6 in the Sticks

Grandma Flom made the kids cozy new jammies. They love them. We wanted to take a picture of them with their new jammies on but the kids just wanted to pose silly, as usual. I kept saying,"Okay now, sit nice together so Grandma can see how your new jammies look."

This is what we got. And this is just half of it.

Thank you Grandma!

My history lesson.

Last week Jackson, Charly and I were heading into town to pick Ashley up from school as she got the bug that Jack and Charly had earlier in the week and had to be sent home from school. Sometimes, while riding in the car, we will have deep conversations, and sometimes silly conversations as most parents can relate I'm sure.

Anyway, we're driving along and Charly asks me with a hopeful twinkle in her eye,"Hey mom? Were there bad guys in the old days?"  my answer was, "Yeah honey, there was". Bummer, but it is what it is.

Silence for a few seconds. I look in my rear view mirror and see them zoned out and thinking, I chuckled to myself. Then Jackson pipes up so seriously, " A really, a lot, A LOT of days ago, back when the old days weren't yet, there weren't people, there were SOLDIERS!

It was a funny moment. But not as funny as the moment that was funny on me today while out with Jack. Which brings me to the title today. Little terd. Jack's a little guy but is a huge terd sometimes.

So, today Jackson and I went to the grocery store together after I picked him up from school. We get a few items and head to the checkout lane. While standing and waiting in line, Jackson suddenly, out of nowhere blurts out, "Hey Mom! Why are you making me eat dog food?! I just really don't like eating dog food mom.Why do you always make me eat dog food?" Yes. You guessed it. I died. Little terd. Big terd with a shitty grin. Boys. I know somewhere in heaven my grandpa is laughing so hard the tears are rolling down his face.

That was good Jack. Hilarious. The perfect dry crowd to pull that on. Priceless.

What did I do? I tried to play along with a come back like "But you like it so much" Seriously, dry personality day at the grocery store. I guess that's what you get when you shop on hump day.

A Charly shopping moment.

Charly and I were out by ourselves and I was rushing as I was pressed for time as I had everything possible crammed into one day. It was getting late and Charly was getting tired, a long day for her, she was happy though. but as she got tired, she got slap-happy and she began to get loud, goofy loud. So by the time I made it to the checkout lane at Target, she was done. We waited for quite a while that night, more than usual. Charly had a glazed look in her eyes, and was just zoned.

The registers were busy all around us and the sounds of the beeps from items being scanned began to sound like a tune. Until Charly started. Every time the clerk scanned an item, Charly repeated, "BEEP......BEEP.......BEEP" I laughed to myself but some of the people waiting behind us didn't look like they found it as funny as I did. Darn kids, crack me up.

All we get for an answer from our conversion box. Oh well, if we caved and purchase cable or satellite  TV we wouldn't have any self control. The TV would be on all of the time. That's what you get when you live in the sticks. That's okay. No programs found. That's exactly how I've been feeling lately too. Unable to compute.

Anyhoo, on a more exciting note, what's been happening around here?

Ashley went to the Acquire of the Fire concert in Mpls. Once again had a good time. She always has fun at those. She's on the last month of basketball. It's always a transition every year getting used to practice every night and two to three games a week. And when it's all done, I'll get a feeling like I'm forgetting to take her somewhere, that'll last for about a week or so. That means hockey cheerleading and pep band will die down too. Then we'll have to find something for dear Ashley to do to keep her out of trouble. So far so good.

Jackson's hockey will be almost done too. It hasn't been so crazy for him as much as he only has practice a couple days a week and has had about four games all season. He's enjoyed it. Last weekend he had a tournament and made the first goal for the game, and actually the first goal of the day as there were two games going at once.

What better way to watch a hockey game than with a cup of hot cocoa.

Another turn as Goalie. I praise the buzzer when it goes off. I get the heebie jeebies when he has a turn as goalie. If it was allowed, I'd wrap him in bubble wrap.

This was on Valentine's day. After the two games we took the younger ones bowling which they loved, and then out to dinner. Dinner was a little crazy and the kids were pooped but it was a fun day.

On Wednesday, Charly had a very special day at school. Grandma and Grandpa Flom came up and did a presentation for her class on what it's like living on a dairy farm. A very uncommon thing in our neck of the woods, any kind of farm for that matter so you can imagine how those little four and five year old's eyes and ears were glued to what they talked about.

One of the questions from the kids was why they don't have a toilet in the field for the cows so they don't have to poop on the ground. Hilarious, kids at that age crack me up. Here are some shots.

They gave me a personal presentation later that day and did a wonderful job. Excellent presentation actually. Thanks you guys! I can't tell you how special that was for Charly.

We lost our beloved friend this morning. Our sweet Moose dog. I can't even express the heart-wrenching grief we feel. This too shall pass.

Honestly, I don't think Moose had ever been the same since he survived the Blasto disease. There's just no way to tell what's going on with your precious pet when they aren't able to talk to you. We are not sure why moose started to act strange. We loved him as one of our kids and it was a very difficult decision to have him put to sleep but understand that it had to be done. If anything, Jeromy and I probably prolonged it more than the average pet owner.

He was an excellent dog and will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We love you Moosey, thanks for all of the love and fun times!

Sweet Moose dog.