English Emma Blooms

Aaron is back and he is SCARED. He could not find the movie I wanted and has come home with a paltry substitute: " Eagle vs Shark". He seems to think that any movie with a silly picture is acceptable. Actually, he believes no such thing. He knows my discerning nature and that is why he is huddled in the corner of the living room trying to build a Lego tower to hide himself. He knows where he is not sleeping tonight. To add insult to injury, Aaron has woken up Joel. I think that while I watch the movie I am going to pluck out Aaron's eyelashes. Slowly, individually and with great care, of course...

Solomon and I took off this morning as soon as Aaron was awake to take over parenting duties. We ran down Broad Ripple Avenue, my skirt blowing in the wind, until Solomon started hyperventilating. We went to church and out to lunch. I walked home from the restaurant as Joel and Aaron hurried home to spend time together. They worked on their painting and their fishing tackle for the exciting all-man weekend they have planned forwhen I am in Texas for July 4, known to me as "Freedom from British Tyranny Day" . T his is the first year Aaron and Joel will be celebrating in earnest. Now Aaron is getting us the movie "Run, fatboy, run." If he can't find it he will be very scared, because, for some reason, I intimidate him... I don't know how I do it it is not intentional. "Run, fatboy, run." has the same main actor as "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz". all here.

I am feeling much better today! Solomon and I dropped Joel off at his art camp and went for a walk down the canal. Grateful for a change in the routine, Solomon was excited and almost pulled me down the verge into the canal. He laughed out the window all the way home. Sitting in the backyard listening to the birds sing was restorative. None of them pooped on me. I think I have only been pooped on once this summer. Last year it was once a week. Maybe I am no longer marked since I have been letting a bird family live in our garage for about six months.. I know, I know.. I always have to talk about poop or other bodily functions It is what makes us human. Okay.. it is what makes us animal. We all poop... It is humbling. Now I am going to clean the house in anticipation of my lunch date with Marlaina.

As I write Joel is pooping. Listening to the grunts coming from the bathroom I realize that I never notified Solomon's fans at to the status of his poop tets... Well, the vet left a message on our voicemail saying thank you very much for the $220.00 and that there were no parasites in his poop. Solomon is back to his old self but is dissapointed to be back on his IAMS Senior Care dogfood instead of the soft canned stuff the vet ordered.

Leon arrived safely at Fort Bennington. I can't wait to hear more!

last night Aaron was putting Joel to bed and Joel corrected his grammar. Joel was complaining about the noise Aaron and I were making while he was trying to fall asleep. Aaron said "Mummy and me will be quiet now." Joel said " No, Mummy and I will be quiet now." I should teach Joel not to do that if he ever wants friends. The funny thing is, I NEVER correct Joel's grammar. I just model perfect grammar myself! Ha ha!

I have just come back from the library with some Linton Kwesi Johnson and some Beastie Boys. We lost all the music we had on itunes so I have been trying to get it back. Joel really wants to see the Beastie Boys in concert BUT there is no concert going on anytime soon so I got him a couple of DVDs - one of them in concert and one on Saturday night live. I have not written for a few days but no-one seems to have noticed! Don't you realize that when I don't write I am functioning at less than full capacity? That is when the phone calls, need to start, the chocolate in the mail.. black licorice would be good too! Take me out to dinner... something like that. Am I kidding? What do you think? At the moment Aaron is in the living room watching a video of himself. Joel is sleeping. Tomorrow is another day of art camp for Joel. I wish I had enjoyed the week with him gone every morning but I didn't. I missed him. I suppose I would get used to it if he was gone every da...

We swooned in the heat. held hands in long lines.. grumbled, whined... came home, complained... went to bed. IT WAS A GREAT MORNING!

Aaron is relaxing after working 36 straight hours. We like women with curly hair! We like bald men!

This is what a bad day looks like at our house. This is what I wish would happen after a bad day at our house. This is what Mira's parents wish would happen to her!

I am ready for Texas! Is Texas ready for me? Don't mess with Emma, Texas!

