Oddly enough I'm only three degrees removed from Kevin Bacon. Yes, that's right me and Kevin Bacon are practically fast friends.
My dear Husband (first degree) went to high school with Diane Lane (second degree) who starred in My Dog Skip with Kevin Bacon. (third degree)
And if we are splitting hairs, I'm even closer because I once slept in the same bed that Kevin Cosner slept in (In the early 90's this was a big freaking deal. "Kevin Cosner sat on this toilet. Kevin Cosner ate from this fork. Kevin Cosner put in head on this pillow." It was a funny weekend.)
and Kevin Cosner was in JFK with Kevin Bacon.
That's two degrees.
So dear readers,
do a little research. How close are you to Mr Bacon? Because Kevin is connected to everybody and you don't even have to go back to Noah.
Zoomom...she's shared Kevin Cosner's bed
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
It went like this
Last Saturday, I noticed an itchy, painful place on my side. I chalked it up to an irritable waistband on the junk shorts I was wearing while painting my kitchen cabinets. (Saturday was day three of that job.)
From there on it went something like this.
Sunday: Hey this spot feels even worse. What the heck? Did I get cleaning fluid on it? Maybe that Bam! is caustic to my skin?
Monday: Ok...Weird...The itchy painful spot is bigger. Now it runs from my waist band to bra line in a 2 inch swatch. But I don't see anything.
Tuesday: Ow, ow, ow, ow...rash. Oh man. This really hurts. It's like it was burned. I'm not even a pain wimp. I had one kid with pitocin and no pain meds. I should be able to handle a little rash thing. Gosh, I am so tired. Why do I feel so tired?
Wednesday: Worse than yesterday. Ok, that's it. I'm going to the doctor even though I feel stupid making an appointment for an itchy, painful rash. I was so tired I took a nap today and yesterday. I am not a nap person. This can't be related to the rash and the terrible pain around it.
Thursday: Don't touch it. Don't touch me. Oh this hurts. As soon as MIL arrives, I'm going to the doctor...if he laughs at me I'm going to be so mad.
MIL arrives and looks at the rash as says...."Hey, that looks like shingles."
Shingles!
Shingles is an old people thing. I'm not old. So I do a little research before my doctor's appointment.
Chicken pox? check that one
compromised immune system from a list of causes including stress? Ha, ha,ha, we've got stress in spades around here.
The pictures were pretty scary but they looked similar to what I was wearing.
The doctor agreed and I started a topical ointment and some horse-size anti-viral pills. Yesterday, I noticed that the larger area wasn't as painful. The rash is slowly getting better I don't cringe if something brushes up against me. And I can knit again.
What amazes me is how such a small area could be so debilitating. Some older people get shingles all over one side of their body. I've often heard about older people with bad episodes just losing the will to live.
I can understand that.
Bad stuff
From there on it went something like this.
Sunday: Hey this spot feels even worse. What the heck? Did I get cleaning fluid on it? Maybe that Bam! is caustic to my skin?
Monday: Ok...Weird...The itchy painful spot is bigger. Now it runs from my waist band to bra line in a 2 inch swatch. But I don't see anything.
Tuesday: Ow, ow, ow, ow...rash. Oh man. This really hurts. It's like it was burned. I'm not even a pain wimp. I had one kid with pitocin and no pain meds. I should be able to handle a little rash thing. Gosh, I am so tired. Why do I feel so tired?
Wednesday: Worse than yesterday. Ok, that's it. I'm going to the doctor even though I feel stupid making an appointment for an itchy, painful rash. I was so tired I took a nap today and yesterday. I am not a nap person. This can't be related to the rash and the terrible pain around it.
Thursday: Don't touch it. Don't touch me. Oh this hurts. As soon as MIL arrives, I'm going to the doctor...if he laughs at me I'm going to be so mad.
MIL arrives and looks at the rash as says...."Hey, that looks like shingles."
Shingles!
Shingles is an old people thing. I'm not old. So I do a little research before my doctor's appointment.
Chicken pox? check that one
compromised immune system from a list of causes including stress? Ha, ha,ha, we've got stress in spades around here.
The pictures were pretty scary but they looked similar to what I was wearing.
The doctor agreed and I started a topical ointment and some horse-size anti-viral pills. Yesterday, I noticed that the larger area wasn't as painful. The rash is slowly getting better I don't cringe if something brushes up against me. And I can knit again.
What amazes me is how such a small area could be so debilitating. Some older people get shingles all over one side of their body. I've often heard about older people with bad episodes just losing the will to live.
I can understand that.
Bad stuff
Thursday, August 03, 2006
This just about sums it up
I snagged this from Blue Star Chronicles. (Blue star as in Service Flags not Blue star of Israel)
It pretty much sums up things. Or course, you can replace "Palestine" with Hamas, Al Qaida, Hezbollah, Iraqi Insurrection, et al.
Updates from the Zoo
Random Stuff
Mississippi is more humid than here. I didn't know that was possible. Even at 101, it feels better here than 93 in Hattiesburg.
Adjoining rooms are worth double the money.
A 40 acre zoo (including a park and parking lot) is not really a zoo..even if you have a tiger.
520 miles, one way with 4 kids through 3 states is a long, long, long time in the van with just one adult.
In 100 weather the bolts that hold together the outdoor play structures at McDonald's get hot enough to cause second degree burns
Small pools in the South are too warm to swim in by the end of July.
After 4 days, you can get sick of eating out and crave just a simple sandwich at home.
If you have a service member in you family, you need to know the Army Emergency Response number for the Red Cross. If a family member dies while they are deployed, they are the only people that can contact the member's unit to confirm the death and get permission for that family member to go home for the funeral.
