My Brother and Me

It is clearly no secret I am thoroughly convinced my kids are THE most darling creatures on the face of this earth. Amazingly enough, Nathan and Anna managed to reach a whole new level of adorable when Anna, realizing that Nathan planned to curl up with a favorite movie, toddled over and plopped her little diapered butt next to him. Nathan responded by tossing his arm around her and the two sat transfixed, sharing a cuddle and movie. I, of course, scrambled for the camera and managed to snap this picture. There is no love like sibling love.

The S blog will likely remain quiet for a while. School is starting this Monday which means that, for a while, I will have very little time for recreational computer use.

Isaac is also starting kindergarten on Monday, attending online via my current employer. Jesse and I are really looking forward to working with him. Nathan asks on a daily basis if he has the same teacher as Isaac, he just does not seem to accept that Isaac is starting "real" school and he is not. We plan to keep him as involved as possible, no harm in his getting a head start.

Our (Isaac's and my) school has a yearly Fall picnic during which we will snap a few pictures of him with his new teacher. He has met her twice and he loves her.

Updates if/when events warrant. Love to all!

S Family Late Night Jam Session

Sorry the lighting is so bad.

Surfacing...

Why hello there! Liz, we are not dead. You were spot on when you guessed that we walked away from every phone and computer within a 12 mile radius.

The S Family completed a rather grueling 8 days during which the kids endured much babysitting, I drove 4 hours a day, we ate more fast food than we want to remember and saw very, very little of each other. This past week capped off a month during which every weekend included an obligation away from home. Convinced that we deserved a break, we decided to take a few days and get out of town, away from jobs, computers, phones, etc. and just relax and spend time together.

Considering that we had only two days to work with, travel too far from home was not logistically possible. Instead we opted to enjoy some of the lovely scenery of our beloved home state. Honestly, we love living here and it was nice to be reminded why.

We took the boys hiking and for a trip on a scenic railroad. They LOVED both activities. Previously our trips with the boys have been marked by significant griping and complaining about the heat and how hungry they are and how much they just want to go home. Regardless of the excitement they express prior to the event, they never seem to enjoy it much once we arrive. I am not sure of the explanation for this phenomenon. Perhaps they were too young? Well whatever the reason, they thoroughly enjoyed this extended weekend.

I FINALLY got around to purchasing the Ergo Carrier that I have wanted for Anna. I could have mail ordered 24 of them by now, but for some reason I never got around to it. Fortunately, a retailer that sells this item was conveniently located on the way to our hiking trail.

If you have a child who weighs 40 pounds or less and either walks very slow or has a tendency to wander, frequently need to take that child with you on your daily excursions and desperately need both hands free at the same time, I highly recommend an Ergo. It weighs almost nothing and is very comfortable. I LOVE IT!

I have included a slide show of our activities. Please forgive the unsolicited and somewhat biased commentary that I am sure you will notice.

We are BACK!

Did you miss us? We missed you.

Despite two power outages today, we actually have Internet again! I am completely ashamed to admit that I got a LOT of things accomplished around here when I could not be online. Clearly I spend too much time online. {Cherith hangs head in shame.}

This past weekend was one of the last semi-free weekends that the S Family has for the next few weeks. We decided to make the most of our time and visited a few local attractions. Below you will find several slide shows and videos. I solemnly swear that no animals were harmed in the taking of these pictures.

In case you are wondering, I have been very thoroughly lectured regarding the germy aspect of reptiles. I figure as long as no one licks a snake and they wash their hands afterwards they are safe. Life is too short to not pet a 9 foot Burmese Python or have an Australian Tree Snake around your neck, don't you think?

Tree Climbing and Petting Zoo

Renaissance Festival

Isaac on the bungee jump (Of course I forgot that if I turn the camera sideways I get sideways videos. Send me those chiropractor bills folks!)


Nathan on the bungee jump

Ghetto Blocks

Two days of continuous downpour have forced us to get a bit creative in the way we entertain ourselves. Behold the S family tribute to recycling. We call it, "Mount S." Creative, aren't we?

Fortunately the sun is shining today and the boys have been playing outside since the moment they woke up.

In case you are wondering, I am now squirting a liquid antihistamine directly into my eyes. I attended a work function yesterday, numerous co-workers were forced to seek refuge from the horror of having to look me directly in the eye. A vendor actually swatted my hand while ordering me to stop touching my eyes. I know it is awful people, I am doing the best I can, really.

Nathan's eye has turned some fascinating shades of purple. Perhaps tomorrow I shall amuse you by posting side by side pics of our gruesome eyeballs.

Bon Appetit

Is it June yet? Is it? No really, is it? I have lost all track of time. Day or night, Friday, Tuesday, Sunday, it really does not matter. I AM SO TIRED. Someone give me a swift kick when June gets here and make sure that I actually sit up and pay attention.

Why did I start this entry? I am pretty sure I intended to accomplish something other than to gripe about my busy life. Oh yes, to tell you about our one day off this week.

Long ago, our playgroup swore a solemn oath that we would NEVER visit the zoo on a Friday in late May. It has been such a rough year and such a busy Spring that we have not had much of a chance to get the kids together, so on Friday we all threw caution to the wind and met for a day at the zoo.

