Bones, Parties, Fairies, & Tonsils

Behold, the 10 year old! Double-digits. Whoa. The day started off with rain, but we were able to have the swimming party. Jack now officially considers himself 10 years old. Eek. After the party, we went to eat Mexican per request of the birthday kid with my folks. They took the boys with them to spend the night, since we have to be at the hospital in the a.m. at 5:30. Double Eek. After the Mexican chow, PDaddy and I took Soph to Target to pick up a few things to keep her occupied and still/quiet for the next couple of days. We found a really cute kit that makes a rag doll that I'm pretty excited about. Ha! She also picked out a few sand art projects and a little book that makes fairies out of paper. Hopefully we will not be insane when the post-surgery days are over.
PDaddy is feeling better and has his appetite MOSTLY back. The pain is still a factor, but nothing like it was when the bone was near-protruding through the skin. Obviously. Speaking of the Dadster, he is watching a horror movie that I am trying my best to pretend isn't on. It's really creeping me out. Turistas? Have you seen this? I'm trying not to see it.
Maybe I'll go read in the tub.

June 28, 1998

At 7:15 in the a.m. on Sunday, June 28th, 1998, I was 4 weeks away from my due date of July 25th, and I was huge and miserable. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it 4 more weeks because it seemed as if I was growing by the minute. The following week I was to start my breathing/labor classes with PDaddy with plenty of weeks after that to rest and get my baby clothes put away one more time and refolded one more time. That morning, like so many others close to it, I was lying in bed (PDaddy was a police officer then and already at work) asking God to please let me make it one more day because I literally felt like the babe was hanging out of my bottom every time I stood up. To prove that point, I stood up to go use the restroom and proceeded to empty the fluid contents of my womb on our bedroom carpet. WHO KNEW THERE WAS SO MUCH OF THAT STUFF IN THERE....AND THAT IT KEEPS COMING FOR THE DURATION? ((Interesting side note: My water broke with all 3 of my angelic little bundels of happiness.)) Where was I? Oh, yes. The water runs down my leg, so I go to the restroom, do my business, and I am thinking that perhaps I just pee'd on myself. Wouldn't that just be lovely? Skipping over some not so pleasant particulars, I became quite certain that it was, oh yes indeedy, my bag of water. Hahaa...my bag of water. Anyway, I phoned PDaddy who was to meet me at the hospital and phoned Pearlie Sue next so she could carry me (not literally, I was so incredibly not carry-able) to the hospital. It is important to state that at this point, with the water gushing continuously from myself, that I thought I was in labor. Uhm. No. At the hospital, it was revealed that I was barely even dilated. Pitocin was the order of the day, and I declined an epidural because, after all, it didn't hurt...but I wasn't in labor, remember? At some point I started blacking out, I asked for the Candy Man to come and give me the good stuff, but the Candy Man had been called to another surgery, so I was told to wait. Oh my. I eventually got that epidural, along with an emergency c-section after 12 hours of retardedly hard labor and 2 hours of pushing. Poor Jackson Ryan's heartbeat started declining and not recovering after the contractions, so off to the ER and immediately zipped out he was weighing 8 pounds 10 ounces. He was the biggest "preemie" in the NICU of the hospital. Hehe. There were some complications due to his being early, and being a boy, his lungs weren't as developed at barely 36 weeks as much as a girl's would've been. He was also born with a fever due to the rough circumstances of the labor. We were discharged shortly after, but we were readmitted a day later because the child was a yellow as a banana with bilirubin levels going over 17--which is close to drain bramage level. We finally got to come home for good on the 4th of July. And the clock beside where I sit is very close to ticking to 9:22 p.m. The time my Jackie was born. Happy Birthday Jackson! Oh my gosh, I'm such an old woman!
((Ang, I have a photo of you and Amanda standing in the hospital hallway. Waiting. Hehe. Oh yes, you're old too!!! Hehe..)

