Speed Racer

Today on the long drive down I-70W from Topeka to Fort Riley, we had a cop flip around from the eastbound lanes and start following us west. Tucker, who is fully aware that if caught by a policeman he could go to jail, told me to "just drive faster, Mom. Eventually the cop will go away!"

It reminds me of a post from the Momastery blog about the fact that I'm not a drug smuggler, just a soccer mom and there's no need to freak out (even if I was .... perhaps... speeding).

Safe travels!

Tea time

Found this display in the play room today. Yes, that is an automatic weapon along with Mermaid Dora and Woody. Don't know what to say.

Tea Parties by Tucker: Safety is our top concern

Snow day

We had our first snow of the season overnight and the few inches mixed with whipping winds canceled the last day of school for the year. The kids had been bugging me since before they went to bed last night to go play in the snow today. So once the wind chill warmed to 12 (yes, 12), we bundled up and headed outside.

At first the kids were great at helping shovel the driveway. 

(Note to self: the next house needs a SMALLER driveway)

They remembered to take all union mandated breaks.

And they stayed out till OSHA reps came in and said the working conditions 

were just too unsafe to stay out any longer.

Here's to the beginning of Christmas vacation and hopefully a white Christmas!

Only you...

Warning: This post may get a bit touchy-feely. No worries, it's a one time thing.

Anyone who's met Tucker will understand when I say that parenting can be a challenge. But lately I've been fortunate that my kids have been such good friends. They've been playing well together and following each other around the house. In fact, when Grace refused Tucker's request to play upstairs with him, he told her, "Come with me, you're the only Grace I have." Awww shucks!

Grace and Tucker snuggling on the couch

And with the arrival of their cousin Sawyer, the kids have learned to share Grandma and Papa's attention and are incredibly gentle and loving.

Tucker and Sawyer

Grace and Sawyer

What can I say, I'm one lucky gal! Let's hope this good fortune lasts thru Christmas break!

Harvest time

I spent the morning (ok, well more like 15 minutes this morning) digging up carrots in my sister's garden. And then this afternoon, I blanched them for the freezer.

Our bounty this year was 8 bags of cut up carrots and enough "baby" ones for a meal later this week. With rising food prices, Christmas coming and our car tags due next month, I couldn't be happier to stock my freezer with homegrown, organic veggies that cost a mere $2.50 this spring.

And much love to Katelyn for doing all the watering!

Bon appetit!

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go....

Tucker has had a language explosion lately... You know, the kind where he's talking in full-on sentences. One after another. The kind that require and/or demand an answer. The kind in which logic is involved.

On a side note, we've been having some bedtime issues with T lately, and have been giving an exorbitant amount of praise if he spends the whole night in his own bed.

So, combining the two the other day, Tucker came up with this little ditty:

T: Where's Daddy?
Me: At work.
T: Because he's done sleeping? Because he slept all night?

Too cute! If only...


And on another job note, Grace was studying the letter "c" this week and had to dress up as a cowgirl (see below). She asked me the next morning what I thought she should be when she grew up. I told her that I wanted her to be whatever she was happy doing. She replied that she'd be happy being a cowgirl, except that cowgirls only eat beans, and she wasn't so sure she could do that. Guess she has a little of her Aunt Katelyn in her!

(not too bad for using what we had on hand!)

Here's wishing you a great day at work!

School bells

Tucker started preschool today. We took a few pictures to mark the big day, and this was a totally candid shot that I can't help but smile about.  It's as if he's praying that I'll be OK while he's gone all morning.

There was a bit of confusion as to why he wasn't going on the school bus and why I didn't pack him a lunch, but Mrs. B told me that he had a wonderful day with his new friends.

Here's to a great year for the both of us!