
We decided to get the oil changed before driving to Idaho. We did have a few coupons, but because we have a fancy pants* Mercedes Benz that requires a special filter and extra quarts of oil, there are always hidden fees that get thrown at us.
*if 17 yr old cars can be considered fancy pants ...
One place had a coupon for $23.99, but was going to charge us $95 even with the coupon! Those coupons were getting us nowhere!
Goodyear Tire was across the street, so I ran in while Woo called Walmart. Goodyear had the cheapest price, and we all piled out of the car.
- They had a toy box full of cars in the corner.
- The manager came out about halfway through and offered us all some candies.
- They had a little display to write thank-you cards to service men while you wait (that Goodyear would send) --- who does that???
- And finally they charged us $5 less than the price that they'd originally quoted us.
The kids were definitely impressed.
Moses: Mom! Can we go here for my birthday?Oil change it is, Mose!

The kids chose to watch Harry Potter for their movie this week. Linus thought the sorting hat was hilarious.
Moses (very concerned): Linus! Don't laugh so much!
You're going to get a bloody nose!Come on, Mose. We're not that nerdy.
I often wonder how much Linus gets out of movies, but he apparently catches some words.
Hagrid: blah, blah, blah, park, blah, blah, blah ...
Linus (face brightening): My. Dad-dy. Day?!
(The park is his favorite Daddy Day destination.)
Moses continues to be so, so sweet. Every day right before he falls asleep for his nap, he puts his arm on me and says, "I love you, Mom." with a little smile.
On our Sunday walk we walked past a house that had been toilet papered.
Herbie: Hey! There's toilet paper!
Why did they put toilet paper in their trees?!
Ruby: I know what they're doing!They're decorating!
Herbie: Yeah, probably for a wedding!
And later:Me (to Moses): Pull your pants up, skinny-winny!
Herbie: He's not skinny-winny! I'm skinny-winny!
Moses is fatty-watty!
Me: Moses is not fatty-watty.
Ruby: Penelope's fatty-watty!
Woo: No, Penelope's tiny-whiny.
Herbie: Who's stinky-winky?!
Haven't done it. Yet.

There was a picture or two of me on the rope swing. Unfortunately not in focus at all. You really missed out on a pregnant-woman-who's-still-in-the-looking-fat-not-pregnant-phase on a rope swing.
Hope you all had a great week!