One of the Many Reasons We Miss Jared

Because he likes to play in the rain, while boring Mommy watches from the porch


Hurry home, Jared!

Jack's Theory on Cause and Effect

"It's my birthday and if anyone tries to take my birthday away, I'll have to kick their birthdays out!"

"But if I don't get any mail, I'll have to go away!"

"But if I eat that ___ (fill in offensive food), I'll poop my pants!"

"But if I don't get chocolate milk now, then I'll throw up!"

"But if I wash my hands [after going to the bathroom] then my hands will get dirty!"

Ummmm.....wha?

To the Fair We Go

We had a busy kid weekend - on Friday night, we went to a neighboring county's fair. Spent way too much money for a county fair, but the kids sure had a blast. They got to play with the animals (thank you, sanitizing soap), eat junky fair food, and ride a whole bunch of rides (we had Ellie stand up 'super tall' so she'd make the 36" minimum requirement). Got home way late, then had to get up early to pick up Jack's friend Garrett for a day-long playdate. Got to bed late again, and now we all have a massive post-weekend hangover. If anything proves our love for these kids, it's the fact that they've been throwing screaming tantrums every 30 seconds and we haven't thrown them out the window. Yet.

...Off to the fair we go....

Jack's favorite ride was the helicopter

I'm not so good with the action photos, but this is them on the big slide

Go Speed Racer Go!

You know I just had to try the fried Oreos. C'mon people, it's Oreos! I'm not much for fried anything, and I probably wouldn't get it again, but the inside ooey-gooey-ness wasn't too bad

And of course, lots and lots of smelly animals. I guess I'm just not a country girl at heart, but I swear, I still smell them

Two Sandy Kids and a Stinky Dog

We had a fun day at Riverside (my parents' place) yesterday - took the kiddies down there to get some nice fresh air and take a swim in the not-so-fresh Potomac River (hey, it builds immunity!). Dad made some steak sammiches, the kids got to swim and build sand castles, and I got a nice visit with the folks.

Jack, Ellie, and the ginormous Hershey. Looks like he's stalking Ellie, doesn't it.

Jack and Ellie, in the middle of a very important architectural project

Look at that little swimmer!

Just chillin'

Ellie ended up with enough sand in her swimsuit that I think she actually qualified as her own continent

And here's the stinky dog. That's what happens to a 15-pound dog who swims in the river and whose underside drags on the river floor the whole time. I tried putting him in the way-back of the car on the way home, but he managed to leap tall buildings over both the back and middle seats and lodge his smelly self right next to me on the center console.

Cool Playground

Anyone in the D.C. area, check out this playground (it's called Clemyjontri) in McLean - so cool!

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/playground.htm#top

"Sleep"? Could you use that in a sentence please?

What is this "sleep" of which you speak? I'm afraid that term doesn't compute.

You know, I have to say the kids are getting easier and easier. Now, if they'd just learn to SLEEP, it'd all be good.

First, there's this little boy. He comes dragging in, purple blankie in tow, around midnight. There's usually a "I need to go pee!" screamed point-blank in my ear, and then he settles in on the floor next to my bed.

Exhibit A: My Midnight Visitor


Exhibit B: Midnight Visitor's Sad and Lonely Room


But wait, then there's this girl. Don't let the smile fool you - she's a screamer. At around 2am - screaming for cookies, chocolate milk, blankies, and baby dolls. And then yes, she settles into what is quickly becoming a hippy compound on my floor.

Exhibit C: My 2am Party

Exhibit D: Empty Big-Girl Bed


But wait, Brandi says. Just lock their door. That would work fine and dandy, if it weren't for this guy in Exhibit E. It's a good thing he's cute, because the kids seem to have inherited the anti-sleep gene from him. Or I shouldn't say anti-sleep, it's crazy-ass-working-on-a-time-zone-from-Mars kinda sleep. See, he travels all the time, through time zones, and comes home with all kinds of sleep crazy. Like, I'm gonna fall asleep at 7pm and then wake up at 3am wanting to "cuddle" (if you get my drift) with Lydia. But, my friends, like your neighborhood bar, Lydia's Last Call is 2am, then my shop is closed, buddy. So, finally, after my midnight visitor, my 2am party, and my 3am rendezvous, I doze off to a peaceful slumber....until....

Exhibit E: 3am Rendezvous


He wakes up at 4am. To bark at, I dunno what, something. Remember in "Something About Mary" when he throws the yappy dog out the second-story window? Yeah, I'm thinking that sounds like a real good idea.

Exhibit F: Hey Otis, remember what happened to Old Yeller?


Oh, and P.S. - what's up with this dog bed? I got it for, you know, our DOG, who won't sleep in the damn thing. But about a month ago, I woke up to find my daughter sleeping in it. Then last night, around 2am, I hear my son bumping around the room, pry open my eyes, to see him trying to climb into .... the dog bed?!?

Exhibit G: Maybe I should try it out?

A Hiking We Will Go

If you're ever in the D.C. area, definitely spend an afternoon at Great Falls. It's a national park here in town, with hiking trails, picnic area, some fun rock-climbing routes, and beautiful waterfalls where you can watch the kayakers. We went there yesterday, and picked just the right day - warm, but not too humid. The kids were great little troupers, and we had a great day.

Our two fearless hikers.


Heading out from the parking lot. Jack and Ellie were quite serious with their backpacks, looking like they were headed off for an Everest expedition.


Looking out over the falls. It really is beautiful.


Operation "Exhaust the Kids." Mission successful.

I Swear I Turned My Head For Just a Second

Here, the kids decided to feed the dog. They apparently felt that Otis would enjoy his meal al fresco, and spread throughout the carpet - maybe they thought it'd be more exciting for him. Thank goodness I had given him dry food today.


...And there go Jared's pretty flowers. You know, which are kinda sorta supposed to stay on the bushes.


Oh yeah, just try and look innocent. I know better.

Be Careful What You Ask For

So I announced this morning that I wanted Jared to prepare one meal per week (I currently do all the cooking). Surprisingly, he readily agreed. But - here's the lesson learned, my friends - I failed to put parameters on this new deal. Because, sure, he went shopping today and got food to make dinner tomorrow night (he chose Sunday night as his meal)....to the tune of $96.59. For one home-cooked meal. So be careful what you ask for.