A Crash Test Daddy

Yesterday morning at about 6:30 I received a call that PDaddy had been injured while on his morning cycle route. He rides his bicycle usually about 10-15 miles every other day, and this particular ride didn't end as expected. To make a long story short, we ended up with a fairly emergency collar bone surgery. PDaddy received a metal plate and 8 screws to forever hold his collar bone together and bone fragments were removed. It was a pretty graphic break as his collar bone was jutting out and so-very-near puncturing the skin. Very, very nasty. Doc said one false move, and the thin layer of skin containing the fracture would have broken through. We are attempting to nurse him back to health, but he is having a pretty rough time with the pain meds which are giving him headaches and nausea. On Tuesday we will see a hand surgeon to address the damage done to his hand. Anyway, we are here and hanging on. I feel like we've been in constant motion since I received the call yesterday morning. Especially since we didn't get home until very late last night and had to get up this morning (minus PDaddy) at 5 AM and drive to Nacogdoches for the swim meet. PDaddy was left home alone (how horrible is that) to fend for himself (he actually slept and moaned) while some of the clan attended Jack's swim meet today. PDaddy is very mobile and can get up and move around, so we weren't worried about him not being able to take care of things, and he insisted that Jack still go swim and not miss out on his next to last meet. Jack did really, really well again. Today is his 10th bday, and we're going to attempt to still carry on with his swim party here at our house tomorrow, and then we will have Sophy's tonsil removal on Monday morning at around 5:30.
Off to check on PDad. He is about the most pitiful patient you can imagine, so I am looking very forward to him feeling a bit better even if will be in an arm sling for the next forever.
((If I get a reprieve from being mom, nurse, and party planner this evening, I want to update once more with a special Jack's birthday flashback. In the meantime, I need to rouse the sleeping dad, get a supper plan going, and toss together the makings for a swim party....which probably means a trip to Walmart for cake, etc....oy.))

10 things I've said this week

• Untie yourself and eat your lunch.
• Did you wipe your butt? No? Well, that's why it's itching then.
• Yes, I would love to have a butler.
• I'm glad you don't want to smoke cigarettes and get a tattoo Sophy. Thank you.
• Why did you wipe your glasses with a tortilla?
• Do not chase the children through the house with the toilet brush please.
• No, I will not buy you a ladder that reaches the top of the house for your birthday Sam.
• Do not hide in Daddy's office making armpit farts when he is meeting with clients.
• Someone ate 7 cookies from this box, and I want to know who it was!
• You can get a diamond for your nose when you turn 25.

I'll probably not post again before Saturday!

The Remains of the Day

PDaddy's photos were cancelled this eve due to rain, so he grilled pork chops and some veggies. Someone gave us a box of fresh garden veggies, so I sauteed squash, sliced tomatoes, etc. It was quite tasty. The kids and I made sugar cookies after supper while it rained, so we're all fat and happy now. After supper, I sat on the back porch and talked to Wallace. I swear that rabbit used to be someone's pet. He just hops right up to you as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
My mom will be having a fairly invasive breast procedure on Friday. Please remember Mrs. Pearl in your prayers. Most of you know what a trial her boobs have been during the last couple of years, and this is just one more episode it seems. Hopefully all will be well. We will be able to do Sophy's pre-op stuff by phone on Friday, so luckily we don't have to deal with that. PDaddy and I have plans on Friday to celebrate his birthday sans children. The plan is to have lunch at Carrabas and catch an early movie. I think we may see Get Smart, but that is up for debate at this point. Saturday will be an early morning again as we head to Nacogdoches for our next swim meet, and Jack will also turn TEN that day. The party will be on Sunday after church. Sophy's tonsillectomy (how do you spell that) is on Monday morning, and we will leave Thursday morning for Hot Springs to see PDaddy's daddy if Sophy recovers nicely. PDaddy's dad and step-mom live on the lake at Hot Springs Village, so we'll be spending lots of time on the water, in a boat, fishing, etc. Our fishing on the camping trip was disappointing to say the very least, so they will be excited to catch anything with gills and fins. PDaddy's dad says that the fish are plentiful and huge right off of their dock, so maybe we'll get to eat some of those guys! We hope to be there for the 4th to see the fireworks from the lake, but it all depends on Sophy's recovery, I suppose. Sam had an amazingly quick recovery after his tonsil surgery a few years ago, so we're hoping to be so fortunate again. Ha!

