I started looking for my kids Sunday night, and finally found them in Nonnie’s room. I didn’t get the invite, but she was apparently hosting a party for the little rug rats. The refreshments consisted of licorice and spanish peanuts.
When I went in, I asked, “Hey guys…whatcha watching?”
Scout said, “It’s a show with really bad guys.”
When I threw a disapproving look my moms way, she said, “Really bad guys. Murderers and thieves.”
I said, “Really mom…you are entertaining my kids with a 48 hours?”
Then the commercial ended and I saw Macaulay Caulkin’s face.
They had found Home Alone 2 on the t.v.
And apparently Scout Master was mesmerized.
(I mean — it is Micah’s favorite movie (#1). And this pic is before the hysterical laughter.)
My mom got out some of Belly’s old clothes, and got them cleaned and up to par for Sushi. We paired one of Tristen’s old sailor outfits with her new white ankle strap Sunday shoes. I think she looks darling! I wish they made clothes that look just like this right now. Who knows — maybe they do.
I’ll let you have these clothes back for your kids, but hurry the freak up and get MARRIED!
Before I start, I would like to say that I am on day 4 and am going strong. I haven’t spent a single dollar. Micah hasn’t spent a single dollar on me. And my mom has only spent about nine dollars on me.
Thank you very much!
*
*
*
On to the responses:
*
*
*
“Oh…does that mean that on October 18th (the day my month is up) I am going to have the most massive credit card bill?”
* * * * *
(Talking to someone else with me within listening distance.)
“She is just going to have everyone pay for things, and then she’ll just write them I.O.U.’s all month.”
* * * * *
“Babe, it looks like I’ll be taking you out a lot this month.”
* * * * *
(Again talking to someone else.)
“She is just going to go everywhere with me, and then as soon as they ask for the payment on anything, she will just sneak away.”
* * * * *
Some would say “JERK!”
I don’t….
I just say, “Ye of little faith!”
I just saw these, and am dying to get them for the kids. Wouldn’t they just love these cute Halloween stories? But as you know mom, I am not spending money this month. Do you think you would want to treat my kids to these brilliant masterpieces? I’ve been thinking about it, and they will probably be less popular and less liked in school if they don’t know these stories. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that — would you?
Let me know you beautiful red-headed bombshell.
Babe…..In honor of you turning 34 in a week or so, I am gifting you early. I know this summer has been vacation after vacation. I know I really like to buy Halloween costumes. I know Chick Fil-A has put a dent into my bank account. (I am sure you can name a few other things, but I don’t want to completely out myself.)
* * * * *
Back to the birthday…..in honor of your big 3-4, I am going to give you a month long gift. From today, September 17th until one month from now, October 17th….I am going to put myself on a budget of only $34.00. (Excluding gas, groceries and legitimate bills.)
* * * * *
Now I want you to know that I have already told my peeps about this and they know I am serious. My mom isn’t too thrilled with how our conversation went. I said to her, “I am not spending any money this month, so if you want to be with me and your grand kids…..it looks like you will have to pay.” Then she explained to me that paying for Botox is just paying a doctor’s bill. Is she crazy? Does she think this is a joke? Obviously, I’ll wait for the month to end before I make my appointment. Tristen already told me that if we go to the movies, she won’t pay for me, but she is “down” with me sneaking in.
* * * * *
This means no going out to eat. This means no seeing something that I just have to have. This means life will be about “Costco Runs” instead of “Costco Funs”. The only money that will be spent other than at a gas station or a grocery store will be by the use of gift cards. (I am kind of annoyed that you made me use all of my gift cards last Christmas.) And finally, I am not going to pull Shem’s high school stunt of buying whatever I want from the gas station because it is on my list of being legal — or in his case it was on my dad’s gas station credit card.
* * * * *
One month my friend…One month of a serious budget.
* * * * *
XOXO
I love you
Happy Birthday From Me
I guess the only bad news in this is that you won’t be getting any sort of birthday gift (I really wish I could have gotten you some new sunglasses)– but I will cook you up a mean meal — without balloons or candles!
(Just kidding — I have a stash of both. Luckily, because I just had to have them in years past!)
I keep telling Micah that Sissy totally speaks in sentences (which she does). He begs to differ (what does he know). Well this sweet thing came in after breakfast and said, “Mommy, I ate all of my cereal.”
Dear Micah,
She included a noun, and a verb.
Last time I checked — that is a sentence.
Love,
Your grammar-loving wife
(Directly after she said it, and still scraped up from Yosemite.)