520 miles one way with 4 kids through 3 states isn't any better with 2 adults.
I can not knit in the car. It makes me car sick.
Cracker Barrel restaurants are wonderful for families on the road.
A solid black dress, with hose at an outdoor funeral in the south...in July is really hot.
You can be sad enough not to care how hot it is.
If you leave an old car in the driveway for a month and you don't crank it even once...the battery might just give up the ghost.
Batteries aren't that bad to replace.
Driving 520 miles with just one adult is very lonely. People doing so tend to call their loved ones at home on a hourly basis.
ZooMom is agreeing with Burt Bacharach..."I hope I don't get hit in the rear again."
Mississippi is more humid than here. I didn't know that was possible. Even at 101, it feels better here than 93 in Hattiesburg.
Adjoining rooms are worth double the money.
A 40 acre zoo (including a park and parking lot) is not really a zoo..even if you have a tiger.
520 miles, one way with 4 kids through 3 states is a long, long, long time in the van with just one adult.
In 100 weather the bolts that hold together the outdoor play structures at McDonald's get hot enough to cause second degree burns
Small pools in the South are too warm to swim in by the end of July.
After 4 days, you can get sick of eating out and crave just a simple sandwich at home.
If you have a service member in you family, you need to know the Army Emergency Response number for the Red Cross. If a family member dies while they are deployed, they are the only people that can contact the member's unit to confirm the death and get permission for that family member to go home for the funeral.
520 miles one way with 4 kids through 3 states isn't any better with 2 adults.
I can not knit in the car. It makes me car sick.
Cracker Barrel restaurants are wonderful for families on the road.
A solid black dress, with hose at an outdoor funeral in the south...in July is really hot.
You can be sad enough not to care how hot it is.
If you leave an old car in the driveway for a month and you don't crank it even once...the battery might just give up the ghost.
Batteries aren't that bad to replace.
Driving 520 miles with just one adult is very lonely. People doing so tend to call their loved ones at home on a hourly basis.
ZooMom is agreeing with Burt Bacharach..."I hope I don't get hit in the rear again."
Monday, July 31, 2006
Talladega Boy
S has become obsessed with how the car works. He's even turned into a mini backseat driver at the wise old age of three.
It's raining Momma. Turn on your rain flippers.
The light is green. You can go Momma.
Hey Momma, your spinning wheel is turning. (My ADD brain starts singing "What comes up...must come down.")
Did you put on your "clinkers?" You're tunring...you should put on your clinkers, you know.
And while I am greatly appreciative to have such a highly verbal and curious child...I could do without the constant advice from the middle seat.
Gentle requests for a little quiet tend to fall on deaf ears. Loud requests for just a little quiet please get me about 5 seconds of peace.
The boy has an agenda. He plans to do all of ZooDad's constructive driving advice while he is gone.
Not only that...the boy is making plans to drive too.
Yesterday, we all exited the van after a monumental grocery shopping expedition ... all except S. He climbed into the driver's seat and refused to leave as the older boys unloaded a beastly amount of groceries. I finally retrieved him from the seat with much yelling and tears with him howling, "I just want to push all the buttons."
Later that evening, I got in the van to run an errand, forgetting that car-obsessed child had been working the driver's area like a madman. My seat was in the wrong position, the wipers were going (both front and back), my blinkers were on, and the lights were dimmed down completely.
Thankfully, you can't mess with the stereo system when the power is off.
Car boy. In 13 years, I'm going to have some trouble.
Speaking of cars...on our trip to Mississippi we passed the Talladega speedway. It's right there on I-20 in Alabama.
Now I don't follow NASCAR but I know enough to recognize the drivers and a few tracks. I'm probably going to make some fan cringe in sheer horror, but the first thought I had when I saw the track was...."Hey, that looks just like the racetrack in the movie Cars."
I also noted that the condition on the track was far superior to the condition of that portion of I-20 but that's not saying much.
I've been on clay roads with better conditions.
Zoo mom is pulling in to the pit for new tires.
It's raining Momma. Turn on your rain flippers.
The light is green. You can go Momma.
Hey Momma, your spinning wheel is turning. (My ADD brain starts singing "What comes up...must come down.")
Did you put on your "clinkers?" You're tunring...you should put on your clinkers, you know.
And while I am greatly appreciative to have such a highly verbal and curious child...I could do without the constant advice from the middle seat.
Gentle requests for a little quiet tend to fall on deaf ears. Loud requests for just a little quiet please get me about 5 seconds of peace.
The boy has an agenda. He plans to do all of ZooDad's constructive driving advice while he is gone.
Not only that...the boy is making plans to drive too.
Yesterday, we all exited the van after a monumental grocery shopping expedition ... all except S. He climbed into the driver's seat and refused to leave as the older boys unloaded a beastly amount of groceries. I finally retrieved him from the seat with much yelling and tears with him howling, "I just want to push all the buttons."
Later that evening, I got in the van to run an errand, forgetting that car-obsessed child had been working the driver's area like a madman. My seat was in the wrong position, the wipers were going (both front and back), my blinkers were on, and the lights were dimmed down completely.
Thankfully, you can't mess with the stereo system when the power is off.
Car boy. In 13 years, I'm going to have some trouble.
Speaking of cars...on our trip to Mississippi we passed the Talladega speedway. It's right there on I-20 in Alabama.
Now I don't follow NASCAR but I know enough to recognize the drivers and a few tracks. I'm probably going to make some fan cringe in sheer horror, but the first thought I had when I saw the track was...."Hey, that looks just like the racetrack in the movie Cars."
I also noted that the condition on the track was far superior to the condition of that portion of I-20 but that's not saying much.
