Now You Are Ready!?!

D.A. was born a thumb sucker. She never accepted the binky (pacifier). This fact is deep family lore because her brother LOVED LOVED LOVED the binky. He always had a binky in his mouth, one in each hand and one stashed away for emergencies. Until one day, I took it away and he simply gave it up. No tears, no arguments, no hassle. D.A., however, chose the thumb over the binky and it has been a struggle ever since.

D.A. still sucks her thumb to this day. Last summer was a huge milestone for her because she gave up her "One Bear" (blanket) and stopped sucking her thumb during the day. However, she still sucks her thumb at night when she sleeps. This is still very private for her. She is 8 and knows that she is too old.

Today, her brother had an appointment with the dentist. While sitting in the waiting room, D.A. ran into a friend (who also sucks her thumb). This friend went into great detail about the appliance she had to wear last year to help her stop sucking the thumb at night. $400 and 6 months later, she still sucks her thumb. Devan remembers her wearing the appliance. She had nothing to say in reply.

Well, tonight before she went to sleep, we were talking about the thumb. "I think I am ready to take the binky now" she tells me. WHAT?!?!?!?!

Did you say my son is a Fart Smeller...uh...I mean a Smart Feller?

I was impressed by his genius when he helped me figure out how to replace the bulbs on my rear brake lights. In the dark.

My jaw dropped when he figured out how to install internet access on the Wii/Television.

But then...my darling D.P. decided he would use the kitchen scissors to cut his lavish eyelashes. His excuse was that his lashes are too long for his swim goggles. (It's true, the lashes rub against the goggles). Ugh!

Happy Father's Day

To celebrate Father's Day, D.P. and D.A. decided they wanted to take their dad to see a movie. Dad invited me along. :-) Dad wanted to see "The A-Team" but because it is rated PG-13, he acquiesced to see "Toy Story 3" instead.

What an excellent movie with a tear-jerking scene toward the end. Andy, the main character throughout the series, is now grown up and moving away to college. His mom is so busy packing him up that it is not until his bedroom is empty that she stops and realizes that her son is moving away. :-( Although I sat contently watching, my son felt the need to hold my hand and tell me that "its okay". What compassion! I rarely cry during movies yet he anticipated that I might feel sad at a scene that he knew would be difficult if it were to occur in my own life. I pray he maintains this rare strength as he grows to be a strong father some day.

And speaking of fathers, I want to wish both of my dad's a very special day! I love you both!

Summer is slipping away...

Cover Charge for the Event of the Year

As I pick D.P. up from summer camp this afternoon, he meets me at the door with a huge smile and a fistful of cash. I look at him suspiciously and ask how he obtained so much money.

He replied that he is charging his friends admission to his birthday party at Planet Jump to help defray expenses on our end. (!)

Did I mention his birthday is 6 months away?

Yeah...he returned every last penny much to his dismay.

Good Morning! I am your new 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Munn. Welcome.

...ok! There is a lot to do before the first day of school.

Pirates

(Watching Pirates of the Caribbean...)

D.P. Don't ever take an apple from a pirate.

D.A. Why?

D.P. Its poisoned.

D.A. How do you know?

D.P. Trust me. Pirates don't eat healthy! Just look at their teeth!

(I guess between all the recent visits to the doctor and the dentist, D.P. is taking his health seriously!) Regardless, Johnny Depp is the cutest pirate ever!