Thinking Positive Thoughts

I've been trying to keep things light around here lately. Not letting on that I'm kinda freaking out a little. The busy-ness of being a mom is starting to kick in with Tball three nights a week and doctor and dentist appointments peppered in between.

Of course, you might've seen this. We have a consult with a neurologist at the end of May.

Plus, last week at SpiderMonkey and CuriousGeorge's doc's appointment, we had one of the RN's. She checked SpiderMonkey's history and saw he was hospitalized for croup over New Year's. Then she listened to his heart and asked if I'd ever been told he has a murmur. Yes, I had.

I think the first time someone mentioned it was at a sick appointment (so we had a different doc) when I took SpiderMonkey in for a fever around 9months. The doc at that time said that it could just be that the fever was making is blood flow faster and so he was hearing it then, plus it was before I had the Twinkies and the two bigs were at school, so the room was exceptionally more quiet than usual. He chalked it up to "he's a healthy boy, obviously growing well, so it will probably work itself out." Phew.

Well, last week, the RN asked if they did a workup of his heart when he was hospitalized for croup. No, they hadn't. She listened longer and said that if he was 3 or 6 months old and she was hearing this, being that he's so big and healthy, she would've said, eh, it'll work itself out, but she said that now that he's pushing two years old and it's still there, she said, "that makes me say Hmmmm..." Holy Freakout. Not in the office obviously, but later. Anyhow, she did say that it could be 'functional' or 'innocent,' I think were her words, but she'd like to see a workup on it now.

So that is tomorrow's doctor appointment. An ultrasound on SpiderMonkey's heart. Whoa. I haven't even really teared up about it until I just typed that sentence. I have a good idea that it will be as she said, functional. That's where my mind is right now. I've avoided looking up things on the internet yet, but I feel that coming as soon as I finish typing this. It's kind of my thing.

When the kids are sick with an unknown illness, some people pray or cry or hang onto the doctor's every word. I research. I guess I'm always looking for the positivity of the situations or to find out what is really going on, like when one of the Twinkeys had Pyloric Stenosis and they told me for two weeks it was just acid reflux, as every meal hit the wall behind me.

*Big sigh* I feel better just having typed that. I haven't told family members yet, because really, I don't know anything. My dad and sister live hundreds of miles away and my mom and I are going through some things. I just didn't want them all freaking out for this past week like I was, not knowing anything. Damned if I do and damned if I don't in this case.

I'm still positive about tomorrow. Obviously he would be looking sickly if something major was wrong.

Stinky Wet Dawg

KingKong had let the dogs (Jack & Kessie) in from the rain.

CuriousGeorge: "Dad, Kessie smells like raccoon spray again."

I'm a Thief...

Okay, so I totally stole this from Regge, but it's to fuhreaking funny not to!!

Is It Sick That I Like Getting Tagged?

Laurie tagged me.

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

The Questions and My Answers. . .

What I was doing 10 years ago?: Ten years ago I was a Junior in High School campaigning to be voted Sr. Class Pres. Just 10 days prior, I had met a waaaay older guy at my friend's 18th bday party and was waiting for him to call me! (Thankfully KingKong did!!)

Five Snacks I enjoy:
In a perfect, non weight-gaining world. . .
1. Double stuff Oreos with Milk w/ice in it
2. Cocoa Pebbles
3. Chips with onion dip
4. Girl Scout cookies. I loooove me some Samoas!
5. All candy!! Chocolate or Fruity. Can't get enough. Ew...except black licorice :p

In the real world. . .
1. Carrots
2. Pretzels
3. Popcorn
4. Saltines with cream cheese
5. Gummy Bears. It says Fat Free. We'll go with that.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Build a huge house with all the amenities and then some!!
2. Help our Families
3. Donate a new playground to the kids school and anything else the teachers could possibly wish for
4. Donate some more to lots of charities. Prolly to Patrick Dempsey's newest endeavour in Maine, so he'd come see me to help local families :o)
5. Force my husband to retire. Trucking is hard!

