Friday Moment

Friday Moment with Soule Mama again today.

Wee-ooh-wee-ohh

Happy Friday.

Hubs is on vacation for the next 2 weeks so blogging might be a little spotty - fear not, I am alive and well.

A walk in the woods

Around here, we take lots of walks in the woods.

We are blessed with great trails just a stones throw from the house.

We do have to share the woods with the hunters during hunting season - but we haven't gotten shot yet.

Live free or die, man.

First, the men spied a wild animal in the pond. 

Do you see the turtle?

Of course we have to carry protection
the woods can be a dangerous place.

Doin' a little fishin'.

Gasp! Beautiful, no?

Ahhh - wilderness!

Nature

Two nights ago Hubs and I were sitting in the living room watching TV after the kiddos were in bed.

Suddenly, there was a cacophony of bird tweeting in the front yard.

Peep! Peep! Tweet! Chirp!

It seemed like every single bird within a mile radius was really pissed.

This is odd, I thought - as the birds are usually quiet at night.

"Perhaps it's a predator?" says Hiawatha Hubs.

I went to the window to assess the potential threat, and there it was.

Hedwig! 

At first I thought he was a  bunch of dried leaves, until he turned to look at me.

Oblivious to the ruckus he was causing among the wee bird population, this amazing owl just sat there - cool, calm and collected.

He was unperturbed by the flash of my camera - turning his head in that creepy 360 degree owl way to check me out.

It was really freakin' cool.

Jimmy Buffett

I love going to Jimmy Buffett.

I solemnly swear that for every year he comes to my area, I will be there.

I love buying the tickets. Months in advance, the flurry of phone calls and text messages - the plan of attack. Who will be sitting at each computer. Contingency plans.

The jubilation when tickets are obtained. The exorbitant prices lost in the thrill of victory.

Then the slowly building excitement as the big day approaches.

For a month prior to the concert, I listen to nothing but my Buffett collection. (You may recall the videos of the boys signing Buffett in the backseat of the car).

Then, a week or so in advance, the second wave of planning begins.

Who will be bringing what food and beverage. Who will bring the lei's. Who will bring extra toilet paper.

I love driving to the venue.

As we leave NH I scan the highway for cars with shark fins on top. Cars decorated with paint. We wave and are instantly friends.

I love sitting in traffic waiting to be parked at the venue. As you get closer and closer to the stadium - every car has a smiling driver. Every radio blasting Buffett tunes. Even the policemen working traffic duty are friendly.

Once we're parked we descend on our little patch of parking lot like a team of navy seals. Wha-bam! the shade structure is up, the chairs are out, the grill is unloaded.

Oh, that first moment when I sit in my camp chair. You can't understand it unless you've been there.

I make friends with everyone in our row. There is a lovely 60-something couple to my left - he's a superintendent of schools in NH. She's a guidance counselor. They give me child rearing advice.

There's a hilarious group from RI across the way. We instantly bond over water balloons.

I love waiting in line for the port-o-potty. We make friends every time.

The day stretches out and time seems to slow.

I laugh all day.

And then, finally. The show.

When Jimmy takes the stage, I leap out of my seat like a deranged lunatic.

I scream. I dance. I sing at the top of my lungs.

When he plays my favorite song, tears prickle my eyes and I hug my poor husband and serenade him for the whole three minutes.

When it's over we snack in the parking lot and wait for the traffic to thin out. Once we get home I crash immediately in the nearest bed and sleep. Spent.

The next day I am forlorn. How will I ever wait until next year?

Best intentions

I have a wonderful post all about Jimmy Buffett lovingly crafted in my head.

Unfortunately I awoke to poop in the upstairs hallway. So instead of typing, I will be steam cleaning the rug.

Too hot!

Far too hot for pants.

Happy Birthday, Friend

Today is the birthday of a very special friend.

I have been blessed with some very great friends in my life. And this young woman, she's one for sure.

A wise soul in a beautiful package.

She makes me laugh.

She inspires me to follow my dreams and put in the work that will make them a reality.

Her career in fashion design is one that many, many girls dream of, but lack the intelligence, dedication and determination to succeed.

Not this girl. If she told me she was selling clothes to martians, I'd invest.

She's always trendy - but never looks foolish.

She has often had to drag me into this century, and I'm always grateful.

Those of us who get to be in her inner circle, we are lucky, and we know it.

A heart of pure gold.

