Daily Diary

Today we are celebrating Charles 6th birthday- his actual birthday is tomorrow, but he doesn't know that, and we don't have time to celebrate tomorrow. Pancakes for breakfast- picture soon to follow.

It would appear that there is a huge percentage of friends out there that are totally worried about me packing up 6 kids and heading out into the wild blue yonder and wondering why my thick headed husband is allowing such a thing. Well, I didn't realize how worried he was, until this past week when he bought me a heavy duty camper, and I asked him the same question. He is after all a Hodges, and things generally go down as a Hodges husband decrees. But he is as concerned as I am that the kids experience America in this way during the summers, and can not possibly take the vacation time to go with us. However, let me offer to all of you out there this ointment for your fears. My dear old dad is coming along for the trip. Perhaps old does not inspire your confidence in terms of help for me, but my dad is quite physically capable, and frankly, I can deal with driving and caring for the kids myself. Dad provides security. A male presence will make my husband feel a lot better, and hopefully all of you. And don't worry- I'll be posting updates all summer- though not giving away our exact physical location since this blog is open to any and all-and you can follow along on the joys, downers, and calamities of a summer with the clan with at least a little peace of mind.

Daily Diary

Well, it would appear that us housewives would make $138,000 a year were we to receive monetary compensation for a 92 hour work week. As I reflect on this, I realize that were I to be single and applying for jobs- I would never, NEVER, accept this job for so little money.

Daily Diary

This morning I burned a bagel in the toaster, and not wanting to eat it myself, I scraped off much of the burned part and set it on the counter in the hopes that one of the kids would eat it. Charles ate one bagel and then asked for another. "There's one already toasted on the counter," I told him. He hurried off. Silence. "Mom," he called from the kitchen, " Did you put lots of cinnamon on this?" I paused and then said, " No." He picked up the bagel and carefully examined it. " This thing is seriously burnt and I'm not eating it." I laughed. I guess I couldn't pull one over on Charles.

Daily Diary

Last night we had company that seem to come in shifts- or at least the last two additions. It was amusing clearing away one place and making way for a new one. I was unaware that May 1st is May Day. Janice, a friend who comes occasionally on Tuesday nights, brought me a May Day gift. A book instead of flowers (as flowers, I am told, is the tradition). I was very pleased with the book. It's a compilation of the stories behind 150 of the great hymns. Now I think it rather sad that I've never celebrated May Day before.

Today is Vivian's birthday, so I took a picture of the kids gathered around the birthday girl. Vivian was highly annoyed that everyone was around her and touching her, so she kept wriggling her shoulders and scrunching her nose. Gabriel was pitching a fit because he had to get down in the midst of eating his breakfast. Anyway, it made for a funny picture.

Family Circus

I went downstairs a few moments ago after hearing a splash of water and a cup hit the kitchen floor followed by Charles exclaiming, " Great, Oliver, now look what you made me do," with Gabriel crying in the background. By the time I was in the kitchen, Oliver was making a hasty retreat into the dining room and Charles was watching me wondering if tears would be his best defense. I shooed everyone into the backyard.
"Into the backyard, Oliver, " I said after Gabriel and Charles had already gone out. "Aw, mom," Oliver responded, " Can't I have two options?" He asked two fingers in the air.
"Two options?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, two options. Like go outside or play in the nursery. I need two options cuz I wanna play in the nursery."
"No. You get one option." I reflected for a moment on explaining to him that option wouldn't apply if you were only offered a single course of action and not even offered but rather commanded, but then decided it would be too complicated. So I just ended with, "I'll bring popsicles out in a minute."

Weekend Mayhem

Since our lives weren't interesting enough, I decided to stop in at Northside's ER Friday night due to some suddenly vanishing vision in my right eye followed by a couple other less than desireable symptoms. After a CT scan, we discovered that I have a brain, it looks normal, and I have perfectly normal migraines. What a relief. I find it hugely amusing to think, "Phew, I have normal migraines." I spent all of Saturday quite drugged, and have just had a constant headache on the subsequent days, but am only taking some advil. Perhaps I should go ahead and get on liver replacement lists.
In more interesting news, we checked out pop-ups on Saturday. We didn't end up buying the one I was hoping for- it was sold early Saturday morning before we got to see it! We are going to check out a much nicer one tonight. The best part- Jon is excited about seeing the Pop-up. He's decided that this is the kind of camping he can learn to enjoy!!

Daily Diary

Today was Aunt Lou's 24th birthday. We descended upon her modern upscale fancy schmancy office with balloons, a potted plant, gifts and ourselves- with lunch bag in hand. After seeing her office (perhaps a cube, but a large one with three giant windows), and after the kids had gone around and met everyone, we headed to the small but lovely lawn and spread out our picnic blanket. By the time we got to the cake, candles and noise makers, Lou was thoroughly mortified, Charles had discovered a myriad of bugs, bird feathers, and random gross objects, and Caroline was screeching about two innocent ants that walked over to find dropped cake crumbs. I'm rarely embarrassed, and I certainly don't see what's to be embarrassed about enjoying an outdoor lunch in wonderful weather on an otherwise unused lawn. Anyway, we made Aunt Lou's birthday unforgettable.