Five jobs that I have had:
1. Baby-making machine
2. Customer Service for LLBean
3. Loan Officer
4. Officework at furniture company
5. Waitress

Three of my habits:
1. Staying up too late clearing the DVR and reading blogs
2. Yelling. I'm a yeller.
3. Avoiding the dishes. *sigh*

Five places I have lived:
1. In this town
2. In the next town over
3. Somewhere else in that town
4. This town again
5. Another place in this town. Lame, I know.

Five People I Want to Get to Know Better: (A nice way of saying TAG!): Any of you who haven't done this one yet. :o)

Zoom Zoom

Since CuriousGeorge conquered trusting the life jacket, he's gotten a little braver. Just yesterday, he decided--finally--to ditch the training wheels. KingKong wrenched them off and showed him how to push off while MonkeyButt and I cheered him on.

Well, CuriousGeorge is a funny little one. Quite opinionated at times, and he likes what.he.likes. So, on his second pass down the driveway, I held my breath as CuriousGeorge's bike came to an abrupt halt. Oh, no, I thought, did he hate it? Were we cheering him on too loudly? He wants the wheels back on, right? Damn. Atleast he gave it a try.

He jumped to the side, appearing to throw down the bike. CuriousGeorge turned towards us and I waited for the fireworks. Which never came.

That little bugger put one hand on his stomach and one behind his back and he took a bow!!?!

Bathroom Banter

CuriousGeorge has issues. Well, one issue in particular. He doesn't touch "it" when he's peeing. Frankly, he doesn't really have to. ;o) He just pulls his pants down far enough using one thumb, does a jiggle of one knee and is on his way. But, in the morning, when the 'ole morning wood pops up (ha!), the issue becomes mine. He starts the stream and then does this weird leaning back with his butt up in the air thing, trying to aim his shot from the open toilet cover to the water below. The boy won't touch it to push it down, and now I know why my bathroom smells like a men's subway bathroom. ick.

This morning I woke him up to jump in the bath with SpiderMonkey. He proceeded to shoot the cover, then leaned. I yelled to "Push it down!" "No Mom!" "CuriousGeorge, PUSH it down or sit down to pee. You're making a disgusting mess!" (stopping the waterworks to argue) "Mom, I don't have to!" "Evidently you do!" "Dad doesn't." "Bologna! All guys do. Most of them grab on like this (showing him, like I'M an expert, you know)." "(again) Dad doesn't." "Well then he uses his fingers to aim it and then gives it a shake like this (more charades, like I know! pssh.). Next time Dad's peeing, you ask if you can watch him do it (KingKongs's gonna looooove that!)."

Giving up on the conversation, CuriousGeorge gets in the tub, still sporting his, er, wood. "And don't you dare pee in that water, your brother's in there!" I could just see the golden shower happening now. After his bath, he approached the dripping throne. I saw him reaching to aim. He began and glanced at me to be sure he didn't have an audience (or to be sure that he did maybe). I peeked sideways through my long hair. He glanced up again, and I waited, and waited, and waited for him to finish.

CuriousGeorge (still peeing): *sigh* Geez! When is it going to end?!?

I was wondering the same thing!

Where Will You Be April 13, 2029?

Not on the coast I hope! I'm putting this here so that I remember the date. OMG!

American Idol Top 7 Predictions

Archuletta--When You Believe. Another song with a message. Surpriiiiiise. He did a good job! As much as I hate to say it. And were those pleather pants??!? With sneakers??!? Cute. Heh.

Carly--Without You. Can I just say, "Finally, sleeves! Woohoo!" She looked so pretty. (PS. Her husband scares me! Did you see that guy??!?) And she did put her own spin on the song in some parts. It was definitely hard for the girls to make these girl songs sound different. She's still consistently good. And trying to appear waaaaaay happier than last week. Simon didn't think she pulled it off. I think she's bottom three, but atleast she tried to sound a little different.

