No one loves it more than me

I think I should work there - at the library.

First of all, I've always been a book sniffer.
I'll take the smell of something freshly printed over that new car smell any day. (ever the cheap date, huh Jer?)

And the peace and quiet. Well, that's just total bliss sometimes.

But my favorite part of course, is that there are a gazillion interesting things under one roof and they let you take whatever you want.

For free.

Let's all take a moment now to silently thank Mr. Ben Franklin. Like something I've actually said before at Library Storytime, I love how he's sharing his books.



So every week, we go to sing about those Five Little Monkeys who have NOT learned their lesson and are still jumping on that bed, and then we pick out lots and lots of bedtime stories, grab some random non-fiction for Al, and then... and then!

Then we get free music!

Is there anything better? Usually I pick three CDs of artists I've never heard before, and then give them a three-song chance to win my affection.

Here's what I'm in love with today:


Listening to:

Brett Dennen's Hope for the Hopeless


For Li:

One by Kathryn Otoshi


For me:

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2005
This book had me at the Foreword (by Dave Eggers)

Oh, and Max is now into those 'Choose Your Own Adventures'.
How cool is that?

AL

Better Bring Bling

So I'm a non-Catholic trying to raise a family of weekly communion consumers.

I had heard that you're supposed to have a party to celebrate the very first time your child partakes in the wafer, so last year we threw a 'P' party for Kirby; who, by the way, probably still doesn't know his real age - he was in church with 2nd graders, in 4th grade at school and playing ball with kids in 3rd.

Anyway, I'm not quite sure how the 'P' party came about - I think mainly because we really really like Pancakes; and because it resulted in our adult neighbors showing up in their footie Pajamas.



I love you, Jimenez family!


Now let's get serious.

If you are still reading this, then you are cordially invited to a 'B' breakfast in honor of Max Brennan this Sunday, May 3rd, at 9 am. There will be Blueberry and Banana pancakes with Bacon, and maybe some Bottled water (though you know I hate to buy that wasteful packaging).

The Boy of the hour has requested that you all wear your Bling (that means jewelry, for you non-ghettos) and Bunny slippers if you have 'em. I think we'll listen to a little Ben Harper and Bon Jovi.

B there or B square!
And that means you Wamplers, McGlones, McElroys, and Jimenez's, even Bautsch's and Levy's if you're not too busy.

AL

P.S. Do you think Vic will show up in his Boxers?

I (heart) weeds and graffiti

Yes, dandelions and spray paint - I wish I had proper pics of both.

I was distracted by Jer's NYC driving, specifically the close calls in regard to pedestrian fatalities, so the graffiti shots I did get were not quite fabulous enough to prove my point.

But don't worry, I'm going back soon to see a show.
He promised.

In the meantime, here's the Big Apple. (BTW, I goggled: the Apple nickname has its start in NY horse-racing. Oh, and the tasty Long Island ice tea may have actually been introduced in Tennessee. Ask me anything! I am Google Queen of the World!)



And here's a handful of 'those crazy Barry guys'.


Congrats to the Regans - the wedding was wonderful. Good food, friends and lots of dancing - everyone definitely wore their boogie shoes.
Our big city hosts, Dave and Michelle, were amazing - we almost saw it all.

And a massive thank you to Mom. I guess that Word document I drew up for her regarding the proper procedure for tucking Lilah in 'like a soft taco' was a little unnecessary. She's a natural at being 'Mopsy' - the one and only.

LOVE
AL

P.S. I think I may have mislead you: the flowers in NY were absolutely gorgeous --- rows and rows of tulips - in windowboxes and medians. Along with a few perfect dandelions here and there to dress up the sidewalks.

WICKEDly Awesome!

I bought Mom WICKED, the Broadway play, tickets for her birthday, but she ended up going to see the Brennans so Craig and I turned it into date night! We had a great time getting out of the house and the musical was awesome, Craig even stayed through the whole 3 hours! haha. I still can't believe the talent of the actors, it is definitely a night to remember. I highly recommend it to everyone!! Emily

The twins strike again!

Everyone says Jen and I look alike, I don't see it but they say it. We certainly have similar tastes. We also get similar hair cuts without knowing the other is cutting their hair, too.When we see each other, we have the tendency to dress the same by accident. Example is Thanksgiving, we were khakis with blue sweaters and white tank tops from the same company. For the "Trip of Insanity" da da dum dum (can you hear the drums in the back ground?!?), as soon as I walked up Jen said "I have a shirt just like that!" So we had to get a picture of the twins striking again!

On to the Brennans...

Our next stop on our "Trip of Insanity", as we lovingly refer to it, was to see the Brennans in Ohio. It was super short but sweet. So glad we got to stop and Craig had never seen the house! Lilah was sweet as pie and the boys were great. We will definitely have to stay longer the next time!

