Why I'm Happy

A Note From Mommy: This is what I wake up to each and every morning. How beautiful they are. How blessed I am. How can I not be filled with joy and wonder at being their mother? What an amazing thing.

Mommy's Blogging Buddy...Shhhhhh.

Daddy: "Augh! (Aaaachooo!) I just cannot understand this, Hon! I sit down at the computer to do my homework and without fail I start ( AAAACHOOOO! ) sneezing uncontrollably! It's the weirdest thing..."

Mommy: "Huh. I...uh...yeah. Go figure."

Fall is Falling

You know? Yesterday as I shared my watermelon and enjoyed the morning sun I looked around. I've known that seasons change and summertime will go away, but there are now small hints all around me that the school year will soon be here:

My brother actually relents to wearing clothing when he digs in his favorite spot now, and my bunny's coat is growing thicker and fluffier so she can comfortably brave the Fall chill.

Mom's changed out the pastels of the summer Pansies and Petunias for Mums in Autumn colors. My Daisies have all gone for now. Our apple tree is tapped out, applesauce waiting in our freezer for the cool mornings when it will be served hot for breakfast...

...and the days are shortening again. Soon they will be filled with "structure" and all things Kindergarten. There will be field trips and a new Science Co-Op to attend. There will be crafts and arts and the smell of their supplies. But for now? This kid's enjoying the last lazy remnants of a quickly fading summertime.

Goga's Work Picnic!

This was the fun time we had at Goga's work picnic! GE rented Thrill-Ville USA for the evening and we had a blast! Daddy, Papa, Goga and Auntie Cynaera took us on bumper boats, go carts, roller coasters and the water slide!
Note: Rayna is missing from the picture because this was the day she hurt her leg and was put in her splint which can't get wet. Mommy is missing because she stayed with Rayna so Daddy and us boys could go. Goga is missing because, apparently, she was the one taking all the pictures and forgot to be in some.

Did Someone Spike the Cool Aid or What?!?

Did you miss us? We're finally back to some normalcy after our crazy week. 2 visits to the Emergency room with 2 kids in 2 days was a bit much for Mom and Dad. Poor guys. On Thursday we pulled into VBS. Mom opened the van door. I hopped out. Rayna hopped out. Malachi...well...We're not sure exactly what Malachi did but it resulted in him landing directly on his head. The sound was that of a watermelon hitting the pavement. Then he just laid there. Mommy promptly freaked out. We whisked him off to Daddy's hospital. She ignored nurses telling her that she was going the wrong way and busted through the doors to the imaging department. Daddy rounded the corner to see Mom hurrying toward him, shaking and holding Kai's head.
One "Minor Head Injury" later we were back home. The next day the doctor OKed Kai to go back to VBS. We should have stayed home. Rayna was going down the slide and when she hit the base of it, she started sobbing. Again, we're not quite sure what happened to her leg, but another trip to the hospital,a few X-Rays and another freaked-out Mommy later, Rayna is in a thigh to foot splint and is slithering all through the house, pointing at her encumbrance, "Stuck. Mom?! Stuck!" She doesn't particularly care for the cast as it slows her up considerably, but she's doing much better since Mom painted her toenails. Pics to come...

She learned to say, "Kai-Kai!"...

I'm having one of those days where not knowing is killing me. Am I holding my daughter or someone else's? Are the boys playing with their sister right now? If they're out of her sight for more than 5 seconds, I hear her, "Wherez zeh boys, Mama?" And they love her so much. What have I got them into? I can handle losing her. Somehow I would have to. Somehow. But my boys will not understand. We don't know the other families going to court. She would be handed over to them and just...Disappear. Forever. How many tears will Solly and Kai have to cry if another family is chosen? I don't want them to have to deal with such a big loss when they're so little. How will this shape them? Will this change them? And Rayna? Not even going there. God, please be our advocate. Please keep us together.

Dog Days of Summer

We were in the Dog Days of Summer Parade downtown a couple of weeks back. Mommy hauled us all over the place in the wagon. Good thing she brought it, too - Jadis took one look at all those big dogs and decided she wasn't interested in walking anywhere at all. She ended up on my lap, shooting condescending glances at all the other pooches who were forced to walk by their poorly trained humans.

