car buggies and other annoyances

Ok - whoever invented those awful buggies in WinnDixie that look like a 2 seater race car needs a swift kick to the rear. My kids are typically really good in the gorcery store but I still try not to take them much b/c it just asks for trouble. Ansley will hold coupons and mark things off the list, but Stephen is pretty much over it as soon as we walk through the door.
Of course, even though he can not read a word, he knows when we are in WinnDixie. He knows those "race car buggies" exist. And he wants one.
Ansley had dance this afternoon, so Stephen and I made a quick trip to the store for supper. As we were walking in the doors, Stephen was praying for an available "race car buggy" and I was praying they were all taken. Somehow, my prayer won out. They are hard to push and the volume of Stephen's voice seems to go off the charts when he rides in one so I was glad to see they were apparently all taken.
And then the questions start in: "Why are they gone Mama? Why can't we look for one? Can't we go outside and see if there is one there? Why did they not buy enough race car buggies for me?" You get the picture.
I managed to convince him that the regular buggy was just as cool. Or I attempted to anyway. Distraction is the best method for us, so we were off in search of asparagus (my kids LOVE it) and he was happy for the moment.
We are more than halfway done in the store, when I see a lady pushing a race car buggy. Stephen sees it too. But what neither of us see, is a KID IN THE STINKING BUGGY. Nope, no kid. She is just using it as her shopping cart. The fact she is childless does not escape Stephen and he lets her know it: "Hey! Her doesn't have any kids. Not even 1 kid. And her has that race car buggy!" And since I was in complete shock that he was right and did not answer him, he says the same phrase again, only much louder!
This lady, who we then passed several more times in the store as you do when you are trying to avoid someone, continued her leisurely shopping trip using that blasted race car buggy.
Oh. My. Lord.
We then exit Winn Dixie as quickly as possible with a Rice Krispy Treat in hand for a bribe for Stephen and a nerve soother for me.

Ahhhhhhhhhh

It is Sunday late afternoon. The Olympics are on tv, Jamey is sleeping on the couch and the kids are watching a new Chipmunks movie in the other room - a Valentine's Day present from my mom and dad. We had a great lunch with Luke and Sara at Sara's parents' house. After a weekend of craziness and rushing here and there (ok, well, my 5 hours at the spa on Friday were not so rushed and crazy - in fact, it was wonderful) This upcoming week is exactly what I need. 3 days of work before the next weekend. Now THAT is a schedule I can handle. I am almost brain dead from the last few weeks. Mardi Gras is over for the Duke family although parades will be rolling for several more days in Mobile. After a night at the piano bar downtown, 3 balls and many more parades, I am worn out!

We enjoyed having Luke and Sara visit. Luke will be disappearing for 3 months so we were sad to give him good bye hugs this afternoon. We are planning a week at the beach in July so we will all be counting the days until then.

Healthy and Happy

My little man had a rough week last week. My kids almost never get sick (knock on wood) The picture above is from last Saturday at the parade of Dauphin Island. If you look at the picture now, you can tell he is going downhill. I thought it was just from lots of outdoor fun and no nap, but he is pale in the picture. 24 hours later he started running fever and it literally did not stop until 6 days later. 2 separate trips to the doctor said it was viral. And of course, I knew it was probably viral. We have been so blessed with healthy kids. Sunday night, I knew he had fever, but did we even own a working thermometer? Nope.
He missed a full week of "school" at Ms. Debbie's house. BUT, he is now back to his usual sweetness. He does have a very nasty cough (the dr thinks he developed a secondary infection and finally gave us some meds) so I will be glad when that cough is gone.

Ansley has been healthy so far and is such a helper. I swear if baby Duke #3 does ever appear, that baby will have 2 mamas. She can run a bath, dress Stephen, load the dishwasher and make herself popcorn in the microwave. She can also completely work my Iphone including the copy and paste feature.

I'm proud of my girl. She likes to help. I'm crossing my fingers that she will somehow be immune to the teenage cloud of drama and moodiness when those days arrive. I can always hope, can't I?