Good Thinkin', Frank

When my brother, Rob, was little he would say, "Good thinkin', Frank." He was talking for his "guys," but being one of his cruel and unusual older sisters I started saying it to people when they had a good idea. Since Melissa and her family have been staying at our house for the last few days I have been witness to a lot of good thinkin'. Frank.

First, Harrison decided we should have a picnic on the front lawn for lunch. I debated this idea with him (I am a formidable opponent) because I had no picnic food, it was close to lunch time when the idea hit him, and I did not want to go to the store. Harrison decided he should be the one to choose which plan (mine or his) we went with for lunch. (My plan was mac & cheese. Inside.) Since he wasn't coming around to my idea and Chloe and Bridget were no help, we needed an impartial third party. Harrison became "Plan A" and I became "Plan B" and he went inside to ask his Mom to choose Plan A or Plan B without hearing whose plan was whose. Melissa chose Plan A. ("Yes! That's the best idea you've ever had, Mom!") And so, a picnic lunch it was...
It goes without saying that Chloe does whatever Harrison wants to do and Bridget literally repeats everything that Chloe says. Bike versus stroller race? Sure.
I didn't take a picture of it, but I overheard a game they were playing today:

Harrison: I'm going to tie you two up in your blankets and put you in the fireplace! After I light the fire, I'm going to cook you and eat you with maple syrup!

Chloe and Bridget: {tee hee hee} Oh no.

I looked back to see huge smiles on Bridget's and Chloe's faces. = Great Idea!

Last night I had a great idea - recreate the Hawaiian Luau in my Sunset Magazine and invite fun people to share it. (Check the Seven Bum Kitchen for the pork loin sandwiches recipe.) We even had leis for everyone. They made the girls feel like dancing. Unfortunately it was a rain dance rather than a hula. Also, it further confused Harrison on the likes of womenfolk.




Then the Life of the Party (a.k.a. Gabriel) showed up.
More dancing! And more cooking...














(I know it looks like Brian is the one pretending to cook, but it's actually me.)

We tried to get just the three sisters in a photo, but some kids crashed it.
Then I had to mostly put my camera down and eat more than I've ever eaten in one sitting. No regrets. That also means that I didn't get any shots with Jeff or David in them. For the record, Jeff cut the papaya and made an awesome vinaigrette for the salad. David put avocado on his pork loin sandwich. (And he changed a poopy pants - that's something. Hee!)

Today it was Melissa with the great idea - Jump On It! How did I not know there is a place with hundreds of trampolines for kids to jump on, it's indoors, and Bridget can jump all day for free?! DUH! It's easy to see where Harrison gets his talent for having great ideas.