Saturday Saturday Saturday

Saturday began without warning.  I was sleeping soundly when I when I heard boys attempting to whisper.  I thought I yelled shut up but I think I was dreaming.  When I did open my eyes, Brent and Brayden were leaving for football.   I knew I had at least 30 minutes so I closed my eyes and wished hard I was asleep.  Nope, I got Sloan up and we headed to the earliest game known to man. 

Statue of liberty play!  So we are losing 4th quarter Brent has Brayden in as quarter back.  He was doing good!  They set up the play, Brayden drops back and the running back comes behind and grabs the ball. It was perfect, until the crash of helmets and pads.  Brayden got the ball off but was sacked.  And sacked good.  In the moment I knew if her didn't get up he would never play again.  So I yelled get up.  I'm sure I sounded like a psycho parent yelling at their kid to play with a broken limb.  (it was not )  I wanted him to understand a hit would not kill him but knock the wind out of him.  He got up and didn't run to me.  (which was a bit sad but relieved)  He just had the wind knocked out of time for the first time....I was so proud.  I'm sure child services is following me for that, but damn it was a great play!  By the look on his face in this photo he may have been a bit dazed too.....#32 standing facing us.

Sloan went down for a nap and it was clean the closet time.  Now here is my question to all women...why do men pile.  We still had a few boxes of winter packed up so i dumped them on the floor.  Brent sorted and sorted and piled here and piled there.  He claimed he was making some progress, but I couldn't see it! He put shirts over here then moved them over there.  I watched for a bit and found no rhyme or reason.  But i did snap some pictures.

He was sorting here

This pile moved into the bedroom.  I think he may have shoved it into a drawer.

Sloan was in good spirits when she woke up.  She cooked and danced in the kitchen.  Then she took a break to love on baby Emma.   Silly girl.

To the fair..........and home again jigged, jigg

We got up super early for a Sunday and head to the fair.  After the night we had, this was rather challenging.  Don't get excited we were not parting til the sun came up.  They are filming a movie in our neighborhood, something Conner and castle hills gang.  None the less a letter was sent saying they would be filming a forth of July scene on Saturday night.  We watched cameras and scene set ups all week long but none more exciting than fireworks.  So last night we head to some friends in the neighborhood and we see cameras, fire trucks and the gear for fireworks.  By the time we got home around 9 no fireworks but still set up.  I should have scene this a warning.  Around 11:30 the first set of booms comes through the house, but no one woke up.  Then at 1AM then next serious.  I jumped straight out of bed, Sloan screamed and Brent rolled over.  Dear God,  I thought I was having a heart attack, scared me silly.  For a minute I thought I was in the old neighborhood and those were gun shots.  After 30 minutes I was out again, only to be waken by Sloan's sweet scream.  We hurried to get dressed and out of the house by 9:15, a quick stop at Starbucks and we were fair bound.  Two sweet kids strapped into their strollers and off we went. We thought we would be the only ones there even for a bit....no way!  The grounds were already packed.

We walked for a bit and let the hubbies look at silly snakes, two headed alligators and a shrunken women, then it was the kids turn for a ride.  I wasn't sure how Sloan would do, She is a dare devil.  We choose a fish ride that went round and round with a little up and down action.  I really thought the doom buggies looked way more fun. All smiles before the ride!

Shockingly she hated the kiddy ride.  She was cute with her arm around me, holding me too, until we started moving with a jolt.  She cried every time we turned to face daddy.  

We decided on the log ride, which she loved.  Brent and I piled in with her and floated calmly around the water way.  I pointed out the mushrooms and smiling trees.  I was like a bad trip through Alice in wonderland. However, I thought it was great place to make out if we were in high school.  Around a corner I saw an alligator.  Look Sloan a gator and just as she looked....the gator spit water all over us.  This was followed by spiting mushrooms and trees.  Followed by a dark tunnel spray water down from vines.   Sloan was not affect by the water.  We climbed the hill and Brent held both of us.  I'm not sure he trusted I was holding tight enough to Sloan. I covered her face expecting water to cover us.  Gran Jan was at the bottom to snap a picture and I'm pretty sure we all ducked to avoid the non-existent water. I covered her face with my hands.  She was all smiles when we got off!  

So we headed for the biggest ferris wheel.  Sloan stood up and watched Dallas go by over and over.  She even went from Dad to Aunt Ash to me.  She is such a dare devil...kiss off kiddy rides, bring on the big stuff. Whoooooo hoooo! 

You cant go to the fair without eating tons of fried goodness so off to eat we went.

 Corn dogs without the dog just are not the same, (side note, I stop eating meat again) so I ate the dog.  I figure at this point its all the left overs from the animals, I'm going to get sick anyway might as well make it worth it.  It was and I did. Then French fries and potato cruls with Aunt Ash.  Pop feed Sloan some fries and Sloan kindly cleaned both Pop and Gran Jans faces. I was a little relived to see Sloan did not like the funnel cake.  The less sugar the better!!! 

