After taking a shower last evening, I went to reach in the bottom drawer of my bathroom vanity to grab a Q-Tip. Darn....the box was empty, so I struggled to remove rather large box from the drawer to dispose of it. When I finally released the box carcase from its tight enclosure, my drop dropped when I saw the print on the side of the box. 2,000 Q-Tips!!! Seriously???? I have used 2,000 Q-Tips? My hubby must have bought this thing on one of his crazy shopping sprees at Sam's. You know, the kind of shopping trips that lead to buying a 250lb bag of Milkbones and 64 bars of Irish Spring soap, cause' you never know, right?

Anyhow, I don't even remember how long ago that box was purchased. It has probably traveled along with us on many moves, but still, 2,000 Q-Tips???? I would think it would take me years......it might be time to talk with Doug about where on earth he is sticking these things that we could go through so many. Maybe he and Kaelan are working on a nice Mother's Day craft for me. I have no shame, I would wear a 400 count Q-Tip necklace if my kid made it. I guess I'll have to go bigger on the next Costco run. Perhaps, there is a 5,000 count box.

Tool Time

When my nieces fill out their wish lists for birthdays and Christmas, the list is inundated with things like doll houses, Barbies, Disney Princess paraphernalia, and Hannah Montana whimsies. My girl, however..........well she dances to the beat of her own drum. Actually, she dances to the sound of her own hammer pounding and power drills drilling and saws well, sawing. This year her birthday requests include a her own shop vac (pink, of course) and some saw horses.

There has never been and will never be a gal who loves tools more than my Kaelan. From the time she was able to grip a screwdriver, dad has toted her around and allowed her to "tinker" with him on various home improvement projects. Dad and Kaelan built the playscape in the yard, and Kaelan still uses her plastic tools to maintain the productivity of the unit...nearly every...... single.... day.

Her toy tool box set has taken quite a beating over time, and Kaelan recently informed dad that she was ready for a new set. A REAL set. Apparently, we didn't fool her with that cheap stuff.

It has taken a lot of convincing and begging, but mom has finally given in and allowed Kaelan to have her first tool set. Dad picked it out, and Kaelan couldn't be happier. Yes, it's pink....with not a single Princess on it! Call us if you have any odd jobs needing a handygal!

This last picture is a little creepy, no? Check out that Psycho looking shadow...Egad! I fear awakening in the middle of the night to see her standing over me like this. Our new mantra...."Tools are used for good, not evil!"

While You Were Sleeping.....

So I'm not much of a sleeper as of late......just that season again, I suppose. In the hopes of completely tiring both mind and body, I have been trying to lay off the television and read myself to dreamland. Case in point, this is 3 weeks worth of nightly reading (plus 2 books I have since loaned out):

At least I am doing something productive, right? Well...that, and I am balancing out watching those recorded episodes of "Dance Your A** Off ".

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..........

Summer is in full swing here on the McBrayer Ranch. Lots of doings. Lots of going ons. Kaelan is enrolled in a few classes to keep her busy on these ridiculously hot, sweaty, record-setting days. Perhaps mom should have thought out the whole transporting in and out of hot cars when she came up with the bright idea of taking indoor classes and staying out of the heat. Can you say, "Hot leather?" Ouch!

Much to Dad's delight, Kaelan is a "Little Ninja". That's right, we are paying for our daughter to go to a class and learn how to kick, back fist strike, and round house other children. Sure, she spends much her time spinning around on the floor and bossing Darian around, but if you could see her spar......I just know Bruce Lee is smiling.

Cooking class. This sounded safe enough. She loves to help me cook, and in a few months, she will completely surpass me in cooking capabilities. Yep, it's that bad. Anyhow, the kids have created some REAL masterpieces in this class. In yonder days, Kaelan and I participated in cooking classes that included conquering recipes such as "Ants on a Log" (celery, peanut butter, raisins), and "Haystack Cookies" (coconut, melted chocolate and nuts). That was the kind of stuff I figured we would be making this round, but I was sadly mistaken. The teacher in this class has gone for it, and gone for it BIG! Week 1 was Paella. Week 2 Crepes and Strawberry Compote. Week 3 Greek Pita Bread and Homemade Hummus. Week 4 Ravioli

Seriously.....forget paying this gal for teaching the kids how to cook. I'm hiring her to work at my house!

