Sweet Land Of Liberty

Today we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, a day of observance of great sacrifices and great struggles to sustain a noble human experiment of freedom and the pursuit of happiness. We honor all those who have sacrificed and struggled, and those who continue to do so, including our family and friends, and we enjoy a celebration on this day to memorialize that honor. Someday, Mommy and Daddy have no doubt, the two of you will yourselves make sacrifices and join the struggles to realize the ideals upon which our nation was built.

Our celebration today took the form of a cook-out, and what a grand cook-out it was: Brother Sean Franky was there, Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron (and for a short visit, Karma) joined us, GiGi and GiPa and Grandmoo came (you two insisted Grandmoo come over to join the celebration even though she was dog-sitting Pepper, so she brought Pepper along with herJ, the gathering would have been perfect if Grandpa, Great Papaw and Brother Ryan and Sister Holly could have been with us too!

Mommy outdid herself (like she always does!) and really had quite a layout for us, Daddy grilled hot dogs, and hamburgers, and brat-burgers on the grill, GiGi and GiPa brought watermelon, roasting ears, and cheese potatoes—it really was a wonderful feast. It was hotter than the dickens (Daddy is not certain of the origin of that expression, but it was (and has been for weeks) hot, hot, hot!!! Normally, fireworks are part of the celebration of Independence Day, but with the dry conditions and heat there has been a general ban on fireworks and most firework plans were cancelled. We were going to let the two of you have some sparklers, and Mommy and Daddy are revolutionaries enough for sure to rebel against the fireworks ban, but our house is so close to our neighbors, we decided it would be truly irresponsible to take any chances. The two of you, nonetheless, frolicked in the water sprinkler and baby pools and had your own outdoor festival and we all laughed and watched the two of you with joy. At one moment, though, things got serious as you fell against a decorative fence, Buddha, and really bruised your eye (it came seriously close to cutting your eye!!!), you are such a doggone (Daddy doesn’t know about that expression either) daredevil!!!!

We all had a blast, and truly we are so exceptionally blessed!!!

Earlier in the day, Daddy and Bodhi started the day much earlier than Mommy and Buddha, and we enjoyed our breakfast of chocolate milk, strawberries, toast, a hard-boiled egg and black coffeeJ. After you and Mommy got up and moving, Buddha, you joined Daddy and your Gypsy Princess sister and we watched Rio for the 8 millionth timeJ. Daddy mowed the yard and frankly barely survived the heat, and Mommy made us all lunch. Bodhi, you and Daddy made a run to buy Buddha a bed pillow, and returned home hoping you would nap some before our evening cook-out, but as usual lately your nap was quite shortL.

After our cook-out celebration, Mommy gave the two of you a bath and Bodhi you immediately went off to bed; in a bit of role reversal, Buddha, you came downstairs asking for your Daddy and we watching a Washington, D.C. 4^th of July television special as you fell asleep on Daddy’s lapJ. Like Daddy said, and will always acknowledge, we are truly blessed, especially Daddy!!! Happy 4^th of July!!! Night, night.

Ok, put your arms around each other so I can take your 4th of July picture... well, ummm, ok!

"Momma, this is what I think of your 4th of July picture!"

Sister Kelly told you and your sister to give the neighbors across the street the "Stank eye,"  they were scoping out Sister Kelly's jeep, touching it, and looking inside.  Interestingly enough, Daddy has been watching them for some time... they were all arrested for burglaries recently.

Pool Time!  Mommy surprised you with water balloons in the pool :)

Mr. Arlo chillin' in his and Allie's pool :)

"Who to get first?"  "Hmmmm?"

"I'm getting Brother Franky!"

"Ok, me too!"

This picture cracks Mommy up!  Bodhi, you turned on Sister Kelly!

Always a source of joy and entertainment!

Mooches!  

Baby Ella and her sidekick Dora Kitty :)

Still entertaining!