Syesha--Vanishing. She chose a song that wasn't as well known as Without You or Hero, which helped to not compare her directly to Mariah. I think she did a good job with it. Didn't hear her use Mariah's tip, though, for the "away." How annoying was it that she did Brooke's lip mashing after Randy. Sorry, but I think she's a follower. She still hasn't shown us who she is, only how well she does other's versions of the songs. I hope America gives her some votes for originality.

Brooke--Hero. *sigh* Not her best. Quite possibly her worst so far, aside from that Here Comes the Sun disaster. She still has a unique voice, but you can't hide behind a piano everytime. That said, she did not change the song one bit. Saying "Yeah-ah-ah-ah-ah-yay" at the end does not make it your own. "Thank you Randy SO MUCH. Thank You," she said after he told her it wasn't that great. Again, we're trying to be tooooo happy girls. WTH? And the condiment talk, huh? I did giggle when Ryan said, "If you'd like to order Take Out dial 1-866..."

Kristy--Forever. I think she gained some fans last week. This song did sound good with a country twist. I was hoping she would've hit more big notes early on, but she did near the end. It was an improvement from previous weeks, for sure! **Side note: I think she and Ryan might be involved. They kept their arms around each other through the whole number announcement and even KingKong said she was glancing at him sort of lovingly. And do you remember last week when he commented on her French Pedicure and she said, "Thanks, I did it myself" and the camera showed her feet which were well hidden under her very long dress. I don't think he saw them on stage, I think it was code. I think he was up close n personal with her toes before last week. Just sayin.'

David Cook--Always be my Baby. OMG! He can sing anything! More rocking violins. That's so cool. Do they have to rock their heads like that I wonder? Back to David. THE American Idol of 2008. Hands down. He rocks the house. Vote America, vote! No offense, but I could do without the tears, though. It's probably cause he's stressed and I know there is illness in the family. Ok, I just watched the teary part again and it is kinda cute.

Castro--I Don't Want to Cry. I felt sorry for him having to follow Cook! But he improved on himself with this song. Still not my cup of tea, but he did well! He showed more of an effort than his previous songs, and it was great to see. Simon doesn't know what a Luau is??!?

Bottom Three--This was definitely a guys' night!! I think the bottom three will be Carly, Syesha, and Brooke. I think Kristy has gained some fans these last coupla weeks and Brooke was NOT original enough. I think Syesha was original, but still don't know who she is. And Carly, I think people are mad she didn't go home last week instead of MJ, so I'm not sure if she'll be getting many votes.

Leaving--I hope Brooke, but I think probably Syesha will go, she's held out this far though.

Thank you Buddy Light for curing the King!

Well, MonkeyButt and CuriousGeorge are home. They returned laaaaaaate Sunday night and were not thrilled so happy to return to school the next morning. I'm still awaiting pics from the Nana...

I think it might actually reach 51 degrees here today. Woohoo.

Our date night Saturday was fun...sort of. See, I've been on the hunt for a new Chinese food restaurant ever since the one I've been going to since I could say "Poo Poo for 2" closed down. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. They had the best duck sauce. It was dark and apple-saucy. Not watered down and vinegary. And I don't even know if those are the actual ingredients in duck sauce or not, but I enjoy the thick, sweet flavor. *sigh* I've been calling their number everyday for like three months in hopes that they were just renovating or something. Man, I wish that was a joke. They finally disconnected the number last week. :o(

And it's not like there isn't a new one on every corner, but it's all about the Duck Sauce for me. I like me some chicken fingers, beef teriyaki, spare ribs, crab rangoons, and occasionally some rice with lots 'o duck sauce. I don't go for the mushy stuff like Moo Shoo whatever or Cum Sum Yung Gai...ew. Want to know what KingKong eats for chinese food? Chicken Fingers and Beef (don't you be ordering him no Pork!) Fried Rice...with A1 allllllllllll over it. A-fuhreaking-1. ick. He says it kills the taste. Ya think?