After Easter Service

We went to Maw Maw's for Easter Dinner. The kids were showered with Easter presents, toys, and, a Kiger favorite, cards from Linda and Edith, Jenny and Charlie, Ann, and Maw Maw. The girls played their first hands of Crazy Eights and Go Fish (with the help of Cousin Linda, Aunt Edith, Aunt Ann, and Grandma Maw Maw). Dinner was amazing and the caramel cake made it past Ohio but not quite to Indianapolis. Sorry McElroys! Thanks for a great holiday!

Easter 2009

Here is our Easter pics from 2009. We were in North Carolina and went to church with Maw Maw and Ann at Tabernacle. We had a great time and really enjoyed church. The girls went to Children's Church and made white crosses decorated with Easter stickers all over them. They are beautiful. Cody couldn't quite make it through the service and Craig went with him to the kids' park out back where he actually fell asleep!

Does this mean I'm published?

Did you know that I know the coolest people... like, ever?

One of those people, Billy T, asked me to a be a roving reporter (which by the way, is a title that I am in love with) for his website www.generation-n.com *

So my tiny companion and I set out last week for some quick interviews of local old-school record stores for National Record Store Day (last Saturday).

We would've liked to do video interviews - after all, I had straightened my hair and was wearing my skinny jeans - but that companion I mentioned was also the only available cameraman.
And she stands a mere 34 inches tall.
No one looks good from that angle.

So I did photos and quick write-ups instead.
I tried to be funny and cool - just like Billy T.
I am proud of the fact that in the second post (about Singing Dog), I was able to sneak in not one, not two, but THREE song lyrics. My bet is that only Jen will be able to find them all.

Read all about it here: http://www.gen-n.blogspot.com/ *

I had fun!
AL

*HOLY COW - Bill is going to be SO disappointed that I didn't successfully link that!! Why is that NOT WORKING?!? How can I call myself a blogger with no links?!? argh

Here comes the sun

A little story in honor of Earth Day:

Once upon a time, there was a SAD mom (not actually unhappy, but self-diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder), three lovely kids, and the sweetest twelve-year-old neighbor in all of the Great Midwest.

One evening, while waiting for their Kraft mac and cheese to cool, they decide to take a neighborhood stroll. Heading to the cul-de-sac (which the middle boy still terms the 'Colby Sac' after his favorite cheese), those murky clouds above let loose.

Determined to lead her troops to completion of their outdoor mission, The Mom pushes on - teaching BJ Thomas' 'Raindrops are Falling on my Head' along the way. But then, rounding the Cheese Circle, the light drizzle turns to stabbing lumps of hail.

The toddler cries, the children run, the SAD mom (who's also a wee bit looney) continues at a slow and steady pace, singing louder. Because obviously the sun needs to know that she "didn't like the way he got things done, sleepin' on the job..." Though it's not actually raindrops falling on heads now but large chunks of ice.

Guess what happens next!

Due to the insane singing at such a leisurely pace, everyone is still outside, albeit soaking wet and bruised, to witness the magnificent rainbow that follows...



Then she offers a 'Get out of Bath Free' card to anyone who can bring her either a REAL gold coin or an authentic red-headed leprechaun, and off they go...



Hope they come back soon.

AL

Found some!

My motivation and her ten delicious toes are in my lap right now.
LOVE
AL

Wanted: Motivation

I googled, and came across this quote:
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last; well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily” – Zig Ziglar

It’s ironic, don’t you think, that he linked deficient personal hygiene with lack of motivation. Those two sit around in a van together just like Cheech and Chong.

It’s no secret that on days such as this, when the sun refuses to shine, I have much trouble getting excited about anything except staying in my yoga pants and eating cookie dough. Those two things, I have just determined, are counterproductive to my quest for motivation.

And then there’s these wonderful things called blogging, google, facebook…… but they are so amazing, I can’t in good conscience lay any blame there.
I am inspired by what I find online almost daily; yet it is so incredibly easy to get lost in that spiraling vortex of info.
I LOVE that I can type in anything – be it an actual search for information (i.e. how to spell ‘Cheech’, above) or something ridiculous and random – and voila! There are my 9,520,000 matches for ‘Most Rockin’ Love Song’.

Surprisingly, a lot of people are going with the Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris? Not my first choice.

Speaking of, I’d like to integrate song lyrics into each and every future post. Did anyone catch the lyric in today's post (clue: Alanis)?

