party barge

Well, if you don't want to hear any bragging...then skip this post.

We just got ourselves a brand new from the factory never been used before party barge (pontoon boat for those of you who didn't grow up in Arkansas). I can tell you that it's red and white and has a red canopy and a sink and a bunch of seats. If you want details, like how big is the engine or whatever other manly type information you'll have to ask M, because I don't know and I don't plan on finding out either. I just know that M drives it just fine and so does Big Kid if M is helping him.

In lieu of christening the boat via smashing a bottle of champagne on the side, we drank the bottle instead. However, we did christen it with some green kool-aid which came up quite quickly...thank goodness.

With a 3 out of 4 vote the vessel has been named "Disney World." Thus, when the kids say, "Mom, Dad, when can we go to Disney World?" We'll be able to reply, "Right now, go get your clothes on!" Or when school is back in session this Fall and the kids have to write the essay on "What I did this Summer..." They can write something along the lines of, "My mom and dad took us to Disney World every weekend this summer and I got bored from all the rides." Yes, I see many a story being written about this boat.

Happy Summering!

Playground Games

Last Thursday after school, I asked Little Bit how her day went at school. She said she had played outside on the playground.

Me: "So, who did you play with?"
Little Bit: "My friend C and S."
Me: "What did you and C and S play?"
Little Bit: "We played the Great Wall of China."
Me: "You played what?"
Little Bit: "The Great Wall of China. Me and C were Panda Bears. And S was the Great wall of puppies."
Me: "Wow. That sounds like fun."

I am so happy that my kids are exposed to so many different things growing up and are so creative.

nobody

Nobody and I mean NOBODY hates kindergarten homework more than me!

sometimes you've got it

Saturday I went to Garden Ridge to shop around. While paying for a few items, I saw a young man giving me the once over while checking me out with a big grin on his face. I smiled shyly back and headed out the door, thinking "I've still got it." While, loading my bags into the car I realized why the kid gave me the up and down look. My zipper was down. "I don't got it," was all I could think with a big grin on my face.

great, just great

So, my face finally finished peeling from it's sunburn and guess what is left...a nice big freckle just under my right nostril, making it look like I need a tissue from far away. Some people are cursed with good looks in life, and then there's me. arrrrggghhhhh....

i remember it like it was just last year...

This morning I drove the carpool to Kinderfun, a place for our half day kindergarteners to burn off energy on Thursday afternoons. Today they had a petting zoo and the kids were really quite excited about seeing all the animals.

My favorite comment was when we arrived, Little Bit my 6 year old stated, "Oh, I've seen this before, back when I was Just a Kid."

I guess she was right: one year is one sixth of a lifetime to a 6 year old.

in my opinion

Last night we got to go to the Astros Game...Big Kid, Little Bit, M & me!!! It was fun. We only stayed until the 5th inning, because it was a school night. But we had tons of fun and the stros were ahead 6-1!!! Yea Team!!!

Driving home we listened to a couple of innings on the radio. M was totally into each play. But, I got to thinking...really they just play that up for men. What I'd really like to hear is some women describing the game on the radio. I'd rather listen to that... "oh my goodness, would you look at that...mmm, mmm, mmm Biggio is bent over looking like he's going to steal to second. Oh, oh, he is!!! He's stealing second! Go Biggio, Go!!! Run, baby!!! You can do it!!! YES!!! Craig Biggio just made it to second. Wow. Look at that pitcher's face. Boy he's not looking to happy. You know, I'm glad we're winning, but I feel almost sorry for the guy. He's pitched such a lousy game. You kind of hope he could at least throw one strike. Ok. Maybe just one strike though. Nothing more. What do you think, Marge?"
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This morning I went to Little Bit's kindergarten class. Tommorow is her teacher's birthday and we were preparing a class gift. I forget how busy a room can get with that many 6 year olds all together. They were all really cute and trying their best. Really, I think we should thank our teachers more. They do so much for us.

if you could fly

Me: "Little Bit, if you could fly anywhere in the world, where would you fly?"
Little Bit: "To you."
I was expecting Disney world. How good that made me feel.
Me: "Thank you, Little Bit. I love you."
Little Bit: "I love you."
Me: "Since I'm with you, where would you fly right now?"
Little Bit: "I love you but I'd fly to work."
Me: "You would?"
Little Bit: "Yes, to be with my daddy."

pics from Dead of Knight

These are pics from this weekend. The director is the guy holding the camera in one of these pics. I was an extra in "Dead of Knight" an independant horror movie. This is the medieval festival scene. It will be blending with real festival footage. It was a great time meeting everyone. I really enjoyed hanging out and being a part of this movie. I think I heard that they are taking it to a bunch of horror festivals and maybe some anime festivals. Anywhich way...it was fun!!!

today

I was in a movie...I was in a movie...an extra in Dead of Knight...and I get to go back tomorrow!!!

I had my face painted in the movie...can you tell?

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We had a good Easter...here's a pic!

