My hamper floweth over

To post pics of family camp, that is. Ashli will probably kill me, considering they are her pictures after all. I actually didn't take any pictures, but I figure between Camille's, Ashli's, and the camp camera, we're covered.






What a great and relaxing weekend! So sad to be back to the mad pace, the hurry, the worry....

Okay so Ashli and Ginny both beat me to the punch on this one, but my kiddos are too cute not to post these. By the way Ginny, notice the ease with which Ashton ascends from the foam pit. If you would like, I am sure she could give you lessons. Anyway, most of our evening activities are over for the summer, which gives me mixed emotions. While it will be kinda nice to not have to discern the days of the week by activities, I fear the natives may grow restless. Which scares me. They outnumber me. 5 to 1!

Yes, my 3 year old is a genius. She starts her late night tour next month. Look for her on Letterman.

Okay so I couldn't beat Ginny to the punch with today's pics, but I thought I would share some pics from yesteryear, literally almost a year ago. Remember how sweet and quiet Max was (come on, think hard). Can't believe so many women from so many different backgrounds with so many different personalities have managed to stay friends. The hens have pulled each other through some hard times with support and laughter, and I am thankful to be a part of something so inspiring. Cluck Cluck ladies!

That, my friends, is the motto of WWW.IHATECLOWNS.COM. My 5 year old has awaken me several times this week: "Mom, can I sleep with you? I'm scared."
The first night, I asked him if he had a bad dream and he said no, that he was just scared. After the second night, I asked again:
"Honey, are you having bad dreams?"
"I don't know. I don't think so."
"Well, what are you afraid of?"
"Maybe it's a dream, but it seems so real! I don't want to tell you."
"Please honey? I really want to know."
"There's this clown that comes into my room. He tries to take me out of my bed. When I wake up, I'm under my covers, and it really feels like he is hiding in my room. It's probably just a dream."

I lied and told him it probably was, but I myself am doubtful. The clowns must have a list of all the people who know they are truly evil, and are now coming to shut them up. Anyone know how to set up a night time surveillance camera? If I can catch him in the act, maybe the world will start to see clowns for what they really are, and we will no longer have to endure them at circuses or look at velvet painting of them crying. They are only crying because the kid got away!

"Clowns love kids(they taste like chicken)" -www.ihateclowns.com

Putting up a few more pics of family camp, that is. I am so excited!!! This year I need the break more than ever. I am excited to have some new friends joining us, and also a little nervous. Dwight is such a sacred place to me and I want it to be that for everyone, (no pressure guys), anyway I felt the same way the first time that I brought Ashli and Chris and they love it. It is one of those places where you know that there is something greater than ourselves, call it what you may, it is undoubtedly a kind and loving entity. Anyway, that entity also has a sense of humor, and I have to go now and clean lipstick off the drunken midget and God knows what else he covered in it (God knows, and he is laughing)

Yes, the stomach flu is back in my home. Max woke up at about 5:oo (in our bed, of course) throwing up, then again at 7:00. He is doing better now, a few biohazardous diapers, but no more vomit. I have made it through most of the vomit induced laundry, (2 sets of king size sheets, 5 towels, 2 sets of pajamas, our comforter...) and am trying to mentally and physically prepare myself for the very real possibilty of round 2 tonight, at least all the rest of the kids can usually make it to the toliet.
I have to say that this time the stomach flu comes as a bit of a relief. The closer we get to family camp, the more I fear another round of family camp puking. So I figure better now than then.
Anyway, here are some pics of family camps past. Enjoy!

Click here for movie!

I haven't actually written anything in a long time, posting pictures is so much easier and less time consuming, and the drunken midget leaves me precious little free time. So what have I been up to? Here's a quick list:


1. Top Chef, so happy to see Stephen go! Yes I love to hate him, but obviously by the look on his face something on that set smells REALLY bad and I'm glad he doesn't have to suffer through it any more. I can't wait until next weeks reunion show when he looses his mind!
2. Speaking of television, I apparently missed the best Desperate Housewives to date, and am going to try to download it on the computer. Don't laugh, I did figure out how to use the scanner, 5 or 6 years after we bought it and only because Summer had to make a slideshow for her grandma's memorial service but hey, the point is I can post my own pictures and I'm darn proud of it!
3. Pierce is currently on a play date with a BOY! This was our conversation last night before bed:
"I am going to Elliot's tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"To his house?"
"Yes."
"After school?"
"yes."
"Ms. Bumgarner's?"
"Yes."
"But I'm going to Miss Kim's first?"
"yes."
"And then I don't go in your silver van after school, I go in their van?"
"Yes, or they will walk to pick you up."
"But they will pick me up from outside, when I sit and wait with all my friends?"
"yes."
And then there were about a hundred more questions, and it felt like he was saying "You are really going to let me out of cage? REALLY? I get to run free with all of the other dogs, really?"
4. Jordan is going to dance the tango at her school talent show tomorrow. She will probably kill me, but I am going to post a video.
5. Ashton is currently at Olivia's. This is a good thing, because she has also been too long without a play date.
6. Lillian is watching Narnia, her new favorite movie. Yes I know it is not age appropriate and no I wouldn't have let anyone else watch it at her age, but get off my back!!! The other three year olds in my class watch "I Robot" and "King Kong" and play "Halo" and by golly I am better than their parents!!!!
7.Max is actually sitting here playing with a puzzle. He is not in the toilet, he is not in the trash can, he is not in the pantry and all feels strangely peaceful in the world!
8. My Job: Hmmm, what can I say? I have a new nickname for my boss, The Brick Wall. But that is a whole post of its own!!!!!