Ohio Scottish Games

We went as a family to the Ohio Scottish Games last week.  It was so fun to arrive and hear bagpipes from the car.  We put the headphones on Elsie to see if they fit just in case the bagpipes got too loud when we got closer.  She was so funny looking that we had to take a picture.  They were way bigger than her head.  

 Everyone got their own kilt and here we are sporting them in the grandstands waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.

 The bagpipe bands were A- MAZ- ING.  They sounded so pretty.

 Ruby got up and danced on the seat in the way she had seen pictures of Scottish girls dancing (pictured later).

 The Caber Toss competition was mind blowing.  I didn't realize that this event was a proper competition.  Some of these men came as far as Europe to compete and a couple of them were championship winners.  We had the world champion competing there.  Just so you know how difficult this sport is - I will tell you what is required.  The men have to lift this tall log called a caber.  It is estimated to weigh about 200 pounds.  They have to hold it - stabilizing it - standing up and then run with it. The running gives them momentum to then toss it up in the air (200 lbs remember!) in such a way to make it do a complete 180 degree turn in the air to land straight on the ground.  So basically, lift 200 pound pole, throw up in air, make rotate 180 degrees, don't get killed.

 The girls liked watching the Scottish dancing and admired the cute pink and purple skirts.

 Everyone wore their kilts to church the next day.  Ruby looked adorable in hers because it made her look like she goes to some private school.  Lyman likes his new Sporran (the bag that hangs down in the front of the kilt).

Love Them.

Basically - I have the cutest kids in the world.  Here are some pictures I took while out on a walk together.

Outback Ray and Brain Cells

In an attempt not to be a lazy, crappy mom this summer and also to make sure my kids don't lose the brain cells they cultivated during the school year, I have made a library trip a weekly event.  The library reading program this summer is also featuring fun things each week like magicians and African drummers and as pictured below - an animal guy showing different animals to the kids.  He is named Outback Ray and the kids love him.  

 The picture is a little fuzzy but Lyman's face says it all about how he feels about holding the giant python.  He is such a boy.

New Wife -err Car

Andy got another wife car.  It has been a long time coming.  He talked about trading in his old Corolla for a long time and looked at all kinds of cars to get.  He wanted a fun car to drive that would also be reliable but not too expensive.  He talked about it and talked about and talked about it.  ::sigh::  Eventually, he settled on wanting a Mazda MX-5 or better known as a Miata.  He set up a test drive with all parties (including me) knowing that we were not purchasing for a few months if we did.  The day before we got there a used Miata with less than 7 thousand miles was traded in.  It was Highland green (just like he wanted) and had all the other features that he wanted.  It was perfect.  The price was especially perfect since it was a 2007 - it was listed at cheaper than my van.  He courted test drove it.  Fell in love and finally made an offer for marriage purchase.

 Lyman likes his new mommy car a LOT!

How do I feel about Andy's new wife car?  When I think about how many - MANY - hours Andy spends doing something for someone else - either at church or work or home - and how little time he gets to do something fun to relieve stress - I think I love this new wife car too.  He loves driving it and is so silly happy - arriving home with a incredible grin on his face - that I don't know why we didn't get a him another wife car sooner!  My only problem is that I haven't driven a manual on a consistent basis for about 13 years.  So I hope he will still love me if I stall it a few times.

Pictures

 This is me with my midwife, Molly.  I didn't get a picture of her when Elsie was born because she had to rush off somewhere else afterwards.  She was a great midwife and since I didn't have a choice about being induced, I was glad at least that I could be induced by her.  She was patient and supportive and when it came down to the critical moments - very capable.

Ruby is such a silly girl.  I cannot even beginning to explain well enough to do it justice just how totally into clothes and fashion and accessories she is.  Even if she isn't the one wearing it - she will notice and compliment you on your clothing if she likes it and tell you that you look pretty or handsome.  She also has some very funny preferences on her own clothing.  Here she is just goofing off in my wellington boots.

Busy

I haven't been good at blogging recently.  My excuse is that I have been busy.  Too busy getting snuggles from 4 cute kids.  Too busy kissing downy soft heads.  Too busy receiving too-wide first smiles.  Too busy eating Popsicle with 3 dirty summer worn kids.  Too busy enjoying cool summer nights on the porch with a handsome guy.  Just too busy to sit at the computer and blog.