Big Helper

Carter, the big helper, mopped the hardwood floors yesterday while I was trying to get Hayden to take a nap. I thought they seemed a little slicker than usual. It wasn't until Hayden slipped and fell for a second time that I asked Carter to show me what he used to mop the floor.

He said he used the mop and orange glo wood cleaner and polish. This would be similar to cleaning the floors with Pledge. The orange glo claims to melt away grease, grim, polish and wax build up. It also leaves a slippery clean surface. I bought it for cleaning our kitchen cabinets and it worked great. I highly recommend it for cleaning wood, however unless you want to spend weeks in traction with a broken back, do not use it on your floors.

Thankfully he didn't mop the stairs too!

UPDATE: I put on my gym shoes and walked across the floor. They now make that squeaky noise that makes me want to pull the hair out of my head. You know the noise, wet rubber sole shoes walking through the grocery store.....AAHHHH!!!!!! This is worse than fingernails on a chalkboard.

Spring Break

"Three boys, I wouldn't know what to do," the mother told me(she has one of each). She said they had the boy second and told her husband they were done, as if having a second or (God forbid) a third boy would be too much for anyone to handle. I am starting to take offense to this. Yes, boys are different and thank goodness they are! They are always in motion, have their occasional gassy outbursts, and things are just generally louder at our house but I have plenty of Tylenol and room spray.

I think you just have to embrace the difference and entertain them accordingly. This was our Spring Break:

Thursday and Friday: new sidewalk chalk, a newly paved cul-de-sac, scooters, basketball, bikes, bubbles, and law enforcement toys from the $1 store (yes, with guns and handcuffs...call me a rebel).

Monday: Carter opted for Cole's house over fun with mom. Griffin, Hayden and I went to Little Bigg Town for the morning. (I will post a side note about this later with my BBB report information.) Then home for a nap and a glass of wine. Griffin did a great job at swimming lessons. Noah, his instructor, is amazed at Griff's breaststroke, he is a natural! So we think we have a shot at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, we'll keep you posted.














Tuesday: We popped over to the swim and racquet club for a little tennis practice in the morning. We really can't wait for the pool to open. Carter was picked up and we headed to Salsa Brava for what would begin the "Nacho and Queso Tour." A fun show at the library, The Big Bad Wolf and a trip to Brushstrokes rounded out our day. Home for a glass of wine.











Wednesday: Our field trip to the Florissant Fossil Beds was great. It will be even better when we go back in the summer. There was still some snow up there and some of our footwear wasn't appropriate. The Hornbek homestead was interesting and it was a good place to run around and burn off some energy. We kept on Hwy 24 looking for food (nachos maybe?) but found Lake George Pizza. Yummy pizza, happy friendly staff..we highly recommend stopping by next time time you are heading west on 24.














Thursday: We hadn't been to the zoo in a while and took a trip out there on Thursday. The boys had a great time feeding the giraffes, visiting the penguins, and spending their Easter money (thanks Grandma Judy and Grandpa Jim) in the gift shop. The Nacho and Queso Tour continued on at the Loop in Manitou. Now I must say the service really stunk, they were understaffed and the waitress wasn't very friendly. We headed home for more bubbles for them and wine for mommy..











Friday: If it wasn't so chilly, meeting the burros would have been much more fun. We did have a good time at The Western Museum of Mining and Industry. There were pioneer games like marbles, pick up sticks, jacks. Plus the museum was very interesting, gold panning, a mine, miner clothes for dress up. We decided to join the museum now we can go visit anytime. The Nacho and Queso Tour continued at our house after a quick trip to Safeway. Carter said they were the best nachos all week.














My goal this week was to have the most fun for the least amount of money. The admission fees were only $13 (we are zoo members) until today when we bought a membership. The Nacho and Queso Tour was fun for the boys and less than 1 adult and 3 kids meals, yes we could have gone home or packed food but this was more FUN.

The moral of my "Three boys, I wouldn't know what to do" story is...FOOD and FUN, that's what you do with three boys.

Money well spent

1. A cd / dvd repair kit

2. Schoolhouse Rock DVD

The dvd was purchased years ago, scratched up and forgotten. I purchased the repair kit last week and it actually worked. Now we hear Hayden singing, "three is a magic number, 3, 6, 9...12, 15, 18.....21, 24, 27.....30." And, "I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill." Carter and Griffin sing along too, their favorites are The Preamble, The Shot Heard Round The World, and Interjections!

The first day all three sat on my bedroom floor and watched for an hour. Now they usually watch it in the car, taking turns picking their favorites and singing along. Yesterday we took a field trip (it is Spring Break) to the Florissant Fossil Beds, about 100 miles round trip. No bickering, no complaints, just happy singing boys..Three is a magic number!

If you are too young to remember, Schoolhouse Rock originally aired in the mid 70's on ABC in between Saturday morning cartoons. They are great little EDUCATIONAL videos. Can't find the DVD? There are lots of selections to view on youtube.

