Problem Solved

Sometimes it's hard to decide whether you're going to eat your blue sucker or drink your delicious Sprite first.  

Unless you're Emma.

Agenda: " FUN!"

We are in the thick of summer and the monotony of alternating between the library and the pool as our big "destinations" for the day is maybe setting in a little.  (Remind me NOT to come back and read this during the school year.  I'll want to hang myself for saying that.) 

But anyway.  That's why I was pretty excited when Jim got the idea to head to Branson for some fun.  He mentioned "go karts."  And I didn't even have to listen to the rest....  I was on board!

On the official agenda that I quit listening to was:  go karts, mini-golf, and the well known local Lambert's Cafe, the only home of the throwed rolls!   I cannot really explain how excited I was.

First was go karting:

Jack is now big enough that he can drive the "rookie carts" by himself.  But he was nervous at first.  So we all drove together for some runs.  It was so fun.

Emma squealed the entire time while driving, "Wheeee!  I am really driving this thing!  Wheeeee!"  (Of course, that "steering wheel" there is nothing more than a prop wheel, giving her the illusion of driving the thing.  But don't tell her.)  She had a BLAST.

 And by that time, Jack had got pretty comfortable with the idea of driving by himself.  So he did.  He was great.

And this is Emma.  On the side.  Waiting.  Unhappily.

Next:  Bumper Boats.

This wasn't on the official agenda, but it was so hot.  And we noticed that the boats have devices to aim and squirt water at each other.  And that water looked so opposite of hot.  So we deviated from the plan.

I sat on the side and took pictures.  So, I was still hot.

 Wait!  Wait!  Let me back up to before that. 

I have to tell you about this part. This is Emma standing in line.  See those bars?  About two minutes before the boarding of the boats, she got her head stuck in those bars.  (Laughing.)  It was really sort of scary for about ten seconds of "oh my gosh! Our kid's head is totally stuck!-ness"... like a bad family movie.  Her little bottom was going back and forth, but her head was motionless and very, very caught. 

But calm Jim came to the rescue.  And this was Emma after the crying stopped and the appreciation for one's bodily freedom was realized.

(Laughing again.  I like that story in sorta the same way that I like it when people fall down.  I wish you could have seen it.)

But back to bumper boats!  Jack was relentless with the squirting.  And Emma's admonishing "JAAAAACK!  STOPPPP SQUIRTINNNNNG MEEEEE!" could be heard for miles, I'm sure of it.

No, seriously.  There was a guy on his cell phone by the pool.  He had to get up and move.  And by the look he gave me, I'm pretty sure it was because of my mouthy daughter.

But then everyone learned that there is a sweet spot out of harm's way that can be reached by simply, scrunching one's entire body into a space it should not normally fit into.  Cower like this, and you're good.  People, take note.

3.  More deviations from the plan:  Kiddie Train and Kiddie Teacup Ride while Jack did more Rookie carts.

I didn't get sick!  I'm amazed!

4.  We did play some mini-golf, but I took no pictures of it.  It was the hottest part of the day.  And Jack kept reminding us that "this was the hottest mini golf course he's ever been to."  And then Jack's legs began to get tired.  And then I started worrying about the sunburns that I was beginning to notice and asking how many holes were left? 

This was whiney time, and nobody really take pictures during whiney time.  But... you should know... I won our game of mini-golf.  Jack:  59  Dad:  56  Mom: 54  Emma: (started playing with rocks at hole 3, so she was disqualified.)

5.  And now we were hungry!  And since then I've learned that for that kind of hunger, there is only one eating establishment that will do... Lambert's Cafe.   We were off to try this place where, in fact, they do hurl very hot pieces of bread at your head.  See?

Good catch, Jack. 

 And as if Lambert's needed any other draw for business than just the actual throwing of the rolls, here's Emma to describe the eating of the rolls.

What a GREAT day.

They Both... Well... Um....?

Jim and I were laughing just the other day as we sat at the table and challenged ourselves to think of any... I mean ANY... similarity between our two kids.  And here's what we came up with:

"They both like the queso and chips from Chili's." 

Yes.  That's it.  (And that was hard to think of, by the way.)

 Just look at them.

