Funny

I sent Wonderboy to time-out today, no warnings, just straight to time-out for shutting off the garage light when his sister was out there and then closing the door to effectively thrust her into outer darkness. It's a particular fear of hers, and he knew it. He shuffled straight to the bench without argument - because he knew he knew it. Are you with me?

Half way through his 8 minute time-out he asks if he's done yet. I say "No way buddy. Eight minutes. Just think, when you're 18 years old, you'll be sitting for 18 minutes. That's awesome."

He replies, "Man, I just wish you guys would rethink your policy on spanking."

Beach Therapy

In a rare, and completely out of character, spontaneous moment, E and I decided late Friday night to rise early Saturday and load up the car with a bag (or five). It was beach or bust. We reached Lakeshore Drive, parked and like sherpas, carried 47 tons of beach gear and toys over the grassy knoll, when I think I may have heard a heavenly chorus. There before us stretched beach and endless water. And now, I think I'm regretting that we've lived here a year without considering spending a day like the one we've savored today. The trip cost us nothing but the gas and tolls to get us there, and yet I dare say it's hands down the kids' favorite Chicago activity thus far. They splashed and played, dug and built sandcastles, and looked for shells for a whole day, and were reluctant to leave. They were gloriously happy. And really, my own sadly tormented mind was unable to construct any reason to indulge my deep, dark secret fear of sharks in the water, so bonus! A beach where I can actually stick a toe in the water. Yes!

We came home, some of us a little too pink, all tired and content. As I hugged the kids goodnight, they said it was the best day. I love that.

Aunt Julie J came to visit

There was just a little bit of enthusiasm as we looked forward to a visit from Julie last week. Of course as we arrived to pick her up at the airport, my children went mysteriously and instantaneously mute. It lasted about 12 seconds and then the din of deafening noise resumed as usual.

My boys courted Miss Julie quite aggressively. Uncle B may have cause for alarm. Wonderboy trailed her (into the bathroom a time or two I fear) obsessively, and peppered her with questions and detailed information about all his favorite Wii games. I mean, he was laying it on thick. I haven't seen his dimples so frequently in such a short period of time.

As for Bubs, when we made a visit to Shedd Aquarium, and were eating lunch overlooking the lakefront, the seagulls were too much to resist and he ran off in pursuit of them. Julie quickly caught up to him and he paused long enough to let her know "I is chasing birds. Ya want one?" That kind of generosity is rarely observed in my rough, tough number 3. I'm just saying.

And then there was Miss Fia, who was dazzled by Aunt Julie's flower-adorned attire for a family wedding, Aunt Julie's red satin stilettos, and well, by Aunt Julie. She wanted to sit next to Julie, play with Julie, and I think there may have been some interest in just crawling into Julie's pocket and remaining there, just to make things easier.

Speaking of Miss Fia, she took charge of the camera while at the aquarium. Following are some highlights from her debut as event photographer.

This next one wins the award for most inexplicable. I suspect she thought this family just looked so darn cute, ready for their photo, no use letting the oppotunity pass.

So to the happy family in front of the 10 1/2 foot fish statue, just in case your own photo didn't turn out, we've got your back.

Thanks for visiting Julie. Come back soon and maybe bring Uncle B. Wonderboy will challenge him to a duel. At sundown. On the Wii.

Unplugged

But taking a quick break to post photos of all the hard work we're doing relaxing in the cool mountain air.

Case closed.

So we're sitting around the other night, kids are slumbering away, and it's time to herd Daisy (because that's what's required) outside to take care of business, when she flops on her side as though she's fallen and can't get up. This is not unusual. What was unusual was the vastness of her belly as she lay prone. She's a girl with curves, to be sure, but she looked like I might need to roll her out the door like a giant snowball. My immediate concern was whether we might have a health issue to address, and as we've had handful of vet visits in the last couple of months, resulting in our having to sell off the children one by one (we're starting with Bubs in case anyone is interested), I was mildly concerned. But with enough coaxing and prodding she made her way outside.

Fast forward to this morning. I was frantically slapping together a packed lunch for Wonderboy, who was headed to scout camp, and thought it odd that Daisy wasn't underfoot begging for a slice of turkey. I peeked into the dining room and there she froze, mid-chomp, with half a dog biscuit hanging out of her mouth. She remained frozen, with the exception of the eyeball that fixed on me, until I left the room to retrieve the camera. I followed the trail of evidence, and her bloated condition was justified by the near-empty, Costco bulk pack of dog biscuits, overturned on the floor of the storage room. Almost fifteen pounds of dog biscuits polished off by Daisy. That's quite a feat, I think.

Dance recital

Miss S's dance recital was held recently. Amid the whirlwind of busy acitivity that inevitably characterizes every May, we had photo calls, dress rehearsals, meetings and finally the recital. I was fortunate to be asked to 'room mom' for her class which allowed me to sit with the girls at the recital, lead them backstage, sit in the front row while they performed and then hang out with them until curtain call. So, so fun.


Her particular class was one of the smallest, at only 4 dancers, but I kid you not, 4 little girls waiting for their turn to dance (Number 22 in a program of 25 routines!)? Well, let's just say it was like leading four little butterflies around. A total crack up. By dance routine number 2, they were leaning over and whispering "How many more???", and then by dance number 4, "And now how many more??", and then again after dance number 5, and you get the picture...all the way to number 22. And then when it was time to leave the auditorium to be ready backstage, you would not believe how my little group agonized over whether their lipstick had smudged away, or if their hair was still just right. They were so sweet. And so serious about the whole affair.

E and the boys had seats elsewhere. And Wonderboy had my little point and shoot camera. Something tells me he got a little bored. Dance recitals can do that to ya. Here's a sampling of his artistry: