Thank God . . . .

. . . . for an unfinished basement with a drain!!! After up to seven inches of rain this past weekend, we are finally drying out. Our unfinished basement always gets a line of seepage, but it always goes straight down to the lowest part where there is a fantastic drain. The laundry side of the basement usually has cascading water through the window wells during the most fluid of rainstorms. Our window well next to the family room, with no outside access since the family room is there, also cascaded water during that storm. For the second time since we owned this house. And with our known flashing problem on the roof, water dripped or "rained" in Simon and Norah's room. Our basement area rug was soaked, but since it has no padding it has dried out very nicely. Fans and the dehumidifier have been running constantly and we are drying out nicely. We probably would have had 2 feet or more of standing water in our basement if it was not for that drain and our sump pump. We would have lost so much that we would definitely not be able to or afford to replace!!!!

Around the block people had water and the garbage pile on the curb proved they lost a considerable amount.

To give some perspective, this rainfall was the 3rd most amount of rain in 24 hours in history. Eric has lived in VP his entire life, minus our first married year, and he never remembers seeing Willowbrook and Salt Creek so high! His cousins live not very far at all and they said that the road they live on was hip-high with water!!!

We are definitely lucky to be higher and drier than some!

111 'til 11/11

111 days until Vertical Day.

Just to let you know!

Neater Eater, Puh-Lease, Part III

Here is the culprit of the neighborhood mess and the loss of little birds! This past Sunday, he left a life-less little bird on our front porch, 2 steps away from our door. Yuck and double yuck!Presumably a lost breakfast in flight. My opinion, was the delectable item in disgustedness was too close to our house, and the Coopers Hawk would not venture close enough to rescue his meal. I thought about having Eric scoop it onto the yard/sidwalk somewhere to test if the Coopers Hawk would indeed retrieve it. However; since Monday was garbage day we said good-bye to the dead little bird can-style. I did snap a picture, anyone care to see?????

Perched in the dead branches of our across-the-street neighbor's tree. This is his after dinner lounging spot. He picks feathers and other uneatables in our tree above the driveway. Next he flies 2 to 3 doors down to dine. Then he lounges across the street.

An evening this week, Eric and Simon enjoyed a project together. They made a birdhouse and placed it on on our side of our neighbor's fence. Simon declares that "the birdhouse is to save the birds from the Coopers Hawk".

4th of July

The 4th of July started with me going to the 8:00 church service to present the VBS slideshow, again. My second service of the weekend, as we attended the 5:00 p.m. Saturday service for the same purpose. I came home on Sunday to find the bike trailer attached to Eric's bike and all were ready to head for a short bike ride to play in the park. It was a bit hotsy-totsy!

Then, we lazied around the house. Well deserved by all, if you can recall my June. In the late afternoon, we headed to friends of ours who always host a 4th of July BBQ in their backyard. Tons of friends, kids, food and fun. We headed over to the park just around the corner for fireworks and are home in a flash as we live just across the busy street and through a neighborhood or two! Gotta love local.

The little girls.

Some of the kids.

Fireworks, with a tradition Simon has now adopted of naming them, his favorite is "popcorn". I liked "red white and blue" and "willow tree".

We always enjoy the Hinsdale parade, and that was on Monday at 10:00. Eric had to work, so I took the kids by myself and had a fantastic time. Simon told me what to capture in pictures so we could have a "T.V. Parade" at home via the slideshow for Daddy. I'll spare you the 5-year old decisions of importance. Such as teddy bears on cars, balloons on cars, decorated bicycle wheels, and more cars! As always, this parade always entertains and is fun.

The three of us on the fifth!

Could she possibly hold any more freebies from the phenomenon of strangeness walking down the street while people piled up on the parkways and sidewalks to watch?

A picture inspired by my Dad and Christa. My Dad has commented on the details of the background to pinpoint time and place, hence I did not crop. Christa, as she zooms in and captures magical moments of her children without showing the entire face or body. I think this is lovely and magical as it captures Norah's intense attention to the parade. Both of my children have this serious facial expression during parades.

I did not create this year's review of the parade, not much has changed since previous years. If interested, check the historical reviews at:

http://luedtkeland.blogspot.com/2008/07/our-july-4th-festivities.html
http://luedtkeland.blogspot.com/2007/07/4th-of-july.html

What's Cooking?

My "friend", whom I have never met in person - we just converse through our blogs and share a few things in common - has recently married, moved far away from family, started a new job, and has embarked on cooking deliciousness. It is fun to read about her new dinners with excitement. This August, I will be married 10 years. I now cook for four, of which 2 I wish would eat all I put in front of them. And work hard to keep the grocery bill low and dinner ready at the magical time of Eric being home and kids not melting while the food is still hot! Anyways, she posted about her asparagus soup.

