Coasters, Kids and Chaos

Welcome back for another edition of Fatherhood Friday, brought to you by me and the great folks over at Dad-Blogs. Don't even tell me you haven't joined up over there yet. Go do it, I'll wait.

Okay, all set now? Well today's FatherHood Friday does not involve any Dads. I have been on vacation with the Weasels. We are visiting friends at a cottage on beautiful Lake Erie and Mr. Weasel had to stay home and work. My dear friend K is here with her kids and their Dad had to stay home and work too. We have been crying in our beer all week (enter sarcasm here).

Don't get me wrong, we miss the guys, but are grateful that they are working and grateful to get some much needed girl time together. Now onto the how this fits in with Fatherhood Friday.

It's all about the kids. And parenting. It fits, there just isn't any testosterone flowing in this weeks post.

Yesterday we two moms took 9 kids, count 'em, nine, to Cedar Point Amusement Park. That's right, the roller coaster capital amusement park. 2 moms + 9 kids + amusements = chaos.

We let the older kids off to do their thang while we went to the kiddie areas with the younger set. Monkey Weasel(9) fit somewhere in between and she came with us moms and we would try to fit in some intermediate rides too.

By default, I got to ride in spinning tea cup things and Ferris wheel, neither of which are my favorite activities. However, I got to ride them with 2 five year olds whose faces were alive with a rush of pure joy and adventure.

I got to take Monkey Weasel on "The Demon Drop". It's a strap you in, take you up high and free fall you to the ground, where they land you on your back. This was a new adventure for Monkey. It was the first time she was tall enough to try something that looked so scary. She didn't really like it, but liked that she had an adventure that was just hers and mine. I watched as she and the little ones did some kiddie rides and later she and I wound up in line for some crazy, upside down, hope you didn't just have lunch, kind of rides. That one she loved.

Later we switched around with groups of kids and I got to do some coasters with my dear friend K. It was great to have some mom/girlfriend time to ourselves, but as we rode the Iron Dragon roller coaster (that I love) I could not help but twinge with guilt because Monkey had been looking forward to riding it with me all day.

Monkey and I did eventually get to ride it together and I loved watching her face. I had the opportunity to ride different rides with most of the Weasels. Some rides I enjoyed, some not so much.

Eldest was really great about watching my back, both literally and figuratively. I have some nasty back/neck problems and she scouted all the coasters as my forward staff to let me know which ones I could do and which ones would ruin our day.

Eldest, Boy, Monkey and I waited together in line for The Raptor. Excitement was brewing as this would be the first Super Duper, upside down, big people coaster Monkey would be going on. That is until we were ready to ride and she was busted for being 1" to short to be able to ride. We wound up going to the antique cars where she got to drive instead.

As we were ready to leave for the night, due to complete fatigue and the park getting ready to close, we had one last stop. Middle Weasel had still not done the "you might just die by hitting the ground with a splat puke-in-ator. I hate this ride and always have. This ride scares me - and I don't scare easily. It always feels like it is ready to malfunction and kill you. Middle Weasel Loves it. I went with her. That was how we ended the day or so I thought.

On the drive back to the cottage, a fabulous driver 2 cars ahead of me slammed his brakes for no apparent reason. The driver in front of me stopped short. I stopped short. The guy in back of me tried to stop, to no avail. I got rear ended. Luckily it was just a bump. No damage to me or him except for a few minor paint scratches. I was too worn out to get worked up. We shook hands and went our separate ways.

To many of you this sounds like a day in purgatory or worse. Not me though, this was a wonderful day of pure joy spent watching the Weasels having a ball, being with friends and soaking it all in. I loved it and am sorry that Mr. Weasel missed out on seeing the smiles and the lighting up of eyes as all the new adventures transpired. I would puke all day to see those faces and I almost did.

Well today vacation is over and we will be trekking it home. It was all very wonderful but after a month of crazy running I am ready to get home and back to my regular blogging schedule. See ya in the funny papers.