I love my kids!!! They're the best!

long because i've been slacking

OK. Today will be long because I've been slacking and I have much to update with.



This is a pic of bay in the city of Dalian. It was a fantastic town!!! I went to the aquarium and saw fish that I've never seen before. Plus, I saw Bluga Whales, Sea lions, Walruses, Sea Turtles up close. They even have a tank where you can put your hand in and feed the fish. Plus, they have an avairy house, where you can feed the birds. VERY COOL and highly recommended if you ever travel to this city of 4-5 million. Plus, we saw the company's new warehouse and offices. They are very nice and the people that work for AmerCable over in Dalian are super nice and were really great people! In fact, i'm overdue on my sending them a thank you note.
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speaking of overdue...I've not been saying much about what all I've been up to since we've been back.

Before we left we went and saw Garrison Keillor at a lecture at the www.theprogressiveforum.org That was total fun and very cool because I got to meet hima and shake his hand. He signed our two books and then after us, they wouldn't sign any more books. Yipiee!!! We sat front row and it was just a totally cool experience.
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During the week of Spring Break we went camping at South Toledo Bend in Louisiana with our good buddies!!! It was a perfect trip away and we had a super good time. Big Kid and Little Bit even swam in the ice cold lake. I would add a pic, but I can't seem to find the file and I must press on...
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So. April Fools Day has come and gone. Those who I fooled are listed...

• M, Big Kid and Little Bit- coming out of church I acted like the car must have been stolen out of the parking lot while we were inside listening to the sermon. "It was parked right next to that mini-van across from that state police car." They fell for it.
• Mom & Dad- "I just went to the store and was the 100,000th customer and won groceries for a year." They fell for it. And I still dream of being the millionth customer somewhere before my life is over.
• Chelle- She had called to say she had a birthday card to put in the mail for me. I called her back and said it had arrived yesterday and that I loved it. She fell for it. But, to give her a break, this was the first weekend she had gotten to see her man that she's marrying in almost a year.
• Lil' Bitty- I called and said "I was in this art gallery and you'll never guess what. There were these paintings by an artist that paints flowers like you and they signed their paintings C.Lou, but I asked about it...and they said the artist real name was Chad Lou." OK. She didn't fall for it. But, it was a good story none-the-less.

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Story about Big Kid:

So lately Big Kid has been talking a bunch about when he grows up and has children. Just out of the blue talk. I really enjoy hearing what he's thinking. I didn't realize how serious and in deepth he has been thinking about all this until he just started talking and said...

Big Kid: "If I have kids, then I'm giving them good names. I think I'll have a girl and her name will be Sally. And if it's a boy, then Jack or Jake. I don't know."
Me: "What? You're talking about having kids...And you like the name Sally."
Big Kid: "Yes. Sally. But I like the name Anne, too. But probably Sally. And if it's a boy then Jack or Jake."
Me: "After your name?"
Big Kid: "Yeah. Jack after me."
Me: "Those sound like really good names."

I never thought I'd be talking about the names of my future grandchildren so early in life. But, that makes me happy.
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Do you think I should share a secret? It's not bad, just kind of sad...I think I read something too late. I think I could have saved someone's life if I had read something yesterday. It kind of woke me up. I think that I have to start giving back again and I'm not sure how.

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Well, today is Wednesday...so that means lunch bunch. I've invited all the girls that I know to meet me at the church on Wednesdays for lunch and let our kids play on the playground. Last week 3 girls and their kids met me. It was fun and good to get out for adult conversations. Plus, it was fun for the kids too! I'm hoping to keep this up through the summer. Everyone is welcome...so if you live close just meet us at 12.15 at www.twumc.org columns cafe by the playground. You buy your own lunch. I'm not that great of a person.

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Anonymous said...
How cool!!!! I bet the lantern fest was very neat! So glad you got to see all this neat stuff!:) lov ya! Lil' Bitty

Dear Lil' Bitty- Yep...it was neat but we were so tired that night that we didn't get to go out and be a part of it other than watching the fireworks. However, I did speak with a bunch of people about it and how they celebrated when they were kids and how it has changed to the present way of celebrating it. I learned so much about traditions on this trip. It was so fun!!! I'll try to post more. i've been a slacker. ha. later-cb

still about china

The Beijing Penninsula...what a fantastic hotel!!! I think this was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. Plus, it was in walking distance to everything. But, we always took a taxi. My Houston skin is NOT used to the cold wind. We were going to walk to the forbidden city, but only got one and a half city blocks before we had to turn back. I got wind burn in that short of a distance. It was soooo cold. But, was totally worth going to visit. After visiting the forbidden city. Then we walked around Tinnamen Square and by Mao's tomb. Most of the building were closed around there because their government was in session for the 15 days after the Chineese New Year. In fact, the first night at this hotel was the festival of the Lanterns, so we got to see the biggest display of fireworks that night. In fact, on the trip we saw fireworks almost every night. They were in celebration of the new year for the 15 days. It was pretty neat!