They used hammers!

We started out with no plan today-always an awesome day!  Clay had no baseball games since Arkansas was playing (home) number one-ranked Alabama!  It was an awesome game, the Razorbacks played sooo well, but lost in the last four minutes.  Sorry, guess that's why they are number one.  At least we gave them a good game! : )

Anyway, we headed out to Lowe's for their craft and found a Field Trip!  We were going only because the project today was fire trucks, and they all wanted to make one.  When we got there, they only had puppet theaters (which Mary Claire was ecstatic about!) AND they had fire trucks, the Safety House (the old smoke house), and an ambulance-FUN!

So, first they made their project. They got all the wood pieces (precut for safety, of course), and they nailed them together following the directions:

Then they nailed on the curtains.  Ethan was too young to get a kit, but this nice lady came over later, and gave him one!  She said sometimes the people working don't let the little kids do one, but she always does-it was so sweet!  This afternoon, Mary Claire helped Ethan build his out on the driveway-I love a girl who can use tools! : )

 
Then we moved on to the super-cool machinery!  First we got a good look at the huge firetruck-it holds 750 gallons of water-all the time.  It is 12 years old, and is showing some wear inside.  The outside is perfect (guess they don't get door-dings!), but the seat and seat belts are well-worn.  I hope they are still safe.

We learned all about the valves, the axes (for breaking down doors, or even walls),

and the hoses.  They use the water in the truck first, and if it's going to take more, they hook up to a hydrant, refill the truck, then pump the water, so they have higher water pressure.  It was very neat.  Ethan was ready to move on, but we'll be back!

Next, we visited the Safety House.  They purchased it with a grant-it's a trailer they pull and show at schools and use to teach about fire safety.  There is a tiny kitchen, a "living room" and a "bedroom".  In the kitchen, they talked about a leading cause of fires: kitchen fires-usually on the stove top.  Then we moved to the living room, and the number one reason for house fires: smoking, and the number two reason: child-started fires.  We learned about locking up lighters (oops-I guess I can always learn something!), and calling 911, and who comes when you call.  Then we went to the bedroom, and talked about hot doors, smoke, and how to get out, and where to meet your family.

The kids all got to crawl out the window to "escape" the hot door-totally the highlight!  (but I had a skirt on, so I ran out the way we came in-kinda embarrassing, but better than flashing people!!)

Next, we went out to their mailbox (the kids pilfered in their mail..), then checked out the ambulance!

And then..back to the big pumper truck!  Clay hadn't seen it yet, so we went back for another go 'round: (and I love all the compartments and organization!!)

So, then they took turns sitting in the driver seat (Clay's in the passenger seat):

This is the rear passenger area of the big pumper truck-he's checking out the helmets and oxygen mask:

Then the big ladder truck came!  The firemen leveled it, and put the ladder up: 75 feet in the air!  (Clay wanted to go up, but no.)  We explored all of its compartments-here are the tools for extricating people from their vehicles.  Hurst makes the Jaws of Life, and these are pretty much the same thing: HUGE Cutters:

She says, "Look how BIG the tires are!" And I quizzed the Cap'n about them.  He says they have to be replaced every two months since they all turn, and it wears out the ones to the left of her in the picture so fast-so I asked why they don't rotate them?  He says they just started that!  (I can help them save money!)  (I also noticed their fire extinguisher was last checked in 2004, so I pointed that out too.) (I'm sure they love people like me.)

Ahhh...good day.  Then we came home, had cheesy lunch (quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches), and some naps.  Then Mary Claire had a friend over and all the kids swam all afternoon!  By 5:40, I was getting hungry!  We decided to eat here, since tomorrow Ches and I are going out.  I got busy cooking (grilled chicken, stir-fried veggies, wild rice, and peaches/grapes), and we all had a great dinner.  When we were almost done, Mary Claire asked if she could have her friend spend the night.  They rode bikes to get her stuff, then played puppet theater some more!  (thanks, Lowe's!)

