LaTeeDah

Baby Love

2012-01-11T00:04:00.000-06:00

There is a new love in our lives. My niece, Addie, has stolen more than one heart in this house. We're pretty much all in the same boat, in fact. But this picture just says it all. Addie, we love you!

You'll shoot your eye out

2011-12-19T14:02:00.000-06:00

We spent the weekend in Shamrock celebrating Christmas with my mom's side of the family--a tradition that we look forward to every year. This year was exceptionally enjoyable because all of the kids were old enough to really enjoy everything--and they were all so good! There was not one single disagreement the entire weekend!
Anywho...the kids all had a great time wielding their weapons (or, Christmas gifts)...

Saturday afternoon, we got really brave and took them all out to shoot bb guns. They had so much fun! And yes, they were shooting the genuine Red Ryder BB gun!

Aiden went first and was the first to hit the target (balloons).

Matthew did great and loved every minute of it.

I love the big congratulatory hug Matthew got from Caden when he hit his first balloon! Caden was so happy for him!

Of course, I had to try my luck, too. And I did not embarrass myself--at least not this time!

Sharpshooter Caden did just great!

And even Molly got in on the action. She was definitely irritated that Daddy kept helping her!

And on a different note, if you read my last post about Pinterest, here are my finished products! I made oven mitts! I'm very proud of myself, but it was much more time consuming than I thought it would be. But I think it was worth it!

How Very Pinteresting!

2011-12-15T22:19:00.000-06:00

Well, if you know Pinterest like I think you do, then you will know how very excited I am to share my very first Pinterest project! Behold: the ribbon Christmas tree t-shirt! (Please ignore the blur and focus on how adorable both my shirt and my baby girl are)! And that ribbon is not crooked in person...whatev.

Next, and equally as exciting, if I may say so (and I may, since it's my blog) is my very first Pinterest gift that I received!!! Yes, it's true! My amazing friend, Andrea, made moi a Pinterest giftie! Well, it may have actually been Andrea's mother, but I digress...

And this is my next Pinterest craft, which I am starting on right after I finish posting this blog entry--and which will most definitely deserve a follow-up blog post in the very near future.

Finally, this is what I made this afternoon, which will be tucked lovingly into sweet little treat bags, and dispersed tomorrow morning to various places (that is, if I can keep Mike and the kids out of them...oh, who am I kidding? And keep ME out of them, too)! If you have not ever had these little Pampered Chef version of S'mores, you have not yet lived. They are To. Die. For.

Love you!

Uno...4 year old style

2011-12-05T09:37:00.000-06:00

I'm so lucky to have Miss Molly all to myself on Mondays and Fridays while Matthew is at school. We love our girl days, and with Kindergarten looming for my baby, I'm cherishing them more and more.

Last Friday, she set up Uno for us to play on the floor. How could I resist? Especially since Uno has played a HUGE part in my childhood gaming life with my family. Since we were located close to my computer, my camera was within reach (thanks to hours of time on the computer editing lately).

Notice the look of intense concentration. She is a serious competitor.

Pause the game, while Molly does a quick gymnastics move on the wall...

She beat me. I know it's out of focus, thanks to my grab-the-camera-and-take-the-picture-quick-while-her-reaction-is-genuine-reflexes (that did not include taking the time to focus. ; )

This would be the "mom, enough taking pictures already...just play another round!"

And this is me in my Uno-playing-glory. No makeup. Trying not to be visibly shaken and go all crazy-mom, while my 4 year old is taking my picture with my Canon 5D Mk II. I managed. And her photo was in focus, at least! (Note--I almost didn't post this, as it's not the best picture of me for many reasons, so yay me for posting it anyway).

Who knows what fun our girl day will bring today? Yippee!

My Favorites

2011-11-30T10:35:00.000-06:00

I've been working on our family Christmas card this week. Last year, the inside of our Christmas card was filled with little pictures of our family from throughout the past year. So many people loved it that I decided to do it again this year. So, after going through tons of family photos from the past year, I've decided that these are my two favorites of the kids. And since it's been, um, well, a while since I last blogged, I thought it seemed like a good post! So here you go, my loves:

Quickie

2011-11-16T08:04:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling blog guilt and just talked to my BFF yesterday about how boring/lame/ridiculous it is to say "I've been busy/I'm busy/BUSY." Yuck! I've got to find something else to say about my ridiculously blessed life other than "busy!" So, while I have a lot on my plate, I'm slowing down to smell the roses, or the pumpkin pie, or whatever it is that I can smell.
On a side note, I'm super excited to be going to the Midnight showing of Breaking Dawn tomorrow night. Yes, I'm admitting it. Love me anyway! But even more excited about the amazing group of friends that I'm going with! Blessed again!
Anywho...happy Wednesday and here's to no more busyness!
(And for the record, I just heard a sweet tiny voice say "Mommy, I want more Nana bread!" (Even though she means Raisin Bread). I love my sweet children so much my heart might explode!

The Blink of an Eye

2011-11-04T13:27:00.000-06:00

October flew by in the blink of an eye. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted. Here's a taste of what we've been up to (I love this photo for so many reasons). Hopefull I will make time this weekend for a full update! But for now, just "hi, how are you? talk to you soon!" Love and hugs!

Random Thoughts

2011-10-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

1. Molly is so much better! Thanks for all of the well-wishes, prayers, and messages! It was amazing how quickly she got better once they found which antibiotic would work!

2. Molly is starting to use expressions when she talks. Yesterday, she actually said "And so I was like....what's her deal?" Hilarious.

3. Molly was Bible Verse helper at Pre-School this week. That means that she learned her bible verse, and then went up on stage during chapel time to say it in front of everyone. "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Absolutely precious when said in her little 4 year old voice).

4. Molly is loving her ice skating lessons! She is now going to be in a big show when Santa arrives at the mall (he'll come in on the zamboni) and she is performing. OMG. Presh!

5. Can you tell that Molly and I have been spending a lot of time together lately?

6. I colored my hair Medium Brown. That means that right now, my hair is one shade lighter than black. How is that possible? I'm glad I didn't go with Dark Brown! I'm looking forward to next week, when it lightens up a bit!

7. Matthew is loving Second grade! He loves doing his homework all on his own, and loves organizing it in his binder (he got that from me). Yesterday was library day, and he brought home a Chapter Book for the first time. He had all 12 chapters finished by bed time. Thank you, God, for the library!

8. My laundry is all done and Mike has 14 socks that don't have a match. 14. I'm not exaggerating.

9. I'm looking forward to my photography busy season! I have lots of family photo shoots coming up, a Girl Scout Father/Daughter Costume Ball, several sessions with just kiddos, and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first neice! Can't wait to take baby pictures!

10. Pinterest. O.M.G. Love!

My Littlest Patient

2011-09-30T13:15:00.000-05:00

My sweet girl is sick. She has an infection, but the antibiotics aren't working as quickly as they should, or they are not the right antibiotics. We are waiting on test results to see what we need to do. Her fever has been up (the highest was 105.5) and down (while alternating Motrin/Tylenol). We took her to the ER last night, where they ran some tests. The good news is that the test results will be back today, and she is continuing to drink a good amount of fluids. Right now, her fever is down, and she is coloring (although not her spunky self). This momma is ready for answers and relief for sweetness. Prayers, please!

Donuts with Dad

2011-09-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

This week at school, Molly's class is studying the letter "D." Naturally, two big "D-words" in the life of a 4 year old are "Dad" and "Donuts." So, this morning, the Preschool 4's hosted "Donutes with Dad's!" Molly was so excited for this day! She's been practicing her songs and picked out a special shirt to wear (that says "Mad about Dad)! And I was that mom--the one hiding in the background taking pictures of everything (yes, the mom trying to blend into a sea of gleaming-with-pride Daddies).

Here she is before the program, trying to peek around the corner to see her Daddy.

Enough to make me cry!

There she is on the front row, beaming at her Daddy, in her orange shirt.

I love this picture even with the giant blurry head in the foreground. Look how happy they both are!

Isn't that the sweetest look she's giving him? She adores him!

Molly's ABC Book

2011-09-20T12:42:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Thought Filled Thursday

2011-09-15T19:40:00.001-05:00

1. Oh, how I would love to say some of the things I actually think. I am quite good at entertaining myself. Silently. I don't know how other people would take it. ; )

2. I will be Scrapbooking in one week. Woo! Hoo!

3. Mike and Matthew have gone to their Cub Scout Rally. Which means Molly is coloring at the kitchen table waiting for her macaroni to cool off while I am doing laundry and blogging. I think I'm going to love Cub Scouts.

4. I brushed our lab outside today and I think there was enough hair to make an entire small dog.

5. I'm going to my SIL's baby shower this weekend and I haven't been this excited about a baby shower since my very own. The downside is that Mike is going, too, so I can't hide how many things I've bought for the shower, as he will see her open the gifts. : )

6. I'm thinking about entering this photo in a contest about summer. I love it. And the girls in it!

7. My MIL is coming for my SIL's baby shower, too. She is staying with us and the kids are thrilled! We usually go out to eat a bunch when my MIL is here. Yay for MIL! Yay for happy kids! Yay for clean kitchens!!!!

8. I straightened my hair today.

9. I got a pedicure a week ago and my feet are already looking dry. Um, can I have my money back?

10. Have you seen that YouTube video of the old people and the web cam? It is HILARIOUS. You know...this one:

Mr. Sillypants

2011-09-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

Right after I took these, he said . . .

"Don't put these in my scrapbook!"

He didn't say anything about my blog.

Molly's newest love!

2011-09-08T17:43:00.000-05:00

First of all, you may be asking yourself why she is wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and glovies in Dallas in the warm weather. If you're not asking yourself that, you should be, because if you don't, my story isn't as good.

She's wearing all of that, so that she can learn to do this:

And I think she likes it!

I love her sweet face!

We're Cool Like That

2011-08-31T11:37:00.000-05:00

A couple of Saturday's ago, I arranged a super-cool surprise for the fam, you know, since I'm a super cool mom.
I got everyone up on Saturday morning and told them to get dressed, that I had a PLAN. After a little protest (probably thinking I was going to make them clean house), I got them all loaded up into the car and we headed downtown. In the car, I let them in on my secret (because I wanted them to have a little time to be excited about what we were going to do, and also because I wanted to prep the kids for what manners they were going to need in advance). We were going to go for a super cool, behind the scenes tour of the World Champion Dallas Mavericks locker room guided by Donnie Nelson (General Manager of the team). Yep. I've got connections. Or...I know someone who has connections. Or something.

Matthew listening to a little pre-tour info from Donnie Nelson. (He's awesome with kids).

Molly working out in the locker room (even the weights had the Mavericks logo on them).

Mike hanging out in the media room (aka--where the players chill).

Matthew wearing the official practice jersey and hanging out by Jason Terry's locker.

The middle of the locker room.

And the whole fam

The lights in the locker room. Matthew would like his room to look like this. I'll get right on that.

Super Coolness. The chair to the immediate left of the white board cabinets leads to the court in the AA Arena.

Matthew goofing around in the Maverick's practice court.

The boy doing what he loves.

All of us with Donnie Nelson after an awesome suprise!

To be 7

2011-08-29T08:17:00.000-05:00

Matthew brought home the "Me Bag" on Friday with instructions to bring it back on Monday morning. He had to draw his self portrait, fill out a page about himself and include 6-8 small items that tell about him. Priceless!

