facebook is depressing

School starts in 9 days.... still have my box of stuff at the front door where I dropped it the day school got out.

The little boys are grounded from the new van until they can learn to sit next to each other without sparing. They were sitting in captain's seats with an isle between them, yet they were still going at it. They are pretty darn lucky they didn't draw blood in the new car!! I figure if a few days of having to sit next to each other in the back of the Corolla doesn't cure them nothing will..... although, making them get out and walk is still a viable option. When I was a kid.........

Love Des Moines

I just came from Burien, where it was still 84 degrees, just a few miles south in my Des Moines Wonderland, it is only 73 degrees. What a relief.
Yesterday SeaTac Airport hit a record breaking high of 103. Fortunately, Duane and I had the foresight to purchase season tickets last winter. So we spent the day (7 hours) at the water park. A few minor sunburns, but not bad considering. The best part, was the kids were so worn out they were able to sleep despite the heat.

PS Happy Birthday Mommsie

Only 27 Miles

The Blue Bomber Gibb-mobile gave its all as a 'cash for clunkers' ncar. It was sad to see it go eventhough it had 165,000 miles on it, a scar where the bank jumped out and hit me and kittywhompas bumper where a boulder rear ended me, but in its defense it had a pretty decent set of tires.

The new Gibb-mobile is a gold 2009 Toyota Sienna EL with dual power doors. Hopefully now the little boys won't get something out of the van, and run the battery down because they can't close the door. All they have to do is push a button ..... which is different than push my buttons. The best part is we got the "Costco" deal, and we all know how I l-o-v-e Costco. This may put a little kink in Nolan's learning to drive, I didn't mind him driving the Blue Bomber and running up onto curbs, but I am not as sure about the new van. Mom and Dad may have to break it in a little bit more.

Quick Run Down of Last Three Months

Okay, here is the readers digest version of the last three months

• The 2 older kids have their passports now.
• The economy is so bad, that the school budget for everything but the basic ed was cut by 50%, so I was pretty sure I was going to be unemployeed. But I got an email from the Principal, and it looks like I get to go back to working as a math tutor in the middle school.
• Nolan had a bad (or good) day at Taekwondo the end of May and broke Corbin's right collar bone and another kid's finger. Corbin healed well, he is one tough cookie.
• Arden is excited to be chosen at a WEB leader (Where Everyone Belongs) next year. It is a little bit like a pep squad. It is a large group of high quality kids, totally up her alley.
• Weston is growing his tomato plants again this year..... he LOVES his 'maters.
• Nolan started driver's training classes..... and you thought the autobahn was scary..... EEEK!!!
• Nolan took aa three week culinary arts class right after school got out..... I was hoping they teach him how to clean up behind himself.....not so much. Just gave him an appreciation for more expensive food.

Big Girl Dishes

Well, after having the same Corelle dishes for over 25 years .... those few that have survived four kids. (They were a gift from my BYU roommates, and by the way, Marilyn Fisher, if you are out there, I want my bambi pillow case back.) I finally have a new set of dishes. Nothing fancy, just run of the mill, Wally World Corelle. (Classic Cafe - Blue)

Corelle does get break, and all but a few pieces of the Morning Glory pattern were long gone. Most of the dishes I had were two generation of hand me downs from my mom, which I really appreciated, but didn't match each other, or what I had. The last two dishes I had in my collection came from the facility room when the kids' school was being torn down and the dishes were headed for the trash. Pathetic, I know.

It is Easter. The kids are asleep, it is time to lighten their load.

Disneyland was great, we only lost two pairs of sunglasses, and one son. Fortunately we wrote our cell number on the inside of both little boys arms, and Corbin didn't panic. We were all looking for him, then a "cast member"noticed him wandering alone in a direction a kids shouldn't be going they asked Corbin if he needed help. Corbin showed him his arm and they called us.
The weather was perfect. We stayed at the Camelot Inn www.camelotinn-anaheim.com, right next door to a McD's , Nolan was happy. It was a quick walk to the park. We watched the fire works from the hotel pool. The morning of the first day was a light crowd, we walked right on to every ride until afternoon.

It is official we are old

Well.... Duane received his invite to join AARP. So I guess that means I am married to an old man.