Home Sweet Home

Due to Jack's sickies we are chilling at home today. He is feeling a bit better, so hopefully we are on the downhill side of whatever this is. Of course, I've said that before. Some of you may remember the 9 days of 103 fever last December..or the 8 days of Rotavirus X 3 in '01. Those are days you never forget man. So, Jack and I are sitting on the couch watching Cash Cab. Cash Cab is like mac n' cheese to me... comfort food...er...TV. Riddle me this. If you watch the show, have you noticed the number of people who get in the cab and say they are "going to get cupcakes? There must be some crazy-good cupcakes in NYC. We just saw a commercial that advertised Shark Week which will be starting up soon, and I thought Jack would vault off of the couch and do a back flip. I just wish they would run Shark Week in December. That way it wouldn't be fresh on my mind each year when we go to Florida.
School got out for summer on June 9th, and we promptly left for our camping trip the next day. Since that time, we have had something each day that we had to go to or do. This is the first day since June 9th that I plan on being home ALL day with NOTHING to do. NOTHING, I tell you. Well, other than take Soph to gymnastics this eve. Oh, and run to the post office.

Are you guys watching much TV this summer? Here are some reality shows we're Tivo'ing:

• Dirty Jobs - My Mike Rowe fascination has not ended...nor shall it ever.
• Deadliest Catch - It took me a while to get into this show, but PDaddy really liked it, so I stuck with it. Now, I am torn between thinking those guys are insane and/or really brave.
• WipeOut - This show is absolutely ridiculous, and I laughed my head off. I have no idea what the purpose of the show is.
• Japanese Game Show - We haven't watched this yet, and I may just delete it.
• Last Comic Standing - I really like this show. This week starts the finals, so they should be to the part of the show where the good comics are on the stage.

I think I need some tea. Gotta jett.

Random Photos

This odd little guy was at the Dallas Aquarium on the way home from our camping trip. He was sort of neat and really creepy, all at the same time.
The kids really loved the horseback riding on our trip. Jack cried when we had to leave because he loved this horse so much...as you can tell by the laying on of hands. He looks like he is praying.

This pictures shows Sam being Sam.

I love this photo of Sophy. There is something old-timey and idealic about it.

This is the view we see when the kids swim. This photo is actually of Sam and Sophy having an underwater wrestling match.

Last but not least, here is the latest pic of Wallace. We see Wallace every day, and this photo was taken about 3 steps away from him.

Infectious Disease Report

Jack has been grounded with a nasty, nasty virus. He is so upset because he is having to miss most, if not all, of his swim practices this week....as well as team pictures. He is very sad, and I am just hoping that he is well before Saturday. I haven't had the heart to tell him that there is a chance he can't participate in the next meet if he isn't better. Oy.
Sophy is having another round of nasties in her throat. We visited the ENT Doc today with a referral from our pediatrician, and we're slated for tonsil removal this coming Monday morning. Yeah. Hello! We figured it was inevitable, but we didn't really think it would be days away. It will be day surgery. So, there you have it!

Shameless Product Endorsement with photo

First and foremost, obviously, this is NOT an endorsement of my photo taking abilities. Having said that, let us begin in random order:

