You'll take the high road and I'll take the low one

(sing with me to my husband)

You'll take the high road and I'll take the low one

And you'll go to Italian vineyards without me

And I'll break up fist fights in the back of the car

Rather than having a Guiness in Ireland!

Adam has been gone for over two weeks and comes back in 2 more days. Overall it has been really pretty great - with the kids and with his trip. He was flown over for a conference in Italy, but we tacked on a U.K. university post-doc tour at the beginning and a friend -ireland visit at the end while he was already on the continent. So, he went to Oxford (had a beer in C.S. Lewis' famous pub), Birmingham, and Glasgow. His conference in Italy was in two different cities of Pavia and Bologna, where he gave a presentation at one (one night they took them out to a vineyard for dinner - nice), and he met up with a friend from Austria there too and went to the beach. He is now in Northern Ireland with dear friends of ours. Pictured here are Jack, John and Adam. (Jack and John were our ring bearers as wee little lads years ago). Not feeling jealous one little bit. Actually - just super thankful for all the great stuff that happened on the trip - that I still like our kids and can't wait to see my dear husband!

Wisdom of Children

Oh - some days children just speak the truths of God, and some days, it is a little iffy.

Lukas broke a craft and Adelaine said, "Don't worry, God can fix that. He's a good God" Where does she get this stuff (and how do I explain it when all I know is I'm the one gluing the thing back together later)?

What was wild was that later on today, Lukas had a spiritual moment on the same topic in an ever-so-Lukas way. We were driving and out of nowhere (well, let's be honest, not out of "nowhere' because poop is always on the mind for the kid) he says, "What if I pooped on the road and a car got stuck in it? Would that be silly?" I said quite amazed at the genius things he thinks of, "Wow'....(not knowing quite how one "ought" to respond to such a question...I prefer the "let's make this conversation more ridiculous" route usually): I continue, "well honey, that would have to be a lot of poop for a car to get stuck." Lukas just said as if to reassure me, "God would clean it up. God cleans up our poop." He stumped me. 'Nough said! True Lukas .... oh so true....I would have used different language and all, but I suppose a humble reminder really. Oh - from the mouth of babes! I'd like to see some bids on that sermon title folks....

Princess and the Frog

Adelaine's first dance class was today - it was precious - she was in heaven - leaping and twirling (falling all the while as well). Lukas took his role, not as the prince, but as the sarcastic counterpart or frog, quite to heart!

Japanese Garden with kids - fun or foolish?

If it weren't for the fun treasure map (Dora style) they had for kids, it would have been a real sour situation, but otherwise, not too shabby actually, until we started to actualy take nice portrait shots. Somebody teach these kids some manners! Who is their mother anyway?

Back to Back Weekend Fun!

We've had some more awesome visitors the last couple of weekends - some pals of Adams' from Colorado and then our good friends, the Spences from California (and their sweet boy Dillan who curls up on your chest) and then my parents came too! So many wonderful people in our home!!!!
Lukas got something in his eye and ran over to the fridge's water dispenser to flush it out - wow - I didn't know we had an emergency eye-wash system, but there is was.
Almost hit a car driving today, Adelaine was unphased and just said, "cheers"
I've been catching Lukas mimiking my apparent over-dramatic talking as he stands behind me nodding his head and using dramatic hand motions. Not sure if I need to rethink my way of talking or my discipline.

Tumbling Tots and Drinking Lots

Just a picture of Adelaine's last Tumbling class and some reasons why the summer may be long and full of margaritas (both in celebration and desperation!):

Sassy and Sweet:

Yesterday - Sassy:

Going around the grocery store in the car cart (too big and awkward for anyone - really dumb that I did it at all), but the kids in the car "acting like mom and dad". Lukas yells "Hey you kids, if you kick the car - I spank you, I spank you so hard" and hits the car (by the way - not sure we've ever yelled at them as "kids" and never have we spanked them by turning around in the car to just hit them - AND spanking almost only comes after the they won't adhere to a time out.). Adelaine is also lovingly yelling "spank you, spank you!". I am very aware that Lukas is yelling this loudly in the grocery store and I say truthfully "yeah right Lukas - we have never yelled that to you"...he smiles at me and keeps on yelling it.

A little later in the day, Adam had gotten the bathroom door wet with some water . Lukas sees it and laughs and starts taunting the door, "ooooohhh door...you peed your pants door...bummer for you..no candy for you door...peeing your pants."

Today - Sweet:

In the morning drinking my coffee, both kids wanted to snuggle me on my lap, saying they love me. Adelaine sounds like a cartoon parrot when he repeats, "Mama" affectionately. Lukas is snuggling me lately where he sounds like a cat rubbing his face against me almost purring. I'll take it as just lots of emotion and not think yet about how weird it is if it continues.

Lukas did something mean to Adelaine and I asked him to go upstairs to think about what it means to be nice (real winner of a Love and Logic moment - I've been running out of ideas and it is only the first week of summer). BUT - it ACTUALLY panned out for me - becaust when I came upstairs a little later, Lukas started putting away his laundry into his drawers and said, "I'm thinking about what it means to be nice to you Mama". I thought that rocked, only to be topped a little later when he had decorated a bag full of gifts (ie: - things from his room) for me that he thought I'd like: a stuffed dog (because I love dogs), a princess hat (so I can be a princess like Lainie), a picture he drew, and some soap (because I was out of it in our bathroom). Props kid!

I miss preschool, but I do love the sun!