cousins Wednesday, Jul 26 2006 

so far the kids are having a great time playing with their cousin- some of the highlights have been – all the superhero costumes- Ben michaels favorite thing to do- so spiderman and power rangers have been running around the house for days- if i can find the right cord i will post a picture. the trampoline, Eli’s new favorite activity is “jumping”- playing ring around the rosie and duck duck goose while jumping!!! Also another cute story- is william and benjamin have twin beds-and ben michael has been sleeping with them. Last night i was telling Ben michael to go to bed- and he said – but mom, you have to lay with me and read a book. And i told him there was no room for me! benjamin said, ‘Hey Ben Michael – I will snuggle with you!!” so cute! And Miles slept between john and betsy for awhile- i am not even sure what time it was when they brought him to me!! i fell asleep and forgot to go get him!

today michelle is coming so we are going to take the kids swimming- vanessa is also taking off work to come- then tonight we are going out to dinner- Aunt connie is going to watch the kids!! should be interesting!

3 days 3 boys and 1 van! Tuesday, Jul 25 2006 

we finally made it! we are in north Carolina. I dreaded the 3 days in the car all summer, and now that it is done- it was a breeze! set your expectations low and you will be pleasantly surprised!! the kids did great, and our motto was to beflexiable – we stopped when they needed to- so we missed some cool things along the way and found places we would have never found, and some i could have gone a lifetime without visiting- like the whole state of Indiana!! Let me preface this story with a childhood memory- when I was a child we took a cross country trip similar to this one- and one of our late night stops was in Indiapolis- we all can recall the CHEAP hotel we stayed in- i think it was a Star Light- it was probably $30 a night (early 80’s)- and I am sure it had a weekly rate. I remember walking in the bathroom, i remember the placement of the beds, I still remember exactly what the creepy guy standing outside the joint looks like. I can’t even tell you where we were going- or any of the highlights of the trip, i think DC maybe Kansas?michael says i would not have gone through indiapolis for either of those places- anyway, i think that experience was one of the reasons when I would look up hotels in the AAA guide book for us to stay in- my only requirement was “interior coordidor ” I was NOT staying in a MOTEL–or a place with the doors on the outside!! I don’t know if they even have hotels like that anymore, but if there was any out there- we were not staying in them!!

ok, back to the trip!
We left Morris on Saturday- we decided to leave early, niether of us could take another day in Morris- long boring summer days, and last week was depressing with another set of friends moving. we needed a freshprespective on life, nothing better than the open road! plus the kids need some cousin time-

our first day moved pretty quickly our first stop was the Cabela’s store outside of the cities- the kids loved it- they even had a shooting range where they could shoot at pheasant, deer and other stuffed animals! it has an aquarium, safari display and anamerican wooded display with stuffed animals. we bought the kids some fishing poles and got back on the road. we made it as far as the bottom ofwisconsin- wisconsin was high point, it was a beautiful state and a nice drive. even the town we stopped in for the night was so quaint- it did make us realize how uglymorris is- and how you stop noticing after awhile. next was Illinois, we were glad to leave that state behind- but not without a stop inchicago! or atleast we tried to stop- we made it downtown, we were looking for parking and both boys fell asleep! rather than have cranky kids in the heat we kept on driving- but we did drive downlakeshore drive- very scenic and pretty. ben michael was still asking to go fishing, so we saw a sign in indiana and pulled over. (Ok , if you did not know i was a snob before – let me warn you – i am – so if you have a problem- stop reading.) anyway, this place was a basically a glorified trailer park with a nasty little lake in the middle. but perfect for my kids to cast their poles- but i pretty much had my nose in the air the whole time!! and as SOON as we got out the car it started to rain. which was fine, miles and i waited it out- and the boys fished in the rain- Eli took a swim, and worried the whole time the water in the lake was going to give him some sort of rash! we changed their clothes, and we started back up again- we made it through indiana, and ohio- then we stayed the night outside of lexington, kentucky. sidenote about indiana, on sunday their was a sniper shooting at cars on the highway we were driving on! nice, i don’t think we will be going the same way home! the next day we started out and went through westvirginia- it was beautiful- mountains all around! then virginia, then finally north carolina.