Beaches, Tantrums and Bugs

The Weasels and I are enjoying some wonderful down time in a cottage on lake with dear friends. Yesterday was a day at the beach, literally. My friend K and I sat in beach chairs watching her kids and mine search for shells, bury each other in the sand, lose an inter tube raft to the current of the bay splash around in the water and just enjoy summertime.

After dinner and the traditional eating of the food and roasting of the marshmallows Smallest Weasel started falling apart in a 'I had way to much fun today and am too tired to act reasonable' kind of way. K gave me a hand in trying to soothe this over tired rodent while the rest of the gang swung in the tree, ran through the yard and burnt off the sugar rush that only adding chocolate and graham cracker to said marshmallows can bring on.

The younger children had been bathed an pajamered. They frolicked in the yard while grown-ups were distracted trying to keep Smallest Weasel from reaching critical mass. Suddenly, Middle Weasel comes bursting into the room, " T (7 yr old boy) is putting bugs in his pants!". Laughter ensued among the moms, as we new he was only wearing the boxer briefs that he would be sleeping in. As it turns out, lightening bugs or fireflies or whatever you would like to call them will glow and illuminate a young boys underwear from the inside out, bringing said boy boundless joy and laughter.

Today we are off to another fun filled day of adventure and when any of the children start to have a meltdown I am just going to hand them a lightening bug.

WeaselMomma's Weekend

Okay, I am back from "The Convention That Shall Not Be Named". I have decided to call it that because I am sure that everyone who wasn't there has been so inundated with posts and tweets about it that they might don a gorilla mask, stilettos and go weasel hunting if they read one more little tidbit about you know what.

Instead, I offer for your reading pleasure some highlights of things I've learned over the course of WeaselMomma's Weekend ~ Yeah, that's a good cover.

* BusyDad doesn't call security when he gets accosted by a crazed fan in a hotel lobby.
* Mr. Lady is okay with strangers sitting in her lap and taking pictures.
* Melisa with 1 S can find bargain Margaritas in downtown Chicago.
* Honest and Truly, Michelle makes an awesome scout/tour guide/forward staff for any celebrity.
* Colleen (Mommy Always Wins) doesn't get mad when stiffed holding a bar tab.
* NYC Mama is very maternal will rock you like a baby if you sit on her lap and loves seamen.
* As Cape Cod turns is a crafty sweetheart that knows how to work the celebrity circuit.
* Mrs.4444 knows how to write one hell of a thank you note.
* Momo Fali rocks! Actually I already knew that.
* Flat Bad Momma drinks like a fish and will tackle you for swag.
* The Piper of Love will sit on the floor to give you her seat.
* Vodka Mom makes me feel tall.

.....and that folks was just the tip of the iceberg. I had a great weekend. How about you? Now I need a little vacation and will be unplugging from you for a week. Miss me, but don't cry too much. I'll be back soon.

Transformation

Okay people. I wasn't going to post about this, because I'm sure that people will post ad nausium, but I've got nothing else. So here we go.

Last week I was out of town, but nothing blogworthy happened. The kids and I had a great time visiting friends at their cabin on a lake in Michigan. We had a great time and I made it a real vacation by going completely black as far as these there internets go. Next week will be busy playing catch-up and you shouldn't expect to me around much (please don't give up on me), but in the mean time I will be heading off to BlogHer.

So in preparation for the party of the year convention, I have neglected to pack. Don't worry, I will get to it. I just had a few things to take care of first. A girl has to have her priorities.

