BECAUSE LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE ORDINARY

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Faith in Humanity

While my boys are happily making each other laugh, I just want to unwind from the marathon errand trip I just took them on (four hours and 9 stops later). Anybody who has ever grocery shopped with two or more littles knows that it can be taxing to say the least. I do big grocery trips solo but there are the times I need to pick up just a "few things". Still, by the time I got to the grocery store, Ryan had fallen asleep so he stayed in the car seat in the main part of the cart while Max sat in the child seat part. I fit the eggs, formula, etc., etc. around the car seat and under the cart and then when it was all bagged up, it was even harder so I ended up with several bags on my arms as I pushed the cart out of the store. This is normal, no big deal. Well after loading the kids and groceries in the car (and this is stop 7 and about 3.25 hours into our excursion) I'm tired and ready to get on. Well, a nice man pulled up and said that someone had dropped a bag of groceries and he had turned it in and he wondered if it was mine. He described what was in it and I knew it was mine. Darn, I'd have to get the kids out, put them back in a cart and trek back into the store. Ryan had fallen back asleep and I was tempted to let the groceries go, but it did have ingredients for tonight's supper and we're not wasteful, so...back we went. I had thanked the man for finding our groceries but during the time it took to unload kids, go back to store, back to car and load kids up again, I was able to appreciate the kindness of that man and that simple act of kindness he showed. I like having moments like this that help me appreciate the ability of humans to choose kindness and compassion towards each other. I like these moments better than the ones where our cars have been broken into! : )

My boys are just in their skivvies and Ryan is "chasing" Max. I love being a mom!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Name Game

Max really loves the Name Game. It all started when I just started singing, "Max Max Mo Max, Banana Fana Fo Fax, Me My Mo Max--Max!" I've been singing it ever since. If anybody has any sort of relationship with Max, their name has been sung. The Menzie family bytheway all have really short fun names. I like doing "Uncle" and "Doug". All of his toys have been done. So the dilemma came when he wanted me to do "Jesus". Ummm, no. I just told him that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer and it wouldn't be respectful to use his name. Sorry to everyone else though, you're fair game!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Winding Down

The newest thing Chez Epperson is to watch, "Goodnight Moon" before bedtime. We also read several books afterward, but we don't have this one and I thought it would be fun to introduce it to Max. Susan Sarandon narrates it in this version and we find her voice very soothing.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

"Becky, Come Back"

Max wants Becky to come back. He kept saying that last night and this morning. Yesterday after I thought I would be getting sun burned during my morning run with the running group, the rain started to drizzle. However, our day plans were not to be disrupted. Becky joined us for a little adventure. We rode the ferry ("big boat") to Vashon Island and drove around to explore. We found a lighthouse at Point Robinson Park and slip-slided down a very muddy path to get to it. We then took the road back up to the car and explored some more. After that, Becky and I went to Steeped in Comfort a delightful tea room where we had delicious tea and scones. Even though it by fast, we had a great time. I'm glad things worked out so we could see Becky!
On the big boat and Ryan is trying to fall asleep.

From February

A view to the left of the boat, coming up on Vashon Island

From February

Finally a little break from the mud on the path

From February

At the lighthouse

From February

Max finally wanting his picture taken

From February

Why, let's go the less muddy way, shall we?

From February

Friday, February 26, 2010

In Case You Ever Go on Jeopardy

And they have a column about the Presidents of the United States of America (the music group), here is a bit of USEFUL information!
Chris Ballew the lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America (a Seattle band popular in the 90's and most famous for songs, "Peaches", "Lump","Kitty" and "Some Postman"(see below) and who I saw live at Endfest in '03

is now Caspar Babypants and sings children songs. We went to see them play a free set at the library today!
Max and some little friends got their groove on! Thanks Crystal for the info!

From February 2010

Afterward, we had to hike many blocks to get back to the car (so many people were so interested in getting books that day ;) HA)

From February 2010

Here is a video of one of his songs with vocal help from his daughter:

Just a side note and not information that would help you on Jeopardy--I so respect him and his career move--much more than say, ummm, Bret Michaels of Poison who wears make up and still tries to look like he did 20+ years ago and had a reality show to find his "Rock of Love". I don't feel like taking the time to include a pic of him so you'll just have to believe me or believe google! ; )

When Nature Calls

Washington's fake spring has left the building. It's been very drizzly here, so when the sun popped out for a bit, I got the kids ready quickly to go to the zoo. We got there and saw the sign for the winter hours (Thurs. - Mon.) Doh! Too bad our membership wouldn't get us a private tour on Wednesday! So, since we couldn't see the big animals and Max was talking the most about frogs anyway, we went to the Tacoma Nature Center We got to see frogs, toads, turtles and read books, explore, play with puppets and Ryan even crawled over fake furry animals. The boys loved it!