Take Shelter...it is Storming

Or not! Today we spent most of the day outside. AAP spent the night at Gama and Papa's house last night and was hanging out with them for most of the day. So, it was just TW, AKP, Bubby and I today. This morning we headed out to do some letterboxing, a great family activity - check out www.letterboxing.org, at a local park. We found the box and then did some climbing to the top of a bluff. Great views and lots of sweat...it was a hot day! We then headed downtown for a small carnival. The little ones did a couple of activities and then we walked around the shops for a while, grabbed some lunch, then headed home. It was nice to have a free day. No agenda. No where to have to be. This is rare for our family. Most weekends are filled with activities or travelling. TW even got a nap in this afternoon. Now that is VERY rare! This evening it started to rain and then storm after being sunny all day. I pulled in the driveway as it started to sprinkle. TW says ,"Lets sit on the porch and watch it rain." Uh, okay. So, I sit in the rocking chair and he brings over a tailgate chair and he has fishing rods in his hands. What?! He continues to teach the two little ones how to cast their fishing rods out into the grass as it is storming. As the lightining started to become more frequent I suggested putting the rods away. Next he comes out of the garage with bubbles and bubble guns. By this time it is pouring rain and it has dropped about 25 degrees in temp. We were amazed at how well the bubbles stayed in the rain. They flew further during the storm, through the pouring rain, then they ever do on a sunny day. Okay, TW just informed me I was the only one amazed. :) I would have totally assumed that the rain would cause the bubbles to pop. It was pretty cool to watch the wind swirl them around and take them down our road. Bet you didn't do that during the rain storm!

Playground Talk

As I my children grow I often find it funny that things that I did as a child are still done by kiddos today. Not that I am ancient or anything, but I would think that some sayings, rhymes, jokes, etc would die off and new ones would start. But, that doesn't seem to be the case. I have heard the following things around my house that were once things that I said:
"If you like it so much, why don't you marry it?"
"I know you are, but what am I?"
"Duh" (this one got quickly extinguished)
Knock knock jokes
Miss Mary Mack
Bubble Gum Bubble Gum in a dish

Will these be timeless treasures...well I guess they really aren't treasures, but timeless sayings? Who passes them on? I know I didn't teach AAP any of the above; I may have played Miss Mary Mack with her. Do the kids pass them on from grade to grade? Let me know if you have heard any other "timeless sayings" come out of the mouths of your babes!

Mother's Day

Last week I was down and out with strep throat. Everytime I get that it totally takes me out. My fever ranged from 101.7 to 104.1 depending Tylenol. TW was a champ and got the kids where they needed to be along with the help of some friends and my Big Mama. So, that is all to explain why I am just now getting around to posting about Mother's Day.

TW and the kids had been up to something the whole week prior to Mother's Day. Let me tell you, in case you don't know this about me, that I am not big on surprises. I HATE to have a surprise party thrown for me. Don't even try...I throw a fit, pout, and act like a baby the whole night. Ask about our surprise baby shower sometime. I also usually have a list of items that I mention to TW whenever I know a holiday is coming up. So, even though I am not sure which item from the list they have bought I usually have some idea of my gift because of my "request" list. Put all of that together with the fact that AKP is horrible at keeping secrets, I am rarely surprised by a gift. The only hints I had put together by listening to them talk amongst themselves was that it was something that they were making, it involved the computer, and maybe even involved my friends. I was not prepared for what I would receive!!! They made a scrapbook with letters from different people explaining why they care about me. The cover is an art piece designed by TW that is WAY cool. It is all of their handprints, his included, outlined and overlapping each other. Inside there are letters from him and each of the kids. Then letters from other close family and friends. Nothing can prepare you for the kind words that someone has to say about you. I am not a crier. I don't usually get emotional over stuff like that. But let me tell you...I cried, no I bawled! Snot and everything! Wow, a great gift! Thank you to eah of you that contributed; it really touched my heart.

Out With the Old and in With the New

We got all new appliances...YIPEE! I am so excited! I have read two of the four manuals. There are some pretty nifty features on these new bad boys! I can put dinner in the oven and I can delay the cooking time. So, I put it in the oven and take the kids to their activities. While we are gone the oven will click on and cook the meal while we are gone so that it is ready and hot when we walk in the door. And as for the fridge...it has TONS of room in it. When we were purchasing the appliances we asked the sales guy, who was amazing by the way, if a triple door unit has more room than a side by side unit. He measured and figured they were about the same. Well, wrong. Our old fridge was bursting at the seams and when I put the stuff in the new fridge there is plenty of room for more! The microwave is equally as impressive. It no only rotates but also moves side to side at the same time for an even more equal cooking. Dishwasher has delayed start time as well. Oh it is just great! Now I am going to have to start cooking again. :)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Thursday night we went to an informational meeting at a Christian school that we are looking at sending the kids to next year. On the way home we explained to AAP that the school would start at 8am, her school now starts at 8:45am. She asked if she could maybe change her bedtime to an earlier time so that she would be able to wake up in time to get ready for school. TW began to tell her how proud of her he was because that was a really good decision. His exact words were, "That is such a mature decision." To which AAP responded, "I TOLD you I was a woman!"