• Pantene spray detangler - (Not pictured) We would buy this by the gallon if possible. Sophy and I are like Chia Pets, and I am constantly amazed at the products for sale that claim to detangle, but also leave your hair looking like you slept with mayonaisse on it. For several days. This spray is light and truly does not weigh your hair down. I find that it works nicely at shining up the old mane as well.
• Listerine PocketMist - A must-have for anyone concerned with halitosis on the go. I basically just like how it makes my eyes water and my nose feel like I've been snorting Tobasco.
• Cover Girl AquaSmooth Foundation (compact) - I am a life-long, die-hard Estee Lauder foundation wearer. My face is extremely prone to break outage if I'm not careful what I use, so I am hesitant to try many new things. I recently took a gamble and tried this foundation in lieu of a trip to the mall (i.e. gas, cash, time, etc.) Long story made short, I have had no more break out than normal, maybe less, it covers very well, lasts throughout the day, and as long as you cover it with a good quality loose powder, it seems to be equal (mostly) to a more expensive foundation. Very surprising. I've been using it solely since about March. A huge plus is that I have found the color selections to be very nice as compared to some of the cheaper foundations back in the day that turned orange or too dark-brown.
• Cetaphil - This is one of those things that is a no brainer. Yeah, I know it's dermatologist recommended, but I'm a creature of habit. I've always used Dove on my face. On the recommendation of a co-worker/friend, I started using this and saw a tremendous improvement in the feel of my facial skin. It cleanses super gently and leaves your face soft. I use the bottle titled, Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin.
• Max Factor Vivid Impact Eyeshadow Duo - This is a double-sided wand thingy that has 2 separate colors with a neato tip applicator. I'm not sure what the colors are that I have, but one is like a sparkley, light pink and the other side is a sparkley chocolate. I rarely wear eyeshadow, but I use these as eyeliners. Love it.
• Cover Girl Lash Blast masacara - I LOVE THIS STUFF. As long as they are making it, I will not use any other type of masacara. It delivers what most masacaras promise. If you like fat, dark, plump, long eyelashes then this is the goop for you. BRIGHT ORANGE tube, don't forget it.
• the COLOSSAL VOLUM EXPRESS masacara - Maybelline's attempt to de-throne the BRIGHT ORANGE tube. Don't bother. It's not even in the same ballpark. Besides that, it smells like a not-fresh-baby-diaper.
• L'Oreal infallible 6 hr. lip gloss - I really like this lip gloss a lot, but I think it is the color I like more than anything. The color I have is called Barely Nude...and well, who doesn't like being Barely Nude? The color is awesome, but the gloss does NOT stay on remotely close to 6 hours. More like 2, but hey, I'm not so big for my britches that I can't reapply lip gloss.
• Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber - I bought this because I have loved the scrubbing bubble cartooney bubbles since I was a wee lass. It's an infatuation that can not be explained, sort of like my raving mad crush, to this day, on Don Rickles. I know. I know. Where was I? Oh yes, shameless endorsement...I fully endorse this little product. I would love to send in some improvement ideas to SC Johnson, but I don't think they are interested. Definitely worth the purchase if you have one (or three) dirty children that leave rings around your tub that make Saturn green with envy.
• Eggo BakeShop MiniMUFFIN TOPS - Muffins for the toaster. CHOCOLATE CHIP muffins for the toaster. Need I say more? We are in love. They are super quick and more than yummy. Buy some soon. Do not delay.
• KRAFT Bagel-fuls ORIGINAL - A warm, chewy bagel filled with Philly Cream Cheese. 5g's of fat (if you're counting, which I am most assuredly not) and 200 calories. Fast and oh-my-word. If your mama isn't the type that hits back, go ahead and slap her silly. And then eat another one. If I'm not careful, I may have to start skipping my usual breakfast of Cheezits and a Cherry Coke.
• Cherry Coke - It needs no endorsement really. There it is.
  

Sunday News

After church we went to my folk's house for lunch. My mom had made pork dumplings, garden green beans, salad, rolls, etc....and a coconut cream pie for a belated PDaddy birthday sweet. PDaddy had a meeting with a potential bride (not his, that would be me...), and I made the kids rest in their rooms while I sat and did nothing. It was such a bizarre thing that I even managed getting them to do it that I had no idea what to do once they were all in their rooms and resting. They never did sleep...man, do I miss those napping years. Still, they did read and listen to music, so I guess that is all I can ask. PDaddy's client left, and we all swam for about 3 hours. We had floatey mattress races and a water volleyball game. The kids asked for breakfast for supper, and PDaddy volunteered to run and get Subway for us. YAY!! One thing I love about having a pool is that the kids are 100% occupied while swimming, and then they are near exhaustion for the remainder of the day. Aaahhhh, nothing like kids who are too exhausted to move. Does my heart good!! Hehe.
Tomorrow I have to run to school for a bit, and the kids will have to go to my mom's, I guess. After that, I think we're having some friends over for lunch and a swim. Jack will get his ribbons at swim practice tomorrow night from Saturday's meet. I really need to come up with some idea of displaying these in his room as he gets them over the years. Any ideas?
I've been meaning to do a new installment of my old Shameless Product Endorsements. I've run across some interesting finds lately in the cosmetic, hair, and kitchen/bath cleaning departments that I'd like to pass along. Maybe I'll compile that list and share them tomorrow. Also, I finally got around to watching 27 Dresses. It's actually a cute show. I watched it alone last night while PDaddy shot a VERY long wedding and reception (open bar...yeah, those take a while to shoot). Anywho, I watched the movie, and I must say that while the actress (can't recall her name) isn't my fav, I did like her in this role.
Off I go. Clothes in wash need to hit the dryer before Subway arrives.

