All Suited Up

Who receives secret missions via hot dog phone?
Who receives video messages via ice cream sundae?
Who likes his juice box shaken, not stirred?
Super Spy, of course.

Agent Aidan, Super Spy.

When he saw this suit at the store, he wouldn't let it go. It was perfect for Easter, and any time that a superhero suit might not be the best choice. He found that even though he couldn't wear a Batman suit to church, he could wear his Super Spy suit.
After a few months, though, we had a new kind of suit. In our Sunday morning busyness to go to church, I was packing Aidan's "busy bag" and asked him to go get his suit on. Here's what I got...


"No, Aidan, not that suit." So he came back in this...

(These were his two new swimming suits for the summer, so I see his wisdom in the choice.)

"Aidan we're getting ready for church. Church suit please"
"My SuperSpy suit?"
"Um, yep!"

Wondering what one might do in a Super Spy suit? Aidan can demo that for you!


(You might also remember that when a child speaks into a hot dog, he may have recently watched "The Backyardigans: Super Spy." )

Party in the Rain!! (for charity of course, well...sort of)

Book the pool at season opening. Check!

Invitations sent out 1 month in advance. Check!

Professional photographer booked. Check!

Giant lollipops that just HAVE to be in the beach tote party favors. Check!

15 Pizzas ready for pickup. Check!

Controlling Mother Nature...well...sorry. No can do.


This was our friend's party. She turned two! Her family had come from far and wide (states away) and we had friends from a few different cities converging for fun.
And then...Texas/New Mexico decided we needed a monstrous thunderstorm to crash the party. The clouds rolled in and I wondered if the party was cancelled. The sky grew darker, the thunder rolled, and I was tempted to stay cozy in my home and enjoy the storm on our back porch. The wind picked up and I puzzled over how to break the "we're not swimming tonight" news to the kids.
But then...
... I got in the car and went anyway.

My 75 mph was quickly reduced to 65, and then 60, by the torrential rain, which made visibility about zero at those speeds. Hydroplaning? Yep.
As I was thinking "why am I driving in this? why am I going to a swimming party that's 40 minutes away in the thunder and lightening?" the clouds seemed to break. At least momentarily. We arrived fashionably late to the entire group gathered inside the small covered "lobby." We ate pizza in front of the registers and watched the storm's taunting from our cozy camp indoors.
Even thunder and lightening couldn't contain the children for long. Good thing Aidan insisted on wearing his boots! Even though the fire department didn't give the clear for swimming, we found that we could get plenty wet without the aid of the pool.

(see?! they don't mind. neither do i)


An hour into the party, the long-awaited call came in, and everyone hopped in the pool to get as much swim time before the next wave of rain clouds came in...

...and 45 minutes later, we were all ordered out again. For good.

(all of the above photos were taken by the photographer, Molly Lasater, who lives in Hobbs, NM)

Melanie (the mom) endlessly apologized. Though I'm sure if I were in her position I would too, but honestly, apologizing to friends and family for not controlling the weather is really quite unnecessary. I assured her that whether we were at home or at the party, we would have been playing in the rain. I think that eased her mind a little because she knows that it's true.


In lieu of gifts, we were asked to donate to a favorite charity. Unfortunately, amidst the rain, we left little Kinsey's card in our swim bag. Fortunately, we can now mail it to her with her donation certificate to a lucky charity. Since I didn't choose one yet, these are some of these organizations we are considering.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation: "The mission of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Last year, 88 cents of every dollar went to research and awareness programs."

USO: "The USO reaches out through: Airport centers, welcoming weary military travelers with a place to rest and the ability to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings; Family and community centers, promoting intercultural understanding and orientation to unfamiliar locations; Mobile USOs, reaching out to troops in remote and sometimes unstable locations."

Heifer International: "With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as “living loans” because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal’s offspring to another family in need. It’s called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace."

Save the Children: "Our mission is to create lasting, positive change in the lives of children in need in the U.S. and around the world.Our priorities are to ensure that children in need grow up protected and safe, educated, healthy and well-nourished, and able to thrive in economically secure households."

American Red Cross: "Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs."

The good thing is, that after I decide which one, I can donate through their website, or JustGive.org can get your donation to most of the charities.

New poll on the side bar...vote for your favorite charity. Or tell me in the comments about another that I should consider.