I can do this!

I promised to blog about it, so here it is. A few nights ago, I was going through the channels and came across an informercial on Zumba. A couple of ladies at work have done it, the infomercial had some very convincing ladies on there--good job producers! A few women had 5 or 7 kids and looked really ripped--and they had before and after pictures. Anyway, I ordered it. It came yesterday and I tried it last night. For about an hour, they walk you through each move--I was already breaking a sweat at the end of that. I then did the 20 minute express workout. I can feel it a bit in my abs today and my left knee took a beating--I also took 600mg of motrin when I was done! But I did it and I liked it. As my form improves--there is lots of hip movement that looks really cool and is harder than it looks to do--I hope to improve my endurance so I can move around more. I have a comletely new respect for dancers. I can do this! My form isn't perfect and I couldn't hop thru every step but I did hang in there. I am a little more coordinated than I thought and the rewind button was a big help. The instructors were appropriately helpful and you didn't hate them quite so much at the end for looking as good as they do. It is a workout and I did enjoy myself.

There, blog done.

"Is a camel a mammal?"

Asked Charlotte. We went to the Cincinnati Zoo today and had a discussion about what a mammal was, and wasn't on the way. If you haven't been to the zoo in awhile (it's been a year for me) be advised that there is much construction. We passed an ornate entrance that looked nothing like the old one. Since I couldn't find another, I drove back to it and parked. The were no signs telling you where to walk, so we latched on to some others and followed them a few blocks down the street. Again, no signs, just guessing. They've added a train/tram pass and movie theater passes. The reciprocal museum pass only works for general admission. We took the train ride (it lasted about 2 minutes) to appease Ryan and then saw the cheetah run show--really great show, beautiful cats. Ryan wanted to see the polar bears, Charlotte the flamingos. We were there for 5 hours and still didn't see everything. The most interesting to me was the insect house. Now, I am not an insect person--at all. They had an earwig on display the length of my palm--several cockroaches, beetles (cool-looking)and spiders. Some scorpions and a great interactive display on tree ants. Did you know there are honey ants? The insects were great because they were behind glass. They had diving beetles--they swam under water! And one bug swam on its back. So aside from the apathetic teenaged workers and a couple of smelly houses- the Cat house really did smell like alot of pee, we had a great afternoon. I promised the kids we will go back to see the rest.

Homework

"Mommy, when can I do homework?' Ryan asks with a grin. "Do you want to do homework?" I ask. "Yes, when can I start?" So off he goes to quiet time with some Kumon books and a pencil. I am not sure what he did during quiet time but the fact that he wanted to do homeowrk was refreshing and a little funny. I hope he keeps that attitude.

Today we rode the Huffman Prairie bike trail. It was 3.5 miles long and we went to the end and back. Ryan did wonderfully on his new bike--was in front most of the time. Seeing the railroad tracks up close was truly a highlight for him. At the end of the trip we decided he needed a Camelbak. He is quite proud of the little backpack Camelbak we got him at Dicks. This is Charlotte's last season in the trailer. She rides hunched in it with her legs curled up. I imagine she'll be cycling next summer, at least a little bit.

I gave Charlotte my old Madame Alexander dolls and she really likes them. She laments about their lack of shoes--I lost them years ago. She still plays with the dollhouse in our room, the one that is 30 years old and most of the furniture is broken. I'll have to ask if she likes her new one, I still find her redoing the furniture in the old one.

Just found out that Charlotte was able to get into the Antioch nursery. I am thrilled. I really like the school and their schedule is much closer to Fairborn's schedule. Yippee!!

Charlotte's haircut

Charlotte's long wavy locks are no more. She has been asking for a haircut for several months. At first I thought it was because we got our haircut at Miss Wendy's and she felt left out. She did fuss with the knots. Over the last several weeks she had become more emphatic and sure. We discussed the cons of her hair getting cut--no more buns, ponies or braids. She chewed on that for a week and said that was okay. The final big gun was when I told her I would be sad if she got her hair cut. She reached out, patted my cheek and said "don't worry mommy, it will grow again and you'll be happy.." I swear it's true! So we made sure how she wantedit cut, like Saleh's she said (Carter's little sister). So we went to Wendy thursday and stunned her with our request. She sputtered, 'are you sure? Does Greg know, is he okay with it?" Her hair really had gotten long. Greg asked that I bring the camera and save hm a lock of hair. She had about ten inches worth, so we are donating it to Locks of Love. I thought Charlotte would balk once her ponytail was cut, but you can see she was quite happy. And she continues to be so. She really likes it now and I still double take--it really is my kid! Now she asks if I am happy and I reassure her that I am and that she is perfect however she cuts her hair!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

