Love the Creativity

Today is the Cardboard Tube Fighting Tournament in Philadelphia. Big Brother heard about this and invited a few friends to go along. Then he enlisted Middle Sister's help to make him a cardboard shield for the event.



She and her friend made this as a prank, never suspecting that Big Brother would love it! He thought it was great, but is refusing to bring it (they made him a "real" one as well) because he doesn't want it to be ruined. This one, he says, is a keeper.

My Patron Saint

My patron saint for the year is St. Michael the Archangel.

Go see what's up with my patron saint at the new website LOLSaints.

There's an awesome one of St. Barbara up there are well.

This site is fun--and has some good information about each saint pictured.

Things Moms Love to Hear

"Hey, Mom, can you buy us some more BLOCKS? We need more!"

If they're going to beg for toys, I love that they chose blocks.

The other day I received a big, heavy package in the mail. I had been asked to test out a new toy, Fisher-Price Spike the Ultra Dinosaur, as part of a product review for Family Corner.



Amazingly, Middle Sister and Boy Next Door are having even more fun with this toy than Little Brother did. They are currently building block towers all over the family room so they can make Spike "do a Godzilla" and knock down the whole city.

Obviously this product has broader appeal than the suggested ages 3 - 10.

And he also eats Storm Troopers. Chews them up and spits them out.

The family room is an apocalyptic scene of destruction.

Fun in the Sun

OK, I'm a little sunburned.

But it was worth it. Ellen had my family and Christine's over for a fun afternoon including lunch and a swim. And it was so hot today, I even got in the pool! My younger children had a good time with Christine's two. The girls spent a good amount of time in the "Secret Garden;" Ellen should have put them to work weeding back there. Harry was kind enough to show Little Brother how he can play "Freebird" on his really sweet red electric guitar, and he even let Middle Sister try out his treasured 2-wheeled skateboard (I think she wants one).

Little Brother lived in the pool all afternoon and Ellen observed that "he's gone from tadpole to frog." I couldn't believe that he was jumping right into the deep end! He'll be so proud to show TheDad and Big Brother how well he's swimming now.

And we moms enjoyed each other's company and chatted about everything from rowing to ripstiks to school uniforms. Ellen makes a fabulous ice-cream sandwich cake, too. Thanks again, Ellen, and it was great to see you and Christine.

Fitness Equipment AKA My Second Childhood

I'm allergic to exercise. I find it really boring, especially when I could be doing something fun like reading, eating, cooking, blogging, or sleeping. But I know I really do need to do some exercise.

So today Middle Sister and I went shopping at Five Below, where I found the perfect tools for summer exercise and fun:
a jump rope
a hula hoop
and a Skip-It!

There's a good reason, I think, why kids don't have to work to stay in shape. Their exercise is their play. So I intend to get in on the fun.

It's Peculiar, All Right

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Milady the Most Honourable Barb the Unlikely of Tempting St Mary Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Via Empress Christine the Unique of Tempting St Mary at Domestic Vocation. (Hey, we both come from the same place. Is that a fancy name for New Jersey?)

Ostrich for Breakfast

This morning Little Brother and I headed down to the Omelet House so we could meet Ellen "From Across the Net." On the way there I asked him what I thought was a simple question, "What do you want for breakfast?"
"Pancakes and...do they have any ostrich there?"
Way to stop me in my tracks! After some interrogation I figured out that he wanted sausage with his pancakes.
Fortunately the diner had plenty of sausage and, apparently, really good pancakes, so Little Brother was kept pretty busy while Ellen and I visited. Since our sons attend the same school it was a great opportunity to compare notes on what teachers Big Brother should hope to have for next year, and I was happy to get the inside track on some of what will be in store for him. We found plenty to chat about and I hope we'll get together again soon.
Thanks for breakfast, Ellen. It was a great time, and Little Brother definitely liked his ostrich.

That's VERY Lady to You, thankyouverymuch

Just for fun!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Very Lady Sfo Mom the Vehement of Wallop upon Deane Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

And yeah, I tried my full first name, and my nickname, before going to my blog name to find one I REALLY liked (I admit it--it's the "Vehement" part that got me here!)

While I was at it, I had to do the whole family, using our pseudonyms, of course:
LITTLE BROTHER:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Milord Earl Little Brother the Portable of Deepest Throcking Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

MIDDLE SISTER:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Empress Middle Sister the Elegant of Lower Wombleshire Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

BIG BROTHER:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Sir Big Brother in the Middle of Hopton Goosnargh Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

THEDAD:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: His Highness Thedad the Brobdingnagian of Longer Interval Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Via Countess-Palatine Amy Caroline the Blossoming of Menzies on the Minges, otherwise known as Another Catholic Mom.

Like Christmas Songs? Like Word Games?

Ron's got a fun game you can play with your family.

The first one stumped me for a while, but I did eventually get all of them. Of course, some credit must be given to Sister Anne from my high school, who made it her personal business to ensure that all of us developed our vocabularies to the fullest extent required by the SAT.

And allow me to give a little plug for XM Radio here: they have honored listener requests and kept one of their "All-Christmas-Music" stations playing through New Year's Day. Around here, the Christmas music on regular radio stops at noon on Christmas Day, so this move is MUCH appreciated.