Thanks for the laugh:

Ally. I'm sure you're right. I was just imagining you playing with your barbies while we were supposed to be picking up your room. I made up the whole thing. You were such a big help and I appreciate you setting me straight.

Dog in the car at Publix. I very much enjoyed watching you in the running car with the windshield wipers on. I just had to stand around outside and watch. Watch as people pulled up beside you and had that look of curiosity on their faces too. Watch as small children giggled at the thought of you turning on the wipers. Watch in anticipation of your owner returning to the car to realize that perhaps leaving a muzzled large dog in a car that is running with the doors unlocked could potentially provide tons of entertainment for me, but lots of damage for her.

Caleb. Realizing you have a teddy voice.

Ben. Ok. So I can't hide. But the look on your face if I had succeeded would have been priceless.

Joshua. I stink at Rock, Paper, Scissors - you've confirmed it.

Hayden. Ally is the least of your worries. Your Daddy and brothers will certainly spare no opportunity to embarrass you.

Lady at gymnastics. At least you aren't picking on me and the boys anymore, well, this past Monday, anyways. I'm sure the teacher appreciated you correcting her. How do you think your daughter's name looks with a big X next to it?

I know, too much information.

Oh, how I love car rider line. And to think I get to do it twice each day; first to get Ally and then to get Hayden. The peace, and quiet all around. Reading, catching up on paperwork and chatting with friends on cell phones. Laying your head back and resting for a few minutes. Yeah right. Not in the Goode van. Always something going on. "I need a snack. " "I need a drink" "Roll down my window" "Go, Mommy, Go" "Caleb hit me" "Joshua hit me" "Do you care if I hang upside down?" "QUIT KICKING MY CHAIR" "Why do I have to study my spelling words, I already know them" "Did you bring me a snack?" and my all time favorite: "Mom, he's really got to go" Well thanks to my drinking habit, Diet Coke that is, I now have a solution . . . for at least 2/3's of the riders. I'm guessing this will be a fun "activity" for the car rider line for at least the next few days.

At least we aren't dropping our pants at the first sign of grass!

The aquarium

We chose to spend our labor day at the Chattanooga Aquarium. A little get away to give everybody a break from our typical routine.

Here's how it all played out:

Cost of parking $7

Cost of 1 coffee, 1 frappuccino, and a magazine for Ben $20

Cost of 1 pizza, 1 salad and 6 drinks plus tip $40

Cost of a 1 year membership for our family to the aquarium $100

Cost to play in the water in front of the aquarium FREE

What do you think they liked the most? Yep. You got it.

Always a party.

Today was the fun run. Honestly, one of my favorite activities at school. I mean who wouldn't want to stand in the heat, in a cow pasture and watch a bunch of sweaty kids run. The best part(if one of the previous isn't)is that it is run by about 8 guys in their early 20's with lots of fun music playing. I guess I need to make it clear that I am not scoping out these guys. I like how they get into the action and especially their dancing skills. One in particular could have possibly been on So You Think You Can Dance. He was just that good. I'm thinking he might have known the "Hoedown Throw down" a little too well. But I digress . . . Ally did great. She ran and ran and walked and danced and ran and talked to her friends and danced and daydreamed and ran. Sad news for those of you that pledged her money. She reached the max - 35 laps. As much as I tried to encourage her to visit the water table and dance and stop for photos, her Daddy wanted her to "win" the race. She did, but not without typical Ally style. At various times during the run, Ally would slow and she would get a "Go Ally, you can do it". To which her reply would be, "My bottom hurts". To which Ben and I would look at each other and say, "What? Her bottom hurts". After 3 times we got it and didn't really ask for further explanation. I guess I was trying to figure out 1. who heard us 2. what does running and your bottom have to do with each other? Ben I think was trying to ignore the whole thing and push her to the finish. The boys weren't thrilled with the fun run. Before it started Ben had to make a quick run to the potty. I did toy with the idea of going in the grass but I couldn't figure out the logistics. Caleb enjoyed the boppers for a while but then took a seat in the pasture. I was able to distract them for 2 minutes to get a bagel with jelly, but they were pretty much done before the halfway mark.