it must be the opposite of writer's block. I've got way too much that I want to remember. so many pictures that need to be shared. moments that I want the kids to look back on and think, oh yeah, I remember that! and it just makes me look at all my photos and little blurbs we want to remember and go, "All Right! Here you go! Sort through the madness with me!" and then quite by accident, as I was creating a collage of some firehouse shots, all my photos appeared in the collage window. I looked over at Cam and said, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
.....oh wait.
....that's perfect!
I think I'll keep it!"
Here! Sort through this madness with me!
One thing we wanted to start is a family quote board. and the first memory to go into it is a short conversation between Cam and I on one of our drives to Boston recently.
We were on the Mass pike and Cam had just passed a car on the right for the umpteenth time and looked over at the driver. and of course, it was a young, disheveled college gal chatting away on her cell. so, he honked his horn and than said to me,
C: well, it must be Idiot Day today.
I'm annoyed at his impatience with most of the drivers and his constant honking,
Me: Wouldn't the idiots all be home celebrating with cake and stuff if it's their special day?
C: They wouldn't miss the satisfaction, the opportunity to annoy the normal drivers on their day of all days. Of course, they are going to be out on the road!
Me: Ok, so I know what day tomorrow is.....
C: what?
Me: It's male condescension day. What kind of cake do YOU want?
Not that I don't think it is completely stupid to be on your cell phone on the road. It is! Next time you are out, just count how many young people you pass that are texting behind the wheel. And to think, back in the days of my childhood (you know, way back in the 80s!! *winks*) parents actually let their children ride bikes on the road. It's going to be really difficult for me to let my kids do that. And it would be impossible around New Jersey. Bless you, Van Teyens! May God protect you all! : )
So, it's not the greatest, most uplifting memory to share, but it makes us crack right up and for some reason, it might just stick with us whenever we are on the road. Hopefully, it will keep the mood in the car a bit more light-hearted! Goodness!
and onto something a little more fun:
I remember as a child getting to tour our local fire station. It was only around the block from my house. Leah and I used to skateboard down the drive right into the open garage, say, "Hi." to our local firemen and walk back up the drive! However, my first official tour was with my school class. We saw the trucks, the outfits, the beds for those on call, we heard the sirens blare and of course we got to stare at the fireman's pole. I think they even let us slide down! Finn and Ally also enjoyed their tour of the Speculator Fire Dept this summer.
Unfortunately, it did not have a pole, but there were three trucks, plenty of red lockers to hide in.....
And, of course, Mr. Brian let them try on some of his gear. Finn promptly fell over, the jacket was so heavy!
Ally was a natural!
peek-a-boo.
thank you, Bri! It was fun when your boss walked in about this moment, with Finn and Ally rolling all over the dirty floor in your gear! we aren't sure if you ever got in trouble for that!?
and onto keeping fit thoughts: we've also come across something neat. Check out fitdeck.com Cam's sister gave this to us and it is such an easy way to get in a few exercises. Even though we just got my dream item, a triple stroller, I still love pulling out the deck, picking 20 cards and doing the exercises. It takes no more than 20 minutes, the kids usually laugh and join me. Beats any kind of video I've tried, even though, seriously, it is as boring as push-ups! still looking at it on a card and not doing the same order of exercises every day makes it actually quite enjoyable!
though she's all pinked out, let me tell you, she's got a mean push-up and squat thrust!
oh gosh! I'm all pinked out, too!
and who is so totally charming!!! I've got more where these came from! I saw this idea on Kelle's blog.
the lighting isn't the greatest. but, the kids were having fun outside and I just wanted to give it a try. Thanks, Kelle for the ideas!
Now, it's time to snuggle on the sofa with 2 pajama clad cuties who are suffering from sore legs. They each got 4 shots today! Hopefully, the CareBears and some medicine will help me comfort them!
