Our Five Ring Circus: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Diary of a Crappy Day

It was one of those days. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Going to bed seemed like the only reasonable solution.

7:30 AM: Woke up too early, after very little sleep. Thank you, insomnia.

8:30 AM: Crying meltdown in my car. (Me. Not them.)

8:45 AM: Lexie insists on buttered noodles for breakfast. I insist on pancakes. Meltdown (Her. Not me.) in effect.

9:00 AM: I finally sit down to eat. Kids are finished. Lexie ate 3 pieces.

9:30 AM: 3 mile run on treadmill. First time I've felt good all morning.

10:00 AM: Shower. Nick myself with razor. Curse the shaving cream that doesn't work.

10:45 AM: Running late for playdate at the park. Decide that tossing snacks in a bag is a less time-consuming option than packing a full lunch.

11:05 AM: Arrive at the usually empty park to find an entire daycare having water balloon fights. Get out of car anyway. The keys I have to the SUV are the crappy, not-working set. Tell kids not to lock the door. Kids lock the door. Holding back tears when my best friend arrives.

12:00 PM: Kids are hungry. My remote entry key isn't working. Thanks to the security feature, I need to open the car door and start the engine within 30 seconds before the alarm goes off. Nearly impossible with a worn out key that barely turns in the ignition. Brace myself for at least a minute of embarrassment while I try to start the car. I'm saved of that embarrassment. Worn out key will not even open my doors.

12:30 PM: Arrange for my oh-so-awesome sister to pick up the good set of keys from my husband, who is at work, and drop them off at the park.

12:45 PM: Sister arrives. Car opens perfectly. I throw crappy keys away. (Not really. I was tempted, though!) We eat, talk, and have fun!

1:30 PM: Underwear change in parking lot. Lexie's dribbling-in-the-underwear-before-reaching-the-potty phase needs to stop.

2:00 PM: Kids tired. Playdate over. Head to gas station. Gas station full and there's a line of cars. Head to the other gas station.

2:05 PM: Swipe card at pump. Doesn't read. Swipe card again. Doesn't read. Swipe card again. Doesn't read. Pump tells me to see cashier. I decide to go back to the other gas station, instead of taking both kids out of their seats and then having to strap them in again.

2:10 PM: At other gas station. The card worked, but pump isn't working. Have to take kids out of car and go see the cashier. HA!

2:15 PM: Gas tank is full. Kids fighting over magnadoodle.

2:20 PM: Successful trip to the bank, and Dylan graciously gave the magnadoodle to Lexie.

2:25 PM: Arrive home with tired kids. Lexie practically refuses her nap, but I insist. I win.

4:30 PM: I get the awesome job of scooping Great Dane poop out of the yard before it gets mowed. Rock on.

5:00 PM: Headache. Pop a pill. Can't remember if I took Tylenol or Excedrine. If it's excedrine, I'm officially screwed out of sleep tonight, thanks to the caffeine.

5:30 PM: Yummy dinner. Kids help with dishes. Score!

6:30 PM: Lexie gets her first shiner while taking her bath. Debate heading to the ER, because the cut looked iffy, but decide it wouldn't be worth the trip.

Photobucket

9:30 PM: Bedtime! Let the kids stay up later. Lexie protests bedtime. Dylan protests me leaving the room. I win on both accounts.

11:30 PM: I type up this entire thing, get ready to post, and my internet connection goes out. Bwhahahahaha!

11:58 PM: Back up and running.

11:59 PM: I can't believe June is over in one minute. I am, however, grateful that this day is over!

Way Back Wednesday

My sweet girl when she was 7 months old.

Photobucket

Monday, June 28, 2010

Summer League

Dylan's T-Ball season may have ended, but he gets to keep playing baseball!

Photobucket

The baseball association is doing a summer coach-pitch league. Every Monday, the T-Ball players are invited to come to the field. The coaches split the players who show up into two teams, and they have a coach-pitch game. It's free, and we're not obligated to make every game.

We missed the game last week, so this was Dylan's first coach-pitch game. He rocked it! Dylan has been obsessed with baseball since he was a toddler. He was so used to being pitched to, and was confused when he started T-Ball, because he could only hit from the tee. He quickly got over that, and did really well.

Tonight, he was slamming the balls that were pitched to him! The first time he was up to bat, he slammed the ball on the first try, then stared in shock as the ball landed in the outfield. Only then did he realize that he had to run!

He had a great time tonight, so we're going to try to attend as many games as we can.

Lexie is thrilled about this, because it means more time at the playground while Dylan warms up before the game!

Photobucket
Photobucket

I think we're going to enjoy the summer league!

Photobucket

Sunday, June 27, 2010

A Priest and A Pool Party

On Saturday morning, we went to Saint Paul Cathedral, in Pittsburgh, to attend The Ordination of Priests.

Photobucket

Father Rob (aka FRob) is a very good friend of ours. We have always called him Father Rob, and he now lives up to his nickname!

Last year, we attended The Ordination of Deacons at the cathedral, when Rob became a Deacon. We were so thrilled to watch him become a Priest this weekend!

