Frog ponds and A NEW CAR

The Rodeo is gone. By now, it is probably on its way to either a salvage yard for parts, or on its way to get crushed into one of those little cubes of scrap metal. I got the award for trading in the biggest POS (piece of sh*t) vehicle during the Nissan promotion. We laughed. I think I got a great deal on the new car and now I can plan on driving this for the next 11 years or until I blow it up.



We celebrated Conner's birthday on Sunday. It's not really for another week, but she will be with her dad then. The 'family' came up and spent the afternoon hanging out. Conner got some cool stuff, including the Frog Pond Habitat that she has wanted HER ENTIRE LIFE! See reaction:



Since Jim's family wasn't available for this party, we will probably have another party the week after her birthday. Why not? As a divorced parent, I feel obligated to make every occassion BIGGER than necessary. I swear it's my mom's fault. She gave me the 'guilty parent' gene. I know it must suck to have parents that are divorced so I guess I go overboard with trying to keep things upbeat and happy. I'm always telling the kids that it must be great to get to celebrate every holiday twice. And get twice the presents and cake and candy. Like that makes up for all the stress and travel time. Isn't that like saying "Hey - you get a week off school now for Spring Break, but oh yeah - you have to go to school until June 3."

So anyway - divorce sucks. But I love my kids and pray to God every day that they forgive my inability to live with their dad, and that I don't pass along all my issues and weirdness to them. Ok, so they like MOST of my weirdness. It must be a family thing. Goofy-ness is akin to Greatness in the eyes of my kids, which means that God must listen to my prayers. Amen.

Last of the Red Hot Rodeo

My faithful little Rodeo is gasping its final fumes. It's old. It's tired. It's been mistreated and driven way too much. But I love it. Ever have a relationship like that with a vehicle?

I KNEW what kind of vehicle I wanted when I bought my Rodeo. I spent a year looking for exactly the right thing at exactly the right price. I found it and have loved my truck every day since I bought it. Ok, so it's not new (it's a '95) and it has lots of miles on it. It has rust spots too. It leaks oil. But... it has never let me down and transported us safely and without problems for 10 years.

I don't really want to get rid of it. But I think my baby truck is tired and wants a break. She's been giving me hints for a long time and I was purposefully ignoring them. Last night she decided enough was enough and I had to take her in to the shop this morning. I'm waiting to get a damage estimate (guesses are water pump or thermostat and radiator hose) and then I'll have to make a decision. (got the news - it's worse than bad.) Conner is sad because she loves the Rodeo too.

So I'm in the market for a new car. I don't like car shopping. I don't like dealing with the dickering and negotiating over price. I want it to be like buying shampoo or a good steak. Look at it, poke it, price is upfront and go check-out. I really hope things have changed since the last time I was car shopping. Is it faster now? I don't have hours to spend at a dealship today.

Wish me luck.

Safety First

Because our family takes internet safety very seriously.



When asked why the helmet? She responded, "So my head won't get hurt."

She just keeps giving and giving... Conner wanted to purchase something at Target. We found a cat tunnel toy that was inexpensive. The cat hasn't had time to investigate, but Conner has.

She wants to be a Tootsie Roll when she grows up.



But then she was trying to wiggle out....



"No, Mommy, really... I'm stuck! HELP!"



Sorry baby, Mommy is laughing with you. Really.

Some MSG to go please

Chinese food for dinner. It was Caleb's idea, and it was an excellent one.

Kids are still tired after their busy weekend. I'm trying to limit the sugar intake but we have a pile of candy that is entirely tempting. Conner spent the morning playing with the bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and jumprope that the Easter Bunny brought. Caleb finished a book he was reading. Jim slept. It was so nice and quiet.

Jim is working tonight, so the kids and I are getting his presents ready for tomorrow. Hopefully he will be a bit surprised with his gifts, but he's pretty clever and has probably already figured things out.

I made the kids go look for another letterbox this evening. We looked for this one before, but it was snowing and we didn't have any luck. Well, we still didn't have any luck today. The clues are just vague enough to have us stumped. We tromped all through the woods and got our shoes nice and muddy, but no letterbox for us. So then we tracked our muddy shoes to Target and left tracks all over the place. I bet they loved us there. (really, we stomped our feet in the parking lot before we went in, but I know we still left bits and pieces of mud throughout the store.)