What he included in his bag:

His Texas Legends Lanyard (to show how he loves Basketball)--an actual basketball wouldn't fit in the bag

A paper hat from In-n-Out--his fave restaurant

A picture of his kitty, Miss Ginger Bell

7 pencils to demonstrate the awesomeness of his pencil collection

A monster truck

A case from a wii game

That pretty much sums it up! I loved this homework!

Boy Love

2011-08-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

I was going through pictures for an upcoming post and fell in love with this one. I seriously think this may be my current favorite of my sweet boy. I am a momma who loves her kids--this is just his sweet heart showing through in a picture!

Pre-K Today!

2011-08-23T13:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I am a little calmer about Mollykins going to Pre-K. I'm not panic-stricken that she's growing up too fast because we still have a whole year until Kindergarten. She was apprehensive about going to school last year (click here and scroll down past Matthew to see Molly on her first day of Preschool 3's last year), but this year, she did great (I know she was thinking about the giant doll house in her class room that she spied at Meet the Teacher). Plus, she already had friends in her class this year, so she felt comfortable.

Although we had bought a few outfits for back to school, yesterday she found this purple ensemble in Target and had to have it to wear today. She plannied the whole thing, right down to the purple sparkly Converse shoes and purple headband. I tried to tell her that she didn't need the jacket, as the forecast was 105, but she didn't care.

She wasn't quite as excited about posing for the camera. Girlfriend was ready to get in the car!

Check out the coordinating purple polka dot top she picked.

Even Daddy went to work late so that he could take her to school. Bonus: her precious teacher had on purple, too! Now if only Mike had worn purple! Ha!

She had to make a "Molly doll" to take to school today. Note the purple dress, one purple fingernail, and purple ribbons in her hair. I'm sensing a theme.

I'm so proud of my big girl! And it's so very quiet in my house right now...

Matthew's First Day

2011-08-22T14:24:00.000-05:00

I truly have no idea how Matthew is in 2nd grade. That is for big kids. But I get it now. I remember his first day of Preschool 3's and Preschool 4's and Kindergarten and First Grade like it was yesterday (please humor me and go back and click on those links before you continue to read. I'm not kidding. Do it so that you fully appreciate my sweet boy). When other mothers would smile at me knowingly when I was pregnant and say "It goes so fast," or nod sweetly saying "When my son was this age ..." and I would think that I they didn't know me and that I was going to treasure each little memory and somehow make it slow down, or that they couldn't possibly remember in detail how it was to have a child the same age as Matthew, because their child was in elementary school and that was years away. But now I see. They did know. They did remember the details. Because it does go too fast. And it does seem like just a few months ago that we brought him home from the hospital and held him in our arms for hours on end. But somehow he's 7 and started 2nd grade today. And while I love his Matthewness, and his giant personality, and his intensity, his sweet side, his hugs and kisses, etc., my heart still aches for that tiny baby that he was for just a few minutes. Oh my...there is nothing like being a mother.

Even I was shocked when I saw how old he looks in this picture!

Matthew's friend, Annabelle, is in his class again. Love her!

Matthew's best friend, Reed. Oh these two are quite a pair!

Inside my head...

2011-08-17T13:15:00.001-05:00

We are at McDonalds. In the play area. I have avoided it all summer, but gave in after ballet. Molly had her second ballet class today and it's quite possibly the cutest thing ever. I took a few pictures, but then they told me that photographs are prohibited. Ummmm, excuse me? My daughter is 4 and this is her first ballet experience. I'm a photogragrapher and a scrapbooker and you seriously don't want me to take pictures??? The teacher said it was because she's under contract with the ballet of London and I could be sued if I take a picture of her. Really? First of all , I'm pretty sure the ballet of London hasn't seen the size of your ass lately. And I also find it interesting that you are fulfilling your contract teaching 4 year olds at the Rec center, but whatev.
I might be in some sort of a mood.
So, we are trying another ballet class at a studio this afternoon. My first requirement is that Molly likes it and that I am able to take pictures, so we'll see.
On another note, school starts next week and I am somewhere between jumping for joy and lying in bed crying my eyes out. If you put the bickering to the side, this has been the best summer ever. I have loved having Matthew and Molly at home and I can't believe Matthew is starting 2nd grade and Molly will be in Preschool. How is this happening? I love so much about their growing up, but my heart is aching that it's all going much too fast. Thank God they still love to snuggle or it might be a one way ticket to crazy land for me.
On the flip side, it will be nice to be back in our routine again and nice to have a little time to myself.
Well, enough rambling. I'm off to coerce two children off the play equipment and herd them through the mall to the shoe store, where inevitably One will find the perfect shoes, but not in their size (those will be held for us at the nearest store 30 miles away) while the other won't find anything we can agree on that doesn't light up, make music and have wheels. But we will also stop and smell the roses (or racks and racks of school clothes) along the way!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Colorado, Part One

2011-08-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

We haven't disappeared off the face of the earth, but have been having more summer fun! I have a million pictures--or at least 1000--of our trip, but here are a few to get started! One of the places we went was Estes Park, Colorado. It was amazing! We went with wonderful friends, and it made it even better! I don't know who had a better time, the kids or the grown-ups!

We went hiking almost every day and I LOVED it!! Matthew wanted to pose at every opportunity. This is one of my faves.

The Moms--Ingrid and I

The view is amazing. And the mountains were great, too! Ha!

I know. The kids are feeding the wildlife. But no worries...Molly made sure to tell the first forest ranger she saw that she fed the squirrels. And yes, he was standing right by a sign that said "Please don't feed the wild life." In our defense, this sweet couple gave Molly the food.

The crew

A requirement!

The race is on!

Just prior to going down the giant slide! I loved every second!

Everyone loved it!!!

I'm the king of the world!

There are so many more pictures! I just happen to have two hungry children at home, so I must go. Ahhh, it's a glamorous life...and I love it!

Proof

2011-07-12T00:09:00.002-05:00

that they really do love each other. Ahhhh...it does this mother's heart good!

Late Night Experiment

2011-06-30T23:49:00.001-05:00

I just did my nails using the new Sally Hansen nail strips. I like them! A little awkward at first, but I got the hang of it. See:

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Just sayin' hi!

2011-06-22T10:19:00.000-05:00

Hi! I'm not blogging much right now...just taking time to enjoy my summer with these two little faces!

We're having lots of summer fun. I hope you are, too!

If you happen to be at the pool, look for us. We're probably there!

Random Thoughts during pedicure

2011-06-05T15:00:00.001-05:00

1) I'm sorry that I just knocked a bottle of nail polish onto the floor (accidentally) with my purse.

2) And I'm sorry it broke all over the place.

3) And I'm sorry that the poor guy had to spend 15 minutes cleaning it up.

4) But please acknowledge the (3!) times that I apologized.

5) And I know you are all talking about me in Vietnamese.

6)But that's ok, because I'm blogging about you.

7) Even though my perfect shade of pink polish is now in the trash can.

8) So I will sit here and sip my Diet Coke and enjoy my last few moments alone

9) And ignore your talking and giggling,

10) Because I am going to have pretty pink, happy toes!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Big, Huge, Gigantic Giveaway!!!!

2011-05-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

My super-amazing, talented, in-real-life friend, Hollie, is hosting a HUGE giveaway on her blog. It's definitely worth checking out, because there are awesome things to win (including a little something from me)! So, hop on over and enter! HOPE YOU WIN!!!!! Click HERE to head over to Hollie's blog!

Playing Catch Up

2011-05-24T08:28:00.000-05:00

It happened. My baby turned 4!

On her actual birthday, the family went to Chuck E Cheese (she picked). She also chose her clothes (her Barbie wedding dress and tennis shoes, completed by the official Chuck E Cheese birthday hat).

Only someone this cute could pull off this ensemble!

It looks like there are 6 people in this picture. But your wrong. There are 7. That's right! 7! My big news from a few weeks ago is that my SIL, Jessica, is pregnant! Woo Hoo! I'm going to be an AUNT!!!

My MIL came for the kids' birthdays and we had a great time. It is so strange that this picture was only a couple of weeks ago and we have on coats. How is that possible???

My BIL, Brian, and Angela (former VSG, turned FSIL!!!) also came for a visit. Can you see the engagement ring to the left of the photo? Woo Hoo! Anyway--the kids adore them and didn't leave their sides until we pried them away at bed time.

It's love, Mexican Train style. (I think that sounds a lot worse that it is).

It happened again. My other baby turned 7!

Precious. Brian and Molly coloring. It's serious preciousness.

Matthew got dart tag guns for his birthday and they are awesome. There has been lots of outdoor tagging going on. I'm not sure the neighbors appreciate our assaults, but we do!

Future Bond girl.

My troops.

Warfare.

So, that's what we've been up to. I miss blogging. Really! I am trying to be better. Of course, it's not as exciting as my BFF's reason to resume her blogging, but it will have to do! (If this didn't make her blog, nothing would--definitely worth a click)!
Hugs!!!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T17:37:00.000-05:00

How was your Easter?

Ours was great.

After church, we celebrated with family and friends, and the first annual swim.

The pool was cold, but the hot tub must have been just perfect.

Every year, the kids hunt confetti-filled eggs and then run around smashing them on everyone (between dips in the hot tub).

This year, we had new family to celebrate with! My new sister in law brought her parents, who I love and have decided they are related to me in some official way. I just need to figure out the proper title for them because they are keepers.

Silly kids with their "loot."

Ummmm. Not sure what Matthew is doing with his hand.

Love my brother and sister in law.

She's plotting her next victim.

Yep. She got him!

I hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Matthew, a.k.a Mr. Rock n Roll

2011-04-19T16:21:00.000-05:00

I know you all must be in shock that I blogged two days in a row. These pictures have something to do with his 7 year old birthday party. And something to do with him having a mom who has to turn every event in his precious little life into a photo shoot. I'm not apologizing. At least his life is well-documented. (I can see those who know me well laughing and rolling their eyes at this point). That might be a slight understatement. : )

Update . . . a list

2011-04-18T17:39:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged in a very, very long time. I miss it, but then again, I've been too busy to miss it! We've been:

1. Getting our house ready to put on the market. Priority for us right now. We're thinking a few more weeks and we'll be ready.

2. Busy with Photography! When it rains, it pours! I've been really, really busy and loving it! I still really want to find/make time to update my photo blog and make a Facebook page, but when?!

3. Playing soccer. Or should I say Molly has been playing soccer. And loving it.

4. Playing T-Ball. Again. Molly. Again. She loves it! And, what is even more adorable is that she has two little friends on the same team and it's almost more adorableness that one team can stand.

5. Matthew has been playing baseball. His team is undefeated. Or as he said "Undefeatable." So cute!

6. So when you add up the first 5 items on this list, our weekends have been jam packed from morning til night. Which means we all crash and sleep really well!

7. I've also been busy planning the coolest ever rock n roll birthday party for a certain almost 7 year old.

8. And planning the sweetest ever Hello Kitty party for Little Miss almost 4 year old.

9. And Not Doing Laundry. I'm afraid to go into the actual Laundry Room at this point!

10. AND--I found out something very, very exciting yesterday! And I can't say what it is yet! But I will soon and I am about to burst I'm so happy! And no, I'm not pregnant. Don't even go there!

So, our life in a nutshell. Or 10 nutshells. Or whatever. Miss you!

Gooooaaaaaallllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-26T11:42:00.000-06:00

Molly is Little Miss Soccer! She absolutely loves it and is doing just great! In her game this morning, she made 3 goals: 2 for our team and one for the other team : )
She loves wearing her uniform, because she says it's cool. She's right. I guess this makes me a soccer mom?

Molly is hilarious

2011-03-22T07:33:00.000-06:00

Forgive my lack of blogging. We have decided to sell our house and are spending every spare moment packing stuff for storage, touching up paint, getting rid of stuff, etc. BUT--this was too cute not to share!

