I'm Wondering...

Today is Independence Day.

We do a lot of our celebrating the day before because

there are so many fun things to do.

 

This year I saw a picture of the American Picnic

& it got me wondering why I

never -in my whole life-

have made fried chicken before.

 

 

link

 

It's just so American.

So I decide it is time.

 

As I start...

 

I'm wondering why there are other settings

than HIGH on my stove.

 

 

My husband is wondering why I burn everything.

 

 

 

 

Bo is wondering why the house is so foggy.

 

Annie is are wondering what stinks terribly.

 

I am wondering why my pictures are so foggy,

 

 

 

...and why Roo is begging to go outside.

 

 

Kelly is wondering where all the kids have gone.

I'm wondering why we found them all out in the garage

...including Kit.

(Annie said he was coughing too badly.)

 

 

My neighbors are wondering why we are blowing

smoke out of our house with fans.

(and if our house is on fire.)

 

 

I'm wondering why it doesn't look like the magazine pictures.

 

I'm wondering if I should have actually followed the recipe.

 

 

I'm wondering why everyone is picking the

breading off their chicken.

 

 

 

& why Roo keeps dipping his watermelon in western dressing,

but that's a different story.

 

 

The kids are all wondering when our house will smell better.

 

I'm wondering if the people sitting next to us at the fireworks will notice we all smell like burnt grease.

 

I'm wondering if the dried on flour & water mixture all over my black tank top is that noticeable.

 

I'm glad it's dark.

 

I'm wondering why I made fried chicken when

Kentucky Fried Chicken is just down the block.

 

I'm also wondering how you celebrate!?

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July.

Hope you get to celebrate with family & friends.

And that your house never smells like ours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Lil Secret...

Super Bo just turned 6.

 

 

At our house every party needs balloons.

 

 

But what one might not suspect about me is that

I am a water balloon expert.

 

I know way too much about water balloons,

 

like the groovy tie-died balloons are a beast to fill

 but a big hit with the girls.

 

                     

 

and that little boys love the grenades.

 

 

I know that cherry bombs are the

easiest to fill AND the best poppers,

 

 

and that if you have skills you can tie them

with a big bubble in the stem

& they become the coveted "Double Cannons."

 

 

I know that if you draw a baby on a balloon

the kids will take care of it all day without popping it,

 

 

But if you draw your brother on there

...it'll be the first one smashed with glee.

 

 

I know that the best part of a water balloon fight is the anticipation...seeing those big fat balloons but not being able to throw them until ALL the guests arrive.

 

I know that everyone needs to start with the same amount,

 

 

but you better have a refill station or two on hand.

 

 

I know that even though there will probably be tears

there will mostly be lots & lots of smiles,

 

 

and that 180 water balloons can be thrown in three minutes flat.

 

 

But I will let you in on my favorite secret about

water balloon fights...

 

Adult Water Balloons.

 

Fill up a regular balloon as big as you dare.

 

 

and under ALL circumstances resist the darlingness of your children when they beg for one...and they will...even if it is their birthday.

 

All the magic lies in the fact that only the adults get these babies & you can bet that one day they will be moms & dads with a sparkle in their eye telling their kids "Someday....when you are a dad..."

 

 

 

Remember

 

you are never too young,

 

 

or too old,

 

 

to soak the ones you love.

 

 

P.S.  I ALSO know that if kids try sneak them in the house

to keep them for tomorrow

...say in their dresser drawers or hidden on top on the fridge...

 

they pop.

 

You've been warned...

wish I was. 

:)

 

 

 

 

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The Best Gift of All

You all know how huge the SISTER part of my life is. 

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be

the sister in the middle...closest to both.

So you can imagine how badly I wish Annie had a sister.

Not sure how she would survive without one.

For her cousin Zadie's birthday both

Annie AND Zadie got a special gift.

Annie gave her this card:

Their gifts?

A sister.

They believe it in their hearts.

I do too.

Puppy Party

Rocco turned 4 today

We threw him a puppy party.

 

First up...

Puppy Hats for everyone!

(Oriental Trading 22$ for a dozen!)

 

 

Then a bone hunt!

 

 

 

Every puppy loves an obstacle course:

Jump through the hoop,

Carry the bone,

Push the ball with your nose,



 

 

Then we just did lots more stuff like:

 

Make muddy paw prints.

 

(Potato Stamps)

 

Clip their nails.

Yes...we seriously did.

 

Of course we had to eat bones
 

(Graham cracker bones)

 

& cupcakes too...

 

One last thing you won't want to forget:

 

 

 

~Happy Birthday Little Pup~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day a year...

 

My little sister & I have nine kids between us.

 

and

 

One day a year,

May 17th,

on this little girl's birthday...

our kids are all different ages...

 

 

 

 until tomorrow,

when this lil' guy turns 2.

We think it's pretty cool

& take a picture every May 17.

 

Little joys, love 'em.