First, I had to give my tootsies some love: *tidbit to give NukeDad a laugh ~ Yes they plucked the hair off of my gorilla toes.
Next, I couldn't be seen with man hands, so I did this:
Well, that gray wasn't going to wash itself out of my hair. Nor were the split ends working in my favor. Come to think of it, the caterpillar living on my brow line had to go and reluctantly I also answered yes to the time honored question of "You lip too?" (Guys won't get that one, but the chicks are wetting their pants) I wound up like this:
The next thing I new, I had this:
and this:
I went to go pick up this:
Yes, I know it's backwards, but not in real life. I came back to my computer to find this:

Oh, and if you want to know what I'll be wearing, it will be this:
and it says this on the back:
In case you don't have a mirror handy, it says WWWMD? (What would WeaselMomma do?) reference and a link to my Dear Weaselmomma column @ Dad-Blogs. These shirts are now for sale over there. So you too can dress as cool and hip as I do.

Have a great weekend folks. I'm sure I will!

Tune In For a Special Suburban WoW ~ After Dark

Hey folks! Yes I have been a delinquent blogger lately, but I wanted you all to know (so you wouldn't miss it). That TONIGHT at 9 EDT/ 8 CDT Melisa and I will be giving you a special edition of Suburban Wow!

*Click Here* for the direct link to our show, hosted by the fabulous Weather Kim.

I hope to see you all then and we can catch up.

And The Winner Is

TERRI of Terri Terri Quite Contrary!!!!!!!

Congratulations! Go pick from the Tungsten Carbide Collection on their website and email me our choice along with shipping information.

Indestructible Bling Giveaway

This is my gift to you my dear readers. Thanks to Tungsten Carbide Rings, I am giving away a set of two Tungsten Carbide Bands (up to $240 total value) to one of you.

These rings are virtually scratch proof and come with a lifetime replacement warranty*. These attractive bands are perfect bling for anyone who works with their hands, likes to use their wedding band as a bottle opener or anyone (you guys out there) who don't wear their wedding for fear of scratching it.

So onto the details:

• The winner may choose up to 2 rings (up to total value $240) from the Tungsten Carbide collection only (as found on their website).
• Winner will be chosen by a random drawing.
  
• Leave me a comment for an entry. (One per reader)
  
• Gain a second entry by including in your comment a story or reason why these rings are perfect for you.
  
• Tweet this giveaway, and leave me the link in my comments for another entry.
• Link to this giveaway in a post for yet another 2 entries.
• Entries must be received by Midnight Friday July 17th.
  

In total you can gain up to 5 entries to win the bling. So, what are you waiting for? Hop to it. Any questions?

Root For The Underdog

Happy Friday Everyone! Welcome back for another edition of Fatherhood Friday brought to you by the good folks of Dad Blogs. For some great reading on every topic Dad and Family related click on over.

*Don't forget ~ Today is the launch of Suburban Wow on Weather Kim TV. Click on over to see Melisa and I host the pilot episode of our very own talk show. Hilarity is sure to ensue @ 10am EDT/ 9am Central/ 8am Mountain and 7am Pacific ~ all simultaneously.*

You may remember reading *this post* in that I mentioned we were going adopt 3 legged hamster from a friend who wound up with an unexpected litter. Well, the Mom called me the other day to say that they were now big enough to leave their mother and could be picked up. While on the phone the mom mentioned that she saw the word sucker tattooed on my forehead that they had recently noticed the runt of the litter is paralyzed in it's 2 back legs. Poor little dude gets around just fine by dragging them behind him. "I know you have a soft spot for runts and underdogs. Would you consider adopting them both?". Maybe this is why I root for the Cleveland Indians.

Needless to say I am an idiot I couldn't bring myself to say no to this incredibly cute, albeit pathetic little rodent. We grabbed the supplies that we needed at the pet store (no real need for extra hamster wheels) and picked up the two newest rodent additions to Weaselville, Tenderfoot (missing a paw) and Gimpy (paralyzed in the back legs).

I must say that both little dudes (or dudettes, I can't tell) are really cute, sweet and gentle. They get around extremely well even with their disabilities ~it's really most impressive. The Weasels love them and are extremely kind and gentle with them. Even Smallest Weasel, in all of her 5 year old glory, holds and cares for them in a most loving way.

All of the Weasels do have a soft spot for any and all creatures, especially the less fortunate. It makes me a proud Mom to see the caring, love and compassion they have for those who are unable to care for themselves or those who are in need of a little extra help.

