.

Mrs. Wallace walked the isles between tables calling…

“No trading, boys and girls!” 

“Clean up your trash!”

“No one is lining up until it is QUIET!”

Thinking of her makes me smile.  She was definitely intimidating.  However, we all loved her.  She had a chair against the wall on which she kept her coffee can of bleach water.  If you had something in your lunch that you didn’t like, you were free to leave it next to the can on her chair.  In turn, she would hand those things out to the children who hadn’t much of their own.  Sweet, sweet lady.

Mom packed one identical to this one for Dad.

  I always felt sorry for him having to carry such a boring box.  Lol!

I’m positive I had this Walt Disney one, too.  But Mom doesn’t remember it.  Isn’t it funny how vivid some childhood memories can be?  Especially when there are sounds and smells involved!

I’m pretty SURE I had this Strawberry Shortcake box, too.  I used to wonder what the inside of the apple house looked like!

Sadly, I never had an “Emergency!” lunch box.

Or one with Evel Knievel on it.  Lol!

If you want to stroll down memory lane, do an EBay search for “metal lunch box.”  I guarantee you’ll be smiling at all the fun ones you remember!

What was on your lunch box?  Don’t be bashful!  I really want to know!