One Mom, Two Kids, 160 Lbs of Ice, 4 Cases of Ice Cream & One Yellow Bug

OK, no photos to go with this but I am sure you mind will conjure up one for you by the end of this so here goes . . .

I got up this morning knowing we had company arriving mid-day today. I also knew that Dave needed ice for the Tropical Snow machine at the store so the kids and I HAD to make a trip to Wenatchee this morning (a quick trip, mind you). Before I left, I checked with Dave to be sure that the only thing he needed was ice and he said yep, just that and vanilla coffee syrup from URM. You see, the kids love to ride in Mommy's yellow car (my fun car, a 2000 yellow VW bug - Daddy has the tbird, I have the bug) so with only those things and ink for the printer at my work to get, the bug was fine for this trip. So off we went about 8:30 am. We stopped in Entiat for the morning coffee for Mommy and the muffin for the kiddos. Well, let's back up, we weren't even to the tunnel (about 5 miles from town) when Dave called to say he notice he needed a "few more things from URM". I told him I would call him when I got better cell service. When I called he mentioned also needing 8 oz Tropical Snow cups and that I should just call him for the list when I got to Wenatchee - this is where I should have turned around and come back for the van, duh!

We went on and then got the aforementioned coffee and muffins and began our stops in Wenatchee for the Tropical Snow cups. This was a large box but fit nicely in the front seat, no problem, right? Nope, the "list" for URM when on to include 4 cases (each holding 6 half gallons of soft ice cream mix), a big bundle of paper bags, about 6 big boxes of assorted candy bars, 8 more flavors of coffee syrup (besides the original vanilla), large ice cream cups, and a #10 can of hot fudge. Once all of that was in the floorboard of the front seat and piled as high as possible (and allowing for any visiability for me - the driver), there was no longer room for the large box of cups (I think the box grew while we were in URM). The only choice for it's location was between the kids' car seats but the bug is only a two door and at this point only one of those doors was passable as the other was loaded against with the URM stuff. So in went Chase into his carseat, next went the box of cups between the seats, then went Kenzie into her carseat and then the strategically placed kids' church bags and Mom's purse (AKA catch-all bag) on top of the emergency brake to hold the big box in the back seat away from the gear shift.

Now the box between the kids was not all bad as they could not see, touch, look at, spit on, talk to or do anything to one another so I am thinking of making that a permanent part of all of our family trips - ha ha!

So off we went from URM to Office Depot for the ink cartridge. The funny part was getting the three of us out. Kenzie and I were not a problem but the pesky box had to come out everytime Chase needed to get out so out it came and then back into the car while we ran a 5 minute errand - yes it took more time to get the kids out and the box out and back in than it took to run the errand. Then we did the reverse to get Chase into the car and Kenzie and I back into the car. Thankfully to get the ice - what I thought was our last stop - the kids didn't have to get out. We got the Columbia Colstor to get the 16 rounds of ice (10 lbs each). I knew they fit exactly into the back of the bug as we had done that part before so we had saved the back of the bug for that. As I was taking them one round at a time and loading the back of the bug, Dave calls with a little "if you have time and room can you get at URM some dome lids". I laughed as if he was crazy. I compared our situation not only to the clowns in the bug at the circus but to the IKEA commercial with all of the furniture atop the VW bug.

Yes, the need for two sleeves of dome lids meant going back to URM and unloading the kids - and the box - after loading the car with 160 lbs of ice. Of course, as all good kids do when Mom is in a hurry, both kids had to go potty and then wanted something to drink, so the "quick stop" at URM took 20 minutes for the domed lids. Back to the car we go to unload the box and reload Chase, the box, Kenzie, the domed lids, and me - in that order. Off we went.

The air conditioning running on high as it was over 90 degrees by 10:45 AM. The VW is a hatch back so the ice is keeping it pretty cool but I have chocolate bars in the front seat - ones I can't even snack on :( - so I have to keep in cool. The kids are complaining of cold and I am just hoping we can make it up the tunnel hill to get back to Chelan with this much in the big.

I want so badly to take everything out of the bug and pile it up and take a photo to send to VW for an advertisement to show what all will fit in the bug as I myself am amazed but I do not have the time, patience or energy to do that by the time we get back to Chelan.

We did all of this, delivered it all to the store, took Chacho Ron a cold Pepsi, picked up cherries from Nanna Mary and were back in our driveway before 1:00 pm.

What a day to remember - I hope it brought a smile to your face as the morning experience did not do much for my migraine. I am just glad I could laugh about it as it was better than melting down in a parking lot somewhere.

Busy month

Boy am I behind! I was inspired by a couple of other bloggers to get back on track after my scrapbooking weekend.