I've been on clay roads with better conditions.
Zoo mom is pulling in to the pit for new tires.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
I can't believe it
I forgot to post cake pictures.
Geesh...and I didn't even wax poetically about the birthdays of the smallest boys in the zoo.
Oh well, A had a birthday. He's a big boy 5 now. S had a birthday two weeks later. He's a not-quite-ready-to-be-a-big-boy 3.
Geesh...and I didn't even wax poetically about the birthdays of the smallest boys in the zoo.
Oh well, A had a birthday. He's a big boy 5 now. S had a birthday two weeks later. He's a not-quite-ready-to-be-a-big-boy 3.
We had a Spongebob and Gary themed party. I'm particularly tickled with the Gary cake. I just freehanded both of them.
As you can tell from this picture, one of the boys is extremely excited about being a whole year older. Oh yes sir-ree. He's been telling everyone he meets that he is now 5 years old. Even the people who were at his party and have been told several times before.
He just wants to make sure that no one forgets.
Five.
Yes, I'm procrastinating. The van is clean. I have new brakes. The DVD players are fully functional. The toys and swim stuff has been packed and laundry is clean but neither folded nor packed. I still have a lot to do. (sigh)
When I get home, I'll tell you about our hamster healing miracle. It's really amazing once you get past the gross factor. The boys are thrilled. They've been holding a hamster death watch for the past couple of weeks.
Enjoy y'alls weekend. I sure will.
Butterflies
7:08 and I am up again, showered, dressed, breakfasted, and waiting to wake the minions of Hades from their slumber. (The boys do not like to be awakened early.)
I have nervous/excited butterflies.
This time tomorrow, we'll be pulling out of the driveway for our 520 mile (according to mapquest) road trip. Now 520 miles seems daunting enough but I plan to do it with 4 boys ages 10, 7, 5, and 3...with me as the only adult.
I am crazy. That's all I can say.
ZooDad said he had a couple days of and I was crazy and desperate enough to pile us all on in the van so we could see him again.
things that I have on my mind.
What if I get sick? Sick on the road is bad enough. Sick on the road with 4 kids and you are the only adult will take some orchestrating.
What if I get a flat? I can change a tire. I have done it. But keeping 4 little ones safe on the side of the interstate while doing so adds a new challenge to the formula.
What if we get lost? Well, I don't get lost really. I'm one of those map fiends. But sometimes I do end up taking the wrong turn, it usually doesn't bother me but I have to worry about it anyway.
What if I lose a child somehow? Big time worry. Yesterday, we got an amber alert for a girl taken from a rest station. Note to self: take all boys into the restrooms with me and keep them under close observation at all times. No matter how much the other restroom women glare at me.
What if the van breaks down? It shouldn't but it could. Call insurance, arrange for a tow and then cry like crazy I guess. Get a rental and get back on schedule.
sigh
Tonight's agenda: No zyrtec no matter how bad my allergies are. Finish all trip preparations by 10 pm then an hour of the History Channel while drinking a beer.
Then hopefully 8 hours of sleep.
Cross your fingers for me.
I have nervous/excited butterflies.
This time tomorrow, we'll be pulling out of the driveway for our 520 mile (according to mapquest) road trip. Now 520 miles seems daunting enough but I plan to do it with 4 boys ages 10, 7, 5, and 3...with me as the only adult.
I am crazy. That's all I can say.
ZooDad said he had a couple days of and I was crazy and desperate enough to pile us all on in the van so we could see him again.
things that I have on my mind.
What if I get sick? Sick on the road is bad enough. Sick on the road with 4 kids and you are the only adult will take some orchestrating.
What if I get a flat? I can change a tire. I have done it. But keeping 4 little ones safe on the side of the interstate while doing so adds a new challenge to the formula.
What if we get lost? Well, I don't get lost really. I'm one of those map fiends. But sometimes I do end up taking the wrong turn, it usually doesn't bother me but I have to worry about it anyway.
What if I lose a child somehow? Big time worry. Yesterday, we got an amber alert for a girl taken from a rest station. Note to self: take all boys into the restrooms with me and keep them under close observation at all times. No matter how much the other restroom women glare at me.
What if the van breaks down? It shouldn't but it could. Call insurance, arrange for a tow and then cry like crazy I guess. Get a rental and get back on schedule.
sigh
Tonight's agenda: No zyrtec no matter how bad my allergies are. Finish all trip preparations by 10 pm then an hour of the History Channel while drinking a beer.
Then hopefully 8 hours of sleep.
Cross your fingers for me.
Can't sleep
Yes, it's 2:35 am and I am up. I can't sleep. I haven't really slept in 3 weeks. I wonder why.
We're taking off tomorrow. We are driving 500 miles to visit ZooDad for a couple of days and then driving 500 miles back.
We're that desperate.
I'm behind on everything. I won't have time to get books ready for out used curriculum sale. (Though I really need too.) I haven't done any lesson plans for the upcoming year. I have ordered all the new books though and only one order is outstanding.
I haven't even sketched out a plan for the co-op class I'm teaching. The plans that are due August 3rd.
My house is a mess with scattered toys and a mound of laundry to fold.
Today, I have to take the van back to the shop to correct the problem they created yesterday during my routine maintenance. Oh yes, I am cussing up a blue streak in my head over that. I have to get the boys up at 7 am so we can be there when the shop opens.
Then we have 4 hours at the hospital for therapy. Yes....FOUR hours. My laptop battery won't last that long but I'm going to take a few things to try to do some planning.
When we finally get home, I have to clean out the van and start packing.
I have to install the new DVD players. (8 hours, 4 boys, one mom....the DVD is going to be a necessity.)
