We’ll be leaving soon for our trip…

My bags are {almost} packed…

My house is tidied for the wonderful and amazing friend who is housesitting…

We have suitcases full of sunscreen, snorkels, and underwater cameras…

And a surprise helicopter tour planned for the boys.

We have people to see, and memories to make.

This afternoon Jack walked into the den and said:

Hey Mom and Dad…

Ahula! We’re going to Hawaii!

Though I had some reservations about letting him go, Jack went on a field trip today with his preschool.

He went to an ostrich ranch.

Yes, those do exist.

Ask Kellie.  She has been there.

This is how he came back to me this afternoon:

And this is his story:

Mom, something very dangerous happened to me today.

What?

I was petting an ostrich and it bit me. Hard.

WHAT? WHERE?

Right here.

It was bleeding all the way down my arm.

Really? All the way down?

Yup. It was dripping off of my – what’s this called? Oh yeah, my elbow. But I didn’t need a band aid.

What’s all over your shirt?

(Looks down) Oh, that’s strawberries. They were juicy.

Wow. It looks like blood.

(Big smile) Yeah, it does.

When we first got to the farm, the man showed us how to pet the ostriches. He said “Do you want to know how to pet an ostrich? Hold its neck, and pet the side of it’s head.”

Oh wow. Really? (Because that obviously didn’t work so well for you.)

{Let’s ignore the waffles that we had for dinner, ok?}

Then he said “Do you want to know how to kiss an ostrich?” and then HE KISSED IT!! EWWWWW!!

And then we petted these parrots. And they didn’t bite us.

Then we petted the ostriches. And the one ostrich, he looked at me like this:

And I gave him some food, then he bit me like this:

and that’s when I started bleeding all over.

But not really all over, right?

Yeah. Then I got to ride a goat. And I fed the goat after I rode it. Like this.

The we went to Mt. Lemmon and we saw a cave, and there was a bear in the cave.

Jack, Mt. Lemmon is on the other side of town from where you were.

But I was there, Mom.

Ok, dear.

Then our teachers gave us b.b. guns and we shot at the bears. And they ran away…

Jack, I think you’re lying a little bit.

Yup, I am.

Ok. Can you tell me the truth about your field trip?

Well, what if I grabbed the ostriches neck after he bit me? Like this:

Wow. I’m glad you didn’t do that.

Yeah.

I had so much fun on my field trip.

I want to go again tomorrow.

I found this in the freezer today.

I decided to let it sit on the counter and defrost.

It looked like a cup full of frozen water to me.

It sat and it sat.

Then it defrosted enough that I could dump it out.

I had a feeling that it wasn’t just a cup of frozen water.

Because – you know Jack?

Yeah, he lives here.

And when Jack’s in the house, nothing is what it seems.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen.

He froze rocks inside a cup of water.

Here’s to our future Geologist.

If you were a fly on the wall at my house this weekend, you surely may or may not have heard these quotes…

From Michael:

Mom, can I play PSP?

Jack’s bugging me.

I’m full. Do I have to finish my breakfast/lunch/dinner?

Can I play PSP?

I’m hungry. Can I have a cookie?

Jack’s bothering me!

Mom, can I play PSP?

From Jack:

Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom?

Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad?

Michael, what are you doing?

Graciiiiiieeeeee…. (dog #1)

Rileeeeeyyyyyy… (dog #2)

Can I have a lollipop?

Michael, can I play?

Can I play with Molly?

Michael…  I want to come in!

Dogs… want a treat?

From Mom:

Jack. Stop. bothering. the. dogs.

Jack, if you don’t leave the dogs alone, we’re going to give them away.

Michael, no. You have played enough video games this weekend.

Jack, if you touch her collar one more time, you’re going to your room.

Jack, go to your room. And stop smiling.

No, it’s not ok to say that word.

I don’t know why God lets your mouth say it, but it’s not appropriate to say.

Michael, if you don’t eat real food, I’m never going to let you have sweets.

Of course you’re hungry at 4:30. You didn’t eat lunch. You’ll have to wait.

Jack, get the handcuffs off the dog.

Yes, I know she can still walk. I don’t care. Get them off her.

Don’t say that during dinner. It’s not appropriate to say at the table.

Michael, how can you not be hungry? You were starving an hour ago.

NO! You can’t have dessert! You didn’t eat dinner!

No, Jack. No lollipops. Because you’re not behaving today and you don’t need more sugar.

Yes, you have to go to bed right after your bath.

Because Mommy is tired.

No you can’t stay up with Daddy. He’s tired, too.

No, you can’t stay up by yourself.

Because I said so.

Because I said so.

Because I said so.

Goodnight.

I love you too.

I love you too. I already told you that.

Yes, I already tucked you in.

Michael, did you just call me from across the house to ask if I would turn your fan on?

Good. Night. Boys.

{waits 10 minutes}

Love you too.

Jack: Mom, can we stop and get some orange juice?

Mom: Yup. We still have some apple juice, though. But if you would rather have orange juice, we can stop and get some.

Jack: But can we take the apple juice back? Like, return it?

Mom: No, we can’t return the apple juice. It’s almost gone.

Jack: I know, but can we, like, return it? Like at Target, when we return something that we want to return.

Mom: No, Jack. The apple juice is half gone.

Jack: I know. But like, can’t we, like, give it back to the store?

Mom: No, Jack. We can’t. You can’t return food.

Jack: No, Mom. Not food. Apple juice.

Mom: Yes, Jack, I know what you’re talking about. Apple juice is food. It’s under the category of food.

