Summer has come and gone. *sigh*

Generally speaking I don't care for summer. I hate the hot, the humidity, the trying to fill days with things to do for the kids so they're not "bored". I'm not terribly creative. Parks and museums can only go so far. This summer has been ridiculously hot and humid. Which stuck us in the house quite a bit. Couple that with major renovations, kids who learned how to fight with each other about everything, and it was going to be a long summer.

However. Here I am. The very very end of August. And school just around the corner. And yes...*sob* Claire is going to Kindergarten this year. I look back at our summer and think...."Shit! That was fast!!!" So....here is a photo representation of our summer. After our big trip to the BWCA, we did a lot close to home. With the exception of a trip to Iowa. For Ryan's work. NOT for fun and relaxation.

There were 2 birthdays. A huge ridiculous joint birthday party at a roller rink with 25 kids ages 5-7. Korean Culture Camp. A few playdates with friends who we love. And of course the Minnesota State Fair.

Tomorrow will be back to school for both kids. Did you see that? BOTH kids. WAAaaaahhhh....




This girl with Miles was his "camp girlfriend". She was the teen helper in his class and she always held his hand. He loved her. And cried the last day of camp because he wouldn't see her again. It was sad.









Claire HAS to have her Cotton Candy. It's the only thing she asks for at the fair.





Well happy summer all. Next post...will be one of two things. The finished upstairs, or the sobbing mom of 2 school age kids.

*I made the photos tiny because there are so many. If you want to see the larger version, just click on it.

Things Claire says and does.

"Nothing like a cool breeze in my enchanted forest!" (She says this shaking her butt. I have NO idea where she learned it. No one's happier about it than Ryan. Hee hee)

"That is some funky junk brutha!" (She says this to Miles when he's saying..........stuff)

"You're trapped in my secret love potion!" (She uses this one when I put her to bed and she hugs me)

Something something happened..."back in 1987" (All things occur in the year 1987 for some reason)

Then there's this.....


It's her dream to be a blonde. My girlfriend says she looks like Donatella Versace. You decided.



And this......Oh yeah..the kitchen looks crazy. Not done at all.


5 years old is going to be VERY interesting!

Drunk house painting.

We're painting the house today. Another step in the VERY long renovation process. Our friends are coming to help us out. One friend in particular is VERY, how do I say this...um...he's very.....well....PARTICULAR, about every aspect of painting. Which I love. Don't get me wrong. But I was instructed to NOT do the painting myself. Ha ha..cause he's particular.

But the prep is what's killing me. They are due to come over and get started fairly soon this beautiful Saturday morning. Ryan and I spent until about 11:30 last night spackling, sanding, and washing walls. And we have vaulted ceilings. So...the stretching that was involved...oh Lord my back is screaming at me. We had the kids overnight at my parents house. The dust alone would have killed poor Miles.

But I should know what I'm getting into with THIS project specifically. When my friend said he and his partner were coming over, I was instructed to have Bloody Mary's available. Whoa. Guess things could get a little...well...more to come I guess.

How dare you Google!

Well...I was fully intending on blah blah blah-ing about nothing important, but when I logged into my account here, Google asked me for my phone number. They actually told me if I didn't add it, I "could" lose all my stuff.

Like...a cyber threat, but not really. Kinda like do this or "THIS"/ "YOU" could get wacked. What the hell?

Why do they need my phone number? What are they going to do with it? How will they locate my "stuff" if they have my phone number? Isn't the fact that I have an individualized email account username AND password enough to find my stuff if lost? Or maybe not?

I don't get it. Google. You're taking over the world. Why do you need my little old phone number? I don't know how I feel about it. Maybe someone could "Google that for me."

The week from hell

We've had Korean Culture Camp this past week. Both kids' birthdays. Multiple sleepovers. 3 birthday parties thrown by me. And.....more trips to the Mayo Clinic this next week. Ugh. I need a vacation from my summer vacation.

The house is coming together. We have furniture in the living room. Still looking for a dining room table. But the 90 year old Finnish table from my GG grandmother is useful, as well as the 4 folding chairs we have to sit on. And....that's about it.

We are headed to Iowa again this next weekend. (Help me Jeebus!) It was almost impossible to get a hotel room as they have their State Fair going on this weekend. Goody! (insert livestock and farming joke here) And Ryan will be working pretty much the entire time. I should really just stay home. But.....the kids love to travel with him. Hopefully things will slow when school starts again. Birthday party and Camp goodness coming soon. Happy August!

A good laugh

I've been dealing with A TON of Asian women this week due to Miles being at Korean Culture Camp. And let me tell you what. From what I've seen this week...THIS photo is true. Damnit!