The cannonball that never was

Yesterday I went home from work early to spend some time with N and Zoe. I had grand ideas to spend time at the pool. It's less than 1/2 a mile up the road and it is full of good times.

As I got home, I had N put a swimmer and suit on Zoe, I ran into the bedroom to get ready, packed a bag and we were ready.

With the extreme temps we've been having all I've wanted to do was sit in water somewhere. I've been looking forward to our pool trip for a full week.

As we turned into the parking lot, it was empty. The sign on the fence said "open daily from 10:30-5:30." Yet the metal door to the entrance was closed.

We went home and I called.

"Are you open today?"
"Not for open swim."

Honestly. It's like 94 degrees outside, I actually put on a swimsuit and they're closed.

To say I was disappointed is putting it mildly. I think I'm hormonal because I actually cried a little bit.

Fortunately swim lessons start tomorrow for Zoe, so I'll at least get to be in the water. Even though it's indoors.

Dinner a la flambé

It’s a good thing Zoe is the next Rachael Ray because her mother has some serious problems in the kitchen. Last night I had a strange desire to cook a nice meal for Zoe and myself. Typically during the week we do easy since it’s just the two of us and I’m okay with cereal for dinner. I decided yesterday that we needed some ham, au gratin potatoes for me, mashed potatoes for Zoe, asparagus for me and green beans for Zoe. This meal would be at least a 5 pot meal, which is exactly 4 pots more than I like washing.

We rushed home, she played Mr. Potato Head and I got started. I put some water on the boil for the potatoes and got to work on Zoe’s potatoes.

After about 4 minutes I noticed that the water I had put on the stove still wasn’t appearing to be getting hot.

Then I discovered why.

I turned on the wrong burner. The one that was getting hot was cooking my burner cover. My stainless steel, holds up to anything burner cover.

In my panic I turned off the burner, grabbed some hot pads and lifted the scorched burner cover off. That’s when I saw the spark of a small fire.

Fortunately it was only a spark. I dropped the burner cover in the sink and got the water running to cool it.

That’s when I noticed my cloth hot pad also seemed to be smoking or igniting. I threw it into the sink too.

The house is filling with smoke, Zoe’s running to the door and asking, “mom okay? Okay mom?” I’m running around the kitchen trying to make sure the stove isn’t sparking anymore, the sink is keeping the hot pad and the burner cover from doing anything else and waving my arms around to keep the fire alarms from going off.

Just typing this makes my heart race again.

Fortunately no damage was done to the stove. A little elbow grease took care of any marks. The hot pad and burner cover didn’t survive. At least our house did and so did dinner.

Move over Rachael Ray

This week we've had quite a bit to do in the kitchen. With everything going on at church, I've been a mad woman, baking cookies and desserts. Last night we had to make some things for our family for the week and Zoe was my helper.

First up was some muffins. They are her breakfast of choice right now. If you know Zoe, getting her to eat anything in the morning can be a challenge, so if she's into something we make it. I sat her on the counter and we began our muffin making.

She poured the oil in all by herself. Then some water. Then she stirred. I grabbed one egg while she was stirring thinking that she was distracted. She immediately dropped her spoon and grabbed the other egg. I figured since these were her muffins, we could risk an egg shell fiasco.

To my surprise, she was perfect. No egg shells, nothing. I was completely impressed and congratulated her for a bit too long. I got her look. The one that says, "I'm no longer related to you if you keep doing that."

After we got the muffins in the oven, we moved onto sandwiches for daddy's lunch today. She laid the cheese, turkey and lettuce on the sandwiches like she's a Subway sandwich artist.

I had no idea she was ready for culinary school. Move over Rachael, a new chef's in town.

Peacock

Our weekend was insanely busy. I don’t think I sat down until I started writing this, well after the weekend was over.

Saturday we had the memorial service for Bill. My mom coordinates the family dinner. Typically there are 10-15 family members. Bill had 50. My mom enlisted the help of me and my sister. It was totally chaotic, but a true blessing. To be able to do something for the family in a time of loss is what being a part of a church family is about.

