In All Fairness....

You know, sometimes we joke about Rachel and her strong personality. People will ask if we are going to have any more children and our standard answer is something to the effect of "Uh, no; you've met Rachel" kind of thing. And yes, she has been a handful since she was in the womb, (using my bladder as a trampoline- no wonder she's such a good jumper now), but she really is so stinkin' cute and so full of personality, I was thinking I would indulge in a little motherly bragging about Rachel. You are forewarned!!!!
Her big thing right now is to go to bed early, lights out, then she gets up turns on her light, plays with her toys quietly for about 30 minutes or so, then gets back in bed and waits for us to come turn out her light again. AND, when she gets up from her nap, she'll get up and play. We'll open her door to check on the lil' booger and she very calmly asks us to shut the door and she goes back to playing. And, when I say playing, I mean she's spreading her toys and hair bows all over the floor, so you can't see the carpet.
She is also into dancing at the moment. She does this thing where she says what she's going to do and then she does it. It goes like this "Oh! I know! Clap, clap clap. Stomp stomp stomp. Wiggle, wiggle wiggle. Sliiiiiiiiiiiide. Sliiiiiiiide. Ta-Da! Yea, Rachel!!!!" Her little wiggles are so cute - that diaper gives her a bit of booty. She'll even 'teach' the dance to a character or imaginary friend. Instead of saying ta da, yea Rachel, she'll say "That's great, Daisy. Let's try it again". I think Daisy is Daisy Duck. Sometimes she'll teach it to a character on the Little Einsteins.
Her new phrase at the moment is 'not really'. Rachel, do you want some ___________? "Not really Mom" Rachel, do you want to take a nap? "No (shakes head) not really".
She is a little stingy with the hugs and kisses. But sometimes, when you are lucky, she'll take your face in her hands (one hand on each of your cheeks) and give you tons of kisses. When she wants to snuggle or sit in your lap, she calls that 'me me'. "Mama, I want me me" and then proceeds to push anything or anyone out of the way. The pushing part is not so good, but her little voice gets a high pitch to it and it sounds so sweet.
Now, when she gets mad and is upset, she asks for a wipe. When she is all done wiping her face, she says "There, that's better". And when she is in trouble (what, Rachel in trouble???) she always asks for a hug, like that will make us forget she pulled the cats tail or did whatever it was that got her in trouble.
Okay, enough cute stories for now. But, tune in next time when we write all about Russell's t-ball adventures and how Aimee was convinced Rachel was running a fever and had to buy a new fancy thermometer because she was also convinced the old one was broken!!!!

I'll save the suspense on that - it wasn't broken. I did, however, get a really cool new thermometer!

The Big Trip to Dothan

Many of you may not that know that Adam and I LOVE museums of any kind. I guess you could call us museum junkies!! When Adam's mom was temporarily working in DC about 7 years ago, I had the opportunity to stay with her for a week and spend hours upon hours in museums. It was terrific! Of course, we are sharing our interest with the kids. In OKC there were lots of good local museums to get out and explore, but here in Panama City, not so much. And the ones that are here, well, they are, uhhhhh, well, you could say that they are___________ (you fill in the blank).

Because the museums here are ____________, that means we are off for grand adventures to find the good ones. We've been a couple of times to the air museum in Pensacola. It is terrific, but a long drive. We've been to a couple in Tallahasse - one bad, one good on that tally. And there are more to discover there, but last weekend we decided to head north to Dothan, Alabama. Doesn't it seem weird to think that Alabama is NORTH???? Anyhoo, we headed to Ft. Rucker, outside of Dothan to visit the Army Air Museum on its base. It was about 90 minutes away. Dothan is a pretty non descript place, but they do have a bigger mall than we do! I think Dothan is a farming area, what they farm, I have no clue. Anyway.....................

