I Heart TJ Maxx. Bumps. And a little project.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, J. How has preschool which means that Eli and I must find something to do with ourselves. Translation: I rack my brain to think of stores that open at 9am and bring along organic lollipops to feed my youngest so that he is content while I stroll the aisles.

This past week, we cruised over to TJ Maxx. I tried on $200 pink sunglasses (they were on clearance but pink and I didn't get along as well as I had hoped) ... and on my way to housewares ... I found this:
Toobers and Zots. I had no idea what it was but if you know me ... you know that I can't turn down a creative looking thing ... especially if it is wearing that cute yellow clearance tag! We took them both.
Well ... it was the best $2 I've spent in a long time. How wanted to make a guitar. He wanted to have a rock concert.
He's a great musician. And what's even better ... is this guitar was silent. Ahh ... it was beautiful!
This one, however, must have been waiting for Bono himself to come through our doors because he just wasn't all that impressed with How's repertoire ...
That is ... until ...
Mr. Rock and Roll began giving his audience lessons in the "rock pose." That's right ... you hang onto your guitar, put one hand in the air and yell ... "ROCK AND ROLL!"
Oh ... and it helps if you wave to the immense crowds listening to you outside who've waited in the 100+ heat just to get within ear's shot of your talent.
I think all that excitement was worth the price of admission, don't you?
And later that night, the rock magic must have worn off because this cute head met up with the side of a table. I'm still not sure how it happened ... given that he's a good 2 feet taller than the table but with this kid ... I guess anything is possible.
I know you wanted a closer look. You're welcome.
And in bedroom news. Hmm ... that didn't sound quite right. Let's try again. And in bedroom DECORATING news ...
These three pears found a home. They're fabulous. The room needed a pinch more green and this metal sculpture thing-y was just perfect!
And with Ben on yet another trek across the country ... my inner-craft woman came out. I saw these in a magazine not too long ago and thought I'd give it a try. (Ohh ... I actually LOVE the ones in this link. I might have to try that one next year!) It's a disease. I must have a project to work on. I also organized just about every cupboard in this house. If it hadn't been used in the two years we've lived here ... it had to go.
If my cupboards are still clean in a few days ... I might just post pictures. I'll need to have it on record for a few months from now when they've returned to their former ways. Oh ... and our laundry nook is almost complete. Six months in the making. I just need a little more fabric and maybe a bird or two and it will be done. I know you're on the edge of your seats!
And ... I'm thinking of making one of these this weekend? What do you think?

Back to City Life.

Our last few days in Montana were wonderful. Filled with lots of outdoor fun. Fun that you would think would wear a child out ... but I'm not sure that ever happened with these four boys!
First up ... there was bouncing fun to be had at a local park ... put on by Nick and Amy's church ... it's totally cool that the pastor's wife knew my kids were not from that neck of the woods ... since they were wearing LONG SLEEVES! It was cloudy and below 85 ... and don't think I wasn't wearing jeans ... because I was!
All the boys had a blast on the super slide ...
All of them ... except Eli ... who made friends with the gals at the dessert table ... and pounded five ... maybe six desserts in record time!
The next day was the River City Fest in downtown Missoula ... we got there late but totally enjoyed the fact that most everyone else had gone home already. Bummer no one else was around to truly appreciate Ben's bongo solo ...
And you guessed it ... where there is a festival ... there are MORE bounce rides!
I love this picture of Matthew!
Then we hiked across the grass to take pictures with these bike racks. It was my inner photographer coming out ... if only my children were wanting to cooperate and LOOK AT THE CAMERA!
Off to more creative things like modern art projects ... Andrew is helping Eli perfect his whale!
And rolling in the grass ...
And wanting Ben to experience the 50 cent carousel ... that goes ON and ON and ON ...
And getting a picture of the two of us ...
And then having to say goodbye to our friends ... and pile in the car for a three hour trek to the airport ... but not before we pulled off the highway for a gander at this town ... Blog Of A Lifetime ... this one's for you!
And as we were driving onto the airport property, Ben got a text saying our flight was delayed. Good thing this excavator was there, trying to dig up some concrete. Kept our boys entertained for a good twenty minutes.
And then we got to Vegas. No one slept on the plane ride there. And when we arrived, our flight to PHX had been canceled. Super. I can't think of anything more fun than shuffling around the Vegas airport with two children who haven't napped. So ... we rode the tram. EIGHT HUNDRED TIMES!
As soon as we landed in Phoenix, this one decided to do something he hadn't done ALL DAY ...
And this one ... well ... he didn't appear to be phased at all by the fact he had been up for seventeen hours with NO SLEEP!

