Because I couldn't say it any better...

I will just borrow from my sister and share this link

End of Summer Cram Session

Summer got away from me this year. It seemed to speed by faster than it ever had before. This time, we spent the last couple of weeks cramming in those things we had yet to do. One of those summer fun traditions is to go to one of the many sprinkler parks in town.
So we loaded up and the kids had fun.

Then we needed them to run around and dry off. Good thing there was a playground nearby. I had my phone with me instead of the camera. Sooo, I got to playing with the settings. It is too bad you can't flip throught the pictures. It is like watching a home movie, old flip card style. :)

Well, the moms did not want to be left out. Because, we are cool, we were quick to join in the fun. My super sweet friend was demonstrating the fine art of swinging. Had to prove to the ALL-KNowing 14 year that, yes, she could swing higher than the Fun Mom!

Fortunately, we were buckled up in our vehicles before the rain started. It poured all the way home. However, we were rewarded with the most beautiful rainbows once we were home.






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Little Princess' Ninth Birthday!

So it has been a couple of months, but I finally did it!
The best part of waiting a bit to attack the pictures is the reminiscing. Sweet Memories. So grateful for Uncle Charlie and Aunt Tracy getting out there with the kids and the water balloons. Big-O-Daddy-O had a slipped disc and was out of commission. Lots of smiles and laughter. Good Birthday memories!

Does anyone have the time?

Big-O-Daddy-O and I are finding ourselves in one of those seasons of transitions.
And, well, I just don't feel that old or like I am suppose to be here already.
It doesn't seem to be time to be having some of those discussions.
And some of those transitions, I knew they were coming up, and yet, I feel blindsided.
There are some benefits though.
I prefer to sit there and ponder the benefits more than the other.
We recently went to the pumpkin patch. At least the kids and I did.
Big-O-Daddy-O had appointments to keep. I started to panic that morning in the shower. I was thinking through the day and what needed to be done. My relaxing shower left me shaken and in shock.
I was going to the pumpkin patch WITHOUT a stroller or wagon!
I have never done the pumpkin patch without one of those handy tools.
There's a place for drinks, picnic lunches and PUMPKINS!
With 5 kids that translates into 5 pumpkins!
But then there is the realization, the kids are older and good helpers, so we would be fine. BUT no stroller? ! ? When did that happen? I mean, I know when that happened. I sold them, gave them away, threw them away. Yes, we had quite the collection of them. But I had never identified the stroller with any family tradition, that is until then. Last year, BODO did the pumpkin patch. Fun Mom and I were in Ireland. See, they are getting bigger.
The trip went just fine. We even went on another field trip yesterday and it was fabulous. Just me and the kids and we had a blast. Those pics are coming. I know, I keep saying that. But we plan to sneak away as a family for a few days and well, I will probably get caught up on the fun stuff then. But back to me and the kids. That is another mile marker in our life. Since Flutter Nutter was born, I reached a threshold. I could NOT, would NOT consider going anywhere alone with ALL of them. There were a few times I did out of necessity. BUT it was too overwhelming to even discuss. But now, they are older and more independent, which can be a good thing. I am discovering the joy of exploring this world with my crew once again.
Then there is this other transition in life. BODO has declared he is having his mid-life crisis. Things happening in his body. New diagnosis. Health habits needing to be changed. But the latest has left me quite befuddled. And frankly I don't want to talk about it. He could RETIRE! What the? ? (For you grand folks reading, please, don't be offended) But retirement is for OLD people. You think about it when you are in your 60s, maybe 70s. NOT your mid (I am not late) 30s. I realize BODO is in the next decade here, but he isn't even mid-40s yet. I am not OLD. I rediscovering the joys of playing with my children and new discoveries. I don't want to talk about retirement.
Where did the time go? I would like to frankly know how this has happened in all of just a couple of minutes. Because I sure don't think this much time has passed. The 15 years we have lived in our home, doesn't even seem to be 15 years. Much less the 15 years we have been married. I can deal with the wrinkles. Mid afternoon naps and saggy arms but really, RETIREMENT? ? ? ?
So for my birthday.... Can we not talk about retirement until BODO's birthday! ? !

The BEST Quote Ever

Courtesy of Flutter Nutter:
" Girls are Gooder!"
"They are smarter"
Me: "Did you just say girls are gooder, cause they are smarter?"
FN: "Yeah! Duh! ! ! "
there you have it... girls are smarter, the words came out of a boy's mouth. :)

Learning a New Language

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine myself learning this new language.
Testosteronese
I have been a little slow at picking it up. But I had a break through tonight with Daddy's Buddy. He actually understood me the first time I spoke.

I need you to sit down proper in your seat. We are going 64 miles per warp speed. If I get to light speed you might fly out the window.

He sat.

The tension in the suburban was thick. Would Mom make it it time? We were 3 minutes from the start of the new Clone Wars episode. I was doing all sorts of warp speed down the highway. Threatening to slow down out of warp speed if children did not remain safely seated and buckled into their seats.

Then there was "Hold on, I am making a warp speed turn."
To which Fun Mom corrected me, "Light speed turn."
I will rejoice in the one success today. :)

Dads, Sons and the Mom

First hockey game of the season.
I am working in the church nursery and show up before the second game.
On arrival, I am told Stephen was checked but ok. He sat out a few rotations because his ankle hurt. Dad roared and said I was not allowed to go to the locker room to check on him. I do try to respect the men and man~children in my life. Fine line between being mom and overly-mothering.
Next thing I hear is they are having a hard time getting his skate on, his ankle is swollen. But he'll try to skate during warm-up and see how it feels.
Momma bear is trying to stay quiet.
Hockey Player plays and the Mom can tell he is hurting. Not skating like he usually does.
Afterwards, I tell him I will see him at home. I also tell him, when he gets home he needs to soak his foot in epsom salts. (More so I don't have to smelly his funky foot, when I look at it.) Come home and take a look. A huge golf ball has somehow managed to work its way under my son's skin. Yowzer! Momma Bear insists on a trip to see the doc. But calls the doc on call for backup with the dad and son.
Left doc's office with a diagnosis of "severe sprain". Possible fractures but need the radiologist to look at. Get a call later, radiologist doesn't think there is a fracture.
This morning, Hockey Player is asking for pain medicine. It hurts to stand on it. He doesn't want to elevate it, because then it hurts to stand. Call to the doctor. He shouldn't be in that much pain with a brace on his foot.
Doc pulls up the xrays on his computer which is really a cool thing. He zooms in, spins the pics, zooms out, clicks a few times. Checks the spot on the xray where Hockey Player has the most pain. His knobby little ankle bone is fractured on the tip. Hard to catch fracture, but there all the same. Pretty purple/blue ankle this morning. I tried to get him to choose the purple cast. I even suggested the hot pink one. He chose royal blue.
Needless to say Dad and Hockey Player now know Mom will enter the locker room regardless of their wishes. The other players can run, hide, turn around it doesn't matter. I am not looking at them. Mom will take the skates and hide them. Hockey Player is too young to be playing injured.
Fun Mom thinks aloud, wish I could break my leg. She seems to like the attention Hockey Player is getting. She doesn't want the pain though. Mom can only shake her head. Enough drama for the rest of the year. Doctor is laughing because he only just saw Hockey Player for a physical last Thursday.
At least there's no locker rooms for 6 weeks. Whew... the boys can relax.
If I can bring myself to take pictures later, I will post them.