Mother’s Day

We did Mother’s Day a little differently this year and, oops, skipped church. I wanted to stomp around Cougar Mountain Zoo with the family, so to be home for naptime, we went out there Sunday morning.

This is a very small zoo and advertises itself as a training zoo. What I like about it (besides the great views on a clear day) is that we can see all the exhibits in a few hours. (We went to Woodland Park Zoo twice this week, and between both visits, probably saw almost half of the animals.) Another point of interest about CMZ is that what they lack in real animal quantity, they make up for in statues.

One day I will write a post entitled “Ode to a Green Stroller”. I love this stroller that much.

We bought apple slices to feed some of the animals. No Fear Piper feed the alpacas by hand. Kyla threw food at their feet.

Isn’t this a cute bench?

Left to Their Own Devices….

Mama: Alright, girls, I’m going to change Wesley’s diaper. You can play outside until I come back and then it’s naptime, okay?

Kyla: Okay, Mama.

Piper: ‘Kay.

Wesley thinks: Really?! Mama believes them?

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Five minutes later, I am back. I open up the door leading into the garage and spy first this shoe.

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Another step reveals the other shoe, one pair of socks, shirts,…and a diaper?

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Wait, there’s more clothes! But where are the girls?

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Uh, oh, I spy one!

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And another….

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Hi, my children.

(Hi, our mother!")

I Thought I Married a Soccer Guy

Dwayne’s taking better to having a son than he thought. The secret is UFC, a mixed martial arts “sport” he has gotten into these last few years. (Note to brides-t0-be: there was no hint of this great interest before marriage or even the first few years of wedded bliss.)

Dwayne is excited to share this interest with Wesley and decided, after dinner, that Wesley was just the right age to learn a few moves.

Fighting in this corner, undefeated, is Wes! Over here is the underdog, Classic Pooh.

Wesley: Uh, Dad, I think I am going to be sick. Nope, it’s just spit up. Sorry, I just ate.

Dwayne: Okay, Son, start by getting control of Pooh's back, like this.

Dwayne: Now go for a rear naked choke. That’s it, my boy!

Dwayne: If he slips out, use your legs to control his movement, roll him over into a leg bar and pull back...

Dwayne: ... and he taps!

Wesley: Hey, Mom, is this lesson over yet?

Wesley: Pooh, will you forgive me? I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was my dad, you see…

Wesley: Zzzzzz.

A Sunny Afternoon…

…means bubbles, hide-n-seek (with and without the cat), playing chase (again, with and without the cat), and time in the sandbox (hopefully without the cat).

The End.
(Do you like how Kyla pairs her best “Sunday” coat with her stained sweats?)

How We Take Care of of Baby Brother

Wesley, if I might brag, falls asleep before 9 every night and wakes up about 9:30 in the morning, with only one feeding in the wee hours. That’s when we bring him back to bed with us and where Kyla likes to find him after she’s had her breakfast. Wesley seems pretty happy with his morning cuddle.

Piper watched Wesley for me while I started a load of laundry. When I returned, she had gotten out a Winnie the Pooh book to read to him. She can’t read yet and he doesn’t listen yet—it’s providence!

PS: Why do we even have that cat?!?

I did forget that Smokey has been useful at least once during this past year. Just a few months ago, she brought a grandaddy-of-them-all size mole into our garage, dead. She’s a good hunter, so we give her credit for killing it herself, which swells Dwayne’s heart with pride. The only time the kids have heard us say the word “hate” has been in reference to Dwayne’s feeling towards moles and molehills in his yard. However, the fact Smokey killed one doesn’t help us too much as we pay The Mole Guy either 1) a mere pittance (Dwayne) or 2) and exorbitant amount (Denise) to kill moles for us.

Mother’s Day Comes Early

The only thing I really want for Mother’s Day is our annual portrait session.  What I would really, really like is all the poses I want (and the correct layout and size) without the trouble of getting all the kids to the studio fairly clean, fed, and happy.  Ha! 

Today was more hectic that the previous 3 years, with Wesley peeing during his naked shots, Kyla and Piper choosing that moment to decide they were potty trained and both had to go RIGHT NOW, well, as soon as they dropped, picked up, dropped again, then ate another goldfish cracker. But those are not the moments recorded for posterity. Instead, I present to you our finest, at their best...Kyla, Piper, and Wesley. ( To see the slide show, just double-click on the first picture, and it will go from there.)

The best part about getting this done early? I can now enjoy Mother’s Day.