Intentional Injuries

What is it with band aids? My kids will do anything to get one of those stinky pieces of sticky plastic on their bodies. That becomes a problem when we actually need a band aid and have wasted them all on non injuries. We've been out for a while and I finally remembered to buy some yesterday because I've gotten tired of raiding the first aid kit in the van every time there's a band aid emergency.

The kids were so excited. I didn't give into the Sponge Bob band aids or anything fancy. Though, I might've if they had a little absorbant pad that actually sucked up blood and they didn't leave nasty film behind that takes forever to come off.

Belle managed to get a scratch a few minutes after we got home. She picked a blue band aid. About five seconds later she told me that a bee stung her. While we were in the house. With all the doors and windows shut. Hmmm. Five seconds later she "fell." Five minutes later she'd had enough. She asks, "Actually, mommy, can you just hurt me?" WHAT?! At that point I gave in and let her have a band aid for her non injury.

Neato toys

Last month I won a Balancing Monkeys toy (which I can't seem to link) from Plan Toys via GoodyBlog. That's my first win. Not as exciting as a trip for two to Hawaii, but the kids have had a blast fighting over playing with the monkeys.

Plan Toys is a green toy company. Their toys are made out of old rubber trees that would otherwise be cut and burned. The toys are made in their own factories, giving them control of the materials and processes used to make them.

If you're in the market for some non toxic toys made by an environmentally friendly company, check them out. They have some really fun stuff!!

The 90s are back

It's not summer according to the calendar, but according to the sweat drenching my shirt, the humidity making it tough to breathe and the fact that school is out - it's definitely summer. I've been dreading the 90s since they left last year. Damn 90s. Actually, it's not really the 90s' fault. It's more humidity's fault. Without humidity the 90s wouldn't be so bad. Those two are in one of those troubled, unhealthy relationships. Thank goodness it only lasts for a few months. But they always seem to get back together. Therapy. Maybe they should try therapy.

In an effort to keep myself the kids from going bonkers this summer, I decided to sign the girls up for the summer reading program with the public library. Ava has to read for 15 hours (doesn't that seem like a lot?!) and Belle has to have 25 books read to her. In perfect Ava fashion, we came home from the library that first day and Ava read for over two hours. When she was at 02:57:53 (she's using the stopwatch on my cell phone to keep track of her time) I told her to go ahead and fill in three hours' worth of reading time. That caused a humongo melt down. She can't lie about how long she's read. So, maybe this is going to backfire.

The girls taught Luke how to tell knock knock jokes. Great. I thought we were done with those for a while. While they get the whole Knock Knock. Who's there? thing it's the part that comes next that they. don't. get. It's usually something along the lines of Daddy banana or pink donkey.

Gotta run. Time to hit the slip n slide!

Fancy Nancy Par-tay

The girls had a busy weekend. On Sunday they went to a fabulous Fancy Nancy dress up/tea party. Ava was pretty upset that I'd been calling it a tea party when there was, in fact, no tea served. She half bought my explanation that actual hot tea would've been too dangerous since there were so many little kids that could've suffered severe burns in the event of a spill. Then she shared a cookie with her mama because she's a good girl.

Outfit numero uno.

Can you stand how much fun Ava is having?

One of Belle's outfits. I failed to get her prior to her outfit change. Luke couldn't take all the girliness and had to escape. While watching him check out some more manly toys, I turned to find Belle in her panties. In the middle of a huge, busy bookstore. With lots of windows. Nice.

Whatta silly goose.

Last, but not least, Belle lighting her cig blowing feathers around.

Zoo fun

On Saturday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo with the fam, which happens to be the second oldest zoo in the country. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Though, we could've asked for it to be less crowded. The crowd was thick and somewhat annoying.

Belle laid on the ground while hugging a goat in the petting zoo and asked if I wanted to take a picture. Perfect photo op except that Wade had the camera with a fit throwing Luke outside the petting zoo. I don't even want to know what kind of germs she got from doing that.

After the zoo we headed to La Rosa's, which was way better than I remembered. Kinda seems like they've gone a bit upscale a la Fazoli's.

I'm pretty sure that my facial expression wouldn't have added much to this picture.

Ava loved the seal. It was surprisingly difficult to get her off this thing.

Concussions, broken noses & pain. Oh my!

Last Tuesday morning I awoke to a head butt directly to my right eye brow. Definitely not your typical "meeep, meeep, meeep" (and then "meeep, meeep, meeep" ten minutes later - yes, I'm a snoozer) from the dreaded alarm clock, but not exactly breakfast in bed either. After spending most of the day in a weird fog and nauseous, I decided that not only had my fabulous sleep been rudely interrupted, but I also had a concussion. Thank you child that remains nameless.

Last night the girls were doing a pretty good job of going to bed. We'd done the whole read, get a drink, give kisses, tuck in thing and I thought I was going to be able to watch the rest of American Idol in peace (oh, c'mon, you know you watch it). A girl child of mine that shall remain nameless decided she needed ONE MORE goodnight kiss. As I leaned down to give her the 20th goodnight kiss of the evening, she popped up and smacked me right in the kisser. I screamed the choicest four letter word ever, collapsed on the bed and cried for a bit while trying not to lose my dinner all over the place (sure didn't want to have to clean that up!). After a call to my doc's assistant, I went in to have it checked. The verdict? Might be broken. Since my schnoz is in approximately the right spot there's nothing to be done.

Luke turns 2

His birthday was May 4, but we finally celebrated with the fam yesterday. The weather was perfect for a park party. I had a few issues with Elmo. He was so unwilling to work with me. Had he been a bit more cooperative, we could've gotten a better look. I'm thinking that his imminent demise was behind the attitude.

Luke was appalled by our horrendous rendition of happy birthday. You can be too by clicking here.

The winning present. Luke loved this poundy ball toy so much that he refused to swing (which might be his single favorite thing in the world). He hung out in the van with Wade clinging to the balls.