As we arrived at the museum, the kids were getting excited - a lot of helicopters and small planes outside and the building actually looked fairly large, so the potential was there. We get inside and discover that there is some ceremony taking place in the main exhibit hall where all the cool stuff is. Lots of people in uniform or dressed in suits, etc. And, it is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Not exactly ideal circumstances for a 2 and 6 yr old. I'd tell you what the ceremony was if I knew, but noone seemed to know what it was for. Even the little lady in the gift shop was clueless. Oh, and there are a few tables with catering trays, punch bowl, etc. Good grief. I won't go into the details, but there was some screaming from a certain member of our family who is 2 years old. She very specifically said "I want that way" pointing towards the ceremony (they all ignored us). Finally the ceremony was over (we went outside for a while and came back in after it was over) and now it seemed appropriate to go in the main hall to look at the great displays. But then someoone wasn't happy with her sippy cup and was eyeing that punch bowl. The visit ended with me taking her to the car while the boys finished up oohing and aaahhing at all the big helicopter displays and then we made our way home.

"It Wasn't So Bad"

So, this morning was Russell's 6th Birthday Party! It was terrific! Look at the smile on this kid's face - I don't think he liked it at all!! Ha! 90 minutes of pure bouncing fun with about 20 kids and their parents. It was exactly how we had hoped it would be - a nice group of kiddos and their parents just having a blast and minimal work for us! I am now a convert; no more birthday parties at home.

I need to 'document' (for lack of a better term) that Russ has been so excited for his party and has been especially thrilled that his friend, Kerri, would be there. Here's what he has to say about Miss Kerri: Kerri has 2 Rs in her name and she's a very nice girl. Her dad is a firefighter and he helps people. It is so funny - he's just enamored with Kerri. Not sure if she is just as enamored, but she does seem to like Russ and they spent a lot of time playing together today. Pretty cute. Okay, you want a picture of Kerri...

So, we get in the car after the party and Russell is all grins. We ask him how he liked his party, what he thought of it, etc. His reply "It wasn't so bad".

Little fart.

What's the going rate for a tooth these days?

Russell lost his first tooth last Weds. at school. From what we know, it was during PE and according to him "it flew out of my mouth and into my hand and I ran and told Coach!" He is THRILLED!!!!! They have chart at school about losing teeth; they get a certificate and a box for the tooth, so obviously, it is huge deal in the land of Kindergarteners. On the way home from school that day, he said he needed to go to the dentist and get his new tooth. (You can forget trying to tell him it will grow in.)

Now, I believe that he actually lost the first tooth he got as a baby, but I'm not 100% sure. So, bedtime came and we put the tooth in its little blue box from school and put it under his pillow. I explained the tooth fairy would bring money and he said toys or candy would be okay instead. So then I had to tell him how small the tooth fairy was and she couldn't carry toys and candy. That seemed to be reasonable.

Well, would you believe she came and left a whole dollar for that one tiny tooth!?! She (well, he...) even folded it up really small so it would fit in the blue tooth box to go back under the pillow sans the tooth! Wow, a dollar! Needless to say the toothless boy thought it was amazing to get a dollar folded up in a tiny square and decided that his tooth fairy must be 'medium sized' and not tiny. How else could she fold up a dollar into such a tiny square?

Indeed.

On Thursday mornings, I am able to volunteer in Russell's class for an hour. (Rachel is at nursery school during this time, although she'd love to spend time in class with all the kids!) It is a real treat to get to know all the kids and work with them and get to know Russell's teacher and the aide in his class. Every once in a while Mrs. Reinstatler and I can 'conference' a bit about Russell and keeping him on his successful pace; something I really value. The latest Russell chat was about his reading level and critical thinking skills. On the scale of 1 - 5 (5 being the highest), Russell's indivual reading level is a high 4 almost 5. And apparently Russell will ask questions and make comments about everything they are doing in class that none of the other kids ask or notice. An 'out of the box' thinker at appropriate times! His teacher has said to me before that often times when they are repeating a skill he has already mastered in group, she can tell his mind is elsewhere and wherever he is, he's having a great time. She says she'll think to herself, Russell, where are you and can I go too???