Yesterday, Matthew had gone back to school and Molly and I were alone for the first time in 9 days. We had been to gymnastics and it was lunch time. She said "Can I please have Sonic?" Who can resist that? So, we pulled up to Sonic and she wanted a small Ocean water and "Sticks." I was totally confused? I thought she was kidding! So I said "What are sticks??" And she said, "You know, Monster-ella sticks!" Monster-ella! Ha ha ha! As in Mozzarella! So funny! She cracks me up!

Goofy much? Or . . . bug eyes.

2011-03-02T09:51:00.000-06:00

I'm in one of my goofy moods. Just thought I'd say hi and let you know that I haven't quit blogging. So, Hi! I haven't quit blogging!
Today is my anniversary--or should I say our anniversary? 9 years! I think that deserves a celebration, don't you?
To Mike:
I love you.
You make me laugh.
You support me in everything.
You make me mad. But you also make me really, really happy. And you forgive me when I make you mad.
After 13 1/2 years, I still love being with you.
I look forward to you coming home every day.
I could go on and on...so maybe I'll just make a card!
I. Love. You. A. Lot.

Overheard from Sweet Molly

2011-02-18T07:37:00.000-06:00

Matthew was bothering Molly in the backseat doing something, when I heard "Stella taught me how to be rude and powerful, so you better watch out!" The funny thing is, you should see this sweet, tiny, precious little Stella. Maybe she's not as sweet as we think! I love it!

Hello out there!

2011-02-16T08:49:00.000-06:00

Did you think I had quit blogging? Well, I haven't! I've just been busy with lots of home improvement projects! You know how having people over makes you work around the house? Well, I'm having people over next week for a Stella & Dot party (looove their jewelry!) and I started thinking that this was a good time to re-do the upstairs bathroom. Totally unrelated, but it also motivates me to have it completely finished by the time of my little party! And then you know how everything gets messy when you start home improvement? Well, at least it does at my house! So that has kind of gotten me into deep cleaning mode. When one area was clean, it made everything else look dirty! As in DIRTY. I realized that I haven't even touched up our paint in almost 7 years. When I started looking, everything below 30" in our house had little hand prints, scuff marks, etc.! I need knee pads! So, that's what I've been doing! AND, my cousin is coming with her family next weekend, and I am SUPER EXCITED about that!

On a side note, my kiddos have been saying some hilarious things lately that I want to be sure and remember:
As Matthew and I were looking through his scrapbook when Molly was born, I said "Matthew, look at all these pictures of you holding Molly, kissing her, holding her hands. They are so sweet! You don't do that much anymore."
Matthew: "Well, she's just not as cute as she used to be."
Ha!

Happy Tuesday!

2011-02-01T19:48:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to post a few more from the doctor (for me to look back on in a few years) and a few more of the snow.

Re-cap and Snow day

2011-02-01T19:38:00.001-06:00

So, I've been gone for a big--on my scrapbooking weekend (which has gone from a 3 day to a 5 day extravaganza). Then home to reality, and a snow day with kids at home (yay)! So, I've neglected my photo a day. But I've been taking (some) photos, so I'm posting them. Side note: some of these were taken with my iPhone, so please ignore the quality! Also, I'm experiencing technical difficulties with the new Blogger setup. I can't always leave space between pictures, so some of them have a caption instead of a heading. Sorry. Will work on this, but it requires HTML, which is gross.

January 22: Matthew and Ginger Bell

January 24 (I know, I missed a day. Probably won't be the last!) This is the view looking into my kitchen--my life right now. I wanted to post this because I want to remember Matthew's blue camoflauge backpack, the schoolwork, the giant box of pullups (that holds graded papers) and all that comes with having young kids. I love it!

January 25: Makin' copies. I do all the copying for the first grade at Matthew's school every week.

January 26: Molly & Dr.S (my most favorite pediatrician)

January 29: Scrapbook Retreat (taken with iPhone)

January 30: Ridin' the rails

January 31: My Early Valentine (taking photos for Molly's Valentine). Alas, Matthew declared "no pictures!" on his Valentines this year. Only Monster Trucks. Boo.

February 1: Snow Day!

Greatness

2011-01-26T10:15:00.000-06:00

1. Matthew was talking to my mom last night on the speaker phone. She was telling him that she was coming over, and asked him if he wanted her to bring anything. His reply: What's the candiest thing you've got?

Candiest: Candy + est

She did not disappoint. As it so happened, she brought over Bolitas from Senor Murphy's candy shop in Santa Fe, where she had been for the weekend. If you're planning a trip to Santa Fe, a Bolita is a must.

2. Scrapbook Retreat. Tomorrow. Yay!

I'm still working on my photography projects, but I won't be posting those until I'm back from the retreat.

Friday Randomness

2011-01-21T08:48:00.000-06:00

Good morning! I haven't actually written a post in a while, so I thought I would treat you with some randomness this morning!

1. Molly is sick, again. She finished antibiotics on Monday, was all clear, and now is just as sick as she was with HUGE tonsils. We're going to the pediatrician at 9:30.

2. I am really hoping and praying that no one else gets sick. Because we've all had the stomach bug, then both kids got the sickness that Molly has, and now she's sick again.

3. And (I'm just going to be completely honest here), I'm going scrap booking next week and I really, really don't want to be sick or getting over a sickness. I was getting over a sickness at one retreat and it was so irritating to me (and I'm sure everyone else) to have to blow my nose every 5 minutes--and I am sure my snoring was lovely to those in my room!

4. Matthew has his second basketball game tonight and they are so fun! I never imagined that I would love watching him play basketball this much!!!! At the beginning of the game, they play loud "pump it up rock and roll" music and all the parents make a tunnel with their hands. They announce each player's name and number and they run down the tunnel and get high 5's. I love it! Last week, I was completely emotionally unprepared for this, as it was his first game. I didn't know they did this! I didn't know whether to cry or take pictures. You can see there are no pictures. I'm hoping it goes better tonight!

5. I've been super busy planning, errand running, etc. for the teacher appreciation luncheon at Molly's Preschool. This is the 3rd year I've done the luncheon and each year, I'm amazed at the generousity of the parents who contribute financially towards the luncheon. Let me just say, it is very, very nice. Each teacher receives at least one gift card, with lots of other door prizes and gift cards to be given away. I'm having it catered and it is going to be so great--the teachers will feel very appreciated, which they greatly deserve!

6. I'm happy to announce that I have managed to keep the house cleanish and the laundry done-ish for quite a while, thanks to everyone picking up in the evenings, and our new found "discipline plan" where the kids earn "labor" minutes for certain behaviors. It's awesome. Matthew had two days with lots of labor, but he's been labor free for several days! Molly, on the other hand, loved her labor and wanted to do more "chores" when her time was up. Hmmmm.

7. I haven't blogged about this, but my most amazing husband got me a new camera (a Canon 5D Mark II) for Christmas. I was NOT expecting this, to say the least. I opened the box and seriously was speechless. I started crying. It was a huge suprise! I think the reason that I was so emotional was because I am blessed with such a supportive husband. He supports me in everything I do. I am truly appreciative to have him, and so happy that I recognize how supportive he is.

I could go on and on, but I've got my hair to fix before we go to the pediatrician! I can't go in looking, well, like I look right now! Ha!

Happy Friday!

Photo A Day Update

2011-01-20T17:49:00.001-06:00

Today I learned that going back and figuring out which pictures go with each date is a lot easier when the camera's date/time is set correctly, instead of just off by 12 hours. It doesn't take much to confuse me at this point! Anyway--here they are!

January 12: Funny Husband

January 13: Sharp Shooter

January 14: Play Date

January 15: Basketball Buds

January 16: A boy's room

January 17: We love Basco

January 18: Matthew Close Up

January 19: Siblings Cuteness

January 20: Kitchen Counter

I'm trying to get organized for scrapbooking!

52 Photos: Evening

2011-01-20T16:50:00.001-06:00

We've been doing this a lot in the evenings lately!

Sweet Love

2011-01-11T16:45:00.000-06:00

This is the same child who exclaimed with anger and frustration "Mom! There's only pretty clothes in my closet! No FAIR!" Bless her heart. She wants cool clothes, not pretty ones. Life is so unfair.

One more thing! The amazing Sneaky Momma came through once again! She added my blog buttons to the side of my blog: one for my 52 Photos Project and one for my Photo A Day project. The posts that I tag will show up under those buttons, so if you're interested, you can check out the latest posts in those categories. Thanks, Sneaky Momma! You rock!

Super Dad

2011-01-11T16:40:00.000-06:00

I am so blessed to have this man as my husband. He loves his children, and by "loves" I mean it in the active, participating sense of the word. When he comes home from work, he's involved with them from the minute he walks in the door until they close their little eyes. He bathes them, plays with them, goes to almost every sports practice, school program, and birthday party. And let's not forget reading--our nightly ritual. Even when the BCS Championship game is on. (Don't worry--he recorded it)!

January 10th

California 2010

2011-01-09T17:04:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

It's Snowing In Texas . . .

2011-01-09T16:25:00.001-06:00

. . . which explains their fashion choices. We don't get a whole heck of a lot of snow around here, and apparently when you're under 7 years old and super excited to go out in the snow, these clothes seem like a good idea. The shorts are the clincher for me. She will definitely be on the red carpet for her fashion sense at some point.

Independence

2011-01-08T16:19:00.005-06:00

So the theme in 52 photos for the week is "Independence." I don't seem to have much independence these days, as the majority of my time belongs to my children. Which I love. So, I decided to document Molly's independence, or as independent as a 3 year old can be. She was hungry, and when I came into the kitchen to fix her a snack, this is what I saw.

Please note the open bag of tortillas on the floor, as well as the oreos right next to her. Apparently, Little Miss Independent had fixed her own snack.

For David. For Brian. For Me.

2011-01-08T12:40:00.000-06:00

My Bro-in-law, David, got Matthew and Mike super cool rockets to launch for Christmas. They built and launched Matthew's first and I missed the photo op. Which turned out ok, since they can't find the rocket, either. The second time, I was there to document the action.

All seemed to be going well.

But, alas, I was wrong. The parachute did not open.

And this is why we don't go sky diving.

My other Bro-in-law, Brian, went to Scotland recently with his VSG. They brought us all presents, which we love! Matthew's, however, HAD to be documented with a picture. Priceless.

This is the "For Me" part. She was making a very important call.

Finally, in addition to my Photo A Day project, I'm doing one more. It's called 52 photos, and it's designed to inspire (me). More on this later. Next week, I'll have buttons on my side bar that you can click on to see the projects, thanks to the amazing Sneaky Momma. I swear, I don't know where I'd be without her. Probably with a blank template. : P

Photo A Day

2011-01-08T09:20:00.000-06:00

January 5

"Before Latisse" So, I started using Latisse. This is Day One. I can't wait to see what happens! If I end up looking freaky, you can tell me. Really.

January 6

"Creative Hands" Molly is always, always doing something creative. Her hands look like this a lot. And I love it! And this is after they've been washed!

Pedicure

2011-01-07T16:16:00.001-06:00

Check out my tootsies! I went for a pedi with Mindy and we decided to walk (literally) on the wild side! How fun!

2011-01-04T12:43:00.001-06:00

January 3

Molly has gymnastics on Mondays and she absolutely loves it! She loves her coach (Coach Jeff, who is awesome), and it's one of the only places outside of our house where she isn't shy around other people, which is why I love it! Coach Jeff says she has amazing stomach muscles (she must get that from her mother) and she's the only little one who can do all the bar routine stuff all by herself. Here she is "finishing" after her monkey flip.