Megan and I spent Wed - Sat of last week in Richland, WA at a wonderful scrapbooking retreat. Jane did some amazing cooking with only an electric roaster and a crock pot. She is a whiz and I have about three new recipes out of the deal that any visitors to my home will be plagued with in the coming months. Hawaiian Haystacks for one is a great thing for big groups of guests! I made them last night and the kids devoured them! It is also nice to find things the kids like. Another one of the great recipes is Taco Soup but I will save that for cooler weather - although with our new heat pump in and Dave controlling the thermostat (any visitors to our home know what that means), some of us are wearing sweatshirts and fuzzy socks (me right now for one). The third is a great cake that is very easy but yummy. Bake a chocolate cake per directions in a 9 X 13 pan. When it comes out of the oven, poke holes in it with the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour a jar of caramel ice cream topping over the cake. Frost with cool whip and top with a crunched up Heath Bar. YUMMY!!! (of course, low in calories too :) )

After returning from the retreat, Dave and the kids and I left Sunday afternoon for Seattle. Dave had an Indium Blood Study done at Swedish Hospital to see if we can find the reason for the extreme pain in his right knee. Mackenzie got car sick on the way over, so at the end of a 3 hour drive (actually more like 4 with stops and traffic), she was in her third change of clothes and I was in my second. We got to see Stephanie and Liza and their families for dinner on Sunday which was nice as we don't see them as much since we aren't over there very often.

On Monday, while Dave was at medical appointments, the kids and I went to the Woodland Park Zoo. It was a great day to go as the sun was out and it had rained all day on Sunday so the animals were all out. The kids got to feed a giraffe - they were thrilled. We saw the zoo's baby tiger. They saw the tribute to Hunsa the baby elephant that died a few weeks ago there at the zoo. They seemed to perseverate on that part of the trip though, I don't know why. Chase got a stuffed Rhino which he is thrilled with. Kenzie picked out a stuffed elephant (very soft I might add), got to the van with it and wanted "my old one" that Mamma & Papa had gotten for her in March. That was the last time she touched the new one. The old one gets LOTS of love. Thankfully, Aunt Lisa is checking out one she saw at a gift shop to see if it is the same so that we have a spare in hiding because if something happens to "the old one" we will all lose a lot of sleep till she learns to live without it.

We got to play in the pool at the hotel on monday evening - the kids love the water and were very tired after a busy day!

On Tuesday, while Dave went to the last of his medical appts, the kids and I spent a few hours with Aunt Lisa and Cousin Sarah. They had fun playing in the backyard, especially with the bubble mower. If only the bubble mower really worked to cut the grass. Uncle Mitchell has been working LONG hours on the new 787 at work so he hasn't gotten around to mowing. The night before we were there he put in the air conditioner which will make Aunt Lisa happy as she endures summer while pregnant. I have included with this post a picture of the three kids together. We don't get them together very often so it is fun to get a photo moment when we do - clearly they are not too thrilled with the picture stuff. Who would believe that there is 15 1/2 months between them - Chase is 4 years 4 months, Sarah is 3 years 2 months and Kenzie is 3 years 1 month.

We got home yesterday about mid-day so are still catching up on laundry and things. My mother is thrilled that I am learning (re-learning) to do laundry and have no major carpel tunnel injuries from folding - ha ha!!

More tomorrow - hopefully!

Rainy booger days

It all started with Mackenzie's cold last week and she has now graciously shared it with ALL of us. What a fun thing to share. She reluctantly shares crayons, games and toys with her brother on occasion but certainly didn't think twice about sharing boogers. If you are looking for solid investments, we are supporting Kleenex well so that might be a good choice.

Chase got new flip flops (Cars of course) last week at Walmart and wears them all of the time. He has worn little sores on this insides of his feet from the straps but continues to wear his "flap flaps" as he calls them.

For his little preschool graduation last week, he got identical cards from Mamma & Papa and from us. He can't find the one from us but the one from Mamma and Papa has the corners dog-earred and the fold is wearing out from being opened and closed. I read it to him no less than 20 times yesterday alone. He knows so well what it says that if I skip a little word or mix a word or two up, he corrects me . . . yet, he still wants it read to him over and over and over.

We have had three days of rain and thunderstorms. The kids are not fond of thunder but Lillie is even more upset with it. The dust will die down a lot and hopefully the pollen as well after this rain but the kids do miss playing outside.

Guess that is it for today.

Busy visit from Grandparents

Well, it has been a busy couple of weeks.

Mackenzie turned 3 on the 21st of May and we had waited for her party till the 26th so it was close enough to Chase's preschool graduation for Mamma and Papa to be here for both. They were here for most of 9 days and we got to go out fishing while they were here too. Dave and Dad enjoyed more fishing than the rest of us but the kids got to go in Papa's "hiccup" (translated pickup) to the lake to put the boat in and caught 16 bluegill (never before has Papa been so happy to clean so many little fish as he was the ones these little ones caught in the boat and boy were they excited to catch them) and we cooked them up with fried potatoes and enjoyed a nice dinner on the last evening Mamma and Papa were here.

