Random Thoughts

Headlines

The big question of the morning was what would rank as the top headline for today: the election or the "other news."


I bet this announcement would have trumped the final election results.

Candy

There has been a request after every meal and/or accomplishment since Friday night. I'm tired of seeing the Easter/Halloween buckets full of candy. So I divied (sp?) up the remaining candy and each boy had 8 pieces. After they finished their lunches and asked for candy, I told them they could choose one or more pieces, but when it was gone, it was gone. No more.

Stephen ate 2 Dum-dums (he loves them).

Andrew, on the other hand, ate 1 Milky Way, 1 Twix, 3 Kit-Kats, 1 roll of gummy Life Savers, 1 bag of M&Ms and opened another before he declared he didn't feel well and wanted to lie down. Hmmm...imagine that.

Project

It's been one of those days that just hasn't played out as planned. The baby wouldn't nap, was fussy when awake, and finally fell asleep at 11 (I don't like these middle of the day naps). The big boys would not cooperate, constantly asked for food, ran around like maniacs.

I finally shooed them outside to play in the beautiful sunshine and spent way too much time making this little sign (rhyme courtesy of my mom - not a good idea for teaching conflict resolution but helpful in remembering how to set a table).


When I put them in their room to "rest," Stephen reappeared to poop (he was successful but I can't help but think it's just a ploy). When he returned, Andrew came out to do the same. The UPS man showed up and later a chimney sweep (we don't have a chimney but we're one of three houses on the corner with the number "600"). I gave up on resting and sent them out to watch the chimney sweep.

What I Want in a President


As everyone knows, it is an important day for the country. Here are some things I would like:

• Food prices set according to their nutritional value (i.e., milk would be cheaper than chips)
• Legalization of cell phone zappers to end annoying conversations in public settings
• Development of technology to create jeans that fit real people

Unfortunately, I don't think these issues are on the current candidates' platforms. Maybe in another 4 years...I'll contact Ashley Smith.

Why I Get So Little Done

This was my project today.


It wasn't planned but as soon as it popped into my head, it had to be done: a model of a tree house for the boys.



So armed with a glue gun and plenty of popsicle sticks, I set to work erecting the structure around the "tree" found in the back yard. It was even built to scale.

It needs tweaking and the plan may even change, but it feels good to have it done. If only it hadn't been at such a great expense. At dinner Andrew told Doug, "Momma yelled today." I humbly admitted that I had, but interjected, "And then what did momma have to do?" Thankfully he is quick to forgive.

Cooking, Construction & the Great Outdoors

The weather has been perfect the past few days so we've spent a great deal of time outside. Here is a nest that we found in our gingko tree.

We checked it again this morning

and this afternoon (I feel like the paparazzi following Brangelina's twins).

Homegrown organic baby greens (do you think I could get someone to pay $4.99 for the bunch?).


While in Mississippi Andrew kept asking to build a backhoe, and upon returning, I was issued the same request. It turns out he had misunderstood something in a coloring book and thought we could easily whip up a backhoe by connecting some dots. In order to humor him, we made "Luke Loader" yesterday afternoon (use your imagination). Surprisingly, it almost lasted until Doug came home from work.




In honor of mom & dad's recent trip to Canada, we made a cake.

We've also been on a fish kick lately trying out different recipes with salmon, tilapia, mahi-mahi, and today, rainbow trout. I saw these at the grocery store and knew the kids would love the fact that the heads were intact.

Since Stephen can't have fish until he's at least 3, he had to settle for fish shaped chicken nuggets.

Oddly enough, Andrew loves fish - I wish I had purchased more.