Jack: No, Mom. Not like apples. Apple juice. It’s a drink. Can you return it?

Mom: I know what you’re talking about. Fruit, veggies, drinks, and cereal… stuff like that is food. Dogs, cats, zebras, and elephants are under the category of animals. Get it?

Jack: Yeah, but can we return the apple juice?

Mom: No, honey. We can’t.

Jack: Well, anyway, can I have a piece of gum?

*Yes, I know that it’s possible to return food. But I just wasn’t going there with him at that moment.*

Happy blogday bloggiversary (what are they called?) blog birthday to me!

One year of sharing funny stories, posting pictures, and meeting lots of new friends.

One year ago when my friend Suzanne mentioned how much she loves blogging, I thought “hmmm…  I bet that would be fun to try.”

I had no idea.

I didn’t realize that I would “meet” new friends and strengthen family bonds.

I didn’t know about the amazing and supportive community that bloggers have.

Now I know.

Since it’s my day and all, I decided that we should do something fun. After talking to Darcie I decided to steal her idea and host a scavenger hunt giveaway!

The rules

1. Send me an e-mail with the answers to the following questions. The answers are in the linked posts. I’m sure you’ll become so interested in the posts that you’ll almost forget all about the contest you’re entering, so don’t forget to e-mail me!

becca AT Our Crazy Boys (dot) com

2. Leave me a comment. Any comment. Tell me about your favorite post, tell me if you’ve been here one or one hundred times, or just say hello.

3. Once you do these two things (assuming your answers are correct), you’re entered into the contest.

The prize

One reader will randomly be chosen to win a $50 gift card to… wherever you choose!

Me? I would probably choose Borders. Or Target. But that’s the fun part. YOU get to choose!

The fine print

I can only ship to U.S. addresses

I have to be able to purchase the gift card online. As much as I love each and every one of you, it’s probably not in my best interest to fly across the country to buy you a gift card for the teeny tiny coffee house that you frequent.

Ready… Set… Go!

1. Who in the world is Marilyn?

2. Give me one hamster rule.

3. Michael is quite the swimmer. Tell me what stroke broke my heart last year during his swim meet.

4. Tell me the one creature that you could handle finding in your house (yes, this is an opinion question. A freebie, if you will).

5. What did Steve and I drink a little too much of in Cancun last year?

I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday, February 3rd at 8 p.m. Arizona time.

Good luck!!

Whooooot-Wheeewwwww….. (the catcall one)

Whoot-whoot-whoot—whoot-whoot-whoot— (the Jingle Bells one)

Whoot-whoot-whoot-whoot….whoot-whoot-whoot-whoot… (the Handy Manny one)

Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot… (the endurance one)

Whooooot. Wheeeet. Whooooooot. Whewwwwww. Wheeeet. (the random one)

Whoot-wheeeeet-whoot-whoot-whoot-wheeeet whoot…(the Star Wars one)

Wheet-Whooooo… (the dog one… it actually works)

Whooooooooooooo…Whooooooooooo….(the stalling before bed one)

Guess who learned how to whistle last week?

(Please pardon the blurry blackberry photo)

Since I can’t forthelifeofme figure out how to embed a video, please click here.

I’m not a scrooge.

Really, I’m not.

But…

When my backyard looks like this 2 weeks before Christmas?

It’s hard to catch the Christmas spirit.

The “spirit” usually hits me right after Christmas. When it’s cold and sometimes even snowy here.

Last year, it was 2 days after Christmas. Yup, snow in Tucson. Lots of it.

I was completely covered with Christmas spirit on December 27, 2008.

Yes, I am aware that my “watermark” says 2009. That’s because I am tired and don’t feel like fixing it. We’re friends here. I know you’ll understand.

Because for me, cold, snowy weather = Christmas.

It’s what I grew up with.

Anyway, the point is…

I need some help.

In the form of Christmas music.

On the way home tonight, the boys and I were singing our hearts out to our Christmas playlist.

It worked so well for us that I thought I would share.

Christmas Favorites – Mom’s edition

*Not all songs are available as MP3 downloads. If I couldn’t find the particular song to link to, I linked to the album and you’ll have to scroll down and look for “Listen to Samples”*

1. We Wish You The Merriest – Frank Sinatra (The best Christmas song ever… in case you’re wondering)

2. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin

3. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses (Did you know that the waitresses are not all women? I did not know that until now)

4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin

5. A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

6. Party for Santa – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (The cutest song I’ve come across in quite a while. I dare you to not sing along.)

7. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

8. Winter Wonderland – Dean Martin

9. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Complete tie between Bruce Springsteen & Frank Sinatra

10. Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald

Christmas Favorites – Michael and Jack’s edition

1. Up on the Housetop – Gene Autry (You just can’t beat hearing the kids sing along to this with their Ho-ho-hos and Click-click-clicks)

2. Is Zat You, Santa Claus? – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Again, the sing along is the best part)

3. The Chipmunks Song – The Chipmunks (Single-handedly the most annoying song I have ever heard. Personally speaking.)

4. Frosty the Snowman – Gene Autry

5. A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Frank Sinatra

7. Mr. Heat Miser – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

8. Must Be Santa – Brave Combo

9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry

10. Run Run Rudolph – Chuck Berry (Jack’s favorite…  I just don’t get it…)

So, are you in the spirit yet??

*Yes, these are affiliate links. Not because I get paid big huge bucks to link through to Amazon, but if we’re being honest here, I like to see how many people click on them. Because I am a dork like that.*