Houston... we have graduates!

Wow, where do you start a post like this? All I can say is that time goes way, way too fast. I am proud of my niece and nephew today- they're graduates! OMGosh! It seems like just yesterday they were running around in diapers (and yes wow.. you know you're getting OLD WHEN...). Anyway, these are two great young adults with their lives stretched out in front of them; most definitely bright shining stars. Determined, driven, smart, contagious and amazing. Congrats on making it through high school and we can't wait to see you begin your next chapter in College this fall!!

When the helper becomes helpless...

I have nothing more to say than this:

When the helper continually runs off with tools, a father will solve the situation in any way possible. Oh, and be especially careful if your Dad is building shelves.

Prayers for Oliver and his Mommy, Ellen today.

Our friend Ellen delivered baby Oliver today, a bit premature. His story can be found on their blog, The Beaudry Beat. Ellen had a tough time with this little fella and he's here... but a little early. It sounds like he needs a few days to get underway on his own. In the meantime, it sure wouldn't hurt to send good thoughts and prayers his way.

We're thinking of you Ellen, Terry & Boys!!

Marriage and babies.

Crazy topic for a Thursday dinner at the local pizza joint. Jackson was on a roll, all started by a photo on the wall of the ORIGINAL Pino's Pizza Italian family. It looks like Grandma/Grandpa WAYYYYY back when in Italy, in a beautiful gown and suit.

Jackson announces: I'm never getting married.
Tyler asks: Why not?
Jackson: Because I don't want to have babies.
Tyler: Boys don't have babies.
Jackson: Mom- is that true? Only moms have babies?
Me: Yes.
Jackson: Why?
Me: Let's get back to getting married (wicked glance at Tyler to shut down the pending where-do-babies-come-from conversation)- you don't have to get married and have kids now.... but why not in the future?
Tyler: Yeah, you don't have to have kids when you're married.
Jackson: There's no way I'm changing diapers, for one. And, I'd have to spend all my money getting them toys and stuff - which would leave me no money for my own toys. It totally wouldn't work.

So we went back to eating pizza in silence wondering how a 6 year old thought that far ahead in life. Man, we're in trouble...

Warning: Locker Cleaning hazardous to your health.

Spring time: check.
Almost end of year: check.
Time to spring clean the school: check.
Time for an Emergency room injury related to cleaning your locker: check.

????

Yeah, today was visit the local ER after incuring an injury while cleaning his locker. Somehow Tyler had a run in with a dumpster (ok, there was a kid pushing on the other end) that has him in mega pain, in an immobilizing splint and on heavy ice/pain medicine tonight. No baseball here! Good news is: he'll live.

But... a warning to all of you who are about to embark on cleaning:
Stay clear of lockers and dumpsters. They can be hazardous to your health. ;-P

Grampy goes to baseball

Grampy made it out to a baseball game last night, even in spite of the windy weather. Tyler's game was in North Branch (yeah- no kidding) so we jingled Grampy and said HIT THE ROAD! :-) It was hard to get a smile out of Tyler, who lost the game by just one run... but nonetheless it was great to get out, visit with Grandpa and take in some spring air.

Garage Salers Gone Wild

Every year our community has a massive city-wide garage sale event. It is the event to eclipse all others- with bargain hunters bussed in from Wisconsin and all over the state. This year, there were over 700 'listed' sales in the directory (yes, they actually publish a directory that is available the night before for the hard core gotta-find-this-perfect-thing salers). If you think Bingo night is tough - that pales in comparison to the thrift-level in this town on a single day. Cute little old ladies will knock you over and eat you for lunch.... unless, (we found this year) you're with my Dad. They love him!!

In the midst of this, we have tradition. This is my annual date with my Dad. A day not for the faint of heart- but for the lion (and lioness) of salers- thrifty as all get out and snapping up deals. The day starts at Caribou or Starbucks for a Dad coffee, then we get underway... saling until we make our traditional stop at Hot Dog house #1 (they have a massive tent and grill dogs for sale- perfect idea!). Denise joined in the craze this year and we found a ton of things we didn't know we needed when we woke up that morning, including: barstools, hunting gear, cedar planters for the deck (Matt wasn't thrilled but hey, he didn't have to build them!), endless toys that multiply at night when left alone, and more. The big deal? Dad made us promise NOT TO LET HIM BUY ANY MORE FISHING POLES. From the photo you can see how well that went over.... :-)

The value of a dollar....

Just ain't what it used to be. Jackson recently took the liberty to draw us a schematic of tasks he'd like to perform, in exchange for money. Allowance type of stuff - only it's apparently been updated for the new generation of workers. I think his detailed depiction says it all- we're in trouble!!