Combined with enough common sense to keep an entire tribe of morons on the straight and narrow.

You see, my friend lives her life. She has grabbed it by the reins and isn't afraid to steer a course.

She knows what she wants - everything from intelligent 401K status to laughter, love and creativity.

She manages to include it all.

Oh, she's a delight to be around. Inspiring.

Happy Birthday, friend.

May this year bring back to you a fraction of the joy that you so freely release into the world.

Big Boys?

Yesterday I dropped the Wee One off at Summer Camp with his big bro.

Camp is being held at our preschool - so it's a familiar environment for both the boys.

The Wee One was beyond excited when I told him he was going to camp that day.

He stood by the door in his flip flops and swim trunks until it was time to go.

My big, big, little guy.

Fathers

I have a soft spot for fathers.

There's just something about that tough-guy exterior crumbling when confronted with a wee child.

It tugs at the heart strings.

I have lots of really great fathers in my life.

My boys are so lucky.

I wish I had a video of this conversation between the Wee One and my father-in-law yesterday:

Wee One: "Would you wike to pway in da sandbox wif me?"
Father-in-law: "Me?"
Wee One: "Yes! We could make a sandcastoo! Wook!"
Father-in-law: "Okay..."
And down he stooped, to fiddle in the dirt with my Wee son and some tupperware containers.
Now that's love, I do think.

Happy Fathers day, guys.

Friday Moments

Friday Moments with Soule Mama again today.

If you have a moment to share, please leave a comment with a link!

Our moment is a friendship moment.

Have a great weekend!

Uncool

There's not enough coffee on the planet to make this morning acceptable.

I have irritation hangover from the children yesterday, combined with continued irritating behavior this morning.

And by "morning' I mean 5:45am.

Get UP!

I need breakfast! 

Think I'll go pick a fight with my brother! 

It is a cool, rainy morning. Perfect for sleeping.

Unless you're 4.

I feel like I've got nothing left for these two. My irritation and frustration is bone-deep.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter, now does it?

Yeesh, what a dreary post.

Irish Fest

This past weekend we went to the Irish Music Festival with my sister-in-law and parents.

A good time was had by all.

There was plentiful live music. 

Music critic. 

And what to do while listening to great Irish music?
Cuddle with Irish Nana of course. 

You know there was ice cream. 

Sharing with Grumple. 

Sharing? Have you lost your mind?

And there may have been some dancing. 

A good day, yes indeed.

Germs, germs, germs

I have a little cold.

Unfortunately, whenever I get any sort of ailment the germs head immediately to my lungs, where they set up residence and initiate long, asthmatic coughing fits.

I pretty  much coughed non-stop all winter.

So, when I had 2 hour-long coughing fits on Tuesday night, I decided a trip to the doctor was necessary.

Go to the DOCTOR!

I dropped the big boy off at school and made an appointment.

Approximately 1 hour later, I received a call from the preschool, Big Boy was weeping in pain, complaining about his ear.

I rushed over there to scoop him up and take him home.

A popsicle and a dose of Tylenol soon indicated that this, too, required a trip to the doctor.

Two trips to two doctors in 1 day. 

Off we sped to the pediatrician.

Now, I'm not going to lie. I bribed them with munchkins.

"There's no way he has an ear infection." I say. "He hasn't even had a fever."

Beloved doc peeks in his ear, "Yep." She says. "He's got an ear infection."

Antibiotics obtained.

A few hours later, I leave two sleeping children with Beloved Miss Kristin and head off to my own doctor.

"I'm mostly fine." I say. "I just can't stop coughing."

She peeks up my nose and makes this face:

Dear God. 

"You have a sinus infection."

Antibiotics obtained.

It's awesome here.

Images courtesy of Rage Comics. If you're not checking in there every day, you're not living.

Occassionally

If it is a beautiful, sunny day and you provide them with some popcorn, my two boys might sit near each other without hitting, yelling, crying or whining.

But it will be brief, so you best be ready to enjoy it.

Holy crap wouldja look at that! Get the camera!! 

Dude, check out mom - she's wicked psyched about something. 

Let me just finish this popcorn and then our truce
will be over mon capitan. 

Happy Tuesday! Hope there's a truce in your day today.

Friday Moment

Friday Moments with Soule Mama again today. If you have a moment to share, please leave a comment with a link.

Today's moments are action moments.

Have a great weekend!