perfect

I was at my friend's yesterday and saw that this had just come in the mail from Netflix. I was so excited for her! It's an incredible film, for those of you who haven't seen it. "Children of Heaven". It's Iranian, so be prepared for subtitles.., but so worth it. Was a sweet message. LOVED it! I tell most people it's my favorite foreign film since it's unusual for anything, let alone a movie's plot, to stick with me. So rent it!

Richmond Metro Zoo

Yesterday providence intervened in our life, and I was able to go with Cole on his field trip to the zoo. I was so happy..and I think he was too. I haven't been able to do anything like this with him-only once did I volunteer in his class in Washington, so it was so nice. June's eyes and nose had been so goopy and gross, that I couldn't find someone to babysit (nor would I have dropped off a sick kid, mind you). Turns out it was an allergy-not contagious. Lots of other parents signed up to go as well, so it was just me, Cole, and Elijah, a sweet boy from his class. I posted the pics wrong, so they're in order from last to first. First, take a look a June, who's eyes are finally recovering!

It was a hot day at the zoo!! The kids were exhausted and Cole and his new best friend from school, Jeffrey, fell asleep on the bus! Couldn't believe it! Hot and sleepy Cole trekking back to the buses.

Cole was most interested in finding the giant tortoise. Must have gotten that from Uncle Chris. He loved it.

These funny things are new at the zoo, I think. I believe they're old ski lifts made new. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but we're definitely riding one next time.

When we got there, we dropped off our lunches and were escorted to a mini amphitheatre for a presentation. I'm thinking, "really? Get off the long, hot bus ride and make 70-ish Kindergartners sit for 20 minutes?". Turns out it was fantastic! My (and the kid's, I believe) favorite part. They began by talking about 3 different types of animals: mammals, reptiles, and birds. And then they brought out these three guys to demonstrate. I wanted to hold this little orangutan so bad. I felt like a little kid..gotta hold it, gotta touch it..

Of course the boys were SO excited about this albino boa constrictor. I wasn't too nervous since we grew up with a few snakes around the house, but this one kept tying himself around her leg and waist while she's explaining to us what "constrictors" do to kill their prey. (They tie 'em up in a knot and suffocate them..)

Don't know what it is about penguins lately; movies, movies, and more movies..., but they are fascinating. Here I was again wanting to hold it so bad!

On our way to the zoo in the bumpy, hot bus!

what'd I do??

I wanted to finally change my background to something simple where I could only update the header picture, but now it won't let me. I don't even have the "layout" option anymore. Help??

3 things you do simply because you're desperate

1.Went to the pool yesterday. Wasn't creative enough to think of a dinner to bring down (pretty tired of pb&j's), so thought I'd get some cheap, nasty, snack bar food. Turns out the snack bar doesn't open until school's out. Here I am with 3 starving kids, a bag of pretzels, and a husband who won't be home until 7 (it was 4:30).., AND, I didn't want to walk back home. So I paid almost $20 for a delivered pizza from Dominoes that left us hungry! Oooh, that made me mad. Tried not to think about how much each bite was costing me. };

2. I was in the middle of unpacking a box and June came up to me with snot clear down to her chin. I told her to "quick" (why do we always say that to our kids?) and bring me some toilet paper to wipe her nose. I almostly instantly forgot my request. She comes back about a minute later with the whole roll in her chubby little hand.

3. We had our 1st Virginia rainstorm since we lived here, today. So fun to watch the rain POUR down, to hear the thunder get closer and closer, and to watch the kid's face each time. I made cookies and was in the middle of dinner when I finally agreed to let 'em play in it. I couldn't keep them out of the kitchen and would rather wash a few wet outfits than deal with a disaster of a house and 3 bored kids.
"I don't like this, Mom!"

This pic was actually taken earlier when Cole first came home from school and the rain started. I found him back there as happy as can be talking to himself, hand gestures and all, soaked.

-On another note, after I finished my run this morning I came home and to my surprise, found everyone still asleep. I had to document it (maybe i've been documenting too much lately??) as a reminder of the funny sleep patterns..or styles, of my fam.

Maybe it's the move, but June's been getting into bed with us every morning around 5. Drives me nuts, but Geof loves it.

Dayne usually ends up off the bed, but at least leaves her head clear of any coverings in order to breathe (unlike her brother, below).

Cole almost ALWAYS sleeps this way. Legs hanging out, head and body tangled up in covers. How he does it? I'll never know..

Look at that face! Poor June was so upset that number one, we had to come home from the pool on Memorial Day for naptime, and number two, because when she woke up, her right eye looked like someone had socked her! Those darn mosquitos! We were almost ready to sit down for dinner, and all she wanted was some more time in her floaty.

I'm thinking of doing a half marathon in Sept. Kind of a motivator to really get in shape. We'll see how well training goes in the dead of Richmond's summer, however-without an indoor treadmill. I'm hoping I can get myself out the door early enough to run before the 90+ degrees and thick humidity hits. It's not easy when I keep forgetting to not eat chocolate late at night! Monday night we had a campire in our friend's back yard and roasted smores. I couldn't say no. I always pay for it, though. My dreams were unusually detailed, and I woke up.., well TRIED to wake up, very groggy. I had wanted to get out the door running at 6:30, but it didn't happen. So the girls and I walked Cole to school and then I pushed them in the double jogger. Not fun. How do you train with a big load like that?? When we got home, I treated them with otter pops for being so good and quiet while I ran. Poor Dayne has to put up with me "silencing" her every time I'm in the middle of a hard workout. "Don't talk to me now, Dayne. I can't breathe, Dayne. Quiet Dayne!"

I dunno, talking gets me out of my rythm, I guess.

My wonderful friend Lindsay gave me her digital camera! How lucky am I? Good thing she got a nicer and newer one and I don't mind handmedowns. Love you Lindsay. (:

this is us now

a few things: We bought a trampoline off craigslist for $40~ We're excited! Geof came home after running a million lame errands Sat. morning and put it up with the kids and some of their friends from the ward who live close by. What a treat! These pics are not in order at all, and some of them even in the wrong spot. Oh well. June's been pretty interested in the toilet for some time now, and I figure, why not throw potty training into the hectic, crazy schedule that we have goin' on? Why not..? }-;

She was so happy that she ran around the house with Cole's (yes, Cole's) big boy underwear, jumping on her bed, spinning in circles in the family room. We'll see how this goes..

My TWO big girls. Now this'll be the trick: get June potty-trained, have her sleep in underwear, and convince my 2 eldest that they too can go through the night dry. Come on!!

Yea for underwear!

Sat. morning while Geof and Dayne were running errands, Cole, June, and I went on a walk to our friend's garage sale. Here Cole's trying to tell me some story (which I apparently didn't listen too well to) and I'm snapping pics at his cute facial expressions. Sorry Cole, I'll really try not to take pics of you when you're trying to have a heart to heart talk.

Here's proof that June does wear clothes during the day. This outfit didn't last long, however. She got a rootbear icee at our friend's house and almost instantly ruined that pretty top.

Don't know what the hand on the head gesture means..I think he's trying to remember something. Darn it, I should of listened!

"Okay, fair enough. You can take pics of me, Cole."

Look at our neighbors beautiful grass. It's alright. I'm okay with dirty feet tracked in my home all day long.