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.

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the Present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let the Facts be submitted to a candid World.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People; unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.

He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.

He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and Amount and Payment of their Salaries.

He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.

He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislature.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:

For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule in these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Powers to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.

He is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic Insurrections among us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.

Nor have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of the divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code. See Copyright.

Daily Picture: The New Microwave Oven

GE 1.1 Cu. Ft. Capacity Counter top Microwave Oven

This past week the microwave decided it did not want to work any longer.  We have had it for like 12 years and it started giving us so much trouble.  I really only use it for limited things so we did not need to go crazy on a new one.  Anything would be better then the problem microwave…  $64.00 at Wal-Fart…

Swim Team

Yesterday we had another meet as well as a party after the events.  7yo ended up with 4 ribbons for his efforts.  Granted in every case he was the only one or was last.  There were not too many kids in his age group.  Honestly he has gotten much better and his skinny little profile is now really tone as well.  He has had a blast and I honestly think this is where is sports future is.  He has football in the fall, but I am pretty sure after this year he will be done.  Too small for the game.

Trouble Again

The boys have really been going at each other lately and today were fighting about a tiny rubber snake.  One of around thirty.  I told the boys they would need to share and not fight.  They fought more and after 4 times telling them if they did not calm down and stop fighting I would throw the disputed toy in the garbage.  The final straw was 3yo running into my office where the baby was sleeping and screaming at me about the toy.  They both we given time outs and I took the toy and put it in my file cabinet.  The both think the toy is in the big outside trash can.  Garbage comes on Saturday and they have until then to start behaving and listening to me.  If they do I will get the toy out…

The 5

1. Aussie Rescue - The Australian Shepard Rescue Organization contacted me again today and we have a home visit scheduled for Monday.
2. Sleep - With the loss of Sebastion I have found it difficult to fall asleep.  The boys of course are getting up really early so that has not been fun.
3. Laptop Coming - My work laptop is coming Monday so I will no longer be stuck in my office.  Hopefully I will be able to get more work done at different times so I can enjoy the family a little more.
4. Thunder Storms - Bigger Rolling Thunder Tonight… 3yo up crying… He hates storms
5. Help To Move - I need to have family and friends help me move my old TV from the family room to the finished Basement Rec Room.  With the Hernia I can not do it… DOH!!!

Daily Photo: Bonfire at DADSTOCK  (Courtesy Of Steve Serres)

Friday

Friday was probably one of the worst days I have had in a very long time.  Having to say goodbye to a best friend was just awful.  If you have never been a pet person it is hard to understand.  Sebastion was my friend and he would do anything for our family.  To have him not being able to walk,eat or do much of anything was difficult for me to see.   I am glad I was there for him in the end, but at the same time seeing him go will haunt me forever.  He is now in Doggie heaven chasing after his old pal Raggles…

Saturday

Went to DADSTOCK!!!  Ate too much, Drank too much and had a fantastic time.  The bonfire was so large and hot it was tough to be within 30 feet of it.  A day of drinking and chatting with other Dads was a welcome get away.  And NO I was not driving… Thanks again STEVE!!!  While I was gone the kids visited Grandma and Grandpa and the wife took the older boys to Six Flags Great America.  They had a long and exciting day as well.

Sunday

Hang Over and Yard Work.  I woke up feeling the effects of too many beers and too much RUM!  I spent the day fighting the rain while I did house and yard work.  The wife too the kids to some friends for the afternoon while I cut the grass, trimmed the bushes hit Home Depot and Menards, Added a shelf next to the loft bed in the boys room.  I think the only negative is I spent a long time alone with my thoughts which were focuses on one thing only.

