Cars 2-My review.

Have you seen it yet? It's cute, but not as good as the first one.
Most of the show is around Mater, who was my favorite character in the first one, but I found him to be a little annoying in this one. He inadvertently becomes a spy agent and metamorphoses into so many characters that I felt myself going broke thinking of all the different Maters that will be hitting store shelves in the next few weeks.
(If you've seen our toy room(s) then you'd probably agree with me that it's time to overcome the guilt brought about from watching Toy Story in order to make room for the Cars2 toys that I'm sure will be at my house this coming Christmas).
The minis loved the movie and so did the Grandparents. Mini #1 kicked his legs through the racing scene as if he were side by side with McQueen and the Wild Thing only looked up between bites. It's amazing he didn't choke from the incessant eating of the popcorn, nerds, and milk duds.
We did not watch the 3D version, but I'm sure we'll be going back so the Commander can see it. I typically prefer the regular version over a 3D version anyway.

VBS

We survived (and loved) this week of Pandamania at VBS. The Wild Thing earned a repuation of being "very sweet" and "a helper".
His teacher just fell in love with him! Yesterday he went over to a child that was crying and began patting him on the back. I guess the Wild Thing can be very sweet when I'm not looking. :)
The Mini enjoyed having me as his teacher and I enjoyed having him. We had 17 5-6 year olds, but there was enough help to make it feel like a breeze. The kids learned some great songs, completed an array of crafts, heard stories, and made new friends. They will be singing How Great Thou Art along with the VBS theme song this Sunday.
We had a lot of fun. He asked me if I was the "potty teacher" since I was the one that walked the kids to the bath rooms. ha!
This was my first time to take a week of vacation to stay home. It's a tradition I will be doing every year! The Commander was out of town so he missed out on the fun, but being off work made things so much easier while he was gone. We had friends over to swim, went to Chuck E Cheese, and ate pizza for lunch one day.
What a great week. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and don't forget to wish all the great dads a Happy Father's Day. We're off to see Grandaddy this afternoon.

The Mini turned 6

We celebrated with a race car party with several of his friends. It was a brisk 57 degrees outside so many of the guests wore their coats. Who knew the temps would rocket into and remain in the 90's a few days later. Here's a sneak peak into the WILD, LOUD, and CRAZY raced theme event.
Robin, the super talented cookie maker of our area, made these works of art for me. She's expecting a baby so we were lucky enough to be one of the last orders she accepted before taking a much needed cookie break. I hope she's back soon. They were GREAT!

My friends in the Sam's club bakery helped me out with these delicious cupcakes.


So that gave me some time to put together a few decorations.




This was a really easy party to put together. A local tire store loaned me some old tires to use for an obstacle course.

We played red light/green light.

We raced cars. This is where it got a bit crazy, but the kids had a great time doing it.

I set up a car station with all different types and sizes of cars.

We ate cupcakes and ice cream outside then went inside to warm up and open presents.


I didn't get a picture of the party favors, but they were car bubbles and a chocolate car on a pretzel stick. They were very easy to make! I got the mold at our local JoAnn store.
This turned out to be a fun, yet jam packed day of events. We went to touch a truck in the morning, a t'ball game at noon, and the birthday party after that. I think we all slept well that night.

Weekend Wrap up and Walmart

I hope you had a great weekend. I enjoyed ours..well, except for the part where the Wild Thing threw up three times on the Walgreens counter without warning. Yeah, I could skip that part. It was one of those surreal experiences where you find yourself only able to think "is this really happening" or "did he really just unload this mess all over the place"? OH IT WAS HAPPENING ALL RIGHT! I had a reminder in the background yelling, HE JUST THREW UP AND IT STINKS! The two cashiers were long gone. They abandoned their registers and high tailed it out of there. The manager finally walked by so I asked for a mop and paper towels. He asked where his cashiers went, if I knew my child was sick, did he have a temperature, or did he over eat? After he was done diagnosing and analyzing the situation, he brought me a dry mop and empty bucket. He was not so helpful, but I got it cleaned up and high tailed it out of there myself. In hind sight, I should have IMMEDIATELY left like I wanted to! SERIOUSLY gross!!! He's acted fine ever since.

We took Dodo and G'daddy to the original WAL MART 5&10 store yesterday. It is now a newly renovated, interactive museum.


You can find Sam Walton's pick up truck and Helen Walton's wedding dress on display.