Chatty Cathy

Dear Chatty Cathy,

Before you explain to the cashier at Safeway why you are writing your check for $5 over, perhaps you should glance around, more specifically directly behind you, and notice the small "believers" with big ears.

I am so sorry that flying pixie who collects little incisors was not able to remember to drop by your place last night, but my children are now wondering why you needed the money. So please forgive me for throwing you and your family under the bus. I plan to explain that your child's teeth are rotten and the tooth fairy doesn't want them and you are acting like the tooth fairy so your child doesn't get a complex. Also, the fluffy bunny with the eggs doesn't think your child needs anymore candy. The bunny and flying pixie are very close you know. As for the fat guy, well sorry but you "mother of the year" are on the naughty list and he won't be dropping by so skip the cookies...Did I mention the rotten teeth?

So perhaps next time you open you chatty mouth you can take a peak around and see who might be listening. Believe it or not, yours are not the only children who lose teeth, look for eggs or try to get on the nice list.

Sincerely,
Mother of three boys with BIG ears

Bunny Funnies

What happened when five hundred hares got loose on Main Street?

The police had to comb the area.

Where do rabbits go after their wedding?

On their bunnymoon.

Why did the bald man put a rabbit on his head?

He needed the hare.

What do you call a chocolate Easter bunny that was out in the sun too long?

A runny bunny.

Why do rabbits go to the beauty parlor?

For hare care.

What do you do with a blue rabbit?

Cheer him up.

A rabbit and a duck went to a restaurant for dinner. Who paid?

The duck because he had the bill.

Why did the rabbit cross the road?

Because the chicken had his Easter eggs.


Happy Easter!!

St. Baldrick's

Carter has decided to shave his head for St. Baldrick's. Check this out

Don't worry, of course I will be posting "after" pictures here after the event.

Are you kidding me?

It was baby day at the pediatrican's office today. There were 6 infant carriers in the waiting room when we arrived for our 9 am appointment. While we were waiting, infant carrier #7 arrived. #7 was not happy to be in her carrier, her legs were kicking and she was very vocal about her lack of comfort. #7's mom finished checking in, sat down and took #7 out of her infant carrier.

Are you sitting down??


Then #7 proceed to walk around the waiting room. Umm hello, if your child can walk (or toddle) around the office, she is a toddler and probably too big for the infant carrier.

Maybe this is why she crys in it? #7 looked to be about 10 months or maybe a year old. Perhaps the pediatrican will enlighten this mother on rear facing child car seats. It took all my willpower not to say something.

Those Darn Keebler Elves

I got in a fight with a package of Keebler Fudge Sticks and lost. Can three little fudge sticks really be a serving?

Pinewood Derby

Griffin took home our family's first Pinewood Derby trophy this afternoon. 4th place overall. Good Job Griffin!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Sue

We had the traditional Italian dinner followed by lots of boy craziness. Susie and I are feeling very outnumbered now. We called Kaye and invited her to our mother's birthday party, but she was busy tonight. She is a good sport and I am sure she would have come if she could.

For those of you just joining us: Kaye = Dad's girlfriend and Mom passed away 2 1/2 years ago. Yup...we are kind of wacky.

Our little cousin

Hayden and I had a fun visit with Xander (and Aunt Susie and Uncle Alan) on Wednesday afternoon. Here are a few pictures.

Our new chalkboard

One thing I miss from the remodel of the boys' rooms is the giant chalkboard I made on the closet door. We all loved it but it had to go when the rooms were resized.

Tuesday afternoon I found a clearance frame at Hobby Lobby, went across the street to Home Depot for a cheapy piece of panel board wood and a can of black chalkboard spray paint. I had the Home Depot guy cut the wood to fit in the frame. When we got home I spray painted the wood, inserted it in the frame, attached picture hangers and found some chalk.

It has been non-stop fun since Tuesday afternoon. It has also been non-stop chalk dust, oh well.

He passed!!

Yes, for the first time ever Carter has passed the school district hearing screening. I must admit when I received the letter addressed "To the Parents of.." I was a little concerned we may have a disciplinary problem. But no it was just the results from the hearing screening.

Carter has been plagued with ear problems; infections, 3 sets of tubes, adenoid removal, tonsil removal. Every year we get the "further testing is needed" letter and head off to the ENT. Yippee, could we finally be over these problems?

My trip down memory lane

Hayden and I found ourselves at the grocery store again today. One full cart later we were ready to check out. I mutter in disgust as Albertson's has only one lane open, I begin scanning to make eye contact with an employee. I notice the checker as she is picking up the phone for help, she looks at me and hangs up the phone, "oh no, you're staying in my lane."

