Instead we...

Well last Tuesday was supposed to be 'Clean the Bathroom Day', instead I took Peanut and his cousin Madi to the OKC Science Museum.


First, the ride there. I'll admit it was the hardest part. If you don't know I live 35 miles from Rachel (and Madi). So Peanut and I drove there, picked up Madi, dropped off books due at the library, dropped off promised bread at the Institute and then finally got on the freeway for the 60 mile (hour and 15 min) drive to the Museum. By Guthrie (30ish minutes from Stillwater) the kids were already done. 

Madi was quiet and grumpy. Peanut was loud and grumpy and had somehow managed to get his arms stuck awkwardly in the car set straps.

Luckily I had a few tricks (and treats) up my sleeve. We stopped at a gas station, got out the satsumas Rachel had packed and readjusted toys and snacks (and Peanut's arms). 

On our way...again.

However once we got to the museum everything went wonderfully. Both kids were amazingly well behaved and stayed close and played a lot and went to the bathroom when they were supposed to, and LISTENED. I don't ever expect this to happen again but it was a marvelous one-time occurrence.

They played together which was wonderful and unexpected. We love having cousins around but the one problem has been slight bullying. Madi bullies Peanut, Peanut bullies Cal etc. Thankfully everyone is soft with Baby Katie Mae. 

But on this trip no bullying or grumping. Hallelujah!

They played in the water, had their faces painted (note: I am not a professional face painter) and just seemed to have a great time. 

At one point we tried to see a show but it was more geared toward older kids so Peanut was bored and Madi got was scared (it was about explosions). So instead we went and had lunch.

(insert missing lunch pictures here)

After lunch we played for about an hour longer and then packed up and headed home. I love the freedom of a yearly pass! No feeling bad about only going for a half day- especially since kids this little can't stand more than that.

On the way home we stopped at Freddy's Frozen Custard to see my sister, Wendy. I got Peanut and Madi one mini vanilla custard with gummy bears to split. The mess Peanut made with his half was incomprehensible. He honestly got more custard on him than there was in his cup- I'm sure of it. We ended up striping off his shirt. Yes, I was that mom.

Madi chose to be the good child and ate carefully while coloring her picture. She was super excited when the manger posted it immediately. 

Then the ride home, where blissfully both children fell asleep. All in all a wonderful day. I can't decide if I should do it again because it went so well or leave it a perfect memory...

Reasons I Love This Picture...

For those who don't know the subjects, this is Jeanne (the Ox's mom) and 2 of her grandkids, Cal and Madi, who are (obviously) Peanut's cousins. Onto reasons I love it:

• Well, the obvious, Jeanne is slightly stuck at the bottom of a huge slide in the middle of 2 of her grandkids. 
• The juxtaposition between Jeanne's expression and Cal's.
• That Jeanne only has one shoe on. The other came down a few moments earlier with Peanut. 
• The fact that to get to this point Jeanne has to convince Madi and actually carry both Cal and Peanut up 8 billion stairs to the top of this slide. She not only signed up for this, she had to work for it. 
• That Gibson was unconcerned and rode by himself, missing the pile-up. 
• That it is the first picture of Madi I've posted. I don't mean to exclude her it just hasn't happened until this moment. 

 The thing I love best about this picture is that it is one moment of an awesome day. I never thought I would love living near my in-laws (not them specifically but any in-laws) but I do. I love that Peanut has a great relationship with both of them and has 2 people besides Ox and I that he feels totally comfortable with.

In addition to this I now have my sister-in-law, Rachel and her family living within 35 miles. Her kids, Madi, Cal and Katie are perfect ages to play with Peanut and for him to learn about cousin relationships with. Plus, she's fun. Grammie Jeanne, Rachel, Madi, Cal, Katie, Peanut and I all fit perfectly in the van and can ride together all over on adventures as we did this day, going to the Oklahoma Science Museum.

Life is good.

Things That Make My Day Better...

even though yesterday I woke up, vomited in the toilet, flushed the toilet and it overflowed.

Then later while buying food for the cub scouts to learn to "cook outside" I vomited in the Walmart parking lot. The lady getting her kid into the car next to me was not impressed.

Also vomited this morning...I thought morning sickness was supposed to get better not worse at this point.

However, these things made me happy:

1. From Amazing Mae:

Friday, March 20, 2009

from dad's shirt to a little dress

How blasted cute is that thing?????

2. This is my new background on my NEW computer at work:

Oh Madi, you make my day better!

Dreams

I just want to preface this post by letting you know I decided to write about it at 4 this morning. I don't know why- it just was really important to me. I even woke Nate up and told him to remember 3 things. You'll see them below...

So I have a history of crazy dreams. I mean crazy. So crazy that when I tell them to Nate he is always amazed the craziness isn't oozing out of me like butter from my pores. Last night I dreamed about the following 3 things:

1. Baby Madi

2. Socks

and

3. Tacos from Jack in the Box (yes I do believe they deep fry these after they make them...sinful!!!)


I dreamed I was holding baby Madi (daughter of Rachel). She was so cute and snuggly. I think this the universe saying I should try to see her on my trip back form Cali to OK. Rachel we must talk!

Then, as if it was perfectly normal Rachel gave me back my socks she had borrowed, acting very ashamed she had kept them so long. This is where the dream got a little weird. Don't worry Rachel, I don't think you have any of my socks. I'm sorry my subconscious is trying to blame you for my cold feet. This also doesn't make the above with Madi any less important.

Then for no reason at all I woke up craving Jack in the Box Tacos. I don't think they were in my dream at all but seriously they're all I wanted. Why do cute babies and socks make me crave tacos, and not just tacos, the greasiest tacos in the entire world??? I just don't know.

Here is another example of my crazy dreaming:

I really did just draw those cards.

If we are close enough friends for you to call me and wonder what the holy I am talking about (and you haven't already heard this dream) call me. I'll be happy to explain the dream in as much detail as I think you personally can handle. Don't be offended, even Nate didn't get the whole thing but that because he looked really creeped out (we were pretty recently married). Just imagine waking up with the feel of frog skin on your hands...