Sweet Redemption

Since our rocket was such a fiasco Saturday night, we returned to Hobby Lobby today to purchase redemption.  Actually, it was called The Metalizer.  It was a bright silver rocket and the packaging even read, "May require sunglasses".  Once the kids got home, we headed to a different park to shoot this one.  We chose this one for the large flat field and absence of a lake (obviously important).

The rocket blasted off beautifully.

 And returned to Earth beautifully.

Even if it did require a nice jog for retrieval.

We were able to shoot it three times (one time for each kid).  Everyone seemed to have a 'blast' (ha ha) except Holt.  He screamed and wailed everytime the rocket blasted off.  Oh well!  One day, he will love it too.  This was so much fun that we plan on continuing this as a miniature hobby. 

Mr. Mom

Adam was off work today and as the 7:00 alarm went off (after three snoozes) we both rolled out of bed.  I was excited about having some help with my morning routine and also excited for him to witness my well oiled machine.  I headed straight for the kids' room to wake the troops and he headed straight for the bathroom.

I spent the next 5 minutes singing the kids awake.  When that didn't get them up, I then threatened them with their lives.  (Yes, I do this every morning)  I then spent the next 10 minutes picking out their clothes, making them breakfast, and hounding them about getting their clothes on, shoes and socks included.

Adam finally emerged from the bathroom.  So much for some help.  "What can I do, honey?" he asked me.  "Well, there's not really anything left now." I replied in my passive-aggressive voice, but mostly passive.  I continued packing Hayes' snack.

On second thought, I decided to tag him in on the morning routine--it would be nice to take advantage of this and get a kickstart to my own day.  "Just make sure the kids grab their coats and put Hayes' snack in his backpack.  They need to be outside looking for the bus by 7:38." I instructed as I set the tupperware containing the snack in plain sight on the kitchen counter.  "Aye, aye, captain" I heard as I headed back to the bathroom to begin getting myself ready for the day.

Thirty minutes later, the kids have already caught the bus and Adam is lounged on the bed playing on the computer.  I stroll into the kitchen and immediately march back to the bedroom.

Holding the tupperware containing Hayes' snack I declare to my husband, "Don't quit your day job!"

Houston, We Have a Problem

For the last couple of weekends, we have received snow.  With a reprieve in the cold temperatures, we decided to take advantage of the 65 degree Saturday and shoot a rocket that we've been holding for the perfect day.  I actually got the rocket for Adam nearly a year ago.  It was one of his '30 days of 30' gifts.

It was a slightly windy day.  Adam thought it was a good idea to take the balloons down to the park to assist in gauging the speed and direction of the wind -- both important factors in shooting a rocket.

"You don't suppose it will land in the lake, do you?" I questioned.  With an easterly wind, we set up as far to the west as possible.  There was a good fifty yards between our rocket and the lake.  "Nah."  He positioned the angle of the rocket to blast off even more westwardly, for added prevention.

 

A quick talk on rocket safety and logistics, and we were ready for blast off!

The boys had a great time watching it shoot up into the sky.  It was difficult to spot the rocket in the sky at first, since the sun was so bright.  He began drifting back to earth.  As it began to approach closer and closer, Adam took off running towards the lake to catch it.  "You're too far!" I shouted at him.  "You've way over-shot it!"

I couldn't have been more dead wrong.  Actually, neither of us could have been more dead wrong.  That floating red thing right smack-dab in the middle of the lake is our rocket.  The boys' wheels started turning, trying to think of ways to retrieve their rocket.  Afterall, we had intended on shooting it two more times.  "Maybe we could use a pool pole, Dad."  I offered jokingly.

Houston always comes up with elaborate schemes.  "I know!  We can toss some bread in the lake to attract the geese.  When they start to swim over to eat it, they will push the rocket towards the side where we can grab it!"
"Great thinking, Houston."  I encouraged him.  "Only one problem.  There aren't any geese here today.  And we forgot the bread."

Well, that only leaves one option.  A totally blog-worthy option might I add.  One that involves a serious toy.

Adam:  "Huey, you want to swim out there and get it?"
Houston:  Considering the idea, "What if there are meat eating fish in there?"
Adam:  "Pirhannas live in Africa.  It's totally up to you, man.  If you swim out there and get it, I'll take you to buy a toy of your choice."
Me:  "And, I'll blog about it!"  (He enjoys his moments of fame in the web-world)

And with that, he started undressing.  Adam and I were both a little bit shocked.