Child Labor

Mommy is so loving that we're big enough to do chores! One of our responsibilities is Windex-ing. It's hard work, but it gives us an excuse to climb up on the bathroom counter, so it's OK!

Chris Rice 2006

Can a 4-year-old actually enjoy music performed by something that's not a puppet? Can he appreciate songs that surpass the ideas of ABCs and the merits of properly brushing one's teeth? Turns out, yes. He can. Since Solomon was a baby, he's loved Chris Rice. He responded to this music when he was a fussy infant and seemed to listen intently even then. As he grew, I would put these CDs on for him at bedtime. Last Christmas he didn't ask for a new toy or bike for Christmas, but for a new Chris Rice album.
About 6 months ago he went through a phase where he needed to know what was real on TV, and what was pretend. We went through his list of pirates, aardvarks, Superman, etc. categorizing each as "real" or "pretend". He asked about his favorite singer, whome I placed in the "real" column. This seemed to surprise Sol, and I promised distractedly, "I'll take you to see him if he's ever close by." I hoped that answer would put an end to his questions.
Well. About a month ago I was on the computer while my boys were playing nearby. I ran across a Christian website. "Huh - Chris Rice is coming to the fair in Washington this August..." I said to myself. (I thought I said to myself, that is). "CHRIS RICE IS COMING TO WASHINGTON?!?" Solomon said, "That's on top of Oregon! That's close by! Mom, you said if he ever came close by that you would take me to see him!" So. Guess who just got back from a trip to Washington? Yup. Us. Nana decided to come, too and it was a wonderful time together. The boys had such fun and Chris Rice got to meet his youngest fan, a kid who learned to say, "Rice" when he was still in diapers.

Before we set out, we swung by the fire department to have Nana's carseats properly checked (you can't be too careful on a road trip, you know). While they were being adjusted and tweaked to perfection, we admired the fire truck.

After our seats were secured to the fireman's satisfaction, he turned around to see us eyeing his beautiful truck. To our amazement, he offered to let us sit up inside! We got to steer and turn on the lights! What a neat beginning to our trip!

We arrived at the fair and Malachi and I walked around and rode some rides. I mean I rode some rides. My brother seemed to enjoy the waiting in line part, but chickened out once we were actually getting on. I had a blast eventhough I got stuck by myself, though! Perhaps next summer Kai will make it farther than the "enter" gate.

This was my first time on a Ferris Wheel and I sported "the smile of pain" the whole ride. I liked it, but we sure went up high. Mom exited the ride with imprints of my fingers pressed into her arm. (Malachi chickened out at the last minute for this one, too.)

Nana bought us both cars so we could entertain ourselves while we settled down to wait for 4:00 to roll around. We were very patient.

We had front row seats for the concert! I was so excited! I kept saying, "Hey! I have that song!!" after every one he played. Malachi and I were so happy to be there and really enjoyed listening to our favorite music.

Me and Chris Rice!! Nana bought me a t-shirt and he signed it for me. I told him that I have all his CDs and he said, "Really? ALL of them?!?" He was so nice and we chatted for several minutes before he had to get going. I'm starting piano lessons soon and when we get a piano, Mommy's going to frame this picture to sit on the top of it. She says something about "motivation to practice". I'm looking forward to my lessons!

After our big day (with no nap) we went for dinner, then back to the motel for a nice swim in the pool. Then we soaked in the hot tub until bedtime. Whew - were we as pooped as we look. So were Mom and Nana!

More Headlines:

I will pay $50.00 for a picture of this cat. It cracks me up just trying to envision it. Do they do rhinoplasty for cats? I hope so. For the cat's sake.

I really hope this was unintentional. "stut-t-t-t-ering"? C'mon folks! That's just cruel!

Ahahahahaaaa! Oh! My sides!

Well. Waste not, want not, I guess. I wonder what would happen if their cat got hit...

Slightly used?