Bedbugs and Ballyhoo

... That's the way the bee bumbles.

Kevin came home this afternoon with a present for me.

Not bees or bedbugs....

I've been complaining about the aphids on our hibiscus for some time so while bugs may not seem like a romantic thing to give someone, these bugs were a really neat surprise.




We waited until evening then watched as Daddy dumped bugs on the garden and two hibiscus bushes. The boys helped to dump a few bugs but then Kevin had to flick the few stubborn remnants from the bottom of the container.

Sully made sure they were strategically placed.

Fortunately, the aphids haven't affected all the blooms.

Equal Opportunity Play

Yesterday, after playing, Nathan came inside to bathe but seemed to be feeling guilty about something. (He has quite an over active guilt-o-meter and usually fesses up to the things he feels he's done wrong... including the terrible infraction of dripping water on the floor while washing his hands. I PROMISE he doesn't get in trouble for this but it worries him nonetheless.) Kevin was talking to him while he was in the tub and found out that they had been rough-housing with the boy next door. They were all laughing and playing when Kev went out to call them in so he didn't think there was an issue but wanting to make sure it was all in fun, they discussed it. Kevin made sure to impress upon Nathan that a little wrestling was okay as long as no one got hurt or felt left out or picked on because we don't want to hurt anybody or their feelings. In short, if everyone was wrestling nicely (how do you do that again???) and having fun, then okay. Well, in a distinctly "Leave it to Beaver" moment Nathan asked, "Hey Dad, we were wrestling with the boy but not the girl. Do you think she felt left out?"

New Neighbors

The house next door sold... it took about 2 weeks for a contract, then 2 months to close... and the new neighbors are moving in today. To our delight their children are close to the age of the ours... 2 girls and a boy. Sully and Nathan have already been out running around with them and are genuinely excited to have kids move in next door. As I write, they have just gone outside to play again.

In other news, Kevin started a new job today. He's back working insurance but this time for a temp agency. After the first day he seems much more content than during the short-lived stint at the hydraulic shop. He also found out today that the manager in VA, whom he'd had so many issues with, was fired- he'd figured it was only a matter of time but it confirms what he already knew.

In addition, tonight was the next to last meeting of Kids Klub for the semester. They'll have a pizza party/rehearsal on Friday and the play is the following weekend. The boys have had fun and it has given me two hours every week to take a breath and play a little catch-up... I just don't understand why things take so much longer to get done with kids here all day.

Open for Business

We made it to church this morning but last week when we skipped Nathan asked Kevin, "Isn't this the day church is open?"
Too Funny!
Happy Sunday all. God Bless!

Singer in our midst

We just returned from an audition... no, not American Idol but something even better. Sully has been chosen to take part in the Brevard Children's Chorus. His audition was this morning and, although slightly nervous, he did a terrific job. The smile across his face when the director told him he was invited to join was priceless. The current choir has just under 30 kids and they are hoping that this year it will increase to around 40. Practice will begin in August. In additoin, we're planning to resume either band or clarinet in the fall. Music really seems to be his niche.

Dog...spoiled beyond measure

With the dog's illness and the pet food recall we've been really careful about what she's been eating this week. In other words her diet has consisted of some very tummy friendly chicken and rice with veggies and these...

...Homemade Dog Biscuits!!!!

The kids LOVE this... it's almost as good as baking cookies- except they don't taste as good.

Kate, I'm glad you're enjoying the pictures and posts! I should have done this sooner because we all know how bad I've been at sending pictures!

"The one where Dad is killing us!"

Here's the photo that the kids really wanted up... Boys LOVE this stuff!!