More Smiles

Big Bro was attempting to fool his dad tonight over a game of checkers.

Daddy asked him to do "Cabbage, Cabbage, Cabbage".

(I'm sure that those of you outside of my loopy family have no idea what this means but it's a little trick we use to tell if one is being honest. The accused is supposed to hold out his thumb and say cabbage three times without smiling.)

To this request Bro replied, "Hold on. I have to cool off my smile first."

As the story was relayed later that evening Bro started giggling.

Sis stated seriously, "There goes his laughing temper again."

Dinner Table Tidbits

Giggle, Giggle, Giggle

"Bro, what's so funny?"

More uncontrollable laughter.

Finally, a deep breathe.

Followed by a smiling boy saying, "I'm sorry. Sometimes I just can't control my giggle temper."

That didn't hurt

I had the night planned out. After gymnastics we were headed to the grocery store where we were to buy a few dinner items as well as some ice cream bars for the kids. The plan was that after a quick dinner we would run back up to the school where mommy would finish some work and the kids would get to eat their ice cream bars on the playground.

It never goes as planned.

The kids started acting up in the grocery store, running around and actually trying to climb things. Sis pulled the final straw when she refused to move. I promptly made my way to the checkout stand without the ice cream. Bro is in tears when we get to the car. As we drive away I explain that if they can not behave we can not follow our original plan.

Bro is sobbing.

Sis looks at him and replies "That's okay. Ms. W (Bro's teacher from last year) gave us candy in her classroom today so I don't need ice cream anyway. It would have just gave me a tummy-ache."

Here's the moment I do a double take as I believe I have just seen my little sister sitting in the pink car seat in the back of my Jeep.

I'm sure I received the wrong child. This one was meant as a pay back to my sister!

A Wild Saturday Night

The kids left the sliding door wide open tonight. Almost 20 minutes had passed before we caught this error. By then our house was covered with fruit flies, which are rampant around here this time of year. We have had them in the past and they are very hard to get rid of, especially since they take up residence in the kitchen where we most definitely do not want to use pesticides.

But we found a new solution, and I must admit it is a good time (that is as much fun as you can have exterminating the house!). Our secret.... my old blow dryer.

So we chased the fruit flies around the house pointing the back end of the hair dryer at the tiny insects. They are then sucked into the dryer and promptly fried up by the hot element inside. I couldn't help giggling a little as I took my revenge on these pests, regardless of the gross fried flies stuck to the screen of the dryer. That's okay as this dryer is officially no longer a beauty aid. It has now been designated as a weapon.

Feeling sorry for the little guys? Well take a look at how gross they are, (granted this is a greatly magnified photo. I myself had no idea these creatures were so hideous before this post.)


So what did you do on Saturday night?

We went fruit fly hunting. Beat that!

This week's sob story

It has been a sad few days in our home. Our dryer died late Saturday night. It will still turns on and heats but the drum no longer tumbles. The fact the dryer was purchased brand new only two years ago has me fuming. It is that M****G brand that advertises it's repair men never have anything to do as their appliances work so well. Yet we have had multiple problems with both the dryer and washer. Maybe I should sue for false advertising!

I have been hanging our clothes outside all week. Bro is terribly embarrassed to have his undies fluttering around on the line in the breeze. I feel like I should be donning a long prairie dress, bonnet and apron. I keep thinking I am really glad that I was born in this century as I don't think I would last long without modern day appliances.

I was sure that I could fix it so I did a little research on the Internet and pulled the dryer all apart. I went to the appliance store and picked up a new belt which I installed all by myself. I was feeling a little smug as I plugged our reassembled dryer back in. Then I opened the door and realized the interior light wasn't turning on. I rearranged some wires and now the light turns on...when you close the door. Oh and the dryer will also start only with the door wide open. To make matters worse, it still does not tumble.

So much for the home-based appliance repair business I had dreams of opening.

Did she know I was listening?

I was doing the dishes when I heard Little Sis talking to her brother.

"I think mama is the bestest mom in the whole wide world," she said.

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Suddenly my extremely trying day with my hardheaded little girl seems a lot better now!

Mammoth Zucchini

We picked this from the garden this week, along with two more of about equal size that I have given away. And there's more ready to be plucked. Anyone have a need for a mammoth-sized zucchini or two?

Mammoth Bones

About five years ago a mammoth leg bone (photo below) was discovered nearby. Every summer since archeologists have been out digging for additional remains. So yesterday I took the kids to see the little tour that had set up.

I found the information fascinating and Bro was extremely interested as well, asking question after question.

Sis, however, found the whole experience to be a bit dusty and hot for her tastes. However she was quite amazed at the toes bones that were uncovered this summer, probably just because they were almost as big as her head!

Oh, A New Toy!

Yes, yes, that would be the one, the only, the original Thighmaster. You may remember them from the early 90's. Maybe I need to jog your memory... Suzanne Somers. Got it now?

Well the kids found it collecting dust under my bed, (where this piece of excerise equipment has resided since the early 90's), and now think it's the greatest toy ever. What a fabulous catapult it makes!

I have vowed that this machine will now be used to slim my thighs. Therefore, I am squatting, instead of merely bending at the waist, every night as I pick it up to put it away!