While I LOVE spending time with these little people in my life, I kind of look forward to my hour of child-free time at the gym daily. Is that wrong? Because lately, I need a little break from all of the drama that comes with the territory: a three-year old who is prone to tantrums, and a six-year old who just may be 15 and has recently discovered her sass! I should really watch what I'm saying, as we have grandparents coming to town this weekend, and then in a few weeks (to watch the kids while we're on vacation). They're not that bad ... seriously grandparents! Sometimes it's really kind of humorous - like these MAJOR dramas:
Abby has decided that, while it's fun to MAKE Pistachio Pudding Parfaits, she is NOT a fan of eating them. No biggie. But, I had one last parfait in the refrigerator, and it really should have been eaten already. Anyway, it it needed to go tonight. So, after dinner, I asked who was interested. Tyler volunteered, and immediately went to town eating the pudding. Of course, Abby was very concerned about what SHE was going to receive for dessert.
ME: "How about a chocolate or vanilla pudding pack?"
No answer. So, I proceeded with the dinner dishes. Next thing I know, Abby is whining like nobody's business.ABBY: "Mommmmmyyy - Tyler is eating the whole thing!"
DENNIS: "Oh, Tyler ... stop right there buddy. Abby wants to finish the rest."
ABBY: "Noooooo! I don't want THAT pudding. I just don't want HIM to have the whole thing, because it would be MORE than what I'm getting in one pudding pack!"
ME: "Sorry Charlie ... you can have one vanilla or a chocolate pack. It doesn't matter how much Tyler gets!"
Then I leave the room to do some task. All I know is there was lots of whining and my least favorite phrase "That's not fair!" was being used! When I return, Abby is opening her second pudding pack ... and gloating like a cat who ate the canary. It seems Daddy wasn't in the mood to argue the point tonight. All I have to say is ... OH LORDY! This child is going to give me grey hair!
A somewhat shorter explanation here. Starla (beloved stuffed animal ... but don't tell Abby she's stuffed, because Abby says "she's real!") fell into the sink today when Abby was washing her hands. Tears. Whining. Abby said, "She's ruined!" Oh goodness! I patiently took Starla and hung her by the ears on a clippie hanger, then put her in the laundry room doorway to dry. But, apparently that wasn't good enough. Starla had to hang RIGHT where we were making our cookies (on the kitchen counter) and dangle in the way while my two "helpers" assisted me with the cookies we were making. This was, of course, too tempting for Tyler, who kept swinging her around (three-year old little brothers ARE annoying!), much to Abby's dismay.
This is what the top of our refrigerator looked like the other day. I can't remember why these trucks had to have a timeout, but that's where they were. It
kind of helps Tyler get the picture. Anyway, Tyler was throwing another fit, and I told him I would be taking something ELSE away if he didn't stop. I mentioned that there really wasn't any more room on the top of the refrigerator, so he should make a good choice. What does Tyler do? Immediately stops crying and says, "Well, actually Mommy, there's a little spot on that one side. Something could fit there!"
That's right ... we're a bunch of mad scientists here! Doctor Abby and her eager laboratory assistant Professor Tyler helped me conduct a couple science experiments on Monday afternoon ... wearing the labcoats we made out of Dennis' old undershirts. Just a slit up the middle and a little double stick tape for the lapel, plus a cute nametag, and voila! 
What a pair! Our first experiment was about colors and pigment. We used washable markers and made dots on coffee filters, then tested what would happen when we put small drops on each dot. The colors diffused all over the filter ... for a very cool effect! We also tested the same principle by putting some dots at the bottom of a small piece of filter paper and letting the water "climb" up from the bottom of a cup. 
As we were cleaning up and getting ready for experiment #2 of the day, a storm began brewing and the power went out, leaving us "in the dark" for FOUR hours! Oh well, we made the most of our time by using those handy dandy flashlights I gave the kids at the beginning of the summer. During the storm, when it was really dark, I had the kids follow me around to each room and help me tidy up. When there's no electricity (translate: no internet, TV, radio, cooking, laundry, etc.) it kind of forces you to do what you CAN do!
Fortunately, our playroom has LOTS of windows, so after the yucky weather blew through, we spent some of our power outage in there making "Zappy Zoomers." Both of these experiments are from the science book Abby received from the Colorado Schnittkers for Christmas (thanks guys!) There's more in there than we could do all summer! But, the kids really enjoyed these flyers, made of cardstock, straws and tape. 
It's hard to see, because it blends in, but Tyler's zoomer is flying right in front of the toy bins! For this experiment, we talked about motion, and how the zoomer flies so well because of it's streamlined shape. 
At dinner (PB and marshmallow sandwiches ... ooo la la!), we played the "Paper Bag Game," one I came up with on the fly to spark a discussion of our five senses. By taking "sight" out of the equation, and "taste" as well (because I wasn't going to let them lick the toys I was putting in the bag), they had to use their powers of "hearing," "feeling," and "smelling" to guess what I had in the bag. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) they found this VERY fun, and we had to play MANY rounds! What we won't do for science!?!
What is this all about? Don't ask me! I had to call the kids in for an explanation as I uploaded these shots from my camera. I do remember hearing some talk of a snowman this morning, but ... I was holed up in the office. Dennis stayed home for a bit today to field the kids, because I needed full concentration to complete a project for work (thanks Den!) Anyway, here's the scoop from Abby, in her words:
"We also went to Australia, and in Australia we had a "sack race" because we were hopping like kangaroos. We went to South America too, so we drew pictures of condors (which I think are from South America). We started playing this game because we read about a book about an alligator ... and Tyler said he wanted to BE an alligator who was having a world adventure."