After a quick demonstration of "things Sloan can do" we cleaned up.  Kids are like dogs, watch what Sloan learned She can sit, stay, and speak.  Sad but true.  We showed off her body part demonstration.  She knows button (belly button), nose (which she honks like crazy) and boob (which she grabs or smashes).  Then we danced in the isles for a bit!

To the bird show!  Sloan entertained herself with my makeup bag.....check the label!  She is already spoiled!   She danced and turned and posed and even ended up on the big screen!

 The white bird flew from the tip top of the wheel down to the stage.  It was beautiful.  She almost dove straight down then glided to a halt.  

After the owl, Sloan was done.  We really wanted to hit up the aquarium but She wasn't having it.  By the time we found the freeway she was out like a light.  She slept for 4 hours, woke up, went for a walk, ate and went back to bed! 

On a side note for the night.  Brayden came home tonight.  We sat in the hot tub relaxing his muscles after his great play.  He told us about his college choices and how he wanted to play football and so on.  Such a big boy! When we came back in braydens toilet had unexpectedly over flowed.  As Brent and I danced on the towel soaking up water brayden says....Its like a romantic comedy...but in my room...yuk!

oopps i let him skip school

After working all day yesterday and spending what seemed like an eternity cleaning after everyone went to bed, I slept through the alarm this morning.  I also contribute my sleepiness to Sloan's morning cry at 5am.  I thought it was 6 so I started to get everyone up.  I even pulled out breakfast before I realized I was up way too early.  I went back to sleep and sat straight up at 7:30.  (Brayden has to be at school at 7:40.) Needless to say it was more Brent, Brayden and I was out again.  Brent took him and let Sloan and I sleep an extra 30 minutes.  I swear I tip toe around like a mouse when everyone is sleeping, he runs into everything in the house.  At 9am I missed a call from Brayden's teacher and quickly realized I left his sandwich out of his lunch.  Rather than taking him a sandwich, I pulled him out at lunch.  He looks at me standing in the office and says do I have to go to the dentist.  I just laughed.  Brent thought we should all head to the arboretum for the afternoon, so we loaded up to head out.  Yes I pulled him out to go to the pumpkin patch!

They really do a great job decorating the arboretum with tons of pumpkins.  They line the walk ways And create these cool photo op places.  Brayden posed at every stop for me.  Some with the cheesy smile, none the less he stop for me to take his picture.  Sloan and Brent on the other hand, not so much.  Sloan was more interested in the wood chips than the pumpkins.

Brayden carried Sloan through all the different pumpkin houses.  He even tried to pose her so I could get a picture but she had other ideals.  Brayden was very proud he was as tall as the opening to the smaller house.  I think he walked in and out 12 times.

So we walk in to be greeted by a rather large fellow.  He was the size of a cat.  It was a very healthy squirrel.  And he was enjoying a snack of pumpkin.  As we moved around the arboretum we saw many squirrels of this size,  One even broke a tree limb. They were huge!

We headed on to the frog fountains.  Brayden made the comment we did not have our suites and we were going to get wet.  The temperature had warmed up and chasing Sloan around, we all appreciated the cool water.  Brent lifted Sloan so she could put her hands, then arms and finally her whole head went in. She laughed and laughed.  Brayden again just posed for my pictures!  He also decided it was a good time for a snack.  We had only been at the park an hour but I think the hour drive made him hungry. So we walked on in search of a place to snack!

We found a perfect bench in the shade and sun for our snack! Brent and Brayden posed.  I think Sloan was a bit tired from all the walking.  Nothing a little snack couldn't fix.

She quickly bounced back to her normal self and found the bench made a great play area.  Until she noticed the grass knoll across the path.

Sloan, Brayden and I headed over to run and play in dog poop free grass.  You really just don't realize how much you miss the grass until picking up dog poo consume most our your outside time.  Brayden and Sloan ran through the grass and rolled!  Brent captured some good moments from the shade covered bench.  I just laid in the grass watching with the sun beating on my face.  

Sloan and I practiced a few flips while Brayden tried his skills behind the camera.  He loves taking pictures as much as posing for them! I air planed her and flipped her till her heart was content.  Then I wanted a turn but Brent would not airplane me.  I was sad.  I even tried to air plane him, but no go!

This was favorite picture of the day.  It captures a typical family moment. Sloan poking Brayden, me trying to stop her and Brayden with the look of help me on his face.  He tolerates so much from her, I really think he loves being a big brother.  

It was time to move on to frontier land.  Full of tee pees, covered wagons and old houses, we ventured in.  Brent, Brayden and Sloan went inside the tee pee.  I'm pretty sure at this point Sloan was completely done, nothing a snack could bring back!  But Brayden continued to explore.  He said on his school field trip they rode in a covered wagon with a house pulling them.  