I would say there was close to 400 people at the service. It was great seeing people who have left our church and fellowship with them. Of course it’s not for a reason we would all like, but for a moment is was the church of my youth. There is a familiarity with that I can’t describe.

The moment that was the most touching of the whole thing was watching Zoe. They had piped a video feed into the basement for overflow purposes. We got to enjoy the service while cleaning up from the dinner and getting the cookies and drinks ready for the fellowship time following the service. Zoe was wonderful. She did want to run around a bit, but she was content playing with her stickers and climbing on and off and on and off chairs.

After about 40 minutes we went into the other room where the dinner had taken place. Usually Zoe is there with my mom for all the funeral services and family dinners. She knows the routine. She pushed a cart into the dinner room and started to pick up forks and cups and place them on the cart. Her job was part of the clean-up crew. She silently went to each table, collecting the things that were left.

She then went into the kitchen and grabbed two boxes of sugar packets off the counter, brought them into the room and then, with grandma’s help, they got the drink condiments off the tables for Zoe to sort.

My mom used to say that there were moments as a parent where her feathers puffed up because she was as proud as a peacock. To see my 2 year old serving, without being asked to, made my feathers puff up.

She's a beige person

On Sunday morning all the kids from VBS were to get on stage and sing a song. The 2 and 3 year olds had eggs they would shake while the older kids sang.

We practiced shaking the eggs in nursery before going on stage and all the kids were ready.

That is until they actually got on stage. A few of the kids did great. Zoe didn't really like being on stage. She gave Grandma her egg and stood there.

About 3 seconds later, the alligator tears began.

She climbed down the stairs, hugged on Grandma and then got her nerves of steel back. She climbed back up the stairs, took an egg and sat there.

Watching the TV monitor with the words on it.

I think she was waiting for the Wiggles.

We did some wiggling

One of Zoe's favorite morning shows used to be The Wiggles. She loves to sing and dance, so it was a natural fit for her. They are dubbed "your child's first rock band."

Unfortunately they left Disney and signed a deal with Sprout. That's a channel we don't have. The Wiggles have been off our radar for a bit.

Until we found out they were coming to town. I bought Zoe a Wiggles DVD and we haven't stopped watching it since.

She loves Wags the Dog, all the dance moves and Sam, the yellow Wiggle.

Imagine her delight when we went to the Opera House to see Sam, Wags and all the rest of the Wiggles in person.

I think her eyes grew about 2 feet each.

We got third row tickets and this is our pose for most of the show.

She was enthralled. Until Sam came off stage and waved to her personally. She kept yelling "it's Sam. It's Sam!"

All she could do was smile and wave back. She was absolutely speechless. Because she's like her mother, that's a rarity.

The Wiggles show was awesome. It contained humor for the parents (they rib each other constantly) and 90 minutes of pure energy for the kiddos.

About two-thirds of the way through, Wags the Dog came out to dance. Immediately Zoe sat up and made sure all of us knew it was Wags!

In person! Then he sang some song about scratching his fleas. He sure knows how to win our girl's heart.

I loved how much energy they had, how they spoke to kids and interacted with them. It truly was a great time. They even encouraged parents to take pictures. They speak to the blogging/scrapbooking crowd too.

Thank you Wiggles for making Spokane a stop on your tour. It made our whole weekend.

Keep dancing Bill

I've gone to the same church my whole life. It is a place where many of my memories come from. Most of my childhood was spent there in some form of youth program or service function.

I met lifelong friends there. Learned about salvation and was baptized there. I met N at youth group in our old gym. We were married 11 years later in the sanctuary.

Many of the people in our church have watched me grow, celebrated each milestone with me and have mentored me in some way either through their actions and their teaching.

Two people come to mind almost immediately: Bill and Adelin. I can remember many hugs from both of them, but also just the way they were as a couple. You knew their love continued to grow and deepen as they grew older. They were the couple I wanted my marriage to be like.

At my bridal shower, Adelin gave the devotional. She was an Air Force wife and knew all too well the life N and I were about to enter into. I'll never forget her words, "the first year is the hardest." At the time I thought she didn't know what she was talking about. As we entered into our first year of marriage, her words stuck with me.