We are planning on planting our own letterbox soon. Caleb and I picked out a good spot a few weeks ago. We need to make our log book and pick out or carve a stamp to put in the box. I'm hoping to find some camo duct tape to help conceal the box. If you know where I can find some, please let me know.

I don't know which will be more fun - finding letterboxes or watching and waiting to see who finds ours!

Make it go away

First off - I went out to dinner last night. I can say that I have been to "The Hill" in Saint Louis now. We went to Zia's and had some awesome food. Then we came home and went to the grocery store. I was so full I didn't even want to think about food, but we had to get a couple of things for Jim to take to his sister's today.

Which leads me to today. I woke up this morning and wandered semi-blindly into the kitchen to get something to drink (interpret - caffeine). I looked out the window. "OH MY GOD, IT'S SNOWING!"

I'm not sure that ALL the neighbors heard me, after all I was still inside. This is why we shouldn't celebrate Easter in March.



That poor little Easter Bunny has to deal with this crap. Going from house to house, hiding all those eggs. Someone please tell me this is the last snow of the season. Please.

I have to share these old commercials with my kids. They always think I'm losing my mind when I start wandering around saying, "thanks Easter Bunny bawk bawk." Now they will know...



And the infamous Cadbury bunny tryouts. These were hysterical. I still laugh.



Happy Easter!

We found it!

Last summer I introduced the kids to an activity I had heard about from somewhere - Letterboxing. The basic concept is to find things that other people have hidden somewhere. I know it sounds silly, but it's actually a blast. Last year we only went looking for four letterboxes. We found three of them, and more about the fourth later. It's so embarassing!

We took a break over the fall and winter mainly because of moving, getting settled in school, work, busy weekends, and all the normal life stuff. Oh yeah, and tromping around on nature trails in the winter gets a little breezy. We did go look for a letterbox at a local park when it was snowing one day. After I took off my blonde hair, I realized that it's difficult to look for a letterbox when the ground is covered with THREE INCHES of SNOW! Duh.

Yesterday I took the kids back home to play with their cousins and since the weather was awesome I talked them into going letterbox hunting. We made the trek to the park, Kevin even came along. I think he was really curious to see what the heck I was talking about. We hit the trail, followed the clues, and then tromped around and around for several mintues looking for the first box. Caleb had his thinking cap on - he found it!



We retraced our steps and took off down another path to find the next stash. This one was just as much fun, although Conner was getting upset because she wasn't finding the boxes first. Caleb found this one too. The final clue for it was hard to figure out because the thing we were supposed to look for was partially concealed by a fallen cedar tree. I would have never found it.



Here's Conner's reaction:



Then we had just enough time to go look for the last box in the series. Caleb and Conner and I had looked for this one before and not found it. Which was entirely my fault. Mr. Science Teacher Kevin was along though and helped figure out the last clue which had stumped me before. Hayden was the fastest and found this one. Note to self - 150 degrees means in line with your body, not the line made when you hold out your arms. Another fine moment of brillance.



After this one, we had to hit the road (rather quickly) because we were already late. Took the kids for an Easter Egg hunt at my parents (yes, we still do that) then had to take them to their dad's for the weekend. Caleb and I had a fun conversation while we were waiting for his dad. The poor kid doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, or Santa anymore. He thinks I do all that stuff - but construction workers take a holiday over Christmas so they can pretend to be elves to make all the toys. And he said that with a straight face.

Kids rock.

Spring Break

The kids are officially on Spring Break as of this afternoon. They don't go back to school until March 31. I still have no idea why they are getting a break this long, especially when the school year has been extended until June 3 to make up for snow days. The logic in that decision baffles me. The kids are in a routine now, so let's interrupt it and give them six days out of school. Yep, sounds like a great plan.

I am currently witnessing another example of what a bad parent I am. Conner is off riding around the loop with her new friend. They both have great bikes and are having a blast. However, Conner is missing a critical bike riding accessory - a helmet. I do believe a trip to Target or Wal-Mart is needed this evening in order to take care of this problem. What can I say? We didn't need helmets last year when she was only riding the bike in the YARD at the old house. The grass and dirt just didn't qualify as dangerous. Now I have to think about cars and crashes on concrete. Of course, Conner is a speed-demon daredevil bike rider. I have no idea where she gets that from.