The cathedral is stunning. I could spend hours taking pictures in there! On top of that, the Pittsburgh Diocesan Choir is incredible!

Photobucket

The nearly 2 1/2 hour Ordination was amazing! I found myself in tears several times. I was so happy for Rob, and felt blessed that we were able to witness this monumental occasion!

Photobucket

Congratulations, Father Rob! We love you!

Photobucket

Today, we spent the afternoon at the local waterpark. My nephew, Brandon, is turning 5 this week, and wanted to have his party at the pool!

It was really hot out, so it was the perfect day for the pool. All of the kids had a great time swimming, running through the splash pad, and digging in the sand. Pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream cones added to the fun!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

It was a busy weekend!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Shopping Buddies

My mom and I are the best shopping buddies. We have been shopping together, every other Friday, for the past decade.

When we first began doing this, we would meet for dinner, and then do our marathon shopping. We continued to do this, even when my kids were younger. Dylan loved to shop with us, until he turned 5. Then, it became boring, and he began to visit his Papa while my mom, Lexie, and I shopped.

We still have our Friday shopping tradition, but we changed it up a bit. After we're done, we head to my parent's house for dinner and a card game.

I love spending time with my mom. We have so much fun shopping together!

Today, for example:

We were driving past Dick's Sporting Goods, and they were having a sidewalk sale. My mom announced, "Look! They are having a big Dick sale." Just as I started laughing, she realized what she had said. "Oh, I guess that came out wrong," she said. By that point, I was laughing so hard that I could barely drive the car!

A few minutes later, we pulled into the Costco parking lot. I headed for a section that looked empty, and pulled into a spot. The pavement looked a bit warped in that spot, but it was close to the store, and didn't seem too bad. Until I drove into it. "Perhaps," my mom said, "the reason that nobody was parked here was because of this. You just parked in a crater!" Perhaps so. But I made it out just fine!

We spent the entire afternoon laughing! I couldn't stop teasing her about the sale. ;)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Other Sister

It was a really good day!

The kids and I woke up early for a change, and I managed to get in my run before heading out for the day. We spent several hours swimming with my best friend and her boys. We had a great time!

We haven't gone swimming (other than in the kid's little pool) since August. Dylan and Lexie were both a bit unsure at first, but by the time we were ready to leave, Dylan was swimming all over the pool. And Lexie? My careful child? She didn't want to get out of the pool! I had to watch her so carefully. She kept jumping into the pool and off the raft without telling me first!

With just one day in the pool, they have turned into little water babies, and can't wait to swim again!

After we finished swimming, we headed over to my sister's house. Her best friend, aka my "adopted" sister, came to visit. It's been 6+ years since I last saw her, so I was incredibly excited to see her again.

Thais moved in with us when she was a teenager. She was my sister's best friend, and was having trouble with her parents, so my parents took her in. They already had 8 kids, so 1 more was no big deal!

Thais and Annie were over 6 years older than me, and they teamed up to torture me. I was a hormonal preteen at the time, so I was an easy target! Despite all the torture, I grew to love Thais like a sister. Even though I don't see her often, I will always consider her to be my sister.

Thais now lives in Hong Kong with her husband and two gorgeous kids. I have yet to meet them! I was thrilled to be able to spend time with Thais today. She is the same as she has always been-incredibly funny and sweet! It was wonderful to see her again and get reacquainted. She should be returning to the US in 2012, so we'll get to see her more often! I'm going to visit her again, before she heads home.

The kids were exhausted after being away from home for almost 12 hours, and ended up falling asleep on the way home.

I'm so glad they fell asleep in the car. I needed a little break. I forgot to reapply my sunscreen today, and have a sunburn on my arms and shoulders. I haven't had a sunburn in over 2 years, and it's hurting! On top of that, I am in the midst of a 4 day migraine from the heat, and the pills I take to control my ovarian cysts are making me sick. I spent Monday night throwing up thanks to the combination of the migraine and the pills, and I'm still feeling queasy!

I have no pictures to document this fun day! I had the audacity to forget my camera at home. I guess we'll just need to have a do-over!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Nothing Says Summer...

...like a big slice of watermelon!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

In other news, the Twilight obsession hit Lexie.

Photobucket

Not really. She was just testing out a new lipstick. And trying to take her 6 1/2 year old cousin down.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Country Bumpkins

Photobucket

Today was one of those days where I longed to sell our house and buy a secluded farm. I came to this realization as I watched my kids run around the farm our horse is stabled at.

The highlight of Dylan and Lexie's week is going to visit our horse. They love it there, and are completely at home. My horse is stabled with several other horses at a farm that's tucked away in the woods.

When you are at the farm, you can't see anything else-no roads or other houses. Tonight, it felt perfect.

My kids are perfectly happy running amongst the chickens, horses, and barn cats. It is perfectly peaceful and perfectly relaxing.

And best of all, there's this boy:

Photobucket

I have dreamed, since the day I got him (in 1993), that he would be able to live with me one day. That dream still hasn't come true. Luckily, his home is a short drive from our house.

