Jump Rope

I liked to jump rope when I was a kid. Wait. Is jump rope a verb? Or a noun?

Because of rise in obesity stats among young people, jump rope is making a comeback. There are Jump-A-Thons to raise money for stuff. Jump Rope classes.

But this video takes the cake. I can't find a single overweight kid in the bunch. (Or a boy for that matter). These girls are super talented.

Even if you don't have time to watch the whole thing, be sure to make it to the 1:47 mark because it just looks cool.

Fletch Man

Grandma got some great action shots of Fletcher at his Tball practice and then again at his game.

Throwing.
Base relays.

Making a play at first base or at least looking like he might attempt to make a play.

Ready position.

Acting silly.

Connecting with the ball.

Power hitter.

TV Update: We are back in business! I found a 32" JVC television on craigslist. It was an older couple who had finally upgraded to a flat screen and just wanted to get rid of their old "tube" one. Turned out they live less than two miles from our house so Kevin went over and picked it up Monday night. Works great. The best part? It was only $ 40. Now that is a deal!

Lukey Boy

Here are more pics from our visit with Grandma and Papa Charlie.

There's a bakery here in town that makes these yummy cupcakes with "Carolina Blue" frosting. Luke has never met a cupcake he didn't like.

This is much easier than using a fork!

Practicing good tricycle safety. Right concept, wrong helmet.

Hanging out with Papa Charlie.

He is really into big machines these days. This one was at the playground at Fletcher's school. He likes pointing out all of the different ones he knows as we drive too. He knows school bus, cement truck, crane, roller, firetruck, excavator, bulldozer, bobcat (Skid steer loader) and tractor to name a few.

Is The Pope Catholic?

Grandma and Papa Charlie sent us some fun pictures from their visit a few weeks back. We went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate Fletcher's graduation. They gave each of the boys a chef's hat to commemorate the event. Fletcher's hat said "I graduated today" and Luke's said "My brother graduated today." The only problem is that we couldn't get them to stay round so they kinda reminded us of the hat that the pope wears. This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Please note the socks with the Crocs. My boy knows fashion.

Fletcher is also showing off his medal he received at graduation which he proudly wore to the restaurant. Luke is showing off his tan and his six pack abs.

Happy Blogiversary To Me!

Exactly one year ago today I started this blog. It is hard to believe it has been a year! There have been 270 posts counting this one. The creating process has been fun.

I'm not sure what one does to celebrate a blogiversary.

Any ideas?

I suppose some thank yous are in order.

Thank you to all of my loyal readers (all three of you).

Thank you to my boys and my husband who allow me to tell the story of our little family online. I am sure Fletcher and Luke will be thrilled about this little venture once they get to middle school.

I think I'll publish some of my favorite blog posts of the past year next week. Vote for your favorite.

Also, I may work on changing the look of Snickelfritz Lane. My brother informed me that the little birdie is the same one that Twitter uses. I want something more unique than that.

So from all of us at Snickelfritz Lane to all of you. Thanks for doing life with us!

Throwback Thursday

The date: Fall 1996

The place: Kevin's first apartment in Houston

The mood: We've had a tragedy of sorts in our home. See the gigantic, mammoth black entertainment center in the picture? See the television inside it? Kevin had that television before he moved to Houston. Before he met me. Before we got married. So doing the math, that television is about 15 years old. Or should I say "was about 15 years old." It died yesterday peacefully in its sleep mode. I tried to turn it on and it just wouldn't wake up.

(Side note: try explaining this to a 5 year old and a 21 month old eagerly waiting to watch Curious George)

Kevin came home, checked the wires and confirmed that it was gone. He carried it out to the garage after the kids went to bed.

I realize the whole flat screen, plasma, televisions bigger than your wall are popular right now. But frankly, we watch so little television (remember we are down to basic cable anyway) that spending lots of money on a television was not a priority for us.

For now, we put the television from our room in the armoire. We don't hold out much hope for it either. I had it when I was in college which makes it at least 20 years old. Here's a photo of our new set up. If you squint really hard, you can see the tv.

When I was a kid we got in trouble for sitting too close to the tv. My mom would say we would go blind or something like that. I suppose in this case I can't really fuss at the boys if they sit too close. I think we all may have to.

An Open Letter

Dear Retail Store Owners and Managers,

I realize as Americans too many of us have a bad habit of making impulse purchases. That's why you strategically place non-essential items like candy, chocolate, mini Sharpies and mini Etch-A-Sketch toys by the register in hopes that a hurried mommy will just say, "Ok, yes, you can have that."

I get it.

However, let me introduce you to my 21 month old son whom I will refer to as Octopus Toddler or OT for reasons which will soon become obvious. He thinks all of those things are for his personal enjoyment while I attempt to check out. It doesn't help matters that his older brother also thinks that in order to experience life to the fullest he too must pick up said items.

Yes, Mr. Store Manager at Michaels I was trying to buy several large picture frames with two children in tow. Yes, your shopping carts are the exact same size as the Little Tykes play cart at home. Which is perfect if one is buying a few stickers or perhaps a bottle of glue. However, it is rather difficult to balance a 16 X20 frame while pushing a cart containing OT. Especially when all of the safety belts on every single cart are broken. So please do not give me "that look" when OT proceeds to knock over the entire box of glitter bouncy balls strategically placed at the check out counter causing them to roll and bounce in a hundred different directions. You are probably still trying to find all of them. I hope the elderly woman looking for a crochet needle and yarn didn't break her hip when she fell on one. Kudos to you for at least taking pity on me and helping me out to the car with my frames.

And Mrs. Pier 1 Imports Manager, I won't even begin to ask you why you have a box of bouncy balls right next to the glass vases, ceramic platters and lamps. OT has no aim but he has tons of enthusiasm when he hurls that ball before mommy can pry it out of his little fingers.

Thank you for letting me vent,
A frazzled mommy