What a Fun Day!

mI am thoroughly exhausted, but I sure had fun getting that way! (All of you with the sick minds, keep reading....)


Today, Ali and I took a trip to the Historic Arkansas Museum, formerly The Territorial Restoration. A friend told me last night that there was supposed to be a little festival or something going on today, so we decided to load up the kids and make an afternoon of it. (In case you are wondering, this is my Water Aerobics buddy that I had cheese dip with a few weeks ago.) Edward had mentioned yesterday that he was to attend a meeting at the Main Library Downtown, so we loaded up and headed to the Rivermarket.

With my friend's 2 year-old little boy, her 5 year-old girl, and my baby girl in tow, we met up in the lobby of the museum. To our dismay, there was no festival going on today. Sadly, it was as dead as you would expect a history museum to be. Fortunately for us, there is a small "Children's Gallery" upstairs in the main museum.

There, they have such exciting things to do....for instance: A matching game where you find which picture is just like to original. Oh oh....don't forget the clock puzzles. There was an interesting rendition of twister called "Arkansas Twister" where the mat was on a huge map of Arkansas. That provided about 15 minuted of super fun. Then we proceeded to the dress up area, and then to my personal favorite, the do-it-yourself puppet theater. Our little 5 year-old player was a super diversion for Ali. She would just sit and watch her perform with great attention.

After we squeezed all of the free fun out of that playroom, we headed over to the Rivermarket to get a snack. I found this lovely vendor named "Double D's" where I had a fabulous glass of Sweet Tea and quite possibly the longest Corn Dog that I have ever had! Yummy.

Afterwards, it was time to go pick up Ed from the Library and head to the house with my thoroughly exhausted daughter. She went to sleep almost immediately.

As much fun as it was playing with the kids, I have to admit, my favorite part of the whole experience was the adult conversation with my new friend. She is smart, witty, a good mommy, and very open-minded. There was a time in my life when I probably would not have even been friends with her, which makes me very sad. Since I have gotten older and become more open-minded (or less prudish, as my hubby would say), I am thankful that I have not missed the opportunity to make friends that are so accepting. I feel that I can be the real me around her, and I have felt this way from the get go. I have no preconceived notions about her, and I feel that she has none about me. The best part is, I actually say things that come to mind, instead of holding them in for fear of starting an argument, or worse, being judged. This is the type of person that I really think that I could "intelligently" fight with--meaning, state my opinion, disagree, and then go on about our business without a grudge. I can't tell you how this feels. It is very freeing. I am looking forward to many more conversations with her.

Ok. Enough rattling. I will retire now. I am very sleepy!

Abby Cadabby

It's official. I have been abducted by the Mommy Spirits. I now TiVo Sesame Street.

Alexandra loves to watch Elmo! Every time he comes on screen and starts talking, she giggles. It is one of the cutest things ever. Unfortunately, I have the theme to "Elmo's World" stuck in my head constantly....well, not constantly. It alternates with the melody to "Jingle Bells." In each episode, the item that Elmo chooses to talk about is reinforced by a song. EVERY episode has the same melody....but with different lyrics. For example, yesterday's EW was on the telephone....so for two days now, I have been singing in my head this lovely song:
(Imagine it to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Phone Phone Phone
(Jin gle bells)
Phone Phone Phone
(Jin gle bells)
Phone Phone Te-le-Phone!
(Jin gle all the way!)

Phone Phone Phone Phone
(Oh What Fun It)
Phone Phone Phone Phone
(Is to ride in-a)
Phone Phone Te-le-Phone!!
(one horse op-en sleigh!)

Over and over and over and over and over and over.....................



I think I'm a little crazy. But, it could be worse. One purple dinosaur comes to mind....who may love me, but I CERTAINLY do not love him....


One really great thing about Sesame Street is that they have an adorable new character this season. Her name is Abby Cadabby. She is the first new female muppet in over a decade. Her bio lists her as a "3 year-old fairy-in-training." She is a very happy shade of pepto pink with puffy pink pig-tails and a magic wand. She also has pretty pink wings! She tends to "poof" in and out of scenes and thinks that everything is "magic". I think that she will be a wonderful new addition to the cast. I am hoping that Ali will take to her as she makes her debut on perhaps the most famous street on television.

