{a gerard-ism}

Gerard: "Why do we have to pay for that?"
Us: "Because nothing in this world is free."
Gerard: "Are things free in other worlds? Like on Mars?"

{independence day festivities}

On July 3 we went to a Balloon Launch and festival. It was pretty much a bust. It was too windy so the balloons didn't launch. We never did find the monster truck rides for Gerard. Most of the rides were not appropriate for little kids, especially toddlers. The food was greasy. But on a positive note, we did get to see lots of trashy people and carni folk!

Since Gerard was pretty disappointed in the whole thing we told him we'd get ice cream on the way home. That was nearly a bust, too -- we have never seen so many mosquitoes in one place! We quickly got our ice cream and raced back to the car to eat. Have you ever seen a 2-year-old eat a chocolate ice cream cone in a carseat? Not a pretty sight.

Any memories of the disappointment from the 3rd of July were quickly erased on the 4th.






After the obligatory pictures we walked to the parade where the kids joined their friends on the curb to collect candy.

After that we had lunch and took naps (except for little Gerard, of course) and then went across the street for standard July 4th dinner fare -- tacos. Tacos? Yes, a potluck taco bar with friends and neighbors. Very American of us, right?

Then we took the kids to their first fireworks show over the lake. Gerard LOVED it. He was almost as loud as the fireworks.
"Oh! Look at that one!"
"Oh! That one is gigantic!"
"Did you see that one?"
"Wow! That's loud!"
"Did you hear that one?" (No, we almost didn't hear that one OVER YOUR LOUD VOICE!)

Morgan was prepared for the loud booms, but ended up being pretty scared at first. She even wanted to go home. But once we gave her her paci and blankie (with which she covered most of her face) she actually enjoyed herself. She, too, did running commentary:
"Oh! Loud boom!"
"Oh, purple one!"
"Oh! pink one!"
"I like the pink one!"
"One more time!"

We have Aunt Debbie to thank for all the pictures. Of course that means she wasn't in any of them. I'll be sure to take some of her today!

{ten}

TEN years we've been married.

NINE cars.

EIGHT jobs.

SEVEN states we've visited with the kids.

SIX homes we've lived in since we've known each other.

FIVE computers.

FOUR trips to the emergency room.

THREE Presidents in office.

TWO wonderful children.

ONE wonderful life.

Happy anniversary, Gerard!

{bed hopping}

I've always been proud of the fact that both my kids do very well at bedtime. Besides the occasional argument about getting pajamas on or brushing teeth or why we should read THAT BOOK for the EIGHT HUNDREDTH TIME in 3 days, both Gerard and Morgan look forward to bedtime. It's our time to read together, cuddle, and talk about the day. And usually they both fall asleep immediately after we leave their rooms.

There are nights, however, when things don't go quite as planned. Last night was one of those times. I think Gerard was just overly excited that Aunt Debbie was here and he was probably a little full from dinner (we went to Red Lobster) but he just couldn't fall asleep. He came downstairs several times with a variety of excuses. He was hot. He was cold. He couldn't get comfortable. He was hungry (yeah? I don't think so). His stuffed duck broke (how does a stuffed animal break?) It bothered him to close his eyes. That was a new one.

After his parade up and down had finally stopped and it was quiet upstairs, I went to check on him. Much to my utter horror, this is what I found:

I nearly had a heart attack when he wasn't in his bed! I looked around and found him sleeping peacefully in my bed.

He certainly made himself comfortable. He brought in his own pillow and blankie but strangely enough he still used one of ours to sleep on.

Our motto has always been KIDS SLEEP IN THEIR OWN BEDS. Once you start letting them sleep in your bed they have trouble sleeping in their own. So while it might not seem so weird to some that he was in my bed, it was a total shock to me.

Luckily Morgan went right to sleep, as usual, and slept like an angel (until 6:30am, that is). Can you find her in there with all her stuffed animals?

{revised recipe}

Updated popsicle recipe:

Cut up any kind of fruit. Throw it in the blender ignoring the kids’ screaming that SHE GOT STRAWBERRIES LAST TIME! I WANT BANANAS! NO I WANT MANGOES!

Add two heaping tablespoons of plain, low-fat yogurt. Scoop yogurt and throw into blender while screaming IF YOU TWO DON’T CUT IT OUT YOU’LL BE HAVING CHICKEN POPSICLES!

Add milk. Do not let your 5 1/2-year-old attempt to pour from a new, heavy gallon container of milk. Not enough milk will land in the blender.

Blend while you’re mopping up the spilled milk.

Taste. Add honey if necessary. Wonder if your kids will get sweeter if you pour honey directly into their mouths.

Blend again so the kids won’t hear you cursing under your breath.

Pour mixture into strainer. Press mixture through strainer with the back of a spoon. Press hard, to take out any aggression you may have.

Pour mixture into 3 of the 4 popsicle molds. Add rum to the remaining mixture and drink.

Place popsicles into freezer. Remind kids AGAIN that NO, THE POPSICLES AREN’T READY 2 MINUTES AFTER THEY GO IN THE FREEZER. NO THEY ARE NOT READY 3 MINUTES LATER EITHER.

Take a nap.


AS AN ASIDE, AND ON A GOOD NOTE: I ran another mile today! Yay me!

{paaaarty!}

Aunt Debbie is coming. Aunt Debbie is coming. Aunt Debbie is coming!

{the park}

Last day of tennis today. Gerard was totally in his element -- they played a game that Coach C. called "tennis hockey" and Gerard loved being the goalie. Of course Morgan loved throwing the tennis balls all over the place.

After tennis we went to the park for our regular Wednesday playdate. Morgan is absolutely fearless, which terrifies me. Luckily, she's also very coordinated so she really can handle the various steps/stairs/ladders/slides/etc. I'm actually much more comfortable with her on the playsets than I was with Gerard at this age. She is also very happy in the sandbox which makes me very happy since her feet are planted firmly on the ground.

Of course, Gerard is happiest with Maddie. Aren't they cute?