The Garbage Truck

I am starting a new system. I am determined to have the kids out of bed and completely dressed by 7 each morning. We actually sat at the dining room table and ate a good breakfast today! It was such a good breakfast that the kids took f.o.r.e.v.e.r to eat it and we missed the bus. Or maybe Henry did it on purpose, because when the bus went by, he said, "Mommy, Frances missed the bus. Now we will have to walk to school." There was not even a hint of sadness in his voice. Joke's on him, though. I was planning on walking anyway!!
I loaded Benjamin into the backpack and we headed out. Lucky for us, since yesterday was a holiday, today was the day for our neighborhood trash pickup. We followed the truck all the way to school. I tried several times to walk past the truck, but Henry got mad, so we stopped. And watched. And waited. At every house. The whole way. I guess that's just what moms of boys do.

I did feel a little odd stalking the garbage men, so I did try out some small talk. I mentioned to the guys that it must not be often that they had an audience while doing their weekly pickups. One of the guys told me that it was a good thing that we didn't follow them last week. Apparently last week someone threw away a can of paint. When the packer blade came down to squish all the garbage into the hopper (Are you impressed with my garbage truck terminology??) the paint exploded all over him and cut a gash into his arm. The poor guy had to get to the ER to get stitches. And they couldn't get the paint off beforehand, so they had to stitch over the paint. Then when his boss went back to the house to ask about the paint, the people there denied it. That is why there is a big list of things you aren't supposed to throw away in the regular garbage. This is why I always wrap up my glass in paper bags and surround it with packing tape. There are real actual people who are exposed to the things we throw away!

After the garbage truck turned off in a different direction, we talked about all the trash that people had thrown away. Frances was mad because people were not recycling their glass bottles and aluminum cans. I was proud that she noticed. Then she noticed something else horrifying! LITTER!! My dear little daughter picked up a beer can by the side of the major thoroughfare we were on and held it up high for all to see!! "Mommy! We should recycle this!" Yes dear, we should. And could you please not flaunt your beer can by the side of the road, thankyouverymuch! Thankfully, I had a plastic bag in the backpack, so we got it out and disposed of it. Then Frances and Henry proceeded to pick up every single piece of trash that was left between us and the school. And amazingly enough, Frances wasn't late for school!

As we were turning into the school driveway, I heard the garbage truck behind us again. The kids heard it too, and just as they turned to look, our new friends honked and waved at us. The kids were so tickled!!

We went inside, washed our hands, sent Frances to class and then the boys and I headed home. A truly great adventure-all before 8:30 AM. Except I have no photographs. Because the only thing stranger than following a garbage truck to school, would be taking picture of it.

Gimme Three Steps!

Benjamin has just barely started walking! He took his first three steps on Friday night. He took a few more today (Sunday--afternoon). He has been standing up by himself in the middle of a room quite a lot lately. I have been trying to tempt him forward with various incentives. So far the ones that have worked have been plastic Easter eggs, the TV remote, and grilled cheese crackers. He walked to Ken for the grilled cheese crackers which made Daddy quite proud. Complete mobility can't be far away. Is that a good thing or a thing? I can't remember.

Learning: Good or Bad?

Benjamin is growing and learning quite nicely.  He is just as much of a stinker as his siblings. Tonight he learned how to push the plug down into the drain so the water can't go out, thus prolonging his favorite part of the evening--BATH TIME!!  He also loves bouncing his little tushy up and down and splashing water.  I took a really cute video that I won't be posting on the internet...ummm...ever!  You can come over and watch it though. He also tried to take his first steps tonight.  In the bathtub!  I couldn't decide whether to be mad or proud.  He is standing up from a squatting position quite frequently now.  I expect his first real steps any day now.

This was a few nights ago as he was climbing on me on the couch.  :)

Frances and Henry are as cute as ever.  Tonight they sat on the couch singing a song about how Mommy wouldn't let them go outside.  I'm so mean!  But if that's what it takes to fuel their angst and encourage their future songwriting careers, I will make the effort.