So, that's where we went to eat for date night Saturday. A new chinese restaurant and I.Found.IT! My duck sauce. It was sooooo good. KingKong had to leave to go buy some A1 at Hannaford (our old restaurant carried it and I didn't put any in my purse before we left home. What was I thinking??!?) We left way too full and moved onto our next destination: clothes shopping for mom without kids crawling under dressing room doors or commenting on my undergarments. Every girl's dream.

My shopping was brief, however, as KingKong had, um, issues with his tissues. It could've just been the chinese in general (happens to the best of us), or the beef rice that he had and I didn't, or the 3/4 of a huge bottle of A1, but he had to go, NOW. I'm sure you're day is better just knowing that.

Anyhow, our third destination (or seventh, if you include the gas station pitstops for KK) of the evening was a surprise bday party for one of the fellow truckers at a sports bar. Now, why didn't we just go home, you ask? Because I'm a horrible mother who was down 2/5 of her monkeys and couldn't wait to get plastered for the second night in a row. NOT. It's because I've been thinking about having a surprise party for KK sometime and if I'd like more than just a bunch of our mini-me's running around, we gotta put in some face time, you know?

So after another Irving's pit stop, followed by a run into a Burger King restroom, we went into the bar, both of us with clenched cheeks...me trying to make mine appear smaller and him, well, you know. Anyway, the plan was to grab a beer and tell them the sitter called 'cause one of the Twinkeys was sick and we had to go. Next thing I knew, KK flagged the waitress for another beer and went up to play pool. He was cured! All thanks to our pal Bud Light, apparently. We ended up having fun and I enjoyed hanging out with the wife of the bday trucker and her friends. Which is great, because I'm all about making new friends and finding myself again. I've been pretty lost inside my head here for awhile! It'll be fun to be me again, as long as I stop doing these things.

Also, I don't know why/if this is going to be a recurring theme around these parts, or if I'm getting Punk'd, but we got another show. Who the heck does that in the men's room when there's a perfectly cleaner women's room right next door? does that? Ew, again. ;o)

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink & Type!

Just sayin.'


Actually, I might revise that to Spouses Shouldn't Let Spouses Drink & Type.

Cause I did some typing Friday after I did some drinking. Not on blogger, thank gawd. Let's just say, turns out I missed my boys more than I thought (or those feelings were exponentially increased by the alcohol from Poker Night).

I got up the next morning and told KingKong, instead of "drunk dialing" someone last night, I think I "drunk emailed." I had vague memories of squinting at the screen, giggling while trying to keep the laptop on my lap and watching my fingers fly. Checked the SENT box, sho' 'nough did! I already sent out the apology email. Unfortunately, that went to everyone in my address book as I sent the drunk email with Bcc:'s so I didn't even know who actually received it. I've already gotten a few "'I don't know what you're talking about.'" Heh.

Last Night, I Shipped My Kids Outta the Country!

Not forever, just for an overnight. And only MonkeyButt and CuriousGeorge went with my mom and stepdad to Montreal. She wasn't crazy enough brave enough to take the Twinkeys and SpiderMonkey, too. But I don't think Twinkeys + loud Monster Trucks would = FUN.

So last night we had some friends over for poker night and I was distracted until they all left after midnight. Then I cried. To be honest, I was looking forward to having a chance to actually miss them for once...that sounds harsher than I meant it, but what I mean is I thought getting a little break from tending to so many's needs would be a nice change for me. But now, I.Want.Them.Back.

I know, I know, it'll be good for them to have this experience and get to see their Aunt and Uncle and ride in his truck and do boy things...but I want my babies baaaaaaaaaack.

K, I'm over it. ;o) Besides, KingKong and I have a date tonight and tomorrow, I have a date with their bedroom and some trash bags!

It Has To Be Said...

...I can't believe Michael Johns got kicked off Idol tonight! He soooo was not/has not been the worst. I just now closed my mouth after my jaw hit the floor! Whoa. Those beotches better bring it next week!!

I guess it shows:

bYou can't rock an ascot two weeks in a row

bIt's all about the votes at this point, it's anyone's turn to go home (except, of course, David Cook!)

bDon't argue with the judges

bDon't screech like that unless you're Aerosmith!!

