Completion

It's my last day of post-a-day June.  It's been fun trying to figure out something to write about - but I'm sure you're all sick of me by now.  I think I'm actually sick of me.  So for my final June post, I'll share one of our (this obviously does not include me) favorite things - backyard birdies! (They really are adorable - but only from a safe distance.  Laugh all you want - I can't hear you.)

Rob, being Mr. Nature, loves to find and show baby birds to Maddie and Jude.  This year we actually had two little ones hopping around - and for the first time, the kids weren't scared to hold them.

They really were cute little guys, and the kids were sad to let them go.  Apparently, the birds were also sad to leave because later that day one of them wandered inside for a visit and bathroom break.  Jude thought it was hysterical that the bird was just hanging out in the stuffed animal bin. His exact words upon discovering the bird were, "Whaaaaaaaaaaat? (giggle giggle giggle) We've got a real problem here, Mom!"

So we said one more goodbye, and threw him out.  Don't worry, bird lovers, he landed safely.

Thanks, again, to all of you who have followed this month - I've actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

Zoo Day

Rob took last friday off work, so we headed up to the zoo with the little chickadees.  Maddie and Jude have always loved the zoo - but we were really excited for our animal whisperer (Ella) to see so many new animals.  Surprisingly, there was a dinosaur exhibit going on where the dinos were spread all over the park, moving, growling and occasionally spitting water on lucky bystanders.  I thought it was really cool - but my kids were terrified.  I'm talking crying, shaking, paralyzed fear.  

We ride the train

We laugh at the silly monkeys

We search for something

The search continues

The zoo worker asks the kids if they know what extinct means.  Jude says that the skunk is extinct, because "it stinct."

We run from T-Rex 

We laugh at he Jurassic Park owner.

We wonder who this chubby, bald baby who ate Claire is.  

We carousel wave.  (All parents with kids know exactly how this works.  "Hi Mom, hi Mom, hi mom!" Until they're out of sight.  It then starts up again every time they circle around.  Never gets old!)

We pet giraffes

I don't like birds that aren't on a leash, or stuffed.  But a peacock walking towards me WITH feathers up may just be one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen.  

We are monkeys

We become food for the only non-moving dinosaur

We pretend we've been cool with dinosaurs from the get-go.

Yes, the dinosaurs were a bit scary - but not scary enough to make a lasting impression.  First thing Saturday morning Jude woke up ready to work.  He spent the morning trying to make a full sized dinosaur that shot water out of its mouth into a dinosaur shaped pool.  All of this from a single sheet of computer paper.  I think that one is still a work in progress.

A Non Post

Too tired to post.  Shaun T isn't going to give me any kind of break tomorrow morning just because I spent the evening watching this:

So off to bed I go, dreading the Insanity alarm.  But I have to say - the game was totally worth it!  As I've mentioned before, my heart still belongs to Chicago for all professional sports - but this team is winning me over pretty quickly.  

Acid (Wash) Flashbacks

I know that every twenty to thirty years fashion has a tendency to repeat itself, but man oh man...I wasn't expecting to see THESE at Old Navy.  If this is where fall fashion is heading - consider me out of style! I don't think I can pull off this look....again.

My babies love solid food. Within a couple of bites they've all been hooked.  We usually give our babies solids around 4 months, but my kids' pediatrician suggested holding Claire off until six months.  Apparently there was a study linking early solid feeding with obesity.  (Ahem, has anyone seen my NON-solid fed baby recently? I'm having a hard time believing their findings) Anyway, today was Claire's first attempt at solid foods.   Saying that she hates it is an understatement.  She cried the entire way through, and almost vomited on several occasions.  About half way through she started gagging at the mere sight of the spoon.  So, I want to know what studies have been done about people that live on formula their entire life - that may just be where we're headed.

She reminds me of someone in that last picture.  Hmm.....Oh, wait - I got it:

Seriously....why do my kids look so much like the Marshmallow Man when they cry?

Our friend, Paul, surprised me by posting a caricature of my facebook profile pic on his blog. The best parts about it were:

1. I didn't spend $25 and 45 minutes of precious carnival time to get it done. Yes, I'm a carny.  So what?  

2.  I didn't have to awkwardly carry it around at the carnival and try to find somewhere to shove it before getting on rides.