I also love that they are seeing these 2 little gimps getting around and climbing and doing without letting their handicaps slow them down one iota. I think they are learning some great lessons.

Introducing Suburban WoW!

This coming Friday Melisa of Suburban Scrawl and I are going to live stream our very own talk show. It will be this Friday at 10:15/9:15 central @ http://www.livestream.com/weatherkim
Please come join in the fun and watch us act like fools live for your viewing pleasure.
Here is our Promo:


Now doesn't that look like a good time.

So come join us on Friday morning and join in the fun

You (Wonderful) People

Last week my head was in a fog. I went through the motions of life, but can't say that I was really active or engaged in anything that I was attempting to do.
That, my dear readers, is why I felt like an idiot when I finally noticed this on Life of a New Dad. I had no idea how long it had been there. I was touched and embarrassed for not having seen it sooner. After all I had visited Otter's Blog a few times over the course of the week. I left him a comment thanking him for such sweetness and asking if I may have a copy. Soon I received the response that it was sent to him by Surprised Mom.

I contacted Surprised Mom and she informed me that it had been sent to her and made by The Microblogologist and that it had been sent around to numerous people and had been posted on numerous blogs that I frequent. Blogs that I had visited multiple times in the course of those few days. Yeah, I felt like an even bigger doofus for not having noticed it anywhere.

Now it was time to stalk around. I found it at Suburban Scrawl, Nuclear Family Warhead, Half Past Kissing Time and hanging on the wall in Oscar's Tavern.

I am so very touched that so many people took the time to remember our Claire Elaine, a baby girl that none of them have ever met (with the exception of Surprised Mom who indeed even held her).

A few bloggers (Microblogologist, NukeDad and Dear Mr. Man) even wrote special posts dedicated to her over the past 2 weeks in order to commemorate her life. I didn't even mind that NukeDad decided to change her middle name (sorry, I couldn't resist).

I can not tell you how much it means to know that our daughter is remembered by more than just her family. It gives her life meaning and if it causes you to speak a little gentler, find a little more patience or hold your family a little longer and a little closer, it also gives her life legacy.

Thank you all, and a special thanks to Microblogologist for the time and effort you put into doing this.

*If this is anywhere else that I have failed to notice, please let me know and send me the link. If I missed anyone, I apologize*

Fathering A Nation

Welcome back for another edition of Fatherhood Friday. Brought to you by Dad Blogs. Stop by, sign up and have fun.


As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July tomorrow, I thought I would give tribute to the Founding Fathers of this great nation. A group of men, who had everything to lose and were willing to put it on the all on the line in order to gain freedom and independence.

These were prominent business men, landowners and farmers. They knew they were not only putting their lives on the line, but their families livelihoods also. Fully aware that if they failed in this endeavor they would surely hang. For they were committing the largest act of High Treason against the King.

These men were passionate about Freedom, Independence and about their ideas of how to accomplish that task. Ideas that they vigorously and passionately disagreed with each other about. There were various strong personalities in the rooms of Independence hall and to say they didn't get along is a gross understatement. On more than one occasion they came incredibly close to blows with one another.

However, they knew the importance of the work at hand. They were able to set aside personalities in favor of principles. They understood what was at stake. In the words of Benjamin Franklin "We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately".

The fruits of the labor of some of the greatest minds ever assembled in one room, the sacrifices they made and the risks they took Fathered a new Republic. A Republic of, by and for the people. A republic that I am honored and blessed to be a part of. For you and I have inherited this great treasure of Freedom and you and I now assume the responsibility to care for and preserve the Union that many have died to protect from enemies both foreign and domestic.

Check out this excerpt of any essay on the responsibilities that lie in the hands of all Americans:

What it means to me to be American seems too big and overwhelming to put into words. For me it means so much. I feel like hit the lottery by being born in this country. It means Freedom. And with that freedom comes responsibility.