"Now this is a lake, Houston.  So when you step in, it's gonna feel squishy because it is dirt on the bottom."
"Okay, Dad."
Adam continued, "The water's gonna be cold.  But once you get in, you're already wet.  You might as well just keep going until you get the rocket."

He stepped into the lake.

On second thought, the water IS freezing!  He changed his mind.  But bless his heart, he really was going to do it!  Adam and I were so proud, even if you think we're crazy for even suggesting such a thing.

"Houston, I love your attitude, buddy."  Adam made sure to encourage him so that Houston would not see this as a failure.

"Dad!  I want to try to swim and get it." Hayes chimed in.

"Bud, you can't swim out there and get it.  Swimming in a lake is a lot different than the pool."


"But you didn't say that you like my attitude?!"

With that, we realized he had no intention of swimming after the rocket.  He was merely searching for his father's approval.  "I like your attitude too, buddy."

After another five minutes of contemplating the worth of retrieving the rocket versus purchasing a new one, we headed home feeling slightly bummed.  The rocket floated there teasing us just fifteen feet off the shore.  It would have been easier to accept if it had just sunk straight to the bottom.  Even as we walked away, we kept looking back at it.  We even drove by later that night and tried to spotlight it from the car.  We will redeem this!

Welcome Home, Daddy!

In celebration of Adam's return from Atlantic City, the kids and I decided to have a welcome home party.  He was severly missed!  The night before he came home, Houston actually broke out in tears while talking to Dad on the phone.  Poor guy just couldn't stand his father being gone for one more minute.

As soon as the kids got home from school, I put them to work on painting a door sign.  Things always go a lot differently in my head.  I am a bit of a control freak.  I figured I would just let the kids be their own little artists, you know, let their true colors shine through.  And voila!  We would end up with a replica of the beautiful masterpiece I had already painted in my head.  However, the kids weren't seeing it.  I offered many suggestions, that were inflected more as commands, "Hey Houston, don't you think some yellow would look good right here?"  "Hayes, why don't you draw some squiggly lines of blue right here."  "Hawkins, don't you want to paint with your favorite color, green?"  Despite my attempts to "control" the outcome of the banner, the kids ultimately painted how they wanted.  And I don't think it could have turned out any better!  It was beautiful!

Time was beginning to get away from us, and we still needed to run to the store to get some balloons before Adam's arrival.  Besides, what's a welcome home party without balloons?  There is just something about a bouquet of colorfol latex that makes me giddy inside.  Things just seem magically more blissful and immediately more joyous with the presence of balloons and curling ribbon.

With Houston's help, we got the door sign hung.  I hollered at the kids to quickly put their shoes on while I buckled Holt into his car seat and got my own shoes on.  By the time I had Holt loaded in the car, the boys emerged from the house, all with shoes on.

Well, he did have shoes on.  Even if they weren't matching and both left-footed.  And yes, I let him go in his puppy pajamas.  Hayes still had his blue mohawk from horrible hair day.  What can I say?  We did look like a bunch of misfits. 

No sooner than we all entered the party store did I truly understand how ridiculous we looked.  Right away, I noticed a woman staring at me and the boys.  I could almost hear the snide remarks in her head.    I didn't hesitate to address her, more so as to convince myself that I'm not a crazy mom, just a cool mom.  "He's two.  He dressed himself today.  Ha ha.  Some battles are just not worth fighting. (insert more phony laughter)"  She smiled and looked away.

I let the boys each choose four colors for the bouquet of balloons.  I think I would have rather shot myself in the leg.  First of all, there's about twenty choices of colors.  System overload for indecisive young boys who are limited to only four selections.  And of course, they all want the same color.  Which goes like this:

In the whiniest voice ever, "I want blue."
"No, I want that blue!"
Trying to remain calm, "You can both have that blue if you want."
"Uh, nevermind!  I'm changing mine!"
(Like a chorus, repeat 4 times, just change the color)

Twenty mintues later, I think they all had settled on their four balloons at least three times before I told them they had fifteen seconds to make their final, final decision and that was it -- no more switching.

And that's how we ended up with the craziest bunch of colors (ivory, gold, black, and some actual cheery ones).  It wasn't fifteen minutes after we got home and had tied the balloons all around the living room that Adam got home!  He thought the colors were just perfect.

