Questions of the week

This is just a small sample of the questions I have heard this week. Feel free to answer any you might know.

What does business mean?

What does sense mean?

How much money will I make if I invent flying cars? $5 million?

Have you ever gotten carsick?

When was the first time you remember getting carsick?

Have you ever thrown up in the car?

What does 88 dot 99 ($88.99) mean? I don't get that.

What's a Polaroid?

Is there such thing as seasick?

How much blood does someone have in their body?

Can a cavity eat through your teeth?

Can you get on a rainbow?

What would happen if you didn't have any lips?

Why do people bite their fingernails?

What does re-finance mean?

What is this called? [crosses eyes]

How is a tornado made?

Legos for Dummies

I seem to think I'm a relatively smart person. I know how to do "stuff" on computers and read a roadmap. So how is that I don't understand how to put together Legos?

I know what you're thinking. "They just snap together."

They do...but I don't know how the pieces WORK.

I played with Legos as a kid. In the box I had were big rectangle bricks, little rectangle bricks, square bricks, long bricks, a door, a couple of windows and four wheels. Maybe 100 pieces.

My boys have this:

With pieces like these:

Pulleys. Rods. L-shaped pipes. Things that look like a mechanic would use to fix a garage door.

"Play Legos with us," they said.

"OK, what are we building?"

"Cars. Or whatever you want to make."

Easy enough. Or so I thought.

"How do these wheels hook on to this?" I ask.

"You have to find one of these, and one of these, and then go like this."

"Mom, do you want a trailer? Find one of these pieces and then it hooks on like this so you can drag a trailer behind."

"Do you want this windshield? What about these lights and vents?"

This is the car I made. Actually Adam put the wheels on and Zach put the windshield and hood of the car on. So really all I did was snap a couple of bricks together and add headlights.

These are the boys' creations:

Do you think Amazon.com carries "Legos for Dummies?"

To see more Lego creations, visit Adam and Zach's Lego gallery. My favorites are House on Fire, Christmas Candle, and Blanky.

Fourth of July

Lots of activity on the Fourth of July this year.
Sherry, Matthew and Jake arrived Thursday night. Katie and Steve were following the next day.

The boys played with Legos much of the weekend. And they even made their way into the bathroom.
July 3: Rain
Grandma's 98th birthday party included lunch, cake and presents. A private concert was held in honor of Grandma.

July 4th: Rain
Again, our plans for swimming were foiled. So we went bowling instead.
To pass the time until the festivities began, we took pictures like this:
Scott got the grill ready.
And there was even a little golf playing...
It did clear up enough to have our Fireworks finale.

July 5: Rain
Adam and Zach had art class in the morning. During the hour long class, Sherry and I slipped into Ann Taylor and did a little damage to our pocketbooks...the good news is everything was on sale! I even talked Sherry into buying some clothes that weren't practical. That's the biggest news of all.

Then afternoon indoor swimming at the Y.

Movie night finished off the day. Ice Age.

Parents: Just say no

Articles like this in the LA Times amaze me:

McDonald's faces lawsuit over Happy Meals


An organization is suing McDonald's saying that having toys in its Happy Meals contribute to childhood obesity by luring young children to the unhealthy food offered at their restaurants.

That's very interesting considering a child must be driven there by an adult who also pays for their food. Parents are responsible for what goes into the mouths of their children. So, hey parents, how about you just say no?

My boys ask a lot to go to McDonald's. Occasionally we go, but most of the time I say no for a variety of reasons. If we do eat there, most of the time I make them split fries and apple dippers (without the caramel) and drink white milk. Do the whine for chocolate milk or soda? Yes. Do they whine for ice cream for dessert? Yes. Do they whine that they want a toy? Yes.

But guess what. I'm the parent. What I say goes. Yes, it's annoying. Yes, it's what kids do. But come on people, blaming McDonald's for childhood obesity? McDonald's is not responsible for your child, YOU are.

I'm not advocating for McDonald's. The food is not healthy. But it's unreasonable to think you can avoid eating there. But there are choices...apples instead of fries. Hamburger instead of cheeseburger. Milk. Or better yet, save calories and money and eat at home.

I sound like a broken record

Remember this post: Why is there underwear in the CD player (or things I thought I would never do or say until I had children)?

Here's another list: Things I say every day (maybe not EVERY day, but it sure seems like it).

I can't hear you when you whine.

Please stop pushing buttons.

Just find something to wear.

Please don't ask me again.

You know, regular kids are still asleep.

No, you can not watch a move.

No, you cannot play the Wii.

No, you cannot get on Lego.com.

No, you cannot have a piece of candy for a snack.

Milk or water?

I don't know what we're going to do today.

Remember, in the morning when we are all getting ready to go is not a good time to ask me to take a picture of your Lego creation and upload it to your Lego Gallery.

Did you flush?

Did you wash your hands?

Because I said.

When you are an adult you can have as many cookies as you want.

That's too loud.

You need to be asleep right now (this is only said to Zach).

I don't need to know that.

Let Zach answer (only said to Adam).

I'm talking right now.

I'm on the phone right now.

Boys...[insert Mom warning voice]

Is everyone buckled?

Find something to do or I will give you chores.

Turn around, sit on your bottom, and eat your food.

That's not good manners.

Remember how we talked about personal space? You're invading mine.

Good night, sweetie pie.