On the potty front - Rachel used it twice last Sunday, but that is it. No new tinkles. Ha! It's a start, we'll get there.

And a 'Year of Fitness' (you know, THE voice) update - a bad sinus infection has set me back. I spent all of the last weekend on the couch or in bed and watched way more TV than I wanted to. Adam is still on track, using the treadmill and his workout DVDs. I hope next week I will have my stamina back to really get going again.

And one last Aimee story before I sign off. Earlier this week a fellow AF spouse (who I've never met) calls and invites me to a 'last minute baby shower' for another spouse (who I do know) this Sunday and wants to know that second can I come? Uhhhhhhh. Oh, and did I mention the kids are fighting over something trivial and are both screaming loudly AND Adam is at school, so I can't give him the 'quiet your children' stare!!! ; ) All I can think to say is "Isn't the Superbowl on Sunday????" Her: "I have no idea" Me: "Yes, I know it is. What time is the Superbowl on? I think it is in the evening." Her: "Yes, I think if it is on, it is usually on in the evening" Me: "I'm sorry, my children are screaming and my husband is not home. Here's the deal, if the Superbowl is on at night, then I can come to the shower that afternoon. But, if the two coincide, I can't come. We are big NFL fans." I am such a loser and I am sure she thinks the same. However, Peyton helped me win the Superbowl last year, I can't not root him on while he's playing in HIS Superbowl. That would just be rude!!! Ha! But, as it turns out, I can go to the shower and get home in time to watch the big game. Go Colts!

Someone Refuses to Use a Toilet...

And it isn't Adam. Ha! Of course, it is Rachel. During naked time after a bath or shower, she will tell us that she has to go pee pee. So, we sit her on the toilet - the big one or the small training one and she will not pee. Now on the big toilet she'll wipe until the tp is gone. The little toilet she cries and says no pee pee. She's getting pretty good at holding it until we break down and give her a diaper. Then it is full diaper very quickly! Ha! So, we are holding out on the diaper a little bit longer each night, hoping she'll do the deed. But for now, she refuses to use the toilet!

I did manage to keep her elbow in place this week! No dislocating whatsoever!

We, well, I have been busy planning Russell's 6th Birthday Party - 6 years old, sigh. This will be our first party out of the house and at someplace fun. Typically we have a big dinner party kind of thing for the kids' birthdays at our house. But now that he is older (and wants to invite classmates) and everyone in our Air Force circle has kids (finally!) it is time to take the party elsewhere. This year will be at "Pump It Up" party place - an indoor facility filled with with inflatable bouncy slide things. It will be chaos with kids of all ages bouncing for 90 min. But, I think everyone will thank me for the great naps that will follow later in the day!!!

And before I post this, let me update you on the "Year of Fitness" (you know, the voice!!) We are still using the treadmill, going to the gym, and Adam's infomercial of really hard workouts (Oh my God - OUCH!) finally arrived - so we are still at it! I have lost about 7lbs (yippee!) but really that was weight I gained on vacation last summer and at xmas, but it's a start and I am not complaining!!!

Bad Mommy!

Ugh. Well, apparently I pulled Rachel's elbow out of socket, otherwise known as "Nursemaid's Elbow", this morning while taking Russell to school. Bad Mommy! His school is on a very busy street and we have to park on one side of the busy street and cross it to get to school. There is a crossguard and it is safe, blah blah blah. Well, this morning Rachel decides to take a turn for the street and cross it herself in the middle of traffic. Of course, I grabbed her arm and pulled her back as she tried to pull away. I felt a pop in her wrist, yuck. She cried and I knew something hurt, but she wasn't full out wailing. So, we took Russ to class and went home. She is nursing that arm like I have never seen. Bad Mommy! So, I make my calls to the pediatrician, of course they are full for the day, so off we go to see somebody in town rather than on base. (Which in a lot of ways is so much easier, not to mention closer!) Here's a heart breaker - when I had to move her from her car seat to home or vice versa, she'd cry and say "I sorry, Mommy. I sorry." Ooh, Bad Mommy!