Chocolate Spoons - Buy a pack of plastic picnic spoons. These are very cheap and you can get literally dozens in a pack (enough to make all your presents!) Melt some chocolate with a knob of butter in a dish stood in a pan of boiling water. When the chocolate is runny, dip the spoons up to where the handle starts into the chocolate. Place on greaseproof paper to dry then wrap with cellophane wrap and finish with a pretty bow. To add flavor you can add liqueurs, mint, or coffee, orange, or vanilla flavoring to the melted chocolate mix. 

It may have escaped your notice, but lately Solomon has been experiencing what is known to some as rumbly tumbly. .. and there is absolutely nothing cutesy about it... So, I was called into action for operation poop drop . I had my lucky charm, and my accomplices, who followed me on this important mission keeping a respectful and (very) inconspicuous distance. Our contact was in place as prearranged and ... Operation poop drop was a success!

AARON needs to be careful what he complains about! Aaron had been complaining about having to wait in the line at Lowes to get my mulch and had joked with me that we should have a truck load of mulch dumped in our driveway, but he didn't think i would really do it! What could be cooler than your very own mountain of mulch in your very own driveway? Aaron started pulling out what little hair he has left when he came home from work to Joel greeting him from our mountaintop. Joel has instructed me not to move ANY of it. If anyone wants some, just let us know. It was all free.

The MOPS CROP at Archivers was absolutely wonderful! Natalie, Dawn, Sarah, Stacy, Josie, Emma and a friend of Josie's were at the MOPS table. When we arrived we were given some scrapping goodies, then we hit the a dinner of chicken, macaroni, veggies, cookies and candy. One of the Archivers people did a demonstration for card making. We each had a chance to make the card before the evening ended. Drawings were held hourly and Sarah and Josie won prizes! Whoo hoo! It was great value for money, I got to chat with friends, and.... I got scrap booking done! The date for the next MOPS CROP might be changed. We will be getting info to you soon.

I spent the morning with Spiderman. We went to Borders Books and then out to lunch together. Torrential rain all morning so no swimming pool. We came home to diahhorhea in Spiderman's room. Solomon has had an upset stomach ever since we came home from Boston. I have my tickets for TEXAS! I am leaving on July 4 and meeting Helen in Dallas. We are both flying from there to San Antonio, where we are staying until Sunday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CEECEE AND MEGAN!

Watch out mean people and bullies! Joel drew this picture that is now in our front window to scare you away!

Joel is sick today so we are not riding the bike. It might surprise you to know we did not ride bikes to Massachusettes or New Hampshire this weekend either. Maybe we will get back on the bike tomorrow!

Books we love Harriet the Spy Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon Charlotte's Web A Child called It Bridge to Terabithia (Read it in 4th Grade - I cry even today!) Twinkie Winkies The Shack The Bible The Four Agreements A ring of endless Light The Glass Castle The Middle Place The Velveteen Rabbit Harry Potter The Magician's Nephew, C. S. Lewis Slaughterhouse Five Anne of Green Gables

Goodbye Boston. Here's looking at you. I took these pictures on the way to the airport.

Descendents of Guy Barker Family Scene A motley crew.

We went to the Melting Pot. Julie had discovered the restaurant when out with friends. It was all delicious!

Most of the time we spent with Leon, Colin, and Andrea was driving in the car. They all drew straws as to who was going in the back with Joel.

Pictures of Leon's Graduation follow. It was fancier than any high school graduation I had ever been to. An hour of music, multiple speakers, including a Harvard professor. Joel, Aaron, Colin and I left soon after we saw Leon graduate because Colin had to study for a final and Joel could not sit still any longer. The Scene paparazzi shot of Leon Captivated Family Yes, he really did graduate. I am glad we were there to see it! It makes it real. Leon is a grownup Enthralled Andrea Colin: " I'm going to wait for you in the car!" All in all it was a normal Barker Event!

Living Free in New Hampshire... (the alternative was grim) Greg and Beth showed us around their new home, let us play in their back yard, fed us burgers on their back porch, sang us to sleep (we were their first non-family overnight guests) and made a GREAT breakfast! Best blueberry pancakes ever ! Just ask Joel... Joel left them a picture to remember him by: Not to be outdone, Aaron did too. THANKS BETH AND GREG!