Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
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While changing Catherine's diaper the other day she said, "My attitude is stinky."
(hmmm..wonder who I said that to recently)

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The girls had been promised that they could take a bath in the hot tub on Friday or Saturday. On Friday evening we began filling the tub, but it was slow going. Daddy looked at the girls and said, "Can we wait until tomorrow night? If we do it tonight it's going to take a long time to fill." Jenna looked at dad like he was a slow dull child and replied "But if we wait until tomorrow, won't that be longer"?

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We stopped to get gas the other day and Jenna and Natalie both asked if we had gotten a receipt. Dennis replied, "No."
To which Jenna said, "We didn't get a receipt because you can't return the gas."
(Never thought about it like that)

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For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Dad's rambling again 2

Vacation at the beach.

We had seven great days of sun and sand. Kids were fantastic, weather was almost perfect and we created wonderful memories. That said, there are still a few things to ramble about…. like tattoos and bikinis.

How are people paying for all of this ink if we are in a recession? Apparently Obama’s stimulus package targeted tattoo parlors because I read more off of people’s bodies than I did from books. While I don’t have any myself, I’m not anti-tattoo. The ladies want a heart on the ankle or something small and tasteful on the small of the back? No problem. A guy wants a snake up his arm or something to flex on the bicep? Whatever, if it’s good enough for Popeye, go for it.

But c’mon. I saw one guy who had writing, just writing mind you, from his neck across his entire chest and down to his waist. Who’s reading this? It’s just not normal to stop someone and say “Excuse me Gomer, may I read you”? Maybe he had it all written backwards so he can use a mirror and read it himself. What possesses someone to do this?

And the bikinis, oh dear heaven the bikinis at the beach. Now I’m a guy so I notice girls in bikinis, but please, please ladies. There comes a day when you need to hang it up. I’m not in the best shape, and so I don’t wear a Speedo. Apparently there are bikini stores that either have no mirrors or they installed those fun house mirrors you see at the carnivals. Two ladies walked past us who were wearing attire that clearly violated the laws of nature. Somehow they filled a 10 lb bag with 37 lbs. It may have been cruel, but someone needs to tell them that their best years (among other things) are behind them. Here’s a hint. If your bikini fits you like a thong, disappearing to the naked eye…and it isn’t a thong….put it back. You’re over 40, grow up. At the very least think of us poor guys who happen to look up as you walk by. Shoving sand into your eyes hurts even when you do it on purpose.

But then again, maybe I’m just rambling……

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tiny Talk

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
___________________________________________________________________________________
When we came home from our VA vacation and I took Catherine to her room she had a funny reaction.
She said, "Mommy, look at my new sheets and my new curtains."
(Apparently she forgot what her room looked like.)


For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Vacation Part 3

Here's Julia showing off her cast. She loves her two fingers.

Natalie and Grandma.



Dennis and his girls.

The DiMaggio and Nichols Families.




It was a great week! We're already looking forward to next years vacation together.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Vacation Part 2

Here's more:
My nephew, Philip.


My sister, Gerri, and Daniel.





We lost the bottom part of the umbrella so it was a perfect height for Catherine and Daniel.

Wonder what they are scheming?

Dennis took Natalie out into the waves. She loved it.

Natalie didn't mind having the waves crash into her face. Everyday she begged to go out with Daddy.





I'll finish up tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sandbridge Beach Vacation

For the past couple of years we have gone to Sandbridge Beach, which is right outside of Virginia Beach. It's quiet and relaxing....mostly. We go down with my Mom and my sister and her family.

There are six kids altogether. They are 6 1/2, 5, 3 1/2, 2 and then 20 month old twins. So it's mostly busy and noisy and not so much quiet and relaxing. Nevertheless it is VERY fun.

Here are some pictures of our week.


Catherine wasn't sure if she was going to like the beach or not.




My niece, Julia, couldn't go to the beach all week. She got her cast days before we left. She has a possible elbow fracture. Jenna loved reading to the little ones in the house.


Catherine loved the sand.

Natalie also loved the water and sand.






Natalie and Jenna lead Catherine to the water.


Daniel also loved the beach.



I'll share more tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
__________________________________________________________________


Natalie: Hey Jenna, "Do you ever think about mom and dad not being in the house and we can watch “Tom and Jerry” and eat chocolate ALL DAY?"



For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
________________________________________________________________________________

I've been talking to Catherine about obedience....what it means and how she needs to obey mommy and daddy. So while in the tub she asked, "Am I being obedient?"
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The girls and I were playing and Catherine let out a funny sigh. Jenna's reply was, "She's more like her mother everyday."

For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Dad's Rambling Again

Four hours delayed at Laguardia Airport. Four hours for a forty-five minute flight. Makes you realize how much insanity you put up with at the airport.

Who are these people who work security? They stare at your ID intently and never look up to see if your face matches the picture. I swear I could use the driver's license of a seventy-two year old comanche grandmother and get waved in. "Enjoy your flight, Mrs. Danceswithbuffalo."

And there's more joy once they have you locked in the terminal (and really "terminal"? who named this? are we not scared enough flying in seven tons of steel piloted by two guys who probably have kicked back three cocktails). Now while waiting for your plane and reading the monitor showing your flight is on time (LIAR!!) you get to size up your fellow passangers in case of a terrorist attack while drinking an $11 bottle of water.

Then of course they begin boarding the plane. Actually, preboarding. What does that even mean? You get on before you get on? Anyway, I'm watching these people with obviously faked handicaps cutting in front of me and taking the good seats. I'll probably be sitting in the middle of the back row across from the bathroom.

Then we get the announcements. Apparently the plane can't violate the laws of gravity if my tray table is down or my seat is reclined 3/4 inch. Have these announcements changed since 1972? Seriously do we need to be told that it is a violation of federal law to disable the smoke detector in the bathroom? Are there people muttering "As soon as that's legal I'm taking that darn thing off." Yes, yes, seatbelt....small piece into big piece...got it, thanks. If I'm flying to Denver from Baltimore can we skip the "in the event of a water landing" lecture? If we splash down in a pond in Ohio I'll apologize.

Forgive me, I'm rambling again.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Day At Dutch Wonderland


Dennis took the day off and we headed to PA to Dutch Wonderland, a wonderful small amusement park geared for little ones. We met Gerri and Philip up there too. We had a great day of riding rides, seeing shows and just spending time together. Catherine did great considering the fact that she was too short to ride most rides. She did, however, enjoy a few with Dennis. As you can see from the smiles on the children's faces they had a blast.


Jenna, Natalie and Philip are ready to start the day.


Dennis bravely travels on the air ride with Catherine who doesn't like to sit still.

I love this photo of Dennis and the 4 kids holding hands. That's Aunt Gerri with them too.

Natalie on the bulldozer.

Natalie and Philip ride the Whip. I think they rode this ride 5 times.

Do you think Jenna is having fun?

Dennis holds on to Catherine as they come down the slide.


Natalie decided to go down the slide by herself.


Dennis had to hold up a couple of the girls to make their faces show through the sign.


Catherine loves the Merry Go Round. Thankfully Dennis does too.