It turns out the in town Dr. was very nice and all the retired folks in the waiting couldn't say enough things about her. So, we did learn of a new Dr. to ask for when we can't see our treasured Dr. Bruno. During all the waiting to see the Dr. and take xrays, Rachel just looks pathetic. Bad Mommy! She's in her stroller, not moving her left arm, trying drink juice and eat a snack. She didn't want any help (stubborn booger!) and she finally manages to wedge her snack in her left hand to hold it steady so she could eat with her right. (That part was amazing - seeing her cope and adjust, smarty pants!) We took xrays of her wrist an elbow - all was clear. But, just like the Dr. said, if it is Nursemaid's Elbow, then usually after they move the elbow for xrays, it pops back in and she is immediately better. It was almost instant! And sure enough, she was right. But, the xray is done also, especially the first time to make sure it is nothing else (like Tyler Hurley's broken bone!!!).

So, the after xray talk, she explained that it will probably happen again and taught me how to properly move her arm to put it back in. The movement is very simple, not extreme - basically folding the arm in to the body (which the kids do usually by themselves) and rotating out and up to the 'swan' position and then lower the hand to give her '5'. And now that I have seen how she will feel better instantly, I will know if it doesn't work we go straight to the ER and demand xrays. All in all a good lesson to learn. But still, the guilt that you hurt your child is tough. And I know, it was better than getting hit by a car, it still makes you feel horrible.

2007 - The Year of Fitness

Adam and I have proclaimed this our year of fitness! Well, we haven't made the actual proclamation as much as taken all the steps to make this The Year of Fitness (imagine big booming voice). And, now that I have written about it in the blog, we'll have to stick to it, otherwise, it would just be embarrassing to not follow thru!!!
And what have we done, you may wonder? Well, my friends, let me tell you. The first thing is I joined a new gym. I have been going regularly, but I haven't gotten up the nerve to try a spinning class yet, although I hope to soon! Second, we bought a used treadmill from a friend/co-worker. Adam and I have both used it already. Third, Adam ordered some DVD workouts called PX90 or something like that. It was an infomercial that hooked him! (We haven't received them yet, so more info on those in a later post) And, of course our last bit is eating better and for me that means back to counting points - Weight Watchers. But, there aren't a lot of choices for meetings around here, so instead of spending money on WW, I joined the gym. But, I figure I can do program at home pretty easily. I just have to stick to it.
Losing the Rachel baby weight has been difficult. I am not sure why it has been so hard. Could it be age? Being home with the kids? Lack of sleep for so many months with Rachel? Whatever the reason, I can't really even call it baby weight any longer and it is time to get it off once and for all and get back to my normal size.
So, here we go, 2007, The Year of Fitness (don't forget the voice!!!). Let's hope it goes well!!!

Saying Goodbye to the Crib

We have officially finished with the crib. It's a little sad, but it is exciting too. The switch has been talked about for a while now. It started with Rachel climbing out of the crib. Then we took the side off of it and used a bed guard. Then began the returning the mattress to the crib dance twice and thrice a day. And, one of the stabilizer supports kept falling out. So, it seemed time. It was Russell's crib first and then Rachel's. It was good to us. Now it is in the garage awaiting its fate. We aren't sure what its fate is yet (blame it on sentimental value) But in its place is a full size bed, with a beautiful quilt. Our neighbors (Ray and Lois) gave us their granddaughter's headoard that she has finished with and they wanted to decide its fate (blame it on sentimental value!!!). As it turns out, its perfect for Rachel's room and Ray and Lois get such a kick out of Rachel, it worked out nicely.

