Hallelujah

The boy is filling his sign up with stars.

#1. Star. #2. Stars.

So many.

No more pink princess pull ups (i.e. let's use up every last one of those buggers in the house).

We took the no pressure approach...until you hit 3 and a half and then I started panicking.

Ask and ye shall receive.

do abe.

ok.

Patience, my friends, patience. (3.5 years)

Seems impossible that you were ever that small. We were browsing some old videos on youtube earlier today. You were cute little buggers. And I need to take more video, even if I don't have time to look at it now. It's something else to see you as you were.

Water

So Aunt Laura and Uncle Andy have a community pool that they have access to and kindly invited us to come on over and utilize it this HOT summer. Man, oh man it IS that.

When we got there we saw a sign:

"Pool closed - broken pump. Kiddie pool is open"

Ok. That's probably a good spot for you guys anyway.

After playing awhile with Laura, Roman asked "Where's the cat pool?"

The cat pool. 

The cat pool.

The Kiddie pool. Ah. The Kitty cat pool. The kiddie pool

Uncle Andy wasn't so up for the cat pool, so he suggested we go back to their house and play with the sprinkler and Lucy in the yard.

Ok.

I'm not sure who had more fun.

Andy?

Lucy? Roman?

Zoe?

Weeee!

the Universe (that's mighty grand, isn't it?)

It's been a H-O-T summer. We've had our a/c on for at least a month straight. It's almost like winter being cooped up inside and it's starting to get to me.  That and a weekend of just me and he sick kids. Staying in the house makes me SO LAZY.

But I thought I better catch up on some photos....Like these. We went back to the Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe a few weeks ago.  The ride point wristband was burning a hole in my pocket. But going someplace indoors and temperature controlled sounded like a good idea. Rather smart for Minnesota actually. Or so I re-discovered.

This time the sister joined the brother in the trucks. 

I tell you the excitement leading up to this is a joy to behold.

And all the steering and bell ringing.

And Zoe and I got to go on the Blues Clues ride.

Roman: not so interested.

But Grandma Candy got a hug.

While Zo and Dad...

...went up, up and away.

I Choo choo choose you, little train.

(some Simpsons things stick with your Mom)

to da loo!

Where does God live?

Rhetorical question posed by one of you last week.

But the other answered.

"Where does God live?"

"Texas."

That's what the Texans would have you believe, but I ain't buyin' it.

And for the life of me I can't figure out where that answer came from, but I'm certain there's an explanation I will never know.

Helpers

Sometimes child labor has its place.

Particularly when they WANT to help.

Daddy saved some painting surface for you two.

Something for his work.

Have I said it's been a busy/hectic/mom's going bonkers summer?

This is what happens sometimes.

But we'll survive.

The Baby c?!

"The Baby C?" Roman asks.
Funny, because last night I had weird dreams. In one of them two real people I know who are highly unlikely to be pregnant were pregnant.

The Baby C. Public radio was on. The BBC.
I informed him it was BBC and he said "I like Baby C better."
So do I.

Poser

\

saturdays

(Clear the camera catch up time)

At my desk. You HAD to visit my desk. So before heading to our final destination, we visited my desk.

We went to the Science Museum and perhaps the highlight (again):

TV.

And calling Daddy to tell him about all the adventures. Zo's a talker.

Let there be light.

Omni theater - not so much. We had to leave the theater and 2 of 3 of us were screaming in terror. Thankfully the the movie hadn't started, so no harm.

SUPERgirl

inevitable

It had to happen.

At some point your Dad became frustrated with the "I don't want to go to bed" routine and flipped the lock on your door so WE could lock it and keep you in.  (Yes We are Awesome Parents?)

Problem solved, but it doesn't come without its dilemmas.  Seems kind of mean. Seems kind of misguided (i.e. deal with the problem with words and "I'm in charge here" kind of maneuvers).   Seems unsafe (ever since I was young I've lived in fear of house fires....even slept with bra on for the longest time 'just in case'.  Just in case you're stuck outside in the middle of the night with just your pajamas and tv cameras aimed at you. Is that too much sharing? ;) We have a small audience here, so...so what? Don't tell me you don't have quirks that are based on something silly.  

The modified lock is a Bad Idea because....someone is going to get locked in. SOMEONE is going to click that lock and shut the door when you Mom is in there putting laundry away or tidying up.

SOMEONE is going to push that button and shut the door with Roman, Zoe and Grandma Candy in the room when no one else is home.

No?

Yes.

No fear.  After a few panicked minutes and a I search that resulted in no sharp pointy objects (Parents: redeemed),  Grandma MacGyvered it out of the room with a flattened out key ring.

Go Grandma.

Home.

I took this picture of Zoe playing with her  telescope, but then I realized it's a good snapshot of the state of our home.  I mean look at all the c-r-a-p all around. Just the way it is, folks. And does it ever cease to make me a little bit "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!". Not really.

You guys.

Worth it all.

cars and cars

One afternoon we took out all your cars. Eight or more Lightening McQueens? Why? I don't know for sure, although some of them came with sets of something...

But they are still a favorite. 

Your Dad's been working hard (3 summer school classes - brutal) and 'work' work too. When he finally had a day off he declared it to be Back to the 50's MSRA day at the fairgrounds.

 I was free to take a 'Mommy day', but I went along after Zoe insisted. We got to check out some cars.  Zo and I rested tnext to this one for awhile while Dad and Roman meandered.

We got to sit IN this pink one. 

Lots to see.

"I want to go to the next booth!" Meandering = shopping for more toys. Ro scored a model Harley Davidson motorcycle, of all things! The price is right.

"I want my pink polka dot!"

And Cheeeeze. Your messiness still amazes me, little one.