Sunflower power

While I'm here, I'd like to share a pic of my latest crop of sunflowers. They're called "Strawberry Blonde," and they are so pretty!

This, that, and the swim meet

Jack and Coach #1. Getting ready for the individual freestyle. Jack placed first in this heat and man-oh-man was he excited when he came up at the wall and no one else was there! He was in the zOnE!
Jack had a great swim meet today! Here are the results:

Back stroke: 2nd place
Freestyle: 2nd place (sooo close to 1st)
Breast stroke: results not posted yet..we're thinking 3rd
Medley Relay: 3rd place
Freestyle Relay: 1st place

He had a blast, and we were home by 1 o'clock. SCORE! Whoohoo. The PinkieMimi and the PinkiePop came to watch, so he was really happy to have a home crowd to perform for. PinkiePop came to the last meet also, so he got to get in on the fun two weekends in a row. I'm pretty sure he'll come next weekend, which will make Jack really happy. The facility for today's meet was really crowded, and I was dreading from the memories of last year. Luckily, next week we're at a nice, large venue, so we'll be on like a chicken bone. A friend of Jack's went to SMU swim camp last week, and he was able to see several past swim Olympians and Olympic coaches. Also, SMU has several coaches who are going to Bejiing this summer to coach for the Olympics. There is a strong likelihood that we'll find a camp like that next summer. Sounds like something right up Jack's alley. PDaddy talked with someone today about a similar camp at Texas A&M, so we'll see what we can come up with next year.

GAME TIME

After the swim meet, we came home and hit the Pinkiepool for a short swim/splash. PDaddy left a bit ago for a wedding, so he won't be home until late, I'm sure. The kids are exhausted, so we had a hot supper, and they are all now laid up somewhere at the late, late hour of 6:35 p.m. I have a feeling bedtime will come early tonight. Jack is one pooped pup, and Sam is too although I can't figure out why. He has been the biggest crab this afternoon/eve.

Next week I have to go to school (blech) a couple of days to get some things done, and we'll be doing the usual gymnastics/swim practices. I'm looking forward to a date night with PDaddy. We're planning on going to see Get Smart and out to dinner.

In other news, it is (I think) 23 days until we head to Florida with the PDaddy's side of the clan. We are beside ourselves with excitement....we being PDaddy and I. Haha. The kids, of course, are over the moon with excitement also. Speaking of the PDaddy kin, the GrandPinkieMac is enroute home from Russia today, so we're hopeful to hear if she made is safely home. The kids have especially missed her.

Next Saturday is Jackson's 10th birthday. That is a post of it's own, so I'll save that for another day! We'll be having a pool party here next Sunday afternoon. Whoooweee!

The kids are either up to no good or sleeping, so I better go see which!

~*Happy Birthday PDaddy*~

The Great PDaddy turned 34 35 36 today! Check out the blaze on that cake! Speaking of cake, we had a yummalicious ice cream cake from Wallyworld, of all places. If you ever need a quickie cake, they are very tasty. We spent the evening at home. PDaddy grilled some awfully good chicken, and we had artichokes and baked potatoes with grilled veggies while the kids attacked each other in the pool. The kids are all, hopefully, getting to sleep because we have another early swim meet morning tomorrow. This one is a bit closer to home, and Jack is crazy excited.
Our Pinkiecousin, E., went home today, and Sophy is beside herself with grief. For once, the gender odds were even around here, and Sophy actually had a very willing play partner for all things girlie. Cousin E. will be greatly missed in Pinkieville. After a week of pretend fairies, fingernail painting, mermaids, and late night giggling, our sadness may never end.
PDaddy just informed me that our movie, Fool's Gold (Matthew McCaughney and Kate Hudson) is on. Gotta jet. Pics tomorrow of the swim meet...stay tuned.