I have to get all the pets set up for my sister who has graciously agreed to handle the house for me.
I have to clean my house so I don't come home to chaos and loose my mind entirely. (too late)
And am I getting a good nights sleep so I can awaken at 6:30 all bright eyed and bushy tailed, rearing to start my very busy day......nope. I'm up at 2 am after tossing and turning for 3 hours.
Let me count my blessings so I can sleep a bit:
1. My hubby is still in county and can call me every night (I have the $155 cell phone bill to prove that.)
2. The sunflowers that set off my allergies are just as beautiful in the vase outside on my deck table as they were on my kitchen table.
3. The mound of laundry is clean thanks to my nice new washer and dryer.
4. None of the pets have died of old age yet and my sister is happy to come take care of them while we are gone.
5. I found a car DVD player with 2 screens for only slightly more than ZooDad's cell phone bill.
6. I got birthday money and bought a cool knitting book.
7. We have enough money to travel to see ZooDad without worrying about finances and we can stop and explore without feeling guilty.
8. We're all healthy.
9. ZooDad got body armor and a helmet that fits.
10. My van should be a quick, free fix.
See all is not gloom and doom. Maybe I can catch a little sleep before the alarm sounds.
Night y'all.
We're taking off tomorrow. We are driving 500 miles to visit ZooDad for a couple of days and then driving 500 miles back.
We're that desperate.
I'm behind on everything. I won't have time to get books ready for out used curriculum sale. (Though I really need too.) I haven't done any lesson plans for the upcoming year. I have ordered all the new books though and only one order is outstanding.
I haven't even sketched out a plan for the co-op class I'm teaching. The plans that are due August 3rd.
My house is a mess with scattered toys and a mound of laundry to fold.
Today, I have to take the van back to the shop to correct the problem they created yesterday during my routine maintenance. Oh yes, I am cussing up a blue streak in my head over that. I have to get the boys up at 7 am so we can be there when the shop opens.
Then we have 4 hours at the hospital for therapy. Yes....FOUR hours. My laptop battery won't last that long but I'm going to take a few things to try to do some planning.
When we finally get home, I have to clean out the van and start packing.
I have to install the new DVD players. (8 hours, 4 boys, one mom....the DVD is going to be a necessity.)
I have to get all the pets set up for my sister who has graciously agreed to handle the house for me.
I have to clean my house so I don't come home to chaos and loose my mind entirely. (too late)
And am I getting a good nights sleep so I can awaken at 6:30 all bright eyed and bushy tailed, rearing to start my very busy day......nope. I'm up at 2 am after tossing and turning for 3 hours.
Let me count my blessings so I can sleep a bit:
1. My hubby is still in county and can call me every night (I have the $155 cell phone bill to prove that.)
2. The sunflowers that set off my allergies are just as beautiful in the vase outside on my deck table as they were on my kitchen table.
3. The mound of laundry is clean thanks to my nice new washer and dryer.
4. None of the pets have died of old age yet and my sister is happy to come take care of them while we are gone.
5. I found a car DVD player with 2 screens for only slightly more than ZooDad's cell phone bill.
6. I got birthday money and bought a cool knitting book.
7. We have enough money to travel to see ZooDad without worrying about finances and we can stop and explore without feeling guilty.
8. We're all healthy.
9. ZooDad got body armor and a helmet that fits.
10. My van should be a quick, free fix.
See all is not gloom and doom. Maybe I can catch a little sleep before the alarm sounds.
Night y'all.
Monday, July 03, 2006
A meme I liked
Awaking..........after a couple of the boys
Missing..........my soldier
Drinking.........too much pool water
Reading..........The Out-of-sync child has fun
Writing..........lesson plans
Sending..........care packages to ZooDad
Hearing..........Star Wars blasters
Weathering.......a sunburn
Bouncing..........too many scheduled activities
Breakfasting.....grits with butter and salt
Dressing.........in loose, cool clothes (sunburn)
Praying.......... for patience and peace
Ironing..........some curtains I just washed
Flushing......... no toys anymore. It makes quite a mess
Measuring........a space to put the microwave
Cleaning.........the food pantry
Wondering........what time we should leave to get to the fireworks on post.
Reunioning.......not for some time. ZooDad will get one week of leave
Telephoning......Mississippi
Eating...........a picnic under the stars
Watching.........the boys work together to clear a video game
Sleeping.........poorly and waking often
Missing..........my soldier
Drinking.........too much pool water
Reading..........The Out-of-sync child has fun
Writing..........lesson plans
Sending..........care packages to ZooDad
Hearing..........Star Wars blasters
Weathering.......a sunburn
Bouncing..........too many scheduled activities
Breakfasting.....grits with butter and salt
Dressing.........in loose, cool clothes (sunburn)
Praying.......... for patience and peace
Ironing..........some curtains I just washed
Flushing......... no toys anymore. It makes quite a mess
Measuring........a space to put the microwave
Cleaning.........the food pantry
Wondering........what time we should leave to get to the fireworks on post.
Reunioning.......not for some time. ZooDad will get one week of leave
Telephoning......Mississippi
Eating...........a picnic under the stars
Watching.........the boys work together to clear a video game
Sleeping.........poorly and waking often
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Give him 20 years and he'll be in the majors
Look at that ball fly.
Here's baby S. He'll be three next week or so. Three.
He substituted on A's t-ball team for 4 and 5 year olds and he wasn't even close to being the least talented on the team. In fact, he stayed on task and hustled on every hit.
Everyday there commented on how the boy seemed to love baseball.
In his own words: "I hit the ball and I run and run. I catch the ball, I throw to the base." He's got the major points down pat.