Ok, it was probably a mistake. We did had fun despite the huge crowds AND we only lost Nathan 3 times. That may just be a record. Have I ever told you about the time he fell head first into the sea lion enclosure and had to be rescued by Ms Wendy? No? Well that was pretty much the whole story. They now have his picture posted with a caption that reads something along the lines of, "If you see this child coming, pour rubber cement on the ground outside of every animal enclosure so that he cannot climb in." Nathan, God love him, is a complete menace at the zoo.

He capped off this particular trip by parking himself in front of me and very proudly announcing that he just ate a rolly polly olly. Yes that does mean what you fear it might mean and he had the leftover chunks in his teeth to prove it. I am not sure what possesses this lovable little boy of mine to eat the little creepy crawlies that he encounters, but he actually does this fairly frequently. Usually he eats ants. This also probably explains why we have to beg him to eat more than 2 bites of food at any given meal.

So, all you wise and experienced moms out there, what IS a mom to do? I honestly do not think that this habit will hurt him, but I would prefer that he refrain from consuming arachnids and insects unless he is A. starving or B. a contestant on Survivor.

I put together a little slide show of our day for your viewing pleasure. Overall we had a great day and I am very glad that we made the time.

Have a great weekend!

PS Is anyone else suffering their Spring allergies more intensely than usual? My eyes feel like they are on fire, my whole face itches so badly I could scratch until I hit bone and I am getting very tired of blowing my nose. I am so uncomfortable I want to swig a bottle of Benadryl and sleep for 3 days, which is generally what happens when I take Benadryl. I suppose I COULD visit my doctor and ask for some allergies med, but that seems like a LOT of effort at the moment.

Resolution....of a sort

Not the kind of resolution where two sides actually agree on anything, mind you. We are talking about more of a Matrix 3 kind of resolution, where both sides agree to end the bloody battle but neither side really gives into the other. A temporary resolution at best.

Crud, did that Matrix 3 reference just cement your impression of me as a hopeless nerd? Liz, are you shuffling through new friend cover letters and resumes as I type?

Ah well, what will be will be I suppose.

WHAT am I talking about?

Why I am talking about the Qdoba vs. Chipotle debate of COURSE! Don't you feel silly now?

For the record, I like both but I do not think they are the same thing. I love that Chipotle is moving towards organic ingredients and in general I really do just like the food. We dined there this evening, in fact, simply because I had a craving for that oh-so-Chipotlicious flavor.

Lately, however, I find my self opting for Qdoba more often, simply because their menu is more diverse. I like having options, what can I say?

So there you have it, an end to the bloody battle.

Who are our tragic heroes in this fight, you may ask? Our Neo and our Trinity? Um...I have no idea, I am not that creative. Someone else will have to work that out.

Per Jesse's suggestion, the Qdoba vs. Chipotle poll shall end and a new poll shall begin. So start thinking, which spring/summer sequel are you most anticipating ? Spider Man 3? Pirates of the Caribbean 3? Harry Potter 5? Shrek 3? Die Hard 4? I am aware that there are other movies to choose from, but these are the top pics in my mind. Vote for your favorite in the latest S Family Chronicles Poll!!

In other news, my darling little angels are driving me absolutely crazy. They are clearly all infected with a virus that causes them to not listen, to beat on each other mercilessly and to talk back constantly. I am hard at work on the cure for this illness and will let you know as soon as I have it. Thus far nothing has yielded satisfactory results.

This evening found me so incredibly distraught with their behavior that I attempted self medication with leftover Easter candy. I would have quite enjoyed myself, but for the fact that my chocoholic 12 month old daughter snubbed the organic, freeze dried apples and strawberries I offered and insisted that SHE be allowed to feast on leftover Easter chocolate. I ask you, what child in their right mind would turn down organic, freeze dried apples and strawberries in favor of chocolate??? CLEARLY she is not well.

While we are on the topic of Anna's behavior, can someone please explain when/why she turned from a cooing, contented, when-all-my-basic-needs-are-met-life-is-golden infant into a fit throwing pre-toddler? I tell you people, this girl can pitch a fit with the best of them. I am not talking about fits because she is hungry and I cannot get her a snack right at that moment. I am talking about, mom I want your cell phone and by God I want it RIGHT NOW! fits. When, tell me when and why, tell me WHY did she make this change? I love her to pieces, really I do, but this new stage is a bit trying.

I suppose that is all the complaining I can and should do this evening. Stay tuned for video of our loony cats and shameless solicitation. You are excited now, I know you are. You can't fool me.

Lovely Spring Sunday

How happy is the S clan that the weather is FINALLY warm and dry? Take a look at the slide show below and judge for yourself. The evening was supposed to end with a trip to our favorite ice cream spot, but a chilly wind kicked up and we were forced to retreat to our natural habitat.

A question for all you experienced moms out there. How long to you allow the thoughtfully collected cups and glasses full of weed flower bouquets that your children have bestowed upon you sit around? I just cannot bring myself to get rid of them until they are quite old and dried out, but I am just a tad tired of having cups full of mud and sneeze inducing weeds sitting around the house. The fact that I accidentally knocked one over on the formerly fabulous purse that Rachael brought me from New York has NOTHING to do with my asking of this question. Really, it doesn't. sniffle whimper

PS Esther is not nearly as grumpy as she appears in that last pic. I just caught her at a bad moment.

PPS Anna does appear to be feeling better today. She is still quite rashy and moderately fussy, but her appetite for solid food has improved, thank goodness. We will visit with the doctor and get a new antibiotic prescrip tomorrow.