My Ride

So I ran into a neighbor's mailbox, needed a 30,000 mile check up on my van, and am driving a teeny tiny car. I'll explain the mailbox later because there's actually a funny story about that. The van, well, it's not quite at 30K, but I figure that since we need to repair the mirror that we can jump the gun a bit on that. And the car, well, it's cute and all:

but it surely won't fit my four kids and all of their car seats. Probably won't even fit the four kids without the car seats! So, the dealer promised me the van back by 1:30, but I'm not holding my breath. I plan on arriving at 1:30 (unless I get a call sooner) and waiting around until they give m something large enough to haul these kids around - be it my own vehicle, or some larger rental. In the meantime I get to zip around in this cute little car. Lucy was digging it at first because she can see out the back window (she's still rear facing until she's 2 - new recommendations), but then the reality that the rear window wasn't that exciting set in and she started objecting. So, we will tootle around today for a bit in this mini version of a car, free of chicken nuggets, soccer balls, and stinky boys, and hopefully will get our own car back all in one piece, all tuned up, and get on with our day.

VEEEEEEEEE!

It's humankind's last stand.

I am having flashbacks to when I was younger - much younger - and was finally allowed to watch this show on TV: I really hope that the new one has the same effect on me:

Trunk or Treat!

Take one parking lot, add some cars and some creative people, be sure that it's near Halloween, and TRUNK OR TREAT!!!

The boys loved it! (that's a Jawa, the Black Power Ranger, and Toad from Mario Bros. in case you aren't up on 6 and 9 year old boy culture!

The Big Chair

Here is Miss Lucy enjoying herself and sitting in one of the coveted grown-up chairs at Starbucks a few days ago:

From here she could see the people sitting outside, those coming in, and the birds, clouds, planes, trees, sky, and the list goes on. There's something special about being tall enough (and old enough) that your momma lets you crawl up on the big chair and plop down.

Riveted

And they sat like this for almost the entire first half:

Hook 'Em Horns!!!

Maurice Sendak

From the day I remember first reading this book (having it read to me actually) I have loved it. And now to see that the author of the book embraces the movie in the same way that children around the world have embraced the book for decades, well, that blows my socks off:

We might just have to make a run to the theater with the whole family, drop the equivalent of one child's college education, and see this movie before too long. Because, honestly, we are all really looking to make sense of the world around us, inside all of us htere really is hope, and Max might just help us all see that. Thanks Spike Jonze, and thanks Maurice Sendak - you've done a great thing here.

9:30 on a Friday at Starbucks

I'm sitting here at Starbucks enjoying my Pumpkin Spice Latte (YUM!) with about 40 of my closest friends. Actually I don't know a single person here, but there are literally 40 people in here. And they keep coming and going. Who knew that Starbucks is such a happening place in the middle if a weekday morning. At least five or six people have walked in and turned right around and left because the line was so long, but they are really coming out in droves for their coffee.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for Tom to brung Lucy up after my chiropractor appointment so she and I can go play with friends. But for now I sit and watch as the masses come and go from this busy busy coffee shop. And of course enjoy my favorite Pumpkin Spice treat.

Bath Hair

Gotta love it when you have enough hair that your

momma can make it stand straight up with shampoo:

And it sure makes your brothers smile!

Magic Shell Heaven

Take a close look - it's CUPCAKE flavored Magic Shell!

And now it's all gone.

Here come the hornets!

Way back when - two houses ago actually - we had an invasion of the hornets. One took off after Max and that was the end of that nest. Apparently Giant European Hornets and lawn mowers doesn't mix. Anyway, last night as Tom and I sat eating dinner in the dining room, I heard a thumping noise in the sunroom. Chicken that I am, I asked Tom to go see what critter was in there as the door was left open and something had obviously wandered in. I was thinking that a gang of chipmunks, squirrels, birds, or even a pack of wild dogs had moved in, but no. It was our very own Giant European Hornets. Three of them in all. After Tom hunted them all down and killed them, two were in good enough shape to ship off to school in a plastic container - because that's what we do with cool bugs around here. Tom called me a science nerd, but hey, cool looking bugs are cool looking bugs. And look how BIG they are (bigger than this quarter):

But hopefully this is the last we see of these guys - they are fierce looking!

Mom Secrets REVEALED!

I swear that this blogger has been following me around! The last two times I've been to the gym I did no exercising - it was all calls and relaxation time! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. So, if you are a mom go read this to see that you are not alone. If you aren't a mom, it's like a peek into the inner working of our little mom-world.

Please Don't Touch!

Dear parents of kids everywhere,

I'm not starting this off by announcing the arrival of the plague, swine flue, or any other terrible ill in our house, but I will say that it's cold and flu season, and I have a one year old. This means that you need to teach your kids not to touch my child in the face or hands, especially when they have a cold or cough, or have been sick recently. I'm not one to seclude my kids all winter, I'm all about letting them run free, but at the same time, let's not share germs here unnecessarily folks. And it's not the babies that I'm talking about. That contact is unavoidable. That, and the moms of wee ones seem to have a better grasp on their slightly under the weather kids. It's the 8 year olds that run up and want to hug and kiss on my daughter. Yes, I know she's cute, and yes, she's friendly, but still. There's no need to wipe your nose on the back of your hand then grab her hand to go play. She gets enough of that from her brothers. Don't cough at her please - just turn away - don't they teach this to you in school if nowhere else??!!?? There's also no need to put your hands all over her face and proceed to wipe her down with whatever germs you have. Parents, please let your kids know that they need to ASK before touching a baby or a toddler - especially when they are sick. I implore you to talk to your kids about this. my boys would NEVER approach a baby and proceed to touch him or her, especially when they aren't 100%. They love looking at the babies, but they know better. So please teach your kids to have the same respect for my one year old.

Sincerely,

The mommy that nearly went ballistic on a 8 year old covered in green snot trying to play with my daughter yesterday

Guerilla Goodness

Guerilla Goodness: Sneaking up on someone, doing something nice, then quietly slipping away leaving them to enjoy their goodness. It's all about anonymous giving. It's all about sharing the spirit of giving with my children. And for me it's all about bringing a smile to a kid's face on their very first day of school. And no one told a soul...until now:

These four really left a lasting impression on loads of kids on their way into school for the first day of the 2009-1010 school year. Thanks guys - you did a great thing! And thanks to Patience for sharing a basic but brilliant way to affect change in the world.