Beer Fairy?

It is even the brand I drank in college.

So the family and I went to the aquarium on Saturday. We live on the corner. As we pulled up to the stop sign on the corner, I saw 8 beers on my lawn. This is not that unusual. We have gotten some weird stuff thrown on our lawn over the years. I never realized how rude people were till we moved to a corner lot. Anyway what was unusual was that the beers were unopened. Dave and I laughed and said we wish the beer fairy was around when we were in college. When we returned from the aquarium 6 hours later, all the beers were gone but one. So what do you think happened? What caused them to dump 8 beers on my lawn? Chased by the cops? And did the dumpers return for the beer? Or did some other beer lovers see the beers and say why not take them?

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We went to the local aquarium this week. Here are some of the best shots.

I like this one because he looks like he is sticking his tongue out as if to say "Enough photos."

Penguins staying cool.

My family enjoying the close up view of the beluga whale.

Ducks are ready for take off.

Also go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.

Weekly Winners

The theme this week is nature...

We always have too many clover.

Black eyed susans

A bee taking care of business.

Rich farm land and the future site of the sunflower maze. In just two weeks those sunflowers in the foreground will be over 6 feet tall. They are not even a foot tall in that shot. The maze opens in two weeks. I really like the way the sky looked that day.

Also go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.

5 Things that are making me feel old...

1. Having my 3 year old daughter mimic the "ugghh" sound I make when I get up from the ground.

2. Getting up to pee during the night (several times).

3. Yelling at those crazy teenagers for driving too fast when I'm walking.

4. The fact that my in laws have a far better social life than I do.

5. Injuring myself when I sneeze. (It is usually my shoulder for those of you who are curious.)


What is making you feel old?

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I didn't take a lot of photos this week. Everyone has had summer colds which have left us mostly house bound. So I found this pretty dragonfly and this gross bug second skin(?).
Also if anyone has any advice on getting kids to eat dinner, please comment on this post. Thanks.
Also go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.

Dinner Time Drama

Last year Caitlin ate raw clams with Tabasco sauce. This year I can't get her to eat anything. Some days I wonder how she doesn't pass out from hunger. It does explain her perpetual state of crankiness. Caitlin does eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy things but she only eats them if it is her idea. I want her to eat the same meals we are eating and not make separate food for her. Some days she even refuses to eat those too.

We have tried different approaches with very little success. We got hard core and decided she would eat what we had for dinner or she wouldn't eat. She opted to not eat 9 out of 10 times. She wasn't eating from lunch time till breakfast the next day. We did give her milk before bed since it is apart of her bedtime routine.

We have tried bribing her with trips to the ice cream store among other things. She would sometimes eat almost enough but would stubbornly stop just short. We are NOT enforcing a "clean plate club" either. We simply want her to eat something. If I say eat 2 chicken nuggets she will eat 1 1/2.

We have tried to give her a choice of two meals. (Not exactly what I want but it is closer.) She would pick a meal and still not eat it.

We have tried having her help us cook the meal. She enjoys the cooking part but still doesn't eat much.

So I'm asking, no I'm begging for help and ideas. What have you done that has worked? Is this just one of the many joys of having a 3 year old girl?

Weekly Winners

Here is my attempt at firework photography.

I love my son's Fred Flintstone like feet.

Go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.

What's up teenage girls?

The little heartbreakers

I have noticed over the last several months that teenage girls have been flirting with Dave a lot, even when the kids and I are there. What is up with that? I joke that some of these girls are working for tips. Now Dave is a great guy. He is cute and funny and has many other great characteristics. But when I was 17 years old I couldn't imagine flirting with a married man in his 30's with his wife and kids there. Teenage girls are getting bolder.

I surrender!

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. -Phyllis Diller