tips to keeping the kids happy:

1. Buy new dvd’s – preferably tom and jerry- it was a hit.

2. have lots of snacks and drinks on board

3. have boys, they can pee in cups!!

we got to chapel hill last night- and ben michael and eli had a blast running around with will and benjamin- eli also enjoyed wrestling with allison, she was a trooper and did not fight back too much!

seems like we will be here for a few days, then go to greenville for a few days- then the beach- with all the family.

Prairie Pioneer Days Sunday, Jul 16 2006 

This weekend our town had it big festival, which is not what they call it- they just call it prairie pioneer days. very low key, very Midwestern, very small town. But fun all the same, a great chance for the community to get together and see each other. one problem, it was the hottest weekend of the year- and all the Minnesotans stayed home! it was not that hot, by my standards- it was about 92 with a light breeze, totally bearable.

I had the pleasure of selling milk shakes for this womens service group i am a member of. -we are raising money for park equipment. the kids enjoyed the petting zoo, space walk, but the favorite thing was this deal called water wars, for $2 you get a bucket of water balloons and you put it in this sling shot thing and shoot each other- after that, michael just went to the store and bought a few bags of balloons for them throw at each other!

They also participated in baby Olympics, ben michael got second in the race, which i was a bit surprised about, i tried to trip his competition- one of his best friends, but she still managed to beat him! i think he had trouble figuring which way to go!! she also beat him in the trike races. I thought for sure eli would come through but- i think i was trying to pump him up so much, by telling him how fast he needed to run, he just got confused! Ben michael was cute after each event= he would get really excited and start screaming, I DID IT MOM I DID IT!! I WON!! they gave him a medal for particpating -which he wore all day!! i will hate the day when he realizes that he did not win, i don’t want his innocence corrupted!

this morning we went to the “pancake feed” at the fire hall. the name alone, i knew michael would not miss this event!! all you can eat, and it was just give a donation type deal. the kids had  a blast playing on the fire trucks. the firemen are all volunteer- so they all have other jobs. i don’t get the fascination, but i think for a second michael was wondering how he could get trained! it must be the big red truck!

the highlight of today was the parade.coming from Louisiana, we are both parade snobs. there are several flaws to the whole thing- first there are absolutely no requirements to be in it- so we sat through 90 something floats- or should i say people driving their pick ups.  a few actually decorated a flat-bed- we appreciated the effort. the other problem- was EVERYONE had the same candy- right when you walk into  Willies, our grocery store- there was this huge dispaly that says “PARADE CANDY” and it is these horrible fake tootsie rolls. and candy and kids? you can only have so much before they are totally breaking down because they want to eat it right away, and you don’t want a sticky mess in the heat- you get the picture. BEADS PEOPLE! this is what is thrown at a parade!!!  I am sure they cost more then the low rent tootsie rolls that we will have for an eternity!!and the beauty queens at home really know their parades, these girls looked really green– but then again, it could have been the heat- they don’t know how to handle it! it’s like me in the winter around here!!

Are neighbors are moving this week, so we said goodbye at small party last night- i am not really that interested in getting new neighbors, i just don’t have the energy to be nice, but they are eager to find a buyers! so for their sake- i hope it sells! otherwise, i am going to start charging the squatters! i am getting them a st. joseph statue to bury in the yard, which is kind of funny, because when we told them- he was like, is that the joseph as in jesus’s father? our neighbor is was raised Jewish, but at the point, he is willing to try anything. I don’t think burying a menorah will do the trick!

 it has been a greek food weekend, one good thing about PPD is the food vendors, some guy comes in from the cities to sell $6 gyros!! michael and i had them twice! eating street food is such a treat that reminds us of home! you just don’t get that around here!

and friday night a friend of ours who is greek, had her aunt in town, and had us over for a greek feast!! it was delicious! so food wise, the weekend was good

(sidebar, i just realized in the span of this post, i have told you about 4 of our meals, i even considered writing about the milk shakes from the malt wagon- and i actually spend time wondering why i can’t get rid of this baby weight!!)