There. Enough Mommy Talk.
I'm off to eat some pesto pasta in peace. (Try saying that three times fast...)
Ali's asleep. I just hope she stays that way!

CMD

Stupid Arkansas Weather

I do enjoy the weather here in Arkansas, usually. Summers are hot and humid (the way they are supposed to be...) and winters are mild. The summer storms, however are getting on my nerves. I am all for rain, but I am thinking that I need to send Ed and Ned a copy of my schedule because these storms are becoming a nusience. As soon as we got in the pool this evening to do our class....boom. The thunder and lightening started. As we all scurried out of the pool, I couldn't help but wonder why we got in to begin with. Oh well, I guess we will try again tomorrow.

Oh well. I'm off to play some Sudoku and then go to sleep. I just can't seem to sleep enough lately. Is it possible to get even lazier than I already am?

CMD

So, I may have ruffled a few feathers...

I never meant to imply that CCM concerts were a bad thing.....I too went to my fair share of them.....Steven Curtis Chapman (twice), Geoff Moore and the Distance, Petra, 4-Him and Truth on countless occasions, POG, Jaqui Velasquez, etc....

Sorry if I offended some folks.

CMD

8:43 AM

Stupid 100 Questions...

Ok, I feel the need to elaborate on some of the current survey questions. I am too tired to make complete paragraphs, therefore I will be using bullet points.

1. How many people really care where I have "Done it"? If you really must think about such things do me a favor. Remember this one tidbit. I'm married. Just assume we have done it everywhere. Get as creative as you wish. Just keep in mind that I am super lazy and un-adventurous.

2. Come on. Who in their right mind thinks of being attacked by bees or bears? This is one of the most random and insane questions that I have ever read.

3. What's the deal with all of the dancing questions? It seems that every survey that I have ever read like this has some sort of "do you dance" question. NO. I do not dance. Those of you that saw Follies know why I do not dance.

4. "Real Concert" does not encompass any CCM artists. For all of you that listed CCM concerts....I would be curious to know who your true first "real" concert was.

and finally....

5. Why must every survey attempt to tug at the heart-strings by asking "who do you miss"? There is no graceful way to answer this question without alienating at least one if not more of your friends!

All this being said, I did have a good time reading all of the responses and then answering them myself! Keep em coming. I may edit the surveys in the future....just to keep them interesting.
Night!

CMD

Water Aerobics and Cheese Dip

So, Friday night I get a call that my Water Aerobics class is canceled. It's always a huge bummer when this happens, as this is my only form of exercise! Not to mention the fact that I enjoy the other ladies in the class. It's wonderful for me, mainly because I am the "young'en" in there! We all meet at our neighborhood pool three times a week and usually have a blast. This has been a great way for me to meet some of the other families in the neighborhood, too. In fact, after we found out that class was canceled, one of the women in the class shot me an email and invited me out for Mexican food instead! We had a great time sipping Sangria and Margaritas at Sr. Tequila's. They have the best cheese dip in LR, just so you know. We hadn't had a chance to really talk in class, but it seemed that we shared some of the same interests just from the "small-talk" conversations that we have while doing "aqua-lunges". I was right! It was so nice to share some great conversation about babies, dating, marriage, religion, school etc, over a nice meal. I'm looking forward to doing it again!

I missed my class Friday, and now I get to miss it tonight too. I have to go and pick-up baby girl from her Nana and Paw Paw's house. They were gracious enough to come and get her Saturday when I was laid up on the couch sick. Dang. I just realized that I can't go tomorrow either. Ed has to work. Grr. What good is this class doing me?

CMD

11:45 AM

I think that my Sister-in-Law have a touch of the crazies...

I have no idea why we thought that this was a good idea to begin with, but we decided to take the kiddos to a PYO pottery studio today. We did this at Christmas time when it was just Shannon and Jacob, and Me and Ali. A little adventurous, but not really. It was not too bad with a 1:1 ratio of kids and adults. Since then, we have added my little nephew Noah to the mix! The whole 3:2 thing was a little more tricky.

