Where's Brody?

While in Idaho over the summer, one of the truly funny stunts pulled by my youngest and two of her cousins ended with this picture:

You can imagine the story that precedes the picture :-). I must have been downstairs. Tawna had gone somewhere and let me know she had gone. What I am trying to say is that I KNEW the kids were in my charge. I just kind of let that responsibility slide for just a minute.

When I realized the house was pretty quiet, I went upstairs looking specifically for her youngest son. I called out, no one answered. I checked around a few of the rooms and checked outside. I heard nothing in response. I realized I had somehow lost my nephews, who were under MY care.

Oh no!

That panic feeling comes back pretty easily, just thinking about this.

However, I went into the computer room one more time and saw what you see now. Those little rascals think they are soooo smart. . . .

Charmin -- We all go, why not enjoy the go?

I took my girls to Costco tonight just to grab a "few things". My older daughter made multiple requests of food as we bustled around the store as quickly as possible (always - right?). I said no to the pumpkin Halloween cookies that kids can decorate, I said no to the produce room that is always fun to explore. I can't really remember the other things I denied my children :-).

When she started to lose control and really turned on the whining, I still said no. She said, "Mom never buys us anything good." My youngest daughter then chimed in helpfully to her sister, "but, look, Mom bought us all this toilet paper."

 I did break down and buy the girls a $.25 gum ball out of the machine. See, I'm not so bad.

Pack-Jammed

I've been looking over summer pictures and just wishing I could roll back time. We had another great summer. You know, I am very grateful for a husband who works so hard to give our children and I such great summers. He really misses out on all the fun.

I could do a million pictures, but I will have to try and single out all the fun and stretch it on until next summer. You'll just get a few at a time :-).

Each picture has a story. 

Fourth of July with the Mattsons (my sister); we went on a little walk. Captain Eli was in charge and let Peter Pan (my daughter) come along.

My Little Thief -- we always visit cemeteries in Idaho and I'm not sure where she found these pretty flowers but, I am certain they didn't get put back where they belong. I didn't take this picture so I really have no part in this thievery.

My child was missing his WA friends and thought he would take a "selfie" to let them get just a glimpse of how much fun he was having in Idaho.

After driving for 10 or so hours, we rounded the corner on I-90 and transferred over to I-405. The sweet Bellevue city skyline comes into view. I am always awed by the beauty of that panorama. It really is very pretty (especially at night). My daughter's observation: "This place is pack-jammed."

Home Sweet Home

Twin

My sibs and I have been passing around funny notes about a picture found in a local (local to four of eight siblings) newspaper:



That guy could definitely be my brother

 

Let me record some of the comments so far:

 

Betty,

Will you forward this wanted poster?  Or was I part of a set of twins mom never told me about?

Someone out there is posing as me and making money.

Please forward any information of the imposter!

Discovered by Gaylin.

 

Dan is famous -- who is cashing in on our bro?

 

I actually think that really is you -- have you been doing advertising on the side?

 

I had to go look in the mirror just now to see if I have a dimple in my chin.

I don't....so I am the real Dan....That guy is a fake.

 

Wow. Only one difference - They must have filled in the hair line a little.

 

That's ok for me to notice but not you........just kidding

 

I am convinced this is Dan.  I have the newspaper at my house and I have studied it over and over.  They probably Photoshopped the "hair plugs" in so our unique Fuller hairline wasn't showing.
And I can totally picture Dan falling asleep at a table with no problems.  Not so sure about the slight smile while sleeping though.
Dan, you never text back to me that you looked into this, I was waiting on the edge of my seat :)

 

I didn't see the actual picture until later that day....to Marci

 

 

Here's a closer view :-)

 

Screech Owl Strikes Again

First Day of Summer Vacation pt 2

My youngest daughter has been participating in a dance class all year. She loves ballet and tap. She was the oldest in the class, which really built her confidence. Today was her "Show Week" which is sort of like a recital, only no costumes or stressful performance. The Little Gym has some pretty good methods for teaching children coordination and appreciation for dance without a lot of competition. I enjoyed seeing her follow the routines so closely and so accurately.

After watching her dance, we headed for our summer vacation celebration food destination (of Mom's choice -- make point of that, hey, I really deserve something for making it through another year).

On the way, I picked up some cupcakes from a fancy shmancy shop for which my coupon was going to expire any day. I let the girls buy some cute little sixlet candies: pink, white, and brown. I'm telling you, this cupcake shop has "little girl" written all over it. The girls brought their little containers of sixlets into the pizza shop that I wanted to try out for lunch.

The three kids were sitting (and I thought settled) across the room while I finished ordering. All of the sudden, I hear - wait, the whole shopping center, hears a blood-curdling scream. Apparently, the big brother taunted his little sister just a bit, ("Who me?"), about eating her little candies. The whole place was at a stand-still while I tried to discreetly (ha ha) calm the situation down.

I'm ready for one of the cupcakes . . .