Mamma and Papa even brought Buddy with them and the kids had a great time (particularly Chase) playing with him and helping take care of him. I think Buddy will really enjoy the pace of Mom and Dad's house once they get home again.

Papa made Kenzie a doll cradle and Mamma made a doll like Mommy's Sassy doll for Kenzie's birthday. Kenzie loved them both and loves to dress and undress the doll over and over and over . . .

Chase finished another year of preschool and had his graduation on Thursday. Mamma and Papa got to be in attendance and then they drove to Aunt Lissa's to visit/babysit there too before heading home on the 8th. Chase will have 4 half days of pre-K next year and Kenzie will start the pre-4 program at 2 half days a week. Mommy will not know what to do two mornings a week??? (cleaning, laundry, sleeping, nothing)

We have been very busy here with the candy store and lots of ice cream sales. Last weekend with Memorial Day was really busy and this weekend was the old car show and was busy as well.

We are all very tired and it is about bedtime for kids and Mommy won't be far behind!

Ouch!

Well, yesterday was not a good day for me. Started out OK but I got in the van a little after 1 pm to go donate blood and promptly backed into Dave's Tbird. Oops! Nothing that is not repairable but nonetheless kind of ruined my day. Dave was very understanding and didn't even yell. The tbird is like another child to him so I knew he would be upset but he was happy no one was hurt and promptly went and got estimates to repair both vehicles.

Chase is down to 5 days left of school this year. It seems to fly by anymore. Kenzie will start preschool too in the fall. She will be 3 years old next Monday. Doesn't seem possible that 3 years ago today we would have never thought of being able to get another child and then the next day we got the phone call about her and she was here in 5 days. What a blessing she has been in our life.

Will have to catch up some more later but had to post something today and will get back on the blog wagon for good hopefully!

Catch up Time

Well, it has been over a week since I sat down to catch up on the blog so here goes a long week synopsis.

This week is spring break for Chase so we took off Sunday to go to see Gramma Betty and the grown kids and grandkids in the Seattle area. We got to take Alura with us since they now live in Wenatchee and have the same school breaks. We stayed near Gramma Betty's house at a hotel that had a pool and that made the kids extremely happy. They got to go swimming two different evenings and are ready for the weather to get warmer so Mom & Dad can get our pool up and warming up for them.

We got to drive through the tulip fields in Mount Vernon as the daffodils are just in bloom and the tulips were just starting. The kids enjoyed pointing out to Daddy - there are more so he could take pictures. Mommy gave her opinion on picture taking too but informed Daddy that if he can backseat drive while in this cast and unable to really drive, then I can give photo taking advice.

Sunday was Dave's brother Kevin's birthday so we got to go to their house for dinner and Dave's other brother Ted was there too so it was nice to have the whole group together for the first time since Chase's first birthday.

We spent Monday with Gramma Betty and enjoyed some fun in her yard and watching movies at her house. Finished the day off with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. The kids got to swim for quite a while that evening and then went to sleep quickly - from exhasution I am sure.

Tuesday we spent the morning with Gramma Betty and then went to Stephanie and Ken's to see all of the grandkids and celebrate all of the birthdays that are in the first part of the year that we had all missed with one another. Dave got to have all 6 grandkids in one place at one time - a rare event. The kids played hard and were pretty tired when we got back to the hotel but not too tired to go swimming so they got an abreviated swimming session that night.

On our way home on Wednesday we got to stop in Woodinville at meet Melissa & Sarah at the Country Village. They provided four loaves of cut up bread to feed the ducks (& one lonely bunny). The kids always enjoy that time. It was nice to see Sarah and Melissa. Sarah told us that Mommy has her baby sister in her tummy - guess she will be disappointed if it is a boy.

Yesterday was a day of rest as we were all tired - especially Mommy. We are excited about coloring eggs later today and the easter egg hunt on Saturday so there is lots of fun to come.

Both kids are happily counting the days till Mamma & Papa get here to visit - Chase has it in his head that Mamma is going to watch the new Charlotte's Web movie with him (he watched it last night and loved it) but I have assured him that Mamma loves him but not enough to endure spiders that are that real and that abundant.

Last but not least - today is Chase's 19th day off all meds and no seizures!!! Praise the Lord for success with that.

Church with kiddos

The kids are down for naps after church this morning so I thought I better take this chance to blog for today. They were both very good getting ready this morning and in fact we were ready 45 minutes before we had to leave. I was worried without Daddy's help to get ready we might have trouble but we didn't. They were very excited to go pick up Frances for church and they chatted with her the whole we to Pateros.

Today's class was on Moses parting the Red Sea and they loved it. They have both brought their projects home to show Daddy what they learned. They both broke away from me and went around the auditorium visiting with all their favorite ladies and then came back to sit with me. It is nice that they are getting so comfortable with the people there that they will break away from me at times.

Dave is about 40 minutes from home and we cannot wait for him to get home. The kids will be excited when they wake up to see Daddy home.