Thanks for having us ... Nick, Amy, Matthew and Andrew! We loved Montana!

Buffalo. Burgers. Boats.

Up next ... was the big trip to Flathead Lake.  On the way, was the National Bison Range.  Our directions ... just turn left at the light suspended by a single wire.  Yet another thing I loved about Montana!!  The need to go share a little wildlife knowledge with our children was HUGE because on the previous day, our dear (and what I thought to be excessively bright) oldest child saw herd of cows and said, "Look, Mom.  Elephants!"  

Eli was not intimidated by the large stuffed bison.  In fact, he tried to make serious friends with the taxiderm-ied  dude ... the concept of "stuffed" was completely lost on the little guy.  

And when we told him we would go see "real" buffalo ... he stuffed his hands in his pockets and slowly strolled out the door.  

Unfortunately, the trip to see the REAL buffalo would have taken over an hour ... so I settled for pictures in front of antelope antlers.  Why there are antelope antlers at the National Bison Range is still confusing to me ... but 

The city boys didn't seem to mind!  And really, our trip to the bison capital of the world worked out great because we were all starving ...

And lucky for us ... a joint right across the street was serving up fresh BURGERS!

Joshua found this fierce watchdog while we were waiting for our food ... 

After chowing down on some excellent grub ... including the tastiest deep fried tater tots one has ever consumed ... it was back on the road ... 

Where we spotted a private herd of buffalo.  And yes ... I completely skipped over telling our children that we just ate one of those. 

Up next ... 

We all piled into Grandpa Matt's boat for a little fishing/swimming excursion ... Matthew was kind enough to leave the bag of squirmy worm bait right next to me.  Very thoughtful!  All four kiddos caught a fish ... 

Eli, in all seriousness, walked over to Grandpa Matt and asked to catch a whale.  You should have seen the look of disappointment when Matt said he could only catch fish.  

How and Eli got turns driving the boat ... 

And this brave one decided to jump in the FRIGID waters ... 

But this brave one ... he didn't require any thinking.  Andrew just belly flopped right into the H2O!  I'm not sure what was more impressive ... his flop or Ben's camera skills!

On the way home, Eli decided life on land was more his thing and declared he was "all done boat" ... and we trekked back to the house for dinner.

I think we could all get used to that view!

The city duo checking out their spider find ... 

And yet another attempt to get a picture of the four of us.  Hmm ... we're getting better.  I have 3 more months of trying before attempting the perfect Christmas card picture.  Or better yet ... I might just compile a collage of the 29 attempts we made throughout the year!

Kissing Fishes.

Day 2 of Montana ... the older-older boys (Ben and Nick) were working/studying in the morning which meant ... it was time to trek outdoors with the rest of the crew.  Amy suggested a FABULOUS PARK ... and once How spotted the tire swing ... he was happy.  Or dizzy.  Or nauseous ... but at least he was entertained!!

In his tire zone ... 

Dragon Hollow had a bit of medieval flare ... and How and Eli tried out their music skills ...

And this one ... well ... he must have been moved to kiss that huge Montana fish ... 

After running around (and having the park completely to ourselves!!), How gave us a highly entertaining pre-lunch dance ... 

Let's EAT!  Ahem ... let's try to coral 4 boys for 5 minutes and bribe them with a carousel ride ... if they'd sit down and nibble!

Seriously ... this kid can find a mirror ANYWHERE!

Keeping track of "the actives" was hard work ... not made any easier when Eli decided that hide and go seek would be fun.  Well, it would have been fun ... just if he had told me first!

Finally ... the carousel!  It was totally worth the price of admission.  50 cents.  And it went on ... and on ... and on ... and on!  After the park, Amy sent her boys to her parent's place and my crew took naps ... 

And went down slides HEAD FIRST ... 

And tried to eat dandelions ...

And played until the sun went down ... 

And played even after the sun went down ... 

And had their ears perk up when we told them of our upcoming adventures ... a BOAT RIDE!!  Four boys ... Four adults ... One boat ... oh ... you'll want to stay tuned!