NOTE TO FAMILY: i still look pg, so if you need to talk about it- do it before you see me, because i am well aware and i don’t need to dish about it. i am trying, walking etc, but with three kids, yada yada yada- its not melting like they say.  ok, on to the next topic.

that’s it i think, i am exhausted from the day at the park, i am pretty sure i started the day hung over from the party last night, which by the way gretchen, if you read this can you PLEASE post the recipe for those drinks (the one with lime, mint, rum) i want to make those on vacation YUMMY! I am surely babbling at this point, so it best i stop while i am ahead! – or behind-either way, good night all who may read this!

case of the missing glasses Friday, Jul 14 2006 

about 3-4 months ago we – lost Ben Michael’s glasses.  Reluctant to  buy another pair- I kept going with the theory “they will turn up”. He is usaully really good about putting them up so they don’t stepped on etc- so I could not imagine what could have happened to them! anyway, I finally broke down- but instead of going downtown and dropping another $200 on a 3 year  old who’s presicription will probably change  10 times in the  next 5 years- I found a  website- $39glasses.com or something like that- so cheap I aslo got him prescription sunglasses! ok, a little overkill- you may ask  how do you buy glasses on line?  not very well- as i learned! the frames are cute- but too small for his head- but i just thought- if he wants to see- they will have to do!!  and i am always worried i did not get the pupil measurement right?? well the day that UPS delivered them, i am talking to our day care provider on the phone – where the kids go  during school and have not been all summer-  “did Ben Michael lose his glasses?” UGGGGHHH!! YES , I said!!!

She says, “They have been sitting on the bedside table in the room he takes a nap in, I just have not been in there all summer because I don’t have any kids taking naps!!” For the record i did ask- when they first time  they turned up missing!!

Michael was so proud, see how responsible he is?, he did not lose them, he just took them off for a nap!!

so the good news, is he has his blue spongebob glasses back, the ones that actually fit his head- and were measured by a professional- (there is a reason those other glasses are only $40!!)he is so excited to i think he slept in them last night! they were with a sitter last night- so i did not put him to bed, but when he came in my room this morning they were on his face!! what horrible parents we are, he has been seeing a blurred world the last 4 months! i even convienced myself the doctor was wrong and he could see fine!! i kept telling michael he’s not complaining- and he can see things when I ask him- we even play what shape is that cloud? but i guess it is more me coming up with the animals them him! his animals are always a little blurred!! next, problem is that Eli wants glasses, everyone else has them-why not him. My neighbor gave him some old sunglasses and the $40 pair fits him great- only one problem- he can’t walk with them on- now his world is blurred!! but he sure does love wearing them!

air conditioner and musical beds Friday, Jul 14 2006 

night before last our air condition decided to break- and it was the hottest day of the summer – I think it hit 100 degrees at some point. Anyway, as we went to bed i thought it would all be normal- just  a liitle hot-well- not the case, first eli in our room, then ben michael – then Michael out- to blow up the air matress to sleep downstairs – (10 degrees cooler) then ben michael down stairs with dad- then miles and i in the boys room and the end result? ben michael back upstairs to check on us, eli sleeping curled up on the floor on the edge of the stairs- too tired to go down I pressume? and miles and i in the  boys room, and michael on the kichen floor -the air matress had a slow leak!!! Greg our repair guy shoed up around 2pm yesterday- so last night all was back to normal!!