It was hot. It was sticky. It was hard to get any of the kids to sit still! Fortunately, the mug that we made turned out pretty darned cute. Jacob (He's a pre-schooler) was kept occupied by a spoon-rest project, and I finally found a highchair for Ali. I think that poor little Noah (he's 5 months old) was just miserable though. Bless his heart, he was so hot and sleepy. I don't think he could get comfortable! I seriously doubt that this outing will stop us from doing it again though. We don't let too much stop us besides the heat!

Ali passed out as soon as we got in the car, so we had to drive around until it was time to pick up Ed. Her naps can get expensive when you have to drive around the entire time!

When we got home, I noticed that she was pooped. Playing like that really wears her out. Though it wears me out too, we love to spend time with Jacob and Noah. (Not that they wear me out in particular....ALL kids wear me out!!!).

I'm off to finish my wonderful Hong Kong Chicken from Lilly's Dim Sum Then Some. It's my favorite Restaurant right now! Yum.

CMD

6:23 PM -

What A Day

So I woke up this morning and not long after, my mom called to tell us that Paul Eells had died last night. What sad news to start the day off with, not to mention it is just a matter of days before the fall football season. Ironically, I was watching a new commercial on KATV just the other night. In it, they played Gary Glitter's Rock'n'Roll ,Part 2 with new lyrics that said, "Do the Paul Call!" It also tried to suggest that there is new "choreography" for lack of a better word for "Touchdown Arkansas!" (Imagine a grandiose gesture of a T followed by an A similar to the YMCA song....) I saw this and thought that was a neat idea and it would be a good lead in to our new football season. They were even selling T-Shirts to comemorate the occasion. (I ordered one tonight...all profits are going to the scholarship fund established in his memory.)

Sadly, we will probably not see anymore of those commercials. Even more sad, we will never again hear a Live Paul Call. Growing up in Arkansas, I have NEVER heard a Razorback game that was not called by Paul Eells. He is a legend around these parts, for his famous voice that often remarked, "Oh My!" He is also a legend for the kind and genuine person that he was. I don't usually listen to sports radio, but for the past few days I have. I will never cease to be amazed by the number of people that called to share their personal stories about Paul Eells. There will be a terrible sadness among the people of this region for a long time.

After I was able to gather my thoughts and go on about my business, I had an interesting afternoon. I schlepped Ali into Sam's and back in the blistering heat. Got some really cute mats for her playroom and an awesome mat for the dog bowls. It's one of those water trapping mats that are terribly expensive in the fancy schmancy doggie catalogues---at Sam's they are only 20 bucks. We'll see how it works. It may not....

After I put all of my purchases away (the perishables, anyways), Ali and I got back into the car to retrieve Ed from work. He was at UAMS today, so this means that we must negotiate traffic on Markham Street. I HATE HATE HATE Markham Street. There are too many idiots that use it like an Interstate. Markham Street is NOT an Interstate Highway!!!!!! Ok. Enough Venting.

Well, to make a long story somewhat short, I was in the outer lane going east and some guy changed lanes right into my driver's door. Grr. I was so upset! Fortunately, it was such a low speed it didn't even wake up Ali. She slept through the entire ordeal. It just hacked me off though. At least the car that hit me was interesting. 1984 Cadillac El Dorado convertible with huge red rims and Cherry Red Metallic Paint. Very interesting car. The driver was nice enough and could not apologize enough for hitting me and the baby. He wanted to just "exchange information" though. He didn't want to wait for the police to come and make a report. I insisted TWICE that we must wait for the police. Fortunately he did wait and even had insurance. There are so many people that don't have insurance--I was very thankful for this!

After the collision, I took Ali to our neighborhood block party. The lovely folks in our neighborhood organized a little get-together to celebrate "Take Back the Night" or whatever it was called. Just a cool excuse to meet more neighbors! Yay! Unfortunately Edward could not come because he had to teach, but it was still fun.

Ali is now asleep and all is well in her little world. My world, however is a little fuzzy. Car busted, Sticky from heat, HUNGRY!!! I just realized that I need to eat! Rotisserie Chicken, here I come!!!!!!!!!!

CMD