Where's My Dollar?

Background: Whenever my mom sends the boys a card in the mail (Valentine's Day, Halloween, etc.), she includes a one dollar bill. We have many bills saved up in the cupboard. Grandma essentially paid for all of Evan's "Dollar Dress Days" last year at school.

Fast Forward: Two nights ago we received Evan's "Welcome to Kindergarten" letter in the mail. I let Evan open the letter, and I read it out loud to him. It was inviting us to the Open House to pick out his cubby and meet his teacher.

After I read the letter, Evan waved the paper around and looked in the envelope. Finally he looked at me and said, "Where's my dollar?"

Thanks Grandma! The kid now thinks all mail includes dollars. Don't I wish!

New Family Members

We have some new family members. Evan is the proud owner of five new fish. He named them Wennie, Sharkely, Zuna, Inky, and Carly. Don't ask me. I'm just the messenger.


We purchased the 10-gallon tank the day before. The water needed to warm up before we bought fish. We headed back to Pet Extreme last night to buy our new family members. We allowed Evan to hold the bag o' fish while Dad got the tank ready.


We had to let the bag of fish sit in the tank for 20 minutes before we actually opened it to set them free into their new environment.


Time's up. Ready or not, here is your new home!


I think you can see Carly and Wennie. Or is that Inky and Zuna? Hmmm. I'm not sure I can tell them apart just yet!


The lid goes on, and the bubbles come down.


This is pretty much all the interaction Evan is going to get with the new family members. We didn't have a choice but to put the tank up very high. The shortest Forcey has an exceptional knack for climbing and reaching things we never thought he'd reach. So for now, the fish tank and its inhabitants are nestled above the t.v. next to the DVR, DVD, and computer server until Hudson can learn to keep his sticky little hands off it.

I hope our new family members are feeling at home. I would hate to think they are homesick for Pet Extreme. I think the little fake plants help to liven the place up a bit. It adds just the right touch of whimsy. I'm sure we'll all be best pals in no time!

Love

I took a moment to remind myself of how precious these two little guys are to me. These two faces are the most important things in the world. They are love speaking to me out loud.


I know I have been grouchy and impatient with them lately. I look at these amazing gifts from God, and I know how blessed I am to have them be a part of my life. I want to be a better mommy.


I want them to know how much I love them. I would do anything to protect them. They own a part of my heart that is forever changed because of them.

Love.

A Nap Does a Mommy Good

I took a two hour nap today. I knew I was tired, but I don't think I realized I was THAT tired!

We were all up early, went to church, bought a fish tank, had lunch, and then Hudson went down for a nap. I told Evan I was tired so I was going to go lay down in my bed while Eric had to go run some errands. Evan and Spongebob hung out until Eric got home.

I got sucked into a Lifetime movie about identity theft, and before I knew it, I was sawing zzz's. Even if I am tired, I don't usually take a nap. I don't really like taking long naps because they leave me groggy and grumpy. Even though I woke up groggy, I also woke up feeling better.

I just haven't been feeling that great for the past few days. I know when I drop off to sleep like that, my body is trying to tell me something.

Anyhow, I was much less frustrated today as compared to yesterday. A nap did this mommy good.

Off Limits

I have had it. I am sick of tripping over toys, clothes, and shoes left behind in OUR bedroom by the two young people who live in this house. I am tired of pulling Hudson out of our bathroom because he is once again in the toothpaste and the water. I am aggravated each time I have to yank Hudson out from the corner of the desk area and grab the phone from his hand. I'm done.

I tripped over a light saber and fell on my butt as I was trying to drag Hudson out from behind my desk chair. I said bad words. Then I cried. My toes and my rear hurt.

From now on, our room is a no-kid zone. To reinforce our point, I put the gate up so the small ones can't get in. They have been standing there for the past 20 minutes irritating each other. They have a play room. Why won't they use it?

I doubt I'll actually stick to this ban, but for right now, I am mad enough to mean every word.

This Bought Me 15 Minutes of Peace

Hudson was the one to drag the chair to the sink and start playing in the water. Evan soon joined in the fun.


At this point, they were still playing together nicely.


It looks like they are starting to get tired of "sharing" the water.


They came to a truce...each to his own side of the sink.


Dare I say it? A moment of brotherly love? I will say that I just LOVE Hudson's little legs poking out of his diapers. It's all I can do not to pinch those little chubs!

Shortly after this shot, water play had to be shut down on account of bad sportmanship. It gave me approximately 15 minutes of peace while it lasted.

Morning Snuggle

Hudson actually woke up in a good mood. And he was willing to drink his milk from a sippy cup. I think I'm onto something with this kid...I'm started to only give him COLD milk. Evan STILL requests his milk "heated." Grrr.


Oh, hello Bandit. I didn't see you sleeping there under the pillow with your funny doggy hairdo.


Bandit is trying to figure out how to run for his life. In the past, Hudson has not proven to be the most gentle of pet lovers. He tends to hug Bandit around the neck - tightly!

After this warm and fuzzy moment, I took both kids to go bowling with the summer school class. Hudson was a pain. Evan decided to dress himself in two t-shirts and two pairs of socks. I knew about the shirts. I didn't know about the socks. Then he got hot. We took off the extra clothing. This kid is killing me with his clothing choices.


This is how Hudson spent his time at the bowling alley. He was attached to my legs, grunting to be picked up. Constantly. Made it hard for me to bowl. I managed a 100 on my first game, but sucked and got an 87 on my second game. I blame it on Hudson. Who can bowl with that face hanging out at your knees?


Evan looking weird. He managed to bowl a 103, beating the 5th grader, the 4th grader and the 2nd grader on his little bowling team.

And those are the only bowling pictures I managed to take. Thank for that also, Hudson, you needy little thing.

After bowling, the boys and I ran to Costco to get gas. I gave Evan the choice of McDonald's or Costco for lunch. He chose Costco. Saved me some money, and I didn't have to endure Playland. Darn, because I was sooooo wanting to sit at Playland. Then we came home for mandatory quiet time. I like MQT. I NEED MQT. Evan and I snuggled and watched SpongeBob. Hudson slept. Then he woke up.

The boys also spent several minutes splashing in the kitchen sink, but I'll save those photos for tomorrow.