routines, traveling Friday, Jul 14 2006 

I think it definitly time to get these kids out of this town- when ben michael was young, we travelled all the time- he was a very easy going kid and could adapt well to new situations. Not so anymore! i am a little bit worried about our cross country trip- but hopefully it will shake him up a bit. He is becoming one of those routine kids, he can’t get wet unless he has is bating suit on, he can’t go on the grass without shoes. He can’t wear shoes in the house (he got the message- you will track in mud!) He will only eat certain foods, and has to be forced to try something new. Which is really tragic, because he is totally missing cherry season! you get the picture- I am hoping this vacation will take him out of his comfort zone and force him to try some new ways of doing things! Hey, my shorts are wet, but that’s ok, I can change cloths!!  I keep you posted once we go on vacation (leaving the 24th of july!)

Siblings Friday, Jul 14 2006 

 I have been doing some reflecting and how siblings help shape the people we are- and what do you know, Time Mag, came out with an article stating the same thing. I know I am married to an academic- but until some PHD studies  lab rats- something is not true! the article basically stated that siblings may have more to do with who we are then parents or friends etc. Something I am experiencing for the first time with my own kids- and makes me reflect on my own childhood. Conflict resolution?-where else did I learn that skill!! I think I am pretty tough skinned- it takes a lot to get me really upset- having 4 older siblings and 1 younger- did I really have a choice?! what traits do I have because of my siblings? weird- somedays i think they know me the best, other days I don’t think they know me at all-I watch Eli- as he gets older he is interacting more and more with Ben Michael- they are fast becoming each others playmates and they know already know which buttons to press- literally- if he wants to make ben michael angry- turn the TV off- then stand back and watch the reaction! or the fight begin- which little eli- half his size never backs down from- he will go back for more- he does not cry until he is really hurt- he just runs back and hits ben michael- poor thing because ben michael can just lay him out- but he stands up and gets him again. Not that I condone their fighting- but i do think it is good training for later in life- I can see the determination in his eyes, as if he is thinking “no one is going to treat me that away and get away with it!”

Also, just his development, the two boys are night and day in behavior patterns- but he picks up so many things ben michael does or say- sometimes I think at this age ben michael has  a greater influence in his behavior then I do. His activities, the words he uses, the way he walks- all emulated after his big brother. Something as simple as what he will eat- Eli loves salad- Ben Michael will not eat it- first words out of Ben Michaels mouth when we sit down to dinner is “I don’t like it mom”- then Eli the litte parrot says the same thing- when I know very well he does! He eventually eats it!! I am constantly telling Ben Michael he is Eli’s teacher- and his behavior is important for Eli and Miles- it’s a lot of responsibility for a 3 (almost 4 year old) but he is up for the challenge!( I hope!) It has had some positive effects on Eli- Ben Michael is a very neat child while Eli is all over the place- I just noticed Eli has started to line his shoes up at the door like his big brother- so I guess there are positive and negative effects to this whole sibling thing!

It is weird to watch as a parent, but that is all i can do is watch with amazement- and wonder what God’s plan is for these boys- and what my role is?- I guess to guide them through it- and hope they will be there for each other through the end-

as hard as it is, having them so close in age for me and michael- I hope the gift they receive is each others friendship- for life.

 Here is a link to the article- it is very interesting!!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1209949,00.html

Cars Friday, Jul 14 2006 

Quick funny story, we have been waiting for weeks for Cars (the new Disney movie to come out) the trailer has been on Ben Michael’s toy story video for the last year. Disney knows how to market-anyway- Michael takes them tonight- 2 people warned me it that it is really long- so when they left- i made a mental note that i would walk up to the theatre in about an hour to see if Eli was enjoying the movie or driving everyone in the place crazy- well at about 7:25pm- michael calls- “come get eli” – 5 minutes into it – and he was out the door ready to come home. Poor thing, when I went to get him he boo hood all the way- “I want daddy”- we had quality mom and eli time played outside a bit- then  bath and books- and miles joined after a short nap!! One great thing about this small town- is first, we do have a theatre- one screen, and the place is always empty- and we usually know half of the people in the room- so if the kids walk up and down the isle- not the biggest deal in the world! and it is two blocks from house, easy come easy go home! did i mention it is cheaper than movies elsewhere? i think $6 a movie, maybe more. maybe i made that up, to make it sound really good!! has anyone seen prairie home companion?? it is coming next week, based off the NPR radio show, that is based off a fictional minnesota town, like the one we live in. should be interesting.