Do you think the people in the store make fun of tourists who think they are taking a picture with Sam Walton's truck? I would.
His actual truck is INSIDE the museum. The bite marks from his dog, Ol' Roy are still visible on the steering wheel.



Here we are looking at the badge from the only home office associate to retire past the age of 100. It was the security dog!

My favorite part of the museum is the returns wall. I think this is where Wal Mart has a sense of humor and makes fun of the customers.

The clock that won't tell time.

The fishing pole that won't catch fish.

The possessed mixer.

"It won't sharpen ink pens."


Detailed pictures were taken of Sam's office so it could be displayed just as he left it. There is a copy of Steven Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" on his desk. I read it in college, but didn't get the same results as Mr. Sam Walton did. Maybe I missed a crucial chapter. Ha!

The only thing that still costs a dime is the kiddie ride outside the front of the store. The Minis LOVED it!

Lost and Found.

LOST: Nothing triggers my self diagnosed OCD or gets my rear in gear like realizing I've lost something. It occurred to me this week that I haven't seen the Minis' swim suits in quite some time so I cleaned their closets. Finished their laundry. Searched my closet. Finished my laundry. Looked behind the dryer (Many things are found by looking behind the dryer). Searched through the luggage and even called The Great Wolf Lodge. I DON'T LIKE a missing mystery!
The final conclusion: we left them at the hotel.
Missing swimsuit #1

Missing swimsuit #2:



I suppose it's best that we remembered the kids and forgot the suits. HA!

FOUND: My desire to run again. I've been on several enjoyable run/walks over the past few weeks that have become evening outlets from the frustrations of work and chaos of home. I can't believe it has taken me this long to figure out the benefits of relieving stress through exercise. I mapped my route tonight and it was 1.44 miles. Now I've got to figure out a weekly meal plan because we've been eating a lot of sandwiches and quick meals for dinner to avoid cooking. I tried setting my alarm to get up earlier, but instead I hit snooze and enjoyed my extra 30 minutes of sleep. :)

Six Years.

Six years seems like a long time to work for the same company. I've been at the same hospital where my kids were born for over 7 years which seems like an eternity, but six years seems like a flash when it refers to Mini #1's birthday.
As I was thinking about the past six years today, a few things came to mind that really stick out the most. Six years ago I asked the child birth instructor if I could sign up for the class since I was due in a few weeks. She told me it was offered months ago and laughed as she handed me a book to speed read. A few days later our first Mini arrived. I was a nervous wreck and clueless! I had missed the class after all, but fortunately for us he was the easiest baby!

DEAR RAB,

We were SO VERY LUCKY to be where we were when you were born. I was the only person in my department so my director and administrator were very accommodating.
I took you in a pack n play on some days. The hours were 8:00-2:00, Monday-Friday..REALLY! As you got bigger and the Commander left for Iraq, I would push you through the hospital on the medication cart. You were always a hit with the nurses. You liked to look in the nursery windows to see the babies. You carried me through that time. Since then the hospital has added more beds, a neonatal ICU, extended the pharmacy hours and increased staffing to a department of four. We were so lucky to have that flexibility right when we needed it.
You are a sweet, sensitive, and caring child. It carries over to preschool and sports. We talk to you about hustling after the ball. If you and another child are running towards the ball then you will stop to allow someone else to get it.

Some comments from your teacher this year have stated:

RAB is a sweet child. How can I let him go to kindergarten?
Can RAB stay in my class until he's 10?
RAB says the funniest things.
He asked to call me Mrs Lu (short for Mrs. Luann)
"I only like to eat my mom's chicken soup".
RAB works hard on his projects.

I wish I would have saved more of these. You've only had one "bad" comment in two years and even it wasn't THAT BAD. You come by your desire to talk too much honestly. :)
I think it's funny when you say you need something to "feel you better" when you are sick. You have such enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead of you.
You were excited to start preschool. You were eager to go back again. This year you've stated "I can't stay with you forever Mrs. Lu, it's time for me to go to kindergarten." You can't wait to take your own lunch.
The ONE thing that gets me every.single.time: Not a day goes by without you saying Hugs and kisses before bedtime or as I drop you off somewhere.
Hugs and kisses, Mini!
I love you to the moon and back!
Happy Birthday to my sweet SIX year old!

Busy.

*Busy getting ready for a birthday party.
*Busy playing T'ball
*Busy helping out in South Arkansas with the flooding.
*Busy at work.
*Busy getting into trouble.
*Staying busy inside...it's been COLD and RAINY.


So..Yesterday we all rested (or collapsed).