VanArnhem 411

Chronicles of Single Parenthood - Day 1

So Jeff is away at week 1 of 3 training sessions for the summer.  This week is AP Calculus in lovely Wooster, Ohio.  Week 2 is AP Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon.   And culminating in the uber exciting Week 3 in Texas (because that is where Texas Instruments is located - duh) for his training on the wet-your-pants exciting TI Inspire calculator. 

I will be tirelessly caring for two kids in single parent fashion for these weeks (I have to make this sound good as I am milking this for all the scrapbooking time I can during the off weeks).  Day 1 went well - no major meltdowns (a minor one when dinner was too slow getting to the table for Brooke's liking but nothing a little pizza couldn't fix) and everyone slept well (a big shout out to whatever company manufactures Benadryl).

So I promised Jeff I would post some pictures from the day after the kids were in bed (I realize this is now Day 2 but technically it is still "after the kids went to bed" on Day 1).

Ready for our delicious lunch of Boca Burgers on the deck:

Brooke enjoying lunch (and just as proof that she really did eat the Boca Burger there is a little piece on her cheek):

Who does Isabel miss?  YOU DADEEEE!!!

Swinging in the 90 degree heat - does it get any better?

You bet!!  Pull out the fish sprinkler!!  Brooke LOVED it - Isabel wouldn't go near it but very much enjoyed being swung through it by mommy but since mommy is all alone (see "milking it" noted above) she couldn't take any pictures of that:

And let's end with this shot of children running topless around the yard.  I'm expecting the call from CPS any minute:

Because I'm always looking for just one more way to waste time...

Who knew my mom and Johnny Depp were such close friends?

Ralph's World! Ralph's World! Party time! Excellent!

I'm sure you've all but given up on me as a blogger but had to go ahead and share todays fun just in case anyone is still out there! 

Today Brooke attended her first rock concert put on by the one and only Ralph!  Brooke loooooooves Ralph so we decided to give it a try.  First we needed just the right look:

1.  The "My Mom Rocks" t-shirt was a must.

2. Our Gwen Stefani-ish plaid capri's

3.  And what we used to refer to as her Paris Hilton shades but given the state of that girls life let's just go with our generic movie star shades.

So off to the House of Blues where everyone was really nice.  The sweet tattooed man at the door lead the way for us to the elevator and showed us around.  Then we were off to buy our Ralph's World tour t-shirt and...

We got to meet the dude himself - Ralph!  Totally cool, very nice guy - I'm sure Brooke was more excited than she's really showing in the picture:

So we just hung out, had a snack and waited for the show to start.  Brooke was really well behaved and patient.  The show was loud and cool and she loved it!!!!

Not one little whine because Ralph was talking instead of singing or signing songs she didn't know mixed with ones that she did.  I think the entire thing just had her in awe!  Her favorite song of the set was by far the "Mommy Needs Coffee" song - a classic for sure.  She was just cracking up and giggling like crazy.  We did have one little crisis about half way through when Brooke decided she might need a little snooze:

But it was quick and she was right back into it. How on earth she was able to fall asleep with all that noise yet her sister makes a peep during the night and she is wide awake I will never understand - maybe this was really more like all those girls fainting at Beatles concerts?  Any commentary on that mom?

Then it was time for the big finale!  All the kids were invited to join Ralph up on stage:

Can you see us over to the right?  Just next to Ralph's way hot band member in the blue shirt (and for what it's worth Ralph's not to shabby either).  Although tempted, I controlled myself and did not throw my panties up on stage or flash anyone.  On our way off stage we found ourselves next to Ralph who gave Brooke a high five and was super happy to hear how much fun she had!

All in all, this little last minute outing could not have been any more successful and we're anxiously awaiting Ralph's return to Cleveland - the home of rock and roll!!!!