January 4

I call this "The Tongue." Poor sweet boy is home today. He is getting over a mean and nasty stomach virus. When you're 6, you get over sicknesses by playing video games on the couch, while Mom brings you whatever you'd like to eat or drink. I think it sounds wonderful! Anyway, when he plays with his DS, he does this tongue thing. See . . .

A Photo a Day

2011-01-02T21:40:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned before, I am back for a re-vamped Photo-a-Day project this year. It's mostly just me trying to document our lives with a photo a day. Last year, I tried to do it on a seperate blog, but it got to be too much. I contemplated doing the same again this year, but still, too much. So, I'm doing it here, along with regular life blogging. To be honest, the thought kind of bugs me because I like things clean--you know--everything in its place, and it is a bit irritating to think of the two intermingling (I don't like my foods to touch on my plate, either. I know that sounds OCD, but I promise I'm not a weirdo--or not that much of one)! So, dear Blogger people, I wish that there was a way for me to post something, say my photo a day posts, and link them to a button in my side bar, so that I could click my button, and pull up all the previous posts in that section (but not like the whole labeling thing because I just want it to be that one label that would link to a button, not a list of all the labels). Thank you very much.

So, here goes.

January 1

This counts, even though it was taken at like 12:00.31 just after midnight. I love these people. The husbands were all friends and the wives gradually came along. Then the kids, obviously! We've celebrated NYE together for quite a while, but this is the first year that we actually let the kids stay up until 12:00 (usually it's midnight on the East Coast when we declare Happy New Year! and head home).

January 2

It was freezing, but we were desperate to be outside! Friends and sports to the rescue! Check the mean jump shot. He's got skills.

Shamrock Christmas

2010-12-21T08:24:00.000-06:00

One of my most favorite family traditions is our family Christmas in Shamrock every year. It has always been so much fun to celebrate with the McQuay side of the family, but now that there is a new generation, it is even more fun!

My cousin, Jennifer, and her husband, Justin, with my dad and Mike. They were out watching the kids play outside. It was so cold, but of course, the kids didn't even notice!

Molly wore my coat because hers was in the washer. It was so funny to see little tiny Molly in my coat, but it didn't slow her down.

The kids all made Santa beards, and they really were serious about their project!

Aiden modeling his beard!

Caden couldn't stop playing Wii long enough to properly model for the camera, but he wore his beard while playing!

Matthew wasn't available to model his--I think he was too busy to even put it on!

Molly in her pink Santa beard!

Opening presents is always fun! I love the expression on Jennifer's face!

My cousin, Denise, Aunt Judith, and Aunt Judy! We had so much fun!

Too cute . . .Oh, Deer!

2010-12-17T07:57:00.000-06:00

Molly had her first Christmas program yesterday and she was adorable. And she sang! And she did the hand movements! And I cried! It was fabulous!

And check out this huge herd of reindeer in my kitchen just waiting to be ravaged by hungry first grade hunters at their party today!

Random Friday Thoughts!

2010-12-10T17:00:00.000-06:00

1. I didn't eat lunch today (and I'm not one of those lucky people who "forgets" to eat). Nothing sounded good. Now it's 4:36 and I am stahving!

2. I can't get the weather to sinc with my body. In the car, I turn the heater on, then the air conditioner, then the heater, etc. At home, I put on my sweatshirt, take off my sweatshirt, put it back on, etc. Come on!

3. We've been passing around family emails with our Christmas wish lists on them in Mike's family. I love reading what everyone wants!

4. I've spent most of the day sewing today. I've made 5 or 6 special gifts, hemmed two pairs of pants, put elastic in a couple of pairs of Molly's pants, and put a new glamorous button on Molly's coat. So fun!

5. I spent $94 at Walmart this afternoon and it wasn't on anything fun. Boo!

6. Molly wants to eat a brownie while watching Barney. You should hear her: "Mommy, I want a bwownie. I watching Bawney. It sounds almost exactly the same! So funny!

7. I took a picture frame back to Michaels today because it didn't have a hanger for it to hang on the wall. Only to discover as I'm in the frame isle at Michaels that the frame did in fact have a wall hanger on it. On the bright side, I bought some cute scrapbooking stuff. : )

8. I mailed my Christmas cards yesterday and I l.o.v.e. them. I'm serious. In love. I can't wait to show them to you and tell you all about them, but I have to wait until people actually receive them.

9. We're having grilled chicken burritos for dinner tonight. I can't wait! They are so delicious, easy, and don't mess up the kitchen! Woo hoo!

10. Matthew got a joke book from the library. Here's the latest: What did the duck say when he finished shopping?

Just put it on my bill! Ha! Ba dum dum.

11. I'm headed to Oklahoma City tomorrow morning for one of my favorite Christmas traditions! I meet my cousin, Jennifer, there (without husbands or kids) and we shop, shop, shop. Check out this post from 3 years ago and this one from two years ago. We had to skip it last year due to extenuating circumstances, so I am extra excited to go tomorrow. We get all of our shopping done, laugh, laugh, laugh, go out to eat, drink a little wine, shop some more, laugh some more, and have FUN! Can't wait! I will definitely post pictures!

Sweet Thanksgiving, Alabama!

2010-12-09T19:17:00.001-06:00

We spent Thanksgiving in Alabama with everyone. When I say "everyone," I mean my Mother and Father in Law, Mike's brother and his wife, Mike's other brother and his VSG (Very Serious Girlfriend, which is different from just a plain and regular girlfriend), and Mike's cousin, her husband, and their 3 kids. It was awesome that we all got to be together! It was special for all of us, but especially special for the kids!

Molly was seriously delighted when Daddy and Uncle Fatpants (don't ask) sat down to play "People" with her (which is her favorite thing to play).

And Matthew L O V E S Uncle Fatpants' VSG. He's beyond happy in this picture, even if you can't see it on his face!

There was also lots of backyard activities, which we all loved! Look at precious Lulu! Adorable!
__________________________________________________________________________________
I added a line to seperate these photos for a reason. Looking back at the football goings-on, I noticed something very interesting: Men make dorky football faces, as evidenced in the following photos:

See? All normally normal men (is that ok to say?), or at least seemingly normal, with nice, attractive faces. And then *Poof!* Dorky football face. Sorry guys.

Now, the football has gone by the wayside, and wrestling has taken place, but I'm pretty sure that since they are in the vicinity of a football, and the game was still going, that they, too, even at their young ages, had dorky faces that we just can't see. But what you will notice in the following pictures is how cute and adorable the girls look while still playing football. Men, you are very, very lucky.

I love this picture.

__________________________________________________________________________________

And this is me, my MIL, my SIL, and VSG. I love us!

The day after Thanksgiving, our backyard playing, adventure having plans got rained out, so we all went bowling. And much fun was had!

It was really a wonderful Thanksgiving, with so very much to be Thankful for!

(And try not to go into shock, but this is actually the second blog post today, so if you're just checking, be sure to scroll down to see the kids with Santa)!

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday) : )

2010-12-09T15:42:00.000-06:00

Baby K and Family ~ Carrollton Farmers Branch Family Photographer

2010-12-08T22:23:00.001-06:00

Confessions: Photography Obsession

2010-12-08T01:05:00.000-06:00

I have been known to obsessively carry my cameras (yes, plural) around, taking photos of everything. I can't help it. My grandparents were photographers, as was my dad for a time. It's in my genes! I've taken workshop after workshop, scoured the internet, and read everything I can get my hands on. I LOVE taking pictures! I love the creativity of it, but I also want to document the memories of our family. My kids are growing too fast! So I take pictures in an effort to freeze the moments for us all to look back on some day. There is so much joy in our lives that is too easy to forget and I am so, so thankful that I photograph.

Not only do I take pictures, but you know that I scrapbook, too. How else am I going to preserve all of these amazing memories, I ask you?! But I have had an amazing revelation over the past couple of years. I would have to be a crazy person to try to scrapbook our vacations. Seriously. I would never, ever be able to do that, and scrapbook our day to day lives. That's when I discovered Shutterfly books. I made my first book after our trip to Disney 3 years ago. I make books for every vacation. They are great quality, affordable, and the whole family loves to look at them!

Along those same lines, I started making calendars for our family every year to give as Christmas gifts. It started about 15 years ago, before marriage, kids, etc., and before scrapbooking. Then, I would literally cut and paste pictures onto pages, then make color copies and put together my own calendars. CRAZY! It took forever! But, the laughing and smiles of my family members were worth it. This year, I'm in the middle of making our family calendar again--only I'm doing it online through Shutterfly! They make it so easy! It's amazing! It's like they read my mind!

And don't even get me started on the Christmas cards! I am so excited to get my cards this year, so that I can share all my favorite memories of our year with every single person I know! Aren't you lucky! I was checking out a few options for cards this year and here are a few of my favorites:

I love this one because I can really emphasize a beautiful family photograph.

I love this one because I can include several pictures, and tell people all about our year!

I love this one because there's room for several pictures, and I could even print our yearly update inside! Because, hey--if I can save a little time during this busy season, I'd rather be making Christmas cookies with my kids!

And this one is just plain adorable!

And--we are definitely working on manners at our house! I'm really trying to instill good habits in our children and I think that Thank You notes are so important! You can be sure that I am definitely ordering Thank you notes this year along with our Christmas cards!

Thanks for humoring me and my photographic obsessions! Can you guess what's on my Christmas list? That's right! Photography equipment!

I really do love Shutterfly. I received free products from Shutterfly in exchange for this blog post, but I promise, all opinions are true and my very own! Otherwise, I wouldn't be posting this, friends!

Now run out and check your mail and see if you've gotten my Christmas card yet! I can't wait to see what you think!

I'm behind (not my behind)...

2010-12-07T12:52:00.000-06:00

I know I'm behind when I actually have a list of things that I need to blog. Seriously. A list. Anywho . . .

Want to know what just makes my day? This little person looking up at me every day:

I had much fun recently participating in a blog swap! Check out what my sweet bloggie friend, Nadia, sent to me!

I have sooooo much more to say/blog/tell you, but I also have a giant to-do list today! Some of it involves sewing, addressing my Christmas cards (which I am super excited about this year!), hiding previously purchased Christmas presents, laundry, vaccuuming, and scouring eBay for the toy that the aforementioned precious person declared she has to have for Christmas--and which they do not make any longer. I better get busy! Hugs!

I've been thinking . . .

2010-12-01T21:30:00.000-06:00

About something. In January of this year I started a project to take a photo a day. I called it my Project 365--it had it's own blog, I linked up with other 365ers, and I enjoyed it. Until about May. Then it got to be too much to have another blog. I already have my photography blog that I don't update like I should. It looks like I'm not working, when in fact, I most definitely am so busy! But I got a lot of personal fulfillment out of the 365. I'm thinking I may do it again. It was just about photography when I started, but I was thinking that I'd really love to look back at the end of the year next year and have a photo a day that documents our life--my precious little family. I am so very thankful for my little family--they are my life and fill me with so much love and joy (I'm not saying we're perfect!)--and it would be amazing to have a year's worth of photos to look back on and remember the little things.
BUT--I don't want a separate blog. I've been down that road. And I don't really want this blog to be all about that, either. So, hmmm. What to do? I guess I have a month to think about it. Hmmmmm. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Nutso

2010-11-29T15:31:00.000-06:00

I tried to do it. And then I realized that it was totally and completely NUTSO. I went out at 10 pm on Thanksgiving night to Toys R Us. We were in Dothan, Alabama, visiting my in-laws, and I thought surely it wouldn't be crazy. But it was. The line was at least 1/4 of a mile long. To get in. And they were only letting one or two people in at a time as others were coming out. So I made the decision to maintain my sanity and go to bed.

