Out of this World

We had a really great idea to take the kiddos to Worlds of Fun this Fourth of July. We were crossing our fingers that the scary people would all be at Riverfest or shooting bottle rockets off at each other. We hoped it would be less busy and less hot. It was! It was actually a lot like having the park to yourself! We were on all the rides alone and the kids could stay on each ride as long as they wanted at Planet Snoopy because there were no others in line! We met our friends, Tara, Jason, Cohen and Emerson there and took turns sneaking off to ride the big coasters, too! We ate lunch at a shady pavillion, just us....Not even pesky flies. We had such a great time. It is what you hope for at an amusement park. Greta and Jack loved every minute and did great even while skipping a nap! They loved the Red Barron planes and the swings. They loved Charlie Brown and Lucy.

By the afternoon, it was a bit hot and there was not much shade in Planet Snoopy so we rode the Viking Voyager a few times to cool off and got frozen lemonades. The crowd picked up around 6 and we found our car. The last words of the day were, "You were right, Mamma, Worlds of fun is awesome." Zzzz...

A boy and his dog, Snoopy.

We at Planet Snoopy, Yo.

Loves Blockheads.

Burnin' rubber on the bugs.

My favorite boats.

Catching a breeze.

Greta and Jack loved riding the swings.

Paw too close.

Sweet Jack.

Greta thought Sally was the ultimate. (and then we bought her a Lucy doll.) She changed her mind... (and is that guy in a pajama shirt? Why not.)

Pilot to copilot. Here we go!

Smooth landing.

Friends.

Not excited at all. Nope. Not one bit.

Old Glory Days 2011

We woke up early last Saturday and packed up the car with kiddos, the red wagon and a cooler of treats to munch while we watched the Old Glory Days Grand Parade in Clinton. It was fun, but it was hot. We decorated the wagon with sparkles and found a little spot in a breeze way by the drug store. The carnival rides sat across the square from us shining in the sun waiting to spin and make kids scream and giggle. There were people all around, but none I recognized. I guess I have been away from Clinton long enough to be a stranger there. It still feels like home, though. I do love the square and the festive, small town charm. The Fourth of July is perfect spent in a small town, lighting fireworks off near corn fields with a giant, open blue sky. There are lightning bugs and the smell of grass fields and smoke bombs....and chiggers.

There are always chiggers. While we were at the parade, Derek ran back to the car to get my sunglasses and some cash for a funnel cake. He said he saw a freaky guy with a pit bull on a chain. I have this issue with people who bring their dogs to events with children. Jack is pretty scared of dogs. I have issues with kids around pit bulls that I don't know. And, then he walked up with his dog and stood right next to us. Every time candy was thrown the dog would start blowing foam out of his lips and the chain would tighten around his neck and he would lunge to get it...and I couldn't take it. We found a break in the parade and crossed the street to make our way back to my parent's store. By the courthouse there was so much shade and a good view that we decided to stop and watch some more. Two minutes later, the pit bull and his family were standing right next to us again. Can you believe it? They all lit up cigarettes just to add insult to injury. What are you gonna do? We just loaded up the wagon and moved on. It was still fun and kicked off our holiday weekend perfectly.

Derek, Greta and Jack on parade watch....along with a granny holding her bottle of xxx.

A Fourth of July Clown rolled by...

Wheelies always add excitement...

Circus wagon...where's the lion?

The kids really enjoyed the day. We got snow cones on our way out of town to make it official.

Hello July!

This month is absolutely like a firecracker...I say it is blazing hot, way too much fun and over too fast. The summer is in full swing. We live it up. We love it all. We have been making great memories around the house by starting our days at sun up. Jack wakes at 6:01 every single morning without fail. Greta is soon to follow and Derek takes the birds downstairs for a little wake up time. I stay in bed and listen. I hear funny conversations and cereal bowls being played with spoons. I hear numerous attempts by Jack to climb the stairs in stealth to wake me, and Derek catches him...usually. When he doesn't, I play asleep and try not to laugh as he gallops in and whispers in baby boy whisper right in my face, centimeters away from my eyes. "Open dem up and play, Mamma. It mornin time now." It makes me smile, glad I am a morning person.

We love our backyard and sandbox. Greta and Jack love the wet sand and make me cookies. Greta always sniffs the lilies and denies it, but there is always yellow dust on her nose. It is her fairy garden, wild and un kept, but perfect for a vivid imagination. Jack always tries to get the hose out to fill the pool - the boy loves to live it up. He is busy and quick to find entertainment. Little does he know that he is the entertainment.

Jack wears his underwear backwards with the picture on the front. He likes his shoes on the wrong feet better, and he narrates. He doesn't stop the flow of thought from his lips, that boy tells it all. It is a constant stream of fact and knowledge and then a thoughtful recap if you gave him no response. And, the best part about it is that Jack, new to language, sounds like Buckwheat from the Little Rascals. Never a dull moment.

May July stay a while.