3. I didn't see it and think, "Oh crap!  Is that what I REALLY look like?!"  I actually really liked it!  

See for yourself (I stole the image right off of his blog and all three were in one image)

Pure talent, Paul!  Now go and check out more of his work....HERE.

Carousel

Could this little man be any cuter?

Door to Door.... Estonian Style

A salesman came by the door yesterday.  The number one reason I keep my front door closed all day is to avoid these guys.  Unfortunately, Maddie had been outside waiting for the ice cream truck - and left it wide open.  I rounded the corner and there he was.  As soon as he opened his mouth and said he was from Estonia (in a super thick accent) I told him I knew he was at my house to try to sell me books.  I said that I had looked at them before, but was not interested.  Claire starts crying, and I tell him I have to go.  He doesn't budge.  Starts listing off names of friends in the neighborhood who he has talked to (I don't get this selling tactic, but salesmen LOVE this one)

 "I sat down with your neighbor Terra?  Yes Terra?" (In super thick accent)

"Yes, I know Terra."

"Yes, Terra - and her little ones." (He makes gesture of them being small)

"Then I sat down with Alissa, and her little ones." (Making same gesture for little ones)

"Yes, Alissa is also my friend - but as you can hear, my baby is crying - I'm not interested, and need to go feed her."

"Oh yes, I hear - I also sat down with David and Sandy (check those names again, buddy) and their little ones" (he loves this "little ones" gesture).

"That's really great - but like I said - we're not interested. Thank you anyway."

I start closing the door and he jumps in with, "I also spoke with your Alien neighbors."

I have alien neighbors? Now I'm intrigued.

"I'm sorry - who?"

"Your neighbor, Alien - and his little ones." He pulls out the books and starts showing me pictures.

"Yes, I've seen these before."

"Maybe you can talk with Toad to see what he thinks."

"Who?"

"Toad, Toad Alien."


Sorry, Todd Allen, but it looks like an Estonian is wandering the neighborhood destroying your family name.

Today's Big Event

Seven shirts and six pairs of pants down, nine more shirts to go.  It's like a homemaker marathon over here.  

Spring?

I was just about to hit the hay when my husband reminded me that I hadn't blogged yet today.  I'm glad to have so many cheerleaders along the way.  My sister-in-law, Jessica, (the one who challenged me to do this to begin with) says she checks my blogs frequently during the day to see if I've posted more than once.  As much as I love her, I'd just like to publicly tell her she can stop.  It's not going to happen!
Here are some pictures Rob took of our yard in bloom.  It finally happened mid June.  It's still not quite warm enough to bust out the kiddie pool (thank goodness - it sprung a leak and was thrown away last fall) but we're definitely enjoying the warmer weather.

  

I'm not quite sure what this tree is, but it's Rob's favorite.  He starts getting excited for it to bloom in about March.  He had quite the wait this year.

These are from our Mock Orange shrub. We have these little beauties alternating with our Lilac bushes and they smell heavenly.  One of these days we'll do some work on the front yard - but for now, these spring flowers are making summer lovely.

Search Engine Funnies

I have no idea how people ever survived without Google.  I am obsessed - use it for EVERYTHING.  The other night while lying in bed, something crossed my mind, so I pulled up Google on my iphone and typed in the word "Why." Before I could finish typing the rest of the question, I was distracted by the auto-fill the search engine provided.  May I remind you that these are prompted because they are popular questions brought to google:

Why = (yes in this order)

Why do I fart so much?
Why are mormons so hot?
Why is a raven a writing desk?
Why is the sky blue?
Why am I so tired?
Why is my poop green?
Why do men cheat?
Why is Steve Carell leaving the office?
Why try? (If you're turning to google for this answer, you really ARE in trouble)
Why are manhole covers round?

Really, people?  THIS is what we are rushing to the computer to find out?