The kids watched some silly Fred videos on youtube (then I stopped it after I heard some questionable stuff about teachers), and they got ready for bed.  It was 9:40 before I went back up and told them all Lights Out.  Ethan was a cutie-he was still up reading!  He smiled so big, so I had to take just one more picture:

 

Ahh..so thankful for today-and the firemen and EMT's who protect and serve our city.  What would we do without them?

Bed Hopper

He had no nap again today. : ( Tonight we meant to get him to bed earlier, but it's just almost impossible! (with dinner late after girl scouts, bath/showers, spelling words, cupcakes for dessert, books..) We set up gates at both of his doors, so maybe that will help the little bed-hopper stay in his own room! He went into both kids rooms early this morning, and never went back to sleep. It annoys Mary Claire, but Clay just lets him climb in! I think it's sweet. They just aren't getting their rest, and it all comes down to Ethan sleeping. I'm not get to rest or nap either, so it's affecting me too! : P Of course he pretty much went right to sleep tonight after not having a nap! That's the good news.

When it was time to go up and read his bedtime stories, I wasn't sure if I should sit on his bed: he'd used the back of my jeans (my pockets) to wipe his cupcake remainders on! He'd walked right up and wiped his face on me! Silly boy.

What do you dream of? Lately I'm dreaming of two dishwashers. More and more frequently (not EvErY night yet), I have to wash dishes while the dishwasher is running. There just isn't room in the dishwasher. We run it every night, but it seems to fill up as I finish making dinner (measuring cups, cutting boards, mixing bowls, etc. added to breakfast/lunch/snack dishes and cups/glasses). I just can't imagine running it right after lunch, since it's not quite full yet (and that seems wasteful I think). Oh, what to do since another dishwasher just isn't fitting on my To-Do list? : )

I'm having ambivalent feelings about a baby again. It's still hard. I still want one more baby, that last time to be pregnant, one more chance to buy baby clothes, smell a new baby, watch them sleep, learn to crawl, and watch the kids adore them. But. Sometimes I wonder if we got another chance to not have a baby. Ethan is almost in preschool, and there is a day coming soon that he'll be in school, and I'll be busy with projects and time will fly while the kids are in school. I just wonder both ways a lot lately. I might be preparing myself for the chance it won't happen, who knows. I just can't get my hopes up again. What if it was a chance to want one even more than last time? I just have to lay it at God's feet, and not worry about it.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Opportunity Knocking

Is any day easy?

Ethan has been in a rebel-mood. He has rebelled from his big boy bed, and we've all shed some tears. He began Thursday or Friday screaming that his room was "scary", and when asked, finally pointed to the curtains, then the blinds, then the neighbor's house (like I can change the Party House). It's scary to all of us (especially on Saturday night with the flood lights and music blaring). So, unchangable things not withstanding, we rallied on. We added a lamp on at night (with new 15 watt bulbs from Lowe's-yes, they exist and fit your existing lamps!), then added a daddy sleeping with him, then let him sleep in Clay's bottom bunk, then he crawled up and slept with Clay on Saturday, then he pushed Mary Claire out of her bed last night, and I found her on the floor this morning!

We've now set back up the crib, in high hopes that at least one of us will get some decent sleep. He has yet to sleep in it, but we're trying. He didn't have a nap today-he kept going through his bathroom to Mary Claire's room, then he locked himself in Clay's room. Yes, horrible. Did I fear? No, I stood thinking and saw Opportunity Knocking. Let's see. What is nap time for? Two things. One: to give Mommies a break and time to get some things done (or nap if they've had too many hours on their feet outside pulling the wagon and chasing a toddler down a hill!). And two: to help the little angel get some rest so he makes it through the rest of the day in a good mood. So, it's to help us all get in a better mood. Well. If I got some stuff done while he was locked in there (self-inflicted, of course, since the lock is on the inside), who am I to barge in and ruin his good time? I let him stay (and he MiGhT have slept), and I got some work done and phone calls made! So, one bird with one stone is not too shabby.

