The Value of a Dollar

I wanted to go to the health club again today. Mike is gone on his mancation to Mille Lacs Lake, so I need to go everywhere with kids in tow. I wanted to go for three reasons, one being that exercise is good for me, two, because I just wanted to get out of the house for a while, and three, we're nearing the end of the month, and I need to go to the club 8 times in order for my insurance to pick up my membership dues. I'm always surprised when the kids are disgruntled about going, since every time I pick them up from the child center, they want to stay longer. I did not get an enthusiastic response from the muchkins, so I decided to use the power of persuasion, a.k.a. a bribe, to boost their enthusiasm toward the trip. I told them they could each have a dollar to use in the vending machine. The eager beavers quickly changed their attitude. They each proudly clutched their dollar in anticipation of the sweet, sugar-filled treat they would soon be devouring. When I finished my workout, I picked the kids up from the child care. They were getting ready to put their dollar through the slot, which is a treat in and of itself, and their smiling faces turned upside down when they discovered that some crackpot removed the vending machine. Apparently, the contents of the machine are not healthy enough for a health club. In response to the devastation, I quickly devised an alternate plan of action. I took the sugar-crazed maniacs to the corner store down the street from our house. You'd think they'd never been in a store before. They were so excited about the many, many choices that filled those glorious aisles. "Look at this!" and "Look over here!" "Lilah, you'd really like this one!" were some of the shouts of joy heard by everyone in the store. Finally, after about 10 minutes, Gavin chose a diamond ring sucker, Emma chose a package of poptarts, and Lilah chose gummy worms. Lilah's treat added up to $1.00, and besides, she does actually understand the concept of money and change. Emma and Gavin, on the other hand, both received change back for their purchases. They looked at the guy, then turned to me, as if to say, "What's with this fool? I gave him one dollar, and he gave me three coins in return."

The Coolest Dude

On our way to the health club, the kids were having a discussion regarding a party they'll be attending tomorrow. They kept using superlatives in their conversation- youngest, oldest, tallest, smallest, etc. Eventually I overheard this:
"Do you guys think I'm going to be the coolest one there?" from the guy wearing blue crocs, black socks, orange shorts, and a red shirt.

Future Hair Stylist

I just found this chunk of hair on the floor in the basement. After some skillful detectivework, I determined that it came from the head of one Emma Schulz. She did a decent job. You can't even tell where the damage is done. When asked, "Why did you do it, Emma?" She answered, quite frankly, "I couldn't see. It was hanging in my eyes."

This is, I believe, the third haircut she has given herself. Even the time she gave herself bangs, it turned out o.k. (see photo- June, 2005)

Remembering

Sometimes I look at my kids in total awe, like, I can't believe this beautiful creature is my offspring.

When Lilah was about 2 years old, I was doing the bedtime routine with her, just finishing a book and having a chat with her. I remember staring at her, thinking, "Wow! This kid is amazing" She was so cute with her expressive face and disheveled hair. I gave her a hug and said, "Lilah, you are so sweet, I could just eat you up." She cocked her head and looked at me, perplexed, and responded, "Mommy, you can't eat me. I not food." Just like that. I assured her that I would not, in fact, eat her. It's just an expression. Later, after I had gotten ready for bed, and I was laying in bed reading, I heard her little apprehensive voice from her room (next door to ours) reminding me, "Mommy, don't eat me."

I wonder what kind of dreams she had that night.

Bagpipes, Fancy Footwork, and some Heavy Breathing

Tuesday Nights at the Park

Bagpipe practice is held every Tuesday night in the parking lot at the church down the street from our house. We can hear the music from our house, but we can actually watch, and the sound is much better if we go to the school playground right across the street from the church. It's pretty cool.

Summer Swim Lessons

Today was the last day of summer swim lessons. Emma and Gavin worked on learning the basics of swimming and basic strokes in Jellyfin level. Lilah worked on refining her strokes in Kingfin level. I'm very proud of all of the kids and the progress they made this summer!

We are swimmers! (that's what they yell as a group at the end of every lesson)