I am thankful....

Don't let the title throw you off.  This is not a first Sunday testimonial, but it is a testament to things I am so grateful I have.

So my twins have been absolute terrors lately.  Everything and anything they could possibly do to aggravate me, they have.  It goes so much further than the usual wrestling, fighting, biting, and hitting too.  

It all started last week with Agent Cool Blue.  

Although I actually like this product as it is very useful in teaching an almost 9-year-old how/where to brush.  It doesn't however come out of carpet well.  I went into the bathroom to find the entire bathroom (no, not just the sink, but the floors, tub, toilet, and towels) all a nice shade of royal blue.  Oh yeah, the twins were also blue - head to toe little Smurfs.  I am thankful it washes out of clothes.  

In case you are wondering, yes, they did smell minty fresh....

Next they decided to go skating (or something like that) in the kitchen when they poured a dish of mash potatoes and gravy on the floor.  They thought it was really funny to slide across the room.  Me?  Not so much.  But for that I am thankful for super sham type towels which not only carry 10 times their weight in water, but also in gravy.  Who knew?

  

(Thanks, Vince.)

It also makes me thankful for linoleum and my Hoover Steam Vac.  Not only does it work wonders on carpet and upholstery, it scrubs the he** out of kitchen floors.  I don't know how you manage if your a mom and don't own something similar. 

Mm?  Two little boys that now smell like chicken anyone?

So moving on.  The day before yesterday they broke into big sister's room.  They know they can get into all kinds of trouble in there.  The item of choice --- Perler Beads.  Imaging the excitement... 5,000 dumped.

Love my Eureka!!  

And today I put them down for a nap, or so I thought (joke is on Mom).  When I went in to check them I found my new bedspread and carpet being moisturized.  Oh no, not with water, but lotion.  And not just any lotion, the really good thick Eucerin-type.  Two entire one-pound tubs emptied on my bed, floor, bench, table, and of course each other.

Another good reason to own a steam vac.  I found it takes very hot water to get lotion out of carpet.  But, the oil in the lotion does help pull out the Cool Blue.   

Also, so very, very thankful for a husband that let me buy the highest capacity washer and dryer.  I am hoping the hot water will also take lotion out of a king comforter.

Ugh!

Tonight I think I shall be thankful for hot bubble baths

and Children's Benedryl.  

MR Ducks

This picture is actually from the Dallas Zoo kiddie area.  The boys are watching ducks.  Most of you probably won't get this, but I just can't help but laugh.  I'm imagining the boys conversation and thinking about silly notes Dad use to leave.

MR ducks

MR not

OSMR, CM wangs

LB, MR Ducks

Trip to Dallas

I decided it was time to get out of the house and out of Ft. Hood.  Over Spring Break we went to visit friends from Japan who now live outside Dallas.  Even though we only spent a couple of days, we had a good time.  Hope we weren't too much trouble, Wendy.  :)

We first went to the Stockyards at Ft. Worth.  

www.fortworthstockyards.org

Very cool if you are ever in the area.

(Can we leave her here?)

It's a feed yard that has been converted into shops, museums, etc.  

It was actually pretty cool; although the cattle drive was very anticlimactic.  Less than twelve should hardly constitute as a herd, especially when there is a one to one ratio of cowboys to cows.  I think I was expecting a little more 'running of the bulls' than a dozen docile long horns.

(Speaking of sleepy steers, here are the kiddos on "Big Jake".)

The next day we headed to the Dallas Zoo.  It was so crowded.  We almost didn't get in.  Right after Wendy pulled into the parking lot they closed the park due to capacity.  Parks do that?

Sadly, I think the carrousel was the highlight of the day for the boys.  Too many people and really boring exhibits.  

(Of course, they might have been just angry that I made them get off the ride.)

Yeah, they look a little nervous, but by the first go-round they were totally loving it.  

Maren got to see the one thing she was looking for... that weird half giraffe/half zebra thing (the Okapi).  It only took a little over 4 hours to find it.  

Dang, if I'd known earlier that is what she was looking for.....  

By the end of the day - well, I think the look on Adam's face speaks for all of us... I think he's looking for the exit.

(R to L, Zach, Adam, Maren, two boys I don't know, Christian, and a couple other kids I don't know that also joined us.)

All in all, it was a good trip.  The drive wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and the weather could not have been nicer - not too hot (odd for TX).  

Thanks again, Bruce and Wendy!