It was not a horrible decision as now he's sleeping like a baby in his bed (since he's so darn exhausted!). I can't say it was an easy bedtime, but he's asleep. We did the same routine as nap: three stories/books, prayers, five songs worth of backrubbing, and then I told him I had to go night-night (in my own bed). He screamed at this earlier today, but tonight went back to lay down (small cheer for No Screaming!). But then. I went downstairs, and Mary Claire came right down: he was in her bedroom! Then it was Clay! I went back up, told him to get in bed and lay down, stood by his door, and kept looking in and standing guard. Every time I saw him sitting up, I told him to lay down. Eventually, he fell asleep (9pm). This is better than last night, or even nap, so I am thankful. It's progress, and any is good.

Do you get your hair cut or your hairs?

Well, we are minus 5 flu shots/mists, and minus some hair! We did not get flu shots and/or mists as planned. Our pediatric clinic wouldn't make us appointments for them. They said we cold leave a message for a nurse, and we did. The nurse told us the same thing, and said we could make an appointment and plead our case with a doctor (for Mary Claire's health). We've always been in the first round (for her). So, it does feel weird to be on the outside. I did call Target (and they have flu shots) and Collier's (and they won't have any till mid October). I can't believe we can't go to our doctors! Ches did find some flumist at the student health center, but he's scared to go there since he could catch something while he's there! Lucky duck, they have the flumist there! I asked him to see if I could go as a spouse, but he doesn't think so.

And we are minus some hair as the kids got their hair (hairs?) cut on Thursday. Clay is just shorter, but Mary Claire decided to really cut her hair! It is at her shoulders, where she requested, and so cute. I didn't even put a bow in it today (shock, shock!!). It looks very nice down or in a headband (which we've only invested in three, maybe?). I don't truly think I can resist, but we'll see.

Clay's practice was practically rained out, but he still had batting practice yesterday!

Today the kids didn't have school for inservice, so it was a nice day off, with no games! This morning I got all the sheets changed, worked on laundry and changing out the new dishes I got a couple weeks ago! I'm still not finshed, but there were so many to wash, and I just couldn't eat off of dusty-looking dishes! And then I had to clean out the cabinets, rearrange the cups, throw away the ones, move dishes around since the bowls were different... heehee, a good problem! : ) Then I had a late (after 1!) lunch with Jenifer since Ches had a conference call with the CDC (that kept getting moved later and later...). He had me bring him home some spaghetti and lasagna to eat to get ready for tomorrow! Then we had a playdate at Kendra's house. She's painting a cute cabinet all different colors-her "funky" cabinet. AdOrAbLe! She wanted my advice, although she already has a great start! I'm sure it'll be awesome when she'd done!

Then we ran out for a quick dinner and picked up Ches' number for the Tour de Cure. He got a great goody bag that was passed around the van-and totally got skimmed on the way around! I got a new thin Sharpie pen in orange, and the kids picked out the little goodies. He's ready. He laid out some jerseys trying to decide what to wear tomorrow. It's going to be around 48 degrees in the morning, but up in the 70's by the time he finishes! He decided on a short sleeve jersey with some "arm-warmers" he can strip off halfway. We crafted this lovely invention out of some baseball socks that Clay doesn't like. They go up to Clay's thighs, and he can't stand them, but they were perfect for Ches! We cut out the toes, and his elbows fit in the knee bends. I think they'll help. He is wearing short pants since his legs will be generating so much heat! He said he was going to bed early tonight, but it has yet to happen. Eleven will be early for him!

I will be getting everyone ready alone tomorrow. We need to be at the ball field by 10 (if we skip the soccer game-which I just can't add to my list tomorrow). Clay has two baseball games: a 10:45 game and a 1:45 game. I think Ches will be finishing up between 1 and 1:45, so I'm not sure how we'll work out seeing him at the finish! We'll meet up with him afterwards, but it might be after he's cooled off and eaten. I feel bad when I can't be in more than one place at a time. God's hardest job calling: a mom. You have to accept Good Enough when you want to be so much more! There just aren't enough hours in a day. : P Sometimes I think if I go-go-go all day, I can get more in, but then I'm just T-I-R-E-D!