And then we were done.  We headed to the front for one last photo.  Sloan was just too pooped to get out of the stroller.  She was asleep the second she hit the car seat.

Afterwards I had a teacher conference with Braydens teacher.  Oh how I worry what crazy things i will learn.  Brayden has a smart ass mouth and man some of the things that come out of his mouth, my jaw drops  and I try not to laugh.  Overall she said he is a great student, just a little chatty.  Where could he get that?  

Monday again, Happy Columbus Day

A holiday for some, just another Monday for me.  I look forward to Mondays at work.  We clean, rearrange, organize and just revamp for the week!  This morning we woke at 5am to Sloan's cheerful scream.  Brent took her back to bed with warm milk since it was a holiday for him.  two hours later i got up and tried to sneak out of the house as not to wake anyone.  Brayden came down to say bye and ask if I needed his help at work.  I asked him why he did not want to stay home with Brent and Sloan, His reply, I don't want to go to that wiener place.  Brent had told him the night before they could go to the biggest wiener house in the country, Whienshintzel. I assured him he did not have to eat.  

After a half day of classes and an hour of cleaning, I headed home to relieve Brent.  Brayden and I decided we would head to the parks in the neighborhood.  I must admit we do have the best.  We went to the tunnel park, the pirate park, the dragon park and finally the firetruck park.  



























At the dragon park, Sloan wanted to imatae Brayden as he staddled the dragons scales.  Her little legs were not longer enough to go over and she came to an abrut hault.  I think she was a little surprised, Brayden and I laughed!

Moving on to the fire truck park.  Sloan brought the new stroller from Kel and baby Emma along.  Emma was thrown off the bridge for unknown reasons.  I did save her before we left the park.  She worked on perfecting her climbing skills.  She was pretty proud when she could climb into the firetruck all by herself.  By the time we left she was in and out all on her own. 

Brayden hung and jumped and jumped and hung.   Brayden jumped from piece to piece of equipment making sure each was a little further or higher than the next.  Our time was cut short due to the UPS truck running today.  Strange, yes, but Brayden ordered his Halloween costume last week and It was suppose to arrive Saturday.  It did not and it did not arrive today.  After checking the tracking we found it in Colorado, Thankful it is on its way.  I think Braydens issue with Halloween costumes were just as bad as mine. He claims he will never order off line again.  it just takes too long!


Before we left we all tried this silly looking spinning egg.  Brayden loved it, Sloan giggled and smiled with every faster spin and then it was my turn....You sit/lay in the egg.  As you lend back the weight of your body starts to spin the egg.  (do not insert boob jokes here)  I sat and started spinning.  The more I yelped ( not really a scream but not quiet a whimper) the closer Sloan came to me.  I stuck my legs out to stop the rather fast spinning and I took out my own daughter.  Basically, I swiped her legs flipping her up and over face first into the ground.  She looked up at Brayden and I like she could kill us in one blink.  Again Brayden and I laughed, She wasn't hurt for all you worry warts out there. Below is the egg thing!

I did a little sweeping and swiftering while the boys were at football practice.  Sloan and I took a short break to dance on the counter with the radio blaring "Apple bottom jean, boots with the fur".  She imitates my every move and I must say She has my dance skills, watch out dancing with the stars.  (and for anyone thinking I might have developed my skills into something great, nope they are the same rhythm-less moves i have always had)!  

Sunday came and went

Sunday came and went with a.....nope no bang.  Sloan made it through the night and Brent let me sleep in.  Oh I was super Thankful.  He also went to Starbucks and got me coffee.  Then I smelled something....He made breakfast.  It was like the good ole days.  Imagine squiggly lines, a blur and go back to another time.......When Brent and I meet long, long ago in another place and a different time. Every morning he would get me Starbucks, take Brayden to school and make me a yummy breakfast.  Not just any breakfast but in bed breakfast.  He would swoop me away first class to a different city every other week.  Chicago, LA, Vegas, San Fran, Tahoe, Hawaii and the list goes on and on.  We would arrive to a man waiting by bag claim with Mr Willson neatly written on a card and a car ready to take us any where we wanted to go.  The hotel would wait on us hand and foot, bringing us complimentary wine and cheese.  (cheap wine but free wine)  I could sleep in, order room service.......... screams in the back ground, mommma, mom, momma.........Wait don't fade away, oh those are distant memories fading away.  Crap back to reality.  And back to waiting on the family hand and foot.

Nana and Pappy had a great visit and the kids were super excited to show off all their new tricks.  Sloan jumped and spun, Brayden talked about football.  We took them to Rudy's for lunch before they drove back to Arkansas.  They loved it!  I took the opportunity to get a few shots of Sloan and Brayden.  Brayden insisted I pose for a few as well.