I've got a lot of catching up to do...

Since the Lady Ga Ga post I have gone to Vegas, floated down the river in a boat, had a tree fall on me, and threw a BBQ for Liam's b-day. Did you catch that part about the tree? Well, in case there is one person left who knows me but does NOT know this already, a big #%$ tree fell on my SUV...while I was inside last Thursday.
I know BIG GASP, but no worries, I came out unscathed (Chuck Norris better watch out...Facebookers should get this). Sorry, but I have had to retell "the story" in person more than several times, I posted pictures and explanations on Facebook, so this blog is getting the abridged version. In fact, all I'm going to write is that one minute I had my foot on the brake and my hand on the gear shifter in Drive when a rather large tree fell on top of my 'burb collapsing the passenger side and smashing the windshield in. I'm okay, but my poor 'burb didn't make it out so well. Insurance guy is coming out tomorrow to give it a "look 'n see". Is the fact that I give every tree I drive by the stink eye a sign of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome?


We celebrated Liam turning the big Sev-en last Sunday. His birthday is July 1st but we did not get anything put together until last weekend. It was just the neighbors and family. They played outside and we BBQ'd hamburgers and hot dogs (the good Costco ones). I didn't have time to make a big 'ol cake so I made "ice cream cone" cupcakes. It's cake batter baked in a cake cone, then frosted to look like soft serve ice cream. They are super easy and the kids really liked them. Liam got a new bike. Not just any bike, but a John Deere bike. He was VERY happy.


After the party I asked Will if he could take some pictures of the birthday boy and me. I am never in the pictures because I am always the one TAKING them. Anyway, getting dorkfish boy to smile nicely (key word) is like trying to get him to relinquish his claim on my living room as "his field"...not gonna happen. Between Liam's inability to smile like a "normal boy", Will's dee-dee-dee handling of the camera, and my quitting attitude we turned out some LOVELY shots. I'm talking front cover of Vanity Fair, BAY-BEE!!!!

We begin with the open mouth pose (at least there wasn't food in his mouth)

Ok, let's change background and try the "sit in lap" pose, Uh No...looking a little "strained" there
buddy.

Maybe if I move in closer and give him the "squishy, wishy mommy hug" pose...apparently, he is sour on that idea as evident by the pucker on his face.

Time to change pose..let's try the stand by and look at each other adoringly...no, no Liam you look at me, and what's with that "strained" look again...you need more fish oil son???

I give up...Will just take the flippin' pictures and I'll just pose Liam style too, what the heck if you can't beat 'em...right??

And Finally....I think a semi-decent picture (at least of me anyway)

Gotta love that Lady Ga Ga

Aubree and Liam are both smitten with two of Lady Ga Ga's songs, Just Dance and Pokerface. I have to admit, to a kid (who obviously doesn't understand the lyrics) the beat of the songs are fun to get your freak on. They just rock out when they hear these songs. Well, Miss Aubree has picked up more than just the beat and rhythm of the song Pokerface. She, apparently, has learned the words or at least some of them. It's just a little weird (and funny because I can be immature like that) to hear your 3 yr. old sing out, "I'm bluffing with my muffin". Even funnier to then hear Liam say, "Oh I love muffins. Mommy always gets me the apple cranberry muffin at Starbucks." See, you're laughing right now aren't you? I swear, where do these wacky kids come from?

A Graduate, a Spelling Whiz, and a Daredevil

Let's start with the Graduate: First of all, it is not really called a Graduation. It's a Promotion, but "The Graduate" sounds better than "The Promoted". Anyway, Sydney completed middle school and has been officially "promoted" to high school. I guess that makes Will and I (mostly Will) officially old. She was recognized along with others for being in the top 10 percent in her class. She worked very hard and we are proud of everything she has accomplished both in and out of school. Let's hope this strong work ethic continues through high school.




The Spelling Whiz: Liam has a knack for spelling. The kid can spell almost any word you throw at him. I think I shared in the last post that he was in the top three for first grade to compete at the school spelling bee. Well, after a very long day of track and field (which is not his cup of tea), swim practice, and a lovely rash that made him itch like crazy (from the chlorine in the pool), he managed to pull himself together and win first place. It was funny because one of his words to spell was "rash". It was a good ending to a not so good day for him.


The Daredevil: Aubree took swimming lessons the last two weeks and I can report that she is VERY comfortable in the water. While other kids were crying (some hysterically) into their mother's legs, mine was wading through the water with no regard as to whether mom was around or not. Everyday she walked by herself and checked in with the lifeguards, and jumped in the water. Last Friday they let the kids jump off the diving boards. Liam of course did not want to do it. It didn't even occur to me that they would let the little ones jump. So there I sat reading my book when one of the moms said, "Uh, you're daughter is about to jump off the diving board." WHAT!!! Sure enough, there she was, with a life jacket on of course jumping off into 12 feet deep water. She did it twice. Apparently she saw the older kids doing it and asked the lifeguards if she could too. Today they opened up the water slide for them. Liam loves the water slide (go figure). Aubree went down the slide as well, over and over again. In fact, the lifeguard going down with her finally got tired and took her back to the kiddie pool. She's an adventure seeker that one. I'm just not used to it, having the other two timid ones. Stinkin' Sydney won't even go out to the garage when it's dark out without turning on every porch light, the dog, one of the kids (Aubree usually cause she's so tough), and she leaves the door open (so she can get in quicker I guess when that monster is chasing her).

**I didn't get a picture of the Aub-ster because my camera was not charged, but I'm sure she'll be on that slide again and I'll be ready.

My JD Man

Boys and their Toys

Back in February Will took Liam for some father-son time to the World Ag Expo (formerly known as the Tulare Farm Show). This place is like mecca for these boys. It's the "Promised Land". They got to explore about 2.6 million square feet of tractor exhibit after tractor exhibit. Needless to say, Will ended up purchasing a nice wagon while they were there. Liam had a wonderful day, but was very disappointed that the keys were not in any of the tractors. During the beginning of the day he kept asking Will where the keys were. Will explained that he wouldn't be finding any keys in these tractors today because little boys like Liam might take off in them. This answer seemed to satisfy Liam and they proceeded through the rest of their day looking at the latest and greatest tractors and other farming equipment. At the end of the day they ended up at a Kubota exhibit. Will was talking to the Kubota guy, while Liam climbed in and out of the tractors. All of a sudden, Will heard, "Hey dad this one has the key in it!!!" Will said it was like one of those slow motion moments as he was yelling NOOOOOOOO running towards the tractor. Luckily he made it in time to stop his curious son from firing that baby up!!! Good times!

Liam's First Soccer Game

When Liam started school this year he told me that he wanted to play soccer. Imagine my pleasant surprise when my son told me he was interested in something that did not involve tractors. So, we signed him up and practiced started last week. Well, basically I paid 25 bucks so that my kid can pick dandelions and watch the ball as it goes by. He actually has a really strong and accurate kick, however, there is one little problem. My son being just a little OCD likes to have everything just so. As long as the ball is situated just right he has no problem kicking the ball. So, you can see how this is a problem seeing as it's SOCCER and the ball is in constant motion. I know this is all very new to him, but I don't know how many more times I have to explain that he has to run AND kick the ball at the same time. The most important thing is he had fun and we got quite a laugh watching all those little guys running after the ball. I was also relieved that I wasn't the only parent that spent 25 bucks to watch their kids pick flowers. It was actually about half and half. Half the kids seemed to have an idea of what to do and the others well, let's just say they're learning. We ended up winning 2-1.