I think I love Columbus

Because having today off of school was FANTASTIC. Really .
We took the monkey and the ladybug to my mother's house friday after school, and met four friends in SJ for the weekend- the Texas two, and part of The Deadbeat Club from College.
The Texas two declared that we were not eating in any chain establishments [although it would be okay if it was not a national chain] . The husband declared that we were eating in International establishments. The Deadbeat Club and I declared that we just wanted food.
The first night was an English pub with great food, but it was loud . Really loud.
The next day for lunch was an Irish pub . [Does anyone see a theme?] It was pretty wonderful, but I did not like the cheese dip that I ordered [you know how some things have a whang to them?]
After lunch, we went to watch our school volleyball team compete for the State title. Even though they did not win, I think they were great , and showed class.
That night was supposed to be our journey to a Greek place, but we really were not that hungry. We ended up going to the home of one of the Deadbeat Club, [which was lovely] and having pizza. She had also baked cream cheese with brown sugar and almonds, and I can tell you that it was superb. Divine, in fact. [and no whang]
Sunday morning , I simply had to go to Michael's Crafts. I was dropped off by the husband, and I was able to walk through that store for almost an hour. Oh. My. Stars. And . Garters. I do not get to do that often. It was wonderful. I ended up spending less than $15, which was amazing.
Lunch was at Jason's Deli, which I lurve. They have the tiniest of tiny vessels for ice cream [Doug Henning would have called them smaller than little, I am pretty sure]
So, great weekend, great visit with great friends. It is always a good time when the Possum Royalty are re-united.

Homecoming week, and a holiday coming

Homecoming week is here! We have so much fun at school with all the dress up days- it is always fun to see how excited the students get about it. I will have to share some of the photos later this week. I am really proud of our senior class this year- they nominated a student for the Homecoming Court who has Down's Syndrome. This means the world to her, and she will treasure these memories for a long time.
Ladybug and Monkey just came in from having dinner with Pop and Gigi - it is time for bed, and they are stalling. I don't guess I blame them one bit- Sunday nights are always a little bit of a let-down.
In three weeks, we have a long weekend- we are counting down, and looking forward to it. Monkey and Ladybug will go to visit their Mimi, and that always means playing with cousin Meg. Good times!
I think they have finally decided on Halloween costumes- Ladybug wants to be Tinkerbell, and Monkey wants to be a mummy . Well, he wants to be Freddy , the guy from Scream, or Jason, and I said no to all of those. I am not ready for that just yet.
Hope this week is great for everyone-

time flies

So, we have already had six weeks of school. SIX. Why is that so amazing to me? Ladybug and Monkey are both having a great year- church basketball should be starting pretty soon. Ladybug has started going to a Sunday School class- today was her second day in there. She was finger painting when we walked in . Well, she was sitting and looking at the glob of paint on her paper, and not really sure that she wanted to put her hand in it. After I walked in and talked to her, she put her hand in, and had a blast.
Monkey is busy, busy, busy- playing with the neighbors, doing tons of homework, and adding apps to his ipod.
Now our biggest worry is what to be for Halloween - I asked the monkey to be the Man in the Yellow Hat, and let his sister be Curious George, but he was not keen on that idea. Any suggestions?

Sunday Afternoons

I really like Sunday afternoons. I usually go to Church, to Praise Band Practice. Not today, since I will not be going to church here next Sunday. Instead, I just returned from a bridal shower, the boys just left to go fishing for a while, and when they get back, we will all go to the grocery. Ladybug is ready to go upstairs and help me unpack my bags from Friday night's crop. She always wants to play with some stickers and eat some pez ..... good times.
Monkey loves school, Ladybug is learning new songs every day, it seems. She is amazed when we already know the songs, and join in.
Today at the bridal shower, Monkey's Sunday School teacher said to me "You know, I never noticed until today how beautiful your son is. He is just pretty." How could anyone not already know that?! He is pretty. It is amazing. I had nothing to do with it.

and here we are again

Well, I had really good intentions this summer, about posting on here much more often. I even thought I would join one of those 'photo a day' groups..... and, as you can plainly see, I did not do so well.
What I DID do, however, is
play with Sam and Stella
read with Sam and Stella
paint with Sam and Stella
cheer at Sam's ballgames- league, all-star, and Little League World Series !!!
Help the husband pack for his trip to Istanbul
visit at my mother's while the husband was in Istanbul
happily pick up the husband from the airport
and , now, get ready for the first day of school.
okay, I will get better at the frequency part of this!

the really long days of summer

This is the part of summer that we enjoy- the days are lasting forever, and the children are wearing themselves out, playing. We spent a few days with the Grandparents, and that always includes going to Dairy Queen for ice cream!


Ladybug had just finished applying quite a few stickers down her legs- can you tell she is pleased with herself?

After visiting with the donkeys and cows, Monkey showed Ladybug how to jump on a trampoline- she was very excited.

The Avents invited us out to see the donkeys and cows. Ladybug thought they would come up to be petted, like a dog. She was rather disappointed when she could not touch them. One donkey , Leroy, allowed us to pet him, and that was just not enough for her.

We put a little pool out at the Grandparent's house- ladybug did not understand that she was not supposed to empty the entire thing right away.

one birthday party after another

Monkey has turned ten. TEN. It is hard to believe that he is that old. I guess it has something to do with the fact that we have not had him for ten years, but for eight years and nine months.
At any rate, his birthday has come and gone, and he had three seperate celebrations.
First was Meg's party - they have the same birthday, just six years apart. We went to her house, jumped in the castle, and hit the pinata. Lots of fun, even if it was really really hot. That evening, we had family party number one- at my mother's house. Monkey really loves his family, so he had a great time.
Next was a trip to Chuck E. Cheese on his birthday- just the four of us. He played, ran, ate pizza, and won some of those fabulous prizes, then went on to his ballgame that evening.
The next Sunday [ a week ago yesterday] was his birthday lunch. He decided to have one of these several years ago, and we kind of like the tradition. Clark's parents, Uncle Dale and Aunt Susan , the Phillips , the Kalchenkos , and Texas girl were all here. Again, he loves his family and friends, so he was really in his element.
Now it is summer - we have been out of school for a week. Ladybug takes a nap every day at one, Monkey is still plotting and planning with his birthday money and gift cards, and Clark is planning where to go for our twentieth wedding anniversary. Good times, I can tell you!
We went to Taylor saturday, to the Farmer's Market/Craft Fair. There were not as many veggies and fruits as I envisioned, but we did get to hear the Paperwhites sing for an hour- a good way to spend a little time!
Book #1 of Monkey's summer plan is finished- a Hardy Boys mystery . I hope he sticks with his goal of reading one chapter book each week- there should be plenty of quiet time for that.
I hope you are having a great summer!