I'm still kickin'....

It's been a while!  Did ya'll think that summer break did me in?  Nope, I'm still here and so far it's going by quick!  We are gearing up for vacay in a few days so I'm sure I'll have some exciting posts from that.  Hopefully we will get past the state line before too much drama enfolds!

We've had a busy summer!  I've come to terms with the fact that I won't be getting "Mother of the Year" come August and I'm okay with that.  I recently had someone tell me that they set a lot of their rules similar to our's because she saw me as an Authority on parenting.  I almost laughed in her face.  Yes, I was honored but I was really thinking "Sucker - we have no idea what we are doing!"  Most days we are guessing and if you were a fly on the wall around here, you'd be rethinking following our example!

Some reasons I'm not winning any awards -

My sun is currently sunburned due to my lack of sunscreen application.  He's thrilled with it because he thinks it will turn to tan and he won't have to wear sunscreen the rest of the summer.  Apparently, he hasn't looked at his mother's pasty white skin that he inherited!

He also has on shorts that are from 2 summers ago and could be categorized as "daisy dukes."  He has paired them with a hand me down shirt with someone else's last name on the back.  I'm fine with this outfit because at least he got dressed when I asked.

Our water bill has increased this summer.  My husband thinks it's because I'm watering the flowers and garden so much.  Really it's because the shower is the only place the kids leave me alone.  And when I say leave me alone, I'm using it loosely.  The door is locked but that doesn't stop them from banging on it.  I've found if I say "I can't hear you, wait until I get out" I can usually get about 3 more minutes of silence.

I lie to my kids.  A lot.  I have a friend that says she's never lied to her kids.  Really?  How is that even possible?  Granted, I'm not lying about anything important.  It's more just little fibs.  Like when they ask if I'll take them to the big expensive water park and they even offer to pay with their own money and I have to lie and say "Oh darn, they are closed today!  Looks like we have to stay in the A/C and watch a movie instead!"  I used to be able to say NO, because I said so.  But when you are with them 24/7, it sucks to always have to say no.  So I feel like I"m just being more creative in my answers.  And these kids get to do all kinds of fun stuff anyway.  No once in a while won't kill them.

In other news, my husband got a new car.  It's probably his dream car.  For you "locals" you've already gotten to see it.  No, it's not a fancy sports car, it's an old man Lincoln Town Car.  He loves it, the kids love it, and I have to say, it is pretty comfy to ride in.  We look like 90 yr. olds but I'm okay with that.  He is pretty much obsessed with it and you tube videos on how to clean it.  I keep seeing things bought on Amazon and I don't even ask anymore.  It's all kinds of new cleaners and mitts and waxes.  My dad has cars he shows and details them.  I'm used to this obsession.  And I'm okay with it.  I'm glad he has a new hobby and has pride in his ride.  In the past 2 days, he's spent 6 hours cleaning it and that's just to prep it for the polish and wax.  If you live near by, you've even gotten to witness him using the air compressor to dry it and last night he used the air compressor to run some special polisher.  It's loud.  Very loud.  But as he keeps telling me, "Ain't nothin' finer than the Luxury Liner" so I'll just go with it.  I'm sure it will be a sweet ride during vacation.

Vacation is a week in a cabin which we've done the past few years.  I love to instill "tradition" in my kids and we always have fun.  I don't remember vacation being this much work when I was a kid.  That's probably why we hardly went anywhere.  I'm limiting my kids to one small bag each that they can take in the car with activities and snacks.  We are used to taking the van where we can just reach in the back and get what we need.  I can see it now, we'll be pulled over with me digging through the trunk to get that one thing they have to have!  Everyone driving by will think "Oh look at that nice lady, getting something out of the trunk for her grandpa"  Little do they know "Grandpa" is really threatening to ground the kids in the back and I volunteered to hop out in 70 mph traffic because it means I'll have 30 seconds of peace!  Wish me luck folks!