Poe Party 2009, I think, was a success. I had a good time anyway. Thanks to all who attended. I didn't think to take pictures during the party, but aren't these the coolest stamps ever? I gleefully stuck them on the invites. I found them last year right after Poe Party 2008 and had been chomping at the bit to use them. It was fulfilling, despite the fact that the price of stamps rose, and I had to add 2 cent stamps.
And this was the door prize. I'm ridiculously proud of it, because I'm nerdy that way.
The kids also got to have a Halloween party this year.


We finally went to Disneyland a few weeks ago, despite Dan's moral opposition to the "Mecca to Consumerism." I think he even managed to enjoy himself. Thank goodness Therese came along though. I think without Grandma being there, it would have been a lot more stressful and a lot less fun. Since we were embracing the consumerism, we went ahead and paid for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. Jasper didn't love Minnie . . . or Goofy . . . or Pluto, and he really, really didn't care for Stitch.
Laraine loved them all, but she was most fond of Snow White.
And here we are, in front of the temple to materialism.
Really? He's not rightwise born king of all England. And I was sure Moore was just the current spelling of Pendragon.
I'm glad they take after me where teacups are concerned. No nausea. Just happiness.
All in all, a good time was had by all, despite a meltdown over a Buzz Lightyear gun and some negative feelings toward the "invisible snowman." Maybe taking Laraine on the Matterhorn wasn't the best choice. Maybe we should have just purchased the gun in the first place.
The next day we hit the beach with Brian, Karene, Cole and Weston. It was grand. The kids loved it. Dan loved it. Therese loved it. Though I learned I'm totally incompetent with a boogie board, even I loved it. And it was free, which is good because we'd spent all our money at Disneyland.
The day after the beach, we went to an aquarium. It was free too.
And I'm just throwing this picture, taken by Bennett, on the end here because I think he really captured a certain Dan-ness.
On the review blog: Jasper's Mullet and Julie and Julia

Hodgepodge

Okay, I admit it, the truck has been useful. I bought the clearanced floor model of a large, plastic play house at Kmart, and Dan brought it home in the truck. Of course, the truck hasn't been working for a couple of weeks now, but at least Bennett has a new climbing toy.
Kids and hoses. Bennett and Laraine kinda run away and run back hesitantly. Jasper just wants to hang out in the steady stream.

Forlorn Jasper at the Bracken cabin. This is the only picture I actually took. I saw Beka had a camera and figured I'd get copies from the master. Yes, we invited ourselves. Yes, we got vomit all over their cabin. But we had a grand time. Thanks again, Beka and Jake.

Bennett has now discovered books and flashlights in bed after the lights go out. It makes bedtime easier for him and for Dan and me. Sometimes Laraine joins him. The flash kinda messed this up, but you get the idea.

Laraine and her three Fuzzlies. Now and then she wakes up in the night screaming that she doesn't have one of them. Then we have to search the house trying to find where she dropped it. What a look on her face.

The fair. A good time was had by all. Mostly.


Dan and I recently hiked the Subway with the Hainses. Can you believe the cruel things we do to Therese? She was stuck with the monsters all day. She's a saint. We love her. So I learned I have a bad knee. It was kind of a depressing shock. See, until this Subway hike, I haven't actually done anything that might test my knee since before I was married when I went on that backpacking trip with Dan, when I was still letting him think I'm into that sort of thing (I actually had to purchase a backpack and a sleeping bag for that excursion). Anyway, if I hadn't hiked the Subway a few weeks ago, I'd still be in happy oblivion about my knee (three cheers for inactivity!), but actually, it was a lot of fun.

Doing homework with Bennett. It can be time consuming. Understand, Nine is the greatest of those numbers, so it has to have a crown and a throne. Four and Five are lowly servants. They're holding trays of food for Nine. It's good to be Nine.
On the review blog: (500) Days of Summer

For the past eight years, I have believed my husband to be comfortable with his manhood. I looked with some contempt at other men who seemed to need muscle cars, SUVs, and big trucks to compensate for something. Then Dan bought this:
But, hey, it was cheap, and it nicely increases the whole white trash look we've got going in the back yard.
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Bennett made a haunted house. Here are the ghosts:
He told me, "They don't run away when you turn on the light because they're made from non-scaring paper.

A conversation between Bennett and Dan:
B: Daddy, let's play a game.
D: What game?
B: We stare at each other and try not to blink, but the one who blinks first wins.
D: Let me get this straight: the one who blinks first wins?
B: Yes.
D: Well, what's the motivation not to blink if blinking first means you win?
B: That's what makes it so hard.

What a difference a severed head makes...

The property manager of my house in Vegas sent me some pictures of the house, and I'm pleased that it appears as though the tenants are keeping things in good shape. However, this picture was a shock to me:
There is not a single painting on the walls, but severed heads, yes . . . plenty of those! And that was my pretty room. Wow. Still, I'm glad they pay the rent; they don't have to agree with me in matters of decor or hunting.

