...and Such

Friday night John and I threw caution to the wind and decided to try to take all three kids to the drive-in to see Cars and Nacho Libre. We've attempted the drive-in option before--hoping the kids would follow OTHER kids' examples and fall asleep in the back. No such luck. This time, with it being a kids' movie, and another "kid-esque" movie as a second-biller, we weren't too concerned about the older two staying awake. We just wanted the Third to be the good baby she USED to be before teething and fall asleep like a good girl. Again--no such luck. We were fine when we first got there. We set up our chairs outside, pulled out a blanket and munched on popcorn while waiting for the previews to start. The minute the previews started--it started to rain! OK, so now we're stuck in the mini-van. It doesn't take Izzy long to realize a) hey, I'm tired, b) hey, it's loud and stuffy in here, c) hey, my erupting tooth is killing me. The screaming ensued. For most of the movie we were dealing with her screaming or not being able to see the screen due to the on/off rain showers. At one point, not being able to handle being stuck in a stuffy mini-van with a screaming toddler, I took her outside. She calmed down and put her head down on my shoulder. Hey! Maybe she just needed fresh air! Great! 20 minutes after I climbed back in the van, she was screaming again. The movie thankfully finally ended, and we started up and headed home. We didn't even stay for the always-amusing credits at the end. Forget it! We'll rent it! And screw Nacho Libre! We'll rent that, too!

*sigh*

Other news: The house-buying/closing is moving along smoothly. We FINALLY got word back from the insurance company that gee, you're right, the roof really isn't that bad, and golly, we sure would like to insure you now! So....I'm rushing around getting all the paperwork out/received for that. Now that we've finally got insurance approval, we're done jumping through all the hoops and crossing all the roadblocks to our July 14th closing date.

It's been a learning experience. We've learned that when brokers/realtors/etc. are telling us something, they are probably meaning something else. The problem I have is that I just don't always know what question to ask to get the actual accurate answer I need. We really wish we had taken the time to take those buy-your-first-home classes that Fanny Mae and such places offer, but this was just a quick, last-second decision. Oh well. I guess we'll know a few things now if/when we have to do this in the future. ER, I hope so, anyway.

Beyond all this, we're trying to find a home for Tarquin, the cat. I can't take it anymore, and he has peed himself out of a spot in the new house. I have a co-worker checking with her aunt to see if we could make him into a barn cat--where he'll be very well taken care of. Other than that, it's the SPCA for him. I shudder at the thought of his being euthenized, but we're just really at our wit's end here. And I just don't feel right putting an ad in the paper and giving him to some stranger--for him to pee in their house. The new owner may not be as forgiving as the current one.... We'll probably keep Winston for now. Even though he's older and has an ultra-sensitive stomach, at least cat vomit is easier to clean up than cat pee.

And last....
For the fourth we spent the day with the family of a co-worker of John's. We just grilled (yes, vegetarian burgers are actually quite good grilled), drank some wine, and chatted all day. The kids spent the day making crafts (their eldest--also named "Izzi" is also quite creative) and playing on the new swing set. All were happy and getting along until Keith got curious with the scissors and cut up some of the crafty "creations". And then Izzi--with the unfortunate "home advantage"--hid a little too well for Mary during hide-and-seek. Mary's not the greatest loser and had to be reminded about the etiquette of losing well--AGAIN. OUR Izzy spent the day running/walking around exploring, getting cranky, and then finally giving up (after a shot of Tylenol) and taking a very late nap. Most enjoyable day.