JMO. :o)

We Made It...

...through our day trip to MonkeyUumpa's Sunday. We all survived, despite a near drowning, a little heimlich maneuvering, and some slight head trauma. Par for the course around here, I'm afraid.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But SpiderMonkey did miss a step in the pool and swallowed some water just before CuriousGeorge choked on some hard candy and right after TwinkeyA leaned back and smacked his head on the table. Ooh, and we can't forget about the free show! There goes my Mother-of-the-Year award.

So I thought I'd include some pics to show how crazy we are how much stuff we brought and the Brady Bunch-ness of the pool area...here we are freighted and ready to hit the road at 6:45am:

We arrived at 9:30am and the Monkeys were pruned within minutes of our arrival:

MonkeyButt enjoyed his new mask and snorkel. He swam the length of the pool and with every turn we could hear him yell "Retreat, retreat!" out his snorkel. Quite an imagination, that one!

CuriousGeorge reached a big milestone this weekend. In all his 5 1/2 years he has never, not even for one minute, trusted his lifejacket to help him float. Thankfully He finally does, and had a much better time floating through the middle than trudging along holding onto the sides. By the end of the day, he was even laying on his belly kicking his feet and paddling the length of the pool. Woohoo! He said, "Mommy, call the news people and tell them I can swim now!" Oh, and he found a new way to wear the float:

SpiderMonkey floated with KingKong nearby. And he had every last thing that would float in the pool. We'd scoop them out and he'd throw them right back in, screeching and giggling everytime. (Sorry the pics are dark):

The Twinkeys hung out at on the bar. Here you can see the yellow vinyl and clapboard walls. Retro! At the bottom of the bar you can see the beginning of the green faux grass carpet that covers every inch of the floor:

Did you see where the Disco ball is hung in SpiderMonkey's pic above? Just over the pool stairs, next to one of the tacky unique light fixtures:

It's a really fun place to hang out with family...as evidenced by the cannonball splash provided by MonkeyButt and MonkeyUumpa. Thanks for the shower guys!

Now, I am teasing about the Brady Bunch-ness of the pool area. I absolutely love it all. The green flooring beats the heck outta kids running on slippery tile any day! I even like the light fixtures and the disco ball rocks!!

We got fast food for dinner on the way home and got back just before 10:00pm after hitting Walmart for some lunch supplies for the week. We were all tuckered out and happy to be home.

The laundry is done, just in time to pack the bigs up for an overnight in Montreal with MonkeyNana and MonkeyPapa to see MonkeyAunt and MonkeyUncle who have and drive a Monster Truck and have a show out there Saturday. Should be fun! The earmuffs are packed!

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Do You See What I See?

I've always noticed the flat spot on the back of TwinkeyB's head. What baby doesn't have one nowadays, right? But can you see above where his ear tips are and how NOT aligned they are. Now, the left side of his face from cheekbone up is flatter than (or not as round as) the right side.
The Twinkeys' 9month checkup is Monday. Although I wish they'd looked into it when I mentioned this at 6months...

See more Wordless Wednesdays here.

American Idol--Top 8

Michael--Dream On--This totally was not his best song, but I enjoyed the chorus. The screeching was a reach, though. I think he wants to be a rocker and isn't really liking the bluesy R&B category they're trying to say he is, but it's time to face the music, sweetie. Heh. **Did Paula actually say her Chihuahuas would join him on stage? Someone should've told her that her Chihuahuas were jumping outta her shirt!! And they totally had the nipple area fuzzed out the entire time she was in a shot (when they weren't filming her from the cleavage up, making her look like she was sitting there all naked, that is).

Syesha--I Believe--She did really well. When they announced it I was like "Oh, no, she dinnint! A Fantasia song??!? On American fuhreaking Idol??" But I think Syesha did really well with it. And it was the first time I actually thought she connected with the audience. KingKong still doesn't like the 'fro, but I think she rocks it.

