It Could Be Worse

This picture has nothing to do with anything. The boys just got to go to Monster Jam with their daddy and their papa a couple weeks ago. Pretty cool. And, you know, this looks bad, but it could be worse.

It's SNOWING today. Big fluffy, beautiful snow flakes that I keep furiously wishing away. WHY DO I LIVE WHERE IT KEEPS ON SNOWING AND BEING COLD LONG AFTER SPRING STARTS??? But, then again, it's not an earthquake. It could be worse.

I have struggled with hand and arm pain on and off for a few years. Typically I might have a few bad days, even a bad week here and there, but it's been consistently bad for the past few weeks. Bad to the point of waking me at night. Bad to the point of making me call to have a specialist look at it. I am trying to limit my computer time to "necessary" and close to it to reduce some of the hand cramping. It's unpleasant and annoying, but it could be worse.

So, if you're wondering where I've gone, I'm nursing my wounds and replacing all my windows with LCD screens filled with slideshows of tropical locations.

Kidding. I would never do that....

Cuz I can't afford it. Who needs fresh air, when you've got fake sun?

Hey, I could be worse.

Itch Scratched

Two long-sleeved Ts, a bit of cheap Walmart jersey from my stash, some old buttons from the jar and some scrap felt later:

two lettermen sweaters.

Aaaahhhh... bees, be gone.

Next year, Birdie needs a poodle skirt.

But maybe with some vinyl or a rotary phone, 'cuz poodles kinda creep me out.

Buzzing Bonnet

Sometimes I get a little "possessed" by an idea and I can't stop thinking about it until I make an attempt. It's like an itch that needs scratching. Like the proverbial bee buzzing in my bonnet.

Tomorrow night my kids have a school sock hop. I am determined that my boys shall have one of these by then:

Image found here, a SOLD etsy item.

I am also determined not to spend any money, but I am unable to focus on all the other stuff that I SHOULD be doing because I am convinced I must do. this. one. thing. Why? Did my children ask me? No. Can they go to the sock hop without a "costume?" Absolutely. Is this distraction from my day entirely my doing? Yup.

Darn, bees.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

It was done Monday. So much for "that'll keep him busy for awhile." ;-)

Many Happy Returns of the Day

Calvin turned 8 yesterday. E. I. G. H. T. Somehow that seems really close to ten.

Sometimes I get so frustrated with him. Sometimes I think he is incredibly immature and naughty for his age. Sometimes he makes me want to bang my head against a wall with his obnoxiousness. But you know what? He's awesome. And he's growing and maturing and changing and learning more every day and I love him to bits.

On Saturday we had a group of 5 extra boys at our house. Four friends/neighbors and one best friend from church and a different school district. First, let me just say that having 5 extra boys is a quick reminder that my kids are not the only ones who are not perfect ;-). Cal had a great time though and really they were all good and all had a good time. I think. I was SO proud of Cal. Not once when they were here did I hear him complain about giving someone else a turn or making sure he included someone (especially the friend who didn't know the others). Seriously? Was this MY firstborn "alpha male?" It was a small glimpse of the young man he is becoming and it was one that made me incredible pleased and hopeful that maybe we are not messing up all this parenting business!

We have a tradition here that I (stupidly) created, once the kids could make their own requests, of making a cake of their choosing. It has led to some challenging requests and often has fallen on Mike do decorate as he is the better artist between us. This year Cal settled on a Wipeout cake. I was a bit concerned that his, ahem, particular nature would not be kind to me if I didn't do it "just so" and if it didn't turn out looking like one (rather professional looking) that we found online. But, in the end, he promised not to freak out and I promised to do my best. I think we were both pleased with the simple results.

topple towers

sucker punch

big balls

Wipeout cake

Sunday we enjoyed the cake with a bit of my family (as we'll see Mike's family next weekend) and some pleasant and modest presents.

And then Cal disappeared into his focused world of Lego building, spending the next hour or so bent over his guide books. Later, he realized he had put something together wrong and needed to start over, so he just CALMLY took it apart and set it aside to take a break. CALMLY PEOPLE. No crying, no frustration, no anger, just the thought that he wanted to do it right, so he'd try again later.

I think I say this every year, but I think I'm going to like 8.