Look at that FACE!  In Mr. Arlo's pool... sucker!

Speaking of Mr. Arlo...

Franky, Gi-Pa, GiGi, and Ms. Allie

You and your brother like to go in the cat house to cool down!

Look at your eye :(  

Watchin' the babes!

Pool babes!

Up to no good!

Ms. Allie still follows Mommy everywhere!

Grandmoo brought you two a no caffeine, no sugar, all natural drink ha!

Pepper the Beagle pup accompanied Grandmoo :)

Butt CRACK!

Mommy can feel a broken bone coming!

Whooooa Bodhi!!!

Giving the doggies treats from Grandmoo :)

Here's another one Mr. Arlo!

Some Water Fun In The Evening Sun

Today was a conventional Tuesday in many respects, Daddy and Bodhi both up quite early (5:00 a.m.) enjoying their breakfast of toast and butter (apple butter and honey for Daddy) and chocolate milk for you, Ms. Bodhi, and strong black coffee for Daddy. We talked, Daddy worked on the computer while you colored in the library with Daddy, then we watched some Nick Jr. before Daddy had to shower, dress and get off to work. By that time, Buddha you were stirring, so Daddy snatched you from your crib and took you to the waiting arms of your MommaJ.

After Daddy got off to work, Mommy finished getting the two of you dressed and ready for your day with Aunt Ti, where all reportedly went well and the two of you actually enjoyed a good nap as well (thank goodness, ‘cause you are not sleeping well lately, Ms. Bodhi).  You both spent the morning with Mommy making potty charts and playing in your room while Mommy took a shower solo!

Daddy stopped by the house after work at the college and before going on to his domestic violence intervention program job as a facilitator, but the two of you were both still at Aunt Ti’s and Mommy was leaving for work as a volunteer with the Humane Society with her client.

By the time Daddy again returned home after 8:00 p.m., the two of you were fully engaged in fun with Mommy in the back yard, where you were helping water plants and vegetables (and each other) and sampling Daddy’s tomatoes and peppers, Mister Buddha, and washing both dogs with Mommy’s supervision and visiting with our neighbor, who you both love, Ms. Susan. Then, you both were greeted with an especial super surprise by an unexpected visit of Grandmoo who of course played with both of you outdoors, and supervised the two of you as you took Allie for her evening walk.

By the time the dust (and sunlight) settled, the two of you had invested in a very full day of fun, with the benefit of some water fun in the incredibly hot sun, with a remarkably special Mommy, special neighbor, and special, special, special Grandmoo (who promised you both an ice cream taco when you come over to her house, which had you both beaming as you gave kisses to everyone and prepared to go to bedJ).

When you both settled in for the night, you were tucked into your crib, young Viking Prince, and you were alongside him, Ms. Gypsy Princess, in his transition big-boy bed---both tuckered out from a love filled, fun filled day—another remarkable and special day’s journey along the mellow brick road.

Well, for about a half hour.  After Buddha fell asleep you, little Bodhi, snuck out of his room and came creeping down the stairs where Mommy and Daddy were having a super late dinner.  Mommy tucked you back into bed, but about 15 minutes later you were camped out on the staircase with your huge caterpillar pillow and your blue blanket.  When Mommy asked you why you didn’t want to sleep in your own bed, you responded, “the bed bugs bite.”  Mommy lost it and explained that’s just a saying, to which you responded, “ooooh!”  Daddy then volunteered to lay with you in your tiny little bed so that Mommy could post the blog J

“Night, night.”

Two of Mommy's favorite people...Bodhi and Aunt Ti :) 

Buddha climbing Aunt Ti's kitchen cabinets! :0

Princess Lizzie with Gypsy Princess Bodhi :)

Always playing fun games at Aunt Ti's :)

Mr. Arlo after his bath :)

Bodhi watering Mommy's and Daddy's tomato plants

Weeding Daddy's tomato plants :)

Taking a break fro yard work in our backyard!