I always knew this one was trouble...

We went out to run some errands this morning after Frances got on the bus.  We headed to Target to get Benjamin's new car seat and a couple other things we needed.   Then we had to go buy an A/C adapter for the kids' night light. I bought them a really cool Discovery Kids night light at Roses for $10 around Christmas time.  Well let me tell you, it has been EATING batteries ever since!  Even with rechargeables, I feel like I am changing the batteries every night. Last night I had finally gotten all three kids in bed and I had just put my feet up on the couch when Henry came to tell me that the night light had gone out.  Well that was the last straw-I went out to get an A/C adapter today!  I had planned to go out to Radio Shack since we were near the mall, but wouldn't you know that the mall wasn't even open yet!  What has my life become that we are out and about before the stores even open!!
Anyway, we were waiting outside the store and Henry saw the Merry-Go-Round.  He asked if he could have a ride and I decided to be nice (for once).  I put in the dollar and hopped on with Benjamin.  Both boys seemed to really enjoy it.  I was worried that Benjamin was going to throw a fit when I put him back in the stroller.   However, he wasn't the one with trouble up his sleeve.  Henry wanted to go again and I said "no."  So while I was buckling Benjamin into the stroller, my sneaky almost-4-year-old got into my purse, took out my credit card and tried to stick it in the dollar slot on the machine!!!  STINKER! Then he tried to climb on with another kid who was getting on.  I decided that was sort of a "fruit from the poison tree" kind of scenario and pulled him off. Then we headed to Radio Shack to buy an adapter, made a quick stop at the bank (where there was a very tired looking man, who apologized for yawning because he isn't usually up before 12.  PUH-LEASE!) and headed home.  All before 10:30!
And the adapter needed for our $10 night light??  Yeah--$25!!  Seriously?!

Mothers' Day 2011

We had a very nice Mothers' Day weekend around here.  Ken had taken the day off previously so we could have some family time. Our original plans fell through, so we made up some new ones at the last minute.
First, we went out to Lowe's and bought veggies!!  I am so excited to finally try some gardening here at our house.  My parents got us some "earth boxes" for an early anniversary gift, so we wanted to fill them up.  The kids were so excited about which vegetables we would plant. I am so glad they are such good eaters!!  We ended up buying tomatoes, red peppers, orange peppers, yellow squash, zucchini squash, cucumbers, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, and basil.  We got home and planted everything out front in the earth boxes.  And now we wait. Cross your (green) fingers!
After we planted the veggies we had some lunch and the kids took a nap. I ran out to the grocery store and then folded some laundry.  Fascinating, I know!
After nap time, the we all watched "Tangled." The kids and I had seen it the night before, but Ken still wanted to see it before we returned it. It's a cute movie!
For dinner, we had burgers. They were supposed to be grilled, but of course it rained so we used the broiler.
Sunday was a crazy morning. It was one of those days where we somehow lost an hour. I was getting ready to make some omelets when I realized it was time to leave for church.  Do these time blips happen to other people too?
I also got to open some Mothers' Day gifts. Frances gave me my very first noodle necklace. It even matched the outfit I already had on.  Henry made me a sun-catcher at school.  Then Frances created a new present for me. First she asked if we had a box she could borrow. Then she filled it with a bunch of stuff from around the house. When she presented it to me, she explained the significance of each item.  There was a candy tin because I am sweet and I like candy, a band-aid because I always take care of them when they get hurt, a book because I like to read to them, a toy because I like to play with them, a pencil because I help her with her homework, $1.91 in change because I like money and I like to buy them things, and a heart because she loves me very much! So sweet!!
Anyway, after church, some yummy omelets, and naps for VERY cranky kids, we got our yummy dinner together.  We had grilled chicken, chilled shrimp, fresh strawberries, Parmesan noodles, and artichokes.  The kids LOVED the artichokes. I even gave Benjamin some of the heart and he liked it.  Then the kids wanted to know if we could grow some artichokes.  Too bad we don't have more room!
All in all, a great Mothers' Day!