If you remember….with my $34 gift, there was an exception for groceries. So for Micah’s big day, I asked him what his little heart desired. The answer was quick and direct. He wanted a “burger bar with every topping imaginable”. If that’s what you want big boy…that’s what you get.
My new favorite things — these water carafes, that will be at every shindig from now until they are broken.
This is the start of the toppings. There were more (like bacon/grilled mushrooms and onions), but I did forget a few that we thought of later. We could have done pastrami, I mindlessly forgot the pickles, and my intentions of making fried eggs went by the wayside because of all the commotion.
We had some friends who wanted to go out to dinner in honor of the big boy, but I told them to come over for his burger bar instead. Scout and Navy was psyched on that idea with all of the offspringers coming too.
The ladies — who helped the night come off without a hitch. Well, let me retract. AZ was awesome and brought not only one but TWO desserts. (I try to make it a policy of not having people bring stuff to my house when they come over because I just want them to come and have fun. But in AZ’s unfortunate case….when you are the baker of the year….I ALWAYS accept her offerings.) On the other hand, Scummy was asked to do one measly job. She was to cut the avocado. No biggie…right? Well, I had to get on her back about six times to have her throw the skins away, clean her cutting board, rinse out the sink, clean her knife, etc.etc.etc. She was a little pathetic, but she sure looks good in the above picture — so we’ll keep her around for her looks.
Speaking of the cake. Look at this AZ masterpiece!
Wow — look at all that smoke! I guess a LOT of candles makes for a LOT of smoke. (Too bad I got there exactly one month ago too.)
Wearing Micah’s UCLA Football sweats (to honor him and not just to be comfy — of course), I made every kid stop by to get their hands wiped before going up to the play room.
And finally — Broccoli and Stinky.
That was his outfit of choice on his dad’s big day.
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Happy Birthday Shmickity Dickity Dock……..tick tock!
Micah has been spending a decent amount of his recent time in what he calls “the armpit of the world” AKA Vegas.
Glad he’s home!
And so are they!
In honor of Grey Bears big day, we all went to Pretend City.
Here was where Icka was “pretending” to be a prize fighter as she knocked this other little girl around. Good thing Belly was there to intercept, because I just felt like documenting the whole ordeal.
Here is Belly “pretending” to be coordinated. I don’t remember, but she probably Icka out on her next leg lift.
There is no “pretending” here. They really are a boyfriend and girlfriend who like to garden together.
Icka is sharing her snacks with the birthday boy.
Scout was dispatched to a grocery store fire — and he decided to take along his birthday boy buddy.
I always tell Scout that he is my “best boy”. (And when I am lucky, he returns it with me being his “best girl”.) But this might have been the day that sealed the deal on him being my best boy. I noticed a swollen gland / lymph node / who knows what on his throat a few months back. He had been sick with something that the doctor determined to be mono about four months ago, and this particular swollen thing hadn’t gone away since then. I noticed it a few times over the summer, and finally decided to take him in to have it rechecked.
When we went in, Carruthy said that we were going to take blood to determine if anything was off, but that more than likely they were shoddy nodes (lymph nodes that take quite a while to get back to normal after being sick). Out came the needle, and poor little Scout realized what was going to happen. Carruthy took about 30 seconds to finally determine a vein, and after I had Scout situated on my lap to hold really still, he tried to draw his blood. Scout said, “Oww Mommy, that hurts”, and I just told him to be tough and that it would be over in just a minute. About 45 seconds later, and after Carruthy tried and tried to find his little vein (he has rolling veins like me), Carruthy finally said, “I’m not going to get this one…we’ll have to try another.” When it came out, we were all telling Scout how brave he was and we couldn’t believe how still he sat. But the congrats came to a quick stop when they tied his other arm with the rubber strip. He said, “Mommy, I don’t want to do that again!” I told him that if he would hold still so that we could get his blood, that Carruthy would give him TWO suckers this time! It took about four attempts, and then Carruthy finally hit the jackpot. Scout watched as his blood went through the tube and thought it was really cool. After it was done, and there wasn’t a single tear from Scout, we were all relieved. Especially doctor Carruth, because he said, “Scout, you were one brave little guy. You were perfect.” And he really was!