The 5

1. Hybrid Escape - Steve drives a Hybrid Ford Escape and is what we took to Dadstock.  It is the strangest thing to be sitting at a stop sign and it sounds like the car is off.  I had fun playing with the computer seeing our MPG as we went.
2. New TV - We have been looking at getting a new TV for the family room and just pulled the trigger last night.  After doing a TON of research we were set on a Samsung LN40A650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV I looked around and did research and found that AMAZON had the best price for the TV I wanted as well as FREE SHIPPING and no sales tax… Saved a FEW hundred bucks!  It has a 40″ screen which will just fit in the sold wood entertainment center and all the features we wanted.
3. Too Sad - Friday was really a dark day.  I miss my good friend and keep looking for him during the day.  I have also used the plural when asking about our little dog “Frodo”
4. Aussie - Well we look like we will be approved to be a home for a rescued Australian Shepard.  We had talked about a puppy, but felt that with the current ages of the kids and complete lack of time that a puppy would be way too much for use to deal with. Here is to hopefully finding an Aussie in need.
5. New Microwave - Not only did we buy a new TV, but we HAVE to get a new microwave oven.  Our trusty little one died.  Luckily I do not use it for much so I only need about a 1.1 cu ft one.  Going CHEAP!

Daily Picture: McHenry Marlins Swim team Logo

My 7yo son is a member of the team and in his first year.  He is on the Second Team 8yo and Under.  This is his first real swimming other then basic lessons through the park district.  He has improved dramatically these past few weeks.

Like Herding Cats…

Tonight was another swim meet and I volunteered to be in charge of gathering the kids 8 and under and getting them to where they needed to be.  First we need to find them all and then of course get them to the right lanes and races all while races of different ages are going on all around us.  With the younger kids it truly is like herding cats.  You think you have them all and then one is gone.  Collect them back from their parents and another is missing.  Once they get into place we also need to remind them what stroke and distance over and over and over again.  There is so much going on and so many kids moving in different directions it is amazing anything gets done.  Then of course there is the wild card with the little kids when they get tired… They won’t get into place.  The coaches, parents and friends cheer them on, but they refuse to get into the water.  Tonight’s meet was at a private country club and another Dad and I could only think about Caddy Shack and Caddy Day at the pool.  It was an average club and the pool as a true swim pool was not too good.  I could just see some guys looking at the pool from the greens going they let these people in here…  Overall the meet was pretty good and the little ones tried really hard.  I can just see in a few year my son looking like a pro.

The 5

1. Jumper - Watched that off and on today and it was not too bad.  The effects were cool and the actors overall were not too bad.   I actually liked the concept and of course Samuel L Jackson is “Bad Motherf*****”…
2. 10,000 BC - This one is next up.  It looks cool, but the review I have read are rather poor.
3. Mr Mouthy - 7yo has really begun to push it lately.  Today I was talking to the baby and he said in a very snobby tone… “Dad, Ah He Can’t Understand What You Say!”  I said I was aware of that and… then he interupts and repeats his comment.  I silenced him and said in a very matter of fact tone that he may not be able to understand what your saying, but he understands I am talking to him.  I just about lost it today…
4. Little Kids, High Blocks - The starting blocks at the meet tonight were really high and seeing the little kids on them was rather interesting.  Many chose to go from the side since the height was a little much.
5. Sebastion still here - Well the Vet said about a week and we are at two weeks now.  He is just starting to act off and not eating.  I can not imagine he will be able to get through the week.  If he is still happy and not showing signs of dispare or problems we will let him ride it out.  He has been enjoying long days on the patio looking over the yard.

The Daily Intake

Well today was still a bit odd since I have not been too hungry with recovering from the Flu.

• Breakfast: Meal Replacement Shake.  Men’s Health has nothing but good things to say about Shakes and Smoothies
• Lunch: Light Tortilla Pizzas.  Little 8″ shells with a small amount of sauce and cheese.  When they are done they are kind of like warm chips.
• Snacks: Granola Bars and Granola Breakfast Cookie (Snacked while at swim meet walking the deck)
• Dinner: Bowl of Chrispex Cereal with Skim Milk.  9:00 PM after the meet.
• Other: 32 Ounces of Green Gatorade.  While walking around in the sun for three hours I had some Gatorade on hand.  With the sun and warm temps mixed with walking the pool deck for three hours it was well needed.

