Ten points for matching socks!

If you are planning on cutting my grass, here are the exciting scavenger hunt like prizes awaiting you:

One green croc. Thankfully there were not two there.
(That'd be weird. Two matching shoes in the same place? I mean, who does that?).

Duct tape. I have no idea what this was used for.

Connor was probably constructing a space shuttle or something.

A baseball. Well, a former baseball.
Wow... we have a pretty strong lawnmower....

A black wiffle ball bat.
Okay, I just want to go on the record here and say that it was really
really dark under the bush, and I had no idea the bat was there.
And, besides, who would have thought the lawnmower could do that much damage?
(although, I guess I should have known after seeing the above baseball...)

A green sock. Um, yeah, a sock. I think. Let's just call it a sock, m'kay?

The remains of a water balloon fight.
I don't know who won, but surely not this guy.

The shattered remains of a blue and yellow squirt gun.
(Yes, it was already shattered. Sheesh... wreck one bat and ball
and suddenly you're the killer of all backyard toys...)
But you can see how the colors blend with the uh, dead grass.

So, that's my grass cutting scavenger hunt. Now that you know all about it, who wants to come play?

Siblings.... from love to hate and back again in ten seconds!

Aisling wanted to paint her fingernails today, and I just wasn't available to help her out. After a few moments of thinking it over, I decided that if I set her up with a dish towel underneath her, it should be fine. I did, and she did great! She was nice and neat and did not make a mess at all.
Obviously, once her sister saw what was going on, she wanted a piece of the action! Aisling obliged and very excitedly painted her fingernails.
When we got back from library story time, Connor read a few books to the girls. He did a great job, and changed his voice accordingly!
It wasn't all roses though. Later that afternoon there was much hitting, yelling, screaming, and fighting. (No, I didn't take any pictures of that). Oh well... such is life with siblings!

Clothing options

Today is the first day of summer vacation. Ordinarily, I would say that with much more enthusiasm, but since it's only 65 degrees outside, it doesn't really feel true.

Since today is the first day of vacation, we didn't have to be anywhere, so I didn't put any rules down in regards to clothing. Therefore, one child stayed in his pajamas all day, one was dressed as a puppy, and one alternated between a leotard, shorts, and a bathing suit.


It's summer, I don't really need to care!

Comfort

Al and I are renewing our vows next weekend. I hope we sent you an invite. If we didn't, know that we meant to, and silly things like raising children and finding jobs got in the way. Please come join us! It will be a blast. We're having a cash bar and a DJ!

Obviously, we are dressing up for these event. Al bought a really handsome new suit to wear. (Here's where you whistle...) And I, well, I put off buying anything for an extremely long time. I could make a thousand excuses... but I just didn't want to. I have had three children and am raising four. My body does not always do what I want it to do. Plus, I just hate dresses. Seriously, I do. I really enjoy the feeling of being dressed up and acting like an adult but nylons? COME ON. Make up? Seriously?

*sighing*

Thankfully, I have girlfriends who are actually able to act like girls, and have fancy things at their disposal. (They also all happen to be about my size...) I will be borrowing a really beautiful strapless gown a friend had in her closet. (My closet would laugh out loud at me if I ever tried to put a strapless gown inside of it!) it's beaituful, and I am so thankful that she had it.

Now, for shoes...huh. Shoes.
Did I mention I hate to dress up?

I tried really hard. i tried on like ten pairs of stilletos I swear to you. I was at the store with Siobhan and Aisling, and they kept bringing me shoe after shoe. They obviously tried them all on as well....

But, much to their dismay, I went home with these instead:Don't worry, silly readers. Those aren't for the vow renewal. I have these instead:

Trade?

This is our schedule for the upcoming few days:
Thursday: Aisling, baseball cookout and awards: 6:00
Connor: dress rehearsal for dance recital: 6:00

Friday: Wyatt birthday party: 6:30-8:30
Connor: baseball pizza party and awards: 5-7

Saturday: Aisling: dress rehearsal for dance recital: 9:00-10:00
Connor: Cub scout awards and final pack meeting: 4:00-7:00
Family welcome to summer party at a friend's house: 2:00

Sunday: Church: not happening (9:30-11:00)
Connor: dance recital: 11:30-2:30

Monday: Wyatt: 6th grade graduation: 10:00
Aisling: dance recital: 6:00

Would anyone like to trade?
Please?
Pretty please?

Flowers

Sometimes that eight year old boy of ours drives me nuts. He is a rough and tumble bundle of energy that never stops and can crush anything that gets in his way.

Then, other times, he becomes the sweetest little boy there ever was, and brings me beautiful bouquets of hand picked flowers.

Today was a combination of both of those elements.

I love you Connor. Thanks for being so remarkable.

Stylin!

I am home with Siobhan today (and have been for a few days). She has a weird tummy thing going on. She seems to be feeling okay, but is not allowed at day care until it clears up.

Today I took her out to run some errands. She chose to dress herself for the occasion. As you can see, she has a real head for style:Winter hat, sparkly belt, and sister's rainboots: the perfect attire for a morning of errands!

When you've got it, you've got it!

Fairies

The fairy wrote back! The kids went out this morning to check their box that they had left near the fairy house. Sure enough, there was a note there from a fairy named Blossom.Thanks Fairy, we are looking forward to writing back and forth with you.