Friday, June 30, 2006
suds
One quick story.
Everything in the house has been breaking down lately. It's the number one rule of deployment. When your military spouse leaves or is preparing to leave...everything started breaking. It's like some cosmic requirement to remind you just how handy that missing spouse can be some times.
Anyway...the story. J loaded the dishwasher this afternoon. It's his job. To keep the mess down, we use those little dishwasher packet things of pre-measured dish soap. (This change was implemented after I bleached out a cabinet door with spilled liquid dishwasher soap.)
About 10 minutes into the cycle, J called me to see the catastrophe...about 4 inches of suds that had dripped out of the washer.
Oh crud! Do not tell me that my not even a year old dishwasher is on the fritz.
I stopped the machine to take a peek inside. It smelled like mountain pine. Strongly of mountain pine.
Then it occurred to me that J had loaded the pan that I had squirted with concentrated sink soap (Palmolive I think) and left to soak. The excessive soap led to the suds overflow.
Whew.
Crisis averted.
and just because I have a steep learning curve, I put too much soap in the new front loading washer and had to rinse forever. The boys got a huge jolly over the bubble filled washer window.
When ZooDad called, they immediately ratted me out. Mom over soaped TWO appliances today.
Everything in the house has been breaking down lately. It's the number one rule of deployment. When your military spouse leaves or is preparing to leave...everything started breaking. It's like some cosmic requirement to remind you just how handy that missing spouse can be some times.
Anyway...the story. J loaded the dishwasher this afternoon. It's his job. To keep the mess down, we use those little dishwasher packet things of pre-measured dish soap. (This change was implemented after I bleached out a cabinet door with spilled liquid dishwasher soap.)
About 10 minutes into the cycle, J called me to see the catastrophe...about 4 inches of suds that had dripped out of the washer.
Oh crud! Do not tell me that my not even a year old dishwasher is on the fritz.
I stopped the machine to take a peek inside. It smelled like mountain pine. Strongly of mountain pine.
Then it occurred to me that J had loaded the pan that I had squirted with concentrated sink soap (Palmolive I think) and left to soak. The excessive soap led to the suds overflow.
Whew.
Crisis averted.
and just because I have a steep learning curve, I put too much soap in the new front loading washer and had to rinse forever. The boys got a huge jolly over the bubble filled washer window.
When ZooDad called, they immediately ratted me out. Mom over soaped TWO appliances today.
Carrying a "big boy"
S has always been "older" than his age. He's always been in such a rush to be as big as his brothers. He'll be three soon and now he's rethinking that "big boy" thing a bit. Right before he turned two, he stopped taking an afternoon nap. He didn't want to sleep and our frequent therapy trips interfered with naps anyway.
He didn't want to be carried, or ride in a stroller. Instead, he chose to walk alongside his bigger brothers.
He was never one to cuddle. He didn't want to be held and hugged often. As my MIL put it, "He didn't stay a baby for long."
But today, he fell asleep in the van on the way to Best Buy. To keep him from blowing up in a full temper tantrum, I carried him on my hip into the store. The whole way across the parking lot, I cuddled him to try to keep him from waking up grumpy and he let me do it.
On the way out of the store, he asked to be carried again.
He hasn't asked to be carried in a long, long time. And at 38 pounds, he quite a load to carry too. Since he's out of practice, he's a cumbersome package also.
When we got home, he climbed into my lap and just sat still with with his hands in my hair. My little rough and tumble man is turning back into a cuddle boy. My little almost three year old is becoming my "baby" again.
He didn't want to be carried, or ride in a stroller. Instead, he chose to walk alongside his bigger brothers.
He was never one to cuddle. He didn't want to be held and hugged often. As my MIL put it, "He didn't stay a baby for long."
But today, he fell asleep in the van on the way to Best Buy. To keep him from blowing up in a full temper tantrum, I carried him on my hip into the store. The whole way across the parking lot, I cuddled him to try to keep him from waking up grumpy and he let me do it.
On the way out of the store, he asked to be carried again.
He hasn't asked to be carried in a long, long time. And at 38 pounds, he quite a load to carry too. Since he's out of practice, he's a cumbersome package also.
When we got home, he climbed into my lap and just sat still with with his hands in my hair. My little rough and tumble man is turning back into a cuddle boy. My little almost three year old is becoming my "baby" again.
I've been knitting too.
My pictures are up on the knitting blog. Over there on the side bar is a link.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Warning boring post
I'm too tired to write an entertaining post.
Call us obsessed. We've washed everything in the house. We really have. The new washer/dryer is soooooo cool. I'm still a bit skeptical since it uses so little water.
Yesterday, the boys had a regular school day and played outside until they were covered in sweat, dirt, pine mulch. Then it was time for A's last t-ball game. His team was short a few players so S ended up playing again.
That boy was born to play baseball.
As an end-of-season party, we went to a local pizza buffet. A got his trophy and medal and S got one of the extra medals for being a great back-up player.
I also ordered the bulk of the boys books for next year. Now, I just have to hunt down a few stragglers and then start planning.
How I entertained myself last evening
I can get through the days just fine since ZooDad is normally at work, but in the evening...well, time passes really slowly. So I have to find things to keep me busy. (You can't knit for hours every evening.)
So last night after the pizza binge, I mowed the front yard, edged the drive and walkway, and blew off all the concrete surfaces. Then I finished another knitted washcloth while the boys played slo-mo freeze tag.
After baths, all the boys went to bed and I folded the last big load of laundry.
Call us obsessed. We've washed everything in the house. We really have. The new washer/dryer is soooooo cool. I'm still a bit skeptical since it uses so little water.
