Mailbox, Movie, Mother Nature, and maybe cucumbers?

Dear Mom,
The trip to the mailbox today was only to retrieve the envelope that Brenda stole from the car, as I knelt in the weeds. (Turned out to be the car registration. Where did she think she was sending it?) -Love always, Lindsay

So I watched '17 Again' last night. I still don't know if I liked it or not. I will say this- I want that backyard! And tonight, with dirty fingernails and a sore back, I'm grateful for the inspiration. Normally by April my face is pressed to the windows with a crazy gleam in my eye. OOOh, the projects I'm dreaming up! But this year I have just been grumbling and cursing nature. How dare you bully your way into my life!
But to clarify, my yard will NOT be looking this cool (see above picture) anytime soon, but will just look like somebody cares.

So did anyone really like that movie? There were just so many awkward moments. I think it flopped a bit. But, you know, whatever...

Brenda helped in the yard by gathering pulled weeds, digging holes, and looking fabulous.
And here's some happy news. My veggie box-planter is showing life! I'm not sure what it is, though, thanks to a bad labeling job. (It was me. I did it.) Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps...

I liked the monkeys with the funny pink bottoms.

Well yesterday was Garret's classroom trip to the zoo. We were a fantastically-interesting parade of leashes, picture cues, calming toys, and "sorry", "excuse us", "whoops!" etc. Some kids hid their faces to avoid the crowd. Some pulled the clothes of innocent passer-bys. Some screeched every 10-15 seconds. The teachers and parents were all packin' the gummy bears for desperate moments. And with all that the only bummer was the rain. We had a GREAT time.

Isn't he handsome?

The elephant was captivating and the two seemed to have a moment.

Garret really perked up watching the penguins "dance" in the water.

OK. ONE picture with mom. (Actually, teacher-Michelle took about 8 pictures as Garret squirmed.)

I honestly don't know how those teachers manage that group every day. I went home, sent Garret outside to play, and seriously crashed on the couch. I don't even remember what Oprah was about.

recipe for love

Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes.
There's too much fraternizing with the enemy.

-- Henry Kissinger

So I just finished up some pics. Then started the next set. I gotta say, LOVE is in the air...


Will someone come take cute pics of Mike 'n Me? I wanna be mushy...

But my latest love affair is right here-

...mmmmmm, chocolate cake...

Oh, and the girl is pretty sweet, too.

Well, thanks for asking!

Friday evening Mike went out with a buddy while my friend, Frieda, came over and watched an old Judy Garland movie with me. It was "In the [something] Summertime". And though I'm not a big Garland fan, and we both agreed that the 'love' scene was creepy-dumb, I was entertained.
I think this needs to be a regular thing. Old Movie Night at Lindsay's! And I'll provide the homemade kettlecorn. Yes? (Next will be something with Jimmy Stewart.)

Saturday I ran fast 'cause I am a RUNNER! (My mom told me an inspiring story, and it inspired me.) (That'll be a future post.)

Saturday night was our ward's scout auction. It was fun as we passed around our stuff and gave money for our youth programs. I came away with a shrub-like bush and a small toy kitchen. $2.25! (If this inspires my girls to cook, they are never leaving home.)

(This cookie is real. The plastic ones were gross.)

Sunday was a, umm, fun whirlwind of church, kids, musical numbers, kids, choir practice, kids, and more church stuff. As crazy as Sundays are, when I'm sick, I really do miss it...
Also, Suzie solidified the word 'no'. It's really cute! ...for now.

Today was also a bit of a blur, but that's 'cause I took the wrong allergic meds and 'zombied' out. -Nice excuse for a nap, though. Maybe I'll make the same mistake tomorrow...

...But today I did manage another run (thanks Sara!) 'cause I am a RUNNER!!!

Well, that's my four-day wrap-up. Was it worth it?

Oh, and Melissa- ugly pics of my kids just don't exist. Otherwise your wish is my demand, of course.

How I stay fit...

I jump, tap, bounce, skip, stomp, run, squirm, kick, march, sing, rock, pound, flail, swing, wiggle, throw, laugh, sprint, shake, leap, dig, climb, and play...

...all FREAKIN' Day Long.
-love, Garret

avoidingthespacebar

My5 keyboard 5is 5FREAKING5 OUT!5 5 The 5spacebar 5thinks 5it's 5a 55!5 5 Hi 57-month-old 5Suzie.

