labor day? I mean Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day, not around here. It was more like LABOR day. We were busy scrubbing cars and the boat, planting flowers, moving lawn furniture outside and scrubbing and staining the deck. After 6 hours scrubbing the deck and 8 hours spreading weather sealer in the deck.....a bird poops on it! ARG! The boys were helpful picking out flowers to plant. Peter was staying true to himself and refused to stick his hands in the dirt. He only used shovels or wore gloves. Jamison had dirt everywhere! We spent some time on the front porch relaxing and working on our "books", a collection of national geographic color pages. After coloring them, they would number the page and write the name of the animal. I was very impressed. After all the hard work we were able to enjoy our first dinner on the deck and the weather was perfect! (Jamison was raising his hand for milk, school has trained them well). Peter took it upon himself to rearrange the smaller flower pots on the deck. I had them arranged in one corner of the deck (mostly so I can remember to water them). Peter felt they would be better place at the base of another larger pot. Here is one. And another. I can hear my mother laughing.....yes, your wish has come true! One of my children (acting just like me) rearranging. At least he cant do much in my kitchen like I did in my past. The neighbors have been busy lately, and the boys have been hoping to play with Lucas. Peter saw Lucas outside and was loitering....hanging out hoping that Lucas would ask if he wanted to play. When we told Peter he could ask if Lucas wanted to play...he dragged his brother over...and made him ask. This picture is hard to see. There is Fluffy (the momma squirrel) with 2 babies sitting on the tree branch. Fluffy was sprawled out as if she was exhausted while Jamison squirrel and Peter Squirrel climbed all over her. I empathize with her. This weekend the boys really pushed my buttons and as one point I requested that Pat responds to their blood-curdling shrieks because I was at the point of physical violence. I dont know how many more times I can say the same things over and over and over with out drinking heavily. I broke down and purchased the big bucket O'margharitas and things are much better. (yes, i admit I am following my mothers footsteps, but she hit the gin)Earlier in the week we went shoe shopping. Peter hand-picked his outfit....mint green/yellow/purple shoes, teal socks, red shorts and tiedye shirt. He thought he was COOL! Jamison with his Nikes and red shirt. Both boys are happy with their purchases and claim they now can run faster than ever!

weekend up at the cabin

We always love a trip to the cabin, its been a while since we were there. This year we thought the boys were ready for a fishing pole with a real hook, watch out fish! the Cullen boys are out to get you! I think they just really like casting. Of the two boys. I think Jamison would have more patience for sitting and watching the bobber but Peter would be a good fly fisherman, always casting. Any fish yet Peter? I mean I think we caught a Peter fish! I wonder how he tastes? The boys had a blast (and so did Torrie) stomping around the edge of the lake. The water is pretty low so they had a lot of space to play. The boys were pretty sad that there were no frogs yet. There are a lot of Mink frogs on this lake and they are one of the later calling frogs. OR they heard the boys coming and they ran for it! Jamison loved the boat rides. We were on the hunt for some lake rocks to relocate to the shoreline of the cabin but I think Jamison just enjoyed the ride. Back on shore the boys had a lot of fun with water guns, they even tricked Pat and nailed him in the back! This though....Jamison was trying to get himself in the face.....not his brightest moment. Torrie was pretty excited about one of the rocks pulled from the lake. I think we picked it just for her. The boat house is empty, so that served as the Cullen boy headquarters. Like liked going in and out and in and out and.... Look at my cuties...Jamison is sporting the summer hair-do, #2 all around. I told him it would be a lot easier to find ticks if his hair was short. He was amazed at how much different he looked. Looks good to me! and easier in the shower! Peter on the other hand is still working on a long mohawk and would only let me trim the hair out of his eyes.

Other activities at the cabin....hot tub and bike rides. The boys went on a 3 mile bike ride, their longest one yet! Peter, well peter'ed out on the way back. I guess it was a little too long for him. Just wait, I will have them training for the MS150 in a couple years!. While riding we had one serious accident. We keep reminding the boys to give each other space and well, they now really know why. We were riding on a crushed granite trail and the sides were a little soft. Jamison got too close to the edge and the bike slid out from under him. Peter tried to stop but could not in time and ran over Jamison, right along the belly/back. It was very scary, i think more so for Peter!. He was crying more than Jamison was...screaming "I ran over my brother!" Jamison was ok and now the boys really know why you give the biker ahead of you a lot of space.

