the upside down show

Jeff is working diligently on Rosie. Not too much progress yet. Hopefully soon. The girls are impressed that he fits under the truck. Not so impressed with how filthy he ends up.

Here are pics of how the girls are spending the summer. Literally...hours a day. They both can get up on the trapeze all by themselves, which they are insanely proud of . I am proud of their strong little arms and legs that can do this! Mommy used to spend hours in this same position as a little girl, but definitely cannot do it anymore. Here are two of my favorite things about humidity in summer. Maybe my only favorite things about humidity, because otherwise it is pretty much disgusting. But the girl's hair curls up like you can't believe. Super cute!

Two HUGE developments for the girls yesterday. Sparkle learned how to tie her shoes. Man does she learn things quickly. Peanut figured how to pump on the swings. She is inviting everyone she sees to our backyard to show them, whether she knows them or not.

Today we rode the city bus for the first time with another Crom kid/fam. We went out for lunch and to the pet store. An excellent adventure the kids seemed to think. Jeff and I finally went out to celebrate our 9 year anniversary...with Mr. WB. He slept through dinner and complained through bowling. Mr. WB that is. The parentals had a good time. Now we are going to finish the night with Jack Black as Nacho Libre. Highly romantic.

Croms in the City

Here is the "Crom Mom Prom" picture from our girls night out. We had a fantastic time! Don't we all look incredible? Not too shabby for five moms in the 'burbs. I must say the hottie mom percentage on our street is fairly high, lots of lucky dads! I know I don't get a chance to really dress up very often, and it felt good. Really good. And fun. Helped me remember why Sparkle likes dress up and being fancy so much. AND I smelled good... you know--none of the usual aromas. No spit up, no diapers, no hot dog or apple juice, just my fave designer. HA.

We tried a fabulous little Thai restaurant--my first time for Thai and I really enjoyed it. We shared a great bottle of Riesling--which got me significantly relaxed :). Then we walked the art district for the open gallery night. We saw some really great jewelry, sculpture and paintings. We stopped and enjoyed a few more beverages, and of course some ice cream. And lots and lots of conversation uninterrupted by males or people with single digit ages. Ooooo.

I enjoyed being in an "art scene" again. I don't do nearly enough of this. It is a side of me that I need to feed more. That probably has something to do with the reason I have been so cranky lately. Maybe even more than the lack of sleep. Not nearly enough time to even truly create , not just slap stuff together to get it done, let alone enjoy other artist's work and ideas. I also realized how significant texture and colors are in my preferences in art. I was very drawn to collage as usual and carvings and impasto paintings. Ah, heck, really I liked it all. Except for the one with the naughty language. The mom in me prevailed.

Good times. I'd better be able to find some artsy friends in Lockport if I want to stay sane. That's all I have to say about that.

No pictures necessary

I'm not going to post a picture. I don't have one. I don't need one. Your imagination will be better. A photo wouldn't have done us justice. All I am going to preface the following story with is this: our realtor in Chi-land was worried about getting us a house in a neighborhood "with a lot of freedom" as she would put it. I think she may have been wrong. There have been many instances in the past that have pointed in this direction, but today may have proved it.

So there we (the 3 kids and myself) were at the grocery store at lunchtime after picking Sparkle up at Safety Town. Picking up just a few items to make a cole slaw (almonds, sunflower seeds, red wine vinegar, shallots). To help keep us from overpurchasing or wandering too much we had the Fisher Price red plastic cart with us-- Peanut pushing, Sparkle with a purse and my wallet, and myself with the list on old scrapbook paper carrying Tank. We could be just any family running for a few things. Cute kids helping their mom. And then I really noticed what we looked like.

