Minne-SNOW?ta????

OK. I must confess I'm completely confused. We are at 97 degrees here today with some areas crossing the 100 line. Ummm...am I not living in the "cold midwest"? This stinks. We spend at least 4 months mostly indoors during the winters and now we are being driven indoors during the summer, too? Is there no where on this planet where I can live in perpetual 70 degrees year round?

Ok. That was my whine. Feel better now. Hope the kids didn't hear me.

Some Pictures

So here is my first attempt at uploading some pictures.

Here are all 3 handsome Funderburk boys at Kirz and David's wedding in Rapid City. Ethan was the ring bearer.

Ethan is sporting his first-ever potentially scarring injury. Mommy was more freaked out than he was...head injuries produce a lot of blood! Luckily, no stitches were needed...just a butterfly bandage. Whew!

Here is Noah enjoying some lovely spit bubbles.

We have discovered Noah not only has the appetite of a monkey, but apparently the table manners of one as well. Let's hope he doesn't start flinging his poop.

Backyard Camping

Ah, summer. Wouldn't be complete without tent camping, now would it? We have a trip planned with friends in a couple of weeks, so we had to get the tent out (hasn't been used for 4+ years) to check the seams, silicon it, and see if we remember how to put it up. Once it was up, we thought "why not just sleep in it tonight?" Voila - instant 'vacation'! So we grilled some hotdogs, made a small fire in our grill, sang some songs, lit a few sparklers, ate some smores and slept under the stars (so to speak). Ethan was a bit nervous at first...it's dark outside and there are no night lights, and he could hear fireworks and other weird noises from all around. But, once he settled in and saw how close we all were, it became a fun adventure. He even mustered up enough courage to hold a sparkler! Noah, on the other hand, knows no fear. He wanted to hold the sparklers from the "shiny" end! (I just know if I ever have cause to go to the ER, Noah will be involved somehow) Then, he would not lie down, despite being up almost 3 hours past his bedtime, so we had to drag out the play pen and confine him. Moments later he was off and dreaming! It really was a lot of fun...but my favorite part was having a clean bathroom within feet of the tent!

This is one of those things younger parents do better than us older ones. I'm too spoiled to my Sleep Number bed and the drone of my fan to expect to get any rest on a Colemen air mattress and the dead quietness of night (with the occasional bug, frog, and traffic). Everytime someone coughed or rolled over, I was awake. But I still had fun and am looking forward to our 2 day trip in a couple of weeks. Just don't ask me to do 3! :)

For the 4th, I have a few library books on Independence Day we are going to read, then we are barbecuing with friends and watching local fireworks. All in all, it's turning out to be a very nice extended week-end! Happy 4th to everyone! Be sure to display your flag and thank a soldier and/or veteran!

New Photographer in the family....

We finally got Ethan's photos developed. His grandma had given him a cheap little 110 camera (yes, they STILL make those) to play around with. We stuck some film in there to see what would come out. Not bad for a 4 year old! For the most part, the head complete with face is in the picture and somewhat close to center. Has a bit of trouble discerning when to use the flash...but I guess I can cut him a break, being a newbie and all. Once I figure out how to do it, I'll try to upload a couple of the better shots for everyone to oooo and ahhhh over!

Milestone?

Yesterday, I took Ethan to the dollar store. He took money out of his bank, picked out one toy, took it to the counter, paid for it, and walked out with his bag on his arm. Major milestone? Probably not. But just another sign that I cannot keep them small (tear, sigh). He was so pleased with himself!

Whoopi Cushion Wow Factor

My four year old has just discovered whoopi cushions. You would thing that we just discoved life on another planet - he is enthralled. All those expensive Christmas/Birthday toys? They are but manure. Life just became much more rich and purposeful for him. So how long must I endure "mommy, you wanna hear me fart?" before the whoopi cushion mysteriously disappears? Oh and talk about acting practice...I must pretend I am surprised and embarrassed everytime I sit down somewhere (even though the fine subtleties of HIDING the cushion are lost on him). Ah, boys...gotta love 'em.

Guess there has to be a "worst"...

Just got back from the Black Hills on a mini-vacation. Guess out of all the vacations you take, one of them has to qualify as the worst....this was it. We went to attend a friend's wedding. Ethan was the ringbearer. We've been to Rapid City, SD two previous times and LOVED it. Well, this time we were stuck in a small camping cabin with a 4 year old, a 1 year old, and rain. Not your drizzly, "deal with it" kind of camping rain...torrential downpours complete with thunder and lightening. No swimming, no hiking, no mini-golf, NO BUFFALO!!! What's the point of vacationing in the prairie if you can't see no stinkin' buffalo? Ugh. Needless to say, I think all future vacations will be in my own back yard until the kids are old enough to entertain themselves. Or at least close enough that if the weather sucks we can simply drive back home. Guess I've been in the city too long....

On a better note, I did get to meet lots of folks who've listened to "my" CD and liked it. That's not so bad...even if they were relatives of the other band members! :)