But, I did get a few bargains online. But I can't tell you what they were. Because HE might read this and then he would KNOW. So, let me just say that I got something great, and it was most definitely a bargain. Ooooh. I wish I could tell you! But I can't. So I won't. But, you can tell me! Did you get a bargain???

Sweet dreams

2010-11-17T07:39:00.000-06:00

I love that time right after baths, when the kids are clean, warm, and snuggled into their jammies. Molly got new Christmas jams, and I couldn't resist taking a picture. I could eat her up!

Then of course, Mattiecakes had to join in, even though his new jammies were in the washer.

And then the inevitable happens:

Yummy!

Awesome.

2010-11-15T13:38:00.000-06:00

I know that most of you have probably already seen this on Facebook, but I had to tell the story! We had gone out to do some photos last week. First, I had to get the kids ready after school and convince them that taking pictures would be fun! Even more fun that staying home and playing, which was a hard sell. So we get all ready, load up, and head to the location. We seriously had been there for 5 minutes, taken maybe 10 pictures, and Matthew looks down at his feet and starts screaming. Poor thing had fire ants all over his feet, and they were biting him. I know it hurt! He was crying, screaming, and I'm trying to get them all off and calm him down. Photo shoot over. We're heading to the car, he's still crying, I'm carrying my camera equipment, their shoes, etc, fumbling for my car keys, while still re-assuring Matthew, when it starts pouring rain. Awesome.

Super Fun Bloggie Exchange--hurry!

2010-11-11T12:54:00.000-06:00

This super-fun exchange is limited to 100 bloggers and ends today! Hurry, hurry, if you're interested! I am totally in! How fun! Click HERE to find out more! Also, scroll down to read my ramblin post from this morning! Happy day!

Thought Filled Thursday

2010-11-11T07:49:00.000-06:00

Well, it's official. It's getting to feel alot like almost Thanksgiving! I am excited for a week of family fun, break from routine (which I'm sure I will be super happy to have back once vacation is over), and pumpkin pie! I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving, and then Christmas will be here before I know it! With small kids at home, it's really important to me to decorate for all the holidays (well, the main ones. We don't have many President's Day decorations). We decorated quite a bit for Halloween, and the kids loved it! But then comes November. I think: harvest time, oranges, browns, maybe a fall wreath. I've got zero, zilch, zip, nada. Not a single Thanksgivingish decoration. But the thing is, I don't like any of the decorations that I see in the store! So, what do you do to decorate in November??? I'd love any suggestions!

Last year, we got too busy in December and didn't put up our tree until late. So Sad! This year, we're doing it early. Last year, Mike put on the lights, but the kids did the ornaments. And we had a kitten. Which meant that there were no decorations on the bottom 2 feet of our tree, and none higher than a 6 year old can reach. It was so funny! But this year, I want a beautiful tree! So we're starting early and working some Christmas magic!

I've been in major "get things done mode." I deep-cleaned our bedroom yesterday, took care of several projects that have been waiting on me, and I have a few more to go. I love to see the progress!

Why is it that all the light bulbs in the living room and kitchen go out at the same time? They are the expensive bulbs (I think around $7-$8 each). Right now, I have 7 that have gone out over the last 2 weeks. Yuck! Who wants to go spend $50 on light bulbs?!

I'm waaaaay behind on my reality tv. Which is nice to actually do things in the evenings, but I feel like I'm walking arounds with my ears covered because I don't want to know what's happening on my shows! They are all recorded, so I guess I need to get busy. Maybe. Probably.

Matthew randomly decided he wanted to sleep on the floor of his room last night. So he did. All night. I think I would have made it 30 minutes. Kids are amazing.

I'm addicted to Angry Birds! OMG. OMG that I just typed OMG. Love it!

A Peace-Filled Life

2010-11-09T09:36:00.001-06:00

I got this in an email this morning (from my dad) and thought it was too good not to share.

A Great Recipe for a peace-filled life

1. Take a 10 to 30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statements:
'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild
Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You'll be smiling before you know it.

Send this to everyone you care about, I just did!

Thoughts become things....choose the good ones!

Say it isn't so (it isn't sooooo)

2010-11-04T18:14:00.001-06:00

I'm posting this:
1) because I want to remember this
2) because I can't believe what I just saw

We are eating at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Mike is still At work, so it's just me and the kids. A pretty, young woman just walked past our table on her way to the bathroom. I seriously just sat here and watched Matthew check her out. I mean really check her out. As in, he watched her posterior all the way to the bathroom, for a good 10 seconds. I said "Matthew, what are you looking at?" his reply: "That girl." So I said "What are you thinking?" He said, "Pretty!"

Oh, no. Already??

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Legoland--AKA California Adventures Part 2

2010-11-03T08:09:00.000-06:00

These were all taken with my iPhone, since my camera had broken the morning that we went to Legoland. They are ok. But really, it's the memories that are important!

I love this first one because it has Matthew's Pillow Pet in it. My kids absolutely looooove their Pillow Pets! Do yours?

Legoland was perfect for the ages of our kids. There were lots of rides that they could do all by themselves, which they loved, because they felt so big! This is Molly's first ride by herself! She was so proud!

Yet another reason why Mike always wins Father of the Year! He's the best daddy ever!

I think they might have been having fun!?

Molly was sad because there was a ride she really wanted to do, but she wasn't tall enough. But please notice the change in her attitude in the very next picture. The pictures were taken about 90 seconds apart!

Matthew was so proud that he got to ride the log ride all by himself!

Silly boy!

Happy Wednesday!

2010-11-01T12:17:00.000-06:00

Boo! Matthew dressed up for Halloween as Optimus Prime and Molly was Super Girl. They had the most fun ever and I'm exhausted today! It was a great night, but I would definitely like to suggest that they consider moving Halloween to a night that is not a school night! : )

Happy November!

California Adventure Part 1, Oh No!, and Ick

2010-10-25T22:33:00.000-05:00

I've been gone, or should I say we've been gone. On our super-fun California Adventure! Which is why I haven't blogged, or Facebooked, or emailed, or anything! My super amazing and oh-so hard working husband won a trip at work, so we went! We took the kiddos out of school and it was totally worth it. We started out in San Diego, where it was drizzly and cool, but that did not stop any of our fun! In fact, it was actually better, because there were no lines at Sea World or any other the other places we went. We went to Sea World the first day and had a fabulous time. See:

We fed the dolphins, which Matthew has been talking about since our last trip to Sea World. It was amazing. According to Matthew, they feel like "flubber."

I had to put this picture in because it was Matthew's first time to get to ride a ride all by himself. OK. It was the Elmo ride, but still, he felt awfully big and cool, as you can tell.

The highlight of the day for Missy Britches was the Sesame Street show and the follow-up photo op. with the characters. Usually we have to stand with her and/or pry her off of us for the picture, but not this time. She loooooved it!!!! We had so much fun!

This is not a new editing technique. This is not a mistake. This is a horror. When packing for our trip, Mike and I had several discussions about which of the cameras to bring with us. We finally decided on our small point and shoot--it would be easiest to take with us on rides, not so bulky, but still takes decent photos for the scrapbooks, etc. I love my point and shoot. Until Day 2. Somehow in between taking two pictures, it died. The first picture was normal. And this is what happened:

I spent a long time on the phone with technical support to no avail. Something went terribly wrong. It has something to do with the light sensor and other terribly important technical mechanisms. If you know me at all (and me thinks you do), you know that I was sick. Sick. I take pictures almost every day. I have kept this camera in my pocket, purse, or hand for 3 years. This camera is what I use so that I won't miss a special memory. For it to die on the second day of vacation was horrible. All of a sudden, I was missing out on documenting our memories! All that day, Day 2 at the San Diego Zoo, I had to use my camera on my iPhone. Ugg. I'll post those pictures tomorrowish. At least I had something to use, but I seriously had to have a talk with myself about not letting my broken camera ruin that day of vacation. That's how much I love taking pictures--and taking pictures of my family being together, having fun, making memories.

So until tomorrow, I'll leave you with today's after-school activity. I call this "Ick."

Things I love Thursday (even though it's not Thursday for 22 more minutes)

2010-10-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

My kids. I could just eat them up. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in what I need to accomplish in a day. I start thinking of my ever-growing list. I'm tempted to turn on the tv and let Molly watch a show while I get my work done. Well, honestly, sometimes I do it. If I didn't, dinner would never be made! But I learned one day that when I am so busy, that is exactly when I need to just stop and play with my kids. So today, Molly and I played. We sang silly songs that I had forgotten from when I was a kid (John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, Do Your Ears Hang Low, etc). And we played Patty Cake. Now, I've played Patty Cake lots with my kids, but mostly when they were little bitty and I was moving their hands. It's been a long time since I've done it with Molly. But tonight we did, and she loved it! She could do it all herself, and of course we end each song with a great big tummy tickle. Oh, the squeals of laughter are good for the soul.

My husband. For working so hard, for coming home just when I need him to, so that I can take some sort of break while he plays with the kids. For not complaining about my scrapbooking weekends. For planning our vacations a year in advance. For sacrificing getting a new car for himself and instead getting one for me (last April, but I am still thankful). For making sure that we have everything that we need (and most of what we want). For paying the bills, planning for retirement, laughing at my jokes, loving me, and for always, always supporting me in whatever I do. That last one is a big one. Because he does always support me in everything--never failing, never wavering. Just believing in me.

My parents. Holy cow, they do so much. So many little things I can't even think of them all. Bringing me a diet coke when they meet me at Matthew's baseball game, sitting in the car with the kids, so that I can go to the grocery store in peace, bringing little treats over for all of us, helping Mike with the kids so that I can go scrapbooking, cooking dinner, giving advice that truly comes from wanting the best for my family, listening to my millions of funny stories about things the kids do, listening when I call with my latest concern, fixing the ice maker in the fridge, and on and on and on.

My DVR. Thank you Mr. DVR inventor, for thinking up this amazing device. So that we can watch our shows. Because we all know how important that is!

My friends. I have the greatest friends. You know who you are. I'm so thankful for you all. Truly.

My beauty products. Specifically Arbonne RE9 Anti-Aging skin care, jergens lotion, my special pink comb, Loreal Voluminous Mascara, all of my lipsticks, my pink razor.

My iPhone. It's ridiculous. I still love Words with Friends, but also recently have fallen in love with Diner Dash and Talking Tom (which also happens to be my kids' new very favorite in the world). Talking Tom is free. But even if it wasn't, it's a must have. It even made Mike laugh this morning at 6:30. Like a real, outloud laugh. Totally worth it.

I could go on and on. And I'm thankful for that, too! But I will save some for later.

I bet you think I've forgotten to update my goals. I haven't forgotten. I'll do it this week. Let's just say--hmmm, you win some, you lose some. But I'll update and be honest.

A New Favorite

2010-10-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun at my scrapbooking retreat! It was just what I needed!

I've been really busy with photography, lately, too. I have spent the evening creating slide shows and editing for clients, and I came across one photo in particular from last week that I absolutely fell in love with. Seriously--it is one of my all time favorites. This sweet girl is just too cute! So, I'll leave you with this and update you more asap!

Randomness

2010-10-04T22:29:00.000-05:00

First thing's first: I'm sending out my Outlast products to Shelly (I still have your address), Alicia (I have yours, too), Leslie (need yours) and Hollie (how is it that I don't have yours)? I will get those in the mail to you by next Wednesday. I would do it sooner, but . . .