OMG, it is Robin. Robin who I have known since I was ten. Robin who worked for my Dad forever. She was like part of the family. Robin who watched Susie and I when my parents were called away (and took us to see Risky Business). Robin was at every birthday party, graduation, wedding, etc. She picked me up from school in 7th grade when I wore white pants on the worst possible day. She (and Donna) did my hair and make-up for 9th grade prom. Sometimes she let me steer her car when we were driving, no I wasn't 16 yet. She had the coolest apartment in an old house downtown. She gave me my most used high school graduation gift (dictionary and thesaurus). She was the cool adult that we loved hanging out with.

As I get closer in the line she looks at me and says, "You look just like your mother, I could not see you for 50 years and I would still recognize you." I was recently thinking I am looking more like mom too, so it was weird to have this confirmed. (FYI this Friday would have been Mom's 65th birthday.)

We talk for a while as she carefully scans each item. Robin was always a talker, this is a good, social job for her. We catch up on each other's families and how long it has been. Wow, she is going to be 50 this year, Eddie's a freshman, I can't believe Carter is 10. I start thinking how weird it is to have once been so close to someone and to have completely lost touch. It was good to see her, we hug and say goodbye.

As we are driving home I am doing the math. Robin, that cool adult was only 11 years older than me. So when I was in 7th grade, she was 23? She was closer in age to me than my mother? She seemed so much older when I was a teenager.

Next time I'm going to Safeway..Just kidding!

Ooops, bad mommy

Earlier this week......

We were driving down Woodmen Road (on the east side of I-25) during rush hour, enough to test me on a normal day. I let it slip how I thought the intellectually handicap driver in front of us was prohibiting our forward momentum. OK fine, "I can't go because of this stupid idiot in front of us" might have been what I said. Hayden, the little darling (read...parrot) was apparently listening.

Fast forward to this morning...

Hayden is running into preschool at our CHURCH when he says......"I can't run because of this stupid idiot in front of me." Oops..BAD MOMMY. Luckily the little cherub in front of him didn't hear, his father may have though. Again..oops.

Yes, it was bad, but it could have been a lot worse. And Sir, I think your little darling is very smart.

A good read

I am reading a great book; A Real Basket Case by Beth Groundwater.

Not only is it a captivating mystery, it was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. The story is based in Colorado Springs, there are references to Uncle Wilbur's fountain, Garden of the Gods, La Baguette, etc. And it was written by one of our friends from church. If you are looking for a great book to read, this is the one for you.

We are so happy for Beth's success and wish her the very best of luck with her future novels. Congratulations Beth!

The gimmees

Hayden and I made a brief trip to the grocery store. Upon entering the store we were immediately infected with a case of the gimmees. You know, "give me this," "give me that." In his defense it was nap time and I really shouldn't have expected this quick trip to go smooth. I figured we should record the little song we sing anytime we get the gimmees. It works wonders, everyone (for aisles) ends up laughing. Check it out here.

Snow (?) Fun

Me: Did you have fun sledding?

Them: Well, there wasn't enough snow so we went "mud sledding."




I think we need two washers, one for the boys and one for the grownups. YUCK!

Isn't she lovely

Wow, who is this cute little girl? What a fun ponytail....

Oh wait....That's Griffin needing a haircut. He says he isn't cutting it, oh kids these days...

New curtains....FINALLY

On Saturday my annoyance with my sewing machine (and the Hancock Fabrics lady) was lessened by my increasing annoyance with not having curtains.

I fell in love with the fabric, but it was only available sheer. The Hancock Fabrics lady told me I could do lined curtains, she even told me how she would do it....My gut said no, you can't do that. But, I loved the fabric and decided to give it a try.

I started this curtain project about 2 months ago, that means for 1/6 of the year I have not had curtains. I cut them all out and got started. I messed up the first one by attaching the liner to the bottom, they hung funny. AARRGHHH. I didn't like the way the next two came out either.. I called Hillary, she came over for whine and wine.

I had one set hanging in the living room (I needed two there), several empty curtain rods in the rest of the house, but also the old curtains on a few windows. I threw the new fabric in the top of the closet and we have lived like that for the last two months.

I finally could not deal with it anymore. I had tried shopping for curtains, but I love, love, love the fabric I bought. I tried again. The boys were out with scouts and friends so I could concentrate. The entire day was spent making 6 more curtains. They turned out pretty good, not perfect. But they look a lot better than the no curtain look we had going.

My bright idea of the day was when I ran out of white liner, remember the set I messed up two months ago? I stepped over the race car bed in the living room (it is listed on craigslist, I really thought it woud sell by now and get out of my living room) and saw the cream crib sheet I planned to give away. I cut out the elastic and used it as the liner for the last set of curtains.

I also cut the messed up set in half and made two pillows. I was out of fiberfill so I cut open a toss pillow from the old color scheme and used that filling. Yippee for me.

I celebrated my success with some Pinot Noir, thanks Hancock Fabrics lady for making me challenge myself. I hope I do not have to make curtains again for a while.