You can't really see the colorful fish rugs in these pictures, nor can you see my brightly-colored hand towels. BUT ... check out that 
Oh yes, and for you inquisitive ones (you know who you are!), I DO plan on changing the frog under the "Hop On In..." words. I'm thinking a jumping fish or two would work, because they hop too, right? And, IF I find something suitable for behind the toilet, I'll replace the frog bulletin board. It really isn't bugging me ... it matches pretty well. Mom - did you see that I stole your (used to be mine!) fish frame? I'll get you a replacement.
They will eventually learn that the upper leaves turn the color of the water (because the water is sucked through the holes/veins in the celery), and then we will use the same principle to dye some flowers for 4th of July. Now, I NEVER buy carnations (I prefer wildflowers), but we made an exception for this experiment. When we're done, I can't imagine they'll be as blue as the ones you seen in the stores, but they'll be festive alright ... and we can count it as a science experiment as well. I have such good little professors ... mostly! They both have lab coats, which we made today for use this week. I promise to take a picture!
Their favorite animal by far, is the River Otter. He was doing back flips and such in the water, but I got a picture of him on land. Truly, I think he looks quite rat-like ... so that does NOT make him my favorite!
I prefer the Bald Eagle, who was putting on a nice show for us ...
OH NO! The rubber tire monster got Abby!
And this cow in the farm portion of the zoo almost took off the kids' hands. I kept telling them that she didn't seem like she was in a petting mood. Abby was telling her, "I'm a nice person Ms. Cow," but that didn't seem to help! 
Oh well. Maybe she'll be in a better moooooo-d (HA! Seriously, that started as a typo-but I realized I had made a punny!) next time. I signed us up for a summer pass, so we can sweat ourselves silly more times this summer. Anyone want to join us?
When you're on vacation you often don't have a car handy, so what do you do? Take the bus! We're on STAYcation, and we DO have a car ... but I thought it would be fun to experience public transit just for the heck of it! And when I mentioned this to the kids earlier in the week, they were game. In fact, Tyler wouldn't let me forget it. This morning, I didn't tell them where we were headed, and when we got to the covered bus stop, Abby asked why we were going to "that telephone booth!" But they quickly figured it out ... 
I tried not to embarrass them (or myself) by taking too many pictures, but I had to snap a couple. While Abby enjoyed the ride, Tyler was VERY enthused. He loved being able to see everything and thought riding without a carseat or seatbelt was very novel! Now, most of you know that Dennis and I are carseat nuts, so this was a bit difficult for me. But, they sat nicely ... and when they got bored, we broke out the magazines. Hey - this express bus was SO nice (and new!), if we had taken a laptop, we could have used the WiFi and surfed the Internet all the way to SouthWood. 
Tyler mid-wave ... 
We took the bus all the way across town (about 50 minutes) to the SouthWood Town Center, where we met Auntie Jenn for lunch. Then we got back on and took the same route back to our car, which we had parked at Fresh Market. It really was fun, but after sitting for nearly two hours, we were all ready to work off some energy in the pool. Thanks Lucy and Denise for hosting us today! Oh! The only disappointment of the day? I never got to have my coffee! Here it is after 7:00 p.m. and I'm STILL thinking about it. I didn't have time to make it this morning, then I ran out of time to stop on the way to the bus ... and would you believe the bus wouldn't make a teeny weeny little detour to stop at Starbuck's for me. Can you believe that!?! Guess there are a few perks to having your own wheels, but as you know ... you have to adapt when you're on STAYcation!
They did great at dinner (mostly), and I have to think that has something to do the promise of a sweet treat. Practicing for when we DO take them to a fancy restaurant, I had Abby ask Dennis if he "saved room." And she asked him if he would "like to see our assortment of specialty desserts?" We mixed up some quickie Pistachio Pudding Parfaits this afternoon, but the rest were leftovers from Father's Day weekend.
At the end of the meal, Dennis got his bill: he owed a whopping 15 (hugs that is!). I love how Tyler had to get in on the action too. 
Oooo! The best part of the meal? I got to show Abby and Tyler how to use my crumber. I think these are awesome! Back in high school, I received this from a friend in the hospitality industry. Apparently I didn't get out much (still don't huh?), and I was QUITE excited about this little tool servers used to clear tables of crumbs before the next course is served. 
That's Abby after her relaxing bath. Now, for those of you who don't know, we call my parents' house in SouthWood the Little Yellow House (or LYH for short ... which is why its the LYH-otel). When I told Emily Smith that's where we would be going last night, she's the one who suggested we would be "checking in!" Six-year olds are so funny! Lorie Smith got into the theme as well, giving me a bunch of hotel soaps and lotions. Thanks Lorie, but you know I'll watch Sarah Kate free of charge anytime! :)
... went OUT for breakfast! 
After sending Dennis off to work, the kids and I then spent our morning at the SouthWood pool. What a fun STAYcation we're having!
Then, after donuts (our second breakfast of the day ... we had made Dennis eggs and quickie sticky buns before church), we tried for a family picture in the front yard. 
I got a cute one of Dennis and the kids, and we got one of me with my favorite gal ... 
But no dice when we tried using the self-timer to get a picture of the four of us. So we scrapped the "photo shoot" and continued with our low-key Father's Day. We had given Dennis his presents that morning, and we had eaten the big Father's Day meal on Saturday (Sloppy Joes with the Smith family ... fun!) so we just got things done around the house. BUT ... we couldn't let the day end without making Dennis his favorite: an Apple Crisp! Can you tell that we love using the Apple Peeler-Corer-Slicer?
We love Dennis even more though. He's worth the huge mess we made in the kitchen on Father's Day while goofing around with the apple peels!