Yesterday, the boys had a regular school day and played outside until they were covered in sweat, dirt, pine mulch. Then it was time for A's last t-ball game. His team was short a few players so S ended up playing again.
That boy was born to play baseball.
As an end-of-season party, we went to a local pizza buffet. A got his trophy and medal and S got one of the extra medals for being a great back-up player.
I also ordered the bulk of the boys books for next year. Now, I just have to hunt down a few stragglers and then start planning.
How I entertained myself last evening
I can get through the days just fine since ZooDad is normally at work, but in the evening...well, time passes really slowly. So I have to find things to keep me busy. (You can't knit for hours every evening.)
So last night after the pizza binge, I mowed the front yard, edged the drive and walkway, and blew off all the concrete surfaces. Then I finished another knitted washcloth while the boys played slo-mo freeze tag.
After baths, all the boys went to bed and I folded the last big load of laundry.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Excitement at the Zoo
Oh yes. We are waiting with bated breaths. We are hyped up in anticipation.
Someone's birthday?
Nope, that was yesterday.
Maybe a big game coming up?
Nope, that was last night.
Are we taking a trip?
Nope, ZooDad won't have any time off for Independence Day weekend.
So what has our household all aquiver with joy?
We are waiting for the delivery of our new front loading washer and dryer.
Oh yes.
And I'm not the only one excited. The boys have already picked out the first clothes to be washed. They were chosen based on color and size for prime washer viewing opportunity.
That's right...my boys plan on sitting there and watching the clothes wash.
They are such weirdos.
Quotes from the 2 year old who is very soon to be three.
That dog is woofing at me.
This feet is dirty. That feet is dirty too. Both my feets is dirty.
Oh please don't make me ride home on the car roof. (This was yelled loudly in a home improvement store.)
Someone's birthday?
Nope, that was yesterday.
Maybe a big game coming up?
Nope, that was last night.
Are we taking a trip?
Nope, ZooDad won't have any time off for Independence Day weekend.
So what has our household all aquiver with joy?
We are waiting for the delivery of our new front loading washer and dryer.
Oh yes.
And I'm not the only one excited. The boys have already picked out the first clothes to be washed. They were chosen based on color and size for prime washer viewing opportunity.
That's right...my boys plan on sitting there and watching the clothes wash.
They are such weirdos.
Quotes from the 2 year old who is very soon to be three.
That dog is woofing at me.
This feet is dirty. That feet is dirty too. Both my feets is dirty.
Oh please don't make me ride home on the car roof. (This was yelled loudly in a home improvement store.)
Monday, June 26, 2006
What I have been doing since the last time I posted.
Let's see. Rather than straining my sleep deprived brain and writing this up in some pseudo-clever way, I'll just do a list.
1. A had strep throat. He didn't spread it to anyone else but he did have 2 days of lethargic 103 degree fever. When the little guy who normally runs around eating all day long...stops eating and just sits on the couch staring, you know he's feeling mighty bad. He's one day 4 of the "pink stuff" and is feeling much better.
2. ZooDad had a marathon session of house fixing activities. He replaced my leaking garbage disposal. Replaced 2 dimmer switches. Replaced a broken toilet handle. (Same toilet handle that broke before. Finished the new swingset/play fort. Hauled 13 cubic yards of pine mulch. Replaced 18 feet of privacy fence. and then packed up all his stuff and headed out.
3. We saw Cars. It was funny but a total remake of Doc Hollywood. We started watching Zathura but the boys were so disgusted by the characters' behavior (And we were disgusted with the father's disciplining) that we turned it off after the first 10 minutes. Ugh!
4. We got Speech and OT approved for both A and M through Tricare. They will cover everything needed and the school will provide 2 speech sessions each week for both. It is such a relief to not have to worry about that anymore.
5. My nephew has joined our homeschool. I'm not even shocked anymore about what he doesn't know. He's very gifted in math but the school has failed this child in everything else. He didn't know what a predicate was. He doesn't know what an adjective is. He didn't know what geography was.
Oh my.
He'll learn. And he excited about learning too.
Today is more learning. We're re-starting SOTW I and using Kingfisher and the Oxford book as a supplement for the older kids.
1. A had strep throat. He didn't spread it to anyone else but he did have 2 days of lethargic 103 degree fever. When the little guy who normally runs around eating all day long...stops eating and just sits on the couch staring, you know he's feeling mighty bad. He's one day 4 of the "pink stuff" and is feeling much better.
2. ZooDad had a marathon session of house fixing activities. He replaced my leaking garbage disposal. Replaced 2 dimmer switches. Replaced a broken toilet handle. (Same toilet handle that broke before. Finished the new swingset/play fort. Hauled 13 cubic yards of pine mulch. Replaced 18 feet of privacy fence. and then packed up all his stuff and headed out.
3. We saw Cars. It was funny but a total remake of Doc Hollywood. We started watching Zathura but the boys were so disgusted by the characters' behavior (And we were disgusted with the father's disciplining) that we turned it off after the first 10 minutes. Ugh!
4. We got Speech and OT approved for both A and M through Tricare. They will cover everything needed and the school will provide 2 speech sessions each week for both. It is such a relief to not have to worry about that anymore.
5. My nephew has joined our homeschool. I'm not even shocked anymore about what he doesn't know. He's very gifted in math but the school has failed this child in everything else. He didn't know what a predicate was. He doesn't know what an adjective is. He didn't know what geography was.
Oh my.
He'll learn. And he excited about learning too.
Today is more learning. We're re-starting SOTW I and using Kingfisher and the Oxford book as a supplement for the older kids.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
First night alone
Well, that's no where near true. ZooDad has always traveled for work, both as a soldier and as a civilian. He's normally gone about a quarter of the year, every year. So it's not like I haven't been on my own before.