4th of July Friday, Jul 14 2006 

Well, it has started out as a great one- not! Last night Michael thought it would be a great idea to take the boys “camping” in our back yard- you know to see the stars and the moon. Well, in theory it would have been all fun and games- the problem was the sun does not set until about 10 p.m. around here in the summer! it was a beautiful night- breezy not a cloud in the sky- so around 7:30 – they set the tent up- the kids have their flashlights ready- and for about 30 minutes they run outside every 2 mintues to see “is it dark yet?”  so then we go ahead and put on a movie to kill the time- by 9 pm- still no stars- but we do find a half moon. Which Ben Michael tells me, “it’s like a Taco mom!!” well, by 10 pm it is FINALLY getting somewhat dark and there is a total of one star they can actually see. Eli falls asleep out there- and wakes up crying every so often- because he is so exhausted- (note the kids usually go to bed around 8:30 pm) it never really got dark enough to see the full sky of stars- what a pity- i guess we will try again in the fall when the days are shorter!! Funny, every time I went outside Ben Michael would say, mom, can you get the marshmallows, sticks, fire, and chocholate like at Zachary and David’s.”- last summer when we were at Moniques in Lafayette, they roasted marshmellows in the back yard- it is amazing what they remember! my response to him,  “that is what a microwave is for”!! i could only imagine what would happen if we lit a bon fire in our back yard- not so much worried about the neighbors- more worried about the ideas it would give my 2 year old eli!

This is the boring part, but since I am still living it, i am going to write it. Since Eli got to bed so late, he woke up in the middle of the night crying- and this morning at around 6:15am – thank goodness for small blessings because miles slept fine! one quick feeding in the middle of the night-or should i say in the middle of one of Eli’s meltdowns. So I am DRAGGING right now, nursing a cup of coffee.

So that brings me to today, i think i am skipping the whole parade hoopla in lue of a nap. 3 small boys calls for desperate measures! maybe we will cue up the pit and have some friends over this evening.

I am sure your fourth is much more interesting! but happy independance day all the same!

THE FOURTH PART II

i am not sure what direction this blog will take- or what it’s true purpose but today it will serve as therapy. I hope it does not take that turn often- then some of you might be recommending real therapy! anyway, we went to the park, each on their trikes- that part was successful. a friend of mine was there with his 12 month year old daughter, he is a stay at home dad- and think this was the second time he had taken her too the park, needless to say she has not been around the likes of kids like mine! first child, girl, just learning to walk- you get the picture. Well, Eli gets all possessive about his tricycle and has a fit when she touches it- i saw him claw her face, no tears that time- we adverted catastrophe- then he proceeded to poke her directly in the eye!! send me the bill! (i am sure i will be saying that a lot in the next 18 years) I felt horrible – i think this might be her only park trip this summer- back to the safety of her yard! It amazing that Miles has not had a trip to the ER yet! so now, i am home nursing a glass of wine. locked in the office, as they are banging on the door “MOM LET US IN!!” – i tried to drink it downstairs, amongst them harassing me for a sip, which I let them try it – and not only did they spit it out- they then wanted to spit in it- rather than scream or fight I retreated up here! oh, wait now eli is crying- it sounds as though ben michael has locked him in the closet- i guess i will go tend to them!

Hello world! Friday, Jul 14 2006 

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