Eight Months Later...

So... I just realized that it's been like EIGHT MONTHS since I did one of those "and this is what we've been up to" posts. 

What the hell Eden, pull it together! 

With that being said, I just went back through my photo files from the last few months and I'm here to update all of you in a fashion that can only be described as "overwhelming."

For that, I apologize.

I know that a lot of you were relying on me to describe the free or low cost activities that we attend so that you could look for similar things in your area, and I completely dropped the ball! For that I really am sorry. Life just kind of got away from me and I'm going to back up that explanation by taking you all the way back to December and showing you how we have spent our weekends.

We started out the holidays by attending a free local Winter Wonderland thing with my kids, The Guy, and My Platonic Hubby and her family...

Can I just take a moment to brag about how The Girl Child has not gotten THREE years out of this dress? I'm impressed.

Sorry I'm Late

Sorry, I've been lazy, so here's a post that has been building up in my file folder for two months now and I just haven't gotten around to publishing it. I have however, gotten enough emails from readers asking "why haven't you posted any of the free weekend activities that you guys do?" to let me know that I'm slacking.

I also didn't realize that so many of you were using my free weekend activities to spark ideas for your own family, so I apologize for being so delayed. If there is any advice that I can give you, it's to go to your local library, recreation center, and park district office and get the informational booklets that nearly every town publishes on a quarterly basis. The booklet should detail all the events and festivals that will be going on in your area, and most should have the costs listed with the event time information.

Because I have absolutely no money for entertainment and yet I don't want my kids to miss out on their entire childhood, I go through the book and put all the free activities right into my calender so that I can plan ahead for the ones we want to attend.

ANYWAY, I figured this extended holiday weekend would be the perfect time to drop this post's enormity on you because some of you might have a little extra time to get through it all! So jumping back to the end of September and moving forward, here is what has been keeping us busy, free and otherwise.

SO. FREAKING. BUSY!

It's funny how everyone waits for summer to get here so that they can kick back and relax, but then the minute it gets here we all take off running and throw relaxation to the side!

Here's just a snapshot of what the Strong family has been up to:

As I said before, someone graduated 1st grade.

Girl Child and her Teacher
Funny story, Mr. Attorney Man texted me as I was walking to the school to pick her up, and I replied back telling him not to text me again until I gave him the all clear. I wanted to take a video and incoming texts stop the recording!

Which of course meant we had to celebrate that they let us stay until the end of the year.

What better way to kick off summer than with a silly string fight?

I Don't Recommend Getting A Tongue Tattoo

Was it just me or was April insanely busy?

Aside from the daily grind of work/dance/school/daycare/, we also spent several weekends in a row at Easter festivals. I say Easter festival and not egg hunt because these days you go for the hunt but then you stay for the games. I really don't remember having anything like this when I was younger, but now it seems like every egg hunt has bounce houses, rides, games, prizes, face painting, and food, and the best part is that they are all free!

 Platonic Husband's real hubby

So yes, we did many of them.

The Platonic Husband, her family, and I were there to see The Girl Child find the golden egg at one hunt, meaning she got a crappy prize, which at 6yrs old pretty much feels like you have won the lottery.

Give Me Your Thoughts On This

Actual conversations I've had with The Girl Child this week;

"Mom, if I stick my finger in there will I be 'electrocubed'?"

"Yes kid, if you stick your finger in the socket you will be electrocuted."

....five minutes later.

"Why are you still staring at the socket?"

"I'm trying to decide if I want to risk it."

What. The. Hell.

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While driving in the car, "Look mom!! A kangaroo!!"

"That is a deer standing on its hind legs."

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"Mom, when you're dead, can I have your phone number?"

"Aw. Baby, remember how we talked about how when people die, you can't talk to them in the same way anymore? You won't be able to call me."

"No, I mean like can I actually have your phone number? Can you have them put it on a phone for me?"

"What are you like 15 now? And why do you want my phone number?"

"Because it's the only one I know. How will all my friends be able to get ahold of me if I don't know my own phone number?"

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"Ok that's it, go sit on the stairs, you have a 5 minute time out."

"You know what mom? I think I'll just go ahead and do ten minutes so that I can cross one off for next time."
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"This is called a blood test babe. They just have to quickly take a little bit of blood out of your arm, ok?"

"Can they just take all of it so that the next time I get a cut I won't need a band aid?"

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