A band aid on the right, and a cotton swab with tape on the left. (They were unprepared with a band aid for the second go around.)
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So this called for a celebration! I took Scout on a special date (a date with just me and him) to 31 flavors for an ice cream cone. We had an absolute blast. I took out my camera and kept snapping pictures of him and us, and he was in the best mood. He made funny faces, he tried to be serious, he thought I was the funniest person in the world. It was a teeny tiny slice of heaven for me.
What a ham!
Mind you that this was the first money I have spent ever since I gave Micah his gift of only spending $34 since September 17th. I took in a five dollar bill, and the Ice cream was $1.99. So I currently have $32.01 to my name.
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I am watching my money so carefully, and won’t spend on anything…….but this $1.99 was worth every last red cent!
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Oh yeah — the tests all came back perfectly.
Hallelujah!
About every three weeks, Trilby shows up with donuts.
As you can see — they really love these days!
(Notice Icka has one in her hand, while she eats the other like a dog.)
This is all followed by drinking Nonnie’s sugar milk.
Nobody forces this on her.
Icka insists!
(I’ll admit — it is the best part!)
During this heat wave, my kids have frequented our pool quite a bit.
They play so well together, and I love the easy lunch clean up.
My favorite kind!
Scout got up extra early this morning, so he got to hang on the couch and watch Sesame Street until Sushi woke up. When she did, Elmo was entertaining, and she wanted to hang on the couch too. I grabbed my camera because these two were holding hands or linking arms the entire time.
he kept leaning over and kissing Sis, so I tried to get a photo. But in this photo it looks more like he is trying to bite her.
After Sesame, it was breakfast time. Icka is determined to use her own spoon now, and she does a pretty good job.
Proof.
And then the morning took a really exciting turn when Scout told me to wait inside. I asked him what he was up to, and he told me that he was going to clean the backyard all by himself –”and it isn’t even Saturday”! (This is usually part of his Saturday morning chores.)
Nice Work Kids!
Scout came in and had something he found behind his back. When he took it out, he whispered (the way I do when something is really important), “This is a feather…and you can keep it forever!” I whispered excitedly “thank you” and he turned and started to walk out. But before he left, he paused and then turned back with some strong words towards me….”Make sure you share it with Dad.”
You bet I will!
Forever!
My little self-appointed vegetarian (minus bacon) had a rude awakening last night. Burgers were on the menu, and he asked for a quesadilla and marshmallows. The marshmallows were completely out, but I told him that if he would eat/try one bite of meat, then I would make him a quesadilla. But I made it clear that until he ate his one lonely bite — there would be NO OTHER FOOD! That threat was made before we had even sat down to start eating. And unfortunately, by the time we all had finished our meals, the piece of meat still sat on the plate. He tried to bargain, pout, sneak other food items, etc…. but I held strong.
(For referential sizing, it is approximately the size of a nickel.)
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It seemed like a no go for Scout, but then I KNEW I could get him. We had already decided earlier that we would go swimming for the activity portion of family night. So Icka and I got in our bathing suits, and I told him that when he ate his one bite that he could come in with us.
–45 minutes later–
I am SO SAD to report that he never did get in.
I am WAY SADDER to report the pictures you see here were taken this morning after a night of sitting out by itself.
I am THE SADDEST to report that my child went to bed with no dinner.
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His last meal of the day was at 4:30 when he had a bag of carrots.
I wonder if me making him eat meat is all that important when he adores fruits, veggies, nuts and tofu.
Probably not.
Maybe I should watch Food Inc. for confirmation.
Sissy was with Belly, so I went down to get a few things done on my computer. Soon after, I saw this set of eyes staring at me. I grabbed my camera and snapped.
When she realized what I was doing, she dropped to the ground and started to pout. I didn’t know why, so I kept snapping away.
So she got up and took off.
HUH???
Whatever!
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