Next best thing

Since Diego was not available - we got the next best thing.


*** For those concerned friends - The pics of the raccoons are just taken from Google. They were not real. I made sure to stay away! Also - Patrick did not find any coons in there today. No nest - nothing. So the fireworks may have scared them off. He is sealing the roof today to avoid this happening again!

Diego - Where are you?

So anyone who knows my kids - know that they LOVE Diego and Dora. Diego, the Animal Rescuer, has saved us many times with his videos, games, etc. My kids could literally sit ALL day and never move if Diego was on tv. Kinda sad - but has been proven to be useful more times than not.

Well, now I need Diego for real. My neighbor called today and said she saw the cutest raccoon playing on our playset out back and then climb up the pole attached to our shed and climb into our shed through a hole where the roof attaches. And tonight, while the fireworks just started (we were watching from the safety of inside out house since Gavin was afraid of the loud noise), I saw the raccoon climb out and shimmy down the pole and off into the night. Then another. And another. I counted 6 adults (and that was just what I actually saw) plus HEARD numerous babies freaking out because the adults left and the fireworks scared the crap out of them. So I think we have a brothel/nesting area for some slutty raccoons. Diego - come rescue these animals before we resort to inhumane resorts! (For those animal rights activists - I am just kidding - we will handle this appropriately...and for those hunters - let me know when you are available).

God Bless America - Happy 4th of July

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
' Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

**PS - Those are my yummy pretzels for our neighbors party today!

Little Girl who cried wolf

So, thanks to Hailey on our vacation together, Evelyn's new favorite phrase is, "I stuck". She uses it very appropriately, and besides "Go Diego Go", it might be her only real words she puts together. In her high chair, when strapped in her stroller or a shopping cart, when she really gets stuck behind the couch - basically all the time she is saying "I stuck". So today when she was laying down to take a nap - I hear her yelling "I stuck". I mean, she says it all the time, so why would I believe she was really stuck. I don't think much of it (probably 10 minutes of her saying it) until I hear "that" cry when you know something bad is happening. Turns out, she got her legs(knees) stuck through the crib spindles, unable to pull them back out. She kept trying herself and ended up getting pretty swollen around her knees - making it even harder to get out. I had to try to pry apart the spindles with one arm and a leg, while pulling her backwards to get her leg out. It was not easy, but I got her out. Now if she would only use the phrase when she REALLY means it...

Sick Boy continued...

How sad is it to be a parent when your child is sick? Gavin had spurts of good moments today (when his ibuprofen set in) but for the most of the day was pretty yucky. He seemed ok at dinner - although he ate NOTHING but at least asked for chocolate milk - but then asked to be excused to go lay on the couch. At least he remembered his manners. Then I was taking Evie up for a bath and he started whining that he wanted to go. So upstairs we went - into the tub. Things were fine until I asked him to stand up so I could rinse him off. Then he started SCREAMING and crying asking, "Mommy - why are you hurting me? Stop hurting me please!" He was shaking like a leaf with awful chills and grabbing his body in pain. I quickly swooped him up into a towel and grabbed Patrick to help (since Evie was still in the tub). Patrick took Gavin and got him dressed as quickly as possible. Then Gavin (unable to move himself since he was still shaking) asked to be put into bed with extra blankets, no lights and no fan. He was doing that swallowing thing you do before you puke - so we laid a towel down just in case. I asked him if he wanted me to stay and he said no - he just wanted to sleep. All this was done by 7:15pm (and he had a 2 hr nap). Poor guy. You feel like a schmuck when you can't do anything for them!

Guess who is sick now?

Poor guy