I'm Sexy and I Know It

I took the girls to the hardware store after lunch today. On the way there, the song I'm Sexy and I know It came on the radio. I turned it up and said, "Hey, it's Elmo's song!" The girls and I have been dancing to Elmo's version since Bebo posted it on facebook last month.

Libby says, "Um, Mom? This isn't Elmo singing this. This is I'm Sexy and I Know It."

"Yeah. I know that. But how do you know that?"

"Daddy sings this song."

"Of course he does."

Fish On!

Shane took us girls out for a float on the McKenzie today. You might be surprised to know who the best fisher(girl) was. She out-fished us all, and Daddy was happy to pass the torch.

Peyton caught a fish early on, but was happier to watch the action.

Our handsome guide....

....and loyal First Mate.

Grunny spotted some geese.

Does this seat make my butt look big?

Look how long this kid has gotten! Feet like skis.

A little pit stop on the bank.

Peyton gave fishing one more try at the end of our float. She got one, but kept saying, "Daddy, will you please help me? Daddy, will you please help me?"

Victory

As Libby would say, "a great day with our WHOLE FAMILY!"

Making Lemonade Outta Lemons

The girls came across an article in Family Fun Magazine that gave a million examples of fun things to make out of cardboard. So, when Libby went with Shane to get bait today, she insisted on saving the four cardboard boxes it came in. Then, my little entrepreneurs set up a lemonade stand....

Cute, right? Except for the 56 times Peyton yelled, "WHO WANTS TO BUY SOME LEMONADE!?!?" at the top of her lungs. Truth is, business is slow here inside our house. Also, it's raining outside.

To make matters worse, a competitor moved in....

...so Peyton moved her stand and decided to specialize in cuteness.

As I sat down with my computer, Libby was working on jazzing up her stand with additional signs, banners, play money and has decided to add coffee and beer as beverage options. Peyton, trying to keep up with sister, sat down at the table and asked me how to make triangles. I told her to draw three dots and then connect them with lines. She sighed, look put out and replied, "I don't know how to do that. I'm just gunna dwaw a chicken." Right. 'Cause that's easier. Now, she's yelling, "TOCK-A-DOODLE-DO! TOCK-A-DOODLE-DO!" I think I'm going to go check out my beverage options.....

Rocketman

I realized I haven't posted a single picture here in over a month, so I've got some catching up to do starting today. Shane promised the girls when he got home from Astoria that they would build and launch rockets together, like Shane did when he was a kid. This morning he delivered on that promise.

The girls were excited after going to the store to pick out their rockets.

I was skeptical that this would become any sort of bonding experience after Shane spent a fair amount of time at the kitchen table building rockets by himself.

This morning, we grabbed coffee and went to the school.

Lift Off!

Right after I snapped this picture, Shane realized his rocket was going to end up on the roof of the school. Oops.

Well hello, Mr. Custodian. Would you mind getting our rocket off of your roof? Thank you.

Then, Jaida came and it got even better.

Libby chased the latest launch.

Shane and the girls. Notice Peyton and Jaida covering their ears.

Where'd it go?

I got it!

Magic

I just chased Peyton into the back bedroom to find something to play with. Please. There are at least a million choices in this house and they're all better than standing on your head, kicking me in my head while I'm typing. Decide. Please.

Here's what she came back with....

"Hey Mom! Do you want to see me do magic?"

"Yep."

"Kay. I'm gonna need some money."

Summer's Here....

I'm pretty sure my offspring are plotting a coup.

Paranoid, I know. I felt this way a year ago too. I remember blissfully easing into the hot sand and cool waters of summer after wrapping my end-of-the-year school duties only to wonder in the first hour why summer was no fun at all. Eventually it was great, but not the first week. This time of year takes some serious readjusting for everyone. We have to get our family bearings all over again. Currently, I'm getting my bearings while the girls are spending some quiet time on separate beds. In separate rooms. This, after Child A spit in the face of Child B, who tried to pick up the package of crackers that Child A was eating from. You might be surprised to know who was the spitter. Let's just say when anyone is eating crackers in this house, if you would like to have one also, it would behoove you to please ask first. Unless you like the soggy, sprayed-in-your-face with screaming variety. It seems we have an abundance of those.

-or-

We will work on our manners with our sister. We will cool our jets. We will role play. We will walk away when necessary. We will practice how not to explode for a sister who loves (and who's an expert at) lighting the fuse, all the while looking angelically innocent.

Wish me luck.

Send us a prayer.

Or both.

Happy Father's Day

As I started to write this, I overheard Libby say, "Daddy, I love you now more than ever." Her words are made sweeter knowing she's heard her dad speak these very words to me on a regular basis. I've got a good one, right?

Two years after writing this I feel it rings true today even more than it did then. We girls adore you, Babe. Happy Father's Day.