Conversation starter

I was using this as conversation starter for the kids this weekend. So get this, all three agreed that the first thing they noticed was the top mom had a grouchy face and sounded rude. The older two went on to say the bottom mom wanted her kid to go to college, "So she had choices; so she could do what she wanted, including traveling around the world giving out books to girls who aren't allowed to read." <---- Madeline (I totally gave her a high-five for that), Sam said he didn't care, he wants to change tires and I can't make him go to college (super) and Noah thought what Sam/Madeline said sounded about right, but also said that I sounded like both the top and the bottom mom at the same time, including both faces. Soooooooo .... in summary, Sam is a teenager and I know nothing, Madeline knows she's going to change the world and Noah thinks I've got a 
personality disorder. :      )

Science, engineering & technology (when you're 9) ...

When my thorough search for the tape this morning left me empty handed in all the places where it should be, I found myself retracing my steps. I remember watching Noah bolt through the kitchen yesterday, smash something against the doorway then run away with a maniacal laugh. At the time, Sam and Madeline both fell down to the ground dramatically only to jump up and chase him out the back door. So now I'm thinking, what was that? Did it have tape on it? Off to his room and on Noah's book shelf I find an almost empty roll of red craft tape, a spy schedule, and a nicely taped up package of C-4 that he had thrown at his siblings. Hmmmmm. 

Maybe he'll be a scientist. Maybe he'll be a scientist. Maybe he'll be scientist.

11, 8, 6 ... !!!

Sticks & Stones

My "top 10" good, bad, and ugly ... things I've discovered since my mom's cancer diagnosis:

1) Anything/everything I will ever want for Christmas cannot be found in a store.

2) Strangers should be more patient.

3) People as a whole? Are genuinely kind, and full of mercy and grace.

4) If you're not 36, and your mom doesn't have cancer, and you don't live 1500 miles away from her, then no; you ...

actually don't get it.

5) Denial, isolation, and anger = serious shit.

6) As much as I love Judith Light, it's never a good idea to be in the same room as a Lifetime movie.

7) Not to save my prayers until bedtime, on-the-spot seems like a better approach.

8) I know without a doubt my recent 8 weeks in the southwest were priceless for both the kids, and myself.

9) I for the first time, in probably ever, truly don't care about the onslaught of whispering regarding my choices, my parenting, my marriage, my house-for-sale, my shoes. None of it really matters.

10) I need to start writing again, I need to keep taking pictures, and I need to continue Sunday Adventuring with my Fergletts.

sunrise

Day two on our Arizona to Missouri journey... panhandle sunrise

Greatest idea ever

Jackson Dean, "Aunt Amy?"
Me, "Yes?"
JD, "I have a great idea! Want to know what it is?!?!?"
Me, "Of course!!"
JD, "Okay good! Follow me Aunt Amy!"

We are now headed towards the kitchen ... it's 8:30 PM ... his parents are on a birthday-dinner-date, so this fateful night it was just JD and I (and Karter and my trio. But in the kitchen at this moment ... I was helpless to the power of his cuteness. Sigh ... continue dear reader).

He opens the refrigerator door, starts to climb up the shelves as I'm saying, "Wait just a minute here Mr. Monkey Pants"
JD, "Mr.MonkeyPantsGIGGLE!!!"
Me, "Yes. Mr. Monkey Pants. Now, what is it that we need for your great idea?
JD, "Oh, Aunt Amy. You forgot my milk! I always have milk before bed. Especially chocolate milk! See? You just climb up here and get the milk (he hands me a gallon of milk) and then reach behind (straining with all his 4-year-old-might) here and reach around here and get the chocolate!"
Me, Skeptical, but rendered helpless due to his cuteness. "Oh, I see. Of course!"
Me, "Do you always have chocolate milk before bed Jackson?"
JD, "Oh Aunt Amy, you are so silly! Of course I do. Don't you see how this is a really great idea?????"
Me, "Oh well of course I do Jackson! Say cheese!!!!!"

And ^ this is how ... you get outsmarted by a four-year-old. I knew perfectly well his parents wouldn't typically let him have chocolate milk before bed. But come ON. That great idea?! It really was a great idea. ♥♥♥♥

Sam turns 11 ... and Baker meets Chuck E. Cheese!

Chuck E. Cheese

"Where a kid, can be a kid!"
OR ... as Noah Baker put it, "The happiest place on e-a-r-t-h!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

^ Sam turns 11 years old. ELEVEN YEARS OLD.

Wait. What? When? How?!

Sam very graciously shared his day with Baker, by having his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. It really was fantastic.  Fun was had by all!

She is such a natural! ^

"I just won ONE HUNDRED TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Now, is that kid having a great birthday or what?!

The pizza was delicious, the folks were friendly, the kiddos had a blast ... success. :)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

death of desert duck

7:40:am: Trio running/playing outside

7:50:am: Silence

7:52:am: "Mommy?"

7:52:am "Yes?" 

7:54:am "Uh, well, we were playing? And ... (sniff sniff) we ... uh .... I (Baker) ... we have ... DECAPITATED Grandma's DUCK!"

So, desert duck has died.

 BUT, now we're going to smash it into little pieces and create a fabulous piece of art. : )

AZ smiles

We're getting our grumpy faces out of the way so we can do some serious smiling. Well, not serious, we're not in our church clothes or anything. BUT, Madeline and Baker have matching awesome toothless smiles now, so I figured since I need to take a picture of my toothless duo ... might as well make Sam chime in with his pearly whites too. Lucky kids!

HA! ^ Got our non-smiling-faces out-of-the-way ... on to happier moments:

------- >   LOVE this girl!

We really are having such a wonderful time at Grandma Caroline's. Off to see Grandma Millie Friday morning. More chemo for her in the morning, so fingers crossed and masked faces on, we'll see her in 48 hours :).

Baker Bot's awesome new smile! --------- >

Grandma Caroline & the Fergletts :)

Sam Ferguson ... who will be 11 ... in just SIX days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baker - 6

Madeline -8

LOVE, love, LOVE these smiles : - }

bittersweet

Mt. Lemmon

 Mt. Lemmon! It was such a fun day ... and wonderful to share one of my favorite memories from growing up with my trio : ).

Bear Country ... caught their attention. c:

Madeline's 8-year-old mind was blown. A real. Live. Pay phone. One that you ACTUALLY put money into ... to ... T-A-L-K. Wow. :)

It was a great day!!

Ostrich or bust ...

 Ostrich Farm!!

I 

love

this

picture! -------------------- >

Tucson Zoo

Jackson & Baker ... according to the map, HA!

Madeline makes some new zoo friends ... such a sweet girlie!

Uncle Matthew & Jackson Dean feed the ducks and turtles ...

Karter Gracie Cakes!

Cousins!

Miss Madeline & Jackson c:

 BBQ & Games ... Baker and Madeline take turns serving ... look out grown ups!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