We all know I like to foster independence in my children. We know that the girls refuse to let me help them get dressed. I try to dress Tank in all the cute stuff he has, but he has been spitting up a lot lately. I attempt to look somewhat decent and not have baby goo on me. It is also in the 90's and humid here. So here's what we all had on:
Tank--NOTHING but his Pampers cruisers. He had just yakked all over himself and the carseat.
Peanut--orange crocs (at least they were on the right feet for a change), short white socks with orange and silver stripes on the ankle, mauve and white checked knit capris, her fave grey t-shirt with red and blue lettering that says "my dad is the man", and hot pink sunglasses that wrap around her head and velcro in the back, with wild curls all over her head
Sparkle--tennis shoes with no socks, a tan and rosy pink plaid mini-skirt (because it is getting too small and she won't let me take it away yet), a bubblegum pink (hey--it matched they were both pink!) t-shirt with the Disney princesses, red purse over her shoulder, and a purple gem barette holding back wild curls
And last but not least Me--black flip-flops, a knee-length denim skirt, my t-shirt that says "my life should be a reality show", my bob-length hair tucked behind my ears with bobby pins, and bubblegum pink lip gloss that I forgot I let Sparkle put on me this morning.

Maybe if only one of us had been this way it wouldn't have been too bad. But as a collective group. Dude!
I almost peed my own pants laughing and typing this. What a sight! We belonged on the tv show "My Name is Earl" living next door to Joy!
It's all good. We had fun. I now realize the full extent of why other people were smiling and giggling at us. They had fun. I'll start being a little more aware before we get out of Stan the tan van. :)

Long Weekend

We actually had a great Independence Day weekend. Lots of time as a family. You know, packed with all of those little moments that make you realize you have an incredible husband that you love immensely and amazing little children that make your heart melt. Or at least I hope you get those moments too.

I love to watch my children move. I find the workings of their little bodies quite amazing and fascinating. Their little legs riding bicycles, thier arms swimming, their sweet faces asleep. I love thier giggles and the funny things they say. I love their hugs and kisses.

So, the fun and guts of the weekend. We hit a local parade with Crom friends on Friday morning. The girls collected as much candy as they could. Very interesting to watch them do even this with their different styles. Sparkle Princess would skip to each piece and then bend gracefully to get it, but would miss out on a lot because she tended to move more slowly and cautiously. Peanut dove for anything she could get and several times tried to get directly out in the middle of the street. That night we grilled with the neighbors and the kids ran around outside. Sparkle picked flowers for her hair and mine.

The next day we headed as a group to the splash park in our neighborhood. The girls had a blast in the water. We are soooooo glad it is finally open again. Jeff worked that afternoon and the rest of us stayed home and napped.

I love that Mr. WB is learning so much right now. Kids are super cool. Here is Mr. WB before he rolled off the blanket and was facing the other way. Definitely mobile.

Sunday... I took the two little ones to a farmer's market. I bought a ton...cabbage for coleslaw, peas and new potatoes (will add a cream sauce to them), a zuchinni and squash for a saute, tomatoes for a sandwich or bruschetta, black raspberries just for the delight and memory of my grandma's patch, rhubarb jam, and some flowers. I realized later that all of my purchases were not just because of the beautiful visual colors, the fresh scents, and tantalizing tastes. But more because they were tied to memories of family and foods from my childhood and I want to share them with my kids.

Jeff played in the pool with the girls this afternoon, I cleaned the house, and then we had a showing. So we ended up having an evening of fun conversation, good food and drink, and play with three of the other Crom families. We are trying to squeeze in as much Crom as we can. We've decided that for the next showing we will just drag our cooler of goodies up and down the street until someone will take us in. But hopefully we won't have to have one (please please let us sell) so in that case we will just repeat tonight next weekend or any other random night we can.