The boys and I were absolutely delighted to have him home.  However, as thrilled as we were, I think he was even more so excited to be home.  There were lots and lots of hugs and kisses to go around.

Followed by a tackle and a Schwartz boy sandwich.

Holt even wore his coolest Daddy shirt in honor of his return.  And around here, Daddy is a big deal.  Without him, life just doesn't feel right.  The five of us downed an entire celebratory angel food cake and nestled on the couch together for the rest of the night.  Everything was once again right in the world.  There is an overwhelming peace to have everyone safe and together at home.

Horrible, Horrendous Hair Day

In celebration of the end of 'H' week, kindergarteners were to attend school today with horrible hair.  Last year, Houston sported liberty spikes that were also blue.  With Adam out of town, I went for a slighly more simple mohawk.  Hayes was totally stoked about his hair, which ended up looking slightly more awesome than horrible in my opinion.  Even if it does bear a slight resemblance to Cookie Monster.

And thanks, Grandma, for the super cool new shirt!  Wish you could see the gray pants with black pin stripes he is wearing to go with it.  With his swanky new hat, he will be stylin' for sure!

Just One of Them Days

For some reason, the driver of Bus 245 thought it would be funny to play a practical joke on me this morning and arrive five minutes earlier than usual to our bus stop.  The bus picks up at each corner of our block.  I typically have the kids ready in time for them to make the earlier stop.  But I choose to hold them until the later stop, thus limiting, as much as possible, their exposure to f-bombs and whatever else shenanigans take place on the bus.

This morning was running so smoothly!  The kids were actually fed, dressed, backpacks packed, and coats on with ten minutes to spare.  When we headed down the driveway to check the first stop, we could hear the bus (it has horribly squeaky brakes) was already approaching the stop that the kids board.  Super!  I ran inside and grabbed my keys.

It snowed yesterday so the windshield was iced over and the windows would not roll down.  Throwing caution to the wind, for the sake of getting the kids on the bus, I drove down the street peeking through the tiniest little slit in the windshield that was ice free and actually provided me a view of the street, however minute it might be.  The bus had already come and gone.  Now I knew I had to take the kids to school.

If you are not in the car rider line by 8:00 am, they make you take the kids inside to sign them in tardy.  It was already 7:47 am.  I decided to gamble.  I grabbed Holt, who was already screaming for his morning bottle, and threw him in his car seat.  I snatched Hawkins out of his bed, not having any time to let him first use the potty and jumped in the car myself.  I was barefooted and in my pajamas.  Did I mention I was leaking breastmilk through my shirt at this point?!

Like 'The Little Engine That Could' I chanted to myself all the way to school, "you can make it, you can make it, you can make it".  As a back up plan, I was already scheming in my head how to avoid escorting the kids inside the building.  I figured if any of the staff peaked in my car to witness what kind of fiasco was going on, they would have sympathy on me.

Fortunately, we made it just in time for the kids to walk themselves into the school.  I'm not sure my kids would have ever gotten over barefooted, milk soaked, pajama clad Mom signing them in at the office.

Another Snow Day

Adam's mom, Vickie, had picked Hawkins up from Mother's Day Out so that I could get a good nap today.  Once the big kids got home from school, we headed over to pick Hawk up.  It had started to snow ever so slightly on my way over.  We stayed to visit a bit and frankly, it was nice to have some adult conversation, even if it was constantly interrupted with refereeing the clan.

Since Adam's dad, Dennis, was not coming home for dinner, we decided to dine together.  I went and picked up Sonic burgers.  The snow was really coming down steadily by now.  Even more so as the time approached for us to head home.  As I packed Holt up in his car seat, and grabbed the few little things scattered here and there across her house, Vickie had taken the big guys outside to get in the car.  I joined them outside just in time to see her surprise snowball attack whomp Houston.  He quickly retaliated and Hayes joined in.  The three of them ran circles around the car, attempting to avoid the snowball strikes.

I stood there watching the three of them laugh and pelt each other with snowballs.  Vickie is such a cool Grandma.  Not only was she out there in the snow, without a coat, having a snowball fight, she initiated it!  This is where Adam gets it.

I am a lot like my mom, who is also awesome, in her own way.  But I would rather be inside, watching the kids have a blast through the window, while baking cookies and making hot chocolate.  But seeing the kids with Vickie today made me realize that sometimes the moments are best experienced in the mix of things, not from the window.