Grandmoo picked you and Buddha a flower on your walk

Bodhi camping out on the stairs :)

Potty charts... lets start filling these bad boys with stickers, what do you say?

Ornery Monday

Ooooh Mommy's little early birds.  You both were chirping away extra early this morning, and it's a good thing that Daddy went to bed at like 5pm yesterday, because Mommy was super tired from staying up late cleaning!  Mommy was slow moving, but the important thing is... Mommy was moving.  While Daddy fed you both breakfast, and enjoyed breakfast with the two of you, Mommy updated photos in the "Kokomo Garage Sale" FB page in an attempt to make a few bucks from selling your guy's clothes, clothes that no longer fit.  You two are growing way too fast!  Daddy left for work after having breakfast with the two of you and after showering.  

Buddha, you told Mommy that you wanted to take a bath, so Mommy told you I would give you a bath after I myself had a bath.  While in the shower, you, Buddha, said, "Mommy me take a shower too!"  Mommy helped you get undressed and in the shower you came.  Bodhi, you thought we were having too much fun so you undressed yourself, and in you came ha/ha  Along with several bath toys.  It was tight squeeze with all three of us in the shower.  Good thing Mommy is huge, because I kept much of the water from splashing you directly in the face Bo.  Jude, you couldn't get enough of the "inside sprinkler."  You loved when Mommy would move to the side and allow the water flow on your face :)  After we were all dressed, Mommy packed you two in the car to return some items to Menards.  We were supposed to make a drop of a garage sale item, but that fell through :(  So we headed home to get lunch and take a nap.  Earlier this morning Bodhi, you called GiGi to tell her you were sitting on your new potty trying to potty.  GiGi and Gi-Pa had bought you a musical potty to try to renew your interest in potty training.  GiGi told you that she wanted you and your brother to come over this evening, and Bodhi, you kept saying "YAY, go to GiGi's, go to GiGi's!"  So when nap time rolled around, you were too excited to go to sleep.  Mommy put you back in bed several times, while threatening not to allow you to go to GiGi's unless you napped.  Nothing worked!  Mommy even let you try to take a nap on the couch, but that didn't work either.  Mommy thought she had finally got you settled so I went outside to work on some projects.  Mommy had a gut feeling and walked around the side of the house only to find you, Bodhi, swimming in the dog's swimming pool.  REally?  You and Mommy had a long talk and Mommy, yet again, put you back in bed.  When Mommy went inside to bring some additional supplies outside, there you were Bodhi, playing in the dogs' water bowls!  You never act this way Bodhi.  Jude is the one who always plays in the water bowls, and when Mommy tells you to do something, you always do it.  Uggggh!

After Bodhi woke you up, Buddha,  sneaking into your  room to wake you because Mommy told Bodhi, that she could get up when you woke up, Mommy told you, Bodhi that you wouldn't be going to GiGi's.  You kept your cool and didn't get mad the slightest.  GiGi came over thinking only you, Jude, were going to be leaving, however, Bodhi sat in time-out until GiGi arrived.  Mommy had told Bodhi that if she sat in time-out and thought about all things she did wrong in the last hour, she could go to GiGi's.  Bodhi, you are so smart and such a stinker.  You told Mommy all the things you did that you shouldn't have done.

GiGi and Gi-Pa brought you both home and reported that you both were perfect.  They also reported that you, Bodhi, refused to use the potty chair.  Buddha, you attempted use it YAY!

Mommy then left to conduct a drop, you two stayed behind and watched Rio with Daddy.  When Mommy arrived home, Mommy tucked you both in bed.  You both passed out immediately :)

Sweet dreams my sweet babes! Mommy hopes you both get a goodnight's sleep!

Happy Clean Babes after their first shower :)

Kisses!

Buddha, you love to give your sister kisses, however, she always says "ewwww" afterwards and you get embarrassed ha/ha :)

"No Ewwww Bo Bo!"