bits n' pieces

I'll add photos soon, hopefully tomorrow. But I wanted to get a few things posted quick before I head to bed tonight.
1. Househunting in chi-land was exhausting and overwhelming. But, we have an offer on a split-level home in Lockport, IL. Shouldn't have to downsize too much, nice house, nice area, happy with it. Not the price. Who jacked up the prices out there anyway? Anyone know someone wanting a lovely home??? Our realtor is already talking about dropping the price again. Market not so hot here.
2. The prayer request update, just if you were wondering. I got an email that the surgery could not be completed. Emily is okay, but they are going to have to seek other alternatives. But they seemed positive.
3. My rocking playlist which I totally had fun doing and is super easy.
...Love Sugarland (this is the first song stuck in my head of the day) and Lady A is another sing-a-long for me. The chipmunks are our latest song choice in the van, and they have grown on me in a very scary way...plus the girls have already figured out how to change the playlist to that song so they can rock out in the basement. Elvis and Dolly Parton are Peanut's and Sparkle Princess' favorite artists respectively. Norah is my soothing notes. Paralyzer is my choice to rock out in Stan the tan van, as is Superchick (love them, sick that I lost the cd...I think I accidentally donated it to the library...need a new one). Mr. W loves ACDC, (his fave tap number at the recital). Dierks is a hottie and love his voice. Others Jeff has been adding. He likes Dierks too. More his voice, less his hottie status.
4. Nine years ago today I married the love of my life. Good times. Fourteen years ago we went to a fateful Doobie Brothers concert and knew we would be here someday. Maybe not in Ohio. After how many moves. With three awesome kids. But we knew. One of these nights we'll go out and celebrate sans kids.
5. Mr. Wigglebuns is mobile. He has figured out that he can roll over. A lot. He gets to his tummy and then he screams until I flip him like a little whale. He giggles and squeals and smiles at me and then he promptly flips back over again. He can also wiggle himself in a circle. I will put him in his crib facing one way, and go back to find him past 180 degrees around. Now you know why that is his nickname. He is four months, 18 pounds (even at the doc last Friday), and I can't put him on a blanket and expect him to still be there when I look next. He was supposed to be my last baby and make that last forever. Not happening. Little twerp. I love him so much.

Lovin' Summer

It has been nice and hot...perfect for playing outside a ton. The girls have had a blast playing with the Crom Kids, and especially in the water. They figured out how to turn on the hose themselves. While I switched out a load of laundry they got it turned on and proceeded to spray the house and Stan the Tan Minivan. Peanut was also shooting it into the sky and yelling, "I gotcha!" When questioned, she admitted she was trying to squirt God.

Mr. Wigglebuns is officially rolling over, constantly. No more just laying him down wherever. Especially if there is something close by he wants to chew on. But he will always settle for his fingers. Anytime he is awake. I gave him a long spear of cantaloupe the other day (to keep him happy so I could make lunch) and he slobbered all over with it and loved it.

Sparkle Princess got these fab press-on Ariel nails in the mail from Granny. She wore them as long as she could, but left a strange trail of plastic nails all over the house. You never know when you are going to find one.

I went with a Crom Mom to see the Sex in the City movie last night. Loved it. We laughed and cried and had a blast. The Croms are planning an event in July and I now want to dress up for it. I haven't worn a fancy dress or jewelry forever--but if Mr. W isn't along I don't have to worry about stains or things being ripped from my ears or neck. Maybe something would fit from pre-prego state? Definitely not as current or couture as SITC, but good for my little world.

Off househunting in the windy city this weekend. Wish us luck. Nothing is going to compare to current accomodations. Bah.

Prayers for Emily

The following is a prayer request for a girl at my church. (Her mom and I have really connected --we sing in the band together, she is an artist, and they have lived in MN, IL, IN, MI, and OH as well.) I know we really appreciated the prayers for our family in the past couple years.


* Our daughter Emily will be 22 years old in September and in July will be a 17 year brain cancer survivor. * In July 2007 she underwent a 2nd brain surgery that removed a benign meningioma. We believe that the surgery was a great success largely due to prayers that went out for Emily via an email like this one. Those prayers did wonders for us as well. * Emily will face a 3rd brain surgery on June 26, 2008. This one is Epilepsy surgery to remove tissue causing her to have seizures.We want to shower Emily with emails from around the world from now (at least) until June 26th so she can see in print, what she so clearly knows and shares. . . The Love of God! If you are so moved, we ask you to do the following:· Send an email to stardustEm@yahoo.com Write on the subject line: Prayers for Emily· Write your message; share your thoughts, a poem, pictures, whatever.· Identify yourself. Tell her how you know her or the name of the person who shared her story with you. The seizures have really affected her memory so even if you think she knows you, give her a clue along with your name (e.g. I live at the end of your street & drive a black truck; I’ve been a communion assistant with you; I work with your dad; etc). Tell her where you live so she can see just how widely she is known.· Emily is thrilled when someone acknowledges her! Though an email might not seem like much to many of us, it will mean the world to her.