My parents stopped to see Cherokee tonight. My dad sees him almost weekly, but my mom hasn't seen him in years! I think she missed him a bit.

Photobucket

As soon as we get to the farm, my kids jump out of the car, say hello to Cherokee and give him a treat, then run off to play with the chickens and barn cats that are roaming around. They are just so happy there. I long to give them a home like this!

Lexie just adores her horse...

Photobucket

and the chickens...

Photobucket

and the cats!

Photobucket

And yes, she was wearing her pajamas. It was almost bedtime!

Going home is always difficult. We all have a hard time leaving our horse behind. Tonight, Dylan had a hard time leaving the gray kitten behind. He took it in the car, and insisted that we were taking it home. I removed it from his arms, carried it back into the barn, and by the time I reached the car, it had jumped back inside! I would have easily taken it home if we didn't already have two cats!

Every time we pull away from the barn, my kids get sad and say they miss their horse. I always promise that we'll go back soon (and we do) but it's hard not being able to see him every day!

As we pulled into our driveway, just 10 minutes away, it felt like we were out in the open, for all to see. Living in a secluded spot-with a short drive to civilization-would be perfect for all of us. I love the area that Cherokee's farm is in. It's secluded, but only a 15 minute drive away from any store or restaurant you could think of. Perfect.

My kids would be happy country bumpkins. And honestly, so would I.

Photobucket

Monday, June 21, 2010

Open Wide!

We kicked off the first official day of summer with a visit to the dentist. Dylan was due for his 5 1/2 year checkup, and he was excited to go!

No, really, he loves going to the dentist. I was having a hard time waking him up this morning, and reminded him that we had to leave for the dentist in 15 minutes. When I went back in to check on him, he was rushing around his room, getting dressed!

Once again, he had another great checkup. His teeth are healthy and cavity-free, all four of his 6-year molars are completely through, and as you can see, his gap isn't much of a gap anymore. His adult tooth is already about halfway in!

Photobucket

It was so hot out today, so we spent the afternoon indoors. After dinner, we headed to the park for a few hours. It's a great, relaxing time to go...and cooler!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

If you hadn't noticed, we spend a lot of time at the park! ;) Tonight, Dylan met another Dylan. A 7 year old girl! Surprisingly, the only other Dylan I knew when we were deciding on baby names, was a teenage girl!

We came home from the park, and I convinced Dylan to let me cut his hair. This is the only thing he gives us some trouble with. It all started after he had to get staples put in his head when he was younger...without painkillers! He usually puts up a lot of fuss before I start, and then tolerates it fairly well. I got the job done, and his hair looks much neater!

A good friend of ours got married tonight, in Oregon. I really wish we could have made it to the wedding. Congratulations to Jimi and Melissa!

We had a good time celebrating the start of summer. Even though Dylan has been on summer vacation for a month, we all enjoyed the first real day of summer!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day

We had a great time celebrating the dads in our lives today! Happy Father's Day to Grant, my dad, and my father-in-law!

As soon as Grant woke up, the kids ran in to greet him with "Happy Father's Day!" They were so excited to give him the shirt that they picked out for him! We had a big brunch, and then spent a lazy afternoon at home.

Photobucket

Dylan decided to "dress up" because it was Father's Day. That kid will find any excuse to wear a tie!

Photobucket

Lexie is not able to handle being under-dressed, and insisted on one of her (too small) Easter dresses.

Photobucket

Before dinner, we stopped to visit my dad. The kids adore their Papa. As do I!

Photobucket
Photobucket

We ended our day by having dinner with Grant's family at Nannie's house. The food was delicious!

Photobucket


We had a great day with our favorite dads!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

A Stormy Saturday

Our day got off to a lazy start. The kids sat around in their pajamas (or underwear, in Dylan's case) all morning, and played with the long-forgotten GeoTrax. Of course, that led to Dylan wanting to watch The Polar Express...on one of the hottest days of the year.

Grant spent part of the day helping some good friends move to their new house. I was going to help, but we decided I should just stay home with the kids so we didn't get in the way. I am so happy for them, and can't wait to see it!

Grant was only home for a few minutes before heading back out for the evening, so we were on our own. It looked like it was going to rain, but we decided to go to our favorite park. We haven't been to that one since school ended!

It was so hot and humid, but the kids had a good time!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Dylan and Lexie get along so well, but it amazes me how they can go from this...

Photobucket

...to this, within a few seconds!

Photobucket

The moment the kids heard the boom of thunder, they ran straight to the car. We made it home just as the rain came pouring down! We ventured back out into the rain to have dinner at my sister's house.

We always have a great time there. We have a great way of keeping the kids occupied (I'm so just kidding-they just love playing in the dog crate!):

Photobucket

The kids had fun playing with their cousins, Lexie had fun getting into my sister's lipstick, and I had fun talking to my sister and brother-in-law.

Photobucket

We came home late, so I put the kids right to bed. I spent the evening chatting with a very sweet friend, and am so thankful that I got to do so!

I'm off to bed...it's going to be a busy Father's Day tomorrow! Now, if only this ear would unclog so I could hear! It's driving me crazy!