Early education.

I took the Wild Ones to a park in Minneapolis yesterday and got a little more than I bargained for. I thought we might play LaCrosse or toss around a football, but first the Wild Ones wanted to play on the steps that lead to the Mississippi. Of course when their toes hit the water they had to "pee" (as the doctors are so fond of calling it) and there were no proper facilities to be found. Next best thing, find a private bush. Well in our back yard that is easy, in the middle of a park-not so much so. We wondered down the shore, behind a steep bank and up a path into some trees and found the perfect spot. In the peace after finding a "potty" we started to look around and realized we had wondered through someone's home. Imagine the size of the Wild One's eyes when they saw freshly washed clothing hanging in the trees to dry and groceries hidden under piles of twigs. We also saw a 6-pack, minus one, sweating in the shade. At this point I scooted the boys of out the woods and explained that someone was living there. We had a very candid discussion and then tried to go about our business of playing in the rocks. As I sat there watching the Wild Ones, many emotions and thoughts whorled through my head. From the corner of my eye I felt someone sneak behind me...it was the occupant of the home we had inadvertently invaded. He was checking to make sure that we had not stolen anything...I should have left him a ten dollar bill. He stayed on the other side of the steps with me between himself and his home, but never let his gaze wonder too far from me. Just before we were leaving I watched a woman walk up to him, hand him a folded bill (as in cash) and inconspicuously take a small envelope from him. I figured our exit was good timing and I was glad at that point that I didn't have any money to leave for him.

Sign needed for Grouchy Dog.

We should have had this for last Saturday. Actually everyone was quite well behaved-no stumbling and no incriminating pictures (mostly). But there have been occasions-and for certain people-when this sign was warranted and for the safety of our other guests...I need this sign. The first one to bring it to me drinks at the Grouchy Dog for free (of course so does everyone else, but don't tell). Happy searching.

Mysterious Mermaid.

Log this under things I can't believe I am sharing. Last night one of the Wild Ones needed help in the shower and I didn't want to go to bed with a wet head...so...I put on a shower cap and started to get undressed (for the shower, remember?) But for some reason-which escapes me now-I wondered into the kitchen in my shorts and cap. Of course the Big Guy was laughing so hard he couldn't manage to ask me what I was doing, but did figure out how to follow me into the kitchen and suggest that I NEEDED goggles and gloves-which he just happened to have handy. Well something was missing so he decided I also needed flippers (also handy...three kids...summer time). Just as I was standing up from adjusting my elongated feet, I noticed the Big Guy standing there with my camera. After striking the mermaid pose (covering up the girls), I waddled back into the bedroom to surprise the Wild One. In true princess fashion I was going to jump around the corner and try to spook her. Have you ever tried jumping in flippers? I landed against the door frame and the Wild One turned around and rolled her eyes at me. It's a little anticlimactic when you have to ask, "Aren't I funny?" She said (and I quote), "A half naked woman with goggles and a shower cap? Not so much." Well the Big Guy walked in and we rolled around laughing. I guess it's a good thing we can still entertain each other-when the Wild Ones leave we will just have each other!

The morning after.

My favorite time of day is early morning when the birds are chirping, the grass is wet with dew...and the kids are still snuggled soundly in their beds. I like to walk around with a hot cup of tea and marvel at the land I live on. I love the daisies that grow wild in the yard (and so carefully try to mow around them) and the endless sea of green. Today as I walked around the front I noticed the tire swing rocking in the breeze and thought how peaceful it was sitting there waiting to be ridden. I thought about it, I really did. Then I remembered my last "horsy ride" in the front yard. I will save that story for another blog when I unearth the evidence (aka photos) let's just say I ended up in surgery and the "horse" ended up in greener pastures. Then, I looked over and saw the Rolling Rock on the bench and figured with my luck I'd get on the horse and someone would drive up, think I was already drinking  and call for social services. I opted for another sip of tea and a stroll through my gardens.

Hats and Halter Tops

Saturday was the big night and despite 70 percent of those invited being "out east" (that's what happens when we wait til August...when will I learn?) we had a great time. In terms of Grouchy Dog parties it was on the tame side (at least that is what I promised everyone I would say). I got the flashing out of the way early in the evening to pacify the oglers, however, I cannot reveal all the secrets of the evening. I believe you have to be there to know what happened there. So I will recap some of the evening for those of you that were there!  The napkins came out and were filled with lymerics...which reminds me to search the internet for the last set of "missing" napkins, clothing was swapped, libations were concocted and laughter was heard across town. People made new friends and shared old ones. There is something to be said for small, intimate parties. Maybe August is not so bad after all.