Christmas and New Years were good, but quiet for us. We all ended up with colds, some worse than others. Rachel and Adam seemed to get it the worst. Rachel's ended up in her chest, yuck. But, we seem to be recovering and tomorrow Russ and Rach go back to their respective schools and our routine will get back to normal.

Santa and friends and family were very good to us this year! Russell received lots and lots of legos, which he adores. He got a Gameboy, which he LOVES!!! (Thank you Schell!!!) He was surprised to get that, he really had no idea. Rachel got a kitchen and lots of teasets (her favorite!). She also got a stroller for her babies too. Rachel also spent most of Christmas naked; her choice. However, considering her new found naked freedom, it is not surprising!

And In Other News.....

Well, today I finally got a picture of both of the kids with Santa. Rachel was squirming, not crying and I'll take it!! I hardly can ever take a picture with the two of them in it and looking at the camera, hence the reason why I did a border of photos on the xmas newsletter this year! I simply can not get them to stay still long enough for a picture! Today, oddly enough, I got like 3 pics of them together. One was with Santa and the other was them watching cartoons together in the chair.
Our Santa experience was a little different. We didn't get to the mall, it is so crazy and waiting in line with Rachel for anything is torture for all involved. Our little local zoo had Santa and 2 reindeer visiting from the North Pole. We decided to give it a try (after I called first to make sure it was a hokey Santa. They assured me he was very authentic, round, jolly and merry!!) And, they were right. Mrs. Claus was there too, they both looked great and there were probably 5 kids at the zoo, so no line!! Actually we went right up to Santa and started talking, I think we could have toured the zoo with him and the Mrs. - there just weren't a lot of kids there. A surprisingly enjoyable Santa experience. Russ was a little in awe, it was pretty cute. But, I think he thought it was weird to stand there and talk a lot to him, rather than say what you want and be shoed away for the next kid.

In other news... Rachel got her first haircut. My stylist, Ashley, did it and it looks great. She just snipped off the ends so they weren't so scraggly looking and all one length. It looks healthier and is still full of curls! Rachel loved it because she got a bag of Cheetos while the whole thing was happening.

Let's see... well in my world - I refinished a desk for Russell. I had found it during my desk obsession, but it was too high. I went back on a whim b/c it was still on my mind and it was there for the right price. I stripped it and painted it red, 6 coats of red thank you very much! Russ wanted a red desk and that's what he got, but please, everyone, don't let me paint anything red again. I have no patience for it!

I also have found some time to read a couple of books. I read "The Devil Wears Prada" - a fun read and the book is better than the movie. I also read a Phillipa Gregory book, "The Constant Princess" a historical fiction novel about Queen Katherine. It was very good. She also wrote "The Other Boleyn Girl" which is fromt he same time period. Both are great reads.

And in our final bit of news..... this is our last week of fantasy football. Adam has 2 teams playing in the "superbowl" this weekend and I have 1 team (named Vintage Crushers) playing for 3rd place and another team (named Martha's Monsters) playing against Adam for a championship. Martha truly has some monsters on her team, wish me luck creaming Adam again!!!

Whole New Adventure of Naked Babies

Well, Rachel has a new thing with being naked. It started after Thanksgiving. She will just all of a sudden take off all of her clothes, diaper included. So, we got her a potty thinking it is time and she is bothered by the diaper. Well, nothing happened except a lot of wiping. Then a few nights ago, she took off her jammies and diaper, threw them out of the crib, along with her blankets, stuffed animals, etc. Poor little thing was very naked and very cold by the time we checked on her in the morning. Then, in Michaels, she took off her shirt and tried to take everything else off while we were waiting in line. The little boy in front of me asked what she was doing and why. All I could say was, well, she's two??? And then, on Saturday, she went down for nap, was very quiet and when I checked on her, she had taken everything off, POOPY diaper included and had poop smeared all over her. It was pretty gross and smelly. So, you'd think she be interested in any potty, but no, just interested in being naked.

