The sunny side of the street

Today was one of those days where you kind of want to run out of the house screaming. Well, there was plenty o' screaming anyway.
Silas unzipped the back of the couch cushion and emptied all the fiber-fill onto the floor. Why there is a zipper on the cushion, and uncontained fiber-fill inside is beyond me. My cracked and chapped hands (yes, i bought some aquaphor today) made all the little bits of fluff stick to me and the static-y dry air made it a pain to pick everything up.
Next up, Emmet dumped a container of screw, washers, nails, cotter pins, nuts, etc. out of the tool box. I'd gather them up, he'd begin hitting something with a hammer or set of allen wrenches.
We tried watching Dumbo. Silas cried actual tears during Baby Mine. "Why can't he be with his momma? All the other babies are with their moms." And then, because it's a library DVD we couldn't watch the end- so Silas doesn't even know he flies in teh end and is reunited with his Mom. Sucks.
What else? Oh yes, sack of unpopped popcorn kernels smashed on teh floor and dumped everywhere.
But then there are bright spots. Minnesota Science pass came in the mail from my sisters for my birthday. Delicious dinner of pineapple french toast, hash browns, and sausage. The Office is on tonight. And most excting of all- a free ring tone for my cell phone. Any guesses on what it is? (Hint: TV show theme) It's motivation for me to keep my cell phone on and around, but I still make no guarentees.

Another post that would be better with pictures

We picked up or dog last Sunday. So we've had her back for a little over a week now. I missed having a dog. I did not miss the dog hair.
She is such a good dog with the boys. Silas chases her around, trying to put dish towel capes on her. Emmet crawls over her, doing flips back and forth while she just lies there. Silas gives her breakfast and dinner, carefully scooping out a cup of food, commanding her to sit, pouring the cup in the dish, then saying "OK Sophie." Emmet feeds her crackers and muffins at every opportunity.
It is nice having a food clean up crew, although I've learned that I have to shut her in the back of the house when I really want Emmet to eat. I'd gotten used to giving Emmet, second, third and fourth chances on dropped food. But with Sophie around, there are no "do-overs."
I'm so thankful that we had friends that would take care of her while we were away. I'm glad the boys have a pet to take care of and to play with. And I'm glad I don't have a puppy to train.

the sound of me sticking out my tongue

hmm..more frequent posting, not happening so much huh?
here's the non-news from Minnesota, or how we spent the weekend...
Friday night our neighbors had a little welcome home party for us. It was small, but the kids played friendly together, including a lively game of Snap! and the American Girls Game 300 Wishes. Adults ate truffles, taco dip, and mushroom pate while catching up and playing Apples to Apples. We arranged to have monthly game nights so we will keep in touch during these cold dark winter months.
Saturday morning Orin went out and played broomball with some friends. My hands are so dry and cracked and hurting and bleeding I decided to pass on the opportunity to expose them to more cold and injury. I took the boys over to a friends house whose husband was also playing, and has a little girl between Silas's and Emmet's age. So we spent the morning catching up and entertaining the kids. Saturday afternoon, Orrin realized that he had injured his wrist somehow. Between playing broomball, going bowling with his group from work, and taking out the trash; it was asking to much for poor little out of shape Orrin. Ireland has made us soft in many ways, I guess.
Still the minor injury did not stop him from replacing the leaking faucet on Sunday. We also took a short walk down to the park by the river. Emmet loved the swings and Silas raced up and down the slides like lightening. Snow pants make you fly down the slide, as we discovered. He also talked me into going down a vertical tunnel made from tires strung together on a chain. I barely fit through the diameter of the tire, and of course I got stuck at the bottom because I couldn't bend to get out. So I had to wiggle my way back up to the top, getting snow all down my pants. I don't think we were there more than 10 minutes, but it was nice to get out of the house anyway.
Monday, Orrin was able to stay home with us due to the MLK Jr. Holiday. We went to The Works Museum in Edina. It was a small place, but Silas enjoyed it. There were K'nex cars to be built and raced down a ramp, gears to be turned, pulleys to help you lift a load as heavy as your own mother!, robots to program, light and prisms to play with. Silas's favorite was the marble run blocks. My major triumph was building a round tower of large foam blocks around Silas, having him run out the side, and it remain standing. Now with a door out the side. We can go for free by "checking out" a pass from the library, so I'd say we'd probably go again.
We test drove a Honda minivan. But are we any closer to making a decision about a second car? No, we are not.
We have pictures and videos to share, but I'm not sure where the cables are, or if I even have a way to get the pictures and videos out of my phone. Yes, I have a camera phone now! I feel like an idiot using it, but I am determined to get the hang of it.
So, I hope to share them soon.

Wonder of Wonders

Miracle of miracles...
Emmet slept through the night- 8 pm until 5 am, the first time in his 13 months on Earth.
Silas woke up to a dry bed without a diaper for the first time (granted we woke him and took him to the bathroom twice in the middle of the night).
I have an internet connection and am posting to the blog!!!
Lots happened in the past month, lots still going on, will try to fill you in, children willing...
All is well, all is cold, more to come.