Mommy looked out the kitchen window while putting the remainder of the cabinet handles on, when I saw Pippen the neighbor cat visiting Dora Kitty and Baby Ella :)

Mommy had to intervene because Baby Ella had a bird in her target!

"But I want to eat a bird Momma!"

No Baby Ella, no birds!  "Ok Momma!"

Baby Dora pouncing on bugs ha/ha... she is a hoot to watch!

Mr. Pippen chillin'

Come on inside!  It's HOT out here!

Another project completed today... your guys arts and crafts/meal table :)

Mommy finished the table and the two side chairs (the green and dark blue one)  Mommy loves the rustic shabby chic look!

Mommy finished the handles on the cabinets... uppers are white, and the lower are black.  Mommy will eventually add an additional color to each (an accent color)  Our kitchen is a work in progress!

PS Mommy knocked out several projects today.  I cleared out several small projects that had been setting in our dining room!  Go Momma Go!

Sunday Fun Day for Babes

For Mommy, today was just one of those days... anything that could go wrong, went wrong!  Instead of dwelling on Mommy's horrible experiences, I'll focus on all the fun the two of you had today.  Well, what Mommy can remember of it anyway... Mommy skipped doing the blog at the end of the day, instead I stayed up late cleaning :(  

Daddy took you two, right before nap time, to the store to buy Buddha his first big boy pillow to go on his first big boy bed :)  Buddha, Mommy still isn't allowing you to sleep in your big boy bed, I think we'll hold out until you turn two.  When the two of you arrived back home, Mommy played with you both while Daddy made lunch.  We ran around the house chasing one another and playing each of your favorite games.  After lunch you two went down for a nap, however when you both awakened in the early evening, Mommy was back to playing with you both (inside) it was way too hot to play outdoors.  Bodhi, you wanted to play princess, so Mommy put a crown on both you and your brother,  Mommy even found a third to wear myself.  You grabbed Mommy's hand and said, "come inside my castle Mommy."  So in we went... you two have been playing in Buddha's tent more since Mommy had to throw your tent away, Bodhi.  Mr. Arlo kept going inside of it and peeing, for whatever reason... he's a "d#c&" like that!  We played until we saw a spider building a web, the you and I Bodhi, exited the tent with lightening speed.  HA!  That reminds me, our backdoor spider, Charlotte, has been missing for a good month.  The last time Mommy saw her it looked as though she had a white ball of babies on the way... but I haven't seen her since :(  Bodhi, you even noticed that Charlotte had went missing, pointing and saying, "No Charlotte Mommy!" :(  Anyway, we played several other games, whatever the two of you requested, Mommy went along with :)  Bodhi, you also insisted on a photo shoot, you being the photographer.  Daddy walked in and about had a heart attack seeing you hold Mommy's expensive camera ha/ha  You did good though!

After dinner, Mommy took you both outside to play.  It had been too hot to play outside earlier in the day, so Mommy took you out as it was cooling off (slightly).  Bodhi, you decided you wanted to go inside.  Our neighbor kids, Autumn and Chase, had came over which kept you outside a while longer, but when you get overheated, there's no turning back!  You are like your Momma when it comes to heat :(  Buddha, you refused to go inside.  We stayed outside for about an hour after Bodhi went inside.  Mommy could only get you, Jude, inside by bribing you with a drink of chocolate milk.  Shortly after going inside, and after Mommy conducted a drop, you two were off to bed.  Bodhi, you asked to sleep on one of the couches, and Mommy and Daddy agreed.  Mommy again vacuumed by you and your Daddy's head, but neither of you woke up.  Sweet dreams our sweet babes!

Enter Princess Bodhi!

Enter Prince Buddha :)

Bodhi's photography work :)

An artistic view of Mommy's double chins ha/ha!

Back to the castle... "No Bubby, you are not a princess and there's no room in the castle for you!"

"I'm a princess, I have the crown to prove it!"