Recently, I checked out Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" along with the "Julie/Julia Project" and made the potato leek soup. Incredibly heavenly! I did not have a food mill as recommended, as pureeing was not the way to go. I improvised and used my blender (a 10 year old wedding present).

The bright colors of potatoes and leeks with a bit of salt. That was it! If you don't want soup that's green, use less greens from the leeks. It was a bit salty so I suggest to cut in half. Just a small amount of cream or butter at the end. Like 1-2 TB only!

The finished soup.

Enjoyed with homemad drop buttermilk biscuits from America's Test Kitchen. The best cooking show, on public television, and every recipe of theirs is easy with great success!



Bon appetit!

Music to Our Ears

This made Grandma and me laugh at the park. Norah sang made-up songs containing 1 noun for a very long time while jumping and piloting the helicopter! Listen for the "Kitty Song" complete with "mouw mouws", the "Helicopter Song", and her unwillingness to share. Each song ended with the same increased volume and emphasis. Way too funny!

Eleven (a.k.a. 11)

11 is so vertical!!!

And "Vertical Hour", which is only actually a minute, is fantastic to catch on the clock. Sneak a breath of excitement, make a wish, and be glad the rest of the day you caught 11:11!!

November 11th is Vertical Day (after Veteran's Day, of course)! Vertical Day is where you make wishes all day long. And you better catch 11:11 twice within a day. Or four times a day if you are lucky enough to know someone else that lives in a different time zone and who cherishes "Vertical Hour". Like my Aunt Cindy Lou!! Who I can call anytime at 11:11. If you know her, you would want to, too!

So, in 11 days it will be 111 days until Vertical Day!!! Isn't that just a dandy thing to make you smile in the middle of July?!?!?!?

I thought so!!!

(In case you cannot keep track of a date that far away, just check out my date-ticker on the side.)

Now this talk of 11's has gotten me so excited that I might just mosey over to 7-11 (which was yesterday's date) to get a slurpy to drink with a vertical straw. Yum!

High Five to Simon!!!!!

The Saturday before Simon's 5th birthday, we had a family party at Uncle Gordon's pool. Having both Grandma's at a birthday party is rare and it sure was enjoyable! Here is the cake made for the birthday party. Simon's Godmother made "5" cookies with him and Ava.



Simon's birthday at VBS. He awoke to the birthday turtle, birthday book, and an early present by his chair at the table. The present was his number 5 shirt and his sailor hat with a 5 to wear to VBS. His cousin Paige helped out during VBS and was somehow placed with Simon and another little cousin (Emmie). Uncle Gordon stopped by early, by 6:30 with a large balloon that sang "Happy Birthday" twice when tapped. We are still listening to it!

Paige and the birthday boy!

Our picture window also giving Simon a High Five!

It is also very rare to have Grandma and Grandpa from Minnesota here on an actual birthday! We very much enjoyed that!

Simon received more Hot Wheel track (the hoop and jump attached to the table) and a tune up tower. Pure joy and tons of fun!

It is amazing that Simon is 5 years old and on his way to Kindergarten. We love how he is now beyond excited the night before his birthday and his party, and knows to expect certain traditions. Such a wonderful and loving boy!

Smooth Sailing on the High Seas

Here is a look at the sanctuary during VBS. Notice the large painted banner far on the left, and imagine one far on the right. Then consider the awe when those paintings from years ago were discovered, the wonderment of how to hang them by who. Next, find the extremely tall mast and just try to experience the creation of that monster! By the way, I was there for all of it - and helped make it happen.

Below is our story teller engaging kiddos in active storytelling. The following picture is overy our Bible Memory Challenge teacher who always does an awesome job of getting all children to memorize the Bible verse for EACH day.

A look at the filled sanctuary. All the people wearing yellow shirts are volunteers.

Simple Pleasures

We have enjoyed one batch of home-grown green beans and have to pick another batch. Yesterday Simon ran in the house to have me come see the garden. We picked a cucumber and 2 pickles and we cannot wait to eat them today! Last year's 1 cucumber plant was a terrible grower. So this year I decided to grow 2 cucumbers on one trellis and 2 pickles on another trellis. Only, the growth this year is incredible so don't be surprised if we have cucumbers growing out of our ears! And I thought a zuchinni plant would also climb, but it's not and I'm not sure how many zukes we will get.

More "cumbers" please!

