Celery Bog

Yesterday we decided to go to the Celery Bog and walk around the trails. (Ginger and Loren inspired us!) The weather was perfect and the boys were actually in good moods, despite the late bedtime the night before. It was really nice to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. We didn't even take our cell phones. (No biggie for me, but for Lance? Whoa.)

The boys loved running around, picking up sticks, throwing rocks, and arguing with us over whether or not they could walk on the algae on the water. (It was pretty thick...) I was just happy to get everyone out of the house and away from computers, tv, Wii, and all the rest.

Spencer and Daddy enjoying a rest on a rock.

I call this one "Two roads diverged..." (We let Spencer choose which ways we went - he loved being in charge!)

Josh inspects a stump for bugs. Josh is obsessed with bugs. (Takes after Grandpa ElRay in that aspect!) *Side note: Josh will say Grandpa, but whenever we say "Say Grandma" he says "Susie!".

Taking a water and granola bar break. Yes, I timed it so everyone looked as odd as possible.

I just love Josh in his hat. Notice the dirty knees - can a little boy call himself a little boy without dirty knees? I think not.

I decided to take a picture to prove I was there.

Watch out - he's got a stick! (Actually, Spencer just really wanted me to take a picture of him and this stick. Don't ask me why - I just do what I'm told.)

Fourth of July

This 496th post should have been made yesterday. But certain 'shortcuts' taken after the fireworks show backfired, making us not get home until nearly midnight. I'm not naming any names here. But the person who chose the shortcuts is also the same person who has not yet noticed my new haircut. He obviously has problems with 'cuts'.

Anywho.

We had a great 4th of July! We even started early, on the 2nd, by putting up our new flag. I've been wanting to for several years now but only just got around to it. (What?! I've been busy!) The boys love the flag. We now have to check on it every morning from the office window. And we have to count all the flags we see on the way to anywhere.


We had problems with trying to grab the flag, hit it, pull it off, etc. A brief but thorough discussion ensued, including (but not limited to): how respecting our flag shows respect for our country; our country is The United States of America; we live in the USA; yes, we also live in Indiana; Indiana is a state in our country; our flag represents our country; yes, the flag has stars on it and 13 stripes for the 13 original colonies; yes, we had to fight a war against the British and we won; no, they did not use guns like in Halo or Call of Duty; and finally , just don't hit the flag anymore, okay?! Because I said so.

The Crooks invited us over for a 4th of July barbecue at their home. (Spencer was WAY excited and asked every day this week when we were going to "Sam's birthday party", "Sam's party", "Sam's fireworks", etc. I think he was a little confused.) I would have a picture of Ginger and Loren, but kept forgetting to take a picture of them. But here's good ol' Sam!


I know Ginger lurrves these potato bites (a Pampered Chef recipe), so I made them especially for her. Because that's the kind of friend I am.


Mmm... one bite of those makes you proud to be an American.


I also knew that I would win Mother of the Year if I bought this huge canister of cheese balls from Sam's Club. (I've always wanted to!) Only about five inches worth were eaten, so we left them with the Crooks. Because that's also the kind of friend I am.


At the Crooks we feasted on yummy hot dogs (with awesome homemade zucchini relish - yum!), frog eye salad (courtesy of the fabulous Kayli), Jell-o fluff (made by Heidi, who really needs to start a blog all about her yummy cooking), and chips and salsa (by Marci, who should also start a blog!).

The kids swam, played, harassed a kidnapped turtle named Scratchy (ask Ginger), and ran around as if they had crazy bees in their head. In other words, a grand time was had by all. A few other highlights:

Spencer became a badmitton champion.

Spiderman and other various superheroes came to the rescue while the kids were on the tramp. (Can't you see him wrestling the bad guys there?)

Josh wanted to play badmitton, but Daddy didn't want to share yet.

Josh convinced daddy to share. (And by 'convince' I mean whined long enough to drive daddy insane.)

Everyone had to run for cover, because Josh swings a racket like he throws a ball - with deadly and accurate force.

We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. It's been so long since I had s'mores!

Joshie started fading at s'more time. (This did not stop him from eating two s'mores. It just meant he was tired in between bites.)

The weather was perfect, the food was great, and, most importantly, the company was wonderful. Thanks for the fun evening, Ginger and Loren!

