Random bits!

Last week we went went on a walk with some friends. A couple of the neighborhood boys wanted to come so we took them too. On the return home we had a car full of sweaty, smelly children. 

 So Jon and I rolled down the windows. Almost immediately Caitlin started yelling -

"Roll up the windows. We are going to junk!"

We couldn't figure out what she was talking about. Finally after several questions we realized some of her papers were blowing around in the back seat and she was afraid they were going to fly out the window causing us to litter or junk. And junking is very bad!

We are babysitting a precious little dog, Bo. He's been an absolute angel and the kids and I are really enjoying having him here. He's sweet, obedient, patient, and the list goes on. He's a doll.

In this picture he had jumped on the chair (I don't let animals on the furniture) and was watching tv with me. The kids came in and had to join him. Notice who is taking the whole seat?

I also don't let the kids sit on the arms of the furniture. But I just didn't have the heart to make to make any of them move. It was just too precious.

He's also benefited us in a way we didn't expect. 

We have an annoying neighbor dog that has a serious case of little dog syndrome. He's always charging the kids, barking at high volume. It scares them and it's especially bad when he gets into our back yard when they are out playing.

Yesterday I was at the neighbors talking to my friend. One of the boys came running over to get me. The annoying dog was in the back yard chasing again. I could see the gate open and assumed one of the kids had left it open. Since little Bo was also in the back yard I was a little concerned. Bo is a bit froufrou. What would this dog do to sweet little Bo? I came back across my yard to barking (we had yet to hear Bo bark). But to my surprise it was Bo in full attack mode. He was nipping at this dog's legs as he chased him out of our yard at full speed. As you can imagine Bo got lots of praise and a treat.

We might be kidnapping borrowing a little dog. =)

Isn't he cute?!

She can ride!!!

Jon is a huge believer in having a balance bike first instead of using training wheels. So Caitlin has been riding her balance bike for about two years now. She has been ready for a bike with wheels, but we were waiting on her to grow. But this year we noticed she was finally tall enough and began to keep our eyes out for one her size. We are cheap (I might have mentioned this a few times) and won't buy a brand new bike for a child that is going to grow out of it in a few months. So we found a really nice one on lsn for $10. The basket needs to be replaced and the training wheels removed. But other than that, it was perfect. Caitlin called it beautiful and picked up using peddles right away.

Daddy had to make sure it was sturdy. =)

 Making sure the seat is the right height.

 And she's off!

 Jon's right. Using a balance bike means training wheels are never needed. 

She took off and has been riding almost all day today.

Smart Cards

Yesterday the Smart Cards arrived. Jon and I love these things and we get two every year. And every year we make our money back several times over. But we also dread their arrival. Neither of us are sales people and our son needs to sell a ton to meet prize goals at school. So I reluctantly picked up the cards and headed home.

Dominic and Caitlin were not dreading it at all though. I had dressed them in their uniform clothes. Since the logo has the school name it gives more legit to us asking for money. They were so excited they were bouncing off the walls. I wasn't sure how well this would translate to sales. And then I sat back in amazement and watched as my children charmed people out of their money. 

It was astounding!

But today is another day and Dominic is again begging for money. So I am posting this at his request.

Please help his school - Algood Christian Elementary - by purchasing a smart card this year. You'll be able to use the coupons and discounts all year and Dominic's school will get some much needed things.

We really appreciate it!

And seriously! How can you say no to those faces?!

Arkansas

We headed to Arkansas to see Jon's parents for the week of the 4th. I was dreading the ride out there. Was really wishing for magical powers to just transport us. =) 

But it went really well. The miles went by quickly and the kids were great.

Playing in the woods with Grammy.

Jon and Gramps rode their bikes up Queen Wilhelmina mountain while the rest of us drove up there.

The kids and Grammy rode the little train. Dominic wasn't very impressed.

Later we ate home made ice cream.

One day we went to Hot Springs. We ate out and took the kids to the Science Museum.

Enjoying time with the grandparents.

We also went out on the boat. But I was too scared to bring the camera. 

This was probably the kids favorite things. They certainly love the water.

And it didn't hurt that Gramps let them drive the boat. Dominic did a great job.

Caitlin got us all a bit sick. =)

Caitlin with her Gramps while he sang special music at church. 

 

The weather was beautiful and completely not normal for Arkansas in July. 

We had such a wonderful visit and it was completely worth the long drive.

Art Camp

Dominic chose art camp at the Art Mill.

It was only for four days, but we had a mommy & son date on the day he didn't have camp. So it worked out really well.

On the wall of his bedroom.

Isn't he a talented little boy!?

On the 2nd day when I picked him up he told me I could pick him up earlier than 2pm. 

"But Dominic, they told me that camp ended at 2pm."

"Well every one else leaves at 1:30pm. So I think she just told you that because she likes me best and wants to spend more time with me. You can really pick me up earlier if you want."

Wow! This kid certainly doesn't suffer from low self esteem.

Princess Ballet Camp

I gave the kids their choice of which camp to go to this summer. They had about 20-30 to choose from, but it wasn't a hard decision for either of them. As soon as I finished reading the lists, they both shouted out the very one I guessed they would pick.

