Heartbreak Hotel

DB models his new swim team gear. They would never take off their new "fast" shorts if I didn't make them.

If you've lived in Phoenix for any length of time, and have followed the Suns at all, you will recognize the title of this post. It's the great Al McCoy's famous tag line. It's the only way to describe the Game 5 loss to the Laker's the other night. I'm a Suns fan, and it's fun to have boys who love to watch the games with us now. We had everyone jumping up and down on the couches the other night. I'm trying to overlook the fact that NBA refs are so obviously dirty and see the greater good for the family bonding time.

We are two days into Summer vacation. Both boys were sad to have this school year end. They had the greatest two teachers this year. They were sent home on the last day with reports cards that make a mom proud, and also their respective class pets. We are a regular zoo with Cupcake the chinchilla reuniting with us from Christmas vacation and our new Beta fish, Red Hot. I've resisted the pet thing, and thought that a gerbil would be harmless enough. It's a slippery slope though. Each pet gets easier to justify. It's worth it when you have a kid that loves animals as much as DB does. We'll see if I feel the same a few weeks from now. I guess worst case scenario I acquire a fabulously soft scarf. Just kidding Cupcake, we love you!

We have lots of activities planned to keep my busy bodies occupied the next couple months. Singing group for Sophie, Swim Team in mornings and Cross Fit for Kids in the afternoon for both boys and Scout Camp for Jake next week that runs a full two hours past his normal bed time. If that schedule doesn't wear them out, the only thing left is tranquilizer guns.

DB Is An Accomplished Author. Who Knew?

Dylan constantly surprises me to the point where I really ought to stop being surprised. He seems apathetic and easy going but the second you challenge him, it's on. I think I mentioned in a previous post about the time at the park when I challenged him to a jumping contest. He proceeded to "box jump" with both feet flat on the ground on to a park bench sixty times. I've also seen him take down neighbor kids twice his size with a penchant for taunting in a football game.

So school is winding down and DB's class invited the parents in to show off all they have done this year. It turns out he has authored and illustrated five books. His school received a writing grant that allowed them to make a real book out of one of them. His showcase piece that was printed was entitled "Fish Are Fun". It is very informative, full of detailed illustrations and interesting facts. I was beaming with pride as he presented it to the class---until he got to the very last line of the very last page.

All About The Author Page. (Sure wish I had known that his hair would be immortalized forever in a book before he left for school that morning.)

He apparently thinks I lounge around all day. Never mind that I run the house, cook three meals per day, teach classes, spend hours volunteering at his school, contribute heavily to the book keeping part of our business, just renewed my real estate license, have frequent church responsibilities, and in addition to a demanding three year old always seem to have extra kids floating around that I didn't birth. It's cool. It could have been worse. One student wrote in her book that her teacher was her very favorite person in the whole wide world, as her mom looked on. They are cute little ingrates!

Father, Sons, and The Campout

Tis the season for Father and sons outings. I explicitly trust Wes with the kids, but must admit that I rest easier now that the boys are past the stage where they would toddle into the campfire while all the Dads are chatting up the Suns and politics and their wives, assuming that everyone else is looking after their boy. I got invited to a birthday party for one of Sophie's friends the morning that Wes was getting ready to leave for the campout. I told her that would be great because Wes was getting ready to take the boys camping. She seemed shocked that I didn't need to oversee the process. I'm lucky in that Wes is the one who dots the i and crosses the t's around here. He may not have an Eagle Scout plaque, but there is no one I would rather be with in an emergency situation. I married MacGyver (not to be confused with "MacGruber") and it has come in handy more than once in our eleven years together. (Happy anniversary Wes!)

Jake wasn't sure if he wanted to go camping, but was easily lured by caffeinated soda. Dylan loved it and immediately found himself waist deep in the stream nearby.

I don't even want to know what is in that water.

Jake also had his second grade patriotic program this week. He does not enjoy singing unless it is Aerosmith during Guitar Hero. He was a good sport and at least made it look like he was singing. He could have been more expressive in the sign language portion of the performance, but in his defense he did have both the girls next to him nearly smacking him in the face with their exaggerated gestures, so it left little room. It was fun, short and well done. My super talented friend Kimberly put together and played the medley of songs, which guarantees a good show.

And finally, I have some great news-Dylan's warts are starting to go away! They are noticeably shrinking and have stopped spreading for sure. I am cautiously optimistic that this new cream is going to resolve this problem and that we are going to be able to avoid the dreaded (not to mention expensive) sedation/laser therapy. Thanks to everyone for their love, concern, and prayers for DB!

I'm Loving The Love

I am happy to report that my mom self worth has remained intact for this years onslaught of Mother's Day tributes from school. (Thank heavens for thoughtful teachers and their generous editing.) We are getting to the point where I can tell that the boys actually thought through what they might say in their letters, rather than copied phrases from the board. This is also apparent by the spelling errors. I probably shouldn't think that is adorable, but I do. So I thought I would share a few of my favorites. I'm not generally a hoarder, but I'm keeping these gems forever.I look a little frazzled, but maybe Jake was just trying to make it realistic.
On the backside.."pie"..he likes me as much as PIE people!
Awwww. Yes, now I know, Jake.
I'm "speshle". See- adorable.
DB really does look just like this when he screams, and yes it bugs me.
I'm not so pleased with the thickness of the dress in this one, but I've never had my hair flippy like that and also I'm not black, so I've discounted this drawing all together. At least he likes my "binners"
There we are playing catch with our see through clothes.

In addition, I was given coupons for a soda, a five minute foot massage, and a chance to go on a run with Jake. Sweet!

I love these kids.