Winging it

Bathroom Fun

Privacy is not allowed in the Clark household. I can't remember the last time I went pee alone. Tommy and I used to talk about needing more space in the bathroom when we were first married because we would try to get ready for work in there together. Looking back all I can think is how wonderful it would be if only two of us needed to be in the bathroom at one time.

Despite the cramped quarters we do have lots of fun together, yes, fun in the bathroom! On this particular morning Steven was determined to learn how to shave with Daddy.

He got lathered up and shaved off that foam, leaving skin as smooth as a pre-schooler's butt!

By the way, we were very safety minded and we left the blade cover on the razor. I don't think he knew any different!

Paci Party II

I am not sure we were quite as successful with Lyla's paci party as we were with Steven's party. Lyla is a very hard-headed toddler. She knew right where we kept her pacis and wouldn't let us even think of forgetting to give it to her every night. She wasn't quite as bad about crying during the night when she lost it as Steven was, but still, Tommy and I were ready for it to go.

We decided to take the same approach for Lyla's party - psych her up, decorate the trash can, sing and dance, then toss them away. After the tossing we let her open her paci party present. She got a baby highchair and was super excited to put her baby in the chair and start feeding her.

She wasn't excited at all when it was bedtime, though. Lots of screaming ensued and the nights following were no better. At one point I was ready to dig them out of the garbage and give in to her but Tommy made me hold strong.

All-in-all it was a good decision and now whenever we get the highchair out to feed her babies she mentions that she got it from her paci party. I wonder when she'll stop talking about it!

Happy Independence Day!

We started the celebration at the Downtown Ames Fourth of July parade. Uncle Dave's co-worker saved us a prime curbside spot that allowed the kids to line up for maximum candy collection. And what could be better than collecting your candy in a Fleet Farm bag?

Side Story: At work on Tuesday I got into a discussion with our managing principal about parade candy. That is typically not the topic you'd think of discussing with the top level manager in your office but it came up. I said that it was a good thing we got a lot of tootsie rolls instead of chocolate because Tommy and I don't like them and we won't snack. He then started discussing the highpoints of tootsie rolls as the consumate parade candy - they won't melt, they won't break when they land on the pavement, they are wrapped tightly ... on and on. I never knew there was such an art to Parade candy.

Lyla was really disinterested in the parade. She was having a pretty tough weekend since her schedule has been really out of whack but once she got that cup of ice, all was right with the world. She sat in a tiny spot of shade and chewed on ice until the parade was over. We must remember the simple things in life.

We headed back to Kansas City after the parade. Lyla fell asleep before we hit the interstate and Steven was able to get a few chicken nuggets in before he took a nap. Somewhere in northern Missouri we stopped for a potty break at a gas station with a fireworks stand. As we were heading out of the parking lot we decided to buy something small to celebrate with when we got home. Snaps were out because of all the paper liter they create. Now, they are probably better than all of the carbon we put in the air from the snakes we chose but, those snakes are just so cool. Except for the black stain they leave on your sidewalk.

By the way, did you see the look on Lyla's face in "snake" photo. She absolutely did not know what to think of them. Her look was priceless!

Reiman Gardens

A week with Grandma and Papa

Grandma and Papa couldn't get enough of their grandkids this summer! Steven and Lyla spent a week in Arkansas living it up at the Clark Homestead. They had lots of fun playing in the satellite dish converted to merry-go-round, visiting the longhorns and playing on the pirate ship at the local park.

And what could be better than climbing on the propane delivery truck while wearing your Cars PJs?