Was it something I said?

I was commiserating with a friend about the length of time she recently spent at the InstaCare waiting to get her son's stitches out. Like an idiot, I smugly mentioned how I had never been to the new InstaCare. I was being funny--she's spent the better part of her summer there. I should have knocked on wood.

Later that afternoon, Ben crashed on his bike. He was riding on a street he shouldn't have been so I didn't know it happened until a friend drove him home. He was a little scratched up but he could move his fingers and there was no swelling. He didn't complain hardly at all about pain, but he held his arm a lot. That worried me and he had a rash on his elbows I'd been meaning to get looked at so the next morning we went to the InstaCare. Turns out the rash was nothing but he broke both the radius and ulna bones in his wrist. We'll be visiting our favorite orthopedic office (is it odd that we've seen an orthopedic doctor more times than our primary physician since we've moved here?) on Tuesday for a cast.
When Zack caught site of the teddy bear balloon fabric sling he let the nurse know that Ben "doesn't like those kind of bears." She looked worried because the plain slings were too big. Ben didn't care--broken bones are cool. He is enjoying the extra attention and treats neighbors have brought by. But I can't help but wonder if this whole thing could have been avoided if I would have just shut my mouth. It that was what caused it, then all I can say is that it has been forever since I won a large sum of money.

Edison

Zack plans to be a rich artist inventor when he grows up. He has ideas. This is his latest invention: the popcorn machine.
This is how it works and his plans for using it.



Earlier this year he created a vending machine from a microwave box. He planned to put it downstairs and make a little extra cash off his friends.
Unfortunately, neither of his inventions have passed the mess test. He probably ought to do his inventing downstairs so he doesn't have to clean them up so fast. Come to think of it, he was working on something down there involving a clothes hamper stand, left over piece of laminate flooring & a blanket. I have no idea.

So while I am typing this Zack is bored. He is messing around with my hair. Rather than have him pull it over my face (he says he's trying to "bump it") I told him to brush it instead. In addition to the brush he got a broken blow dryer and a diffuser. I told him the dryer won't work so he is using his own air.
We REALLY need Lance to come home soon!!

Rough Crowd

Remember when we did this? This is what happens when Zack gets a book of 500 tattoos for his birthday and mom isn't home. My favorite is Zack's chest which features the entire alphabet. At least we are out of tattoos (sorry neighbor friends). Unfortunately, these are high quality. This picture is 5 days and several baths later. Hopefully they will be off by the time school starts. Otherwise I will be buying rubbing alcohol in bulk.

All the Rage

I lived through YEARS of Pokemon and then dared to dream that would be the end of the boys' fascination with Japanese cartoons and trading games. It was not to be. Noah decided Bakugan were cool just before school ended. Now that's pretty much all he wants to do. He has convinced his brothers to share their money with him so they can share Bakugan. Sharing means Noah picks them out, stores them in his room and trades them for whatever he wants. It's a sweet deal--for Noah. It might drive me crazy, but I did survive Pokemon. And although I haven't actually watched any of the 20+ episodes of Bakugan on the DVR, I am pretty sure the theme song isn't as annoying.

Zoo Encounters

The zoo animals love my kids. It is as if they are saving all their coolness just for my boys. We all know that most of the day the zoo animals just sleep. But when they see, hear or even sense a Francis, it's showtime. This leopard started moving when we stepped up to the glass. He made eye contact with Noah.
The crocodile had his mouth open for a really long time. He waited patiently for the other kids to move out of the way so that I could get a good shot of him by Ben.
The crocodile's mouth was open for so long and it was unnaturally still (it seemed unnatural-- such stillness is definitely unnatural for a human-- but as reptiles go, it may have been perfectly natural) that I suspected it might be fake. That's what happens when you get old. You begin to doubt. I wasn't the only Francis doubting the authenticity at the zoo. Skepticism must set in at about age ten. You can see it on his face, Noah just isn't buying it-- that tortoise is totally fake. Or maybe not. It is behind a cage after all. Tortoises are even better at being still than crocodiles.
What I love best about the zoo is when the kids think they've made a connection with an animal. This is Marvin (not his real name) and he replied to Zack's hello by nodding his head.
This penguin, however, was not interested in becoming friends. Everyone knows penguins are stuck up.
I would rather not have a personal encounter with any of the birds at the bird show. The show is really neat, but there are plenty of opportunities for things to go awry. It's kind of hard to see, but look how close the birds fly above your head (and not just this one, all of them). With my history with birds, I was on guard the entire show. This is one row below where we were sitting. I'm not going to lie, it was a little freaky.
When they aren't invading your personal space, birds can be very entertaining. This one takes donations.
The best part of the bird show was that Zack knew the answer to the state bird of Delaware question (Blue Hen Chicken) and got a prize. He promises that he knew the answer without my help. I only knew because it was written on a sign. Anyway, he was thrilled with his prize, because his cheap mom will not buy milk with chocolate already in it.
We have a few weeks left on our zoo pass. Come with us so we can get the weight equal to "as much as two elephants' poop in a month." How can you say no to that?

Here we go again

Even though I love not having to keep a schedule during the summer, I still like to have a plan. I like things organized and under control. Every May I create some type of schedule and job chart. It works great for about a week, maybe two, and then we slack off. This year I am determined to do it the entire summer. It shouldn't be too hard...right?