Grade cards came home today. My kids have lots of reasons to be proud of themselves. Darn it - I don't have an excuse to ground them now. Maybe I can make something up. Like... they didn't chew their food long enough before swallowing. Or they put their socks on the wrong feet.

Honestly? I think I'm a really lucky mom.

Was that the sun I saw today?

Caleb has decided that the orthodontist's office sucks. He had an appointment yesterday and came home with four teeth in this nice little pouch. They were baby teeth and already loose, but I don't think he was reconciled to parting with them. He had an expander removed on the previous appointment and three teeth came out along with it. Seven teeth in three months. Good thing I have a close, personal relationship with the tooth fairy.

The kids had a good laugh at me this morning when I told them I had a toaster in the waffles for their breakfast. I had to be at a meeting at 9 and was trying to get them ready before I left. I only had one thing slow me down. Yesterday when we got home from the orthodontist, one of the doors on my truck didn't get shut completely. I got in this morning, turned the key and heard... click click click. I tried again.... click click click rrrrrr. I had to try a third time, and I couldn't believe it - but it actually started. Some how it found enough battery juice to start up. Woohoo!

Did you see that big glowing thing in the sky this afternoon? Was that the sun? I hope so because I'm starting to feel like an extra in Waterworld. Only the hero here is better looking than Kevin Costner. And taller. And there are more kids. And less water. But you know what I mean.

So this is what a neighborhood is like

I admit it. I'm from the country. When I think of neighbors, I think three fields over. Moving here has been a change. Now we have kids ringing the doorbell, dashing in and out, riding bikes all over, playing basketball in the driveway. I know my kids occassionally miss the 'country house' but I think they like being around other kids.

Conner had a new friend ring the doorbell this evening and ask her to play. She was thrilled and out the door in a flash. She came home long enough to eat and then was off again. I sent her phone with her so I can call when she needs to come home. After she left, Caleb grabbed his shoes and was out the back door to head up the hill. Since I have the TV on, he is probably having video game withdrawals and is going to play Halo at Stephen's.

Caleb has asked about organizing a Guitar Hero party this spring/summer. I think it sounds like a good excuse to get to know more parents and kids in the area. I just need to crawl out from under my rock and talk to some other people and get it organized. Did I just refer to myself and being organized in the same sentence? I must have temporarily gotten myself confused with someone else.

Now I'm off to pretend to more organization - got a Brownie Troop meeting tomorrow. I think those girls are a harder crowd than a room full of adults. Six hyper, opinionated, and very intelligent young girls. Ain't it great!

mmmmmm.... ribs

Had company yesterday. Mom and Dad brought Hayden, Reagan, and Sam to visit. Sam is one of Caleb's friends from Jefferson City. I swear I will be picking up Nerf darts for the next two months. The boys spent the day yelling, running about, playing video games and basketball, and watching Ghost Rider. Conner and Reagan wanted to be outside more, so we grabbed a bike and a scooter out of the garage and hit the trail. Mom and I were hoofing it, and probably stayed warmer than the girls since we were practically jogging to keep up with them. We made it about a quarter of the way back and by then we all had to pee! I won't say we raced home, but we weren't wasting any time either.

Highlight of the day - Jim made ribs. They were absolutely wonderful. And I get leftovers today! Juicy, tender, dripping in homemade bar-b-que sauce. YUMMY

Mom fulfilled the curse of our family - she forgot something when she left. The great thing about my family is that we are always on time, the bad thing is we always leave something behind. At least this time it was just a bag of snacks.

Caleb has an orthodontist appointment in Jefferson City tomorrow. He still has a loose tooth that he just won't wiggle. He was told on his last appointment that he needed to get that tooth out. Guess what? It's still there. Now he is worried that they are going to pull it out tomorrow. He asked me if I would put some Oragel on it this morning and pull it out. I considered it for half a second but there is no way. Intentionally inflict pain and discomfort on my child? Are you insane? Ok, so I can hold them down when they are kicking and screaming because they don't want shots - but at least I'm not the one with the needle.