The Show

I was invited to be the guest of honor, along with about 74 stuffed animals of various species and one YorkiePoo named Pongo, at a presentation of a show called, The Fairy and the Dragon. Here you have the audience.
The basic plot was one of a fairy (played by PinkieCousin E.) guarding her house from a dragon (played by Sam) and an attacking skunk (played by Sophy). Notice Rudolph and Clarice looking on? They were enthralled....or so they seemed.

Taking a bow!

Sometime after this photo was taken they all pretended like they were bunnies who layed eggs.

Things I learned while camping with my family...

If you'd like to revisit last year's list, feel free. For now, here is the 2008 list.

• If we go on vacation, I will start my period, period.
• Strep throat + Diarrhea = Streptacaca
• Chiggers are the scurge of humanity. I currently have a host of them in the bend of my knees.
• There is no deodorant that is a match for Texas.
• The woods are creepy. That's all there is to it.
• Head lice is an interesting creature.
• A seesaw that only seats two is a sure-fire way to make 3 children fight like a pack of rabid dogs.
• Mileage in a car with 3 children ages 6, 7, and 9 should be calculated like dog years. 1 mile should = 7.
• Cherry Coke Zero should not be marketed to resemble it's non-zero'd counterpart. Cherry Coke withdrawal is a very real condition.
• Woodland creatures do not care if you shave your pits or your legs, but your family might.
• Not all sheep have 2 ears.

~We're back~

Jack was fence hopping in order to find more wind for his kite.
Cliff diving starts at an early age.
Sophy goes for the country girl look.


We had a blast with mi familia and the cousins, and I think we packed as much into the 4 days as you can imagine (and then some.....some of you know what I'm talking about. HA!) Anyway, we hiked, we fished, flew kites, rode bikes, explored an ancient river bed, made s'mores, caught fireflies, climbed trees, played on a tire swing, went horseback riding, fed some animals, and visited the Dallas World Aquarium. Whew! We made it home yesterday afternoon, and Jack, my dad, and I hit the road this a.m. at 5:30 to go to swim trials in Nacogdoches. Jack did super again, and he is fired up for his first real meet next week. I'll post a few more pics here and there as things settle.

Random Ramblings

WALLACE:

Meet Wallace. Wallace lives in our back yard with his rabbit family. Wallace is very, very not afraid of us. Wallace sometimes comes to our patio door and the door of our master bedroom and stares in at us. Wallace is very curious. Wouldn't it be cool if we could feed him from our hands? Yeah, we're working on that.

TODAY:

After church this a.m., we went to Shreveport and had lunch at Jason's deli. Sam asked to get ice cream after he finished his lunch, and we sent him with our blessings to the ice cream machine. I know, I know. You'd think since it isn't our first day on the parenting scene with this one that we would've known better. He reappeared some time later with a GIANT coffee cup exceedingly full and sporting a stacked and curled blob of ice cream that would've made any Dairy Queen employee proud. When he sat down I said SAM, THAT IS A COFFEE CUP! LOOK AROUND, DO YOU SEE ANYONE ELSE WITH ICE CREAM IN A CUP THAT SIZE? He said to me, I can't help it if they ain't as smart as me. Again, we're in trouble with this one.

We left Jason's and went to the sporting goods store that I refuse to name because it's name is vile and dirty to me. Who would name a place something so....tacky? Where was I? Well, we went there to pick up fishing equipment, a few flashlights for the kids to play Scarey Tag, as they call it, and few things for Jack's time trials that are next Saturday. While PDaddy paid the bill, the kids and I walked to Kohls next door to the sporting goods place. My children were in rare...rare form, especially the older one. They kept hiding from me and laughing at me. One of them had the bright idea to pretend like HIS head was super glued to my hip, and so of course the other two thought it was hilarious and joined in. I couldn't get them to stop because it was making me giggle and so if mama is laughing you're safe, right? At some point PDaddy wandered in to Kohls, and we spied him from a distance so I called him on his cell phone and started giving him bogus directions to where we were while the kids and I slinked and sneaked around racks of clothing and potted plants. Oh my goodness, it was hilarious. In case you're wondering, they did not call security on us. We left on our own.

