off to the races

About a month ago we enjoyed a rain-filled adventure in California. For a few brief moments we were dazzled with sunshine. Luckily one of those moments corresponded with a certain nephew's birthday party.



(I have no idea what these scooters are called, but they are more than awesome and I think I'd like one for myself.)







The difference between the following two are hilarious to me. I think a certain niece of mine picked up incredible speed as she was turning a bend on the path. Fortunately she's rather tenacious and her handy dad and Uncle Nate-ness were nearby to avert any serious injury. The facial expressions and body language of everyone in the last of these two photos is quite telling. Don't you think?!





Ps. One of these isn't a kid. Can you guess which one???

sage advice and the help of a reading list

From a big sister to a little brother:
"There's an old saying that goes 'never judge a movie by its cover,' its the same thing with people."

I suppose one would say we watch a lot of movies around these parts? However, when we're not watching we are reading. Grace was featured in one of my friend's blogs. Check it out!

grumpy bunny

Incidentally, if you are in the market for a new picture book, might I recommend this. We've had it for seven Easters now and I never grow tired of it. Perhaps because I can be a grumpy bunny too!

getting your game on with your peeps

Its Easter-time. You know this by the crazy amount of Peeps one can find at any given store. But imagine if you will, that you've recently opened up your Easter seasonal box, y'know the one you left in STL for an extra year in storage and haven't been into since 2009 or so. Yeah, that one. Well, imagine your surprise and your husband's delight when within that box you find an unopened package of pink Peeps.

What does one do with these?
Let us show you:


You carefully throw the Peep at a child waiting "patiently" with a tennis racket.

In the following picture if you look closely you can see the tail end of a Peep right by the arrow. (I am sure by now you are used to our amazing photography around these parts.)


The child then whacks the Peep. This is done over and over and over again until all the Peeps are smashed to smithereens in the backyard. You then "graciously" pose for a picture with your racket on a rock and try not to get whacked yourself.


And that my friends, is how its done.

sometimes things are useful down the road

Big test today for 3-5th graders in the state. So big that McDonalds has offered a free breakfast to children within that age range. How a greasy egg mcmuffin will help test scores increase, I'm not sure. But I digress.

Apparently They (they being the school administration from the district down through the teachers) have been "reminding" the children how important it is they do well on these tests. Grace has taken this to heart and has become slightly concerned about it. Oh how I wish she did not take after me in the test-taking-anxiety mode! She should channel her father in this regard! He's the coolest test taker I've evern known. We've talked about how she's taken tests like this every year in school. My favorite was last year, because in CA they don't just take standardized tests like everyone else. Oh no, y'see they do STAR testing. Fancy.

She's decided to try and chill about it. But I can tell she still is a bit ruffled. So I did what any fabulous mom would do. I put a note in her lunch that says,
"You're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh-darn-it we love you."

Seems only natural the pep talk I give my child I gleaned straight from SNL.

whew!

This has been one of our more wild weeks on record in a while. I am looking forward to the mundane and normalcy that should begin tomorrow.

All of our activities were good ones, there were just too many of them at the same time.

Some items I'll mention:
1. Nate ref-ed his first bball game. He needs to get a bit more comfortable when he blows his whistle. I think we're going to have to have some whistle practice. He also may consider not apologizing when he makes a call. But who am I to suggest such a thing? I apologize for junk All. The. Time. (Even when I have no business doing so!)

2. I was in a vocal trio at church today singing second soprano. I'm thinking if they knew how many notes I blew, they won't ask me again! Here's to hoping!!!!

3. I put on Jimmy's Super J cape today after we got home after church. I realize now I should have worn it to church as it certainly makes one more "super" and we all could have benefited from that during the "special musical number."

when I get to be 21 again

Say all you want about men not planning in advance. I sure have said much on that subject concerning one man I know, but I now need to take it all back.

He asked me out on a date for September 3. (I said yes by the way and am already planning on what to wear).

What could possibly be so important to promote such advanced planning?
The Def Leppard and Heart concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited. I'm thinking of some of those clip in hair extensions in dark purple are in order!!!

Now to line up a babysitter. Think I'll wait a little bit on that one.