Goin' to the zoo...(reprieve from the stomach flu!)

Life in a Nutshell

With everyone feeling fine *fingers crossed* we decided to try an outing today.

Although sometimes I feel as if we are the zoo, DH and I plucked up our courage and herded our tribe out to the Dallas zoo this morning.

It's quite an ordeal to get ourselves ready. On 'stay-at-home' days, I could care less what the kids are wearing, since it will only get muddied and torn. But when we must be seen in public, I scrutinize their outfits, making the necessary changes and adjustments....

"No, (DD#1) that is an undershirt, to be worn underneath another shirt - not on it's own!"

"(DS#1) that shirt has stains all over it - please put it in the wash!"

"I know red and red match, (DS#2), but you cannot wear your bright red sweats with that maroon Colorado Avalanche t-shirt...not today!"

And so on.

Well, we were finally presentable. All outfits co-ordinating, all hair done....well, most. I think DS#1 ducked under the brush on his way to the car. But the overall appearance was acceptable.

And we had fun! It is beautiful today...high of 80 (F) and sunny. We left early enough so that we weren't battling any crowds. The kids had the run of the place, and took full advantage...

Eventually, though, we had to rein them in, since DD#2 decided that being a part of an exhibit would be more fun...

Here's how it went.

DD#2 wanted to go up these stone steps that go above a certain exhibit, around, and back down. DH and the kids had already done it once, so I sent DS#1 up with her to do it again, and then casually mentioned to DH that maybe he should check on them, since they should have been back by now.

And so , DH went to check and discovered DD#2 peering down at him a full 6 feet higher than where he was standing. In effect, she was now on top of the exhibit! My wonderfully agile DH scaled the rocks and brought her down to safety. And DD#2 was forbidden from climbing for the rest of the morning.

Of course, that didn't stop her; we just kept whisking her off the boulders as we walked down the paths.

And then we took them to McDonalds to the "jungle play area" where she could climb to her hearts content.

Extra "Gift"

Life in a Nutshell

A little "treat" was belatedly bestowed on us....er, more precisely on DS#2, right after our delectable Christmas dinner last night:

Dear Family,

Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Thanks for letting me drop in.

Love,
The Stomach Flu


(sigh)


Here we go again.....

Sing from your heart! He is born!

Merry Christmas to all! 


DS#1 will be making his First Communion Christmas Eve...we are so excited for him!

Since we at the nuthouse will be insanely busy this weekend...like no on else will? We'd like to take a moment and wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with many happy and holy memories.

Another...

Life in a Nutshell

"Link to" post....sorry!

I just can't help it. Danielle Bean is hilarious.

I especially like the
"Candy canes found stuck to the dog’s rear end: 1 ½ "


Interested?


Thought so.


:)

Unwanted Mothers....

Life in a Nutshell

Just a thought I had after reading this article.

It would seem that one of the reasons for abortion has really nothing to do with an unwanted baby, but with unwanted mothers.

Heaven forbid society should have to help support these women who have a child out of wedlock and have no means to support themselves, or just need a helping hand , especially around the holidays. How much more convenient to send them to an abortion clinic so we as a society don't have to deal with the 'problem!'

Regarding the Christmas tree placed at the gym.... one could argue that maybe Birthright should have toned down the "pro-life" message by not offering the videos, and not having the pre-born babes as part of the decorations. However, most charities include some information about their work..... and quite a few people are very uneducated when it comes to the development of a baby in the womb.

The bottom line is, the people at this gym had a fundraising tree removed that was supposed to help mothers and babies this Christmas. Regardless of one's stance on abortion, I would hope we could at least agree that these little ones and their moms deserve some help!

"Comfort and Joy" ??

Life in a Nutshell


Great post over at First Things about the Holidays. Mr. Bottum is in rare form.

Go have a laugh.

Another Gem....

Life in a Nutshell

from my Father-in-law....


Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Cleanliness....

Life in a Nutshell
is overrated.

In fact, a perpetually messy Master Bedroom has it's advantages.

Like when St. Nicholas delivers his packages via UPS and Mom and Dad have run out of closet space...

Just shove it under that pile of clothes over there!

And the children are none the wiser.

The Dark Side....

Life in a Nutshell
We let the kids watch the first battle scene of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith the other night. DD#1 fell in love with Annakin, and was very upset to learn that by the end of the movie, he "goes to the dark side" and becomes Darth Vader.

Little did I realize the lack of her comprehension of that fact.

For, later on in the day, as she and DS#2 were playing Star Wars, building space fighters out of Lego and having a variety of different 'characters' on their ships....(since their knowledge of Star Wars is limited, they began 'making up' names like....Stinky and Twisty...) She asked me if there was anyone else in the "Dark Side" when Annakin 'went'...or did he 'go' by himself?

And then she informed me that Annakin's wife told him not to go to the Dark Side....so he turned around and came home.

CHRISTmas

Life in a Nutshell
Just went to the Parent Center website and took a poll about how much I spend on presents at Christmas. Luckily, I'm about the norm for the amount of money I spend, but not for the amount of children I have! Ah...what else is new!

I clicked on the 'view all comments' page, and of course had to add my own two-cents after this Mom wrote in that she gets her children everything on their list, no matter what, since "Chirstmas is now all about material items"...

Just what old Sam Walton (think Walmart/Sam's Club) wants to hear!

How utterly sad.