On the review blog: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (film)

The Culprit:
The Crime:
The Remedy:

Born in the USA

Another 4th has come and gone. We had family in town, and it was a lot of fun, despite Bennett and his cousin, Cole, taking on a toxic plant and learning the consequences, which thankfully only consisted of a couple of days of vomit and misery with no lasting effects. (It was almost darling to see them huddled together over the toilet trying not to hit each other's heads with vomit). It was too bad they were out of commission for two days, since they love spending time together, wreaking havoc and whatnot. Is this picture symbolic of their relationship?Call it tradition or call it masochism, but as I have done almost every year, I joined the throngs for the fireworks display at the Sun Bowl. This year, sadly, no speech from Independence Day was played to get the crowd into a patriotic frenzy under threat of fictional alien invasion, but I wasn't completely let down---I was again treated to the sound of Springsteen shouting "Born in the USA" as I watched the fireworks. Last year I noted that I didn't think the planners of the St. George fireworks show listened to the lyrics before putting this song on the line up. Yet it's been on the line up every year that I can remember, and I wonder, can they be that dense? This year I've got a new theory. I think it could be that they're brilliant, and maybe they really have caught what should be the spirit of the 4th of July. I've decided "Born in the USA" is an incredibly patriotic song. Yes, it's an angry song about war and the plight of veterans coming home, but this is a country that allows complaint and protest, and that is, perhaps, its noblest attribute. Sure, on the 4th we should spend some time being grateful to live here, humming "God Bless America," but we should also spend some time thinking about what mistakes we've made, how we can avoid repeating them, and what we can do to make this country better. Wouldn't it be swell if being born in the USA didn't ever have to mean being sent toting a gun to a foreign land? If patriotism is gratitude and love for one's country with a desire to make and keep it a good place to live, and if nationalism is the belief that one's country is better than anyone else's with a blind defense of the nation's mistakes, let's keep it patriotic. I worry that we indoctrinate our children with nationalism. Bennett came home from school after the "USA" unit telling me how America is the BEST. Dan remembers asking his mother, who spent many of her young years in France, what it was like to live in a country that wasn't free. He was shocked to learn that the USA isn't the only free country. Anyway, in case you've never really listened (or if you just want to watch the part where Bruce Springsteen shamelessly displays his well formed butt in a pair of blue jeans (what's more American?), I give you "Born in the USA" (I love The Boss even more than Meat Loaf):

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA @ Yahoo! Video

And for your benefit, Stefani, Bennett's new favorite song---Bruce Stringbean and the S Street Band's version (though their "Born to Add" is actually better---you can also find Kermit singing "Dancin' in the Dark," complete with Piggy's stellar interpretation of Courtney Cox's role):


After the fireworks:
And this is how we amuse ourselves in my family. Hey, Glitter Ball Table Hockey is the coolest game ever around 1:00 am:

Bwahahahahaha!

Hey, I'm actually documenting an event less than a month after it actually occurred. The Mad Scientist turned six! Here he is in his lab coat wearing, mouth full of chocolate cake glory:

Watch out, Megan and Beka. I think those two may have come up with some new molecules. Let's hope they're not radioactive:


Makin' slime!:"Don't strike till you see the whites of its eye!" Oh, how Dan loves a chance to get in a good one liner. However, despite all of the well timed striking, the eye remained in tact even after all the kids had taken several whacks. Dan had to bring in the muscle:
After Dan had his way with it:
The birthday boy holding the fruits of Dad's labor from the bowls of an eye shaped pinata:
Enjoying a gift from Grandma:

On to Father's Day. I was sick that morning. The kids started their banter around 5:00 am. I whined at Dan to please get up with them. And I got breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. Poor Dan. He did, at least, get to go trekking through Pine Valley with Bennett:
Also, Dan turned really old. Warning: Mushiness will ensue---you might want to get a barf bag or skip this paragraph. I am so very glad Dan was born, and that I had the good fortune to cross his path, and that we managed to get through the most awkward courtship ever and actually end up married. He is so much better than I deserve. Truly I didn't even know a relationship could be this good, and I honestly feel sorry for everyone else, because I'm certain I've got the best marriage. Dan makes me feel beautiful (even when I'm not). He makes me feel like he thinks he got the good deal in this arrangement (which he didn't). We talk about everything, and he always gets me and never thinks I'm crazy. Okay, well, that's not true, he thinks I'm a nut case, but he loves me, even the craziness (okay, that's not entirely true either...but most of the craziness anyway).
I hope this next bit isn't crossing the line. Laraine will someday tell me I shouldn't have made this public, but I can't resist. She came and told me that she's "a mommy." She's got two little ping pong type balls in her dress. Is this based on how she sees my endowments? Should I feel insulted that she didn't at least go for tennis balls? I comfort myself with the knowledge that she could barely fit what she's got down that dress. Here's a "cleavage" shot:

Jasper's trying to get the balls out of her dress in this one:

On the Review Blog: Dan reviewed Up (movie, not preposition---is this joke getting old?)

Thanks to Elizabeth for taking the pictures at Bennett's party.