Ah-Ha

My kids love to take baths. What kid doesn't? The actual bath usually only lasts about 5 minutes and then they play until the water turns cold.

Lately, Max has been begging to take showers instead of baths. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why. I mean, they're not really that fun, we don't have toys in there and the boys are at the height where the shower spray hits them right in the face. But every time, Max just begs to take a shower.

Well, now I know why. Look what I found in the shower this morning.


Apparently, Merk has been giving them candy in the shower. I guess that's one way to get the job done.

Birthday Boy

It's been three weeks so I guess I should put some birthday pictures up. Luke had a super hero party this year, complete with a dozen friends in costume.

Here he is practicing his moves before the party. Actually we ended up buying a new bat suit the night before. We tried is old one on (the one he still played in constantly) and I discovered it was way too small. I don't know why I hadn't noticed. Anyway, his new suit has more "power" so he's pretty happy.


Everything was a battle. Bubble blowers were turned into guns and sticks turned into swords. They loved being "tough guys."


Merk put on a super hero training camp. He planned it out all by himself, down to the last detail. I think he had as much fun as the kids.


My proud six-year old.


Good friends.


I can't believe he's six. I can't believe he's almost completed kindergarten. I can't believe how much he acts like a big boy now. I'm very proud of him.

Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Scout the Adventurer

This is our dog Scout. She is almost 8 years old and couldn't weigh more than 100 pounds soaking wet. We love our dog, even though she is a Goliath. She's also an escape artist.

So on Tuesday when I opened the door to a strange lady holding Scout by the collar, I wasn't too surprised. This isn't the first time she's escaped. One time she got so far, a lady had to drive her home. You should have seen Scout when she got out of that minivan. She couldn't have been more proud of herself.

Well, this time was different. First of all, the stranger turned out to be my next door neighbor, who I've never met in the four plus years we've lived here. Not once. Four years. It's not that we haven't tried, but they are extremely reclusive. The won't answer the door, kids are scared if the ball goes into their yard, kind of neighbor.

So here she is on my doorstep explaining what happened and all I could think of is "Are you really my neighbor. You don't look so scary. Why don't you ever come out of your house?"

Anyway she turns out to be nice and Scout was returned safe and sound. The funny part is, this neighbor, who I wasn't even sure existed, actually rescued Scout from a ledge in the alley.

Here is a picture of the ledge.


Somehow, Scout climbed up there and couldn't get down. I wish I could do a reenactment and take a picture, but she does weigh a 100 pounds.

So, at the end of the day, it turns out I do have a nice neighbor who is willing to physically pull my enormous dog off a ledge. I also have a very tired dog who is still afraid to go near the gate. SCORE!!!