I know Caleb will probably stress and worry about it all day. Maybe he will worry enough to work the tooth loose himself. If not, then I'll have to suck it up and see if I can talk Jim into helping pull it out. If you have any suggestions for the best way to pull a loose tooth, let me know.

Saturdays used to be for sleeping

I'm trying to remember the last time I slept in. I think its been a year or two ago. Even when I try to sleep late, I can't seem to stay in bed past 8:30. The fews times I've managed to stay in bed that late, I feel guilty. I don't know why. I'm an adult (or at least I pretend to be) so why shouldn't I sleep late? Surely I've earned the right to a few late mornings. My internal mommy clock obviously doesn't agree.

I'm also blessed with children that don't sleep late. I don't care if I keep them awake until midnight, I guarantee they will be awake by 8:00 a.m. Once the kids are awake, my guilty mommy complex kicks in and I have to get up too. I don't know why I think I have to be awake when they are awake. They aren't toddlers that have to be watched every moment. They can even get their own cereal and milk. I'm the same way about putting them to bed. If the kids are awake, then I'm awake. Believe me, I'm a party pooper when the kids have friends sleep over. No staying up all hours of the night at this house. Nope - when mom is ready to go to bed - then EVERYONE better be going to bed. Or else this momma bear gets grumpy!

Once upon a time, I used to stay over with my friends and we would be up at 2:00 in the morning making and eating cookie-dough. I'm sure the parents wanted to strangle us the next morning when they woke up and the kitchen was a baking disaster. Why, oh why, do I have this crazy feeling that I have similar kitchen messes to look forward too???

Today was actually a pretty relaxed day. Watched a movie with the girls this morning. Caleb spent last night and most of today with the neighbor, so it was fairly quiet here. I got inspired this afternoon and painted the closet in Alicia's room. Now I'm waiting for paint to dry so I can put the closet back together and rearrange some furniture. Maybe if I work hard enough this evening, I will be tired enough to sleep late tomorrow.

I know, I know... dream on.

Sadness but happy memories

Went "back home" today for my Uncle Frank's funeral. Sad occassion but it was great to see all my family. My aunts got a kick out of telling stories about me when I was younger.

I used to really not like going to church on Sunday mornings, so I would beg my mom and dad to let me stay with Aunt Lorene and Uncle Frank. I think I must have been their Sunday morning entertainment. My Aunt Rene still laughs every time she tells the story about me sitting with them and telling her that China died. I think I was five and somehow when I heard the news that Mao Zedong had died, I interpreted it a bit differently. Go figure.

Today we were entertained with stories about my incredible sense of cutting-edge fashion and know-it-all attitude.



In this one, I think my Aunt Rene was trying to convince me to give up my addiction to peanut butter, but I wasn't falling for it.



I'm sure Caleb and Conner will be disappointed that they missed hearing the stories about their mom, but I promised to take them for a visit soon. Maybe I can take them out to tromp around in the woods and stop by to see everyone again. Always seems like there is just never enough time for the important things like staying connected.

The good news is that Aunt Rene has a great-grandbaby and he's just a week old. He's adorable and will be loved tremendously. Seems there is always a ray of sunshine, even on the hardest and most trying of days.

Beginnings

Everything must have a starting point, although it's often hard to find it. This is a new starting point, a new beginning, a new outlet for that old desire to write and create. Or maybe its a new way to balance the logical, step-by-step side of my personality with the part of me that is random, creative and chaotic.

Whatever.

Maybe we'll just call it a simple way to keep in touch with the daily flotsam that is life.

Like this morning:

Caleb - "Mom, what is the strangest name that you have ever heard?"

Mom - "Well, I don't know. I once had a friend named September, which is pretty unusual."

Caleb - "I've never heard anyone named that before. But I know someone named April."

Mom - "I can't think of any other strange names. Some people might think Conner is an unusual name for a girl. But I think it just makes her more unique."

Conner - (embarassed and hides her face)

Caleb - "C'mon mom - Conner isn't that unusual. What are some really weird names that you know?"

Mom - "hmmm... well.... Caleb. Caleb is probably the weirdest name I've ever heard."

Lots of giggles and grins and the day is off to a great start.

Have to share this with Caleb when he gets home (since he did this dance thing at Camp):