During our reception we did a couples dance. The DJ would ask couples to leave the dance floor if they hadn't been married longer than 5, 10, 15 years, etc. This went on until Bill, Adelin, Neil and I were the only ones left. It was the longest marriage the newlyweds on the floor together.

It is one of my treasured memories from that day, being able to share that dance with Bill & Adelin.

I learned this morning that Bill is with Jesus. He has been fighting illness for awhile, but this morning the Lord called him home.

I'm so blessed to have had the priviledge to know Bill as part of my church family. He was there with me through most of my life. His spirit, personality, love for his wife and Lord have imprinted on my soul. He was a mentor to me in many spoken and unspoken ways.

Keep the dance floor open Bill. We'll get another dance someday.

We have a virus

Our poor computer is infected with some virus. After days of N trying to exercise the demon virus from our computer, we've got a professional working on it.

I'm going to be silent for a few days while the master computer whiz does his thing.

Vacation Bible Alternative School

This week is VBS at our church. Zoe gets to attend because Grandma works in her class. Typically the 2-3 year old class is only for VBS workers children and grandchildren. Grandma likes to get Zoe involved in things, so she volunteers for VBS in Zoe's class.

At pre-registration on Sunday, Zoe's class was the biggest. There were going to be thirteen 2-3 year olds out of 27 kids total.

My mom was gearing up for a busy day.

I don't think she was prepared for what happened. During the first hour of play time and then snacks Zoe did great.

Then they asked her to sit on the floor and listen to a story. She wanted to play with the blocks. That's when the crying started.

Fortunately for Zoe, another little boy, Gabe had started his meltdown about 15 minutes before her.

They went with Grandma to the nursery for the last 90 minutes of class. She and Gabe were the VBS drop-outs on Monday.

Fortunately for her reputation (and Gabe's) both of them made it through VBS on Tuesday. She came home with a cute giraffe standing in some dirt in a cup with stickers, many stickers on the outside.

We'll see how today goes. Hopefully she makes it through today. If she does then she'll learn the song they are singing at church on Sunday. On the stage.

Then we can put the whole Monday drop-out behind us.

That is until she sees all the strangers staring at her.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Awhile ago we were looking through old videos. The kind with no sound and people seem to move/walk a little faster than normal.

My grandpa loved taking home movies. One of the first videos of me once I was mobile is from around 18 months old. I walked over to my mom's purse and began emptying the contents. Apparently this was a favorite pasttime of mine. My mother's purse was never safe.

Sunday evening I saw Zoe doing this.

And this.

And this.

And this.

And this.

Until all the stuff was out of my purse.

Apparently she's a bit like her mother

We did some slippin' and slidin'

For their birthdays, D & E got some money and a Target gift card. We thought we would put the money to good use on Saturday.

We loaded up all three kiddos into the car and took off for the land of cool, summer stuff.

We bought the girls a croquet set that Grammie and Grandpa asked us to get and then we hit the water aisle.

The girls found a Slip-n-Slide.

It's safe to say that they loved it.

Until Sunday morning and their tummies were a little sore for all that sliding.

We have a man down

Monday morning I was awaken at 2:45 by thunder. I'm not someone who is freaked out by thunderstorms. I actually love to sit and watch them.

At 2:45 in the morning I'm concerned about Zoe getting scared or the power going out. For about 90 minutes I listened while the thunder rolled over our house and watched the lightning light up the house.

It was an amazing storm.

Monday evening it was still a little windy and damp. Which our yard really appreciated.

Last night was the first night that Zoe and I had been outside since the Monday morning storm.

I saw my flowers.

Divided like the Red Sea.

My poor pansies. They never saw it coming.

On the flip-side, our pumpkins grew some blooms.

Monster blooms that are the same size as my calla lilies.

Maybe this Halloween we'll have some pumpkins to carve.

A date night!

We saw it.

It was awesome.

You should go.

That is, if you like cool cars that transform into robots and fight the bad robots.

Then you'll probably like it.

It is 2.5 hours long, so go to the bathroom before the previews.

Don't learn the hard way like I did.

