This is my friend and nephew, Silas. Clicking the image will bring up a larger-sized one. Aren’t computers fun?

And look what you get. My apologies to those of you on a slow connection. My blog is image-heavy these days because it hurts to type. And because I like images.

Anthills in the driveway. Important and interesting stuff if you’re a kid. Or me.

Enchiladas. We all need to remember this meal, so we took this picture. Yeah.

The view under Gannon’s bed. Those are his swim trunks. That he couldn’t find. Not sure what the other stuff is. Let’s not think about it.

Breakfast.

Bling.

Here’s Daddy, from an Acadia’s Eye View.

Not to be left out, here’s Mommy. And James, Jared, and Brian. But you really have to look hard to see them.

Metal waiting for the trash guy’s metal day. Glad we have this moment preserved.

We have a sword on the garage roof. What? Don’t you?

This is a radish we are growing. Gannon needed a photo.

Here’s the neighbor kid, Noah. This is usually the first view of him we see each day, when someone from our house bangs on his door, or vice versa. “Can you come out and play?”

I do not know this man. He appears at periodic intervals to mow a neighbor’s lawn. He cheesed for Gannon’s camera. We digitally captured his photons.

And my favorite so far, taken by one or both of the kids, is this picture. They love each other.

I think we’re far enough now from the real reverence of Memorial Day for me to post this story.

While much of the rest of the country was observing the day with parades and, well, memorials, for us much of this past weekend was spent with my nieces and nephew over at my Mom’s house. While there, the kids found a dead bird. As a result, the three adults present were witness to a ceremony of delightful solemnity. I have to apologize that I didn’t have my camera during this documentary-worthy event, but in hindsight, maybe it was better that way. Out of respect.

First the five kids (ages 8, 6, 6, 4, 3) examined the poor bird at close range, gently poking it with sticks. Then the oldest carried it around the yard (with sticks) to find a suitable hole in which to inter the remains. They found one, plopped it in, and set about to decorate the gravesite.

The kids arranged flowers, grass, leaves, a brick, an old bird nest, a notebook, and a keychain reading “NC STATE RECYCLES” on top of and in front of the hole. This they did quite reverently, except for the screeching of one child at the appearance of a few largeish beetles from under the bird carcass. That was pretty much the end of that particular child’s involvement in the project.

Then it was time for the actual service to begin. By this point two of the kids had wandered off, and the other three stood in a line, gazing down at the grave. I knew we were in for something good. I waited for what would come next. This is what I heard:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic….”

When they had finished, the oldest sort of looked around, wondering what was to come next. Inspiration hit, and he went down on one knee and gestured dramatically to the grave. The other two eagerly followed suit. They said a few words.

“I’ll always remember this bird.”

“I’m sorry you won’t be around to make eggs next spring.”

And a few more oddly appropriate sentiments. Then, the clincher came. The moment that it all became perfect.

It was during the eulogy that the sound of Taps could be heard wafting over the trees.

I joke not. Taps was being played. Somewhere downtown a Memorial Day ceremony was being held at just the right moment. Close your eyes for a moment and picture it. Three solemn children, kneeling, extolling the virtues of a bird they hardly knew, while a lonely trumpet plays Taps. It was almost more than we grownups could bear. I wanted to howl with laughter, but somehow remained quiet enough so as not to disturb the service.

As the small group began to depart, the oldest stood facing my son, a concerned yet resigned expression on his face. He put his hand on Gannon’s shoulder, looked him in the eye, and nodded comfortingly, a gesture that was lost on my son.

At the conclusion of the affair, the gang of cousins went back to playing knights and ladies in distress. (I must say, however, that it was the girls’ dresses that were really in distress. Tulle does not hold up well to hemlock branches and lilac bushes.)

Yes sir, yes sir, three vacs full.

I just want to announce that, after SEVERAL days of upper-70’s, sunny weather, it is now snowing.  That’s right.  Suh-know-wing.

Oh wait, now it’s sunny again.

I don’t know what to do with my kids’ clothes.  They’re all in a pile in their rooms, unable to fit into the drawers.  Summer clothes?  Winter clothes?  What the heck, let’s do it all.

I am trying to keep easy, healthy snacks in the house. Isn’t that every mother’s goal, at least in theory? Anyway, I thought I’d try out Wheat Thins on them. They liked them well enough. I bought the Teddy Grahams for myself, because I was craving chocolate and they have less fat and fewer calories than a bag of Lindt Truffles. (Doesn’t everything?) But really, we all eat both kinds of crackers.

Just for kicks, I examined the Nutrition Facts of both Nabisco products. The crackers have these differences:

• Calories: 130
• Calories from fat: 40
• Total Fat: 4.5g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Potassium: 95mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 8g
• Calcium: 10%

compared to the following:

• Calories: 150
• Calories from fat: 50
• Total fat: 6g
• Sodium: 260mg
• Potassium: 0g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 4g
• Calcium: 2%

Other facts were identical.

Can you tell which was which? The sweeter, higher-sugar crackers were the Teddy Grahams, the first that I listed. The second list belongs to the Wheat Thins package. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather enjoy a handful of Chocolate Teddy Grahams than an equal amount of Wheat Thins. I like both, but come on. Chocolate. In competition with wheat.

I suppose one could argue that sugar is bad for you, and the wheat-flavored crackers may have other benefits not listed on the package. Or that the eater could become so excited about eating the cute chocolate bears that she could accidentally eat half the package.

But arguing is wrong, so I won’t do it here.

I’m going out to play now, after I brush off these crumbs.

Racing past me down the stairs, Acadia yelled, “Quick! Run! Oh, the humanity!”

I can’t give home schooling credit for this one. They’ve been watching Animaniacs.

Here’s a snapshot of my swaptree account. It made me chuckle.

Yes, I read icanhascheezburger and I’m not ashamed to say it! (Well, okay I am a little ashamed. But only a little.)

Kristin (a.k.a. Yankee Mom) tagged me for this meme. I may, or may not, follow all the rules. That’s just how I do things. And it’s not like the meme police will come after me. Right?

The rules for this meme are:

(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

1.) I like to wear shoes almost all the time.

2.) I like the smell of skunk spray.

3.) Advertising aimed at children annoys me.

4.) I love myths and legends, especially ones with very ancient roots. Where do these things come from? Why do different cultures have such similar myths? I have my theories….

5.) I think toddlers are probably the most adorable people alive, and when I see one I just want to grab them up and kiss them. Even the snotty ones.

6.) When I don’t want to go to bed I log on to Pogo.com and play WordWhomp.

Okay, now for six random people. How random does this have to be? Hmm…ain’t no “have to” here. So here I go:

Fran, Chrissy (who may have already been tagged from someone else), Bunny (completely random)……have fun.