And we're out of here...

Heading out in the morning for a few days visiting the inlaws....
Assuming we've got internet access, I'll update the blog while on the road.

if not, we'll catch up on Monday!

Look Ma, no cavities...

Which is the good news...

Took the Things to the dentist today. All that brushing, rinsing and finally flossing (honest, they floss now that we've discovered those Reach floss thingies) has paid off.

Sadly, the good news did not continue. One needed a tooth wiggled out today. The other has been given 30 days to wiggle TWO teeth out or come back. And they both need consults with the orthodontist.

Do you think Congress will bail us out so we can pay for their braces?

If you give a Thing a camera...

Sometimes you get the expected...But also, you sometimes get the unexpected...


Thing One or Thing Two (and maybe Hubby) took these other three photos.
Must remember to hand over the camera a little more often. It is always interesting to see the photos that other people take.
*taken LAST weekend. This weekend? Total homebodies...

They know...

Yesterday, we took a little trip. An adventure with another family. (photos to follow, still on the camera). On the way home, the car was so quiet for having 5 hyped up boys in the back.
For a moment I thought they had fallen asleep. No such luck.

Instead, the other mom asked "are you guys chatting or playing?" (picto-chat on nintendo Ds)
One of the boys replied "We're doing both...that's what being a kid is all about: chatting and playing!"

Well by golly...if they know it, I wonder if they'll ever appreciate how easy they've got it?
Yeah, I don't think so either...maybe when they are all grown up and nostalgic....

Got Quirky?

Yep folks, another round of Tag is being played and just when I was bragging about not being tagged, I learned it was because I'd already been tagged here. Thanks ladies...I'll try my best at this one.

Here's the challenge:
List 6 of your quirks
Here are the rules: Link the person who tagged you, identify your quirks and then tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

1. I simply must park in the same spot at the school every afternoon when I pick up the Things. And while they may be old enough to find me even if I'm parked elsewhere (who am I kidding? They could probably walk home by themselves, I'm just not ready to let go) but it really messes with my chi to not get my spot.

2. In order to get that spot, I leave 20 minutes early for a drive that take me at the most 4 minutes. Being late? Really bugs me. You can be late and it won't phase me. But me? ACK, we're late...hurry up boys...to which they've learned to respond with "No mom, we're just Martha late!".

3. Time for bed? I simply must sleep on the same side of the bed and on my right side. When Hubby is working nights or out of town, and in theory I could have the bed to myself, I still curl up on that edge of the bed...

4. Um...Uh...this is hard...can I cheat and borrow some quirks from my officially diagnosed quirky kid? Like did you know for the longest time he'd eat chicken only if it came in the little box from McDonald's? And while we couldn't afford to be going to McD's over and over, I would save the box and fill it with regular chicken. Yep, I"m the enabler to the quirky... that counts right?

5. Still nothing...is it because I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning? I'll often read the ending of a novel and if I like it, I'll read the beginning.

6. Six? Did they really say six? Why not three? Do I get bonus points for trying? Camera: can't leave home without it. Yesterday we toured the US Mint. Can you guess what was harder for me: leaving my purse locked in the car or not being able to have my camera with me on a family adventure? Ding Ding Ding: we have a winner! I felt naked the entire time...no camera case slung over my shoulder.

Ok, who to TAG:
I'd tag Tracey: but she's too busy trying to get through nursing school..
I'd tag Dodi: but like me, she's raising quirky, which leaves little time for herself to be quirky. Plus, she needs to be updating her blog with Project Runway stuff
I'd tag Ganelle: but she's more into playing pranks than playing tag.
I'd tag Aimee: but...well, I can't tease her because yes, she has updated her blog recently but usually she's about due for a nag instead of a tag.
I'd tag Danielle: but I'm thinking she might still be in that American sugar coma we induced with the goodie box of treats we sent her..
I'd tag JuniorTX....hmmm...just maybe she'll play along...although last I read she was busy helping build a library in her small town (she doesn't have time to be quirky with plans that big on the horizon!)

(and the other five of you as well...even though I've provided you with excuses...give it a try, please?).

Wordless Wednesday: Remind me again....

why did we bother getting them bean bag chairs?

Mad Money

I give you the new design for the dollar. Rather appropriate wouldn't you agree?

On the first day of track off...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wordless Wednesday: our little patriot

What's so funny?

You are. You know you are. I've read your blog. I've smiled, I've laughed, and maybe I've even commented a time to two to just add to the humor of it all.

Well, now there is something we can all do with our humor.

Check this out:
The idea comes from Navel Gazing at its finest and it's called the Blog Book. The hope is to raise money for the Nielsen family. For those of you who are non-locals, you may not be aware of the Nielsens. If that is the case, I encourage you to read their story on the NieNie Recovery Blog.