Scout was begging to go to the “playground” at the gym while Micah worked out. It didn’t really fit into my plans, but after I could tell how much he wanted to go, I finally said he could. And like usual, as we were driving into the parking lot, I started to have “the talk” with him. I started with, “Scout…when you are in there, I want you to be nice to everyone, and I want you to choose the right…” Scout in a total huff interrupted and said, “MOM….stop saying that!” When I asked what he was talking about, he said, “Stop saying for me to choose the right. I ALWAYS choose the right!”
I guess he has the message — LOUD AND CLEAR.
(But quite honestly, I can think of a few times in the last few days when he didn’t ALWAYS choose the right.)
My CTR boy.
On our way home from Yosemite, we made a pit stop at Auntie Bree’s cross country meet. Icka and the astronaut had a great time, and Bree’s team won for the girls and the guys. not bad — they must have a really good coach!
The kids love Auntie Bree.
The siblings.
On our way out, Sissy insisted on carrying her own chair.
And this is what I got the rest of the drive home. One singing-at-the-top-of-his-lungs dude.
We had another successful stint in Yosemite with the Zimms. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
The most exciting news was that we saw a bear. I promised Scout (bad parenting I know) that we wouldn’t leave Yosemite until we had seen one. So thank goodness Adrienne stopped us mid lunch and said, “you guys…I swear I see a bear.” We looked over and she was dead on. There was one just staring at us from behind our tent cabin. The crazy part was how silent he was when he came up.
We quickly told the kids to get behind the big rock and out of the sight of the bear. After we all just stared for a bit. It was a minute when Micah started making some noise and I chucked a log at him. He quickly ran away, and all was well. It was so cool, and the best was when Micah seriously exclaimed, “Dude — he heard I was making a sandwich and came to check it out.” (Okay — maybe not too seriously!) Nice eyes AZ!
The reoccurring theme this trip was dirt / grime / dust / filth. The ground was so dry, that we couldn’t keep our kids clean for ten minutes past their showers. I literally had to throw my hands up in the air and just not care because if I did, I would have gone insane! And it really is amazing how often our kids trip — specifically Navy.
This little nose picker got into trouble because it was really dry up there this year.
Our favorite past time this year was taking our bikes to the river, and letting the kids swim and throw rocks. I can’t believe how the boys (including dads) could throw and skip rocks all day long.
Here are two little rock collectors.
Icka was dead asleep, but here is a partial family picture. I’ll say it — I won’t be entering this into a photo contest any day soon.
The third day, we got to rock heaven along the river.
This little sass fell within the first ten minutes the Zimms got there and scraped her entire face up. And her face got a little help from Cheetos in this picture.
Here is the mob.
The thinking rock. These two men spent an hour scaling, plotting and jumping off this rock. They are both total nerds as they assess all risks involved, and so classic to watch!
Just getting as dirty as possible.
Scout was so chivalrous as he helped his sis walk back to her mom.
Things took a turn when he wanted her to walk faster than she was able to.
Micah kept saying he needed a comfortable place to sit down. Looks like he found it.
Someone (Jim) came up with the bright idea of crossing the river to find shade. It made me feel for the pioneers. But truth be told — I wanted shade also.
Ezra was mad at Scout for something. Karate Chop / Tackle / Hit — take your pick.
Icka went into the Zimm tent and found a little treasure. I thought it was a bit rude when AZ made me take her brush away. Sissy was only trying to beautify!
This is what my little grime ball looked like by the end of the day.
Atrocious!
King of the mountain — on the kids favorite rock outside our tents.
Our attempt at keeping the kids clean the morning we were leaving. We just fed them.
Micah’s work of art.
Breakfast at the lodge. Bacon, powdered donuts and pancakes with syrup. Heaven on earth!
It’s a no go for me this time around on being pregnant. And just to think I was crossing my fingers for triplets! Oh well — no biggie. I’ll be back in a few months with good news (maybe this time I could get quads!).
*********************
*********************
The good news is that Theiny has taken good care of me. I was in for my D + C within days, and am already on my way to feeling great. The only hiccup in the plan was my recovery nurse. Overall, he wasn’t bad, but he did happen to fall asleep on the job a few times.
He is smiling now, but he was snoozing a minute earlier. He just started to smile when he heard my camera click on, because he knew he was caught in the act. (Mind you… this is moments after I was on his case about him not being the nurse of my dreams.)
And then the two stinkers took over my personally made bed on the couch when I got up to use the restroom. (Notice that Micah is sleeping this time around — an obviously rough day for this tuckered out boy.) And although I liked that he was trying to spend time with me on the couch, maybe he forgot that he shouldn’t spread himself out and make himself comfortable as I sat in the fetal position — not by choice, but because I had a lack of space. I guess the space worked out better for Scout than the patient anyway.
All is well — Megan the Saint came to the rescue and got me something I have always wanted — A cookie bouquet!
Of course she did!
| DESIGN BY