I have the freedom and rights to pursue my own happiness. My choices and my life are my own. Success or failure is my own, without the interference from or fear of my government. I may speak my mind, protect my family and worship my God. I have a voice in my government.

I have a profound admiration for thousands of men and women who are willing to die to protect these freedoms for me, even if I am total jerkwad.
Now onto responsibilities.

• I have the responsibility of my own life in my hands. I can blame no one else for my failings or short comings.
  
• I have the responsibility to vote, no matter how I feel about the candidates.
  
• I have the responsibility to God, the God who granted me the inalienable rights mentioned in our constitution, to care for my fellow man and those less fortunate than myself(there are many ways to do this outside of government).
  
• I have the responsibility to contribute to society in a positive way.
  
• I have the responsibility to teach my children the ideals and history of this great nation and to teach them to honor and live up to those ideals so that those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for my children have not done so in vein.

All of these statements can not even begin to do justice to the pride and emotion that wells up inside of me when I think about what it means to me to be an American, nor does it do justice to my gratitude to those who have gone before me to make these freedoms possible.

Can you guess the author? That was written by none other than ME. That is an excerpt that I decided to recycle from a post I wrote on July 4th of last year.

I wish you all a safe and happy Independence Day*. I also invite you to leave your thoughts on what being an American means to you, or write your own post and leave me a link.

*Little known trivia tidbit ~ We celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence as our nations birthday on July 4th, but the signing actually took place on July 2, 1776. Then the document had to go out to the printer to make and enlarged copy to hang in the town square. It was returned from the printer and posted in the square on July 4, 1776.

Twisted Therapy

Today is a tough day in Weaselville. Actually all this past week, emotions and anxiety have been running high ramping up in the knowledge that today is coming. I wind up striving to find ways to shut my brain down or at least my thoughts. The Weasels understand and try to tread as lightly as possible and to do little things in an attempt to help these days go smoothly.

Yesterday, as I wandered the house in my own little world. The Weasels were all laughing and chatting around a computer screen. They were self entertaining, therefore I was content. Soon they came to start bombarding me. Telling me of this game that they found online where the goal is to commit suicide. "WHAT?!", that got my attention. "What are you playing? No. Stop. That's awful and twisted and sick. Get away from the computer! That's not even a little bit appropriate!".

They looked at me like a third eye was appearing on my forehead as they watched. I asked Eldest Weasel, "What is this game and where did you find it? What websites are you getting into?". "Mom, it's fun. You'd love it. Here let me show you." She directed my laptop to addictinggames.com. "Mom, you won't be able to stop. I promise". She pulled up the game Karoshi.

*Karoshi is the Japanese word for death by overwork.

In this game with 1980's simple graphics, you are a small man wearing a business suit (looking very similar to a little lego dude). The object of the game to kill yourself (seriously, this is twisted). The catch is that every level is a puzzle that you must solve in order to splat your dude and move to the next level. As the levels move on, sometimes there are other little co-worker men that you must kill before you kill yourself. This game is wrong on so many different levels it's not funny.

And it's fun! And addictive! And makes you seriously focus and think outside the box. It is a fantastic puzzle solving, brain focusing exercise. I LOVE IT!

I wound up playing all afternoon. It was actually fantastic therapy for me. The kids would even help when I would get stuck on a level. I no longer have any problems with them playing this game.

Mr. Weasel called to find out how things were going at home. I told him all about the game we were playing. He freaked a little, "What are you letting them play? I don't think the kids should be playing that!". I told him not to worry, it was really okay and they were working on their math and logic skills. He thought I had lost my mind. "I'll show you when you get home".

Once home we all set Mr. Weasel up on the computer to see what game we were talking about. He too became addicted and okay'd this game for play amongst the Weasels.

Right now you are all thinking that I am nuts. You may be right, but before you unfollow or cancel your RSS subscription *click here* and check it out for yourself. If you still think I need to be committed after that, cut me some slack. It's been a bad week.