Just like Pat!

It occurred to be the other night as I was watching Wheel of Fortune with my kids that I want to be like Pat Sajak!

Have you ever watched the show? There are three contestants who take turns spinning a big wheel and then play a glorified game of Hangman. As each correct letter is guessed, Vanna White, dressed to the nines, turns over the letter in a giant puzzle. Vanna may look gorgeous in her designer evening gowns, but it is Pat who holds the show together.

He cheers on the spinners, happily guiding them through the game. When faced with the decision of whether or not to risk all for the off-chance they will turn over a $10,000 pie wedge, Pat does the math for them so they know what they are risking.

Then, when the first spinner guesses an incorrect letter, gets a Bankrupt or Lose A Turn, he easily turns to the next spinner to assist them. He is unbiased, supporting each contestant equally.

That's how I want to be as a mother!

I want to support my kids as individuals as well as a group. When one does well, I want to cheer him or her on without making the others feel like I am playing favorites.

Pat has mastered this.

Will I?

Photo Story Friday - New York!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

My mother turned 70 in April, and the thing she really wanted to do is go to New York City. My sister, my mom, and I had gone with the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines 13 years before and we have such wonderful memories of this trip that we wanted to go again. So, we made reservations at the same hotel we stayed at way back when, booked some shows, and away we went!

Here is the view from our 31st story hotel room. The view is of Times Square.
Mom and me the night we arrived. We were so happy to be together!
Our first stop was to go to the top of the Empire State Building! This little pigeon was just sitting there and made me wonder if he had flown all that way or if he had hitched a ride with the elevator? :)
Empire State Building view of the Statue of Liberty. Without the towers, this is just not the same.

Here is a picture of our tour bus in a very shiny building!

St. Patrick's Cathedral. I love to visit old churches. This one is beyond beautiful. I am holding a medal that my 4 year old gave me so I "would not forget him". I took pictures of it all around town.

Mom, my sister, and me!

We saw Billy Elliot on Broadway. Luckily we purchased our tickets before the Tony's so we didn't have to pay an arm and a leg. We joked that we could probably have sold our tickets for about 3 times what we paid. We were very close to 5th avenue! Ha! The show was amazing. Those kids are scary talented.

Mom and my sister

We saw West Side Story too. Our hotel was the PERFECT location.

Way back when I was in college, I was an RA. One of my former RA pals lives in NYC. He met up with my mom, sister, and me for coffee the day we left.

This was an amzing trip, and New York City felt a lot smaller to me this time around. I have been there several times, but this was the first time I really felt comfortable there.

Happy Birthday Mom!!! Thanks for sharing your birthday with me!!!

Photo Story Friday - The Eyes Have It!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

The kids and I were messing around with my camera, and we decided to take close-ups of their eyes. Here is my 4 year old Knight's eyes:

My 6 year old Prince's eyes.
And my almost 8 year old Princess's eyes:


I will add my baby Duke's eyes when he wakes up from his nap. His are the only eyes that are brown like my husband's. Our three oldest have my color. :)

No longer toothless!

My little Duke has gotten his very first tooth! He is 6 months old. The new tooth does not surprise me because he has been drooling and gnawing on things for the last several months. He is being a trooper about it and is still his happy little self!

If the Glass Slipper fits....

I have been terrible at blogging lately. My 3 Webkinz-obcessed kid have been taking over my computer. Well, that, and there is that certain 6-month-old in the house....

Anyway....

Princess and I went shoe shopping last weekend. We were both excited to escape our testosterone-heavy-household for some girl time. I actually had a goal: Princess needed new shoes. When getting ready for church last Sunday, Princess discovered that her feet would not in any way, shape, or form fit into last year's sandals. How do kids' feet grow so fast??

Off we went to Kohls. We looked and looked and looked. And then we discovered something I wasn't quite ready for.

My almost-8-year-old-future-3rd-grader's feet fit in MY shoes! And she LIKED them. How did she get so big so fast? Wasn't she just that certain-6-month-old of the house?

When did I blink?

Duke's New Trick!

Our youngest hit a BIG milestone this weekend!

He can SIT!

See! No wires or mirrors!

Photo Story Friday - Drought

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

A couple of weeks ago, we had our first significant rainfall in over a year and a half. Unfortunately, it was only a drop in the bucket that is our lake. We need a lot more rain! (The kids are I are going to try rain dancing later today!)

It is not diffcult to see why this boat ramp is closed.
Yes, this boat ramp used to lead to a lake.

Lake-front property.


I don't think they have to worry about anyone swimming here for a long, long time.

Our marina was closed yesterday because they were moving docks. We used to only have to walk down 12 or so steps to get to the water. Last count this year was 65 steps.

The water is getting lower and lower. They say we are losing a foot or so each week.

See the boat up there on its side? The water receded so quickly that they could not get their boat out in time. This is one of many boats in the same situation....

This used to be lakewater too.

We have had 100-107 degree heat down here for the last month.

Come on El Nino!!! Bring us some water!

More Videos!

Presents! :)

Blowing candles - take TWO!

Do-overs are OK if it is your birthday!! :)

Happy 6th Birthday my little Prince!

I cannot believe my little Prince is a big 6 year old! Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!