So much happiness for only a buck.

Ever since we went to our neighborhood party a week ago, Jacob has been talking about S'mores non-stop. He enjoyed a few s'mores by the fire that night and it left a lasting impression on him - so much so, that it's been the first thing out of his mouth in the morning on many occasions, "Momma, can we make s'mores?" (ummm sorry, not at 6:10 in the morning!).

Yesterday, our town hosted their annual town-wide garage sales, and I promised the folks running our library bake sale that I'd stop by and purchase a few treats. The older boys, of course, wanted to tag along, and being a pair who can't resist a good bargain, they headed out with their piggy banks in tow... literally. After snagging a package of cinnamon rolls (hoping they might serve as a stand-in for S'mores), we started making the rounds around town. At my first stop, I found a case of really neat pilsner glasses FOR TWO BUCKS. Score! The boys were pretty tight with their money for the first few stops, but at about the 4th house, they both hit the jackpot. We found video game books, board games, trading cards, legos, bionicles, a like-new big barrel youth baseball bat (for FIVE BUCKS!!!!) ((seriously, that was the best find ever)), batting gloves, and more.

Our most unique (and hilarious) find was this set of classic FM wireless intercoms.

The box alone makes me laugh! Our original idea was to put one out in the shed so we could talk to dad from the house... but we tried that - and the distance was a little too far. Instead, the boys each plugged one in near their nightstand so they can have pleasant conversations before bed... (WILL!!!! ANSWER ME!!!!)

My last stop on the way home was the icing on the cake. The kids didn't even get out of the car, because they were to engrossed in the backseat with all their new items. As soon as I approached the perimeter of the displayed items, I spied an item we could not live without.... An indoor/outdoor S'mores maker!!! For $1.00!!!

Look at the proof below - happiness for a buck!

Happy Birthday to Jake!

While we usually tend to go a bit overboard for birthday parties in the Dudley household, we reigned it in this year. With three kids' birthdays to celebrate each year amongst constant kid activities, throwing parties has become a little more difficult! I didn't want his 3rd birthday to go unrecognized, but our schedule simply wouldn't allow for a blow-out - HOWEVER, we did manage to squeeze in a little party Monday night in between all the chaos. He had a great time!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!

The Cake:

Happy Boy!

The big breath before the blow:

Chaos! :-)

Watching the 'hampster' cruise around:

THANK YOU ALL!!

Caution: Do not try this at home (especially the last part)

This video is a bit shaky - I was filming

from the front seat of a moving truck. But even  

 so, I think you can still tell that he was really

feelin the music!

Back to Reality

I wouldn't want to shatter the utopian picture I painted for you yesterday, however - you knew it was too good to be true, right?  If I really thought my kids were transformed over night into law abiding citizens and eager do-gooders, I must have inhaled too many paint fumes.   This morning when Ben asked me to shop-vac up the rest of the scraped paint around the garage, I had my hesitations, but (against my better judgement) said I'd do it.  Normally, (like yesterday) when he asks me to do 'extra' things (like power wash the garage), I get a little irritated.  He usually acts like he cannot understand what the big deal is.  Sometimes he even takes the task on himself while watching the kids just to show me how 'easy' it really can be. Right.

I had to secretly giggle yesterday at an unfortunate incident which occurred while Ben was outside scraping the garage.  I came in from supervising Jacob for about 20 minutes to get ready to take Will to the dentist, leaving Ben to do his simple 'extra' job while watching all three kids.  I can't say I was too surprised when shortly after I departed I heard a lot of yelling outside, the screen door slam and saw a furious Ben stomping in the house, holding a kitten that had been freshly dipped in white paint.   I headed outside to assess the rest of the damage and saw a guilty Jacob sporting a fresh pair of 'white' gloves.  Oh boy.  As I brought him in the house to the sink where the kitten was being scrubbed,  Ben looked over and angrily stated "JACOB.  Look at what you did!  NAUGHTY."  At that moment, a wave of guilt washed over little Jakey and he sadly said "Sowwy Daddy"....  YEAH RIGHT!  Instead, Jacob looked over at his little creation and an evil smile slowly spread across his face.  Then he let out the lowest little diabolical snicker EVER, as if to say "you bet your sweet ass I did that, and it's pretty damn funny too!"  I think I saw Ben trying to hold back a tiny smile.

So today, as I said, I was asked to finish sucking up the paint scrapings.  With an optimistic attitude, I headed out, giving both older kids one CLEAR instruction: DO NOT LET JACOB GET WET.  Simple Simon.  So, again - why am I surprised that fifteen minutes later Jacob was soaked head to toe, Charlie was marching around with the bag of pretzels I told him NOT to take outside and Will's new shirt was splattered with white paint water?!?!?!   Seriously people!!!!!  DEEP BREATHS.  

Like Father Like Son

Ben 1976

Jacob 2009