Oh, and the latest, is Ethan, and his Non-Sleeping. And his fear of his room. He screams and says he's scared. Or, "Scary!!" We are coping, but we are trying hard not to set up impossible standards and problems to get out of later. Ches laid in bed with him last night until he fell asleep, but we can't get into a habit. He never took a nap today, so he went to sleep pretty quickly tonight, but we bought 15 watt bulbs, and put one in his lamp on his nightstand and left it on. He has already woken once, but I went right up (and he was shaking!), and he fell asleep within a minute or two. It'll be a long night.

And Mary Claire is running low. Since Ches is "going to bed early", I'll need to stay up to check her. Lows are scarier than highs. Tomorrow night is our Silent Auction, and the kids will be with a babysitter. I just pray it all goes well. I'll be in close contact, but it seems like things haven't been so predictable lately. I'm sure the biggest is Ethan's bed change!

I'm remembering. . .
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ. Philippians 4:6-7

Hard to Sleep with Excitement in your tummy!

What a sweet day. : ) I got kisses blown to me by Mary Claire this morning as she was turning her head-just precious, then Ethan hugged me tight at the post office and in story time. He's so sweet, and sometimes just wants to hold on to me or cuddle up in my lap and be wrapped up tight. He sat down on the floor in story time today, and tried to take his shoes and socks off. When I told him no, he played around during the Hokey Pokey, made his way to the opposite side of the room, and took them off! He was outside my "jurisdiction" and knew it. I just watched and enjoyed the cuteness. He was so proud of himself and danced around the room!

Then when we got ready to leave, he cried when we checked back in one of his library books. The lady was so nice, and said she'd go down and get it (downstairs where the book drop roller thingie leads to where the hobbits and magic mice live). He was crying, and we walked around to wait. They were opening up the front glass doors of the library since it was so amazingly beautiful today-and you could hear the roar of motorcycles on Dickson for BBB (Bikes, Blues, and BBQ). We walked around, then went for a snack at the little stand. He picked a banana (and I wanted to cover him with kisses), and I picked a nice dark, banana bread (I think it was a cross between banana and gingerbread maybe-a touch of cinnamon-very good!). He ate most of his banana before the nice librarian got his book and we rechecked it. It was a good visit (and we got to see Sandra and Nora too!).

My baby slept in his big boy bed for the first time last night. He was up late, and then up early (sounds funny..). He was so excited! Now, it's naptime and he is yelling, "Yay!" for himself, I guess? and playing with noisy things. I've already been back in there once, and he was back in bed by the time I got to the top of the stairs! At least he's smart. I don't know how this is going to go. The bigger kids just stayed in their beds the best I can remember. I know I have Mom-nesia, but I really think they did. Although, I also remember they might have been older? I always wait as long as possible to move them! : )

I've very hungry for meat. I miss beef stew. I haven't had any since last winter, and I'm thinking about it. I had the realization as I was on the bypass, but Ethan did not want to go to Wal-Mart to get a few groceries. If he doesn't want to go, I shall not take him. He'll make me pay. I'll go later. Alone.

He's quiet now, so maybe he's drifting off? Or he's on his way down? : )

I made my friend a wreath last night. I got the stuff while I was out then I just couldn't look at it in the floor. It is easier on the eyes to see it all put together looking pretty than a pile of fall leaves in my bedroom floor! I also finished the veternarian white coat (for Ellie Mae's Halloween costume!). I monogrammed it, but had so much trouble last week. I got my machine adjusted so the bobbin wasn't quite so loose, and now it's much better. I wish I'd taken a picture of the lab coat-it was adorable. I monogrammed the scrubs with her first name, equally adorable. Ches asked if I should do that (monogram in the DVM) since she hadn't earned it yet, and I had to tell him she's only 6!

I think he's really asleep! That didn't take too terribly long. I'm off to get me a nap too. My expectations for today are slowly dropping....

Try underwear again next week?

Ok, sorry.. It should have just been time for a note. (Yesterday) (Or was it day before?)

Suffice it to say that it's been busy, yet again. I've learned about myself. I can handle day-to-day craziness, general business. But when it's over the top, like lots of extra events thrown in, it gets to be too much. I don't know how exactly it happens, but it always does.