Ahhh.....the pool. With all this crazy weather we are having in Austin....and by crazy, I mean friggin' hot, the pool is a necessity. Kaelan really wants to swim, she thinks she can swim.
In reality, she can doggy paddle like a poodle on steroids, but she goes nowhere and sinks quickly. So, after some very unsuccessful lessons last year.....you know, the kind where her face never touched the water.....we decided to give it go again this year. So far, she is doing well. She goes underwater, and floats in "blue-fish" for 5 seconds. I am very pleased with her progress.....she totally doesn't freak when I rinse her hair in the bathtub anymore,either. Money well spent.

Parks, indoor playscapes, playgroups, visitors.........summer has been good. Now if we could just do something about this weather............

P.S. Psssst....One more special little secret to share....my girl is reading. REALLY! We'll share more with you later. Just had to brag on that gal of mine!

Overdue Update

I got the coolest email the other day. Here's what is said:

Dear Sandra,
Happy (very belated) Birthday to you. I am writing from very far away to let you know your message of kindness has reached further than the arms of Texas. I am sending you word of my RAK as requested in order to fulfill the recent request. My wife and I have been considering getting a dog for quite a while now, and after much consideration we decided to forgo the pet store or puppy mill route, and instead adopt from a local rescue shelter. We found our match a few months ago, and though our new furry child came with a temporary name, "Pogo", we decided we wanted a name that came from OUR hearts. After reading of the adventures of Poncho, your beloved pooch, we found that name to be quite fitting for our little black lab mix as well. Afterall, they look so much a alike, and we wanted to honor such a noble, deserving mutt. That is not our RAK, however. In visiting the rescue shelter during our adoption process, we saw the need for volunteers. We now go twice a week to take the rescue dogs on short hikes around the shelter grounds. We love it. Poncho loves it even more. We are thinking of adding a "Lefty" to the mix sometime soon (no offense to Bandit). Good luck with your ongoing drive for kindness!
Drake, Sanki, and Poncho
Willamsport, PA
I have done a very poor job of keeping track, but I will tell you that in counting up emails, comments, cards and letters, the RAK CONTINUES to grow, but at last count was somewhere around 38!!!!
What's that you say??? I owe you something?? We'll see about that. I'll try to recall what I promised...........
Thank you for the kind words, Drake and Sanki~
Viva La Poncho!

Amazing Indeed!

She loves to sing. She loves to sing...LOUDLY!
Darian likes to pretend he is the teacher and he directs her as she sings. On this day, he chose to lead with a leaf....as you will see.
She is amazing. (sigh)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

4th of July (posting before it becomes the 4th of August...eek!)

Each year the 4th of July approaches, I am reminded of one of my favorite "love to tell that" family stories......

A few years back, and I do mean a FEW years back, not a long, long time ago, a few of my siblings and I were sitting around discussing upcoming plans for the 4th of July. We were trying to bang our heads together and set some events in stone, and get them posted on an all official calender. As we continued our discussion, my somewhat exhausted and exasperated (come on, the gal has four kids) sister, Lilly, turned to rejoin the conversation after turning away to yell at one of her wild-haired boys.

"Okay, sorry....what were we saying? (opening her calendar) What day is the 4th on this year, anyhow? Isn't it like the 17th or something?", she said as she stared us with questioning eyes.

"Lilly.....it's the 4th.....of July. It is on the 4th," my brother replied.

"Oh, yeah. Right."

The sad part of that story is that for a split second, I know everyone at that table, present party included, stopped and thought about that question for a moment....."Hmm....what day is the.....WAIT A MINUTE!"

Starting the day with festive Fourth of July cinnamon buns....yummy!

A very sweaty post tennis Uncle Doug threatens the existence of the sweet rolls.

Man....we should be in a parade or something.....

Mommy and Kalean

Sweet Izi

The Freedom Twins

Izi, Kaelan, Bandit and Taylor

The girls at our Annual 4th in 'Hood Celebration

Fireworks!

Despite the sweltering, humid, melt your underwear kind of weather....we had a most lovely 4th of July! Looking forward to fireworks of the future.....now what day does it fall on next year???