The gift that keeps on giving

My computer crashed a few weeks back.

I did what any respectable non-techy girl would do. I took it to my dad.

He worked with it all night, and could not figure it out.

Go to Plan B. My brother.

He is going to school for computer programming, and if anyone can fix it...he can.

He tore the thing apart, and found out that a faulty power connector was to blame. The part was as much as just replacing the computer, so I opted for a new PC. Sorry, Mac lovers.

Anyhow, my new computer came and my helpful brother helped get it up and running last week.

What happened to the old computer, you ask?

Well, it is parked right next to the desk. No use actually throwing it away when it can sit useless on the floor, right?

As I was walking past it this afternoon, my toe stubbed on the corner of the open computer.

It hurt pretty bad, but I was on my way to get Kayden a popsicle after all, so I needed to hurry to the fridge.

I noticed a trail of blood behind me when I took a good look.

Sliced the tip of my toe, right down the middle of my toe nail.

3 hours in the Urgent Care and a few stitches later, and the computer safely made it to the trash where it belongs.

UGH.

This backpack sits as a constant reminder that, regardless how much I try to stop time, school is starting soon.

For those without facebook...

your numbers are dwindling, ahem Fig, but for those without Facebook, here are a few from the Fair this evening...

looking at Kayden riding the cars

so much fun riding

Nate and Kara before they leave for Florida

Go fish

Josh fits in this helicopter about as well as he fit sin roller coasters

Wheeeeeeeeee

Bryce was not too sure he liked the slides

the horses

wanted to go on the helicopters...until they lifted off

More of the Fair

I love me some freckles

Oh, those freckles.

I love 'em.

So much so.

One of our favorite pastime is "Counting Freckles". We start with his nose and move to his arms and neck, and finally to my favorite freckle- right above his belly button.

63 and counting.....

Kissing the Neighbor?

Around Christmas, my brother started dating my next door neighbor.

Scratch that.

Josh and I went on a blind date with them to bowling and Arnie's, and they have been joined at the hip ever since.

Her neice looks just like her, and often visits next door. Brycer has apparently taken a liking to her.

Hole in One

Who taught him to say that at the end.....Uncle Nathan?

57

In the last few weeks, we have had a lot of problems around here.

It all started with the dimmer switch in our living room. It just would not turn on.

We always eat family dinners on Sunday at our house, so we asked my dad to take a look at it. To describe my dad as handy is an understatement.

If it can be fixed, he can fix it.

Sure enough, dad grabbed his tool box out of his car and a half hour later, it was fixed.

Over the next few Sundays, something around here needed fixing every week.

Our door for the outside pool privacy fence toppled over. Before I knew it, Josh and my dad were pulling out the two by four and 40 lbs of cement.

We had electricity shocks shooting out of the wall in the playroom.

Another outlet in the living room that shocked you when touched.

A pool slide with broken legs that I got on Craig's List for $50 (I am really sorry about this one, dad). An all day affair, getting that bolted into the concrete.

As you can see, we really would be in a bind here without my dad.

That, however, is not the best part about him.

One look at the video below, and you will see.

He is hilarious. Quirky to a fault.

The very worst birthday singer- the louder and more off key the better.

I have so much fun with my family, and he is a big reason why.

I remember as a child walking into the indoor pool area of a hotel, and my dad and uncle were sitting in the lounge chairs in the shallow end of the pool.

All sorts of wonderful, great adventures were a normal part of my upbringing and I am so thankful I have a dad that loved us and spent so much time with us.

Thanks Dad. Happy 57th. Here's to 57 more:-)

Crash

in more ways than one. I went to upload these to facebook, and it made my computer crash.

I honestly have no idea how there are so many of Chelle and I skiing and nothing else.

http://www.thismoment.com/moment/view/50607/cottage?ref=23

Threes Company

Yesterday evening, we decided to take the kids to the park.