Reading a few other Dad blogs and a desire to get back in shape has inspired me to create a special page just for my weight loss efforts.  So I guess today is the first day of the rest of my life, or something like that.  When I went into the Hospital a few weeks ago I was 269 pounds OUCH!  After being sick for 10 days I dropped down to about 258. So now the true test begins with some minor and major goals set with regular weigh ins.  I have been down this road before, but after breaking my elbow and having tendon surgery I put on a bunch of weight.  My lightest as an adult was 217 pounds around when my second son was born almost 4 years ago which was down from my heaviest of 275.  So I have a new tab (at the top of the page) that will track my progress along with regular posts on how I am doing.  It will contain my goals and weigh ins as I atempt to get back into a shape other then round.  I am also going to add a section like the 5 that includes what I have had for the day titled “The Daily Intake” this will help me keep track and keep me honest.  Not only will I have to keep records for myself, but records for my blog forcing me to remember.  So at the end of the day when I post I will have the “The Daily Intake” as a special feature.

A few years ago I got involved with Weight Watchers, but only by myself and I did not do the meetings.  I have no time for that and it was successfull until I started eating really badly after the problems I had.  So after years of being a rollercoaster I am going to try this again.  I am basically following the WW plan, but with some modifications that I have found important in my overall diet.  LEIN PROTEIN will be king…

So here is to a NEW BEGINNING!

Daily Picture: Baby in High Chair.

Tried out the High Chair today and he was having a good old time.  A bit of a lean though…

Saturday Nights Alright

Saturday Night we had a neighbor couple and their two boys over for Dinner.  Well the adults had dinner while the 4 picky boys played like wild boys in the back yard.  I grilled up some nice New York Strips, Homemade Salsa, Fruit, Corn Bread and a nice Ceasar Salad.  The Beer on tap was Goose Island Summertime.  We had a wonderful time just hanging out while the boys played and played and played.  By the end of the evening too much food was consumed and 4 boys were wiped out.  We plan on doing this a bit more often switching houses and every third time go out without the kids.  Should be fun…

The Old Switch-A-Roo

When the baby was born we decided to move the two older boys soon to be 8 and 4 into a room together.  We have a 4th bedroom in the basement, but 8yo is not ready for that.  So since there are only 3 upstairs bedrooms we thought that having the two older boys share for a couple years would be a good thing.  Well as it turns out it has been a bit of a bust.  7 yo ( has been struggling since his brother wakes him up all the time and he has no private space.  The other issue is with bedtime, 3yo might need to go to bed earlier, but it becomes difficult to have two different bedtimes when they share a room.  This weekend this private space came to a head when 7yo had a total breakdown with his brother not letting him be alone for even a minute.  So after discussin it for a while the wife and I have decided to switch the rooms up again. 7yo will get the small room that is currently the babies room and the baby will share with 3yo.  This will give 7yo his own room and 3yo kind of his own room.  Currently the baby sleeps in our room and will more then likely nap in our room so 3yo can have full access to the room during the day.  So now we have to do a little painting and decorating as well as make 3yos room a little more special.  In a way he is excited, but he is also sad his big brother is moving out.  This will be an interesting move and then when 7yo is ready he can move to the basement room and we will switch up the other rooms for the younger boys.  At times I wish we had another bedroom upstairs, but in reality we do not need it.  We have plenty of space and to get something bigger now to down size later is silly.

Down for the Count

Yesterday afternoon I all of a sudden had a headache, stomach ache and fever…  A few neighbors had the Flu a little while back an I was around them.  With my system beat down I am sure it was not hard for me to catch something.  Well by the early evening I could not stay warm and was sweating.  I had a rather tough night, but by this evening I feel at about 80%.  I really, really need to stop with this sick and hurt stuff.  If I was a horse I would be glue…

The 5

1. Borrowed XBOX 360 - My Brother In Law is letting me borrow his XBOX 360 for a couple weeks.  He let me borrow a bunch of games as well and I had a peak at a few tonight.
2. Guitar Hero III - Neighbor let me borrow Guitar Hero III and I played for a bit tonight.  It really is just the old game SIMON with a rock beat.  It is however an entertaining way to waste time
3. Games - HALO 3, Call of Duty 4, BIOSHOCK, GEARS of WAR, ASSASSINS CREED, TOMB RAIDER, BLUE DRAGON, DEVIL MAY CRY, SKATE, FATAL INERTIA
4. Neighbor Offer - My neighbor in passing said he would sell my his 360 since he does not play it.  He has 360, PS3, Wii so he has a ton on his plate.  He likes to buy the latest thing then gets bored quickly.  Might have to see what he wants for it… Then somehow have the wife think it is a good thing… : )
5. Brother In Law and Brother - Both have the Wii and 360 so I rarely have to buy games.  If I were to get a 360 I would have a library of games that I could borrow… Hmmmm

Daily Picture: Elephant at the Milwaukee Zoo

This picture took me 5 or 6 times to actually get with the ears out.  I love Digital Cameras!

