"Won't my mommy be so proud of me"

Ethan is giving new meaning to the song.

He has a gigantic fear of bees stemming back to two summers ago when he was stung on the ear. We currently live in wasp heaven making the creepy little buggers a constant issue.

As the weather turned and the bees and wasps came out, Ethan refused to go outside. We talked to him about overcoming his fears. He tried but came running in the house screaming and crying. Sometimes he even refused to come in from the car if he had seen a bee as we pulled into the driveway.

Then he did something I found rather remarkable. On his own, he checked a book out from the school library on bees. He read it and discussed with Randal and I all these "friendly" facts about bees, as if he was convincing himself they were no longer a threat.

Armed with his new knowledge, he has taken on the role as Adelaide's protector from the bees. It seems as if he was trying to help himself by helping someone else. The two discuss bees like a pair of scientists. I've found them standing at the window looking for bees as Ethan imparts his wisdom on the subject.

Today, I was on the phone and didn't notice for nearly twenty minutes he hadn't come home after the bus had dropped him off. (I know, isn't that horrible?) I panicked and ran to the door. There he was standing a few feet from the front steps, mail in hand, waiting for a wasp on the door. No tears. Or screams. Just waiting for it to move on it's merry way.

I see him trying his best to coexist. And I am proud of him.

Fundraiser

There are times I'm really sorry I don't have my camera with me.

Saturday, the scouts hosted a rummage sale/pancake breakfast fundraiser. With Randal in YM we spent a good portion of the morning in the church parking lot.

To pass the time during the afternoon lull, three of the priests sorted through the "merchandise" and managed to find three equally tacky pairs of sunglasses. They sat themselves down on a ratty $8 couch, put on their sunglasses and tanned their faces using cookie sheets.

I wish I had a picture.

Other things I would have liked to photograph:
1. The mangy plush parrot Randal bought for Andy's boy for a nickel. Andy was thrilled.
2. In retaliation, the ugly women's shoes Andy tried to send home with Adelaide.

So I'm thinking I need a camera that fits nicely in my purse. Any suggestions?

(PS--We talked about honesty at church today. That was not my rear. I haven't seen light between my legs since I was nine.)

When You've Got It

My friend Jenna asked if I was going to post a picture of the perfect jeans I found at the outlet mall.

I thought I would oblige and take a picture of me wearing them...




What!?! It is me and it is my fabulous behind.

I can't believe you would question my integrity.

Simple Pleasures

Retraction: the 5-way stop is, in fact, 6-way.

I braved it tonight for story/craft night at the library.

The theme was recycling. After a story, the kids made flip-flops from newspaper and book bags out of old, pit-stained tank tops from the Salvation Army. The book bags slightly gave me the willies. But as with most projects around here they will mysteriously disappear after bedtime.

Ethan and Addie said they had a good time as they left with lollipops, or "larrypops" according to Adelaide. And I am reminded it does not always have to be a some big thing to be fun for the kids.

Ethan and Adelaide sporting their recycled projects. Yes, I am aware Ethan is due some pants reaching further than his ankles. And yes, Adelaide did wear her pajamas to the library. They're new and she wants to wear them everywhere. That's my girl!

We have some neighbors, an older couple, who occasionally leave treats and things in the mailbox for Ethan and Addie. How nice is that!? After coming home from the library, Ethan ran to the mailbox to discover today was one of those special days--cookies to be specific. He was thrilled, yelling across the road, "Mom, you're not going to believe it! There's cookies in the mailbox! Now you don't see that everyday!" Sometimes he can really make me laugh.

Even before all the excitement of recycling and cookies Adelaide and I hung our with friends in Ithaca, Ethan started learning to ride his bike without training wheels, the kids collected tiny pine cones in the yard and I managed to sneak in a little nap.

Sometimes I wish I could bottle up days like today.

To the Victor Go the Spoils

Saturday, I did something that had become long overdue. I went somewhere far...by myself.

I've had a rough week. I won't bore you with the reasons, but it was a week that required a little retail therapy. And not the kind where I'm dragging kids whining an complaining all the while.

We have a mall in town. And a Target. Both are small. I was looking for some serious shopping. My goal was to come away with a pair of jeans that actually fit. I've already tried on all the jeans in the mall and Target.

An hour and a half away are some outlet stores. Perfect. Randal and Adelaide happily took Ethan to his ballgame without me. And I set out to overcome my fear.

I haven't been too daring in my NY travels. Upon moving here, my first solo adventure was to the library. I mapped it out beforehand. Mind you, our town is small with little traffic so there isn't much to justify all this this anxiety except one thing...an unforeseen 5-way stop. Yes! And not just any 5-way stop but one where one lane does not stop. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I think from that moment on I've subconsciously avoided traveling any path, near or far, where I haven't first been the passenger, except when forced like to the podiatrist and the accountant.

What I loved from my little trip:
1. Peace and quiet in the car while I listened to The Book Thief on my Ipod...with no interruptions.
2. Gorgeous weather.
3. A very helpful GPS.
4. This tree:
Or at least one exactly like it. I was mad at myself for having not taken my camera. I don't think I have ever seen a magnolia tree before. At least not one in all its springtime beauty.
5. And...drum roll please...I found some pants. Hallelujah!
6. Lastly, driving home I didn't find myself dead on some dark, deserted, country road. I'm not being melodramatic. Every horror movie I've seen has roads like these.

What I didn't love:
1. Swerving to avoid hitting a turtle knowing full well the chances the slow little guy would actually make it to the other side were zilch.
2. The thought that all the folks I was seeing visiting the wineries would be driving on the road with me.
3. The pants I found were in the curvy girl section. "Curvy"--that's what they're calling it these days. Still hurts.


Today, I feel strangely liberated. Weird. I know.

However, I'm still going the long way to the library.

Fruity Fun

Ethan has shown recent interest in cooking after watching the cute, little chef Luis on Noggin's website.

Ethan's latest culinary attempt--fruit salad. He is very proud to be allowed to slice more fruits than just the bananas.

In an effort to encourage more of such activities, I told Ethan his fruit salad was the best I'd ever had.

He oh so humbly answered, "I know."

Critter

Last night, on our front door, we had a visitor to greet us. We've been listening to these little guys out in the woods for weeks so it's good to finally meet.