I'm getting ready for my scrapbook weekend this weekend! Woo Hoo! I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it. And I know I know I know I know I know I want (to go scrapbooking)! I'm excited because I am going with lots of my favorite people, we'll be staying up too late, laughing too much (something I know that I do, to the point that I can't breathe, but can't stop), eating yumminesses, drinking too much diet coke and just the right amount of wine, oh, and I guess I'll be scrapbooking, too!

The weather is so beautiful that we can't seem to stay inside! I love it!!! God is rewarding those of us who lived through August and September in our area with a beautiful October.

I love just about anything creative. I love to make things. I love holidays. I love Halloween. I've made several of my kids' costumes over the years and they have been super cute. Molly is going to be Super Girl this year, which I did not make, but I will be making her Super Shoes and they will be Super Adorable. I'll blog them.

With the aforementioned paragraph, you can imagine my horror when my Matthew decided that more than anything else, this year, he (with his whole heart) wants to be . . . Optimus Prime. Now, if you don't have a 5-8 year old boy in your life, you might not know who Optimus Prime is. Well, "he" or "it" is a Transformer, which, from what I can gather, is some sort of boyhood fantasy thingy that is half robot of some sort/half car, that transforms from one to the other in the midst of fighting battles and doing other things boys love. This is not a costume that can be creatively crafted lovingly by a mother. This, gasp!, is a costume that has to be bought from Party City. Complete with super thin one piece jumpsuit that is only printed on the front and the back is just plain gray (which, if you ask me, is not only unattractive, but also dangerous in the dark) and made of some material that is unknown to human kind. It also has a gaping hole in the back, that closes at the top with the teensiest bit of velcro. As if this weren't enough, it comes with an arm piece, a chest plate, and a mask which is made out of the highest quality (do you sense the sarcasm?) plastic available. I think I had a Betty Rubble mask made out of the same stuff 30 years ago. The mask is also held together with the one string of elastic. Nice. There is not much I can do to improve upon this perfection, but I will definitely be purchasing long thermal underwear for Matthew to wear underneath this bit of nothingness, as well as reinforcing the velcro closure with something that will actually hold the costume on his body. I suppose this falls under the category of "What is a Mother to do?"

My photography business has been super busy, which I love! I think I am going to have to post a few photos from my recent sessions, because some of them are just too cute. Like these:

I could just eat her up! And there are others from a session today, but I haven't edited them yet. Oooh, these babies are so cute!

I have got to go to the grocery store. We don't have anything. It's bad. Matthew and Molly had frozen waffles for dinner. Well, I cooked them, so they weren't frozen. You know what I mean.

I guess that's it. There's more, but I think the whole frozen waffle admission is enough for one night.

I tried it . . . now it's your turn (a.k.a. Giveaway!)

2010-09-28T21:54:00.000-05:00

I was asked to review a new product from the nice people at Mom Select (they always send things that are perfect for me, because they are interested in what mom's think--and, well, I'm a Mom)! I was given 10 bottles of Outlast--an amazing new hand sanitizer that lasts up to 6 hours! Yes, 6 hours!

The first thing that I love about this product is that I can put it on my kids' hands as we head out the door for school, and know that they are protected from germs for the majority of their school day. I know that they are supposed to be washing their hands before lunch, etc., but let's face it: I have a 6 year old boy. If he is supposed to be washing his hands in the bathroom, who knows what is really going on in there. I seriously doubt it is hand washing! So Outlast is perfect for us, especially with flu season rapidly approaching!

I have a bottle of Outlast in the kitchen, a bottle in the car, and I gave a bottle to my mom, who teaches high school medical science to germy teenagers. I also have given a bottle to my husband, one to Molly's preschool teacher, and one to a friend. That means I have 4 bottles left. I thought about keeping them all for myself (at least I can admit it, right?), but what fun is that?! So, if you would like one of my remaining 4 bottles, please leave me a comment. You can also get an extra entry by following me, and one extra entry by telling me a good joke, an embarrassing story, or something else that will make me laugh! I'll pick the lucky 4 on Thursday and have your package in the mail by Friday!

Wordless Wednesday: It's good for a Mommy's heart!

2010-09-22T10:43:00.000-05:00

First Ever Tea Party

2010-09-20T21:38:00.000-05:00

Molly went to her first ever tea party. I think it might have been the cutest thing I have ever seen.

All the girls wore very fancy tea party clothes. And they brought their favorite baby dolls, who got their own table. The little girls got to serve the baby dolls tea before they sat down for the real tea party.

It was absolutely precious!

Old and improved!

2010-09-16T15:47:00.001-05:00

Previous titles for this post:

My blog got new clothes! -- Discarded because it's more like redecorated than new clothes.
A whole new blog! -- It's not really a new blog, just a new look.
Come on in and take a look around! Boring.
Notice anything? Even boring-er.

So, partially because I wasn't feeling creative, and partially because I'm supposed to be looking for papers for my husband instead of blogging, I went with old and improved. Because it is still my same old blog, and it is most definitely improved!!!

Thanks to Sneakymomma! My former blog friend, who turned into an in-real-life friend, Sneakymomma, has re-done everything about my blog. And I love it. Because she's awesome, so much fun to work with, and can read minds because she did exactly what I imagined! Can you tell I love my new look? It feels like I got a manicure, pedicure, eyebrow and lip wax, a new outfit, and my hair done every time I log on. Like a just stepped out of the salon! Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Oh this is just getting out of control.

The Pouty Princess

2010-09-13T23:19:00.002-05:00

Molly went to the cutest birthday party on Saturday--they dressed up, had their hair done, danced, and more! It was so fun! But, as you can tell, she was a little unsure about the whole thing. There are tons more pictures, but I couldn't let the Pouty Princess wait any longer!

Things I love right now

2010-09-10T09:20:00.002-05:00

Before you read this, please don't be expecting a post about the special people in my life (there are many, and they are special), things I'm thankful for (the list is long) or anything meaningful (unless you're looking for something new to love). This is purely material--and I'm not being paid or compensated in any way--just letting you know what my current loves are!

1. Colgate Max Fresh with Mini Breath Strips toothpaste. I love it. It is the perfect amount of minty fresh mixed in with a nice amount of frothiness, which I find important in my toothpaste.

2. My Sonicare toothbrush. (Especially when paired with aforementioned most perfect toothpaste in the world).

3. The new Dyson hand dryers (they have them in the movie theater at Stonebriar and in the bathroom in the lower floor of the La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe). If you haven't tried one, it is a brand new reason to love Dyson. You stick your hands inside it and pull them out and they magically suck the water off of your hands so that your hands come out dry. Fabulous. I want one in my house, but Mike said I could get one after he buys a plane. It will probably be a while.

4. Scholastic book orders. Both of the kids get so excited when the order forms come home. They spend at least an hour, maybe more, pouring over the books available in the order. And then another hour deciding which ones they can order. And then there is much excitement on the day the order comes home. One brilliant thing I have discovered: I always order one book for Molly from Matthew's order and one book for Matthew from Molly's order. That way, when the orders come in on different days, both kids are happy and this avoids any understandable crying fits.

5. Shutterfly. Everything about it. It's great.

6. Groupons. If you don't Groupon, you really, really should.

7. Words with Friends. Oh yes. I still love it.

8. Olivia. The kids' show. It's one of my top all time favorites because the kids love it (both of them) and I enjoy it, too. The other all time favorite is Kipper.

9. Papa Murphy's Pizza. This is what my kids think is my homemade pizza because you pick it up and bake it in your oven. And it's yummy!

10. The $1 any-size drinks at McDonalds. Because they're $1. And because McDonald's has been given the official award for the best Diet Coke in all the land. By me. And by Kelly who goes scrapbooking with us. We know. We're Diet Coke connesieurs.

11. Uptown Popcorn. Oh. My. Gaw. Let's just say it's a good thing I don't live close to one. It's so good that I was only going to have 10 things on this list, but then I thought of it and it had to be included. And I don't even really like popcorn. Because it gets in between my teeth. And we all know from the first two items on this list that my teeth are important to me.

Happy Friday!

A Favorite

2010-09-09T12:06:00.002-05:00

I'm going through all of my pictures trying to get somewhat organized for my upcoming scrapbook retreat (yippee)! This is one of my very favorites of Matthew of all time. I don't think I've posted it before, but I definitely should have! This is the way I see Matthew. He's full of happiness, joy, silliness, and love all rolled into one.

My heart is so full. :)

Holy Camel Ride, Batman!

2010-09-07T22:38:00.003-05:00

We have had some big adventures recently--really big! Matthew and Molly have now done something that neither Mike nor I have ever done! See:

Yes, they rode a camel! Molly is riding with a friend of ours, and the camel ride was a huge hit with all the kids! We had a great day at the zoo and this was definitely one of the highlights!

Last weekend, we got to help celebrate Aunt Jessica's 30th birthday with an amazing crab boil and fun on the lake!

We had so much fun!

Goooooooaaaaaaaaallllllllllls! (Shouted like the Brazilian Soccer Commentator Guy)

2010-09-02T16:13:00.002-05:00

So for a while now, my BFF Lucy has had a set of goals that she made for herself, and for accountability, she updates her blog readers monthly on her progress. Every month when I read her updates, I think to myself "Geez. I should really do something like this! I have these un-written ideas in my mind on things I want to work on, I should sit down and make actual goals." But then I don't do it. Because then I'd really have to commit to working on them! Well, crap. I guess this is me committing to working on my goals, because here I am, putting them in writing for the whole blogosphere to see. Or at least for the 4 people who actually read my blog!

Me

1. Do at least 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week. I've lost 20 pounds mostly by watching what I eat, but I can see the weight loss starting to slow. I've slacked off on the cardio and I have a fabulous elliptical machine in my bedroom. Really, there shouldn't be any excuses.

2. Do yoga 2 days a week. I love yoga. Love it! I bought a beautiful new purple yoga mat yesterday. I've been noticing that my back is tight and that I'm just not quite as flexible as I used to be. In fact, I actually talked to my friend, who is a doctor, about a pain I've been having in my hip. I know. I sound like an 80 year old! So, in an effort to be in my 30's again, I'm starting yoga.

3. (I'm stealing this one from Lucy). Make more of an effort with my appearance. Ouch. I used to be that girl--you know the one--who had all the cute clothes, cute shoes, etc. I got a manicure weekly, pedicure monthly, eyebrows done, lip done, hair done and didn't go out for the day unless my hair/makeup was done 95 % of the time. I still get pedicures monthly, but the rest, not so much, or at least not so often. There are days (please remember I'm a stay at home mom) that I will throw on some yoga pants and a t-shirt, throw my hair in a pony tail, and brush my teeth, and that's it. No shower. No fixing up. I wear makeup maybe twice a week. I'm in a rut. So, I'm cleaning out my closet. Getting rid of all of my frump wear. Buying a few new things. I want to shower and fix up most days of the week. I want this for me. Because damnit! I feel better when I'm fixed up! And as an added bonus, my husband will see me fixed up most days of the week.

My Family

1. Have a date with Mike once a month. We are busy. Just like everyone else in the world. So it seems like when we have time together as a family, we spend it as a family. But I also think that we have neglected our relationship and I definitely don't want that to be the way it is. I kind of love him.

2. Eat dinner at the table as a family most nights. If Mike is working late, its so easy for all of us to sit in the living room and eat while watching Funniest Videos or something. It's a bad habit we've gotten into. But I really want us to eat at the table as a family at least 5 nights a week (a restaurant can also count as eating at the table). I want us to talk, visit, and bond. Hee hee. That makes me laugh. But its true!