We don't remember Russell wanting to be so naked, especially in public!! Ha! But, he was naked a lot while potty training. In fact, when our friends, the Boyntons, would come over, it just became our joke that "it wasn't an evening at the Brights unless Russell was naked". (I should have Jess post some funny naked Russell stories) I guess now it isn't an evening at our house unless Rachel is naked. Good times!!!!

Here is Rachel loooking fabulous in her white coat with matching hat and signature sunglasses. She is all attitude when looking this cute!!!!

Here is our Student of the Month!! The bumper sticker is on "his" side of the car. Way to go, Russell!!!

My New Bumper Sticker

I am really not one to put bumper stickers on my car, but ...... Russell was Student of the Month in his class in November and along with all the hoopla, the bumper sticker came home. Russell was so excited that he wanted to put the bumper sticker on my car before we left school that day!! Of course, we made a BIG deal out of this, especially since he is the first boy in his class to earn SOM. (Russ's class is mostly boys and they are very rambucious!) With all this excitement, I realized that not all parents rush to put the semi-onbnoxious bumper stickers on their cars. I usually sort of cringe at the thought of all these school stickers. However, there was NO way I wasn't going to put it on. He is so proud and so are we! ( I tried to post a picture of Russ and his sticker on the car, but Blogger isn't going to let me do that at the moment...)

Now, if I had a bumper sticker for Rachel, what would it say??? "I do headstands in my crib" ? Or, "I took off my pjs and diaper in the middle of the night last night, plus I threw out my blanket so I was freezing cold, huddled in a butt naked ball in my crib this morning" ? Or maybe it would say "I am completely fabulous in my white coat, white hat and pink sunglasses" ? (picture to come when it will post) Or, "Cushions and pillows don't belong on the couch" ? Or, last but not least, "I like to climb the kitchen drawers like a ladder" ? All of these would be a perfect bumper sticker for our headstanding, naked, couch destroying, super climbing, fabulous little gal!!!

Ode to Joy

Adam fixed the garage door opener this past weekend!!! Ever since we have moved from CA, I have this thing about parking in the garage. It is a simple pleasure and necessity in my mind. Certainly with kids, it makes life easier in the heat, rain, sleet, snow, etc. I can't remember how long it has been broken, but it is as good as new and Aim is a happy camper!!! Joy! No wait, make that JOY!!!!!!!
Russell was "Top Exerciser" in his gym class yesterday. That's twice he's earned that award. Apparently his gym class picks a boy and a girl every day for the award and there are like 100+ students in his gym class. He's pretty funny about it; he makes a goal to get it one day and it is done. So, he is thrilled with himself and we are, of course, so proud. It is really cool to see him set a goal and achieve it.
We've got the Christmas tree up. It is such a pain to get it our fake tree ready every year, but it is so pretty once it is up. Adam is an excellent tree branch 'fluffer'. Rachel is loving the tree and all the ornaments. She'll swing an ornmament back and forth on the tree and exclaim "Wheeeeeeee!!!!" The picture ornaments seem to be her favorites. Russell is eagerly awaiting Santa's arrival and wishing everyone a "Happy Merry Christmas".
I have created a link that will let you subscribe to my blog. You just type in your email and it will email you when I have posted something new. In fact, it will just email you the new post from my blog. If you look on the right side of this page and scroll down a bit, you will find a box in which you can type your email. This blogging thing is so fancy!!! Thanks, Schell, for that tidbit of info!!!

Did you just call me the DVR Queen????

