Fun in DC!

This is where we went yesterday. If you are into planes, it would be worth it. However, for 4 children, age 7 and under, it was almost not worth the hour+ drive and the $12 parking. I had hoped for something interactive or hands on, but alas, there was not.

There were some amazing displays and cool miniatures to look at. There were 500 different kinds of flying things there and there was a lot of super-cool stuff. I'm talking, they had the actual planes, helicoptors, experimental craft and space shuttle there! There was a commercial airliner, an actual space shuttle (Enterprise), military air craft, and lots of other neat things.

See Marian, she cried for half of the trip. She was not impressed or interested in looking at things. See Callie, she's grumpy too. She was hiding and complaining. Of course, they were hungry. It was a long drive and it was lunch time and the McDonald's there has a good 50% mark up. This is just so you know when you decide to go!

It was a cool place. It really was. Unfortunately, I was distracted by children who are not as cultured and refined as myself and that means I did not get to look at all the stuff I would have liked to. Next time I will go alone!

Oh, and it was Dan's birthday this week. He's catching up to me! Its part of the 8 months where he is only a year younger than me!

I made him Jello Poke Cake, like he always requests and it was darn tasty! 2 days later there is none left. Sigh.

Callie Faces

Callie cracks me up. We took Dan's car to the Commissary and she snagged his BYU hat and was wearing it. It was so cute. But when I wanted to get a nice, cute picture of her in the hat, this is what I got.....

Yep, that's my girl. Adorable, silly and one-of-a-kind!

My Boy

This is my boy. Yes, my SEVEN year old boy. My sweet, funny, make-faces-for-the-camera boy. Do you know what he is doing here?! He is talking to a GIRL. Yes, the cute, outgoing girl who sits next to him in English class gave him her number and he called her. Twice that day. I think I am afraid. Very afraid. Only partly because of the horrible red-eye in this picture, and partly because my little boy is growing up. Okay, actually, the growing up part is good. I'm just not sure about the calling girls thing.

Its okay, they are just friends. I promise!

Things that make me happy!

This right here warms my heart. When I read to the kids I have about a 3 story limit. Dan is a little nicer. I love that he enjoys spending time with his girls, and I love that they have a good time with him. He took each of them out for some special time. Marian's favorite part was getting Slurpees and bringing some home to share. Callie's favorite thing was having ice cream with Daddy.

I like this funny kid. When she smiles around that thumb, it is the cutest thing ever. I know, someday I'll be sad that she is a thumb sucker, but right now I still like it!

This right here is what makes my life perfect. These funny, silly, adorable kids! It was the Primary Program in Church yesterday and so they all dressed especially nice. Joshua and Marian sang every song and gave their parts nice and clearly. I was so proud! And Callie sang along to some of the songs while sitting in my lap. Quite cute. This is the gang before church yesterdy. They definately make me happy, when they aren't making me want to pull out my hair!

This was their silly face shot. And Delaney was on her way outta there.

And now I'm off to my favorite time of day. Naptime! Delaney's naptime.... and sometimes mine too.

I am Invincible

Yes, yes I am invincible! I am unconquered! I took myself back to Lowe's this morning and got a new toilet handle and lever. And I made sure it was the right kind! I thought I was going to have to pay $18 for the super fancy universal one, but then I saw the $6 bendable one and I went with that. Whoo-hoo!

I came home and read for a while before I tackled the job. The stupid water shut off valve so does not shut it off! I filled 2 buckets and used 3 towels to get all the water. Still, I persevered. I turned off the water, unscrewed the hose, set my bucket under the gushing stream and wrestled out the nasty old pump valve. And it was icky. Then I installed my new plastic one without the big balloon thing on it. Pretty nifty!

I don't know how I managed to trun this sideways, but here is my shiny new pump valve! It matches my new flapper valve so nicely!

Check out this corroded balck thing. That's what billows oily black nastyness when you touch it, and I am not even going to mess with that. It can wait. Well, I hope it can wait. It may be why the water leaks, but I am so not touching it! I did MY duty!

And here is my lovely new toilet innards. See my new bendable toilet handle?! I may need to adjust it some more. It lets the flapper valve close too quickly. So far, nothing is leaking water anywhere, but I'll keep an eye on it. I'm quite impressed with myself! $15 and I fixed my toilet. I think I am so cool!

And in other news:

I let the kids go on a little treasure hunt. Sometimes I give a series of clues to find it, but I was lazy today. I hid something in the house and said go find it, and off they went.
These funny glasses were their "treasure"! Aren't they a hoot?! Yes, Callie has no pants. That's what happens when I go to Lowe's and leave Daddy in charge. He's not yet back into the Daddy-groove yet.