Happy Remorial Day

No, that is not a typo. Thomas has been calling it Remorial Day all day long. Last night Steve explained to him that we remember soldiers who have fought for out country, and also remember loved ones that have passed on. Somehow his brain rolled remember and Memorial into one happy word. I declare that it will now always be called Remorial Day in our home.

We spent the day over at the cemetery remembering our loved ones. We remembered Steve's brother Chuck who was killed in a bicycle accident when he was 26. We told the kids about Our their cousin, Erin, who only survived 2 days after being born with an unexpected heart defect. Finally we visited my Dad's grave. That was a hard one. It's been almost 7 years, but for some reason it's been hurting a little more lately. I think it is because I really wish he was around to spend time with our kids. My dad also served in the Army (he told me he was a spy, but I found out after he died that being a spy and working in intelligence is not the same thing) so he got a little extra pat on the "back" today.

As we were walking down the path, we came across this penny. In our family we have had a tradition since my Dad passed away. My Dad's cousin gave us a poem the day we buried my Dad. This was the poem:

I found a penny today,

Just laying on the ground.

But it's not just a penny,

This little coin I found.

Found Pennies come from Heaven,

That's what my Grandpa told me.

He said that Angels toss them down.

Oh, how I loved that story.

He said when they misses you,

They just toss a penny down.

Sometimes just to cheer you up,

To make a smile out of your frown.

So don't pass that penny,

when your feeling blue.

It may be a penny from heaven,

That and angel tossed to you.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Nothing is more fun than an impromptu tailgate party on a beautiful day.

Graduation

Last night we celebrated! Thomas graduated from preschool. It was a great ceremony. Of course it brought tears to my eyes, and I can't confirm or deny that I saw Steve wiping a few drops from his eyes. Thomas has done so well this last year. Mrs. M. was an amazing teacher and we are going to miss seeing her every week.

Nothing like a little dip in the pool.

This afternoon, I was folding laundry (every once and a while it DOES happen) and enjoying my TIVO'd episode of GLEE while the kids were outside playing with the garden hose. Clara came in the house and kept telling me to come. She was repeating the same sentence, and I kept telling her, "just a minute." After all Doogie Houser was singing a duo with Mr. Morrison and it was awesome - I couldn't pause it. Then I figured out two words in her sentence, one was Thomas and the other was Help. She ran over to me, grabbed my finger and said, "Hurry." I had no other choice but to pause. I wasn't too worried because I couldn't hear any screaming, and Clara didn't appear to have any blood on her. I stepped out onto the porch to find this...

I guess it's time to invest in a plastic pool. I don't think there is enough room in there for both kids.

Thomas humored me for a few pictures but then started telling me I needed to hurry because he had put his roly polys in the "pool" and they were getting smashed.

If I were to ever write an advice column...

and someone were to write in and ask me the following question, I am pretty sure I would be able to give some sound counsel.

Dear Amy,

What are your feelings on letting your children sleep in your bed during nap time? Thank you in advance for your advice. I know that you are so knowledgeable when it comes to parenting dilemmas.

Sincerely,
Jane Doe

Dear Jane,

I too have wrestled with that quandary. When I was a wee one I loved to take siestas in my parents bedroom. It was always thrilling to sleep in a HUGE bed with down comforters and tons of pillows. However, now that I am a parent I understand how risky it is to allow your children to sleep in you room - especially unsupervised. You should also realize that you are playing with fire when you allow your children to sleep in your bed just feet away from the master bathroom. You need to understand that the master bathroom is nothing more than a treasure trove of forbidden objects. Speaking from experience, one afternoon I allowed my child to sleep in my bed. This was the same day that I had decided to get rid of all my old makeup and start fresh. I was trying to get myself organized and decided to leave all my new make-up on the counter until I found the perfect cosmetic case. When nap time rolled around all I could think about was getting the children to sleep. I easily gave in when my daughter said, "I seep in mommy's bed." I was not thinking about the make-up I had left within reach. Needless to say, when it was too quiet too soon after leaving her alone I had a feeling that bad things were happening. I was right.

So, to answer your question...No, don't let them sleep in your bed. But, if it the only way to get them to take a nap, by all means let them have at it. We all know that as Moms, 2 hours of quiet time is worth a little lipstick on the old rug.

Yours Truly,

Dear Amy

40

Our computer was lucky enough to get that wonderful virus going around. Not only once, but twice. It's a fun one. Everything gets locked up and a screen comes up saying that you MUST purchase a program that will stop the computer hijackers from getting all your information. I've lived with my husband long enough to know that I don't do anything a computer tells me to, so I ignored the warnings and just waited for my little brother to fix everything. The first time it was annoying, but the second time I was accustomed to not having a computer and rather enjoyed it. It is amazing how much stuff you can accomplish when you aren't checking the computer really quick and then really quick turns into an hour.

Here is one of the main events from the last 2 1/2 weeks...

Steve turned 40!

I was going to throw him a huge party. I planned on renting out the clubhouse, have great food, lots of friends and celebrating big time. Then I remembered who I was married to. Steve is not one for big parties like I am. I figured we should do something he wanted to do since it was his birthday and not mine. I decided I would ask him before I started the planning and he told me he did not want a party. I think I asked him about 5 times, each time I got the same answer.

We didn't even go out that night. Steve wanted to stay home and BBQ steaks and just be together as our little family. This has been the theme with birthdays this year. It's all about simplicity and unconditional love.

Unconditional because....

this little girl has been into picking her nose. We still love her even though it is gross and unladylike.

Happy Birthday, Babe!

We all love you so much!