It's a Funny Farm Life!!!

muscle man, snowman, turtle, ladybug....

Surfer girl...

Rosie is a huge fan of the beach. 

She crawls around for hours playing with the sand and seashells.

And she loves to crawl onto all the beach chairs. She hasn't fallen yet, but the lady on the beach next to us almost had a heart attack.

Rosie's 1st Shoes

Heading off for some quality family time.

Enjoy Rosie and her new little shoes...

can't leave him...

Soon, we leave for a long overdue family vacation to the outer banks.

Jim's parents kindly offered to stay with Aidan, knowing he hasn't traveled very  well in the past, so we could get away and enjoy the beach. Jim and I gratefully accepted their offer.

Without Aidan on our trip, we'd have a chance of a semi-quiet car trip down to North Carolina. We would never have to stop at a McDonald's for french fries. I wouldn't have to pack a ream of paper and not a single piece of crumbled artwork would be left on the floor. There would be no need to bring reduced fat Cheez-its because no one loves that snack as much as Aidan. We'd have the freedom to go to a museum or two and maybe even go to an outdoor concert.

I'd have a week off from feeling an intense mix of anger and resentment during the awkward moment in a grocery store where Aidan barks or hoots and a stranger looks at him longer than is polite while throwing me a sympathetic smile. Molly may forget that she'll never have a big brother who acts older than she does. Rory won't have to protect his straw from Aidan's grab. Maggie won't argue with Aidan over Elmo or Barney, if Aidan stays home she can command the PBS selections. But poor Rosie will have to find her own snacks, she has learned to position herself right near his chair to grab up any falling cheez-its or chex mix.

I can't do it.

I can't leave him.

For better or for worse, we are a family for a reason.

Over and over, I keep thinking of the saying, "No one gets left behind." How silly is it to leave Aidan behind for the  Wright museum?  When it comes right down to it, I couldn't care less about the Wright museum and I've never had an overwhelming desire to bring my children to an outdoor concert.

I am certain there will be moments in the upcoming trip that will be frustrating and noisy and downright difficult. I'll take those as they come just as I do at home. In the moments where I'm ready to take the bridge, I hope I remember that I am called to love unconditionally and that a trip to McDs drive-thru can solve most problems.

Guard your plate.

Rosie stole Brendan's chocolate chip pancake.

finks+mcds=summer fun

So, so much fun.

today, two blogs collide...

I've obtained a noise ordinance waiver, packed the fridge with sam adams summer ale, stocked up on sunscreen.

Today, finkipedia is coming to the funny farm. 

Just when I thought our summer could not possibly get any better, I received word from my favorite fink family that they are venturing north.  And even better, they are foolish brave enough to stay with us.

Molly is relieved to have a "real" doctor, not just a dentist, in the house and I couldn't agree with her more. FINK, DO NOT FORGET THE PRESCRIPTION PAD. After an hour in my house, you'll thank me for that reminder.  Also, you might want to pack safety glasses and personal protective equipment for the kids- it can get wild and crazy around here.

Check back for pictures of the collision....

Legal disclaimer: The Funny Farm is not responsible for any permanent psychological, emotional or physical damage  that results from two blogs colliding.  Injuries may include, but not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome from drinking mojitos, acquiring tetanus from basement sleep-overs, L3 L4 disc herniation from attempting to pick up Baby Rosie, tooth avulsion from a raucous wiffle ball game...

SI swimsuit edition

another successful chickin patty night...

Aidan loves going to the grocery store.

Aidan picked out all sorts of good stuff at the store yesterday morning. I asked him to help me carry in the bags.

I found him in the trunk looking for the chex mix.