After much swinging and sliding, Josh needed to use the restroom. After only seconds, I saw him walking back towards me with that sheepish grin I love.

"Someone beat me to it", he said. I wondered how that happened, since his legs are at least ten feet longer than the average Joe's. I have seen him walk at a brisk pace to avoid doing diaper duty, or conversation after church. I know he can move.

Anyway.

We headed towards the courts a while later and by that time I had to use the restroom.

*Not the actual restroom, as evidenced by the fact that it is actually, um, clean.

Standing outside, the smell was already wafting from underneath the door. I tried to open the door. Locked.

Wondering if perhaps the restrooms were closed for the evening, I turned to leave and heard shuffling of feet.

I waited a few minutes and knocked again.

More shuffling of feet.

Silence.

At this point, I was intrigued.

I stood outside the door and heard walking back and forth, and then the water. When I am waiting to go to the bathroom, I always give a sigh of relief when the water comes on. It signals that the person using the restroom is almost finished, and it will be my turn shortly.

More shuffling of feet, then silence.

A brief rustling of paper towels, and then the water was back on.

At this point, my patience was running out. I was unsure why anyone would subject themselves, for any extended period of time, in such a stinky place.

I turned and caught Josh's eye across the playground. He motioned with his arms what was going on.

Heck if I knew.

Then the hand dryer turned on.

Enough with the washing of the hands, I thought. I know this is a public restroom and all, but come on.

I thought of knocking for the third time when a girl, about 14, opened the door. She was very pretty, but wore a guilty look. She tried to brush her hair over her face as she passed.

It only took two more seconds to realize why.

Out came Blond Hair Little Man {that had beat Josh earlier} , with a cat-like smirk across his face.

Just as I was processing that whole scenario, Smaller Dark Hair boy walks out behind him, laughing. None of them were over the age of 16.

I won't speculate as to what was going on in that bathroom, because I honestly do not know. I will say this. As she walked hand and hand out of the park exit, a huge part of me was saddened and wanted to chase after them and tell her she deserves better.

The Final Softball Game

We had our final softball game of the year tonight.
A double header- if we won the first game, we would then get to advance to the championship game. After a rousing comeback from the BluGolds, the first game was finished for a W.

The second game started, and my brother's girlfriend, Kara, asked me what type of car I drove. As this is a strange question to ask, I told her the make and model of my car and then asked why.

"There was a hit and run in the parking lot," she said. "Don't worry, though. They said it was a gray vehicle, and yours is green, right?"

Nope.

My gray SUV was sideswiped.

As I was still playing, I could not get to the parking lot to view it until the end of the game. I am choosing to be thankful and not pissed off.

Three things I am thankful for:
Neither of my kids were over there; they are healthy and safe. And darn cute, if you ask my opinion. Or my mom's.

It is still drivable

There were a couple witnesses that got a license plate. Although, the driver had a Florida plate so the police thought it would be pretty hard to find them. We will see about the power of google.

Wish me luck.

More luck than we had at our second game, anyway. We lost the championship. I am really okay with it, though, because the winner got a trophy. What? Is this first grade? I want a t-shirt. I have lots of thoughts on this, but it does bring up my biggest pet peeve--guys that walk in slow pitch softball. It seriously annoys me.

Josh has opportunity #2 for a championship tomorrow, as they are First Place in the Men's league.

As for my car, if you see me riding around with a smashed front end for a while....now you know.

A question

Q: How do you make one hour feel like seven?
A: Go on the train with two kids under 5.

We left for Chicago Thursday, around 9:50, to make our 11:50 train. We should have left at 9:30.

Josh was stressed; I was in a bad mood, the kids were crabby...it was just not a good start. Bryce started crying about an hour into our trip, and proceeded to scream, loudly and much like a cat would if being skinned alive, for the next fifty minutes. Consoling with suckers, candy, or soda was not working; I even crawled into Kayden's car seat on top of Kayden to soothe him. Finally as we exited the highway, he fell asleep.

