Are You KIDDING Me?

When we returned from our trip to St. Louis, the first thing we discovered was that a hose to the pool had burst and was spewing water. Lovely. We didn't know if it had burst that day, the day prior or had been burst for the 10 days we were gone. Then lightening struck...literally...and although we certainly didn't forget the impending and scary water bill coming our way, it was pushed to the side while we dealt with alot of other situations. So Brian leaves Sunday and Monday I come home to a notice on our door that they checked our water meter and they think we have a leak. I called to explain we already knew, but the dates they told me got me all confused and I thought we had another leak due to the lightening strike. The tears well up, I'm so frustrated, poor me. Brian calls right then...and I'm sure he just loves to hear a crying wife on the other line. He gently explained that the water company was just now noticing what had happened a month ago, that's just how it works, a month behind. Just to be on the safe side I had to make sure there wasn't a leak.

Here's the good part of the story! I had to check the water meter when we'd be gone from the house for a few hours. No dishwasher or washer running, etc. Brian casually mentioned I might want to wear my gardening gloves. I'm thinking it's on a post. Nope, I go out there, "right by the fire hydrant" like he tells me...it's a flipping hole in the ground!!!! I had to stick my ARM down this hole to rub off the dirt, to check the water meter. Just in case you don't know, I hate bugs and snakes. I get the eeby jeebies thinking about. So my first words when I saw this was a raised fist to Brian in Ohio, sitting in his air conditioning, bug free classroom were "ARE YOU KIDDING ME???" Nolan helped me (I went in the house and got my swifter duster...the extended handle) and we are happy to report...NO LEAK! And no bug or snake bites either.

Brian said he knew if he told me it was a hole in the ground I would have said no way! But he reassured me he killed all the bugs in there, his FAMOUS line.

Ellll-Mo & Elll-bow & Aaa-by!

Nolan is talking up a storm these last few days. Over the weekend he started using 2 and 3 word sentences. It's just amazing how one day it just clicks! Then all of a sudden he picked up his Sesame Street book and said, "Elll-MO!" instead of "MoMo!" I am so proud of him, but I'm a little sad, in a sentimental sense. He's growing up so fast. I always try to use the "real" words with him, even if his words are cuter, so I knew he would outgrow these words soon, but my heart just aches at what a little individual he's becoming. He also grasped the word "Abby" instead of "Bee Bee." They were "talking" on the phone yesterday and I have to say, both doing really well. I had to take the phone away from Nolan when I heard Abby say GO BRONCO's....it's getting a little out of hand. NOTE TO ANDREW...Better hurry home or Abby is going to be an offical Bronco's fan!!!

So anyway, among other things, he started saying ELBOW instead of "Bo-Bo."

He's constantly telling me things and usually I can understand what he's saying, but I feel bad when he's honestly trying hard to explain something and I am totally lost.

I love you sweet Nolan. You make me so proud to be your Momma.

Bye Bye Daddy

Friday was Brian's EDO day (earned day off...he works longer hours for the rest of the days and gets every other Friday off work) and so we made plans for some fun McMenamy time! We started off by going to story time at the library. I can't believe almost a year has passed since I took Nolan. He was not so cooperative. We took his truck away when the storyteller started reading and he was MAD! So we had to hide the dipaer bag. Near the end he was starting to get into and liked the singing and clapping part. And he loved the getting a sticker part! I'm going to try to take him more often, as I think it's good exposure to a teacher/child setting. They only do it every other Friday in the summer, though. We headed over to the park afterwards for a little bit, then we went home and played outside much of the day. Saturday we spent the afternoon in the pool and just lounging and hanging out. Sunday we took Daddy out to breakfast and then to the airport. Nolan hates the airport, he really does...somehow he remembers it and knows one of us is usually leaving. He started crying the minute we got there and had these big alligator tears when Brian said good bye. Talk about heart shattering. So Brian left for 3 weeks for an Acquisitions training course that all people in Acquisitions have to complete at some point. The class is at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. The whole car ride home Nolan kept saying, "Bye Bye Daddy!" The good news is Nolan's talking on the phone with Brian extremely well. Last night he took the phone and was telling him what was on TV and then sat down and "read" him a book. As much as we love talking on the phone, though, we love Brian in person the best...can't wait for you to get home!

When I told Nolan to carry this, he got so excited he jumped in and waited. I was laughing so hard!

Daddy & Nolan on the noodle:

Eskimo Kisses:

Daddy & Nolan at breakfast Sunday morning: