Boredom Busters

Well, today is the last day of July and I realized I've fallen off on blogging a bit this month. It's not that I don't have anything to say (you know I'm rarely at a loss for words). I've had a couple of posts floating around my head for a while but not much time to post. So since they say a pictures worth a thousand words... Here are 3-- that should catch me up.







This was just a typical summer day. We made the kids turn off the T.V. to which they responded that there was nothing to do. Denise remembered buying Gabby the body crayon book . at a garage sale. Instant entertainment! By the way, if you read the book first you'll discover the warning that the longer the art stays on the body- the harder it is to remove.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our anniversary. 16 years and 3 children ago we both said "I do." We are still head over heels, crazy in love but also solid and steady, everyday in love too.

This morning I took the kids to play in the park. On the way I asked Kaylee if she knew what today was. She said she knew it was our anniversary. So I asked her if she'd babysit tonight so Derek & I could go out. Her response was: "Will I get paid?" I said: "You could give us some babysitting as an anniversary present." To which Kaylee responded: "I'll give you half off!" What a gal!

So this evening Derek & I went out to dinner and to the cheap theatre to see Prince Caspian . (Oh yeah, and we booked a cruise for November!) When we got home Kaylee had fed the boys mac-n-cheese, was watching T.V. with Nate and had Max in bed (in a clean diaper & jammies). We asked her how everything went and she told us all she had done then said: "No charge!" What a gal!!

Danger.... Girl?

We had a marvelous weekend full of friends and fun. Friday, we attended a great pool party. (Thanks so much Scott & Suzanne for opening your home & pool.) Saturday, the church had an All American Picnic that was a blast in spite of a little rain. Sunday, we had lunch with the Thailand Mission team. It was so uplifting to hear how God is moving in other parts of the world.

And now, on to the reason for the title of my post. It seems that lately Kaylee has borrowed Nate's adventureous streak. First the back hand-spring in Acro class, then learning a back flip on a friend's trampoline, and now--- let's take it to the pool.

Sweet Irony

I love irony. Really, its just my thing. Finding the irony in any situtation automatically lightens my mood. Sometimes my kids get it, sometimes they don't. Tonight, Kaylee got it.

After Dance Class, Kaylee made her self a bottle of lemonade. When Nate spotted it, he took a big drink. Kaylee took another drink and promptly announced that Nate had ruined it- "it tastes bad now." Nate's response got me giggling: "Really? Let me taste it and see."

Kaylee gave me that pre-teen look and I said: "You gotta admit- that's funny!" To which she promptly responded- "Well, then, I guess you'll blog about it."

I couldn't disappoint her.

Why?

Even though Max is now 20 months old, he will always be my baby. Lately, I'm seeing less and less baby and more and more glimpses of the two year old on his way. For example-

This evening Max was enjoying a juice pop (frozen o.j.) while I loaded the dishwasher after dinner. He kept trying to go downstairs with it. Here was our conversation:

Me: "Max, stay in the kitchen with the juice pop."

Max: "why?"

Me: "Because food belongs in the kitchen."

Max: "why?"

Me: "Because it will make a mess."

Max: "why?" (starting back down the stairs)

Me: "Max, stay in the kitchen"

Max: "why?"

Me: "Because food belongs in the kitchen."

Max: "why?"

Me: "Because its messy."

Max: "why?"

Me: "Because......"

You get the idea. We played at least 3 rounds of this game before I ended it with the classic parenting line.

"Because I said so!"

Ahhh.... the fun begins.

Party Planning 101- get help

I know its been a bit quiet around here lately. We've kept ourselves pretty busy for the last couple weeks with a family project. I volunteered to help my best friend, Denise plan her daughter Gabby's 8th birthday party and if you know me, then you know without me saying that I went a bit over the top. This time I took everyone with me.

If you are familiar with Webkinz then the rest of this post makes perfect sense. If not just imagine that there is an online site for kids that has everything I'm talking about. (And it wouldn't hurt to just imagine that its something that I'm slightly obsessive about.)

Derek was commissioned to build a "wheel of wow."



Kaylee & Grandma made the pinata.


Kaylee painted the wishing well.


I made all the signs and organized the games and made the "gak." (Don't worry its just ice cream.




Denise ordered the cake, balloons & pizza.


Nate and Max suffered through everyone's distractions and constantly being told not to touch anything.

But I think the Party was a great success.


The birthday girl & all the guests had a great time and while finishing up the last bit of shopping for this party I discovered that Party City has a whole bunch of things on sale for 50 cents so I stocked up.... and I have some great ideas...... Now I just need a little help.......

anyone?

Back Handspring!

Kaylee started summer dance at a new studio this week. I haven't blogged about it yet but Kaylee's dance studio may be closing. The owner hasn't made a final decision whether to relocate or retire. So to hedge our bets, so to speak, we decided to enroll Kaylee at a new dance studio for the summer. It gives us a trial period to see if we like the people and style of teaching, then in the fall we'll make a decision where to take dance lessons.

So far we are pretty happy with the new studio. Kaylee has said the other kids are very friendly and welcoming which is great for a new student. Kaylee feels like she's mostly on par for her level- maybe slightly behind on a couple moves and maybe slightly ahead on others- so that's good. And she likes all the teachers.

Last night was her first Acrobat class at the new studio. After a quick evaluation she was placed in the advanced group. They were working on back hand-springs,which Kaylee has only done while being spotted. The instructor spotted her the first time. Then he said- great job o.k do it again. Then the second time after she finished the back hand-spring he told her he hadn't spotted her the second time! Then she did it again on her own. Kaylee is really excited!

Danger Boy to the Rescue!

Our 4th of July long weekend was wonderful. On Friday, the 4th we visited my parents at their camping resort. Kaylee, Nate & Max all enjoyed swimming both at the beach and the pool. They especially enjoyed spending time with their cousins.

On Saturday, the 5th the kids enjoyed more swimming at our neighbors annual Independence Day Pool Party. Max especially enjoyed sitting on a floating chase lounge while Nate pulled him around the pool. That is, until he got a little too comfortable and tipped over the side and fell into the water. Nate acted very quickly to grab Max and swim him over to the edge of the pool where Derek & I were watching. Nate definitely has the instincts for lifeguarding! Not that Max was really in any danger-- he was wearing a fully accredited life vest, but we were still impressed with Nate's quick thinking.

Today Nate starting swimming (& hopefully diving) lessons. He already does pretty well but he wants to learn to swim "the right way" and he really wants to learn more diving tricks. Hopefully the diving class isn't full, since we didn't pre-register. (Update: the diving class was full. Bummer. They may offer it again in the fall so hopefully we'll get in then. Danger Boy did really like swimming class and was proud to report he's the only one in his class to dived head first off the diving board.) I'll also be updating with some pictures from the weekend- eventually.

How to eat cooked spinach

Here's Nate's idea to improve the process of eating cooked spinach.

You need a switch to turn off gravity. Your chair would be stuck to the floor and you'd have a seat belt. Then when there is a food you don't like you can turn off gravity. Then the food would float right over your taste buds and you wouldn't even taste it. Or even better.... it would float to the garbage can and you wouldn't have to eat it at all.

But alas, this technology has not yet been invented, so Nate is sitting at the table as I type this trying to decide if getting an evening out with Mom by himself (which most likely involves a special treat) is worth eating cooked spinach.

He has 4 more minutes to decide. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Update: It didn't go well. Does anyone know a good military school?