Caitlin's choice was princess ballet camp at Stage One.

All week Caitlin kept telling me about the dances they were working on for their performance.

And she would bring home something relating to a princess that she had made during class - a wand, a necklace, a crown. 

On Friday I picked up Jon from work (he'd taken the bike to work) and we went to her dance performance. They made the crown and tutus in class that week.

There were four dances and it was absolutely precious.

Probably being a bit of a proud mom, but Caitlin was the cutest and best dancer out of everyone there! =)

 Sitting with her class for a final picture.

 This girl has one amazing Daddy. He took off work just to come watch his little princess.

She adores her Daddy, but someday I hope she realizes just how much he loves her.

Crazy Wild & Mixed Up Day

The post is crazy long and probably boring. But I wanted to put it here so I wouldn't forget about the crazy details later. You certainly don't have to bore yourself. =)

Yesterday was a bit crazy. It started the night before when Caitlin woke us up so many times we lost count. Still not sure why. So Jon and I were exhausted when we got up that morning.

Dominic and I woke up at 5:15am to go running since the kids had camp all morning and we wouldn't be able to run later.

It was a wonderful run. The moon was setting on one side, the sun was rising on the other and my favorite little boy was running beside me. We ran a two mile loop and then Dominic headed to the house for a shower while I ran the loop again.

I returned to find Jon cleaning out the freezer. When he had opened the door to the refrigerator everything was warm. So he hoped/figured that maybe there was something in the freezer blocking the airflow, since the freezer was working fine. Sure enough! I had to defrost a non-defrost freezer all day with my food in coolers. So after an emergency trip to the store for ice we soon had everything in coolers and the appliance empty. 

Only to realize that it was going to take a major effort and mess to get back into the coolers to get the stuff out to make Dominic a lunch for camp. He was one happy boy when I told him that we were stopping at Burger King for egg & cheese croissants.

 Dropped Caitlin off at camp at 9am. She was a bit nervous, but even more excited. My girly girl was getting to go to princess ballet camp. And she got to wear dance clothes. She was in heaven.

Dominic's camp didn't start until 9:45. So I rushed across town to put some more money on a gift card at the bike store. I've slowly, but surely been secretly putting money on a gift card to buy Jon this majorly expensive bike that he's been wanting. He had no idea we were so close to getting it. He thought we were only putting his mad money/allowance on it. But I was also putting my money on it, and every time I was paid for a review or survey I stuck that on there too. I was super excited. 

But back to the story - I arrived at the store to find they didn't open for another 30 minutes. So back across town we go. Arrive at the camp a few minutes early and spot a coffee shop that I have a gift card to. So I figured I'd try coffee again. I was definitely tired enough to need the caffeine boost. I got an iced chocolate/mint mocha. I couldn't taste the mint and the after taste was like eating an ashtray. It was terrible. And to make matters worse, my gift card had been erased. I knew how much was on it, so she just gave me a discount that was the equivalent. But still - for a terrible drink.

Dominic was beyond excited for class. It was art class and he was going to be painting Yoda. 

Life just doesn't get any better.

I leave there to go back to the bike shop. I can't find the gift cards. So I put the bike on layaway since we are getting close. I run some errands and return home to get the gift cards. Pick up Caitlin from dance camp and rush back to the store with the card. The card doesn't work. Same as the coffee shop. Thankfully the shop owner is able to retrieve everything and we are now within a few dollars of paying off the bike. I decide to leave the balance and show Jon at lunch.

Lunch was fun. Jon couldn't quit smiling when he realized he could bring his bike home that day. And I'll admit I wasn't far behind him. He's been dreaming about this bike FOR EVER! But with house issues, tuition, travel, etc. eating up our money we just hadn't made it a priority. But I decided Jon had sacrificed enough on the house for me, it was his turn. I mean, look at my library!!!

Caitlin and I go home to play princess and check on the fridge. It's still defrosting. We return at 2pm to pick up Dominic. I couldn't get over how amazing his picture was. Baby boy has some talent.

But I couldn't look at it long, because we were headed straight to the doctors office to check on his finger. On Saturday evening he was playing on his skateboard and pulled his finger back. It immediately swelled up and became painful to use. After his broken arm experience two years ago I decided to make an appointment. But he wasn't about to miss camp.

Ironically enough, I'd won a gift card to the clinic a year ago and saved it just in case something like this ever happened. They ask for my co-pay and I hand them the card. It's not working. And when it does, it says $11. Since I know I haven't used it, and there was $50 on there, I was a bit frustrated.

Long story short (and several hours later). Dominic does NOT have a broken finger and my gift card has been fixed. His finger was hyper extended and so it's been buddy wrapped to help it heal and we'll have to keep it wrapped for a week. But that is way better than a cast all summer.

When we all got home we sort of crashed. It has been a hairy day. But fingers are good, fridge is now defrosted and working again, Jon is in love with his new bike and the kids are anticipating the next day of camp.

 And this morning Caitlin summed up the night (and hopefully how today will go) when she said very sleepily as she woke up -

 

"I'm happy for me that didn't wake up you."

Baby girl suffers from the same verbal dyslexia as her mom does.