We practiced freedom of speech

Our Fourth started out pretty typical. Until I got Zoe dressed. Grandma Kathy bought her a white t-shirt with flag United States on it. She hated it. So much there was wailing and gnashing of teeth until it came off.

We got a different shirt with stripes on and decided to play outside. On her slide. That always fixes bad wardrobe choices.

The it got to be about as hot as living on the sun. I've been trying to figure out how we can get an underground pool in our backyard that has grass for a top. That way we can still have our yard and have a pool. Honestly, it would be the best of both worlds.

The best solution I can find is a 48 inch pool just for Zoe.

Because I thought I was honestly going to melt, I got in the pool with her.

It was the best way to blow bubbles together. Plus I cooled down to about the heat of a chicken in the oven baking. Which is an improvement.

Then Grandma Kathy came over for dinner and some mayhem. Apparently Zoe and Grandma have a game where they run around the house, playing tag and screaming.

Even daddy joined in.

Nothing is more fun than having two, grown adults play toddler games while the toddler laughs, giggles and demands MORE!

That was until dinner was over and it was time for cupcakes. Zoe and I had made jumbo cupcakes to celebrate the birth of our nation.

According to Zoe, they were "mmmm...good!"

Just like our holiday.

Highway to the danger zone

I'm not really a fan of nature. Actually, let me clarify. I'm not a big fan of the creatures that live in nature. I don't wish them harm, but I also don't really want to know they exist.

I've posted a couple times on our friend, Frog. He's made a couple appearances at our house over the last 10 months. I've never been overly thrilled to see him.

This morning I was cleaning Zoe's pool. The water had sat in it for a couple days and it was getting a little slimy. Last night I emptied the pool. This morning I took the bleach and decided to do some early morning scrubbing.

I was working my way around the pool and almost touched Frog. He was sitting in the small amount of bleach-water in the pool enjoying the early morning cool. I'm fortunate Zoe didn't wake up with my screaming.

It took about forever to get Frog to exit the pool. In his (hers? How do you tell?) defense, he was just sitting in some bleach/water mixture. So he might not've been totally with it.

I lost him in the grass about 15 minutes later and he hasn't returned to the pool. I feel bad about the bleach, but I really hope he tells his frog friends that this pool is a danger zone.

The pool water warmed enough for Zoe and I to enjoy some splashing time after her nap. I was sitting in my chair, feet in the pool, chatting with Zoe when all of a sudden something landed in my hair. I immediately began screaming and swatting at my head.

The biggest bug I have ever seen landed on my tank top. I jumped up, screaming and flicking.

Zoe was sitting on her stool in the pool just laughing and screaming like I was doing.

We found the bug floating in the pool. His atennae were the length of my thumb. I think at that length they become antlers.

When Zoe saw it she freaked out. She screamed an grabbed onto my leg.

I quickly scooped/splashed it out of the pool.

I hope all bugs that think landing on me is a good idea, see his corpse in my garden.

Maybe I should start playing that Top Gun song on my boombox.

Hold please, I have a call

All of my girls have a deep need to play with old cell phones. N & I always have to have multiple ones on hand in case a fight breaks out.

D loves having a cell phone. When D was about 5 years old, she & E were playing Play-Doh in my mom's kitchen. D had an old cell phone sitting next to her on the table. As E & I continued to play, D took a call.

She had an entire conversation that went something like this:

Oh hi.
I'm at my dad's playing Play-Doh right now.
I don't think I can come over today.
*fake coughs* I'm sick, so I really can't come over today. I'll call you tomorrow.

She looked at me and said, "that was Sarah. She wanted me to come over today, but I told her I couldn't. I am playing Play-Doh right now."

If you didn't know the cell phone was no longer in service, you would actually believe that Sarah called about a playdate.

It took everything within me to play along rather than laugh.

Fast forward to last night.

Zoe and I are coloring on the floor. We thought it would be fun to trace out hands. All of a sudden she stops and picks up an old cell phone.

Oh, hi.
No *and shakes her head*
'Kay, see ya.

I asked her who it was and she said "Gaa-Ma."

Apparently there will be more playdates and conversations that I get to play along with.