In a nutshell:
On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash with her husband, Christian Nielson, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinneard, near St. Johns, Arizona. Doug Kinneard passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital.Christian & Stephanie remain in critical condition at Maricopa Burn Center. Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body. His wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%. Christian and Stephanie have 4 small children,

Nope, I've never met this family, nor have I met the many dedicated and concerned family and friends that have surrounded this couple with their love and support. But their story of how the community has come together to support them in their hours of need is truly amazing. Please, if you will, check it out and show your support too!

*Thanks Vern and Dodi for bringing this project to my attention!

update...

the bribe?
Did.not.work!

Lord help us all...will we survive fifth grade?

The last quiet Monday

This is my last quiet Monday for the next couple of weeks. For the non-locals, the boys "track off" on Thursday which means they'll be home with me for the three weeks that follow.

The alarm goes off, we hit the snooze button. As I lay in bed, savoring the silence, it dawns on me that I'd promised to bring in a butter braid for teacher appreciation breakfast (side bar: who plans these things for Monday morning? Nah, just fussing, I do not want the job...even if I could do it better. I'm smart enough to just smile and cooperate lest I end up getting nominated to take over). It takes 25 minutes to cook, and is due at school in 20 minutes. Oh well: who cares if it was slightly undercooked? Got it baked and delivered all within the recommended time.

Next, one Thing decided he wanted to go to intramurals and the other decided he was still hungry and wanted to finish eating breakfast. Since it was the skinny Thing with usually no appetite that was willing to eat, I decided I'd break my rule of "you've got to agree, I'm not making two trips to drop you off" and hopped in the car to take Thing Two to intramurals.

Finally, Thing One is still eating, when we realize we have to leave NOW or he'll be late. Off he went...mouth full of food, and morning breath. Just glad I won't have to sit next to him in class! And hey, hopefully with a full tummy and a good night's sleep he'll do ok on his math test. A new bakugan is on the line if he scores a 90 or above. (yes, I'll out myself: I've resorted to paying my kid for a decent grade. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You might as well go ahead and call for Super Nanny to visit me: I told this same kid earlier in the weekend "sucks to be you" when he complained about some missing video game. Yeah...I'm up for mother of the year no doubt after this week's performance!)

hey, what happened to my quiet Monday? It wasn't even 0800 and I'd made three trips up to the blasted school? Oh well...it can only get better from here...I hope...

(just don't read Hubby's blog...I'm sure he'll post his woes later today but suffice to say Motorcycle Mistress #2 wasn't wanting to perform her duties this morning! No ignition...or something mechanical that involves ignition).

So much for that peaceful start to a Monday...

In case you'd forgotten...

Spelling woes continue

I was helping Thing Two with this week's spelling list. Checking which ones he knew, which ones needed more practice. I call out the word, he writes it on his dry erase board.

I get to "cranky". He writes "mom".

Should I sound the alarm

or savor the silence?

The Things are as bad as their mom in terms of their being "early birds". But here it is, well past 0800 and they remain sound asleep.

what to do...what to do?

*nothing, I'm thinking a girl could really get used to having the silence of the morning all to herself!

Imitation

As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

So, Thanks to AT for leaving her layouts here for me to "copy" and double thanks to Ms. Smith for creating the design in the first place.

Yeah, and lest you think I"m on top of things...these photos are from TWO years ago...sheesh...gotta do some more copying before AT takes all her inspiring ideas home.

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome to the neighborhood

Details to follow...but I say us locals need to plan a tailgate party for when it opens!

Maybe they do listen?

Last night there was an "issue" at the scout meeting that left the Things and I feeling rather frustrated. Tears were shed, and words were spoken. When out of the blue Thing One announces loud and proud "I know what I'll do...I'll write a persuasive letter!"

Who knew he was aware of this genre of writing?
And wow, I'm impressed that he took his woe is me feelings and is putting them to some sort of appropriate use. Maybe they do listen to their teacher (thanks. Mr. D) and their parents who have harped on the importance of speaking up and taking action when something isn't right.

*and for the curious out there, the matter has already been resolved. With one quick google search I was able to determine that the practice of hosting a raffle at a scout meeting is not only developmentally inappropriate for kids this age (which was my argument) but against the scout rules/regulations.

Wordless Wednesday: Whatever

Yeah, I know it is Thursday. You give me a 3 day weekend and I get all turned around and confused.

And yes, I also know that this is not one of my two things.

But come on, could she be any cuter? She too seems a bit confused because, well...I thought she was all about the ponies? Do they know she's found another love?

Son of a blogger

You know you have your children well trained when they not only strike a pose, but hold it long enough for you to get the photo taken.

Why can they not be this cooperative with other requests? Oh well...today I'll take what I can get.

If you are in the area around 2 local time, we're doing last call at the pool. The water's chilly but the company should be as warm and inviting as ever.