So apparently there are some who think that Dee, Mary and I aren’t the best mamas in the world because we took our kids to see “Mamma Mia!” Their argument was that it was an adult themed movie and it would be confusing for kids because this girl didn’t know who her father was. Well guess what, turns out it was the perfect movie for our kids because NONE of them know their fathers. LOL! I hadn’t even thought about it, we took them because we knew they would love the music and dancing.

Since we took them to it, though, there has been negative backlash…all of the kids want to listen to ABBA Gold 24/7. They don’t just want to listen, they sing, too. I’m thinking we’ll be cancelling swimming lessons and start up the voice lessons. My ears are bleeding…profusely.

Something you may not know about our little guy, Carlos…he has the cutest little divots on the back of his ears. They’ve been there since birth and it’s almost like the top of his ears on the backside are pierced. The only reason I bring this up is that for the past 4 years I have always kissed his ear and told him that those little dots are my favorite thing. While we were camping I kissed him and told him that and he tried to feel them and asked more about it so we took a picture to show him. That seemed to work, he had the biggest smile acrossed his face when he saw the picture and said “oh yeah, baby, that IS pretty cool” Nothing like a little self confidence.

Since we’re camping only a couple miles from where we live….we cheated today and came home to wash the dirt and grime off of the kids and take a quick shower ourselves. Much needed, we were FOOCHIE!

We have had just the best time down at the park, we didn’t DO a ton, just hung out and enjoyed eachother’s company. The kids played at the playground while we played Yahtzee, UNO and Dominos. It was neat when all the kids were playing Old Maid and really getting into it, there aren’t too many games that they can play together and this was one that worked. Carlos even joined the grown-ups for a round of UNO and he really got it, as did Levi with Dominos. I didn’t give them enough credit but they are getting older and are really wanting to be doing what we’re doing.

We had a few visits from Alisa and Holly who joined us for a couple meals and s’mores. They also invited us (grime, campfire smell and all) to their house for breakfast this morning. It was so tasty and a nice break from the constant smoke inhalation. I think my lungs took a beating these last few days, as I tend to be drawn to the fire duties. I don’t know what it is, Dee thinks I’m a pyromaniac, but I can build a mean fire. Bet you didn’t know that about me.

Dee and I had teased Mary about her not “real” camping style since she camps in a trailer. I will no longer dis’ the trailer it was wonderful to have a fridge and toilet and bed right at the campsite. What a treat for us to all be able to sleep in the trailer and stay warm and dry.

Mary and Alice are still camping and we’ll hang out tomorrow after naps at the park again and eat dinner down there. It’s fun and a nice break from the everyday grind.

Mary, the kids and I went down to the park early today and grabbed up our camping sites. It’ll be perfect to have two sites this time and Mary’s bringing her trailer down so they will be sleeping in the lap of luxury while we are slumming it in our tent next door. I won’t be complaining when there’s hot coffee in the morning.

As always, it’s an open invitation to our friends to come on down and roast some dogs or share a s’more with us! Fay Bainbridge, baby!

What a absolutely wonderful weekend we had. Saturday started early with Dee and I part of the painting party at Battle Point Park. It was neat to see what a difference a refresher coat of paint around the park did. It’s almost like new again, not that the kids will notice, but I think it looks great. Amazing how fun working in the community like that can be. The kids were plenty busy playing in the open gym area with all of the gymnastics gear.

We got the guys home for a quick nap and then dropped them off at Saturday Club. Alice went with that this time, so Mary, Dee and I took off to the pub for a bite to eat and to down a couple margaritas. Alisa and Holly met up and brought a ton of laughs. I think the stuffy types at the pub weren’t ready for our group! Hell, you only live once.

After our pub trip we decided to take in Momma Mia! and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Talk about fun times, we sang and danced through the whole movie in the front row. I’m pretty sure we embarassed ourselves but since we were in the front we didn’t have to face anyone. The blonde gal from the tv show Lost was right behind us…so much for our star sighting, we made fools of ourselves! What a great time, though, it was a fun movie and we are planning on taking the kids as well. They’ve been listening to ABBA for the last few days and singing along, it’s pretty darn cute.

