Summer flashback: Hardacre Film Festival

Mom and Dad ran the film festival at our hometown theater this summer. It took about eight months to plan and execute ... and took up most of their free time. But it was all worth it when they got a crowd like this.

At 12 years, it's Iowa's longest-running film festival. Dad has been a volunteer for the past five years, but this was his debut as Festival Director.

After the festival, we had a wrap party at the brand-new coffee shop, A Place to Land. (We love that place.)

Summer flashback: Hoppin' fun

Uncle Adam graduated from college this summer, and we found a family of toads at his grad party.

We were braver than some of the adults. Especially since they told us we'd get warts from touching them.

No warts yet. We'll keep you updated.

Summer flashback: Easy-E

Uncle Brian and Aunt Jenny - mostly Aunt Jenny - gave us another nephew/cousin this past August. His name is Ethan James.

Mom and Dad kinda like him.

We look forward to spoiling him rotten, like with this cool shirt Mom got from Etsy.

We could give you a million excuses ...

... like our new puppy ...

... or the film festival Mom and Dad organized ...

... or building a new deck onto the house ...

... or all the birthday parties to plan.

But the truth is, we just haven't made time to update the blog this summer/fall. Hopefully, that changes today. We hope you enjoy our updates.

Medical Terminology

Diar-ebes

Brandon was playing snake wrangler. He had the snake cornered, behind the treadmill and the baby cradle.

This snake was no match for Wrangler B-Man.

After viewing his capture through the Kaliedescope, he proclamied:
"That snake has DIAREBES"

"What?"

"He has DIAREBES...I mean Diabetes."

A diabetic snake with diarrhea?
What has the world come to??

Computer

We only have ONE computer in our house. I know, ONE! Hard to believe.
Well there is ONE person who frequents the computer quite often. And there are little munchkins that love to play computer as well, but they have to use the computer when not in use (usually between 2-6 AM). They beg, they barter, they plead...and sometimes they get their way.
When I finally gifted a certain 5 year old, she couldn't get to the computer fast enough. She knows what to do: The games to find! How to log in to BrainPop Jr. She likes Safari browser, I prefer Firefox. You know...the basics! Stuff I knew when I was 5- I am sure!
So she was given her time, and about 10 minutes later: "SNACK TIME" was announced. She arrived promptly at the table. (My girl loves food!)
I saw my opportunity, after passing out snack--to just check my email real quick...
I snuck out of the kitchen, and as I sat down at the desk, I heard from the kitchen:
"MOM...Don't get on THAT computer!!!"

Not a threat

We were out shopping for a new pair of flip flops for Gabi, since her new ones this season, have already broken. Will asked if he could get a new pair of flip flops, but I reminded him that he already had a pair--on his feet--that were new(ish). "But" I said and now regret, "I was going to look for a new pair of "crocs" for you, since your other ones have a hole in the bottom of them." He instantly lights up, and starts scanning the aisles. I start scanning too, wondering WHY I spoke before I checked out the selection.
They only had 1 type of croc and it was Spiderman
(HOUSE RULE #1,287, No Character Shoes). "Mom, I can just have these..." "What is our rule buddy?" ~Groans~ "But mom, I NEED new crocs, and I can just have these!!" "Will, I will look at the other stores later this week, but I am not buying those crocs!" "Well, can we go to Wal Mart when we get home, and if they don't have them, then can we go to grandma's Wal-Mart?" **THIS is why I shouldn't have said ANYTHING!**I now remember**

"Um, no, we will not be able to go to our Wal-Mart, or grandma's Wal-Mart...not today."
"But MOM I NEED new crocs, maybe we could just go there really quick, we will run in, it will take us 3 minutes, and then we will get the shoes!"
"Well, not today buddy"
"BUT MOM, we NEED to."
****Remember that I brought this on myself, I opened my mouth to suggest that he is getting something new, without checking out the situation******

"Will, it is not going to work for us today! But I will keep looking for crocs for you. Now, you need to let it go. Is this going to be a problem?
Is this ALL I am going to hear about for the rest of the day??"

"NO! Not if you let me get the shoes."

(That sounded kinda like a threat).