I have to admit my new obsession. We got a new computer and it has a TV tuner AND you can record TV programs AND burn them to DVD. My motivation is completely selfish. I am tired of listening and half watching the same 3 Little Einstein episodes and the same 4 Backyardigan episodes, and well basically all the DVDs that the kids have. And now I can choose which ones to record, burn them and presto - variety for my ears!!! I am so thrilled with myself! VCR???? What's THAT? Ha!
I seem to have a daily obsession these days. One was finding a used desk that I could refinish for Russell. Haven't found that yet. One was deciding what to wear for Adam's squadron xmas party. (The answer to that in short story terms a 'pre-Rachel' dress hanging in my closet that fits, thank you very much!!) Another was our annual holiday rhyme and adding a new twist, you'll have to wait for the result on that obsession.
What will be today's obsession? I think it may be making ice cream to take to Thanksgiving dinner at the Boynton's tomorrow. But, it could end up being what to do about the squirrels in our backyard. As our neighbor Ray commented the other day - the squirrels are thick this year. They have managed to outsmart the 'squirrel proof' bird feeder and are eating all the birdseed. They also come right up to the sliding glass doors and taunt the cats. How do you get rid of the squirrels???? Stop feeding them? Feed them something else so they don't eat the bird food? Let the cats out to hunt/chase them away??? Hmmm.... Ice cream, definitely focusing on ice cream today....

The Unlucky Tent

Our first Christmas as a married couple, we bought a tent. Brewster's, the local outdoors store in Napa, was going out of business so it seemed like the time to invest in a good tent. And that we did! A great little 4 person tent, not too big, not too small - a tent to last a lifetime!!! So, we've had this great tent for 8 years and this weekend was only the 2nd time we've used it.

The first time we used the tent, I went camping with Adam's mom and brothers at Tahoe. The entire drive the weather was fabulous, we got the campsite set up, the boys (who were like 6 & 8 yrs old) were excited, we were ready to camp. And then came the rain. It poured!!! We made a mad dash to the minivan, drove around and around as it continued to pour. So after several hours of constant rain and knowing that everything that wasn't in our great tent was soaked, we made the decision to pack up, (in the rain), and go home. Big fat bummer.

Between moving and having babies, we have never had the opportunity to really camp since the Tahoe Rainout of '99. But now Russell is of the age where he'd really love camping. He is so fun to do anything with, the kid loves everything! So, we make reservations for the boys only campout for this past Saturday at a local state park. We go there a lot to just use the beach; it's a popular park, with beautiful campsites on the bay. The boys pack up, get the trusty, waterproof tent ready, s'mores makings, hot dogs - they are ready for the one night trip. Check the weather - 20% chance of rain, not too bad. (You know where this going!!) They get to camp, find their perfect site, beautiful waterfront property!!! Russell has a blast playing while Adam sets up camp. Then a few drops. No big deal, right? Then the downpour!!!! So, refer to the above camping trip - drive around and around, still raining, everything is wet, except everything inside the tent!!! After seeing rivers of water race through the campgrounds and the fire pit filled with its own mini lake, the boys came home. But, since we only live about 20 min. from the park and it was pouring, they left the tent and Adam went back this morning to get it!! Another big fat bummer!!!

Next weekend the plan is to get out the tent and campout in the backyard. Well, we do need the rain....

So Bow-tiful!!

On Saturday, Rachel picked out her entire outfit from head to toe! After she got dressed, she really wanted a bow. We put one in and she said"cuuuuute!" And then she wanted another bow. We put in on and she said "prrrrrreeeeettyyyyy!" We repeated this over and over again until there were no bows left. She was so thrilled with herself. We thought - we'll see how long this lasts. Well, it lasted all day. We ran errands all over town, we played outside, we took a nap and kept all our bows on our head!

(This picture posting is a little weird on blogger. I wish you had more control on placement, size, etc. My only complaint about Blogger thus far!)

Treats and Tricks...