Career on Wheels Day

So today was my day to chaperone Peters class to Carrer on Wheels Day. I was given 4 boys (not just any boys but Peter's "homies")to lead through a parking lot of fire trucks, police cars, hummers, tractors, loaders, utility trucks semi trucks and a bus. The boys were not so interested in listening to the people that came and talked about their jobs they were only interested in climbing on the vehicles, driving the vehicles and using their walkie talkies. Porter was totally surprised when it was HIS dad that brought the fire truck. The boys did listen well to the paramedic....she was handing out pencils.Kessler was using the police officers two-way radio while I was telling the boys that I dont want to ever see you sitting in the back of this car. The police officer had to insert and say that the biggest part of his job is making sure everyone was safe. The boys thought that he only arrests people. The electician had some wires set up so the boys can see what it takes to make a light go on and off. Also a doorbell and the doorbell really worked, well. Peter told him that we just had an electrican over in our attic. Here the aerospace engineer (i dont know how his job includes wheels but he had a cool contraption that simulated a rocket engine so he can stay) simulated rocket engine....they were all really interested in that! It made a really loud noise.
Jamison's class was there at the same time and we ran into him!. The kids learned that blowing up a balloon is similar to a rocket engine. Here they are fueling their engines.

The boys were in the utility truck and the engine started. I was afraid one of the boys did it, but it was the workers demonstrating how the lift works and then one worker started walking right up a pole! the boys were very impressed. I wonder how many times that guy is going to have to do that!.

There were many other grownups there sharing what they do for a job. The insurance agent explained the basics of insurance. "Your mom and dad give me little money, like one dollar and then if anything happens to their house, i give them lots of dollars to fix it". Dude, if your insurance costs $1, where do I sign up!

The kids were also asked to come to school dressed up as what they would like to be when they grow up. Peter decided that he would be a super secret super spy. And a spy wears all black, like a ninja, including socks and underware. Jamison wanted to be a police officer but we didnt have the correct props around the house. He made a paper gun, but I told him that I think it looks too real and you are not suppose to bring guns to school. So he decided that he would be a Park Ranger. I thought he was going to be a chef. For years Pat thought Jamison should be a plumber and Peter should be an electrican. Who knows what they will be...i just hope they are not in the back of that police car.

Pink Eye

Yup, that's right. Peter has pink eye. Dont you love school, germ fest!. It doesnt look so bad now, and you cant really see it with his floppy hair in front of it, but that is what the doctor told us. Good thing is that it doesnt really bother him. Except....he cant go and play with the neighbors since he is considered "contagious". So he decided to sit at the property line and watch. How sad. I offered to play a game of uno with him but he said "no" in a pathetic voice."I am just going to sit and watch them play"

Well Heike and Keiko, we are selling the red car. It is in need of some repairs that we are not interested in doing so it needs to go. Amazingly it was sold after being on craigslist for 2 hours. We are now officially a two car family, we have not been one of those for 6years! woohoo! Pat seemed a little sad but cheered up when he realized he can drive the black car now. Now I am sad! Later in the afternoon Pat went to get in the silver car and it did not start. I said, you know now that we only have 2 cars we are going to have more car troubles. After some investigation we learned that Pat (likely) left the car running in the garage until it ran out of gas. I guess he is not use to a normal sounding car!.Yes, that sign says "I hat you mom!" Jamison was not happy with something I said...so he marched to the table and made this sign. I think it is suppose to say "hate" and when I asked to take a picture of him he smiled so I dont think that he really believes it. I think that is when he is a pre-teen. This is what 500sqft of hard wood floors looks like in your living room. The delivery guy would not bring it to the attic so he put it in the living room. The Badger contractor dude offered to come over and help carry it up...so we did it. Man! it is heavy. and all for a homemade cookie.

So, attic update....Yesterday at 7am (to our surprise) the electrician came to hook up all the outlets and subpanel and Pat is finishing the subfloor today! Now we wait for the floors to acclimate and then early June they go it!! Woohoo!

Mothers Day

Mothers Day....I think there are two possible "perfect" Mothers Day senarios.

1- Me, spa, coffee, no kids.
2-A day of fun with my favorite boys in the world.

