Mama Mia Day 1 (Part 2)

I guess you can only have so many photos in a post and I guess I reached that limit. It seriously wouldn't let me add anymore. So... here is part 2! Hehe.

Nearing the end of our journey, we stopped at a little place for a bite to eat. There was this great tree. Without any prodding from me, Sarah and Charlie decided to play a little game. It was HILARIOUS! I won't bother explaining the situation because I think it's one of those "you'd have to have been there," but I had fun catching them on camera anyway!

Not so fun was Brooklyn's fall. She scrapped up her knees a bit. My sister, bless her heart, was all broken up because it was the first REALLY BAD fall that Brooklyn has taken. I think BS and Suzanne taught Boo well, though. Here she is trying to kiss her own knees better because the hurt so much!

We did a lot of other cool things and have a million more pics. I think I'll add a slide show tomorrow with ALL the pictures for the moms. For this post, I'll close with this cool one of the kids. I was trying to just get their hands as they played with the water stone together. When I checked out the pic at home, I saw there faces reflected in the surface. It's not a perfect pic... not well centered or anything... but I like it.

I had a wonderful day with all my nieces and nephew. It was a mini slice of heaven--not only taking them to the zoo but being able to share in their excitement for life and being able to document our adventure for their moms. I can't wait for tomorrow! You just never know what they'll do next!

Mama Mia Day 1 (Part 1)

It all started with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had been up since 6:30 am (like Christmas, remember) in preparation for the arrival of Sarah and Charlie. Sprinklers were fixed, laundry moved, dishes unloaded, and then the PBJ. I thought they might need a snack while we were at the zoo today and I didn't want to go unprepared. I wanted today to be wonderful for them. It was as I was packaging up the little sandwich quarters that I realized how much I have missed... without knowing that I was missing it... making PBJs for my own little ones. Motherhood in a sandwich. Sure the sandwich may vary, but the essence is the same. And this morning I ached for all the mornings and sandwiching making that could have been, but haven't. It was fleeting, but I felt it.


After kids were dressed and lunches packed, I found out they need some breakfast too. Not being Mrs. Cleaver, I decided eggos were in order. I couldn't resist a couple of shots when I saw Sarah's jam smile. She is adorable!


Then it was off to the zoo! I hope you'll indulge all the photos! I don't get to post them very often so I have quite a few. I tried to narrow them down... I really did.. but I loved all of these so much!

Our little three amigos. I went to the zoo with my sister Suzanne and her kids. Sarah, Charlie and Brooklyn got along wonderfully!!!

Charlie was adamant that the first thing we visit be the elephants. I like this shot of him just watching. While there, we even got to touch something that resembled elephant skin. It was a ton rougher than what I had expected! (And judging by the shrieks and squeals, it was different than what the kids expected too!)

I wish I had a clearer picture, but I was moving so this is the best I got. This is Sarah and Brooklyn holding hands. They were so cute walking around the park together! Sarah helped us by keeping our little a.d.d. Brooklyn nearby.

Come on... how could I resist this one! Can you say "couple" in the making! hehe

Charlie was so much fun to watch. He was excited about everything! The oo's and ah's that came from him were the best!

Everyone LOVED the carousel!!! Sarah rode a kangaroo and Charlie snagged an elephant. I have a million more shots of everyone, but these are my favorites. And thanks to Suzanne... my behind the scenes compadre who helped me pull this off!

Just a bear... but he was COOL! Suzanne said she'd never seen one up and moving before, so we snapped this one as proof. The kids loved it!

Bear watching. Isn't he beautiful?

So part way through our zoo excursion, Charlie plops down with his map to find out where we are and where we need to go. With a little help from Sarah, they figured it all out and we were on our way! I just loved this photo opp!

So Excited!

So tomorrow I get to watch Sarah and Charlie (niece and nephew on Joe's side) while Marla has her new baby. I am so excited for this little chance to "play mommy." We are headed to the zoo tomorrow with my sister Suzanne and her kids and then Tuesday I'm hoping for a stop at the pool. I love these two little kids (as I love all my nieces and nephews) and I can't wait to hang with them and take them fun places!!! I hope they enjoy their stay as I have them until Wednesday! I'm just so grateful that Jimmy and Marla trust with the care of these two while Marla spends a couple of days in the hospital with the new baby. Anyway, hopefully I have some great pictures to post tomorrow!!! Now... if I could just fall asleep. It's almost like Christmas!!!

Just a Little Annoyed

Okay. Two gripes today. Just two and then I promise I'll utilize my new glad skills...

1-Medicine is CRAZY insane expensive. I laughed at Joe's pharmaceutical conspiracy theory, but after yesterday, I think I'll believe him. I went to the doctor because I felt like I was breathing through water. Normally I try to wait it out, but finding myself the next host for Finding Nemo 2, I thought I better call a professional. It was a quick visit (my doctor is AMAZING) and then a hop, skip and jump to the pharmacy. All was well until register time. Medication Cost: $150+ dollars with insurance. Nervous breakdown at the counter: Priceless.

2- Inconsiderate neighbors. This evening all I heard outside was our neighbor driving around his 4wheeler. Loud and obnoxious. But whatever, I could just turn the TV up louder so no big deal, right? I thought so until I took Josser out for a bio break. The neighbors and their drunk friends were tearing it up in the swamp area next to our lawn. (Technically it's part of our property... we just didn't know it until a bit ago and so the land is still dirt/mud). The guy over there already gives me the creeps. Tonight, as I'm outside watching in horror, he just points at the swamp and laughingly says, "We're just playing in your puddle." I go out later to check the damage. Nothing terribly wrong. But there are huge mud chunks all over my lawn from the ATV spray and I can see where they have been driving over my grass. Times like these make me wish I were a little more confident. But both Joe and I HATE confrontation, so we let it go. Looks like tomorrow I'll be raking dirt clumps from my lawn before I water. I mean, honestly, who throws a shoe? I expect this from pre-pubescent teenagers, but 30-40 year old men? Come on, give me a break!

So now that the ranting is over and my blood pressure has started to descend to normal, I am glad that I have an HSA account to cover the cost of crazy medication. And I am glad my inconsiderate neighbors haven't complained about my Josser (he did try to eat their little girl twice... okay, not eat... just lick A LOT). I should also be glad it's just mud that ended up on my lawn. I think FENCE just shot to the top of my priority list.