Vacation at the Ranch

My dear friend Danielle invited us to her little corner of heaven for a brief city respite. I have never seen the kids so dirty or so happy.

When do they hand out the cards?

I should be a CARD CARRYING GENIUS, let me tell you. Today, in a rush to get out of the house, I quickly popped the top off the cat box and gave it a quick cleaning. I put the top back on and hurried out the door to meet a friend for lunch.

We arrived back home to the foul and alarming scent of kitty poo and discovered that one of our beloved felines had soiled the family room area rug.

Grrrrrrrr....

Let me just say, I LOVE our cats. They have been wonderful pets since the day we brought them home. However, I LOATHE kitty excrement where it does not belong. Few things turn my stomach and get my blood pressure racing like cleaning up after cats who go potty where cats should not.

I cleaned up the poo and searched the house for other spots but did find any. Thank God.

Relieved, I went downstairs to make sure the door to the bathroom was open as, really, our cats are not in the habit of relieving themselves anywhere other than their litter box. As I entered the bathroom I discovered a tell tail yellow spot in the middle of the bath mat. At this point my thoughts shifted from wondering about the cats' behavioral issues to wondering if there might be a medical issue as typically well trained cats really don't piddle right in front of their litter box without a pretty good reason.

I wondered, that is, until I checked the litter box and discovered that in my haste to get out the door this morning I put the lid on backwards with the opening snug against the wall. Poor cats. They never had a chance.

Sooo....the next time they hand out genius cards, please shoot me an e-mail because I will be FIRST in line.

In order to make this post about something other than kitty poo, I have included some pictures of the kids and their summer time fun. Today is technically the first non-weekend, non-school day and summer is already in full swing at the S house.

If you are a relative of mine, does this picture remind you of anyone?



















The ice cream cup cakes we ordered from Cold Stone for Nate and Anna's cancelled birthday party have been in the deep freeze ever since. Last night we decided it was time to crack those puppies open and let the kids at them. Frankly, after watching the kids work at them last night, I am GLAD we did not serve them at that party! WHAT A MESS!





















And finally, Anna, Daisy and the Wonder Pets curled up for a mid-day summer siesta.


















Love to all!

Last Day of School!

We attended Nathan's kindergarten continuation and field day for both boys today. They boys are please as can be with their academic accomplishments and rightly so.

The video is a little dark for my liking, but I didn't have much control over the lighting. Don't forget to pause the blog music before you hit play.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Anna's Financial Plan

Background information: Anna keeps any money given to her in a small, purple ceramic piggy bang.

A conversation:

Hey guys, tomorrow we are going to take Esther, Rachael and Nana to the airport so that can go visit Mary and Sammy.

Nathan: I want to go!

Cherith: I know honey but your kindergarten continuation and field day are also on Saturday and it costs a lot of money to fly on a plane. We will save up the money so that you can go some day soon.

Anna: I have a pig! There's money in my pig!

Gives a while new meaning to the phrase, "When pigs fly" doesn't it?

Love to all!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Favorite Mother's Day Memory

While waiting for the valet to bring our car after an afternoon at the baseball game:

Isaac (anxious and sad): Mommy, when is he going to bring our car? I'm feeling really homeless.

Don't worry honey, I LOVED the breakfast, dinner, roses and all the additional attention. THANK YOU!!!!

LOVE TO ALL!

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Sure Sign of Summer...

When the boys turn on a sprinkler and arrange it so that they get drenched while playing on the swings or slide, also resulting in mud holes and very odd grass lengths, as you can see from these pictures.



And now for Anna's Friday outfit selection. I am not sure what look she is rocking here, but I think it is pretty darn cute. She informed me that she chose the dress with the coat because they both have squares so they match! Unfortunately, this is the last we will ever see of these SUPER cute pink sneakers, a birthday gift from Aunt Rachael. Not 5 minutes after taking this picture, she ran out in the backyard, thank GOD she removed her coat which I LOVE, and within less than 2 minutes came back inside with dog poo all over her shoes, her dress and even her undies!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

I gloved up and made every effort to de-funk her shoes despite the gagging, but it was a lost cause.

sniffle

NEW RULE: Only hose safe shoes, ie Crocs, in the backyard.

Love to all and a VERY Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Can't Argue With That

Anna: Mommy! Mommy! My bottom is itchy! It itches mommy! Make it stop itching!

Me: Let me see honey. Oh goodness, you have some nasty eczema going on here.

Anna: My bottom itches! Make it stop!

Me: Ok, eczema-butt, just a second, I will get you some cream.

Anna (incredulously): I don't have eggs on my butt!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Fridays

In deference to Anna's fierce three year old desire to control everything about her life, I have agreed to allow her the privilege of picking out her own clothes every Friday. It's actually turned out to be kind of fun and it makes for GREAT pictures.

I was VERY doubtful about today's choices until I viewed the final ensemble. I actually think it sort of works...maybe.

I am not all that fond of this Old Navy dress, but she managed to dress it up so that I don't hate it. I do think she is going to freeze in this darling little yellow rain jacket, it is COLD today, but it was her choice so oh well.

Those blue boots are a size too big and are SUPPOSED to be on the, "save for next season" shelf. Hmmmm...

This morning Anna also informed me that she would NOT be washing her hair as it is HER day to pick out her clothes. She wanted one ponytail, NOT two. The result is a somewhat poofy effect since her hair was braided yesterday. Does allowing her to pick our her own clothes also extend to personal hygiene?????

Anyhow, happy Fri! Enjoy the pics!