Tuesday, August 25, 2009

So I was in Costco...

Once again I am blown away (no pun intended) at how erratic Minnesota weather can be in the course of one week. What's even more amazing are the natives and how they never even flutter an eyelash when 5 feet of snow falls, or it rains for 3 days strait or doesn't rain for a month. They just keep on with their lives and their "Minnesota niceness".

Wednesday wa
s just the same, it had been raining pretty hard all day and when it let up a bit I hauled my 4 children to Costco for a change of scenery, free samples, and some groceries. As we were inside the store, the tornado sirens went off, no one ran for the tornado shelter or started frantically stockpiling water bottles and raisins. People's paces were unchanged and even the old ladies serving samples, didn't miss a beat cutting chicken nuggets into bite size pieces. So of course my thought is, "When in Rome, do as the Romans," and finished up my shopping.

After we checked out, I noticed there was a huge line to leave and then all of the sudden the Exit and Entry doors slammed shut. The manager told us that it was his professional opinion that we stay in the store until the tornado passed. LOL. So the kids and I bought a couple of churros and waited out the near death experience.

We were only delayed for 10 minutes and then once the door were opened we went safely home.
I laughed inwardly at the people who were upset that they had to stay in Costco because of "the weather."
May I be in Costco every time there is a tornado or when any sort of inclement weather passes my way.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Riley is 7

I love Riley. Right from day one he has been such a gem. His labor and delivery were only 3 1/2 hours and I was so excited, I didn't sleep all day. I just looked at him asleep in our bed. He was 9 lbs. 11 oz., 21 inches long and pink.
Riley is without guile and always honest. He is willing to follow or lead and bend with other peoples wants. He is loyal to his family and friends and will fight to the death if someone messes with them. He is sensitive and wants to do the right thing. Riley is kind and when someone is hurt or sad, he doesn't just wait and watch, he gets down to that person's level and helps and comforts them.

It is so neat to have a child like Riley.


He's growing up and almost as tall as Conrad. His favorite things are Star Wars, Legos, Star Wars Legos, Pokemon, riding his bike, the color blue, math and reading, soccer, archery, Converse shoes, sports cars, computer games, ice cream, Chicken Parmesan, cereal, and baby Quinn.


Riley generally doesn't like his pictures taken. He hates the whole process: the time it takes to get ready, the itchy church clothes, the crazy person doing the shoot. This year I promised it would take less than an hour and it would just be me and him. We were outside on the State fair grounds and he got to pick out his outfit. Notice the Star Wars tee shirt, jeans & Converse? Yep, it was smooth sailing this time.


I realized that to get a good picture out of Riley, I had to let him pull a few funny faces.


Riley is rather picky about what he wears. He doesn't like polo or button up shirts, unless they are "cool". (whatever that means.)



Riley is losing his teeth and I adore his toothy grin and his sweet dimple on his left cheek.

I love you Riley!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Eggcelent

Riley posed this question while he was eating his breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast:

"Why don't eggs taste like chicken?"