Amanamongmommies

As with any holiday weekend there is always too much to do.  Three day weekend normally means an extra day of chores, driving or something else.  With the majority of our family in the “General” area there never is a shortage of places to be or things to do.

The Fourth of July

To Do list

• Local Parade
• Cut the Grass
• BBQ @ Brother in Laws Place
• See Fireworks with the kids

After we all got up for the day we got ready and walked down to the local parade route.  The parade is nothing grand, but they do a good job.  This year we decided to bring “Frodo” since he is still a little off with his best friend gone.  All the boys including the dog had a great time and of course there was plenty of candy thrown from floats, fire trucks and of course a local favorite…TRACTORS.

Right away when we walked back I cut the grass which was nice to get done right away.  I actually enjoy cutting the grass when there is time and I am pretty obsessive about it.  I like that my lawn Always looks nice and take pride in the overall look of our yard.

The BBQ

My Brother In Law live about 35 minutes away so we drove to his place and ate way too much.  It was a small affair with Brother In Law, Father In Law, Mother In Law and Mother in Laws “Friend” Mike.  (In Laws are divorced)  Then a couple other friends of MIL showed up as well.  It is unfortunate that no one else from the wife’s family showed up especially the brother just older then the host.  He did a good job and a good time was had by everyone.  A Bonus is that my BIL let me keep his XBOX 360 for a couple more weeks.

Fireworks

We went to the town we grew up in to see the fireworks.  Mundelein, IL.  Wife dad still live there and is less then a mile from where the carnival and main viewing area for the fireworks display.  So we drove out early and parked at the wife’s dads’ place and walked down.  We found a prime spot and got settled and waited for the fireworks to start.  The older boys ran around while the baby watched the lights from the carnival rides and all the people walking by.  The boys had a good time watching the display and again fun was had by all.

The Fifth of July

Housework was the main plan for the morning so I cleaned the bathrooms, kitchen and changed a couple beds.  I actually feel like we are catching up on many of the things that need to get done.  Of course housework is a never ending adventure, but have three days has allowed us to get the other little things done on the mile long To Do List.

Lunch With Friends

I went to lunch with two friends, yes I have friends.  We went to our favorite Pizza Place from our youth, granted this was the “Other” location.  Bill’s Pub North.  Ate way too much pizza and I had a great time talking with my friends.  With all the summer events, classes and the 3 boys it has been difficult to get out much.  A couple hours of great company and Great Pizza makes for a nice day…

Six Flags Great America

In the late afternoon we headed out to Six Flags and the boys had a great time.  I even got away with only riding one ride… The Big Red Cars in the Wiggles World.  8yo, well soon to be 8 went on one of the big wooden roller coasters with mom.  The VIPER!  He was excited to go, but my wife said once the ride started his excitement turned to dread.  They went up the first hill and he was excited, but when they went over the top and DOWN the hill he screamed and yelled MOMMY!!!!  When it was done he decided that it was not for him.  4yo well soon to be 4yo could not be out done so he rode the only coaster he could, Spacely Sprockets.  He too was very excited, except he seemed to really enjoy the little coaster.  We spent a few hours in the crowds of people and then went home…  I hate crowds, but with our schedules right now being weekend warriors is our main way to go to Six Flags…

The 5

1. What Are You Thinking - I like to people watch and it amazes me what people will wear in public.  Seeing young girls and what they are wearing, or not wearing makes me thankful to have boys.  If I were the dad of some of these girls I would probably be going crazy…
2. Big People, Little Rides - With all the kiddie rides that are “Kids and Adult” I can’t get over how many adults insist on riding with the kids.  4yo wanted to ride the Looney Toons Train and so I took both boys over and they got on the train.  It is really small, but an adult may ride with a child which works great with the really little ones.  This couple in front of me had two kids around 5 or 6 years old.  The kids got on themselves and the parents decided to join them.  The kids where in the front of the train and they sat in a train car.  The car could probably hold 8 little kids, but they were both so big they took up the entire car.  I was nice enough to get my boys on the train and let them ride it, not keep 8 little kids waiting for the next ride.
3. Masses of Morons - The more people you get in a small location the lower the collective IQ.  I truly enjoy the people walking 5 across at the theme parks.  I am a big guy (6′3″) and pushing a stroller yet somehow I am invisible to the masses.  I need a cow pusher for the front of the stroller.
4. Cell Phone Etiquette - There are groups pushing a cell phone etiquette month.  I think more people need to be aware of certain behaviors that would be considered bad.  My favorite is actually people walking and talking ont he phone in crowded areas.  Does not take long for them to bump into a bunch of people.  Talking too loud, talking while ordering food, talking is restaurants, talking about personal things…  There is only one time taking a call while eating is ok… In a non busy place with friends when the wife calls. 
5. No Room Move For You - Well we originally had though about moving 8yo to a different move over this weekend, but time was not something on our side.  So instead we did a few little things that will make 8yo happy to be in his room.  We moved the extra TV and DVD play into their room and my old work PC.  Now they can watch DVD’s from their room and 8yo can play with the computer all he wants.