You're Deluded

This morning Emma asked me for jellybeans for breakfast.  This is not uncommon.  This summer I've noticed that it's a daily conversation that I have with her.  "No, Emma.  We don't have jellybeans in the morning."  Her response is typically, "But can I have them?"  And then she usually throws in a shrug and a smile.  I wonder what Grandma feeds her for breakfast during the school year.  Her resolute thinking that candy is appropriate morning "food" leaves me feeling a little uneasy. 

I was pretty pleased with myself when, this morning, she actually asked for a cereal bar.  An improvement! We're gaining ground here!   "Sure Emma.  I'll get it for you."

I shouldn't have been so happy with myself though.  I came out of the shower to find only two bites taken out of it.  The rest was laying there on the table next to the wrapper. 

She approached me.

"Mom, can I have pizza?" 

I shook my head no, motioning toward the proof that she hadn't eaten her cereal bar yet.

"But mom.  I don't like it."

I stood my ground.  "Emma, you can't have anything else until you finish your cereal bar. I don't like it when you waste food."

And so, I went to dry my hair.

When I came back, the barrage of food questions resumed.  "Mom, can I have a waffle?" 

"Sure, Emma.  But first let's check to see if you've finished your cereal bar like I asked you to."

And then... THEN...  I found THIS.  (I realize that pulling out the camera and making a show out of her poor behavior is probably not the best course of action here.  But for all of you people who swear she is the cutest thing on Earth, I wanted to give you a little snippet of the "other side".  It's for your own deluded sake, you know.)

After I stopped recording, she told me that she was "really sorry that I did that."

"Can I have some cheese?"

Hmm. 

She IS pretty much the cutest thing on Earth, isn't she?  Let's be deluded together.  :)

Subtle Jack

"Mom, go look at my drawing."

Bette Davis Eyes

So, yesterday we were listening to the 80's station while driving in the car, running errands.  Kim Carnes comes on singing her  Bette Davis Eyes. 

Jack listened for a bit and finally let out a huge sigh of disgust, asking...
"MOM, WHY WOULD ANYONE SING A SONG WITH NOT SUCH A GOOD VOICE?"

That was the best part of my Tuesday, people.

Summer Fun Has Just Begun!

Summer is in full swing!  And we've been gettin' our fun on.  I love summer.  Being an elementary teacher sure has its perks... and summer, you are the biggest one of all.  Here's what we've been up to lately.

1.  Last year, my big projects were Jack and Emma's bedrooms.  This year, it's all about me, folks.  I want a beautiful bedroom too.  Be gone, ugly tattered bedspreads.  Be gone, laundry piles in the bedroom floor.  Be gone, permanent ironing board set up that I never put away.  Be gone, ugly, ugly place.  Hello, dreaminess.  To start with, I dabbled in the art of antique shopping with my ultimate antique expert of a gal pal, Danavee. 
We found some great things...

 A beautiful trunk for the foot of the bed.  Check out the inside color!  I love.

 A hodge podge of mirrors/ and an old shabby window for over my dresser.  See that black mirror?  Spray paint is a girl's best friend, it turns out.  Just wait and see...  Thanks for the expertise, Schlager!

TURQUOISE!  Yes.  Yes.  And yes!

                         A new duvet cover.  I love the colors.

                                       A collection of my favorite photos.

See that rose?  That's the first flower I ever received from a boy.  A sixteen year old boy... named Jim.  Pretty special.  My bedroom is officially BEAUTIFUL.

2.  Playing outside has been fun, particularly if a water balloon fight is involved...

                                       Ammunition?  Check.

Competitive stance? Check, sort of.  Emma looks a little unprepared.

Action?  CHECK!

3.  Beautifying the rest of the house in preparation to host a fun and festive bachelorette party/personal shower for a Mrs. Ashley soon-to-be-Boschen! 

 New front porch plants!

 Incidentally, Jack grew this one from seeds.  He knows something I don't.  Hmphf.

 New rug for beneath the office chairs!

And another great antiquing find with Danavee!  A pair of shabby farmhouse-y windows for over the kitchen mantel.  I love them.  So much. 

4.  Other great things not pictured because, like an idiot, I didn't bring out my camera for them: 

Backyard pooltime at great-grandma and pa's  and a quick visit to see mom down in Arkansas. 

I love me some summer!  Yahoo!!!!