Is it time for a new vaccum?

All white with the tiniest bit of orange? I think I'm in love...everlasting love.

Bike Lust

I am oh so in love with my Townie, but my heart contracted when I saw these Alexander Girard designed lovelies. These guys put together a presentation that will make you swoon. Head on over here for a preview of the tastiness that is Electra.

Oh my heaving womb

I am sorry, I know this may produce an unfriendly visual. But today we rode to the park on our bikes, and there was a largeish group of kids there. Usually Ava will find someone roughly her size and introduce herself and I am not required unless there is some swinging. James and I usually go and slide the whole time alternating between his two favorites. But this time was different. Ava went and made a friend right away, but before I could ask James which slide he wanted to go down first, another little boy came up to him and asked his name then introduced himself. James trotted right after this nice boy (who was older than James but not too much) and they played really well together the whole time! Ava's friend even inspired her to try new things that she hasn't wanted to before. All in all what a great morning at the park. But the bittersweet thing is that although it really was awesome to see both kids making friends and having fun, my little boy is not so little any more. First the potty, now this. Will this be enough to make us reconsider a third?

Oh, We're Back in the Saddle Again

So this morning after tennis (where we remembered her water bottle but not her racquet and had to go back) we sat Mr. James on his potty. I took off the pull up he had on and his shorts for good measure. I figured today was a work/cleaning day, the kids would be outside most of the day, and why not let him run free. He didn't seem to mind going in his underpants, maybe this would be different. He has come back into the house several times yelling that he has to potty, and while he doesn't complete the task each time, as far as I can tell there have been zero "accidents" and we are three for three on the potty. That child has had a lot of m and m's today. And I will continue to dole them out cavities be damned if it gives him the incentive he needs. We are defenitely making headway. Go James!

Three Rivers Festival Parade 2009 Without 350 Photos of the Parade

This year I didn't even take any pictures of the parade itself. Maybe should have of the classic vw's, but alas the only photos to be taken were by my husband of our children. PJ left on his bike pulling the trailer full of camp chairs and a thermos of coffee down to the parade route to secure us a great spot. Five minutes later it began to THUNDERSTORM. That's how loud it was that it needs all caps. I was worried about him even though I knew he would not worry about it at all. I packed the kids up just as the storm passed (it was sprinkling lightly) and drove downtown. We found PJ right away. He was relatively dry! He waited out the worst of it on the porch of a vacant house across the street from the site he found for us. He covered my chair with his umbrella, and as the kids chairs are mesh they dried out pretty quick. I tried to insist that he take my chair as he did all the work, but ever the true gentleman he wouldn't let me. I brought snacks for the kids but there was so much candy that they didn't eat ANY of it (even James!). The parade ended after about an hour and a half. It was really fun. We saw a bunch of folks we know-that was fun. And Ben and Katie and the girls came down and hung out too. The kids had a blast together. So here is the one picture to share of this year's parade. Its the cutest thing at the parade, too!

It's messy but I got over it and got out the hose

Bubble time!

Garden 2009

Broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, green pepper and tomato. Not shown an additional 5 tomato plants and onion. Canning? Check. Freezing? Check. Cold Storage? I don't have that one down yet...

Pollenation

Caught this lovely in the hosta late morning. I love this sight. Nature at work. In my alternate reality I think I might keep bees.

Not on Track

I just noticed last year I posted 221 times. This year I have posted 71 (this is lucky number 72). Seems I'd better get crackin'!

One of my favorite sights to see

right after getting home from the library with new to us books to explore. Shhh...

Heard about 7:35 at the corner of Dodge and West Drive Sunday Evening

from Ava: "Why does it smell like the Home Depot right here?"

Stick a Fork in Me

We are through. We have had several incidents despite a consistent every fifteen minute routine. I guess the zoo is off for tomorrow and round two will consist of one (hopefully) very patient mommy and one naked boy locked in a small room with his potty till something happens. Let the wailing begin.

Potty Training Blues

We are sitting on the potty consistently every fifteen minutes all morning so far, yet we have 1 poo and 2 pee pee incidents in the underpants. What in the living heck am I doing wrong? Oh, yes, that's right. I AM TRYING TO POTTY TRAIN HIM! That's what I am doing wrong!