My Stuff

1. Finish my projects. Geesh. And don't start any new ones until the old ones are finished. And once these are finished, if I start a project, then finish it before I start a new one. (Scrapbooking doesn't count because it will never end)!

Specifically:

a) finish Halloween quilt that I started before Molly was born. Yes, she's 3. It's in a drawer upstairs.

b) finish my pay it forward projects for Judy, Shelly, and Alicia. I'm months over due. They are on a shelf in my kitchen.

c) finish my wedding album. We've been married for 8 years. All I have to do is stick the photos in.

d) finish painting our bedroom. We got new floors a year and a half ago and decided that we should repaint before they put the new floors down. We even had help from David & Jessica (b-i-l and s-i-l). The window area still needs to be finished, as does the part just below the ceiling.

Side note: I've just noticed that listing these out is embarrassing!

2. Pick up the house before bath time. This one is for the whole family. Generally, I feel like I am constantly picking up. I don't mind cleaning, picking up, doing laundry, etc. But I don't want to feel like a housekeeper or like I'm the only one doing it (hello Matthew and Molly). So, we all need to spend a little time picking up at night--it will only take about 10 minutes if we all do it. Plus, it's a good habit. And, I'll be happier. Because we all know, if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

3. Put the laundry up when it is finished. This one's gonna hurt. I HATE putting the laundry up. I'm not sure why. I don't mind doing laundry at all, but I really, really hate to put it up. The kids' laundry will sit folded in their laundry baskets for weeks. We'll choose clothes out of the laundry baskets. It's bad. Oh Lordie!

I think I had better stop here. I don't want to get crazy and be all perfect or anything! So, be looking for an update in about a month. I know. It's suspensful, isn't it?

You didn't think I forgot, did you?

2010-09-01T09:51:00.006-05:00

Surely you know me better than that by now. After all, on August 28th, it was my 3 year blogoversary. So by now you should know me well enough to know that I would never, ever NOT post pictures of Matthew and Molly's first day of school! It was only, well, ahem, a week and a half ago.

Mr. Matthew is in first grade this year! It is so bittersweet because there is a big part of me that wants him to still be little and to stay that way and be home with me. But there is this smaller part of me that is happy that he's at school, learning, having fun with his friends, and doing boy things. Side note: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my sweet husband for teaching Matthew to make the fart noise under his sweaty armpit this summer. I sincerely hope that there is not a phone call from the principal's office regarding said new skill. Side note to the side note: I hate the word "fart." I much prefer "toot." But the noise that he is making under the armpit with such enthusiasm and glee is most definitely not a toot.

Also I love this picture because it shows his front teeth the way they are right now. These teeth are very wiggly and the new ones coming in are pushing the old ones out at a funny angle. It's kind of adorable.

As you can tell, he was very patient with taking pictures this particular morning.

The big boy walking up to school.

Love the lip--he's a little nervous, but cool at the same time.

Time for me to leave him. Shut up. I did not get teary eyed leaving my six year old in first grade. That's only for Kindergarten moms. Really. I wouldn't do that. At least not where anyone could see.

Molly started Preschool 3's the next day. In an outfit that she picked out herself and insisted upon wearing. They got to take a "lovey" to school, which explains the teddy bear.

Love.

When she's nervous or shy or just not quite sure about things, the finger goes in her mouth. It's just better there, apparently.

Still not sure about things, but no finger in the mouth. Progress.

So with both of the kids at school, I was left without any one to photograph. Good dog.

Sister of Silly Willy, Silly Milly

2010-08-20T08:25:00.005-05:00

While I was in the bathroom getting ready yesterday, Silly Milly made her appearance. I knew she was there because she had my old makeup in her hand. And she was sitting in front of the mirror.

I love that Silly Milly! She can make me laugh as much as her brother. Together, they are quite a pair!!!

Silly Willy

2010-08-17T07:45:00.003-05:00

Have you met Silly Willy? I have. He lives at my house. If you haven't met him, you really should. He is quite entertaining! He knows about a million knock knock jokes. He loves to say potty words. Even when he's very, very grumpy, you can almost always make him laugh. Or if I am very grumpy (which, you know, hardly ever happens), he can make me laugh.

Mr. Silly Willy has two loose front teeth. They are kind of sticking out, and it looks silly willyish. I really, really don't want him to lose those teeth. Because then he'll start to look really big boyish, and I probably won't be able to stand that. I love Mr. Silly Willy.

Ode to School Supplies

2010-08-10T20:57:00.005-05:00

When I was growing up, I loved school and the very, very best part about the end of summer was shopping for new school supplies! Oh yes, I loved new school supplies! About three weeks before school would start, I would shop for just the right spiral notebook (probably with kittens on the front), new pencils with the perfect amount of cute/cool design, new notebooks and binders, new colored pencils and markers! I get giddy just thinking about it! I would bring them all home, take them to my room, spread it all out and then . . .organize it all! Oh, the sheer excitement! The joy! Inevitably, I would not be able to resist the perfection of a brand new package of markers combined with a beautiful new notebook--I couldn't resist the temptation--I'd open them all and get to work creating my masterpieces! It was pure bliss. In fact, I loved my new school supplies so much that I would almost always use them all up before school even started and I'd have to buy new school supplies to actually use at school!
Now that I have children, one who is actually attending school, it is officially school supply season! At Kindergarten round-up last year, they told us that all of the parents order the school supplies from the PTA. Against my better judgment, I succumbed and ordered school supplies through the school. Easy? Yes. Disappointing? Most definitely.
So this year, I thought things were going to be different. This year I did not order school supplies for Matthew from the school. This year, I was going School Supply Shopping!!! I got excited as I walked through the aisles in Target last night, so this morning, I decided that today was THE day! I printed off the list and headed to Target bright and early. I could barely contain myself as I walked past Health and Beauty, turned left at Electronics, steered past the summer clearance items and into the School Supply section! Angels were singing, birds were chirping, and I had visions of grandeur as I pulled out Matthew's supply list! That is when it happened. All of my school supply dreams, my visions of spiral notebooks with sports cars, race car pencils, maybe even (dare I say it?) a Scooby Doo 3 ring binder, were dashed in one reading of the school supply list. My head started spinning as I read such items as:
3 spiral notebooks (one each of red, blue, yellow, wide rule, single subject, 70 pages)
1 orange cardboard folder, with brads
1 red plastic folder with pockets, no brads
1 blue plastic folder, no pockets, with brads
5" sharp fiskars scissors, orange (I don't think they even make these in "sharp")
1 ream copy paper
24 no. 2 pencils, yellow
Etc.
Nooooooooooooooo! Noooooooooooo! This is wrong! This is very, very wrong! And oh, I know what you're thinking. Yesiree. I see why they have done this. So that everyone has the very same (boring, dull, without personality) things. So that the teacher can say "Boys and Girls, please get out your blue spirals, it's time for Math." So that everyone will indeed have a blue math spiral. And so that no one's feelings will be hurt when Billy takes out his super-cool hologram Corvette spiral and writes in it with an awesome Toy Story 3 pencil. Oh yes, I see. Is this really what it's come to now? Can't it even be an option for one spiral to have a little personality? Can't we just use color coded labels on cute spirals? Evidently not. Evidently. Not.

I got what was on the list. The exactly right things. But I also got some super cool things to keep at home. Who knows? Tomorrow afternoon we might just get a little crazy and draw in our awesome new spirals that are brimming with personality! And you can rest assured that I'll be at school handing out holiday themed pencils at each party. But watch out, oh ye who say we must all be alike, I might actually sneak in some pencils that have different colors and patterns. Maybe the girls will get pink and purple with sparkles and the boys will get black with flames or lightening bolts. Maybe I'll really go crazy in December and hand out pencils with Christmas trees on them. Don't tell anyone.

Summer Fun Update

2010-08-08T09:16:00.002-05:00

At the beginning of summer, we all sat down and made our summer fun list. Here is our update on what we have accomplished so far.

1. Go to local waterpark. Check
2. Go on vacation. Check
3. See Aiden & Caden (cousins)Probably won't be able to do this until September.
4. Eat breakfast for dinner. Check
5. Go to Yogurtland. Check, check, check.
6. Spend a weekend at the Westin hotel. Check
7. Take swimming/diving lessons. Check.
8. Have lunch with Daddy (at his office).
9. Stay in bed all day.
10. Swim with Kate, Olivia, and Sophia. Checkity, check, check.
11. Swim with Preston. Quadruple check.
12. Stay up late with Daddy. Check
13. Have a play date with Reed. Check
14. Go to the beach (hopefully the oil will cooperate!)Check
15. Go to the big waterpark. Check
16. Go to Six Flags.
17. Have a picnic by the pool. Check
18. Have a water gun fight. Check
19. Watch Ice Road Truckers with our Family (Matthew added this one)Check
20. Play cars (and this one)Check
21. Sleep over at MeMe's Check, check, check
22. Go to the Aquarium--closed until September--BOO :(
23. Tour a factory. Check (Mrs. Baird's Bread)
24. Eat at Twisted Root. Check
25. Paint a canvas. Check
26. Go to hole in the wall Mexican restaurant and dance with the mariachi band. Check
27. Learn something new. Check. (Molly is now an expert under water swimmer and Matthew can totally dive!)
28. Play Hide and Go Seek. Check
29. Play Uno. Check
30. Go to the zoo.
31. Go to the movies. Check
32. Feed the ducks. Check
33. Tie die a shirt.
34. Eat smores. Check
35. Play in the rain. Check

So basically, we still need to have lunch with Daddy, stay in bed all day (ok, maybe not alllll day, but hopefully we could lay in bed and watch a movie until at least 10:30 am--I would totally count that!), go to Six Flags, go to the zoo, and tie die a shirt. We still have two weeks, so I think this is all doable!

Oh Nooooooo!

2010-08-05T20:52:00.002-05:00

My Molly is so sweet--she is as cute as can be and minds very well. Don't get me wrong, she loves to play and make messes, etc., but everyone always says "She's such a good girl!" And she usually is. Which is what makes this video even funnier! (Sorry for the quality--iPhone--and also I know it's sideways--just turn your head!)

Road Trip!

2010-08-03T11:44:00.006-05:00

We have been on a big family road trip and had all the fun we could imagine! We drove from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, to Alabama, then Florida and back again! We stayed with Mike's parents and had a side trip to Panama City Beach for 3 days. It was a great trip! As you can see, Grandmom and Granddad have a pool, so we swam a lot!

Granddad has spent a lot of time finishing on his PhD and teaching and this was the first time in a long time that we got to spend a lot of time with him. Molly loves reading and loved reading with Granddad!

We had a great time at the beach (no oil!) and loved every detail about it! We found an amazing spot with a sand bar that went out really far. Matthew and Molly loved being able to go so far out into the ocean, but only in water up to their knees!

We even had dinner on the beach! What fun!

I absolutely love this picture. They had so much fun that they were absolutely exhausted!

Guess what they did?!

They had to ride the ferris wheel--which is good training for the upcoming State Fair in the fall!

More reading (with Grandmom this time).
Usually while Molly was reading, Matthew was playing with all of the old toys that Grandmom has saved from when Mike and his brothers were little. Can you guess his favorites? Legos!

If you know our family, you know that if there is any type of aviation museum nearby, it must be visited and thoroughly toured ending with a trip through the gift shop! This is from Ft. Rucker.

Mike's parents also have a swingset in the backyard--they spent hours outside!

We have a Krispy Kreme here, but we don't go. We couldn't resist while we were on vacation!

