A FEW PICS FROM OUR TRIP TO HB



Here's all of us down at Sunset Beach trying to get my brother Garrett's surf kite up. The winds were extra strong that day and my Dad had to hold him down so it wouldn't drag him across the shore line, while my mom (she's the one in the sombrero) tried to maneuver the kite. Luckily, I got out of it because someone had to keep Jonah from eating sand...and of course take pictures of the whole thing.





Grandma Holly with Jonah



Bryant asked Grandpa if he wanted to go ride bikes with him. My Dad went out to the garage and pulled out this little "jallopy," powered by a lawnmower motor. The boys thought it was the coolest thing and were eager to take a turn riding it with Grandpa.

 

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

I remember hearing once a funny story about my grandma Ida who grew up more or less a city girl and when she got married, found herself living the farm life. Ironically, she wasn’t too fond of the farm animals and was even deathly afraid of the horses and cows. Thus, anything that had to do with the animals on the farm she left up to her husband and others to deal with. Then, one day while out walking she saw one of the workhorses choking. With no one nearby to aid her she had to push her pride and fears to the side and act fast. She opened the horses mouth and reached down it’s throat to dislodge the object, saving it’s life.

The comical image of this fearless girl, my grandma, reaching down a horse’s throat has never left my mind. In fact, I think of it often as I encounter my own moments of “why do I have to do this?” All you moms out there should know what I’m talking about. I’m talking about when your kids flush a bucket load of toys down the toilet and you have to fish them all out, or when your small child shows you a rotting tuna sandwich in his closet that he made a week ago. Or how about removing a clogged up vent only to have years worth of dirt and animal remains fall on you.

As moms, with households to manage, we face things on a daily basis that we would just rather not deal with. Now don’t get me wrong, I do pawn off a good share of it onto my dear sweet husband, but as our lives get more complicated with kids, and the “honey-do” lists just get longer, and the hours in the day seem to get shorter, I have to be realistic. If it’s going to get done it’s up to me. So I’m learning to get out the “how-to-manuals” and work gloves, keep my gagging reflexes in check, and just do it.

I guess I’m writing this because it seems as though the “choking horse” moments were ceaseless today, and I’ll be the first to admit there were plenty of pitiful “why me” and “just shoot me now” remarks around my house. But now the day is over….and so is this entry.

I admit complete and utter defeat!

This morning as I was packing for a camping trip for the weekend I couldn't help but notice the unusual sound of...well, nothing. I enjoyed the silence for a second or two and then went down stairs to face it's cost.

"Bryant!".... "Ethan!"

One small giggle escaped from the garage and I made my way in it's direction, only to find an explosion of tools scattered around a disassembled cooler.

Mental note: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR CHILD

The embarassing part was that after I thought I had reattatched everything, I found that I had extra screws and bolts and the lid wouldn't shut right. Not suprisingly, Bryant was quick to correct me and together we fixed it. Yup, my four year old is already smarter than me.

 

Poodle-Lamas



Ever come across a “poodle-lama?”

We did. A few days ago the boys and I went out for a drive in the country when we discovered a whole herd of these bizarre looking creatures. I’m not sure exactly what they are, but they look like miniature lamas (about the size of a dog) and are shaved like poodles. They are also very friendly as one of them let Ethan feed it a leaf.

Somehow these animals have become the latest attraction around our house and every time we get into the car my kids insist on driving by them. Though, I have to admit that it has become an excellent source of bribery.

“If you don’t stop yelling in the car then we won’t drive by the poodle-lamas!”

Silence.

Now Bryant has stopped bugging me about getting him a pet cat and has turned to the idea of a poodle-lama for a pet. I just answer him, “someday,” which has become my go to answer for everything lately.

Although, I do think these things are kind of cute and have tossed around the idea of getting one for a pet (ssshhhh…don’t tell Rob). Anyone know what these things are and if they make good pets? (For future references of course)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!



The other day Bryant asked me, amongst his never-ending, random questions, "Where's your mommy's mommy?" I searched for a picture of my grandma Ruth to show him and found this one that my mom had made a copy of and gave to me a while ago. I love this picture of her and my grandpa! It was taken in the late 40's/early 50's during an interview she had had with some popular magazine of the time. Amazingly, it was taken just a few days after she had given birth to twin boys (she had a total of six living children). Although I never knew my grandma at this stage of her life, raising her family, I often times think of her and how she did it (and with six!) as I am now raising my own brood of boys. Grant it, I only knew the fun, loving lady who spoiled her grandkids with ice cream and sugar free gum, I'm amazed to think of how this special, dear woman has influenced me, even today. So as we are approaching Mother's Day, and thinking of the wonderful women in our lives who have influenced us for the better, I would like to mention with gratitude my own mother and grandmothers who have inspired me through my own joys and challenges of motherhood. Happy Mother’s Day!

Here's a few pics from our trip to Cabo San Lucas. It was a fun and much needed get-away. We took the baby with us while my parents watched the older boys in Huntington. I think Jonah enjoyed having Rob and I all to himself.


Jonah and the whales (look close in the water...there's two humpback whales)

Our tour guide, Ignacio, greeted us on the bus to our hotel and welcomed us to Mexico, right after he stumbled up the stairs to the bus and handed out the beer...classic!