It's not even the first time I've been a wife of a deployed soldier. ZooDad did a stint in Bosnia during the Clinton years. He also fought in the Persian Gulf war. Great Day! The man is now entering his third combat operation. I think he has done his duty and then some. (It would have been 4 combat deployments but the 3 planes sent to Haiti in September 1994 were turned around.)
This one feels different though. It feels longer already.
I'm fixing to rearrange my pantry this evening. (Yep..at 10:30 pm) I'm hoping to tire myself out enough to sleep each night. At least ZooDad will come home to a clean and well organized house.
More info tomorrow.
It's not even the first time I've been a wife of a deployed soldier. ZooDad did a stint in Bosnia during the Clinton years. He also fought in the Persian Gulf war. Great Day! The man is now entering his third combat operation. I think he has done his duty and then some. (It would have been 4 combat deployments but the 3 planes sent to Haiti in September 1994 were turned around.)
This one feels different though. It feels longer already.
I'm fixing to rearrange my pantry this evening. (Yep..at 10:30 pm) I'm hoping to tire myself out enough to sleep each night. At least ZooDad will come home to a clean and well organized house.
More info tomorrow.
Friday, June 16, 2006
We're circling....
Just a little more than a week to go and ZooDad will be gone.
16 months....geesh. That's like forever in "kid time."
So we're just kind of in "standby" mode and trying to make every single moment count but also trying to get all the stuff done that needs to get done.
(Who's going to change the light in the stairwell in the next 16 months. Who's going to clean the back house gutter? That thing is tall. Who's going to move the big heavy stuff, or get the Christmas decorations down from the attic? These are all the things I'm trying not to think about.)
But I do have lots to tell you about...but not today.
The monster-big fish that I caught. (10 pounds and 26 inches...I even have pictures.)
Baby S playing his first t-ball game at the age of 2 and wowing the families on both sides of the field.
Adding a new boy to the zoo.
Said "New boy's" take on homeschooling thus far.
Oh, by the way, no other children got ill and I managed to escape all manner of illness. I think was due to my iron constitution and the fact that I forbid it from happening. (laugh)
16 months....geesh. That's like forever in "kid time."
So we're just kind of in "standby" mode and trying to make every single moment count but also trying to get all the stuff done that needs to get done.
(Who's going to change the light in the stairwell in the next 16 months. Who's going to clean the back house gutter? That thing is tall. Who's going to move the big heavy stuff, or get the Christmas decorations down from the attic? These are all the things I'm trying not to think about.)
But I do have lots to tell you about...but not today.
Oh, by the way, no other children got ill and I managed to escape all manner of illness. I think was due to my iron constitution and the fact that I forbid it from happening. (laugh)
Friday, June 02, 2006
He gets that from his Momma.
My children have distinctly different personalities.
Over the years that we have been raising these boys, coded and I have come up with our own nicknames based on their personalities. S, who will be 3 next month, is "the boy." And he is all boy. He's physically active, thick bodied, and determined to do what he wants. He's tiny little line backer and when he gets set on a task, he will not be swayed.
A is almost 5 and he is the cuddle boy. He's physically affectionate and always smiling. He's friendly and touchy and not interested in rough play. But he will hug everybody.
M...well he's the dictator or "the little judge" as my Daddy used to call him. He's serious and lays down the rules. It's his way or no way. If you won't accommodate his needs...well he just won't play. He loved strategy games, especially war games. The boys is set on World Domination.
When he was a toddler, he always kept one hand on his stomach. We called him Napoleon. We joke that when he grows up, he'll be a military strategist.
J, the oldest, is the diplomat. He's always smoothing over issues and getting everyone to work together. Sometimes he uses this power for evil by convincing his brothers to do stuff they wouldn't normally agree to. (He gets busted for that.) He's soft hearted though and really hates true conflict. But he never, ever holds a grudge. (I admire that in him. I don't have that gift.) He's also extremely creative, but that's a gift that most diplomats need.
He'll either be a lawyer or an elementary school teacher. He's is great with the little kids. Amazingly so.
Last night at the pool, ZooDad got to see how our oldest's skills are coming along. The boy's were playing in the wading pool. J had made a friend and then a pair of sisters joined in. The children found 2 dive sticks and dive ring and J created a game.
We watched this for a bit and when J came over for a drink, we asked him what they were doing.
"Oh," he replied,"I've made up a game where they have to carry the ring fro one end to the other to score a goal. They have to carry it on the stick though. But they can steal from each other. One team member blocks while the other carries the ring."
While he was explaining this to us, the four players waited patiently in the pool for him to return. When he fished his drink, he got back in the water and the teams lined up for J to do the ring toss that apparently starts the game. A couple other children had gathered to see if they could join in too. No one seemed to question J rules or even offer any other suggestions. It sure seemed like a cool game.
ZooDad looked over at me. "You know, he gets that from his Momma. He's got to run things doesn't he?"
Well, somebody has too.
Over the years that we have been raising these boys, coded and I have come up with our own nicknames based on their personalities. S, who will be 3 next month, is "the boy." And he is all boy. He's physically active, thick bodied, and determined to do what he wants. He's tiny little line backer and when he gets set on a task, he will not be swayed.
A is almost 5 and he is the cuddle boy. He's physically affectionate and always smiling. He's friendly and touchy and not interested in rough play. But he will hug everybody.
M...well he's the dictator or "the little judge" as my Daddy used to call him. He's serious and lays down the rules. It's his way or no way. If you won't accommodate his needs...well he just won't play. He loved strategy games, especially war games. The boys is set on World Domination.