He's 6. Has been officially for 3 hours and 30 minutes. Got his birthday kisses several times today. Let me say thank you to everyone who came to the party--I hope it wasn't too nutty! A few years ago, it was a core group of friends and their 1 child per family. A tidy get-together. Now it's several kiddos per couple and it was a little more circus-like. However, everyone got along and Ryan really had a great time. I woke up at noon (worked until 0730 today) and about every ten minutes Ryan asked how much longer until his party. There was the marathon cleaning and shoving things into closets. Everyone came and we chowed on Monster pizza and a pirate cake. the kids played on the sandbox, Baggo ( like corn hole I guess) and some tried their hand at croquet. We also pulled out the bouncer. The pinata was a hit--it broke quite nicely with croquet mallets:) The presents were oohed and awed over--thanks to al the kids that made and signed their cards! And thank you for making the day so special for Ryan. We are blessed with fabulous friends.

It's only Saturday

And it really feels like Sunday. So I am glad we have another day home together. July 4th was great. We went to Bds Thursday with Greg's parents and some friends, we were hoping to let the kids run in the fountain but it was a bit chilly....in July. then I remember we were wearing jackets on the 4th last year. Saturday was interesting. Because Ryan is in summer t-ball, he and the other kids in YMCA programs were invited to walk in the parade. We showed up a little early to decorate bikes and found our seats along the street. While waiting, the sky held it's promise and unleashed a magnificent downpour. No thunder or lightening, just rain and more rain. The grandparents took to the car while Greg, the kids and I waited with the other kids and parents. We watched the parade and we jumped in after the DARE truck. Charlotte bugged out because of the wet and stayed with the grandparents. Ryan proudly rode his bike and managed to wave a few times--as it continued to pour. Greg and I were soaked. We collected our free frosites and lunch from Wendy's and headed home. I took a nap. We had a laid back afternoon. Greg's mom suggested we celebtrate Ryan and George's birthday since they were leaving Sunday. So she put a cute pirate cake together and presents were passed around. Ryan got an excellent Lego castle set. Legos are so different from when I was his age!

The kids were able to stay up for fireworks. We walked over to Community Park East and joined several hundred others. It was a huge crowd. They had a live band and some food stands. I guess the band started at 6. We set up our chairs and the kids put on their ear plugs. Ryan covered his ears most of the walk over. Several people were setting of fireworks around the neighborhood. After asking us for the fifteenth time what the noise was, Greg and I gave up and told him exploding cucumbers. No really, we were patient and told him just about every loud noise he heard tonight was going to be fireworks. Well, once the kids got their glow in the dark bracelets, we settled down to wait. The show started and it was a doozie. Great show, really altogether. Ryan kept his plugs in and Charlotte covered her ears. No crying or hysterics at least. Charlotte ended up in Greg's lap. But it was a beautiful show. Charlotte fell asleep in the wagon on the way home. It was nice to see the fireworks together this year.

Greg's folks fly home in the morning. We are wrestling with when and where the next visit will be. Airline prices are prohibitively expensive when you have family on the other side of the country. We did smores tonight and played BINGO and Ryan's favorite UNO. We have agreed to play until he wins a hand. I was up 5 games yesterday. Hello to all of our out of town friends--have a safe trip home!!

The floor has won

I give up, I throw in the towel. The blasted $!@#&$& floor in the basement will have new tiles put down and NO! all the adhesive isn't off and NO! I am not going to seal it. The $#&#*$ tiles are going down tomorrow and the rest of the crap will be installed this week, if Mr. Pratt can make it. Went to Home Depot to rent a floor stripper to get the rest of the $#(Q adhesive off and was told, i don't want that, I want a gel adhesive remover. Also, if the adhesive is black it may contain asbestos. Too late--and no the adhesive was white so my lungs are safe from that. Advice : Never read the directions on the can. "Use in a well- ventilated space, preferably outdoors" I am in a basement bathroom with no windows. "Avoid contact with skin--chemical burn may result" Yep, know what that feels like--baking soda killed it. "Wear protective eyewear due to fumes". The 5x5 area has been alot of work and I will not subject myself or my family to anymore caustic shit. Okay. Better now.
Greg came home from his trip early (hooray). Ryan graduated from safety village. I have film footage of him shouting every answer--he did pay attention. We went to the Air Force tattoo last night to see some of the planes flyover. We could only stay until 9--I had homework. It drew quite a crowd and we saw several planes pretty close as they flew by. I got my wish TSA tonight and am crisis call tomorrow. Must cram on homework as I work the three nights after that.
Charlotte delighted everyone by reciting back Rikki Tikki tembo's name completely and correctly after hearing it about 4 times. Wow.
My daisies are blooming. They're awesome--must plant more. June's almost gone. Yikes.