HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!

New Shoes

Zach got new shoes yesterday (details here). He started running around really fast and saying "Do you see that smoke". He claims that the shoes make him run so fast he puts out smoke. He even showed me the spot on the back of the shoe where the smoke comes out. Who knew....

Into the Toy Basket

This is Owen playing in the Toy Basket. He just loves to tip it over and pull everything out.

Just like Zach used to do.....










(Yikes - these two really look alike!!)

Am I Cute or What?

New Blog

Check out my new Blog!!

www.urbansaving.blogspot.com

Tree in a Tree

The big tree in our front yard has a hole in the trunk and somehow a helicopter seed landed in there. I can't believe it is actually growing in that dark space....

City vs. County

Do you know what happens when you don't take care of your property?










The house across the street had been occupied by renters for the past year. They had taken decent care of the property until close to when they moved out. When they left, they hadn't mowed the lawn in weeks and there was trash everywhere. An old junker car was left in the driveway also. Next thing we know, there are notices posted on the house.

Being the nosy neighbor that I am, I had to go and see what was going on. It appeared that the County Inspector had driven by and issued citations for the condition of the property. One for the abandoned vehicle and an old pool that was in the backyard and one for the rubbish. (What we don't know is if someone called in and complained or the Inspector just happened to be in our area)

The next day I saw the inspector over there taking pictures, so I went over to talk to him. I was told that the owner had until Monday (this was on Fri.) to clean up or the County would hire someone to do it for her at her expense. He told me not to worry, they wouldn't allow our area to look like that for long. (I wasn't really worried, just curious)

Just so you know the rest of the story - the Owner showed up over the weekend and did some major yardwork and removed some of the trash. I really don't know where it stands now. Obviously the grass is long again since then.

Anyway - the whole story leads me to "City vs. County" What really are the differences? My subdivision is not St. Charles City zoned. We are only residents of the County.

Here is what I have noticed:
-Our subdivision is plowed sooner than "City" streets sometimes.
-We have a choice in our Trash Collector - the City residents must use a company through the City.
-Our Sales tax rate for new vehicles is less than in the city limits.
-The Inspectors still make people follow rules - ie. the property across the street, and our next door neighbor had to remove their camper recently.

It seems to me that we are better off not being incorporated into the City limits. I had always thought it was a disadvantage, but since we have lived here, I haven't found one.

Anyone have any comments on this one?? I am really curious of other differences I haven't noticed....

Two Boys in a Tub

PRECIOUS! (Hope they don't hate me too much later for these pics)

Crayola

What does an almost 3yr old do with a brand new pack of markers?










Color his face with them, of course! (At least they are the Washable kind)

The Bench House

This is Zach's imaginary house where everything he doesn't have exists.

For example, if Zach sees a cool shirt on someone, he would say, "I have one of those at my Bench House." Zach noticed that I was wearing Flip Flops one day - he said, "I have those at my Bench House."

He has a lot of things at his Bench House. Clothes, Toys, Motorcycles, Big Trucks, a Backhoe, etc.

When I ask "Where is your Bench House?"
he replies "Behind my work."

Of course, I should have known....

The Bouncing Stopped.....

While Chris and I were getting ready for the Poker Tournament we put Owen in the Jumperoo. It suddenly dawned on us that we couldn't hear the Jumperoo bouncing in the front room anymore. Here is what we found....

One Tired Baby

Almost every evening before Chris & I head to bed, we get Owen up and give him a bottle in the hopes that he will sleep the rest of the night. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Last night, when I got Owen up and put him on the changing table to change his diaper, he just curled right back up and continued to sleep....

Feeding the Piggy

Owen has had no problems so far adjusting to food. In fact, I think he would prefer food to his formula. I think it might be time to start sharing our food with him!

A New Letter

Owen has now added the "D" sounds to his babbling. Daa Da Daa Da.....

D and B - Just waiting for M...

Monkey See Monkey Do

Zach laid out the couch pillows on the floor and was bouncing around on them. Owen thought it looked really fun and began to mimic his brother. The two of them were having a great time and I grabbed the camera for a video. I actually got it recorded and when I went to watch it, I accidentally erased it! I was so bummed, I just hope we will have a similar opportunity again.

Zach's Slug Bug Collection

NPR: Coupons Making a Comeback

Found this over at Money Saving Mom

Yet - we have the counterfeiters to blame for some stores giving us grief for using coupons.....

Welcome Baby Teya

My cousin Tyler and his fiance Tracy welcomed Teya to the world today! Congratulations!

A Super 5 Jump

I am not exactly sure what a "Super 5" jump is - but according to Zach - here it is:

Happy 4th of July!

We went over to PaPa and Vicki's to BBQ. U. Bobby, A. Jenny, and U. Bobby's brother and wife were there too. We had yummy food and it was nice to see everyone!










Owen being cute in his diaper










This is Zach scared out of his mind at the fireworks. He just kept begging us to take him inside. If you look closely, you might be able to see his death grip on me. Owen was having a great time - the noise didn't bother him at all.

Attack of Another Rash

Yesterday, Zach woke up with a rash spreading lightly over his face. I called the doctor (He was in last week for a rash all over his torso) and they told me to give him Benedryl and as long as he wasn't any worse and it wasn't bothering him, that I wouldn't need to bring him in to see Dr. Buffa. I took him to work with me until lunchtime, then we went home for the day. He actually looked a little better in the afternoon, so we didn't go to the doctor.

THEN - This is what Zach looked like when he woke up this morning! (Of course, now the dr. is closed for the holiday). Chris was at work, so I woke up my sister (early on her 1st day off all summer) and had her look at it. I was so afraid we needed to take him to the hospital. She calmed me down and we decided to give him more benedryl. Ugh... enough with the rashes already!!