I decided to see what happened when I started a question with the word "Is" and here are the top results:

Is Kevjumba a heterosexual bear wrestler?  (What?!?)
Is Jimmer Fredette Mormon?
Is Lady Gaga a man?
Is Netflix down?
Is Daniel Radcliff gay?
Is today my birthday?  (I'm sure google can tell you this)
Is weed bad for you?
Is Rebecca Black a joke?
Is Enrique Iglesias gay?
Is pneumonia contagious?

There you have it, folks.  All the questions you've been asking yourself for years.  Just head over to google if you want to know the answers.

Dads Day

Rob in his Father's Day crown and medal 

I knew today was going to be busy - but here I am, at 10:30pm to leave one small note on my blog before bed.

I have so many wonderful father-figures in my life, and I would feel extremely ungrateful if I didn't take this post to thank the men that are closest to me.  Without the love and examples of these men, I would not (nor would my children) be the same.

So to my husband, my father, my father-in-law,  my brothers (who may already be, or may someday be dads) my grandpas, my husband's grandpas and my step father - Happy Father's Day.  Your influence extends further than you know.  Thank you for loving me and my family.  Thank you for raising a son that tells me and my children that we are his biggest blessing.  Thank you for your generosity, your kindness, your undying support and your love.

I'd also like to thank my Heavenly Father for all of the things he blesses me with...including all the men in my life.

Happy Father's Day!  I love and appreciate you all.

Bed Head

With short hair, every morning is a new surprise.

Poor Rob.

Every once in a while you get a sunset that lights the earth in a way that you didn't even know was possible.  Last night was one of those nights.  

Anyone who knows me, knows I hate the phone...with a passion.  I don't hate people, or talking to people - JUST being on the phone for long periods of time.  I think it has to do with the fact that as soon as I get on, four kids (who up until this point have been totally preoccupied) suddenly have millions of urgent matters that need immediate attention.  So I generally miss half the things that are said to me over the phone. Drives me nuts. (And for all of my REALLY close friends who know me the best...yes, I am thinking of a certain pirate joke right now).  

I do really love social interaction, though - so for me, instant message is the perfect way to chat with friends - but not offend when something else needs my attention.  I love the fact that I can set my status to "away" and the person with whom I am chatting knows it's not them...it's me - in a totally non-sarcastic, no I'm not breaking up with you kind of way.  I also love that I can always run to the computer and tell my cute husband every stupid thing that crosses my mind.  It makes me feel close to him even when he's at work.  

Simple conversations like these are often the highlight of my day.  

robby says: i'm going to grab an early dinner/late lunch on my way home since my game is at 9

robby says:probably leave at 3:30 to grab some chinese and then come home

melissa says: CHINESE?!

melissa says:shoo to you.

robby says: dericious

melissa says: jajajaja

robby says: i've been craving it for a while

melissa says: I'll figure out something for the kids.

robby says: you're so good

melissa says: want to share some with your loving wife?

robby says: tell me how and i would be happy to

melissa says: oh - are you eating there?

robby says: yeah

melisssa says: all arone?

robby says: uh huh

melissa says: ohhhh.  just do carry out!

robby says: it'll be cold by the time i get home

melissa says: oh, alright.

robby says: actually, i could

melissa says: no, no.  get it while it's hot!

robby says: i can eat and then bring some home to you

melissa says: it's not a big deal. I'll figure something out

robby says: that wouldn't be a big deal for me, though

melissa says: oh, I know.

melissa says: don't worry about it.

melissa says: it's more the romance of chinese take out that I'm looking for.

melissa says: I've said it before...I like the idea more than the actual food

melissa says: you, me, sitting on a blanket, watching old movies eating chinese right out of the box with chopsticks. so new york.

melissa says: me alone at the table isn't nearly as appealing!

robby says: haha!  you watch too many tom hanks movies

robby says: and I love you.

Busted

This might be one of my favorite pictures ever taken.  It was at my brother's wedding, and I was laughing about something that was going on.  I was mocking the person situation (I know, rare) when the photographer came up and caught me.  My sister in law's reaction makes it even better.


Moral of the story - use extreme caution when making fun of other people.  You never know when you're going to look like the bigger idiot.