Okay, naptime’s over. I have to put the cookie dough away before “Watch out boy, she’ll chew it up…”

(I know that was SO bad... I just couldn’t help myself)

AL

Easter Fun!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We had a fun Easter! The kids loved searching high and low for Easter eggs and really enjoyed coloring, reading, and putting their puzzles together! So glad Emily, Craig, Brooke, Taylor, and Cody stopped by for a visit! Ryan had a blast with all of you at the Bounce Zone and her favorite was having a sleepover with the girls (so what if it took 3 hours to get them to sleep :) Enjoy! Jen

A Brennan Spring Break

Yes, our trip made us miss Florida again. How could we not - with manatees and mermaids all around?!?

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Love, AL

The little look-alike

So the Brennans are home.

Lots of sun was soaked, chocolate bunnies eaten, and family hugged --- we even got a quick visit from the Clevengers.

A montage is in the works, but first I needed to post this:


Would you say my sweet middle looks more like...




A) a young Don Johnson



or

B) Tattoo?



I'm voting B.
AL

Just BOUNCIN' around!

To wrap up our break we headed to the Bounce Zone with our neighbors! All together we had 14 kids! One of Darren's employees graciously gave us passes so it was even more fun since it was free!!! Chase was so daring, and as usual Ryan does NOT want me to take her picture! We had a lot of fun -- so sad our break is almost over!!!! Enjoy a few pics! Jen


I LOVE this shirt it says, "I make dirt look good!" Thanks Mopsy!



BIG JUMP!!!!!

She gets those squinty eyes from me!

EGGstravaganza!

Yesterday we met most of our neighbors for some egg decorating fun! We colored eggs and even made nests to hold our eggs! It was a great way to spend the day! Enjoy a few pics! Jen

Cold Spell

It's Spring Break here in Ohio... and snowing. So I packed my funky orange suitcase and I'm heading south once again.

This time though, I think I'll bring the kids.

We're flying to Tampa today for Easter with the in-laws. Grandpa Jay called this morning to report a 'cold spell' down there -- I think it might only reach 70 this afternoon.

The boys and I think we can handle it.

Have a great week,
AL

Our Camping Trip

What a fun, chilly weekend! We met the Brennans at Cedar Ridge Campground in Bloomington, IN on Friday and just returned home today. While we weren't exactly "roughing" it, it still felt like camping to us! We did have TV's and showers, but I'll have you know that there was no heat in our cabin on night one, and we almost froze to death : ) It may be Spring everywhere else but it's NOT in full swing here! We did enjoy some yummy breakfasts, delicious dinners and the best s'mores EVER!!!!! Here's a little peek into our trip . . . a trip I hope we repeat many, many times!!!!!! Jen

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Chloe's Birthday Bash

Chloe is Craig's niece (and mine too!) who is 8 months older than the twins. I give her full credit for us having the twins because I was so excited that she was coming that I stopped 'trying' to get pregnant and bam! got pregnant...extra pregnant.

This month, she turns the big 5 and since she is going to have a little sister in 3 weeks (my fifth niece!), Mandy decided to have a sleepover on Friday night and we would take the kids to the Children's Museum on Saturday. So here are all SIX, I said, SIX girls in our adventurous day to the museum after quite a sleepover. (Niece Chloe is in the yellow dress, older niece Makayla is in the pink shirt.)

It'll be just like Survivorman...

Tonight, we'll surrounded by dark dark wilderness...


in our cabin, eating microwave popcorn after a hot shower.
(We will be offline for three days, so I think it should still count as camping?)


Right now Lilah is busy prepping for a ride in 'Chase's boat':



Catch you Monday!
AL

Please don't pee on me.

Every night as I tuck Max in, he asks "Mom, what should I think about?"

If it's been a good day, I encourage him to dream of scoring a goal at his next soccer game or all the fun we'll have on our next trip to Florida. (And if it's been a tough day, I tell him to think about whatever he *@%#ing wants to think about -- Just kidding, I say 'freakin' instead.)

Last night, though, I suggested he and his brother try to come up with a harmless prank for April Fool's Day.

Unfortunately, the boys had to be reminded that most of their ideas did not fit into the 'harmless' category. I sympathized; because, as we all know, sometimes mean jokes are also really really funny.

I'm curious if they came up with anything in all that whispering after I left the room - I've been a little jumpy all day in anticipation - but I do have a couple of random things planned for them.

I can't take credit for thinking of them, of course I googled for ideas -- though most required actual work and energy and those were not the kind I was looking for.
I was thinking something along these lines...



I'm also super excited about 'running out of gas' on our errands this afternoon and asking the boys to get out and push for a while. (I'll do this in a parking lot, I promise)

Oh, and if only I hadn't eaten all the Oreos - I would love to replace that delicious 'double stuff' with toothpaste! (If you have not yet eaten all of YOUR Oreas, please do this and tell me about it - I'm thinking it might be kinda tasty, like Thin Mints.)

AL