Saturday was an awards ceremony for the daisy girl scouts (and those that got to move up to Brownies!!), and I could say more, but not all good, so I'll stop there. (My momma used to tell me if I couldn't say something nice, then I shouldn't say anything at all.) Then I gave a bridal shower with one of my friends yesterday, so I got the groceries and prizes on Saturday right after the awards ceremony, came home, and crashed into bed.

My plan had been for us to go to 4pm Mass on Saturday afternoon, or at least Mary Claire and I would go. Welll, Ches tried to wake me around 3:30 to no avail. He decided to let me sleep since everyone else in the house is sick (except me!) and he thought me getting rest would better help me resist, so No Church Saturday. : ( We had a late dinner, and I made dips and washed fruit, and made game cards, answer sheets, and generally got ready for the party till about 11:30 (early for me!), and went to bed.

I was up by 6:30a (as it's summer now, so why should my kids waste a precious minute in bed?) and began the breakfast/laundry/cleaning frenzy that begins with wet sheets...ick. Then ready for church (kids in bath, me in shower, etc.), off to church, then home to get ready for the shower, then partied with lots of sweet women, then what on Earth for dinner?? I had to run to Harp's for some hot dogs, buns, chips, and strawberries, then home to grill. I'd been so wrapped up in the events I hadn't gotten any food for my family. I immediately fell asleep again on the couch with the kids (absolutely SO unlike me!) yet again.

Monday-chaos. Two babysitters for the kids-one to watch the boys, one to take MC to a Brownie picnic, and me to get proper groceries! And I can say, we've been eating well this week!

I got a grill basket-so cool. You cut up your veggies (I've now done potatoes, onions, and bell peppers/onions for fajitas), put them in the large, flat basket, and grill them! There's a handy handle (heehee) that you attach to turn it over. My grill is getting older and much less dependable, so I have to adjust the temp to get what I want, but it should work better. I also got the Weber How To Grill It cookbook-very comprehensive, except it doesn't tell how exactly how to grill potatoes (and that's one reason I bought it!) But my husband is increasingly tired/busy, and no longer really wants to grill (unless he can get a brand new expensive grill), so I've taken over. It's not that hard, and I love to grill in the summer to keep the kitchen cool. I'll get better at it. : )

Potty Training. Is not for busy, weak souls. We've been at it for a week, and it's going pretty well. Ethan totally will run to the potty chair if he needs to go. He even yelled at me from upstairs, so I'd run get him and run him back down to his 'chair! He is doing well. We had one accident this morning (pee, thank goodness), but that was the first on the carpet. He is still running around naked. We tried to progress to underwear too soon (last Thursday), and he peed in them. It was apparently too much insurance like a diaper/pullup (I hate these!), so we are back to naked. He must have 12 or 13 pees a day and like 5 little poops! I had no idea! : P I'm sure he's taking advantage, as we are rewarding almost all progress with an M&M. If he doesn't remember, I don't give him one. I don't want to encourage anal retentiveness or adult problems! heehee It's hard to know the right thing to do. He's progressing, and very happy with himself, so it's working. Maybe we'll be up to underwear in another week?

Our next big issue is the bed. He wants a big boy bed (and my mom must be ready too, cause she keeps sending me beds on Craig's list!), and has attempted to sleep in Clay's lower bunk, but won't stay. We have a bed, all the bedding (sheets, quilt, bedskirt, pillow sham, etc.) since we thought we were moving him to a big bed back before Christmas! He quit climbing out, so we decided to lay low! I'm all about making my life one ounce easier (and that totally means leaving him in the crib as long as possible!!).

Ok, the sky at this very moment (8:33pm Central Time) has the absolute weirdest glow! It was DARK, rainy, and now it's glowing orange! I mean, creepy! Like the Earth is on fire! Or the western part of the US...
I took pictures, but until I learn to upload the new camera (still working on that...), they'll be stored in a tiny memory device. It's still raining outside, so I couldn't go outside. I took some pix from the window, but in the time it took me to go get my camera, the sun had dropped more, and the glow was less intense! It was already down, but just a lighter orange now.

