If normal means a trip to the ER, then yeah, we're good.


I had the bottle of wine cracked open before the last child was up the stairs for bed tonight.

After what seemed like a relatively calm holiday weekend, Memorial Day proved to be memorable -- or infamous. Take your pick.

Right before bed, Chip told Jamie and me his three favorite things in the world are: pancakes, LeBron James and cheerleaders.  I honestly had nothing to say. I just hugged him and kissed him goodnight.  That episode was a heck of a lot funnier than this afternoon.

Apparently an old colleague and friend of mine spent the day hanging out with the Jayhawk's top recruit Perry Ellis.  Jamie and I spent most of ours at the ER with Ollie.

In the end he ended up fine.  It was nothing more than a bruise to the forehead suffered after Ollie tripped on his feet.  Throw in the fact he threw up afterward though, and to a trip to the ER was inevitable.  We were moved in to a room rather quickly, but almost two hours and $75 later we were sent home with a list of things to "check" regarding Ollie's behavior.  Did we have to go? Probably not.  But it put us at ease to know there was no concussion.  Even though he is ok, I hate to see the little guy looking like this.

However, he wasn't done.  After running around my dad's living room and throwing remotes, glass decorations, a dog leash, some HotWheels and almost knocking over a guitar, he fell and smacked his face on Bo the dog's cage door.  He got a nice little cut on the chin.  Soon it was time to go because everyone was worn out and tired -- even my brother, "Uncle Willie."  Of course he was just tired from watching Ollie.  Not babysitting him, but literally just watching him.

At home it was baths and bed for the kids.  But Ollie didn't go down without a fight.  In the five minutes I struggled to put a new diaper and pajamas on him, he managed to bang his head on the wall again and pee in the corner -- the final sign it was definitely bed time.  He's sleeping as I type this and, after no nap, a blow to the head, a cut chin and constant running around, I'm pretty sure even Addie could scream at the top of her lungs and he won't wake up tonight.  At least, we can only hope.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

In a span of about ten minutes this morning prior to "the accident," Ollie accomplished the following:

• Threw a soccer ball down the steps and knocked over a picture of the kids Jamie made by hand

• Ran and fell face-first three times
• Found part of a dinner roll from last night under his chair and started chewing on it.  When I saw him he took off, fell and dropped the roll like a thief being chased by the cops.
• Dug in the trash with his face
• Fell out of Jamie's arms and hit the steps
• And crawled into a laundry basket

He is one talented kid!

HEARD FROM THE MOUTH OF ADDISON NORRIS

The first quip came from Jamie as I was in the kitchen and she headed in to the living room.

"Addie. Put your clothes on."  Mind you, this is totally normal to hear at anytime during the day regarding Addie.

I then heard Jamie talking to the older kids and asking them to please help and pick up the messy playroom. Addie's response: "Why should we have to? It's looked like this for days?"

A few minutes later Chip comes in to the kitchen. The following conversation ensues:

Chip: "Dad, Addie called me a dufus!"
Addie: "Well...." With a look that could only mean, "if the shoe fits....."

Are your kids this crazy?!