And...

we're off!!  Well, not just yet... but soon!  My bathing suits, sunscreen, and sundresses are all packed; the trip documents are printed; I have lots of cash and a passport in my wallet (already sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn't it?! Ha ha.).  The only slight, itty-bitty problem is that my flight doesn't land until 3:15pm and the boat actually takes off at 5:00pm.  Yes... takes off.  As in pulls away from the dock.  So wish me lots of luck that all of my hard work at the gym pays off and I can HAUL ASS through the Miami airport, find a cab, drive to the port, run with my luggage, and jump on the ship before it leaves.  But did I mention that they don't let anyone on board after 3pm?  Just a teeny tiny line we happened to overlook when booking.  :-/  Hee hee... again, with the luck-thing.  Let's hope it's on our side.

Must.get.on.that.ship!!

Proof!

Now I know there are some of you out there whose kids request okra, beg for more spinach, and plead for celery over chocolate.  That's not the life I lead.  And those aren't the children God gave me.  Now, my kids do love eating fruit.  In fact, they're trying to put us in the poor house with as much money as we spend on fresh berries.  But veggies?  Eh-eh.  Unless you count corn-on-the-cob in the summer (which, let's be honest, is hardly a vegetable when it's drowned in butter and salt), green stuff doesn't grace their lips.

Except for Peter.  Peter loves broccoli.  He even requests broccoli ("Eye-an broc." which means "I want broccoli.")  Now I'm pretty sure he's related to the other two, but...

He did look around the room like I was crazy when I asked him if it was his favorite :) but he sat there and ate almost every single piece!  I only give Peter broccoli at lunch time, when it's just the two of us.  Because you know the second the big boys see him eating it, they'll start make vomiting noises and he'll never eat it again.

But I have proof... proof that there was a time he loved broccoli and that eating green veggies doesn't kill you!

Rainy Wednesday...

Let's see... it's rained all day so far and we can't find Pete's Bun-Bun or suckie.  This is proving to be a lonnnnng day and it's just now 2pm.  I have looked EVERYWHERE.  He actually misplaced his pacifier yesterday so we're going on 24 hours without it now.  He slept with Bunny last night but somehow it vanished this morning.  I've looked under every piece of furniture we own, in bathtubs, in sinks, behind clothes hanging in our closet, under every bed, under every blanket, in toy bins, in toy baskets, in the big boys' room, in the boys' playroom, in the guest room, in our room, in the coat closets, in the laundry room, in the hampers, in the garage, at Cortney's house, in the stroller, in the car... and then I re-looked in all of those areas at least 10 times.  You get the idea....I've looked everywhere.  And what should I be doing? I should be cleaning and packing and getting ready for my trip.  But now Henry is also home from school, Pete hasn't napped, and I've done nothing (except my Spin class this morning-- ha!).

Things that make me smile on rainy days like today... (You should be able to click on each individual picture to read it more clearly.  And, yes, I'm talking to you, Blind Mom, Aunt Barbara and Aunt Judy!  Hee hee...)

Hope they brought a smile to your face too!

One guess...

where I'm heading with one of my best friends this Friday!

Okay, I'll just tell you.... ON A CRUISE!!!!!!  

That's right!  Allison (Campion) and I leave on Friday evening from Miami, FL on a 3-day Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line and WE CANNOT WAIT!!!

All we want to do is hang out by the pools and beaches, sleep in, eat meals we didn't cook, drink fruity drinks, and talk and talk and talk.

We may....

but I can assure you we won't be...

...doing ANY-thing kid related!  Nope.  Nada.  Ain't happening.  Hell, we may even sunbathe on the nude deck to make sure we don't see any runny noses or swim diapers.

So while Chris and her hubby, Greg, are on survival mode, Allison and I will be here... soaking it all in.    Bon Voyage!

Weekend Round Up...

We had a nice, relaxing weekend.  Uncle Craig was in town and stayed with us Thursday- Saturday.  We had a really nice visit together... made even nicer by the fact that a babysitter kept the boys while we went out for a kid-free dinner together on Friday night!  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of his visit but he is somewhat like a celebrity over here with the boys.  They can't get enough of him!  Here are a few snapshots I did get this weekend...

I caught Pete drinking out of the milk carton.  I mean, really??!  

James used birthday money from Aunt Megan to buy this Nerf gun vest.  (She'd be so proud.)  I think the only time he took it off all weekend was to sleep...

We went to church on Sunday...

Over and over again I tried telling Peter that raw biscuit dough doesn't taste good, but he had to learn for himself...

Pete left a little snack for Charlie...

And, for the very first time, Peter wanted to sit on the toilet!!  He didn't go potty, but he tried.  And, in case you're wondering, that would be toilet paper he dunked in the toilet to show us.  Special, right?

So there you have it!  Our weekend.  Hope yours was "relaxing" too!

American Legion Evening...

I have been sorely neglectful in posting these pictures from two weeks ago.  Every year the American Legion recognizes an active duty soldier for their commitment and dedication to our country.  This year, Chris was the honored guest at his father's post.  My mom, Aunt Barbara, Uncle Larry, cousin Laura & Keith, along with Chris's folks, of course, were just a few of the people in attendance.  It sounded like a wonderful evening.  Here are a few pictures...

The plaque Chris received reads:
This award is presented to Major Christopher J. Midberry in recognition and grateful appreciation for serving in the United States Armed Forces in the name of freedom and democracy, and for allegiance to God and country in courageously protecting our liberty and independence.

Wax Museum...

Yesterday the 2nd grade at James's school participated in a Wax Museum.  Each child picked someone famous to research, dress up as, and talk about in front of the class.  James picked Albert Einstein.  We had fun reading about him.  Did you know that Albert Einstein didn't speak until he was 12 years old?  His parents and teachers thought he was slow and unable to learn.  He was a terrible student, getting kicked out of several schools for practical jokes (like releasing a rabid skunk in the classroom!  And another time he released bats!  Yikes!).

James dressed up as Einstein by wearing khaki pants, a white button down (as a lab coat), glasses, and-- his favorite part-- white hair dye for Einstein's signature, crazy hair do!

Albert Einstein with his special "potion."
(Otherwise known as a beer bottle... ha!)

James was so tickled about his hair and left for school smiling.  Not twenty minutes later, the phone rang.  Brrrrring!! Brrrring!!

Me:  Hello.

Mrs. Sanders (James's teacher):  Mrs. Midberry?  Hi.  This is Mrs. Sanders.  

Me:  Yes, hi!

Mrs. Sanders:  I know how important it is to you that James looks presentable.

Me:  Yes...???  

Mrs.  Sanders:  Well, I thought I should remind you that today is class picture day.

Me:  [Loud, audible sigh]  Right.  Of course it is.

Mrs. Sanders:  Do you want to pick James up before pictures to wash his hair out?

Me:  Is James upset by having his hair silly in the picture?

Mrs. Sanders:  No, he's excited about it.

Me:  Then that's how it'll be.  No biggie.  

Mrs. Sanders:  Great, James will be so happy to hear that.

DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK IT'S CRAZY THEY SCHEDULED THE WAX MUSEUM ON SCHOOL PICTURE DAY????!!

Sigh.