I finished putting out all of my seeds when we got home, and PDaddy rigged up some outdoor accent lighting around the pool area while the kids played in the pool. I whipped up supper for the kids and fed them on the patio. PDaddy and Jack have been waiting for the series When We Left Earth on the Discovery Channel. They watched most of it this evening until it got too late, so we're Tivo'ing the rest of it. Jack begged to not have to go to bed. Poor thing loves him some space.

Honey:

I've been meaning to take an updated photo of sweet Honey to show you guys her cuteness. Oh, she is just so sweet. She is learning how to fetch! After the kids went to bed last night, we took her to our room while we watched TV. She left us to run into the living room, and in several trips, she had found all of her chew toys and had horded them in one spot....and then she laid beside them and went to sleep. I guess she was afraid Pongo would get them. They are fight like children. It's hilarious.

Oh, I smell bad. I'm going to bathe.

No shame in our game.

We went to a birthday party this eve for one of Sam's classmates/friends, and I did the usual "if you don't mind we'll go home faster than you can say Cheetos" spill at which time I reminded them to be polite, wait their turn even if it killed them, and to please not tell people when their bathing suits weren't exactly figure flattering. They very intently told me that yes m'am they would be polite and angelic. For the most part, they were. Until we were thanking the party mom and Sophy announced in a sugary sweet and matter of fact tone, "Please excuse me. I just farted." She wasn't grand standing. She wasn't trying to be funny. She was apologizing for polluting the air. Next time when I do the "if you don't mind we'll go home" speech, I need to add in there something about not detailing the specifics when we excuse ourselves.

The Weekend

Today at school we had a faculty vs. student basketball game, and I operated the time clock and scoreboard, and I commentated the game. After a few unsuccessful attempts to take the microphone away from me, it went pretty smoothly. Nothing like a captive audience. PDaddy had a HS graduation to shoot this evening, and I stayed home with the crew and thought of all the things I had to do while I sat on the couch. It was pretty nice. The kids asked for breakfast for supper, so I made eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, muffins, fruit, etc., and then we had movie night. Pretty laid back.

PDaddy has a bike ride in the a.m. with a group of biking menfolk. I'm not sure how far they're going, but they're leaving earlier than I think any sane person ought to even consider using wheels and expending energy. I think I'm going to put out a bunch of seeds and let the kids help. Well, I can count on help from Sophy....the boys not so much. PDaddy has a wedding tomorrow afternoon/eve, so I guess I'll just chill here and get the house/laundry/fridge, etc. ready for our week long absence. Sunday after church we're going to go buy all of our camping supplies, food, etc. I may go to town tomorrow while PDaddy is busy and pick up the kites the kids want and grab some rubber boots for all 3. They have big plans that involve mud at the place we're going, so I think rubber boots are necessary. One thing I can't wait to do is go horseback riding with the kids. I think they are really going to enjoy that. It's been so long since I've been near a horse, so it should be interesting. Ha.

The eyes are wanting to close, so I think it would be wise to turn down the beddy-bye and go nighty-night.

Happy End of Kindergarten!

Class of 2020!

It looks like she is advocating for peace, but she was actually communicating with her cousin that was in the audience.

It is with mixed emotions that I declare the Pinkie family to be henceforth and forevermore a KINDERGARTEN FREE zone!! Sophy Claire graduated today with a face full of grins and a swing and a skip in her step. The ceremony was really cute, and she got an reading award certificate along with 6 or so other kiddos. Hooray!!

Kindergarten is such a monumental year. As a parent, you dream about and dread your baby's first day of school. It's bittersweet to know that we'll never have the kindergarten warm fuzzies again, but it's also nice to know that we have our feet planted firmly in the halls of education. I really have enjoyed each grade (knock on wood) as we go along. Next year we'll hit first, second, and fourth. EEK! Heaven help the mama.

Leaping Lizards...er, Red Heads.

Paper Walls, Gynecological Visits, and Frolicking Bunnies

My red head has dreamed of building grand fetes of architecture since he was 3 years old. His greatest, and longest standing, dream is to build churches and Walmarts. At some point his dream stretched to include building me a home for when I "get really old and babysit his children for him." He told me today that this house was going to have paper walls so that his children, my grandchildren, could color on my walls without having to worry about making me angry. I immediately did a wall check throughout the house to see if there was a reason behind such a statement. There didn't seem to be any wall art, but he is quite familiar with the use of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser so maybe he erased the evidence.