A Little Late

This whole post-a-day in June has me constantly searching for ideas on what to write about.  It has helped a lot to search through old pictures and see if I missed anything over the year.  Surprisingly (insert sarcasm) this little gem didn't make it.  I wanted to document my huge belly just before Claire's birth - but I'm pretty sure insecurities got the best of me.  Five months later I'm feeling much better, and have no problem saying, "Good grief! I was ENORMOUS!"

Every time I see this picture in my photos I immediately start thinking of this scene:

It's wonderful to feel like myself again.  The problem is that once I start feeling like me again, I start thinking, "Hmmm...I could probably have another!"  (Hence four kids in five and a half years).  Here's hoping that this phase lasts longer than normal!  

Tinker-Boy

As I've mentioned in the past, Jude is creative.  I'd almost say to a fault.  If there's a toy he wants, but doesn't have he'll just make it out of paper - and it's usually a fairly decent replica.  It's a great talent, but I also have a house-full of paper toys...ALL of which are extremely important to him.

A month or so ago, our wonderful neighbor, Karen, gave Jude the best surprise ever - Tinkertoys.  He spent hours in his room figuring out exactly what each piece did - and by the third day of owning them, he rolled this out of his bedroom:

"It's one of those things that can pick up dirt - but it's like a car one."

Smarty pants.

Dread

Rob and I recently started the "Insanity" work out program.  We wake up around six, spend twenty minutes avoiding the workout, then spend the next 40-50 minutes getting our butts kicked by the toughest workout I've ever done.   Once we're finished we feel really good - but I have to say that going to bed, knowing what is in store for us the next morning has changed us.  Getting in bed by 9:30 pm has never felt so good!  Here's what you're missing (lucky for you, the stink is not included).

Sorry it's blurry - our muscles were most likely shaking

It's crazy - but we're hoping the results are worth it!  

Yesterday's Facebook Status...it was quite the afternoon

It's all fun and games until someone poops on the trampoline.

Yesterday at 2:57pm ·  ·

• Like this item
  

  Jennefer , Alice , Mandi and 18 others like this.
• • 
    

    Carrie Hahahaha! That can't be good. Watch out for the pink eye!
    

    Yesterday at 3:27pm · 
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    Kim  Who did it? Story please!
    

    Yesterday at 3:32pm · 
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    Brandon Love this
    

    Yesterday at 3:40pm · 
  • 
    

    Megan  Then it's hilarious! Hahaha!! (Unless you're on clean up duty..haha duty)
    

    Yesterday at 4:08pm · 
  • 
    

    Julia  Haha! That is hilarious!
    

    Yesterday at 4:11pm · 
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    Zach  Stop inviting Brandon  over.
    

    Yesterday at 4:44pm · 
  • 
    

    Lisa  hahahahahaha!
    

    Yesterday at 4:52pm · 
  • 
    

    Robby  Seriously, Brandon. It was cute the first time, but come on!
    

    Yesterday at 5:27pm · 
  • 
    

    Debi The next question...did someone jump on it?
    

    Yesterday at 5:58pm ·
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    Melissa Ah, yes...it was an interesting afternoon. We are potty training Ella, and she's almost got the hang of it. But in her swimsuit she must have thought she was covered because she pooped, then shook it out the side. I was inside for this, but Maddie came in and said that there was poop on the tramp - and she knew it was poop because she thought it was a rock and picked it up to throw it off. The kids were jumping on the trampoline with a sprinkler under it - so it kind of washed it around. The shining moment was when (while cleaning up the poop) I thought the sprinkler got me. Ella said, "uh-oh" and I realized she was peeing on my hand.
    
    

    Yesterday at 7:09pm ·
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    Kimberly  oh boy. sounds like quite the day! lol.
    

    22 hours ago · 
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    Kimberly  Hope you rewarded yourself after that! :)
    

    22 hours ago · 
  • 
    

    Bonnie Ahhh the joys of motherhood!
    

    13 hours ago · 
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    Mary  Ewwww...
    

    10 hours ago · 
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    Bonnie That sounds Very.....WEIRD!! HAHA!!
    

    5 hours ago ·