Dryden Dairy Day

Saturday we took the kids to the Dryden Dairy Day Parade with a number of other young families we've started making friends with. The kids had a blast watching the parade and especially enjoying their bounty - nearly everyone in the parade that walked by was throwing candy. Jack got smarties for the first time and between that and the balloon I tied to his seat in the stroller he was in heaven. Mags loved every second - from the candy to the cows to the horses to the... Marching Band. And I would post a video to display Maggie's stroller dance moves... but I can't get the dern thing to post for some reason. As soon as I can, I will post it. It should be enjoyed by all.

I'm Not Gonna Lie...

I love Richard Marx. I heart Richard Marx. No, this has nothing to do with the kids so if that's all you're interested in, you can stop reading. Cause this post is just about how much Richard Marx rules. Seriously. I haven't bought any of his past like...3? cds ... the most recent one I have is his Greatest Hits, which someone gave me. But I have his first 4. And the man is just incredible. Unbelieveable singer, songwriter, and musician. I just popped the Greatest Hits in the car cd player yesterday and have not stopped listening since. And I just looked him up and he has produced a CD of 10 acoustic songs w/ the lead singer of Vertical Horizon. I think it's going to be awesome. And I've announced to Jonathan that I think, though his prime has long passed as a current pop performer, that I should see him perform in concert sometime. So wish me luck.

(p.s. - jono just peaked at the screen as I was typing this and lightly commented... "Well that's a nice post for Father's Day... your love of another man").

Jack's Future in Bball

This is Jack's new favorite thing to do. Carry around the basketball. Any and everywhere.

A Tentative Start?

Yesterday afternoon, upon waking up from her nap, Maggie decided she did NOT want a diaper on. Or pull-ups. Or real underwear for that matter. But I thought best not to let her get used to going commando, so I managed to get her in a pair of real underwear - pink to match her pink dress (this was a big hit). And so the 'training' begins. Within 30 minutes, she wet herself. And was upset enough that she got "all wet" and made a "big mess" (her words, not mine). As this happened while I was folding laundry, she ran over, grabbed a clean piece of clothing (a pair of boxers, nonetheless) and used those to clean herself and the mess she made. If she is in diapers forever, at least I can be proud I have taught her to clean up after herself. However, she did not want to sit on the potty after already wetting her pants. What do you do at this point?? Well, I bribed (my best friend says it's "conditioning"... thanks Meags :)) with a chocolate chip. Which (big surprise) worked. We did this again 40 minutes later when she wet herself again. She's been in pull ups since then as (aside from overnight which she'll be in diapers for a long while yet) we've been out of the house quite a bit. So... how, really, does this go? I guess we're about to find out. Any words of experience and/or advice are warmly welcomed.

Jack vs. the Peanut Butter Jar

... and the peanut butter wins.

Our Backyard...

...has got to be one of our very favorite things about our house. It is big and, thanks to the previous owners, very well landscaped. Now it's up to us to keep it as beautiful as they left it, and maybe even make it a little more so. So, after a few hours of yard work, I thought I would snap some pictures to post for those who may not be visiting for a long while to see it. But when you do - you can be sure you'll enjoy it!

Front Porch

Mysterious Plant (someone please identify it for us if you know what it is...) - it smells incredible and the blooms fade from purple to white over time

Maggie watering some flowers

Backyard - see the bball hoop tucked in the right corner?

Backyard view from patio off the kitchen

Butcher-A/C -08 Campaign

So, compared to say... Hotlanta... the need for air conditioning up here is significantly decreased. But it does reach the 90s for a few weeks at a time and we'll be seeing our first 90-degree day this Friday. Most people here handle by having window A/C units. And we have a grand total of.... none. But for reasons still unknown to me, the head of our household is not yet convinced that we need one. So I have started the 2008 campaign for A/C. And I am determined to win, even if it means dirty politics. Anyone who knows where to find inexpensive window units, please pass along the advice. The only concession I've gotten so far was for one that looked like it needed copious amounts of duct tape to be held together for $12 at a yard sale.