The Greatest Show on Earth

Ellie and her cousin before all the bloodshed

A couple years ago, I wrote the following:

The circus gets less and less impressive every year. Part of the problem is they use fewer animals. They still had the tigers, but I am pretty sure those tigers were high on tranquilizers...they were so sluggish. Part of me was hoping one would just wake up and launch himself at the trainer. Not to hurt him, but at least to add a little excitement. And then there were the flying trapeze artists. No lie, they missed about 50% of their swings or throws or flying...whatever it is called. And the twisted part of me (the same part hoping for the tiger attack) was thrilled to see them fall to the net below.

Now I feel really guilty for writing it because both things happened! It's like I willed it into fruition! First, a tiger swiped at the trainer and his claw got stuck in the trainer's hand. Like in his skin. The trainer continued the show with blood pouring down his hand and dripping onto the floor. It was very distracting. Then, two of the trapeze artists collided heads midair resulting in one of them having blood all over his face. You don't usually expect blood and gore at the circus, but blood and gore is what we got this year at opening night. Were my children traumatized, you ask? I don't think they even noticed. Or maybe they are just too desensitized from all that TV watching.

Sting Rays and Ferris Wheels

We were invited to a birthday party at the Downtown Aquarium.   We love the Aquarium so I was pretty excited about the birthday invite. I wonder when my kids will no longer be satisfied with our little backyard birthday parties?

Houston, we have a problem

Most days are pretty uneventful around here. We like to pack a lunch and meet up with the cousins at my brother's pool. Or we invite cousins over and I eat lunch and gossip with my sister and sister in law. Basically, our summer is all about cousins and food. But we do occasionally try to shake things up a bit. For example, a few weeks ago Tom suggested we take the kids to NASA. In theory, this was a great idea, but let me just give you the highlights:

• A 90 minute tram ride tour in the hot Texas heat. 
• Ellie and Jack loudly arguing over who gets to sit on edge next to me. Results in Ellie crying for rest of tour.
• Carrying Sam up 87 stairs to listen to a spiel about the empty mission control room only to miss the entire thing because he was crying and had to be taken out.
• Trying to breastfeed Sam in a crowded cafeteria while he screams on top of his lungs.
• Trying to find a changing station because Sam had a massive blowout all over the both of us.

So, yeah, don't let the picture below fool ya...it was an epic fail.  Although Jack is now telling everyone when he grows up he is going to take a rocket to the moon.  So, maybe he did get something out of it.

Impromptu photo shoot

On Sunday morning Jack wanted to hold Baby Sam, as he usually does, so I placed Sam next to him.  Not to miss out, Ellie quickly joined them on the chair. I grabbed my phone and snapped a few pictures. I love how they turned out...even if Ellie is wearing a gymnastics suit, they all have bed head, and Sam appears to be picking his nose in one picture.

The 4th

Happy Independence Day!

We had a fun day planned for the 4th of July. We were supposed to start it with a breakfast at the church, but I somehow managed to sleep through it even though I was partially in charge of it. As it was, we barely made it out the door in time to catch the neighborhood parade. After the parade, we packed some lunches and met up with my mom and the cousins for swimming at Rosie's pool. We finished the evening by grilling hamburgers and hotdogs and setting off fireworks. It was all very relaxed and chill...my kind of holiday.

Belly Roll!

Like pulling teeth

Last week Jack was able to get some serious quality time with Tom.  On Monday, Tom took him to an Astros game.  Ellie has been to baseball games in Houston, Kansas City, and St. Louis, but poor Jack has never been to any.  Tom was going to take both kids, but, being a mom, I have the gift of foreshadowing and I knew that Ellie would get bored and then the kids would start fighting.  Plus, I figured Jack could use the individual attention.  Ellie, Sam, and I stayed home and watched The Princess Bride.  Jack only made it through 4 innings, but he had a great time.

To keep the father-son bonding time going, I had Tom take Jack to his dental appointment.  You know, the one where they were going to knock him out and extract a couple of teeth.  Tom said the hardest part was when Jack kept spitting out the sleepy-time medicine so they had to hold him down and force the liquid down his throat.  And that is all that Jack remembers.  He did freak out for a tiny bit when he got home and put his fingers in his mouth only to discover two holes in the back.  He was really happy about the unlimited popsicles, Gatorade, and TV though.  The $2 the tooth fairy left wasn't too shabby either.

A few days later, when Jack was giving him attitude, Tom tried to make him feel guilty by saying, "Daddy took you to the baseball game and to the dentist and this is how you act?"  Ha, I love how getting teeth pulled is likened to going to a MLB game.

Dear Sam: 3 months

Dear Sam,

Today you are 3 months old and what a big 3 month old you are! This month I had to pack up your 3-6 month clothing and pull out the 6-9 month clothes. Even those are a little snug! You eat every 3 hours like clockwork and there is no putting you off when you are hungry. You can go from calm to screaming angry in a heartbeat. Luckily, we have gotten better at anticipating your needs.

 You are smiling, squawking, and cooing a lot more this month. You love to lie on a blanket with one of your siblings sitting next to you to keep you company. This has been wonderful for me because they can entertain you and reinsert your pacifier when you get fussy.

You still prefer to take most of your naps in my arms, with my hair clutched in your fist and your face buried in my shoulder. I have moved you out of our bedroom for the nights...kind of.  I moved your bassinet to the little nook right outside our room.  Since you are now 15 feet away from me, I had to hook up the AngelCare monitor so that I would know if you stopped breathing. I am that paranoid.  And then, after your 2am feeding, I usually put you back down in the Fisher Price Rock N' Play that is next to the bed.  Then, after your 6am feeding, I bring you to bed with us.  So, you know, we are slowly moving you out of the room.  I know the above picture shows you in your crib, but you have never actually slept in there.  Maybe by your 4 month letter.

A friend asked me today if you were still fussy a lot and I replied that you alternate between grumpy old man and adorable baby.  Sambo, I love you just as much when you are grumpy as when you are adorable.  As we like to say in this family, I love you no matter what.

Love,
Mommy

What's on YOUR coffee table?

On my coffee table: Nintendo DS, a dirty diaper, hand sanitizer, large bowl with twine balls, fireman's hat, Nerf sword, lots of magazines, and one intellectual Power Ranger.