linky love

A very rare picture of my two children acting like they actually like each other. Their need to argue nonstop has been pretty overwhelming lately. The boys are at ages where they both want to be in on the action. I can't tell you how many games of Chutes&Ladders and Candyland I have played lately. I probably played the longest game in known history of Chutes&Ladder on Friday night. Gage is really into it, and poor Owsley just wants to knock the game over. He doesn't understand why Gage doesn't want him to play. He really thinks he is five years old too. It's a difficult time in their age gaps right now, and the only saving grace is bundling up and going to play outside. The upcoming weather forecast is for the mid 60s. Bring it. We are ready for you.

This past weekend was another one spent at Early Works. Then when we got home, two (slightly older) neighborhood kids asked if Gage could play outside. I told them he could, as long as they stayed in our yard. Five minutes later I looked out the window, and there were eight kids, ranging from 8-13 (aside from Gage) drawing on our driveway with chalk. Owsley and I came out a bit later, bearing cookies and popcorn. This is one thing I love about our neighborhood. There may be loud kids running around at all hours, but there is also a really good group of kids who have taken up with Gage on the bus, almost like older siblings looking out for him. And that is a really awesome thing. One day Gage tripped coming off the bus and started crying. A sixth grade boy walked him to our door.

And then last night both of the boys tuckered out from a long day and were in bed (AND ASLEEP) by 7:15. This is the kind of stuff that makes me heart sing show tunes.

Don't even ask what's in this glass as I type up my 'linky love' post. But it has a mummy straw, and that in among itself is pretty swanky. (I see muted Backyardigans in the background. I think. That face looks familiar.) I have recently deemed Saturday nights as the night of the week Peppy gives the boys their baths. And I fully take advantage of my thirty minutes of freedom.

*Early Works had a brand new treehouse dollhouse that the boys played with for almost an hour. I even had lots of fun playing with it. I do believe this will be on a birthday or Christmas list soon.

*I don't have a pinterest account. Horrible I know, right? But I know how very awesome I am at wasting time, so my best bet is to stay far, far away. My good friend Lindsay and I were talking the other day about crafts and ideas for little boys (she has two of her own) and she sent me her boys' life board. I immediately bookmarked it, and will be using these ideas this summer. All the ideas look so easy and fun. I'm pretty excited! The hovercraft, microwavable soap, and bubble blowers are at the top of my list.

*It's always good when you can learn a life lesson from the every day experiences. Kelley learns about an impending gambling problem from an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese.

*If you like 'Gage Says' check out the things Judy's kids are saying.

*The simple things are some of life's greatest treasures.

*This is an awesome list of classic books to read with your daughter. Little Women and The Little House on the Prairie series were some of my favorites growing up. They probably contribute to my ideals about being born in the wrong century.

*Sara Bell posted her own photo every hour.

*A husband asks: What is the correct response to "What do you think of my outfit?"

*I love everything about this necklace. The design, the colors. It's just gorgeous.

*Speaking of things that I like, I want this dress. I don't know where I would wear it. But I really, really like it.

*Peppy and I always check out Cruise Critic before and after a cruise, because it's fun to read the reviews from other cruisers. He emailed me with a positive review from the recent Triumph fiasco. As of Friday, there was also a free Kindle download Triumph over Calamity. I downloaded it, but haven't read it yet. All I can say is....that was pretty fast.

*Did you hear the one about the man who died on the way to his wife's funeral? Sounds like a joke. But it's not.

*Danielle got some new glasses for the first time in six years. Don't they look awesome on her? I absolutely love them!

*I really enjoyed Erica's post on strangers telling her that she is 'so brave' for living in Indonesia.