We had a White Trash BBQ at Fay Bainbridge on Sunday with Patti and Jeanie, Alisa and Holly and Mary and Alice. The food, as always, was great and the conversation and time with friends was much needed.

All in all it was a relaxing, fun weekend had by all. Oh, and did I mention that Sunday was Dee and my 6th wedding anniversary? Yup, it was.

Nice saying, huh? It’s our latest sticker on the back of the pirate van…gotta love it.

So picture this…the boys and Alice finished soccer and I got them all changed out of uniforms and into regular clothes. We stopped and picked up Carolyn and Baby J and were headed to Tacoma to go shopping at Old Navy. Yes, there’s an Old Navy closer to us, but they weren’t having the 50% off the CLEARANCE price sale that the Tacoma store was having and I always get tons of stuff for the boys for the next year at this sale.

So we are driving along with the kids watching Backyardigans and eating their lunch. All are happy but when we get about 30 miles from home, just past Silverdale the van starts to act weird. I pulled over, it threatens to die and I panic. I have 5 kids in the car and we are miles from home! Who is going to come get us? I call Dee and she says, “what am I supposed to do?” and she’s right about that. I call my mechanic and explain what’s going on and he says to try to bring it in. We pull back onto the highway and get off at the next exit. At this point all the kids are wondering what in the world we’re doing and I have to tell them to try to be quiet because I need to listen to the car. The van isn’t liking to stop and every time almost dies and we manage to hit EVERY red light possible. Luckily Suzanne has an 11 passenger van and she met us at the mechanic’s and gave us a ride home. What an ordeal. I have NO idea why car stuff gets me so worked up, but it does. It doesn’t make sense, I have no emotional attachment to cars (except my little MR2 which was my first car) but when they break down I’m a mess. I am so thankful that we made it to the mechanic’s without having to be towed….with 5 kids. As bad as it was, it could have been much worse. Still no word on what’s wrong with it but we’re hopeful it won’t send us to the poor house!

Minivan repair fund donations will be gladly accepted!

We had a great day with the kids. We finished this session of swimming lessons, which none of the boys passed. Good thing I signed them all up for the same class twice. Carlos actually is supposed to move down a level, as he refuses to put his face in the water. Levi’s teacher told me that I needed to get him into the pool MORE so he will want to be there. Um, he was just there 8 times in the last 2 weeks! I don’t think I can do more and I don’t think I can get him to want to be there. I just want her to teach him to swim! Anyhow, we have a break from swimming…until Monday.

We went to the park last night for a picnic dinner and to meet up with some people we know. I won’t go into details, but if you know us you can probably figure out who thes baby is or you can ask us. All in all it’s made us really appreciate our family! ‘Nuf said.. Anyhow, the meeting went really well and we got some cute, cute pictures.

The boys loved the beach, the tide was really high so they even waded into the water and Levi kept throwing sticks out in the water for Trey to fetch. Trey obediently did it! Levi built a “campfire” with collected driftwood and they played a bunch on the playground, too. They love that park!

Off to soccer today and the 50% off clearance sale at Old Navy (Tacoma for you locals…not Silverdale). We always get great deals on next years sizes and fill our “clothes to grow into” bin.

Carlos has sure turned out to LOVE him some ping pong! All of the boys do, since seeing the Backyardigans episode about the Ping Pong Bandit. They got some birthday money from Papa B and we’ve been trying to figure out what they could get with it. You guessed it…a ping pong table for the backyard. It’s been a hit and I think Carlos is the next Forrest Gump. He can’t get enough and he’s actually getting pretty good at it. Dee and I are having fun as well and our competitive sides come out when we play. The boys think it’s funny to watch us get all worked up about a game. To tell you the truth, I’m not so bad at it. 😉 Come play with us!