Today I had to leave school early to make an impromptu gynecological visit. Yeah. You really wanted to know about that. Not.

In other news, we have a bunch, family, warren(?) of rabbits living under one of our outside storage buildings. PDaddy peered under to see what he could see, and he swears the WeirRabbit is living under there. Every night at dusk, one of the bunnies or two will come out to munch before dark. We're thinking we're going to attempt to tame them, since they seem to be fairly comfortable with our comings and goings. Not that we plan to disturb them, but it would be neat if we were able to hand feed them occassionally and let the kids see them up close.

Oh! Wonder Pets is on. Gotta go!

Strep, Bathing Suit, Giant Balls, Bubbles, and Fighting Dogs

Sophy has strep. Again. For the 3rd time in 6 weeks. Sam had a similar situation when he was 4, and we had the tonsils out. Since that time, he has been heatlhy (knock on something QUICK) as a horse. Doc started counting throat episodes, so it's likely we're on the same path. Luckily our pediatrician group (they are amazing) is open 7 days a week...well, they are open from 10-11 on Sunday morning. Can you imagine the waiting room on Sunday? Anyway, Soph and I went there this morning to see why she had yet another fever and then to Target to pick up her prescription for Omnicef. Her little throat looked like swollen, raw hamburger meat. Disgusting! We'll be on the Rx for 10 days, so at least we should be remotely healthy for our camping trip. If she gets another throat infection after this one, we'll have to go an ENT doc to see about the tonsils coming out.

Oh, while at Target I found the cutest bathing suit ever. I love it! The photo doesn't show it, but the bottoms have the same ties on the sides at the top does in the center. It's really cute. I usually get a suit from Lands End or Eddie Bauer to last me the whole season, but I've really had a hard time finding one that I liked either the style or the fabric print. I love, love this one. I just hope it durable. Nothing worse than losing your drawers in the ocean! I ordered Sophy 2 new suits on Ebay, and they should be here soon. I've several suits from last year to sell...not to mention her entire Fall wardrobe. I'm really behind on my ebay selling, but I should make a killing off of her Fall clothes this year since I had several whole outfit sets that are still selling good on ebay. Thank goodness for ebay! If you have a daughter, this is the only way to go! I gave up trying to find clothes in stores that I could a.) afford and b.)didn't look like a street walker. I man, booty pants in size 5T were not what I had in mind. I digress!

I also bought 5 of the giant bouncy balls while at Target, a giant bubble bucket with 4 giant wands and 2 cases of sidewalk chalk to take for Sophy's class to use next week. She will be finished on Wednesday, so I'm sure they'll spend Monday/Tuesday wrapping up and playing outside. All of the grades had Play Day on Friday, and the kids had a really good time. I think they do this in lieu of the "Field Day" from back in the gap. The PTO (PTA?) does the jumpy castles, clowns, popsicles, bicycle raffles, face painting. The kids really liked it. Of course, they'll like being out of school better. Ha.

Pongo and Honey have fought like spoiled children all afternoon. Pongo intentionally will get Honey's chewy toys and go somewhere in plain view of her, so she can watch him chew on it. Of course this makes Honey go bananas. Then Pongo will take off with the chewy toy, and the fight/chase that ensues is both aggrivating and hysterical. They are like having 2 year olds. Speaking of two year olds...there is nothing like waiting in a doctor's office waiting room to make me thank the Dear Lord that my children are past that stage. Oy! I know I did my time with 3 kids under the age of 3 in the doc office waiting room spewing vomit and other things all in unison, but dang it if it's not so much easier to take a 6 year old who can sit and wait her turn while she reads a Junie B. Jones chapter book. I witnessed some poor, frazzled mom with a newborn and a 2 year old as she attempted to comfort the sick baby and keep the insane 2 year old from sticking sucked on cheerios to the vinyl chair backs, and I remembered. And I was thankful. On so many different levels! Ha.

The kids are begging to swim, so I guess we'll go suit up.