I promise to at least try to hook up the camera. Oooo...and I have my baby with one of his first poops in the potty, and he looks so proud! : )

Boinking, Beds, and Bathrooms

Big Boy Bed?
We tried Ethan in Clay's lower bunk tonight. And...after many lights on, noises, talking, playing, and general partying, he's back in his own bed. We let them stay up late (big 8:30!), and thought he'd make it after he tucked himself into Mary Claire's bed. And stayed for almost 10 minutes while we played hide-and-seek with Bella. Again! But, alas. He's still not ready. Which is FiNe with me since I like the "locked" in the bed thing, and the "can't come out till I get him out" (except for when he's willful and climbs out...)!

Ruined Bathroom Experience
Learned a lesson today. If you are headed to the bathroom for a moment (or a while, depending on the situation..), find a fun activity for your child! Give them play-doh, a happy show on tv, a sugary snack that takes a while to chew-any freaking thing that keeps them out of your potty area for long enough to go!! I was having a bathroom break, and Ethan came in (wanted me done, like 5 minutes ago), climbed on my lap, got bored, wanted the light on, pulled long pieces of tp and tried to shove them at my general crotch area, tried to play with the toilet brush (and I'm On Guard trying to defend my territory), then he began to open and slam my GLaSS shower door-Repeatedly! as I yelled for Ches to come help out (he didn't come), then he pulled all my magazines into a big piley mess all over the floor, as I forgot why I sat down to begin with and gave up. I get the opportunity, I don't know, once a day? And the moment was gone. And doctors wonder why women have systems that back up. It's called Kids.

Boinking on the Bed
Ok, so crisis averted, on to the next five minutes of my life.. Ethan is on my bed (I don't even really like him on it as it's high off the ground and ivory. All ivory.) He is jumping up and down (on my electric blanket), but I think hey-I'm getting to talk on the phone for five minutes, so I'll let it go (don't do this). He begins to do his "seat drops" like in gymnastics where you jump high, then fall on your bottom, and every time he does, he yells, "Boink!" Then laughs like crazy, doing it over and over. He finally says, "Boink on the bed!" Hahaha, more crazy laughter. So I confirm what he says, and laugh, since it sounds hilarious, and mom (on the phone) says, "You are the only one who should get to boink on your bed!" Enough said. Although not so much boinking right now. (Is there a chart that gives boinking rates?) Illness does seem to hamper the boinking. 'Snot good.

Green Eggs (Minus Ham, as it's a Friday during Lent)
Our eggs are now brightly colored! And decorated with hundreds of Hello Kitty, Batman, and Elmo stickers! Yes, quite the combination! : ) They are so cute-well, the ones that survived are. Ethan quite preferred to bang them on the table, which produced crack-y newsprinted eggs. After they crack, there is minute liquid, the liquid touches the newspaper (the only boundary between bright Easter colors and my wood table), then the spider cracks are coated in the black print-just gross, and un-cheerful. Clay's solution is to eat them-healthy boy. Mary Claire's is to wallpaper them with stickers. Can't see it, can you Mom? So, some are adorable, and some...well, they'll be good to eat. If they survive the Hunt!

One last thing...
My kids (of their own volition) have decided to set out Easter baskets this year for the bunny, to save having him bring all new ones. What to do? They are already prepared-and not in the bucket things they plan to put out. What? Have you EVER heard of this? Foiling the Easter Bunny? Isn't he a planner? The one year I really planned in advance? Now what? Fill the things with eggs? Trade the kids? Aaahhhh! Parenting is really Not Easy. They are ALL judgment calls! And now they want to leave him eggs. Are they confusing him with Santa? and cookies? My Easter Bunny likes cookies and chocolate. And whoever heard of a bunny eating eggs? Or delivering them I guess. Weird.

Strange Thing:
Today when I rolled up Ethan's too-long jammy sleeves, there was a big wad of chewing gum. Still freshly chewed and squishy. Um, who gave him gum? And didn't watch him? And how'd it get 3 inches down/up his sleeve?