another tuesday

We spent it doing what we do.

Last night there were two kids still up after midnight, with a movie player in the quilts playing Toy Story II, two Nintendo DS thingies, and waaaay too much shrieking and thumping and carrying on.

I was disgusted. Being all giddy and hilarious at 10:00 is one thing, but after midnight, entirely another.

So this morning, I hauled their little rears out of bed at 7:30. They tried to keep sleeping, but mean old me, I hollered in the doorway, "Get up! It's over!"

These jumping pictures are because I told them they had to do 100 jumping jacks and tire themselves out so they can sleep tonight. They jumped a bit, but nobody counted. The child, b.g. probably wasn't involved in any hilarity at midnight, but he was way into the jumping.

These two can actually kind of play a bit now. She's happy with Rescue Heroes--whatever you got, she'll chew on it.

Tim is reading! A tiny bit, slowly, but it's coming along. Today he read me this old book about dogs. Usually he just patiently reads these beginner books, way below his level for any purpose other than reading practice, and he doesn't comment on the story line.

Today though he paused at this picture and said, "That looks like a crappy party--playing checkers while listening to bad music?"

Oh, I'm laughing again now. Timothy, Timothy.

This morning after I was back from my sales meeting, Jay was trying to figure out what kind of work he could fit into the 90 minute time slot available before he had to leave for another appointment at noon.

The man seriously looked like garbage, circles under his eyes. I told him the best use of that time?

GO SLEEP. Take a nap.

He paused for a minute--that seems so wrong, you know?

Well there has to be SOME benefit to being self-employed, for crying out loud.

Plus he's got that gift where he can fall asleep within seconds and wakes up bright and happy. (I am the opposite.)

Anyway, he headed back to our unmade bed.

Shortly I wondered where b.g. had gone off to.

I found him, jumping all over Jay, happily yelling, "Grandpa! Nite-nite!" He leaned his head over upside down to look at Jay's face, and then jumped on his back. Heidi's dog was already on the bed, so this was not looking all that restful.

I said to the child, "What are you doing?"

Jay said, "Jumping on his grandpa and I think in poopy pants."

The poopy diapers are always a nice touch, you know?

Awwww.

Today he wanted to tell me something and said, "Mommy?" Then he looked over his shoulder and did a little laugh at himself, "Oh, Grandma!" When we were by the big mirror later, him on my hip, I pointed us out to him, "Look, it's b.g. and Gramma. Say cheese." He pressed his cheek against mine for our biggest cheesy grins.

Yah, here they harass the baby with the bunny ears. She'll get them later.

Think we'll ever get door trim or a wood floor in this family room? We could have carpet installed, but I'm holding out for maple to match the living room.

Sigh.

It'll be worth it. I tell myself it's fine to continue enjoying the subfloor as we are. The dogs would just scratch up a good floor right now. The living room isn't scratched though. Maybe that's just a lie I tell myself about the new floor, but probably it's true. Let them abuse the plywood.



And here's Tim using his very own drill to construct the latest little kit from my parents.

And now I must go and clean the turtle tank, rid it of all scum and dissension. Or is it dissention?

Distention?

Whatever.

To fine Tuesdays everywhere, and to the Wednesdays that follow them. love always, Val

a photo album for the week

The baby girl is crawling.

Monday it was gorgeous and warm, and James has survived his first weeks at school okay. Here he's doing something with a ball on the roof to amuse the nephew.


When I was looking for a place to set the baby down while I watered the flowers, I spotted the little car, thinking if she did slip, she'd only fall about three inches. She didn't fall. She loved it, dug her toes in the grass, sat there for a long time, happy.

Here's another after school picture. Maria's all right too.

This was earlier, lunch on the patio.






Last night it wasn't 90 degrees anymore. There were frost warnings and we covered the flower pots with blankets and sheets overnight.

Here we've got your play doh in pajamas.

And Jule amusing the baby.



I found it hilarious she sprinkled the baby's puffs on the blanket like she's a little dog. Not that p.j. minded. She was into it.


Okay, and then the kids took control of the camera at some point. This was on there. I don't even know who the heck they are. Turns out, they're the people that came with some picture frame. Nice. They've got awesome teeth.

And here we have a picture of a picture--James' school picture.



And Maria--

And another picture of a picture. That's Little Jay on his birthday some years back. Gawd, why?? That's my butt over on the right. Oh yeah, get a picture of that beast.



These are my adorable nieces. (Why were they taking pictures of all our pictures lying around?)


This is a picture of the big map on the wall in the family room. When I bought it, I didn't even know it was a big, glossy map. I thought it was wrapping paper, and in fact started cutting it before some kid ran to stop me.

Here's Heidi's baby p.j. and we tried to get a picture of her smiling.

But every time she smiles, her hands go over her mouth.




Okay, there's a grin. This little jacket she has on is one that was originally Heidi's and went through all five girls. Alicia thought it was cute too--the 80s weren't all bad.

Okay, here's Alicia's boy with chocolate on his face.





Oh yeah, during the last picture, Kari was fetching a wet wash cloth.

So serious.

Okay, after that study came out that said Sponge Bob melts kids brains, I'm trying to keep the TV off Sponge Bob when he's around, and just stick to normal shows.

He was as pleased with Price Is Right as any cartoon. Plus, his brain isn't melting.

(The kids all watched Price Is Right, and their brains are all fine, so I know this show is perfectly safe.)


Okay, and these videos were found. I had that red chair reupholstered this summer, and the cardboard box has the roll of leftover fabric in it. Why he's involved with it?

Regrettable.

Bash around with your own toys, how about?








Not getting a dollar? Hunh? Why is Maria telling him that?

Well, yeah. Kids are crazy, that's why.

Tonight I was standing at the deli counter buying supper, waiting for my turn.

And there was a lady and a kid beside me and the kid was squirreling out and touching some kind of condiment rack and the mom snapped a little bit, "Seriously? Why are you even touching that?"

He twirled away to the other side of the cart, and I kept looking straight ahead and said, "Why? Because he's a kid. And kids are CRAZY."

The woman started laughing and laughing and said, "I know! Why do I even ask why?"

So true.

We made it through the week, and tomorrow is FRIDAY!

With two real estate closings tomorrow and sunshine, we definitely need to think of something fun to do tomorrow night.

We're halfway through September already and it's going well.

Happy Friday. love always, Val

september sunday

click the pictuer above twice to enlarge. hear the grasshoppers, smell the grass.

It was a spectacular morning.

Bright sunshine, quiet, warm breeze.

They wanted to know if they could swim after breakfast, and I couldn't think of a reason why not.





The whole morning was sparkly like this, absolutely gorgeous.


Oh, onward to Monday. Mmm, mmm. We can do it. love, Val

up at the lake

Here's the project that we're working on.

My parents remodeled, and gave us their old deck, so we're going to put it up at the cabin. Before this summer ends, that deck is going to be up.


But first the concrete pads to set the posts on have to be installed. The kids were into this project. Not that they were helpful, but they were interested.

I overheard him tell Tim, as he repeatedly revved the drill, "Dude, that's enough. You're going to wear out my battery."





It was very hot in the sun. After the last of the cement was used up, he jumped in the lake, clothes and all because he forgot his bathing suit at home.

Later on, before we came home, we all went for a boat ride.





Don't worry. There's a little deck on the front. He's not going to fall in and be run over.

They were gathering acorns and Sam was eating them. I made them stop. We don't need no puking dog on the ride home.







My Lydia, and James trying not to sneeze.



After this, we picked up all our mess, loaded the coolers, cleaned the bathrooms and came home. Tomorrow is Monday, and looking fine. love always, Val