Well, it is no secret, the kids (Dora and pirate) had a great Halloween. And, I actually was able to take a picture of them together! Usually I can't seem to get them facing forward or close enough together. Rachel visited about 5 houses with Russ and then she headed home with Adam to hand out candy. Russell and I took on the rest of the neighborhood. Rachel could have cared less about getting candy - she just wanted to run after Russell and go inside the neighbors' houses. Russ was all about the candy, and what 5 yr old isn't??? This year he had a hard time saying "Trick or Treat". Instead he would say something like "I like treats.... I don't like tricks." The neighbors loved it!! Handfuls of candy were given to the gracious pirate. After saying thank you, he'd tell me somehting like "Oh, I love that woman" or "I LOVED that house" or "That was a nice woman / man". Too funny! He was such a treat to take out and about! Just his running commentary and observations while walking the neighborhood was so fun to listen to. He was so genuine in his excitement and joy, trick or treating might have been more fun for me.

And the winner of the most original costume goes to...

Come on vamanos! Everybody let's go..... Dora and Boots (oo-oo-EE-EE)!!!! Ha! Well, what can we say, we're inspired by our current surroundings!!

On Saturday, Adam and I went to a "groan-up" costume party and had a great time! Needless to say, we were the only Dora and Boots there. After we had secured a babysitter, Adam suggested that he might go as Dora. After some thought, it seemed easy enough - a wig, red shorts, pink shirt, yellow socks and Rachel's Dora Backpack (and excellent idea - it saved me from carrying a purse!!). Now, Boots was a little harder to put together. That tail is really loneg - I almost ran out of hot glue sticks!! And the boots, ugh! You have to understand how limited the shopping is here. I had found a pair of rain boots that were black and I had thought I could spray paint them red. Yes, a logical idea. I started on the project, it seemed to be working, the paint was drying; Boots would not be barefoot! Then, the humidity came and the paint on the boots became un-dry so to speak. Since, I didn't want to track red paint all over the carpets of one of Adam's bosses, I made a mad dash around town and (insert Dora's da da da da daaaaa) I found some red suede boots at Payless.
We all got to vote on best costume, etc. Adam got a vote for scariest costume, which he does look like a transvestite Dora. We won "Most Original" costumes. There was a great couple (btw from Santa Rosa, CA) and they were dressed as Jack and Jill after they tumbled down the hill. They had make up on that looked like they had tumbled down the hill, she had twigs and leaves in her hair and he wore a paper crown that was broken. Too funny! Bat girl made an appearance too - although she was like 45 years old (but looked like 60+, let's just say sun damage!!) and her gigantic boobs came down to her crotch! Remember the old campfire song "Do your ears hang low?" Well, we used to insert "boobs" instetad of "ears" and every time I looked at bat girl, I couldn't help but think of that song. Someone voted her for "Best Pair" costume. hahaha....

Just in case you don't know the song -
Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?
Can you throw them over your shoulder like a Continental soldier?
Do your ears hang low?

I think hers hung low enough to throw over her shoulder....

The first entry - I caught a lizard!!

Well, here it is, the first blog, how exciting!

Okay, so I caught a lizard last week - phew! It was the 3rd lizard (that I know about) that was in the house. We have a lot of little gecko type lizard things in our yard, on the house, and on the screens. So when Russ was saying he saw a lizard on the wall I really didn't think much of it. Then I realized he was looking behind the couch and the lizard on the wall was actually inside, on the wall. Now, I don't do bugs in the house and consequently I don't do critters either! So, we watched the lizard run under the couch. I looked for him, tried to scare him out, but that didn't work. So, I thought this can wait for Adam to get home and he can catch the lizard. But then I started imagining sitting on the couch and the lizard coming out and crawling on me, near me, ON ME!!! Needless to say, this was not going to wait for Adam to come home. To make a long story short - it took about 30 minutes, a shoebox, a piece of turkey meat and a broomstick, but I caught that lizard!! (Yea me!!) By the way, the lizard had no interest in the turkey, but the cats did and were more interested in that than the lizard, (lizard #2 apparently lost its life to the cats - totally gross but thankfully stayed on the tile and not the carpet!). So, once the lizard was secure in the box, (sheer luck, I assure you!), I caught my breath and we released the lizard into the flower bed where he found refuge in a blooming mum. Did I say PHEW!!!????