By the time we got to the train station (with moments to spare), Josh drove around to find the lot full. I went in to purchase tickets with my MasterCard Debit to find that they only accept cash.

The train boarding went surprisingly well, seeing that we had a double stroller, two bags, one carry on full of junk, and two kids.

Kayden and Bryce did wonderful for the first hour. We had a great time viewing the cars and fellow passengers enter and exit the train. Right when they started getting squirrel-y, we arrived to our Millennium Park.

Our hotel was one mile away. It really did not seem that far to me when we booked it. We decided to walk, and Bryce decided he needed to be carried. Pushing the stroller, holding Bryce, and avoiding hoards of people went something like this:

Stop to wait for traffic light.
Watch light turn green.
Hear Kayden yell "look, there is the little white man!"
Start crossing the street, only to realize the ramp off the curb is a foot to the right.
Cut off three people to get to said ramp.
Cross the street.
Hear Josh lose his grip on the suitcase.
Turn around to see the suitcase falling on the ground and people dodging it, hopping over it, scowling.
Repeat.

Finally. The hotel is in sight. We walk into the cool lounge, a happy bellman welcoming our arrival. Truly a gorgeous hotel, I am sure that our journey has changed course. The checkout desk receptionist smiles and asks "May I help you?"

I give her our reservation....only to find out the hotel was never booked. Some glitch expedia has been having where the credit card never actually goes through. I am sent to the business center to sort through my e-mail (at $1 every three minutes), to no avail.

I start getting weepy and trudge back to the front desk. Thankfully, a room was available for only $20 more than our original booking.

We had a wonderful time. Lots of window shopping, a great Blog party, tons of quality time with the kids. Just fantastic.

Would I go back to Chicago? In a minute.
Would I take both the boys? In about five years.

Here is a slide show of our journey:

Traverse City

Stats

44 lbs, and 27 whopping lbs.

Yikes. Twice.

And, wouldn't you know it-- we have two kids in the 95th percentile for height.

On a serious note, any of your kids deal with allergies? The good Doc said that Brycer need Claritin for his puffy eyes.

About Stinkin Time

You know your beach bag is big when...

Your son could be carried around in it
OR

Your brother's girlfriend.

Cracks me up every time I think of her getting in this bag

Lost and Found

One of the great parts of owning a pool is the many treasures left behind after a party.

Sure, mostly it is just bobby pins left at the bottom of the pool that turn to rust. But sometimes, I get real lucky and a towel or goggles are left.

These, however, I have no use for:

They are not my size.

As such, if the owner would like to claim them, I will gladly return them.

Let Me Hold Them Longer

One of my favorite children's books is Let Me Hold Them Longer by Karen Kingsbury. An excerpt:

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts.
First Smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave me to your past,
and I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

It travels through the last bottle, the last time wanting to be rocked, the final midday nap with the question posed "Would I have held on longer if I'd known it was your last?"

We always celebrate the first, but the last almost inevitably slips by unnoticed.

Because I cherish this book, the last few days of preschool I struggled thinking about these lasts. Sitting on the floor in the preschool room viewing the slide show, I observed the year passing in a blink. Photos of the class dressed in panda masks as they exited at the end of the day, Kayden playing on the bright alphabet rug at the beginning of the year looking so timid, sitting in a circle singing a greeting to their friends.

Preschool is over. My only solace is that he has another year ahead of him, and I am thankful for that. Although he might be ready, I most certainly am not!

I am grateful I still reside in the beginning seasons. Dating, football games, driving-it all currently seems very distant.

The book ends with:

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away.
College Life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last goodbye. One quick and hurried kiss. One last time to understand just how much you will be missed.
I will watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Help me hold on longer God to each sweet precious last.

Amen and Amen.

A day at the Gardens

Birds in a Nest.

2.more.days

The end is in sight.

hallelujah.