4th of July 2012

One word summary of the 4th of July 2012-HOT or maybe 2 BLAZING HOT.
The parade went on, but it was hot. I look at the pictures and all that I see are smiling, patriotic, happy children but I remember walking the first loop and it was HOT Have I mentioned that it was hot? I was never so glad to have to go back to my house to get Popsicles ready- I ditched the last loop! We shot off the annual parachute guys and watched some firework at at friends house. I love summer!

Board Break

Ben broke his first board in taekwondo class on Saturday. His teacher said very casually to Ben, "Are you ready to break a board?" Ben said very casually back, "sure, yeah." What I really think he wanted to say was" YES, I HAVE BEEN WAITING MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS. I TALK ABOUT IT EVERY DAY AND DREAM OF IT EVERY NIGHT. DO YOU THINK I AM READY? I AM NOT SURE IF I AM READY. HOW DO I DO IT? WILL IT HURT? WHAT SIZE IS THE BOARD?WHAT TYPE OF WOOD?"
After several attempts, feeling a moment of discouragement, and a pep talk from his teacher he kicked the board and split that baby right down the center. I actually screamed when I heard it crack. Even today, once in a while I will hear Ben say, I still can't believe I broke a board with my bare foot."
We are so proud of your determination and dedication Ben! Keep up the great work!!!

the COUCH

The couch has left the Kahl house!!!!
This couch has a long story to go with it and since I am determined to remember things like this, I had to include it in our blog. I discovered these gems at my neighbors. They called to see if Kevin could help move these out because their new furniture was arriving. Kevin was not around so I offered to help (neighbor was pregnant at the time) When she told me they were putting these bad boys on Craig's list for 150 I said sold because we need furniture for our basement.Went home, found Kevin was home, Told Kevin, wrote the check, got them to the house AND then I discovered they would not fit down the basement stairs.
Lesson # 1 ALWAYS measure 1st!
This is when my furniture nightmare started. My usually calm husband was not happy, I mean mad as a hornet. It did not help when I asked if HIS tape measure was broken...
Kevin made the decision to move our leather furniture into the basement and put this in our living room. WAIT BACK UP- NOT MY PLAN.
Kevin said "It is now!"
Kevin and our neighbor were trying to cram our leather couch into the basement and as I mentioned before Kevin was as mad as I have ever seen him. Poor Brett probably wanted to crawl in a hole.
As the were pushing and shoving the back of the leather couch ripped. I have to say I contemplated running away from home at that moment...
I was very sad at the poor choice I had made. The couch itself was a very nice couch and so so comfortable but it looked horrendous in my room it didn't match, was too formal and I panicked! I even said OUT LOUD to Kevin I WAS WRONG, WRONG I SAY!!!!! He might have plugged his ears and responded with " I am not listening" He did make me live with my choice
After some room arraigning and pillow and blanket help my friend made it livable in my room.
Lesson #2 There is always hope.
Fast forward over a year later and I just sent it out the front door, glad I was able to give it to a friend in need.
New furniture delivered tomorrow! Yippee!!!!!!
Kevin figured he had made me suffer long enough and the guy at Ashley was a really good salesman! When someone hands your children Popsicles and tells them to go find their couch you pretty much have to assume- SOLD!
Final Lesson: Never buy furniture without having a plan- unless of course there are Popsicles involved!

Lessons I learned From The Suburban Hunger Games

On the 4th of July, we were at a party. At the party someone, not sure who, decided we should play a version on the hunger games right there in the backyard.
It is funny, what you can learn about people from such an experience...
1. No matter what plan you have, it is sure to fall apart.
2. Some kids are guns, some ammo, never both. You either end up with a bunch of ammo and no gun or a gun and no ammo- I'm serious, I witnessed it.
3. When girls talk boys listen.
4. When girls yell, boys do not hear a word.
5. Girls are planners by nature, that is the way God made them to be.
6. Boys are not.
7.Boys run as fast as they can for no reason at nothing. Girls tiptoe quietly past, then they go for the kill.
8. I do not care if you have the nicest child in the world, if you put a bunch of Nerf guns in the grass and yell go, your child will turn nasty.
9. Kids listen to directions.
10. Kids do not follow directions.
11. Someone always wins.
12. Someone always loses.
13. Someone always complains they were wronged either way.
14. Someone always cheated.
15. Some games are better left for books- don't expect a Quidditch match in my backyard anytime soon...

Michigan's Adventure

Last Tuesday our family went to Michigan's Adventure. It was an easy 2 1/2 hour ride. Since we are thinking about Disney soon we thought we better test the waters with a smaller park.
A little fact about our family- we really do not go anywhere. we are perfectly happy eating and playing at home. So, unlike you world travelers, this was a big step for our little family.
Our kids are awesome car riders so no complaints there. I, however, am the worst road trip companion you will ever know. I need to go to the bathroom every 15 miles, I complain, I whine, and I ask how much longer more than the kids.
We had a couple things going against us- the fact that Ben would not ride an elevator or escalator until the age of five, when Kevin and I finally had had enough and throw him, screaming bloody murder on the up escalator at Macy's, AND their allergies. Both turned out great!!!
The park itself was the perfect size. We chose to rent a cabana in the water park so we could have a home base in the park. It worked out great, even allowing us to order food and drinks and not waiting in the food lines.
Ben was a roller coaster maniac!!! He loved them so much he went on all of them multiple times. I am so thankful Kevin went with him! I USE TO love roller coasters. NOW- I do not! Ben did convince me to ride a huge wooden roller coaster and then forced me to sit in the front row. That was my last roller coaster ride as a grown woman I can assure you. Besides the fact that I felt like my brains were being ripped from my head, my 44 year old body failed me on so many levels some I can not write about! I screamed (horrid shrieking screams) from start to finish. That lovely souvenir photo showed me screaming in my 10 year olds face while holding his little body, thinking it was going to save mine. NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Gabe rode 2 roller coasters. The first, a corkscrew went off without a hitch (he sat with Dad). The second one, a smaller wooden roller coaster, did not go so well (he was sitting with Mom) Half way into the ride he looked at me and started saying, "I am not happy, I am not happy" repeating this until the end of the ride. This was Gabe's last roller coaster ride of the day. I know Kevin thinks I ruined it for Gabe and I am sure my cries of "help me Jesus" did not help, but in my defense, I did try, for the remainder of the day to encourage further riding. It did not work.
We all rode the funnel of fear at the water park and of course, I was the backwards rider through the dark horrid drop, which easily could have been to my death. Everyone else had fun...
Overall, we had a wonderful day and feel we can take on Disney...maybe!