Cute boys

Neil has a very unusual sense of style. He's very specific about what he wants to wear and when. So with some trepidation, I went through a box of Jack's outgrown clothes figuring I could get at least one or two pieces that Neil would wear and the rest would move on. But I forgot about the "I want to be like my big brother in EVERY WAY" phase that Neil is going through. And Jack totally came through when he said, "I saved these for you." It felt like an act of God.

Neil has inherited a new wardrobe and he couldn't be prouder! This is him dressed up for church. Mom saved lots of money because she bought Jack WAY more clothes than Neil. Jack had 8 pairs of size 6 shorts in great condition. He was a veritable clothes horse. 

I feel a little sneaky because I didn't explain to Neil that some of these clothes look brand new because I couldn't get Jack to wear them. That will be our secret.

Dog days

Puppies are so cute! Cody has discovered a fly, and he's jumping around the house trying to catch it. 

It wasn't so cute when the fly landed on top of the TV.

Writing on the wall

It's not really writing, but there are marks on the freshly painted living room wall. I'm guessing it's from the dogs running by and brushing against the wall. How washable is this no-VOC paint I made Dean use? More importantly, how much trouble am I going to be in when we can't wash it?!

We haven't even been using the room! What's going to happen when we actually are in there on a regular basis?

Sports TV

I love this story. I sob when I watch it. Why can't Jack stumble across this on ESPN instead of Michael Vick or Roger Clemens' latest? NOOOOO. I had to explain what marijuana was during a March Madness game that included Notre Dame when ESPN was showing the collegiate comeback of an athlete with a criminal record.

Shedding season

The thing about wood floors is that it shows the dogs' shedding so much more than carpet.

Shaggy

I'm tucking the kids into bed last night when Jack asks for some glue or tape. Glue or tape? No. It's bedtime. What is he talking about?

"I need some tape," he begs.

"Why?"

"My hair keeps falling in my eyes. I want to tape it back so I can sleep."

How about a haircut?

Blub, blub, blub

My ears still feel as if they are under water. I can hear, but not quite. There are a lot of mumblers in the world. The fun of torturing the kids and making them speak up has worn off. Now what's a sick girl to do? I just keep plugging away on the antibiotics, eating yogurt and hoping for the best.

I consider it a bad mom day when I have to argue with my 5-year-old on the way home from preschool that he may NOT take apart my mother's day gift that he assembled at school. No he may NOT give part of  it to Jack and part of it to Daddy. No he may NOT do whatever he wants with it. Yes mommy is FRUSTRATED. I'm unsure of the etiquette lines. There's a blur there of the mommy who should teach him correct behavior and the mommy who should not have to defend her own lame preschool gift.

Huh?

I still can't hear very well. The boys are getting annoyed  because they actually have to speak up if they want something. No mumbling. At first I felt bad for them, but now I'm kind of enjoying it. I may milk this for awhile. "Sorry. Mom can't hear you." 

It's Momma's turn to zone you out!

What?

I don't know if I had a sinus infection or a cold. My sinuses were VERY swollen in the beginning and Monday night it felt like my ears were filling with liquid. I could barely hear Tuesday morning. 

When your doctor says "Whoa! Haven't seen on like that in awhile," it's not a good sign. Giant ear infection in one ear and the other ear was working its way to a good one too.

I feel for the little ones who get ear infections regularly. My ear didn't hurt until she poked it with her examining thing. That hurt!

Amoxacillon for mom! I expected the pink stuff that the kids get. But mom is a grownup and gets pills. Yahoo!

Girls love baubles

I used the word bauble for my friend Ikko who had never heard of the word and is now enjoying it! Ikko embraces the bauble. She's a bedazzler and might even bring me over to the dark side of adding rhinestones to personal items. Obviously, if you are reading this and you know me well, you should send help!

This bauble is the kind you can afford! They are made of acrylic (silver and gold too) which makes them affordable. And they are part of an art series commenting on modern day material needs. It's like being part of a movement. I can't decide between the smoke, pink or orange ones. But they fit the definition of bauble and are pretty inexpensive for a piece of art to wear on your finger.