Jason--Somewhere Over the Rainbow--The best of the night??!? Come the hell on, Randy. I know you ladies dig it. But I don't. Sorry. Please don't hate me. I guess I can't see paying lotsa bucks to go see a guy and his untuned yucalele when you can see it on any corner of New York. JMO.

KristyLee--Anyway--I think she finally sang her best. I don't recall her initial auditions, or Hollywood week, but of all the Top 24 shows so far, this was her best. Seriously, I was really becoming worried she had lockjaw or something. She only ever held a high note loooooooooooooooong, never actually high. But finally, tonight, she hit it, atleast a bit higher. I still think she could go bigger if she let herself, but it was good! Enough to keep her outta the bottom 3? Hmmm. I don't think so...just cause she has so much great talent surrounding her and after Carrie Underwood won (being a country girl), I think the country fans' loyalty lies with her and this country girl (Kristy) isn't getting the votes she deserves from them.

David Cook--Innocence--You know who else hit it tonight? Not David Cook, but Simon, with his word "Pompous." It did seem pompous. I didn't hate the white jacket, but I could not hear his words for the first verse, they were all slurred and ew. I think it got to his head again, like it did his 2nd week on the show when Simon told him "I don't think that was as good as you thought it was." Ditto. Still think he's #1 though!! And Randy liked his package. *snicker* The hand thing was cute, though.

Carly--Show Must Go On--Not that good. I do think she chose better pants, but her high note bites. Sorry, but it does, and it sounds the same everytime she tries it. There's no note, it's just this weird screechy noise. I enjoy her singing, but I don't know how America took it. If they react like the audience didn't, it won't be pretty for her. There was like no applause or booing at Simon even. I think we all secretly agreed with him. And what was going on behind him when he was speaking??!? Oh, and I think it's time for Carly to find a shirt with sleeves. I know she's prolly proud of her ink, but let's change it up a little, huh?

Archuleta--Eh. That's all I got. Eh. I liked it better when Jessica Simpson did it. I know he goes for the songs with a message, but I wonder what category of music he'll end up with when this season is over. I really think, again, that it's gonna be church-y. **PS...I have noticed he's cut back on the liplicking these past coupla weeks. Did you see that little girl holding a sign saying "Lick those Lips!" What was she, like, 8 years old??!?

Brooke--What happened? That really wasn't good at all. It was kind of a karaoke version of that song, and I probably would have loved it at a karaoke BAR, but no alcohol tonight, I'm saving up for this weekend. Heh. Plus, she's totally depressed. I think she wants to go home.

So...bottom three...Carly, Brooke (hopefully you spared Kristy), and Syesha. I think Syesha is going home, just cause Kristy did so good and America hasn't been accepting Syesha so much. I would've said Carly based on just tonight's performance, but she's been consistent all along.

See ya Syesha.

PS If you have an AI recap, Boomama has a Mr. Linky up for all us addicts ;o) Thank you Boomama!

I'd Love One! (or, you know, Five)

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You Know Who You Are

On the way home yesterday, CuriousGeorge had to "go." That is one awesomely convenient thing about having all boys...being able to just pull over and whip it out and be back on the road in seconds vs. having to frantically search for a restroom if we had a small child who couldn't pee standing up.

So, I asked KingKong, the trucker, should I pull over now or get off this next exit. He instructed me to take the second exit, that there was a parking lot we could swing into after the toll.

I pulled into the lot and searched for a spot. The only one large enough and not facing oncoming traffic (no need to put on a show ;o) ) was next to a white extended cab truck. I pulled into the spot and instead of putting the car in Park and letting CuriousGeorge go about his business, I quickly maneuvered to Reverse, giggling.

To the couple that we, um, interrupted yesterday (you know who you are), sorry. But, might I suggest utilizing the "extended" portion of your truck for such activity...you know...the part with TINTED windows??!? Just sayin'

KingKong, as we departed CuriousGeorge's newly formed river on the OTHER side of the parking lot, jealously said, "I know the sign says 'Park & Ride,' but come'on!"