Well, I got #2, sweetened with doughnuts from KwikTrip! A healthy way to start our day.(and they tasted yummy!see the vitamin! I had to make sure the boys got their vitamins!). The boys and I went back out the Gov Dodge State Park to continue our hike that was cut short last week with a crash in the woods. It was a little cool but the sun was sure nice to see. It has been miserably cold and rainy so it was nice to get out and moving around. We hit Pine Cliff Trail that followed along this pretty lake. (again, i dont know what is with the poses). This picture give a new meaning to "bug up your butt". Peter was messing with his pant the whole hike. they were down, then up. It finally stopped when I pointed out some poison ivy and I thought it would be terribly uncomfortable to have poinson ivy on your privates. Photo op, Jamison took this one and told us to make funny faces! The first hike was

miles and the boys did great! There were even a lot of hills. When we were headed out I saw a sign for some waterfalls and we had to stop and check them out. Stephens Falls. Once there the boys got a second wind and we explored that area. Shimmied across logs. And pretended that we were turtles that were startled when someone sat on us. The Day was not complete until we rode bikes and hit the icecream shop. Perfect Mothers Day! Thanks boys. (Maybe the spa next year?)

Attic Update-

So how fun is to to carry 16 sheets of plywood up to the attic?

It is not fun at all. Thankfully the neighbor was around to help lift them to the second story porch (i requested a third set of hands because Pat's life insurance policy it not large enough for me to live on) and then we could move it in from there. As you can see the walls are painted and Pat is working on laying the subfloor. Again...we can not say this enought, we are soooooo happy we hired out most of this. Things always take longer than what you think they will. The color....Palm Oasis. Sadly though it looks a lot like Burlap and Chic Beige, two other colors I have already put in the house. I will probably paint the Chic Beige room a different color once all of this nonsense settles down. Hard wood floors are to be delivered on tuesday...and then we can rest and wait....or shop and figure out our trim/door situation. Woohoo! It is coming along nicely!

school field trip/ three step program

I can admit it....i hate cows or any other large hooved smelly animal with big teeth, long tongues and slobbery mouths. I never knew how much until I was in the middle of a stampede in India. The boys had a field trip to a dairy farm so I thought that if I volunteered to go along I could work through my fears. "hey lady, i am going to poop on you!" says cowFirst stop....milking house. the place where my fears were re-solidified. Pungent smell, large hooves and poop flying everywhere! Literally! One cow pooped on another cow and it splattered everywhere! Ms Hurley (one of the other K teachers and of course wearing white) got the worst of it...but we still had to wipe poo off of the kids. I could relate to the poor cows....i had nursing flashbacks. I was not the only one that was bothered by the "fresh air" Poor Owen plugged his nose for the entire time. Miss Casper's class...."say cheese!" The dairy farm had a little cow salon! this one was getting a pedicure. The class was even able to see a cow that was just 2 hours old. At that age cows are almost cute. Most kids enjoyed feeding them....i know the cows were interested in eating! Not sure if this trip to the dairy farm helped me with my fear of large hooved animals, but it was fun to go on a field trip with Jamison and interact with some kids in his class. My next chaperon activity with be with Peter in a couple weeks and it will not be to a farm. Maybe next year I will sign up for the trip to the pumpkin patch. Less stinky and less stressful.

fishing opener widow-weekend with mom

Fishing opener. The weekend where Pat goes up north, sits on a boat with a pole in his hand and a whiskey in the other and if a fish actually bites he might actually pull it in. So the boys and I headed to Gov Dodge State park to scope out cool hikes for our huge camping weekend with friends later in the summer. This rock formation was a site where early people would winter. Boys could not imagine spending the winter there. In the spring water would pour over the edge, as it was when we were hiking. Mom, watch your feet! Not sure if the boys were trying not to slip or practicing for their senior pictures. Peter likes keeping his hair in his eyes. It is starting to drive me bonkers. Could also be a senior picture. This is the expression your child has when he starts to slide off of a rock right when you are about to take a picture. According to Peter, he had the best time ever! until he lost control while running down a hill, trips and face planted onto the trail. We stopped at the ranger station to get the mud out of the cuts and get him cleaned up before heading home. Pat took Wini, so we took the opportunity to eat in front of the tv..."haha Wini, you cant eat our food!""Look at me" says Jamison..."I am even walking away from my dinner and I am not afraid that Wini is going to steal it!" We even broke out some crafts...havent done these in a while!

Pat reported that they did catch some fish but ate them for breakfast. Lets hope he catches more and bring them home. Nothing is better than fresh walleye from the lake!