Music to start the week on-

Can you name these quoted songs?

1.
Hold your own
know your name
and go your own way
and everything,
everything will be fine

********************

2.

It's so hard to keep this smile from my face
Losin' control,
I'm all over the place

********************

3.

Beautiful girls
all over the world
I could be chasin'
but my time would be wasted
they got nothin' on you, baby
nothin' on you, baby

Not too tough, right?

Any of you who have ridden in a car with me know my obsession with the radio. I am, as Jerry Seinfeld puts it, a hunter. I will continue to change stations (every 3-4 seconds) in pursuit of the right song. I seriously have day dreamed of a "Lindsay" station. Just random songs that happen to be EXACTLY what I want to hear at the moment. Something to look forward to in the future, yes? You would all be, of course, welcome to listen. (as other stations would soon become obsolete)

Hold up. "Smooth Criminal" just came up on my itunes... yeeeaah...

What song will be next?

Wanna know? ('cause I'm still here)

*
*
...it's "Ruby Blue" by Roison Murphy. grooooooovy...

*
*

STILL HERE! (I'm checking facebook on another tab)

What's the song now you ask?

WELL, it's the Stone's "Start Me Up" and I am boppin'.

hmmmmmmm...
comment on facebook...
check email...

OH!!! I LOVE this song!!! ("Low Rising" by Swell Season)

That's right people. I could do this all night.

in case anyone calls...

...we'll be out, playing in the sun.

How could I say no?

Since our kids are flight risks we keep a safety lock on the front door. This vexes Brenda greatly and she continues to experiment with various escape tactics.

Like today- I was sitting at the table with my lunch when suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find myself staring straight down the handle of our wooden mop. "Now," Brenda said calmly, when she was sure she had my attention, "OPEN. THE. DOOR."

I decided to give her points for creativity and complied. We had a lovely time digging under rocks and giggling at the "rolie-polies" (aka potato bugs).

decades later and it still applies...

BIG NEWS (...not that!)

It started out as a trip to town for painting supplies. (I'm finally fixing a wall that was SO poorly painted about 2 years ago.) I found myself in the St Vincent thrift store (2nd hand brushes are like, 50 cents) with Brenda who had to check out the toy/book corner. As she perused, I glanced over the endless books. When suddenly my eyes fell on the bottom shelf.
What's that?
Could it BE...?
NO WAY.
I pounced.
MINE!
Like a pro I went into a strong, yet graceful football hold and burrowed my way to the check-out.

MINE!!!!6 out of the 12. Mint condition with tapes.
And to top it off- $6 total.

HUZZAH

Wednesday

my highlights of the day:

1) Slept in like a teenager on a Saturday. (My hubby works from home. What does yours do?)

2)playdough cookies with the girls

3) photoshoot with a first-time "baby-bumper" (see photoblog)

4) seeing old friends at a baby shower (I say that, but the highlight was really the deliciously-evil chocolate cake...)

HOORAY for journaling!

"We have done an inadequate job of educating our children and grandchildren on the history of this country, McCullough said, "and that is primarily our fault. Enjoyment of history begins at home, at the dinnertable, with stories from our own families."

-David McCullough

If you like that quote go visit this *inspirational blog*.

To each his own...

Yesterday's highlight in our house was the fort. We all have these memories, right? As a kid, I felt that the joy was in the construction, so I dubbed myself as the architect/foreman. (Yeah, yeah, it's not much to look at it, but hey, it was solid.)Brenda claimed the space and would periodically pop out to inform Suzie that there would be NO Suzies allowed. This was interpreted as "peek-a-boo", so no feelings were harmed.

I like watching them play.

Garret explores and examines anything and everything.
(Earlier today the shoe on my foot, to him, was hilarious.)

Brenda re-enacts and re-creates things she's amused by.
(It gets violent as she loves physical humor.)
Suzie climbs and clamors 'cause she's a toddler, and that's what toddlers do.

Tomorrow we'll break out the legos. My architectural skills will blow their minds...

Runaway with me

I daydream a lot while running.

I'm a super-athlete, I'm a dancer, I'm a blackbelt ninja...

I can do anything.

I mean, come on, who wouldn't when you are prancing
through fields like these??

So lace 'em up, people.
Or, if you're a 'barefooter' like me,
strap 'em in--and let's head out!