After the party we went over to Purdue for the fireworks show. By the time we parked the car and hiked up to the field the boys were getting pretty tired and cranky - until I pulled out the Oreos. (A little family tradition - it's not a fireworks show without America's favorite cookie!) We munched on cookies, wished we had milk, and ooohed and ahhhed over the fireworks. (I think fireworks are so much better with little kids because they get so genuinely excited about them. Josh kept saying "Fireworks went BOOM!" and "Fireworks eat the dookies" all day.)

I didn't get any pictures during the fireworks, but I did get these ones in the car during the aforementioned shortcuts. I'm pretty sure Josh ate at least ten cookies, and most of them ended up on his face and hair.
A very happy Fourth!

New Haircut

I got my hair cut today. I hadn't had it cut in quite a while since I'm trying to grow it out, and it was getting a little out of control. It had no real style and needed to be thinned like crazy. (The stylist mentioned three times how much hair I have. I know there are worse problems to have. I know. But it's still annoying.)

I like it. It kept a lot of the length and has lots of styling options. I could go more curly, sleek, ultra strait, or tussled (like today). Hopefully it won't go crazy huge in the humidity anymore, either. (Yeah, right.)


When I was done Spencer said, "Wow, Mommy. You look beautiful!" (He's my favorite right now.)

Joshie said, "Hi Mommy! Snack!" (In his defense, it was lunch time.)

Lance, who has been home for over six hours now, has failed to say anything. Assuming he doesn't read this post, he might not even notice until someone else mentions it. (*Note: I'm not mad - just interested to see where this will go.)

p.s. Ah ha! Two posts in one day?! I might get to my 500th post quicker than you think. Better enter my contest while you have the chance! Stay tuned...

500th Post Giveaway!

As any of my readers who keep track of my posts know (and I know you do, Tiffany!), this is my 494th post - only six more to go until I reach 500! (Der.)

In honor of this grand event I am giving away 500 India Rupees! (Valued at over $11.52!)

Okay, not really.

Instead, I want to give away one of my FAVORITE EVER, MOST WONDERFUL, HOW-DID-I-EVER-LIVE-IF-YOU-CAN-REALLY-CALL-IT-LIVING-WITHOUT-THIS kitchen tool. I give you the Zyliss Pizza Cutter.

Do you hear the angelic choirs?

Lance bought this for me a couple of years ago, and I fall more and more in love with it each time I use it. Which is often.

Don't let the name fool you - this is way more than just a pizza cutter. I've been known to use it on quesadillas, caramels, brownies, bread sticks, homemade noodles, cheese, and so much more. The fact that it doesn't have a handle makes it easier to use and with less force. And it comes apart easily and is dishwasher safe.

Happiness, thy name is Zyliss Pizza Cutter!

How can you win this little piece of kitchen heaven? Just leave a comment on this post. (Aren't you glad I'm not making you count something? All in good time, my friends.) A random number generator will be used to choose the winner. I'll announce the lucky duck on my 500th post, thus ensuring their fame and glory for generations to come.

Never posted on my blog before? Don't be shy - we're all friends here. Especially now that we know of the wonder that is the Zyliss Pizza Cutter!

P.S. The winner, which will most definitely be you, can choose between red or white. Will the happiness never end?!

Was T-ball Worth It?

Definitely.

Dr. Destructo Strikes Again

We have a superhero living in our midst.

His name? Dr. Destructo.

Whether he's good or evil is up for debate. (Although I'm thinking evil - 'Dr. Destructo' just has an evil sort of ring to it.)

His superpowers? Super-human mega-strength, which he uses to destroy things. Specifically, my home. And he does it with super-human stealth, so I don't hear it until it's too late.

Who is this Dr. Destructo? How old is he? Where does he bide his time, hiding his true identity until it's too late?

(He's flexing, in case you're wondering.)

It's Joshie, my 21 month old 'baby'. A.K.A. 'Dr. Destructo." Why?

'Why' is a question I ask myself a lot with this child. Specifically, WHY MUST YOU DESTROY MY HOME BIT BY BIT? This is the doorstop in the kitchen for the garage door. It was screwed into the cabinet, and was really secure. Really secure. But not secure enough for Dr. Destructo!

If you've read my blog for a while, you know this is not the first time Dr. Destructo has struck. If you haven't, go here. It's my favorite bit of Joshie carnage. (Although by no means the only. I just don't always blog about everything he destroys. It gets old.)

This child is a force to be reckoned with. I just hope my home can survive it.

Self-portrait Tuesday

This one's for you, Stacey.

Oh, and don't think this is the last you've seen of the kitty. (Yes, that is a threat!)