“I told you so.”

Thankfully the kids haven’t yet learned this powerful, yet cutting, phrase.

Yesterday morning Mo was indicating she didn’t feel well.  She would go to the garbage can and ‘pretend’ to throw up and merely spit.  She has been known to fain illness to enjoy a few extra hours in bed and we had no indication that yesterday was any different.

No fever, no other complaints, the absence of actual barf.

Brody made no complaint till just before being dropped off at latch key, but it too seemed a rather weak admission.

(the backup singers start humming the ‘I told you so’ reprise)

Within 20 minutes latch key did call and indicate that Mo had finally produced evidence of her condition…twice!  D, who is off this week, was immediately dispatched for recovery.  As she was heading home, she received another call…Brody had also provided conclusive evidence right on the compass that adorns the primary floor in his school (it’s a big inlaid compass).  

There was no indication as to which direction his barf was pointing.

The kids, though they did not hold down a single drop of food or water all day, were in great spirits regardless; as was Dayna who did a fantastic job caring for them.

Aw crap!

Somehow my clock was set ahead an hour!

There’s an hour of sleep I’ll never get back!

Maura was drawing the other night.

She very quietly leaned over and whispered…

‘I don’t like to draw stick figures…because they’re always Naked!’

Has anyone else been bothered by the similarities between the Jane Seymour Open Heart Charm and the Stride gum logo?

So last Sunday the kids played most of the morning.  I was able to hit the gym and Dayna was able to sleep in.  We had noticed that Brody continues to grow and his pants were looking a little Urkelish. 

However, as kind, caring parents who understand their children’s hatred of shopping (or so we thought) we decided to take them first to Castaway Café (it is the largest indoor play place in Michigan – perfect for winter).  The kids had a good time, played with each other and burned some calories…we got to read and talk without interruption.  To further lesson the blow of the impending shopping trip we also went out to brunch.

It was such a sunny day, we went to the outdoor, outlet mall to enjoy the opportunity to walk outside.  While we had anticipated both kids being annoyed with shopping, this was not the case for Mo.  In any store, she and Dayna would pick out 10 to 20 items to try on.  Mo proudly modeled each item; and when done only asked for one or two.  Her big find was this adorable, reversible vest (nylon outside with faux rabbit inside).  It is incredibly chic!  She gets compliments whenever she wears it, which presently is every other day. J

Brody wasn’t into it except at the Gap.  He REALLY wanted a GAP sweatshirt.  They are nce, but he already has tons of hoodies he barely wears (I’m hot Dad!) and we weren’t going to pay 30 bucks for one item he’ll wear once before he outgrows it.  He compromised on GAP T-shirts and made certain he wore them the next day at school.  His other passion is Mark Ecko Unltd tennis shoes (which he found at the shoe store but not in his size – birthday present reminder here!).

Anyway, when done, we then went grocery shopping…which the kids also hate.  There was also two small side trips to the drug store and to a department store so Mom could get some lotion.

So we had left at 11 a.m. and it was now 6:30 p.m.  The kids has long since forgotten their Castaway Café and Brunch trip and were exhausted and annoyed.

I jokingly said, ‘Okay kids.  We’ll head home, just after we go to church!’

Mo immediately moaned.

Brody perked up, smiled and said, ‘Sweet!  If we go to church then everyone will have to pay me for a communion!’

As MLK day approaches the kids learn about him, and how minorities were treated in the past.  We have also recently been to The Henry Ford and had opportunity to sit on the Rosa Parks bus.  We, as previously blogged, went to the African American Museum in Detroit. 

As part of the festivities at Brody’s school, his class performed a play.  Brody was very excited as he got to play the adult MLK, giving the big speech at the Lincoln Memorial. 

He wanted to do it well and practiced often with D, my Dad, myself and at school.  He even insisted on wearing a collared shirt and tie.

Bless his heart, but he also, in a desire to strive for accuracy, asked if he could paint his face. 

We kindly informed him of our appreciation for his dedication to his immersion in the role, but indicated it wouldn’t be necessary.  (see script below).

As another part of the lesson, they had to to write their own dream.  I thought his was pretty good (poor punctuation as indicated in red notwithstanding – see below).