Funny.

Life is hard sometimes.Some days are mind numbing, thankless, and leave a lot to be desired. However, these are the moments that you gotta remember to turn those lemons into lemonade, baby. And you know what? Those days are rare. Because being a human, being alive, is fun. It's also funny. I've been learning a lot about focusing on the funny. Focusing on the fun. Remembering to celebrate. Even if it's little moment, to make it feel big. After all, when a moment feels big, it's easy to find the beauty in it, the fun, the funny.

Last night a few of my gal pals and I hit up our hip hop Zumba class with about a hundred other white chicks who think they can dance too. So, we're getting down to Britney and my toenails are even sweating, and I start craving a margarita. While working out. I'm gross. I can't stop thinking about it. The last song hits it's final beat, we walk out of the school, and I carefully mention, so not to scare anyone, my idea. SCORE! Everyone is down to clown, yo. Broad Ripple it is. We sit outside, laugh so hard our heads are tilted back in the summer night, and enjoy the drinks we order rounds of together. Because we can. Things really got great when my friend's gay BFF joined us. Oh dear Ben. Beautiful Ben. He's coming to Zumba tomorrow with us because "Oh my God I love Zumba!" and "They play Lady Gaga? I love that shit!" He's stoked, but not as much as me. So anyways, we shared a night on a whim. Aren't those just always the best? Plus, we were ballin' in Broad Ripple covered in sweat, wearing Nike shorts, with mascara down to our chins. At least Benny had it going on.

You know what else is funny?

Regan and I were working on her consonant blends today in a workbook, and she looks up after getting a few in a row correct. She says to me, serious as could be, "It's too bad I'm not a little taller because I'm totally smart enough for high school." For real kid. You're gonna kill me with these one liners.

When something a wee bit disappointing happens to Tyler he now responds, "Aaah-meh." (As in "Oh, man!")
Hil.ari.ous.

Regan thinks she has learned to dive. Really, she just does a belly buster with her palms together above her head. Precious peach.

My son tans really, really well. My daughter is chronically butt white. She's gonna be so pissed at him when they're older.

Chipmunks ate all my flowers on my walkway. I explained this to the kids. Now they both are obsessed with finding the "chick skunks" so we can "kill them" and grow our flowers back. The kids are just little angels from above.

A lady at CVS asked me if my Toms shoes made my feet "all sweaty and gross." Well, no ma'am, they do not. But, I certainly do appreciate that appropriate and not disgusting question. Have a nice day.

I told you guys a while back that I asked the produce guy at Target where the basil was and he responded, "I like your spandex." We have a very funny bond, he and I. Well, last week, I stopped at Target JUST for diapers. NO PRODUCE! Lo and behold, Mr. Veggie was waving from behind the bananas ACROSS the store. Ummm, hi?

Today at the library Regan asked me if I farted. In front of the librarian. No sweetie, that was Tyler. But now the librarian thinks it was me and that I'm a bad mom for blaming my baby for farting. It really was him though. Remember my library post? I swear I hate that place.

We've been having fun. We've been laughing at the funny. We've been summering, sunning, and sharing little moments that feel big because they're ours. 


 

Strawberries.

 

A couple weeks ago, I packed up the babes, and we headed out to Spencer's Farm for a bit of strawberry picking. It was a beautiful and HOT day!

Here we are for a group shot with our friends Jenn and her girls Sofia and little Lillie. (Please don't ask me what exactly my pose is all about. Hey look, I'm a flamingo!)

Jenn and a few of the kids.

Tyler telling me all about a strawberry.

He was hunting.

Precious Lillie.

The big girls.

Tyler taking time to eat more than he actually put in the basket. I actually felt like I should have given the guy in the shop double the money because I just know Tyler ate his weight in those berries. They were honestly the best we've EVER had!

Showing me her loot!

Regan kept repeating her motto, "The redder the better, right Mama?"

I realized about 15 minutes into the picking that Tyler wasn't removing the green leaves/stems off of the tops of the strawberries. He was eating the entire things! Blech!

A wind storm blew through just as we got our little picture of three taken. Cue my 80's bangs.

So, we tried again. Even more bang wind! And Tyler, Dwight from The Office called. He wants his hair do back.

Sweet Cailey.

His basket was full at one point. Oops.

More friends. Hi Cinda!

Working hard.

My little babies enjoyed picking their berries, and I am so lucky to spend my days with them. After our pickin', a fun group lunch, and a playground romp, we went home and made strawberry smoothies to celebrate the day!

The top things I can't stand about my husband.

The top things I can't stand about my husband:

He chews his ice when he's done with his drink.
He puts my phone in his pocket so that I can't find it.
He picks his toenails when he sits on the couch.
He reminds me that drinking Coke isn't healthy. Every time I have one. As he drinks a beer. 
He has really bad taste in tv shows. No joke... cat farming documentaries on PBS and such.
He puts his pants in a pile in the closet instead of hanging them up.
He asks where everyday items in the house are located. Like yesterday getting ready for the pool he said, "Where are the towels?"
He half listens to my stories which are obviously hilarious!

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Tomorrow is Father's Day, and I'm complaining about my husband. Here's the deal though, friends. These are absolutely necessary to mention so that he doesn't get a big head. Because, after all, I have the perfect husband and father for my babies. He lives for us, he works hard for us, he comes home from a long day ready to play with two babies and doesn't skip a beat. He protects us, he does what he says he will do, he teaches us, and he is the kind of man I want my daughter to marry, and the kind of man I want my son to be for his wife.  He is honest, and genuine, and loyal. He is extremely hard to make laugh, so if you can, way to go! I'm happy to get a chuckle here and there. We always joke that he has "dad strength."

Happy Father's Day, Mike! If your babies could tell you that you are their hero, they would. If they could say thank you for living every minute for them, they would. The way they look at you tells me that you will forever be their very best friend. You are the best daddy in the whole wide world. Even if you do chomp your ice, pick your toenails, and forget to hang up your pants. May you feel loved and celebrated every single day! Have fun fishing and canoeing with Papa, who is our other idol and hero. We'll see you for lunch.

 Preschool graduation. She always looks at him like this.

 Daddy teaching our guy how to do big projects!

 Daddy-Daughter Doughnut Day!

 Daddy was Regan's soccer coach this year. He was so great with the girls!

 Tyler loves the swing Daddy built him!

Told you all he was hard to make laugh! :) I love you babe! Father's Day was made for fathers like you!

48 hours.

A few weeks back I mysteriously slipped away for 48 hours all alone. I kissed my babies goodbye for the first time ever, wished Mike good luck, and was off with a small bag and a camera. 

 I waited.

 And waited.

 And flew.

 And drove.

 And crawled up big, dirt hills to get good shots.

 And remembered we are part of something bigger.

 And realized it's good to remember that.

 And breathed it all in.

 And smiled.

 And marveled.

 And explored.

 And roamed around alone.

 To find new things.

 And see new paths.

 To get closer.

 And closer.

 And even closer.

To him. My eighteen year old baby brother. I made it. We celebrated his high school graduation. I was proud. I hope he was too. I love him more than he realizes today. He's the most adorable, wonderful little brother I could ever ask for.

 I got to him.

 And my dad!

 And we were together for a wonderful weekend full of food, naps, a sunburn, and a baby brother who is ready to take on the world. It's your turn Jake. Get 'em. Tell 'em your big sister sent you.

 And then it was time. To do it all over again, only in reverse.

 To get back.

Where I belong.