Welcome to the Schroeder's (clothing optional)

A naked story
Once there was a couple doing their finances in the living room while checking out the window on their oldest three children who were playing with the hose on the trampoline. In their underwear. All is well, as it is summertime in Texas and skivvies are the attire of most people on most days. Or maybe that's just us. Like I said, all was well. Then the mother noticed the plumbers had arrived to fix the toilet that had backed up into the tub, unexpectedly- the tub toys could not be salvaged, thanks for checking. She cringed as she remembered the cabinets that her husband had ripped off the laundry room wall the day before, also unexpectedly, were laying in ruins in the grass next to the front steps. And also the camping gear from last week's trip was stacked haphazardly on the picnic table. She felt a bit like those people who live with filth all around them, you know the ones whose homes actually look like they are abandoned and then you see the owners still in their nightclothes and wonder what they think as they walk past that stuff every day for years and years-I digress-- and was hesitant to actually face the plumbers. Then she opened the door. Oh good. Effie and Ava were already on the front porch to greet them. Nakedly. Jimas and all. Then the mother felt a bit worse than those people she was thinking about only moments before, because at least they all had their clothes on. The end.

Actually there is no end to this story, because tomorrow it will be the mail lady, or the UPS man. And now that I recollect, the Schwann's guy has seen them all in various states of undress. There is something to be said for parents who can keep clothing on their children.

We can't get no satisfaction

Reno, who has been in bed for over an hour, just told Jason that the reason he needed another snack was that he had been fasting all day. Not so much little man. But do you think there are people out there who want their kids to fast? I sure hope not. Another question. Does fasting still count when it is followed by gluttony? And really, how many Oreos are too many? Perhaps just leave your answers to yourself. Thanks.

Pardon my rant

All right. So I got all set to surprise Jason and Effie with Taylor Swift concert tickets- its a daddy/daughter thing, and the cheapest seats in Dallas are $130 each, all the way up to $1175. I have to say that I have a renewed respect for Miss Swift if people are paying that much to see the show. Needless to say, my money will be spent elsewhere, but am disappointed nonetheless. Which brings me to another point. I really don't understand much about socialism in action, but will shortly I suppose, and was wondering if under our new president's rule should we somehow be entitled to see concerts, sporting events, ballets, etc. at a sliding pay scale rate? Or perhaps with certain welfare-type concerts for those of us who can't afford tickets but are entitled as Americans to go? No? Perhaps I am off the deep end, but if they are going to take radio away from us, and everything else is going socialized, and if music will be too, someday in the future, I just wish it would be now so they could see her. Like I've said before though, down with the man.

*Also, green hair pic did not show enough green to make it worth the effort it takes to load it on the page.

Enough is too much

This is in reference to the pool. We have been in hotels 10 of the past 17 nights. That means that the majority of those days we were stuck in the hotel and therefore in the pool. I am not exaggerating, Effie's hair is green. I will post a picture tomorrow when I can get one with the sun on it. This life has its pros and cons, which I won't bore you with except this one. Picture bedtime. Levi's fussing so we can't turn the lights off and bed down ourselves, even though we are exhausted. So with a lamp on we read our scriptures, write in our journals, yell at them once again to lay down, stop playing, get your foot off your sister, and so forth and so forth and so forth. The primary program cd on repeat does nothing to induce sleepiness, or the spirit for those of us trying and failing to concentrate on Mormon's words. Seriously, I can remember nothing from what I have read lately. Also, Reno just said "We have a head-egg from that music." Me too little man. Jason has just asked me to go over there and beat them. Although in all reality, we battle this sort of bedtime insubordination no matter where we are, it just makes it harder to ignore when they are ten feet away.
This just happened. Reno started oinking. I started snickering to myself as Jason stood up "looking for his belt." Effie recognizes what he is doing and belts out "Everyone, hide your butts." An hour after we started this and there is no end in sight. I repeat, enough is too much.
**No Schroeder's were injured in the making of this blog.**

If you ever plan to motor west...

Home sweet home here in Tucumcari, New Mexico! Yes, this is night three in our by now quite soiled hotel room. We twice have opted not to have housekeeping services, only towels, thinking that in a few hours we would be free. Twice that was a mistake-- I will not describe things in detail, only trust that clean white sheets are no match for nacho cheese Doritos, chocolate, and Ava. The kids are happy, with an average of three swims a day, coupled with lots of t.v. and fast food. The repair man--we broke down here in the parking lot of McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express, and a few other hotels, restaurants, and gas stations Sunday night on our trip to San Diego for those not up to speed-- ordered the wrong part yesterday, discovered it this afternoon, and will have a new part tomorrow, we hope. But we are in high spirits and look forward to tomorrow's events with great anticipation. Until then, listen to John and think of us. All hail the Mother Road.

We are tired of the pirate look.

Who is this kid? Seriously though. Three more months of this, and then glasses, and then perhaps surgery. No end in sight.

School's out for-ever!!

Life after number four? I don't know yet because we haven't had an opportunity to have a normal schedule with my mom helping, and now his parents visiting. This I will say: thus far, its a nightmare, or at least a dream I'd like to wake up from. He has colic, and each day brings a change in his patterns. He is totally unpredictable. I have welcomed fatigue back into my life, a lost friend. I thought I was tired when I was pregnant, but having a newborn takes it to a new level--the bonus round perhaps. Once our visitors leave, we will resume our lives, however we will start our new unschooling program. This is exciting because it means learning while living, not so much me teaching lessons and lecturing and pressuring and then eventually me being frustrated and losing it, as has been witnessed in past homeschool attempts. So an all new approach. A new start. I have high hopes. I am also grateful to live in a state that will not regulate our efforts. Down with the man. Wish us luck.