My Yesterday

Sooooo yesterday went like this, got to the pool at 12:20 only for the whistle to blow at 12:45 for a body fluid spill. Some kid took a monster crap in the pool which took oodles more time to clean than predicted. Thought about jumping ship, walking home, getting in the car, driving to other side of town to swim in other pool. Swim diapers in the car wigged me out so I stayed. Plus the original predicted time was approximately how long it would take me to accomplish the feat of taking two wet noodles across town. The pool did not reopen until 2:30! At least the kids had fun in the sand and the hose-cold rainbow sprinkler areas . The lifeguards hosed down some older kids and held a hula-hoop fest. Of course this happens on the hottest (93) and most humid-est day of summer when I said "We are not playing in the sand today. It is too hot and we will be swimming". Oh well. Finally the whistle blew at 2:50 for rest period! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! We only swam for 20 minutes after a 1 hour and 45 minute rest!!!! I took my overdone kids home with some wails and whines and they napped away.

Then Eric had a softball game early enough for all the wives and kids to go. Simon woke up the second Eric left and proceeded to melt down that he wanted to go in Daddy's car. "Too bad, I'm going so get your socks and shoes on and go potty". I discovered the lights were left partially on in my car, the bike trailer was in Eric's trunk, Simon's training wheel had broken so we took'em off. I made Simon use his scooter and walk all the way to the park, about 1 -1 1/2 miles. On the way, he declared he had to go to the bathroom. I said "I don't have a bathroom, let's go back home" (2 blocks away). I turned around and he proceeded towards the park. And refused the bathroom at the playground we passed on our way. He held it until after the game to use the outhouse with Eric. He walked in croc-alike shoes because he would not put on his shoes and socks. Wailing because he wanted Daddy. Walking with sobfest made me look like the abusive Mom all the while storm clouds were brewing in the western skies which would either alleviate the humidity or make it worse. We made it and Simon saw his buddies and amazingly he was just dandy. Couldn't stop happily shouting to Eric "Hi Daddy" as he was working the pitcher's mound. Go figure! Sobfests are so ridiculous and so not needed and I am so done with them! Another sobfest almost began when Eric dropped us off at home before going out with the guys and wives. I declared immediate bedtime if he began crying. We proceeded to eat dinner, bathe, and then bed.

WHEW!!!

(I know I have West Coast readers who would love 93 degrees. However, that is 10 degrees above normal for July and today it is 58% humid. Humidity is just miserable. Especially in the evenings when you throw in juicy mosquitos on the side.)

How was your yesterday?

I don't need glory

I watched a shower of feather's out my living room window right next to my car as I enjoyed my egg and cheese mini-bagel for breakfast.

I saw bird parts walking to swimming lessons this morning.

May I say neater, eater PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!

They say "no guts, no glory". I am okay without the glory, if that means not guts!

Whew, it's been a whirlwind around here!

I usually am relieved when July 4th comes and goes, as the lazy days of summer truly begin. Eric's birthday, father's day, and Simon's birthday all come and go in the month of June. And this year, I co-directed VBS for 200 children - 100 preschoolers and 100 K-4 graders. Not just a VBS, a knock-out, incredible, the best ever VBS! I was a leader for a preschool group last year and of course did my best job. So well, that I was asked to co-direct this year. Crazy, crazy amounts of meetings and details and hours of work. But, what a great feeling once it was rolling and once it was done. So now, I am back and have tons of pictures to post. But am still limited in energy. My house-keeping schedule and kid-playing schedule is completely out of whack. I am starting to feel recovered. Oh, and my Mom was here for 2 weeks before and during VBS, such a help. She also volunteered before and during VBS. She's a great name-tag maker, CD seller, and an awesome bagger! Someday, I'll retire to being a bagger, aahhh. My dad was here in the beginning and the end, while he biked 500 miles from St. Paul. MN to my house in the middle. So in one week we had company, a birthday party, VBS planning/prep, VBS, a 5 year old birthday, and July 4th!

WHEW and double WHEW!!!

As far as next year, I anticipate that I will also co-direct VBS, as usually you learn the ropes one year. Know what to expect. And then show the ropes to another co-director the next year. Since I know what to expect - yikes!

The High Seas Expedition VBS theme was fantastic and an absolute great time. Simon told me on July 5th while walking to the pool, "Mommy - you didn't have VBS today" with astonishment in his voice!

Please check back for pictures.

Neater Eater, PLEASE!!!!

Dear Coopers Hawk,

Our ears perk up whenever we hear you "bip", pause, "bip". We are awed by your flight pattern, what a great wing span and elegant glide. We are entertained with your food preparation spot and your eating spot. We now notice and have detailed the tree branches in the neighborhood and can spot dead branches with a second's worth of looking. We were fascinated when you went after a little bird in flight. We appreciate that big birds eat little birds. We were humored, but a bit confused when the male hawk kicked the female hawk away from the catch and dined. However, we are disgusted with bird guts dropped on the roof of my car. We don't want to see feathers with a bit of flesh attached on my windshield. We really don't need a pile of feathers everywhere. Beaks, legs, and guts are quite disgusting on the sidewalk. Perhaps, you could attempt at being a neater eater, please?

Sincerely,
Us