The Zoo Trip

We typically go to the zoo at least once a summer and this year we did it on the first day of summer.  The wife took the day off and not only did we have one more in our family, but we had my son’s friend that is with us on Fridays.   So the wife and I were going around the Zoo with 4 boys which was a lot of fun, but amazingly tiring.  The funny thing is my oldest is about a head shorter then his friend and his friend has the same hair cut and similar look to my boys.  I am sure people thought we had four boys… Not a bad thing, but I can not get credit for four boys, just three.  We left a little later then usual with swim practice, but made pretty good time to the Zoo even with one stop to feed the baby.  While mom fend the baby in the back of the van the other 3 boys and I took a bathroom break and I treated them to Fries at McDonald’s.

Once at the Zoo 3yo only wanted to go the the Fish and Reptile house while 7yo just wanted the open aviary.  Well they both had to wait we went through the Apes and Monkeys first.  Of course with the day we had plenty of LOOK LOOK and WAIT WAIT, but all the boys were very well behaved.  The boys of course loved the petting zoo and they Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches They loved to touch them and it was a true highlight for the boys.  After that we went to the Bird Show and even with the bright sun the boys had a good time watching the birds and especially seeing the Bald Eagle up close.   I also got a special treat when I was included in the show.  I got to hold a bottle for a Raven to fly over take and drop in a recycling bin.  At the end of our day we stopped and the final exhibit for the Sting Ray and Sharks.  There was a large pool with the rays that the kids could reach in and touch them as they floated and “flew” by.

By the end of the day everyone was really tired and had a great time.   The Zoo is always a fun trip for everyone and even as the kids get older they find more and more ways to enjoy going.

A Few More Pictures…

The Polar Bears

The Flamingos

Sleeping Rhino

Another Wonderful Day!

Daily Picture: DADSTOCK 2007… (DADSTOCK 2008 is 10 Days away…)

Well the baby is following in the footsteps of 3yo and Dad with his amazing ability to poop!  In two days he has gone so much in one diaper that he has hit two outfits.  Nothing like picking up the baby and having an arm full of nasty warm baby poop…   Then of course that baby poop is like toxic waste and gets everywhere.  Trying to get a little boy out of a Onesy with poop on it is also a big challenge.

Practice and Play Dates

3yo pretty much plays with a couple little kids while his brother is at swim practice.  He played with two little girls at practice and then came home and had a Play Date with a neighbor.  By bedtime he was rather tired and worn out.

Happy Birthday Mr. Phillip!!!

Well one of my closest friends and the friend I have known the longest just caught up to me on age.  So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND… I know your much better half reads this…

The 5

1. Bike Ride - Was back on the saddle again today and testing out the comfort or discomfort level of riding with a hernia.  I really wish I had a recumbent to help with the strain.  I did ride for more then 30 minutes, but it was a little more uncomfortable then it should be.
2. Bourne Movies - Rumor has it that there is officially a 4th installment coming soon.  I am excited since the series is a favorite of mine.  I never read the books, but the cold war era stuff really does not interest me.
3. Spelling and Grammar Part II - Well I know I make mistakes when I blog, but I really do not proof read.  I like to write and write as I think and on a rare occasion I will go back.  I do know the correct grammar most of the time, but having 3 kids and the wife I find myself being drawn and quartered by busy days.  Writing after a day with 3 kids should be an Olympic event.
4. Swimsuit - 7yo’s Swim Team Jammer came in today.  He was so excited he had to try it in out pool.  They are like bike shorts for swimming.
5. Small World - While at the pool today an older swimmer was trying to get kids to try out water polo.  Turns out the guy is a friend of my brothers and played with him in College.