A Cut Above…

Zman has been needing a haircut for about 3 weeks now.  Within the last week, it became a desperate plea.  But Fadre and I have been busy, so when S (the girlfriend) show up earlier this week, I put her to good use.

Now the only story I’ve heard about involving S and a pair of clippers involved a dog, no guard on the clippers, pink skin, and the dog running away.  BUT!  It’s not my hair and I figure she’s got a vested interest in what he looks like, so we let her loose.

Just look at her customer service skills when Zman gets hair in his eye.  Yeah, she’s a natural…..

Race for the Cure

Every year the Race for the Cure runs down our street, right in front of our house.  Eleven years ago we were taken about by what sounded like a gaggle of geese coming down the street early one Saturday morning.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the door and watched about 10,000 people walk by!  Every year since, we’ve been up and out on the front porch to watch and encourage the runners and walkers.  The year Zman was 5, he stood at Fadre’s side of the bed and begged him to hurry up.  As Fadre opened the front door he discovered Zman was all ready for the race, complete with Pop Tarts for both of them.

A couple of years ago Fadre and I took Bean and Bug on the route, in their strollers.  We discovered we enjoyed watching more than we enjoyed running, but it sure was nice to run into the house, grab a drink, and use your own restroom along the race route!

The girls have continued to love this tradition.  Last year we tried passing out pink bubble gum to the race participants.  It was a huge hit!  We managed to coerce a couple of other neighborhood kids to join in. 

This year ALL of the kids started hounding me about a month before the race about buying pink bubble gum.

Good fun for a good cause!

The Winner!

The first woman.

 

This photographer searched for our house.  He said he remembered the girls passing out bubble gum last year and wanted to get some pictures of it again this year.

  

It’s time to get to business!

And they’re off!

 

 

 

 

 

  

And then the competition to pass out the gum got a little heated and they started to separate and get to the runner “first”.

They went from splitting up to crossing the street.

It disappeared quickly.

Even Dash got out and enjoyed the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of kids were so dedicated about passing out the gum, they sacrificed their clean clothes.

     

We saw quite a few people we know.  Look – here’s Ms. Betty…

The military group that runs every year is so impressive and sounds great!

 

We can’t wait for next year!

Pumpkin Carving

This year we invited some friends over for a spaghetti dinner followed by some fantastic pumpkin carving.  Just take a look…

 

It was messy.

 

We even convinced Zman and his girlfriend S to join in the fun.

 

Just look at that concentration…

 

 

It took a little parental involvement.

   

Happy Halloween!

Snorty

Bug: Momma, I had to go to the tissue box at school today. I was kinda snorty.

Oh dear!

First, Third, Fourth, and Tenth…

These are my obligatory mom, first day of school photos.  The kids don’t really enjoy them.  They have bigger things on their minds.  But when I whip out the ‘I gave life to you’ card, the children oblige.  Here a couple of years ago, Zman refused to have his picture made outside, which was actually fine with me.  You see, at 6:15 a.m. I’m out in my robe with my hair standing on end.  Frankly, I can’t blame the kid for his embarrassment. 

First day of 10th grade.  (Somebody should tell this child’s mother he needs a haircut.)

First day of 4th grade.  (Shouldn’t someone tell this child to smile?)

First day of 3rd grade.

Excuses, Excuses

I’ve been out of pocket lately.  Something about kids going back to school, lots of work, needing to get things done at home…So let me catch you up.

These girls are getting ready to back to school. 

School supplies?  Check.

Spirit day shirts?  Check.

School hat and hair bob?  Check.

Broke mom?  Check.

Tweetsie

If you only have one vacation day without rain, this is definitely where you should spend it.

It’s full of history.

It’s got a real, operational steam engine train.

Don’t forget the horse rides.

Or the happy family.

But watch what you do. The law is serious ‘round these parts.

**Cough, cough, hack, hack*** It’s great!

If you’re too lazy to climb to the top, there’s a chair lift for you.

Do not miss the Tweetsie Twister. It’s a smashing good time. Literally.

There’s lots of animals to feed.

If you’re a good mother, you’ll point out all the rules.

Then let your children break them…

Eeewwww! Deer slobber.

Do goats really require a porch swing?

Hey!

What is Bug doing?

Well, every little girl needs a fairy mask, doesn’t she?

Or at least a dragon…

Don’t forget to mine for precious gems.

Whatcha got there Zman?

Oh, the rides. If you’re afraid of heights, maybe you should just take some photos of your children, who do not appear to have the slightest worry about where they are.

Do not let your underage children drive.

But in case you forget, your whiplash will remind you the next morning.

Most importantly catch a ride on the Tweetsie Railroad. The sheriff and his posse will keep you safe.

You can’t outsmart the sheriff.

And we’re off!

Yikes!

There’s trouble a brewin’

It’s alright, the Marshall has things under control.

Oh no!

And we arrive back at Main Street, safe and sound.

I let my baby go on this ride.

She’s height-legal by a hair.

Hey! What’s it doing?

Aaahhh! Stop that!

Why are my babies smiling?

This one doesn’t look too bad.

Um, hello? Where’s the ground?

Yay! We made it!

 

 

 

 

 

Fadre – why don’t you take the next one?

 

You mustn’t miss this!

It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!