When he was a toddler, he always kept one hand on his stomach. We called him Napoleon. We joke that when he grows up, he'll be a military strategist.
J, the oldest, is the diplomat. He's always smoothing over issues and getting everyone to work together. Sometimes he uses this power for evil by convincing his brothers to do stuff they wouldn't normally agree to. (He gets busted for that.) He's soft hearted though and really hates true conflict. But he never, ever holds a grudge. (I admire that in him. I don't have that gift.) He's also extremely creative, but that's a gift that most diplomats need.
He'll either be a lawyer or an elementary school teacher. He's is great with the little kids. Amazingly so.
Last night at the pool, ZooDad got to see how our oldest's skills are coming along. The boy's were playing in the wading pool. J had made a friend and then a pair of sisters joined in. The children found 2 dive sticks and dive ring and J created a game.
We watched this for a bit and when J came over for a drink, we asked him what they were doing.
"Oh," he replied,"I've made up a game where they have to carry the ring fro one end to the other to score a goal. They have to carry it on the stick though. But they can steal from each other. One team member blocks while the other carries the ring."
While he was explaining this to us, the four players waited patiently in the pool for him to return. When he fished his drink, he got back in the water and the teams lined up for J to do the ring toss that apparently starts the game. A couple other children had gathered to see if they could join in too. No one seemed to question J rules or even offer any other suggestions. It sure seemed like a cool game.
ZooDad looked over at me. "You know, he gets that from his Momma. He's got to run things doesn't he?"
Well, somebody has too.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
croak
It's noisy here at the zoo.
And it's not the boys.
It's the frogs. We have tree frogs. Lots and lots of tree frogs.
Our house backs up to a "wetland park" also called swampy land with a creek. But it's really not a bad situation. Our elevation is such that we have no concerns of flooding and we have no back neighbors. Well, not human ones.
We do however, get much of the swamp wildlife. Thankfully, in the 7 years we have lived here, we have never spotted a venomous snake in our yard. I'm sure they have passed through, but we've never seen them. My left side neighbor, The Snake Hunter, has both spotted and sighted a couple of bad boys and I have witnessed and identified their sad little carcasses.
Recently, we unearthed a cache of box turtle eggs. We reburied them lightly and later got to see one of the hatchlings emerge. A couple of weeks ago, a red tailed hawk landed right in the middle of the boys' play area. (That was way cool!) A Carolina Wren has built a sweet little nest, complete with 4 chirping babies, in my garage...on my fertilizer shelf. Mamma bird flies in and out the back door, past the dogs, the various gear, and any boys who are digging through the upright freezer.
So you get the idea. If I could get the critters to pick up a broom, I'd be Snow White in the suburbs.
But today is June 1st, so that pretty much means it is frog season. And my house appears to be prime frog mating territory. All morning long I have listened to one particularly vocal fellow boasting of his frog manliness. He's is nothing if not determined.
I happen to like the frogs. Frogs are my very favorite animal. I love their little bug eyes and froggy smiles. Frogs and newts just ooze of cuteness in my book.
Let's just say that ZooDad does not share my frog enthusiasm. For him, frog season is like a return of the plagues. (If ZooDad had been Pharoah, Moses and the gang would have been quickly escorted out of Egypt after the 2nd plague. It would have been quick victory.)
He stepped out of the house this morning and then looked back with horror, "What is that sound? Is that a frog?"
Yes, honey. The frogs are back.
He whipped his head around looking for the vile noisemaker, "You better keep the doors shut. Don't let those things get in the house."
My brave soldier. Let's hope the enemy doesn't come bearing frogs.
And it's not the boys.
It's the frogs. We have tree frogs. Lots and lots of tree frogs.
Our house backs up to a "wetland park" also called swampy land with a creek. But it's really not a bad situation. Our elevation is such that we have no concerns of flooding and we have no back neighbors. Well, not human ones.
We do however, get much of the swamp wildlife. Thankfully, in the 7 years we have lived here, we have never spotted a venomous snake in our yard. I'm sure they have passed through, but we've never seen them. My left side neighbor, The Snake Hunter, has both spotted and sighted a couple of bad boys and I have witnessed and identified their sad little carcasses.
Recently, we unearthed a cache of box turtle eggs. We reburied them lightly and later got to see one of the hatchlings emerge. A couple of weeks ago, a red tailed hawk landed right in the middle of the boys' play area. (That was way cool!) A Carolina Wren has built a sweet little nest, complete with 4 chirping babies, in my garage...on my fertilizer shelf. Mamma bird flies in and out the back door, past the dogs, the various gear, and any boys who are digging through the upright freezer.
So you get the idea. If I could get the critters to pick up a broom, I'd be Snow White in the suburbs.
But today is June 1st, so that pretty much means it is frog season. And my house appears to be prime frog mating territory. All morning long I have listened to one particularly vocal fellow boasting of his frog manliness. He's is nothing if not determined.
I happen to like the frogs. Frogs are my very favorite animal. I love their little bug eyes and froggy smiles. Frogs and newts just ooze of cuteness in my book.
Let's just say that ZooDad does not share my frog enthusiasm. For him, frog season is like a return of the plagues. (If ZooDad had been Pharoah, Moses and the gang would have been quickly escorted out of Egypt after the 2nd plague. It would have been quick victory.)
He stepped out of the house this morning and then looked back with horror, "What is that sound? Is that a frog?"
Yes, honey. The frogs are back.
He whipped his head around looking for the vile noisemaker, "You better keep the doors shut. Don't let those things get in the house."
My brave soldier. Let's hope the enemy doesn't come bearing frogs.
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