HAPPY FOURTH!

The buzz at the water cooler........

Our friend David (who we talked about in a previous post) is doing soooo good. Just wanted to give the update. He just celebrated his 8th birthday. He has gone thru so much since September and we are very proud of him. (a long stay at a hospital, a bone marrow transplant, many many tests, a g-tube, a school tutor and so much more) He is still our hero. Way to go David!!!

F R I E N D S

Each friend represents a world in us, a world that possibly would not have been known until they arrive. -Anais Nun

This "Black String" can swim

While we were sitting by the water, Angie spotted this piece of black string swimming. (Not kidding) We watched it wiggle it's way thru the water like a snake for awhile then I had to get my hands on it and investigate further. We held it and it wiggled. When we set it down it wrapped itself into a knot and we watched it untangle itself. I am still in awe. I googled this crazy creature and I think it may be a horsehair worm. Check it out : http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/uc/uc-014.html

A trip to Grams cottage........

Some of the cousins hanging out. All the cousins will be together for a bit when the Mitchell cousins come to town next week. We can't wait. They have been busy putting together "Cousin Camp." Can't wait to see what's in store! Hurry up and get here guys. We miss you.

Gram, Mallory and Doll baby on the dock.

MINI ME

No question about it, this girl is definately my daughter. Besides the way she looks, you should hear the lungs on this girl as she bosses her brothers around. Oddly enough, most things that are repeated are phrases that have come out of my mouth. She can hold her own in this house for sure and when needed, she will always use her "baby sister" title to get out of things that she thinks are not fit tasks for a princess. The other day, I asked the three of them to roll up the hose, as a team. (Because the "team" unrolled it to spray each other down.) Brett said Mallo you need to help too. And she said, "Brett, I am just a baby ister." Sometimes her first s's are silent. Too funny, the stories could go on and on but as I looked at my girl the other day in her skirt and sunglasses, I saw ME.

How much is that doggie in the window????

What Brett wanted from the pet store: What we brought home:

An orange crowned something or other....

My mom and I were lucky enough to see this tiny little bird. It must have just been passing thru on it's way home. I can't seem to recall the name. MOM? Can you?

Easter Pics

Every one was happy that they got at least one egg.............. Mallo explaining that "SHE GOT OUTSIDE FIRST, SO THESE ARE ALLLLL HERS"

Bulldog please!!!!

What Mallory asks for when she wants an underdog on the swings:

What I picture:

Summer

Turned in a roll of film at Target awhile back and told them to just put it on a disk. I rarely use my 35 mm anymore because the digital is much easier, you know....Went to do something else at the picture counter and they handed me my disk from months before. Opps, forgot about it. This is one of pictures that was on the disk. Should of just left it behind the counter. How bad do I want it be summer now. Perfect timing seeing as tho it is suppose to snow again today!

School Bus

Ok, OK, Let's start with the problem of the day. This blog thing may turn out to be good therapy for me.

Here it is............. I started to send the boys to the bus ALL BY THEMSELVES. This was a BIG thing for me. I am kind of what you would call an overprotective mama. A mama bird that may sit to close to my little birdies in the nest so to speak. BUT, I decided that it may be time for a little bit of freedom. So, I decided that the 5 house trek down the street should be left up to them. See, it's not cuz I am lazy, or don't want to go out in the cold. It just seemed like it was time. The other parents at the bus still stand and wave as the bus pulls away...seems like a complete waste of time when your computer is just sitting idle at home right? It just hit me, they walk home from the bus alone.....(of course I am watching out the door)

The first day was a RIOT. I told them to walk (quickly) but not run. Not unless you see the bus. And, when you get there stand way over by the curb and don't touch each other. Blake and Brett started the big excursion. They waited to cross the street for a good 3 houses. They both crossed at different times. One crossed, a car came. One started and ran back to the curb. My heart was pounding. The other one joined his brother and they very merrily ran to the stop. Yep, RAN. Oh yeah and Blake had to stop and sit down and start again like 3 times. I stood at the door and scratched my head and wondered why I thought this stress was necessary but decided it felt good at the same time. Which leads me today. The new rules were to cross right in front of our house and DONT RUN. So, They did. Crossed right in front. Blake ran for a good 2 1/2 houses while Brett held his ground and didn't fall into the sibling pressure. But, after he rounded the big house across the street, I had both boys running to the stop. Both had nodded when I said, "Don't run ok" ......I could barely see the busstop but I could see it good enough to make out that a blue coat kept hitting a red coat. Hmm. Those would be my children. Do I yell from 5+ houses down? Then, I saw Brett sit down. I didn't know if he sat down vouluntarily or if he was taken down by a blow from the arm of the blue jacket. The bus came and the boys loaded. Actually, what I thought was Brett's body was still there after the bus drove away. Maybe he didn't go down at all. Who knows. The lump of whatever it was is still there. I am assuming that if it was him he would of returned home by now, RIGHT? SO, you see my dilema.

Are they or are they not old enough for this kind of freedom? Is it them that may need some more time or me that needs to take a pill????

My new thought is too involve some sort of cold hard cash. Something BIG like a dime a day. I mean that adds up. Those little squirts could be sitting with umm...Not good at math...hold on...let me grab a calculator. What 2 bucks a month?? Wow, just for walking to the bus.

Music Meme

My friend Tammy does lots of fun things on her blog. Makes fun lists, has fun links and does fun pictures......So, I decided to join in. You guys are probably getting a little bored with me. So, here goes my first attempt for something a little different. She had a list of her favorite songs. 7 of them. Here are mine. In no particular order (of course)

1.) Snooze by Go Fish. Blake has me sing this song to him every night. How can it not be a favorite? Love the words. By the way, I do not do a solo. I sing along with the cd. For anyone that has heard me sing I am sure you are thankful for that.

2.) Bed of Nails by Alice Cooper. No explanation. Just love it. Don't know why.

3.) Can't take my eyes off you by Damian Rice. I used to listen to this song over and over and over again. After awhile the kids started to like it too, and slowly memorized all the words. (Yes, all 6 of them) So now we sing it and add peoples names. Be certian that your name was probably inserted once we don't miss many people. " I can't take my eyes off of you -insert name here-

4.) Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

5.) Anything off of the Buckcherry cd. Love the song "Crazy Bi***" Not a very nice family friendly song but a good one none the less. After I listened to the whole cd I found I like lots of the songs. "Everything" and "Next to you" Good ones too.

6.) Yellow by Coldplay

7.) Uggh. Cant decide. This is why I dont do this fun stuff. It stresses me out. What if I forgot about a really good song. Can't handle this kind of pressure. I am gonna let you wait for number 7. The 2 last ones I have written down I don't think quite qualify for a favorite slot. Maybe I will just leave it at 6. My 6 favorites. How's that? I might try to add some links to these later. Tammy tried to teach me that. I'm not promising a darn thing tho.