It's Not Going in the Car Unless It's on the List!

We've been trying to get down to my dad and stepmom's house for weeks now, but something always comes up. We've stayed there for one overnight since we had the Twinkeys. Pre-Twinkeys, we stayed overnight usually every 4-6 weeks. We miss them very much. My dad is great...it just took divorcing my mom to bring out the best in him. And his wife is amazing. She's very kindhearted and has loved my boys from the day she met them. What's not to love, right?

Anyhow, they've always lived in condos in/around Boston. We usually tie in a city experience for the monkeys...Museum of Science, etc. Well, ever since my dad and his wife bought their house a couple years ago, the boys have a new favorite pasttime there...floating in their indoor pool.

Doesn't that sound g.l.a.m.o.r.o.u.s.? Picture beautiful tile floors and walls made of window pane. Beautiful, hmmm? Well, their pool room is, um, opposite of that. It's very Brady Bunch. And I don't mean this as an insult! It is such a fun place to be!! Complete with vinyl yellow seats (and bar! ;o] ), brown clapboard walls, and that fake-y green grass rug material covering the entire floor. We love it!

Top that all off with the recently installed disco ball and inflatable palm tree complete with Christmas lights, and we have ourselves a party every time. The monkeys are pruning within minutes of their arrival. They are very lucky to be able to have such a cool place to get away with people who love them so much!

We've been contemplating another overnight visit. Although, with only one pack'n'play and three monkeys who need naps, that would prove difficult (last trip, we brought the TWO swings). Usually the first afternoon we arrive is spent lugging in and setting up all our gear and the afternoon of the second day is spent repacking the car. Ugh. And the clothes! I know I have a problem. I pack like we're staying for one month, not one night. I really need psychological help in that department. I'm always thinking, "we'll need this if we go there and that if we go here," so eventually the contents of my entire house, including the closets, are packed into the back of our vehicle. Which, thankfully, (or not...because then I couldn't pack so much crap) has a large storage area, atleast until I order that 4th row seat I've been eyeing.

So, we decided that we might cut down on the stress for us (read: ME) worrying about packing so much stuff and make less of an imposition on them if we only stay for the day tomorrow. It's a 2.5-3hr drive. We're gonna throw kids in the car as they wake up...around 6am and leave to come home after suppertime so they can sleep on the return trip.

That sounded like the perfect plan until I actually started packing stuff a couple hours ago. The only thing I think I'll be cutting down on is clothing...and that's a big if, since I don't plan on throwing things together until after I finish typing.

My list thus far includes:
three Life Jackets
two Bouncers (for Twinkeys naps)
two Jumperoos (so they don't roll into the pool)
two Bumbo-style seats (for feeding cause I tried it once in the Jumperoos. HA. = M.e.s.s.)
one Pack'n'Play (for SpiderMonkey...hoping he won't be able to climb out...)
two Box Fans (one for each nap station...they need the white noise)
Bottles
Wipes
Diapers
Formula
Food
Spoon
Blowups for the pool
Snorkel sets we just got them
Swim diapers
Flip Flops (for the off chance they decide to leave the water for their meals)
Extra grungies (for the big monkeys plus KingKong)
Cell phones
Toll money
Basket of toys
Monitors
Oh yeah, the Monkeys.

I forgot I gotta wash their blankets. LadyKong's job is never done! *sigh*

Can You Say MID-LIFE CRISIS??!?

New Kids on the Block are coming back??!? Don't get me wrong, I loved me some NKOTB, when I was in THIRD GRADE! They are 39, 38, 38, 37, and 35 years old. I don't get it. And they're not changing their name? This should be interesting!

I'm It...my first Meme (whatever that word means)

I was tagged by Becky at Boys Rule My Life for "7 Things". My first time!

The Rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as
links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

bMy favorite show of all time right now is Eli Stone. I think the comedy and the way it's delivered is phenomenal. The Chief's wife from Grey's Anatomy is on this show. I laugh so much. I'm in love with my DVR.

bI hate deer. H.A.T.E. them. They scare the crap outta me. But, you probably already knew that. Ooh, other hates...drinking water and walking. Both of which I should do more of, but they suck.

bI was Senior Class President in High School. I only had one year completed at business school before becoming preggers with MonkeyButt, but I never looked back. This is what I do. I'm a Mom. Looking back, I don't remember who I was back then, and we're only talking about 9 years ago. I've thought about asking people what I was like in HS, but that would just be weird. I honestly can't remember, but I think I miss her.

b I'm addicted to strollers. There, I said it. That's the first step, right? I have a lot of strollers. I have three umbrella strollers, two singles with carseat attachments, two doubles, a triple-wide jogger, and tomorrow, I'm going to pick up a tandem triple stroller (don't tell KingKong!). With all those wheels, you'd think I'd be pretty trim. Huh.

bI suffer from CHAOS...Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome. Our washer and dryer are right by the main entrance and there's usually a mountain of laundry there...waiting for the maid...who never comes...lazy beotch. Anyway, I love to visit with people, but none of our friends own mountain climbing equipment...thank gawd. I can buzz through and get everything hidden done in 40minutes to an hour, but an unexpected visit has me peeking through the curtains.

bCanobie Lake Park is our favorite amusement park in New England. The boys have so much fun there. They open at 10am and we don't leave 'til they close at midnight. It rocks!

bI'm addicted to salt. There is no slice of Pepperoni pizza that would not be better with a few shakes of the good white stuff on top. And I love Blooming Onions. They're on the top of my 'must have' Fair food list. I don't go for the rides, I go for the food. Fried dough with cinnamon and powdered sugar, fresh cut fries with vinegar --lots of salt--and ketchup, with cotton candy for the ride home. So, yeah, basically I love any food that is greasy, deep fried, slathered in butter, or topped with white--be it salt or sugar. Yum. Hurry up and get here, summer!

There. That's seven...and then some. And instead of checking to see who's done one of these lately, I'll just pick: You, You, You, You, You, You, and...You. Do it if you want to, and don't be afraid to tag me in the future. Although that book one might be a problem since the books around here all belong to children. :o)

Muuuuuuch Better!

Don'tcha think?

I got this one at Finalsense, but found many contenders at Pyzam, also!!

Disclaimer: If you do change your blog template, you'll have to "reinstall" your widgets, like sitemeter and any blog lists. Take note of those to add them back on!!

I'm Trying Out...

some new backgrounds. This eye one kinda creeps me out. I'll keep looking :o)

Wordless Wednesday

Castle in the Sky...I use the word castle loosely OR Our Future Home (Homes??)...if I keep pumping kids out. hehe

now, even though i am from redneck country, these aren't. you can find more info here

Macaroni again?

You know, for someone who stays home with babies all day--babies who nap--I really should be able to prepare some amazing meals. Do I? Nope. Could I? Probably. If I had any desire to. But, I don't.

Thank gawd for school lunch (they've changed to all wheat products this year so I'm feeling less guilty about it), and Easy Mac'n'Cheese. But even SpiderMonkey's getting sick of that lately. I found this one day after he brought me his empty bowl, announcing "Dawn (gone)."

And when KingKong comes home after work, SpiderMonkey runs to greet him, "Daaaaddddyyyyy, home. Dizza (pizza)?" And when he turns the corner, he cries when he doesn't see his friend, the large white box holding greasy pepperoni slices. Yum. Anyhow, I've decided I really need to step it up a bit. Okay, A LOT.

I've done the whole menu plan before. It does work. A couple weeks before the Twinkeys came, I planned three months worth of meals and bought the first three and a half weeks worth of groceries for around ninety dollars. You can definitely save money that way. But it gets old. Not the food, but the process. Booooooring.

A lot of Moms do the Crock Pot thing. I had a Crock Pot once. That's how many times I used it. That was an experience...and another Pizza night, if I remember correctly. *sigh*