We also stopped in Pensacola at the National Naval Air Museum (home of the Blue Angels). Definitely the best Aviation Museum we've visited (but we haven't been to D.C. yet!)

It was a great trip! Thank you Grandmom and Granddad for all of your hospitality and love--such great memories!! We are glad to be home and back to our (somewhat) normal routine! I stayed up wayyyy too late last night working with Blurb and slurping (that's what they call it) my blog into a book. I'm almost to my 3 year Blogoversary, so it's time! Happy Summer!!!

Summer Fun: Kung Zhu Party!

2010-07-26T22:36:00.007-05:00

Several weeks ago I was given the opportunity to host a Kung Zhu party for Matthew and 10 of his friends. There was a lot of anticipation in our house and it was well worth the wait!

The big day finally arrived and the guests each received their own Kung Zhu pet to play with at the party and then take home.

Because I am so smart, I assembled the "track" prior to the party so that I was a pro when it came to the actual party day. The assembly was a little tricky at first, but I quickly got the hang of it and it went well after that. Each child also received "battle armor" for their pet so that everyone could have a battle with each other (is this perfect for boys, or what)? Well, it turns out that the girls were totally into it, as well!

The party was a total hit! I had even wondered if the toys would hold their attention for the entirety of the party, but I shouldn't have given it a thought! The kids were completely entertained the whole time and I've even gotten comments from parents since the party telling me how much their children still love the Kung Zhu pets!

I would call this a very successful party! As Matthew says, we won first prize (with the Kung Zhu toys)!

Disclaimer: I was given these products with the understanding that they would be reviewed, however, all opinions are my own.

My Best Day

2010-07-19T13:36:00.002-05:00

So, somehow I signed up for Mom's Magazine. I have no recollection of doing so, but I'm glad that I did. They sent me an awesome goodie bag full of products to try (they did not! ask me to write anything about the magazine or products on my blog), but even better than that, they had an article talking about "Your Best Day" with tips about how to create a best day for your family. So it kind of got me thinking...what would our best day be like? And then I realized--we already had it, um, er, them. Best days. We've had 6 or 7 best days this summer and they all involve our whole family being together at the pool with friends. These are our most relaxed, fun times. We usually hang out, eat something that requires no preparation (order pizza, order poolside at the swanky country club my friend belongs to, or just eat cheetos and strawberries while sipping white wine or even Smirnoff's new Cranberry Lime coolers). The kids are in heaven with the dad's tossing them up in the air into the pool, moms visiting, laughter ringing through the air, with no worries of bed time, messes in the house, laundry to do, etc. Just good, clean fun (does spending all day in the pool mean we're clean enough to skip bath time? Why yes, yes it does)! All of us. Together. Definitely our best days.

2010-07-07T20:06:00.002-05:00

I promise I have not neglected you on purpose. Really. We've just been busy having lots of summer fun. We've been doing this almost every single day:
And this little one has become quite the little fish . . .

We've also been busy playing with friends . . .

So, I'm sorry if my posts are more infrequent. But it's only because we're having lots and lots of summer fun!

Guess where I'm going today

2010-06-30T09:27:00.002-05:00

Create your own FACEinHOLE

A Style All Her Own

2010-06-25T08:09:00.003-05:00

I think she totally rocks this look, don't you!

My New Flip Flops!

2010-06-24T13:13:00.004-05:00

Yet another reason to love blogging! This past week, I participated in The Texas Darlings Bloggie Flip Flop Exchange! It was my very first time to do a bloggie exchange and I loved it! First of all, I found some new blogs to love, and second . . . I got precious new flip flops, thanks to my exchange partner, Shawn!

When I arrived home yesterday, hot and sweaty from sitting outside watching swim lessons, I was busily thinking "oh, I need to fix dinner, do laundry, etc." when I spied a package for MOI on my front porch! Immediately all to-do's were pushed to the side as I ran in to open my package! I knew it was my flip flop package because Shawn so cleverly printed a giant flip flop logo label on the front (which I would have taken a picture of, but in my excitement to see what was inside, I ripped it open--oops).

I could barely contain myself when I opened the box only to find little packages so cutely wrapped with a matching card! I had to stop myself long enough to take a picture, but you can tell I was hurrying, because it's blurry!

And then I got to unwrap each treasure! I received not only one, but two pairs of precious flip flops, a shell anklet (perfect for our trip to the beach), and a bag of taffies in a precious flip flop-inspired bag (which Molly promptly stole and filled with doll accessories).

Shawn also wisely instructed me to get a pedicure in honor of my new flip flops, while eating the taffies and wearing my anklet. This is a very serious and legitimate instruction, with which I fully intend to comply this very afternoon!

So thank you, Shawn, for my adorable package! And thank you, Tx. Darlings, for such a fun exchange!

It's nothing. Really. Don't look here.

2010-06-17T23:13:00.002-05:00

Shhhh. Don't tell anyone. You don't even need to read this post. Really. Go away.

Because if you read this, you'll see this cute giveaway and then you might enter and then you might win. And I want to win.

Because I won Leslie's last giveaway and let me tell you. . .fabulous. So fabulous that I am doing a full on photo shoot of it soon. But don't look. Because you might win. And then I won't.

XOXO

Summer Fun List

2010-06-16T00:06:00.002-05:00

As the last week of school was winding to an end, Matthew, Molly and I decided to make a list of the things we wanted to do this summer. The fun things. So, it came to be known as our Summer Fun List. Here it is:

1. Go to local waterpark. DID IT!
2. Go on vacation
3. See Aiden & Caden (cousins)
4. Eat breakfast for dinner
5. Go to Yogurtland
6. Spend a weekend at the Westin hotel
7. Take swimming/diving lessons. DOING IT!
8. Have lunch with Daddy (at his office)
9. Stay in bed all day
10. Swim with Kate, Olivia, and Sophia. DID IT!
11. Swim with Preston. DID IT!
12. Stay up late with Daddy. DID IT!
13. Have a play date with Reed.
14. Go to the beach (hopefully the oil will cooperate!)
15. Go to the big waterpark.
16. Go to Six Flags
17. Have a picnic by the pool.
18. Have a water gun fight.
19. Watch Ice Road Truckers with our Family (Matthew added this one)DID IT!
20. Play cars (and this one)
21. Sleep over at MeMe's DID IT!
22. Go to the Aquarium
23. Tour a factory
24. Eat at Twisted Root
25. Paint a canvas
26. Go to hole in the wall Mexican restaurant and dance with the mariachi band
27. Learn something new
28. Play Hide and Go Seek
29. Play Uno
30. Go to the zoo
31. Go to the movies
32. Feed the ducks
33. Tie die a shirt
34. Eat smores
35. Play in the rain

Any other must-do summer fun ideas?
XOXO

Feeling silly?

2010-06-14T09:09:00.004-05:00

Someone at our house is!

Happy Monday!

Dear Blogger, that's not funny.

2010-06-09T09:49:00.002-05:00

I almost had some kind of attack this morning when I logged onto my computer. First, I checked my email and I had one from Blogger, which has never happened before. I read it and it said that a blog that I had created (my test blog which I created to try out HTML code before I try it on my real blog) had been verified as a spam blog and they deleted it. OK. What? First of all, it's not a spam blog because I have nothing to spam anyone about, have no desire to spam people, and wouldn't have the foggiest idea HOW to spam. But whatever. I was thinking that maybe it was because I had only used it once to try something and then haven't done anything with it for a while. No big deal, I can make another one, right?

Then I click on my personal blog link. This blog. And it said "This blog has been closed." Pause for a moment while I completely FREAK OUT. My BLOG . . . My blog that I've been blogging on for almost 3 years now! My blog that has the little funny things my kids have said so that I won't forget them, that has my memories, my mommy-isms, almost everything that I have deemed blog-worthy for the past 3 years is GONE? VANISHED??? WHAT?????? I seriously was in full panic/disbelief/this can't be happening/no f-ing way is this happening mode! So, I paused. Took a deep breath. There was a little box to check that said something like "To restore this blog, check here to get a verification code." So, I went through the process and my dear old blog popped back onto the screen. But seriously, in that moment, I realized how much of myself, my memories had been put into this. I know I don't have 576 followers. Or even 57. But I do have a few very important friends and family who read, and I have connected with other moms who I really like--some I've even met in person now. It's really quite amazing. And then to think for even a few minutes that it was gone--well, I realized how much I enjoy this whole thing. And I also thought, "that's it, now I have to order one of those blog books" (where they print all of your entries into a nice coffee-table type book. Just in case Blogger ever decides to freak out again, my memories will be somewhere else besides my head!

A Comparison

2010-06-04T13:37:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Matthew's last day of Kindergarten and it was sooo bittersweet! He had a wonderful teacher and learned so much, made great friends, lost his first tooth, learned to tie his shoes, learned to read, learned to really write descriptively, learned to draw in detail, learned to make "toot" noises on his arm, etc. It was a really great year! I was so emotional on the first day, which is to be expected. But, what I didn't expect was to cry all the way home when I dropped him off yesterday! I am so happy to have him home for the summer, but so sad that his Kindergarten year is over--mostly because he's continuing to grow up! I love it, but hate it. I want him to stay just the way he is and not grow any faster. I want for both of us to like his first grade teacher as much as we liked his Kindergarten teacher. I want him to crawl up in my lap after dinner and not run out the door to go see his friends--but I DO want him to run out the door to go see his friends. Does this make any sense? I know. It doesn't. But it does, right?

So, here's the comparison.

Same dimples. Same sweet, silly boy. 3 inches taller. 1 and 1/2 shoe sizes bigger. 1 pant size bigger. Longer hair.

In the close up, it seems like his cheeks are a little more defined. His hair is a little darker from not being in the sun all summer. He looks more like a boy and less little.

As much as a challenge as he can be, I love him with all my heart. I've always loved children (probably why I was a teacher and why I'm still drawn to children in photography), but I never knew how very full my heart could be. So full it hurts.

La*Tee*Dah

Baby Love

You'll shoot your eye out

How Very Pinteresting!

Uno...4 year old style

My Favorites

Quickie

The Blink of an Eye

Random Thoughts

My Littlest Patient

Donuts with Dad

Molly's ABC Book

Thought Filled Thursday

Mr. Sillypants

Molly's newest love!

We're Cool Like That

To be 7

Boy Love

Pre-K Today!

Matthew's First Day

Inside my head...

Colorado, Part One

Proof

Late Night Experiment

Just sayin' hi!

Random Thoughts during pedicure

Big, Huge, Gigantic Giveaway!!!!

Playing Catch Up

Easter Sunday

Matthew, a.k.a Mr. Rock n Roll

Update . . . a list

Gooooaaaaaallllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Molly is hilarious

Goofy much? Or . . . bug eyes.

Overheard from Sweet Molly

Hello out there!

More

Re-cap and Snow day

Greatness

Friday Randomness

Photo A Day Update

52 Photos: Evening

Sweet Love

Super Dad

California 2010

It's Snowing In Texas . . .

Independence

For David. For Brian. For Me.

Photo A Day

Pedicure

A Photo a Day

Shamrock Christmas

Too cute . . .Oh, Deer!

Random Friday Thoughts!

Sweet Thanksgiving, Alabama!

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday) : )

Baby K and Family ~ Carrollton Farmers Branch Family Photographer

Confessions: Photography Obsession

I'm behind (not my behind)...

I've been thinking . . .

Nutso

Sweet dreams

Awesome.

Super Fun Bloggie Exchange--hurry!

Thought Filled Thursday

A Peace-Filled Life

Say it isn't so (it isn't sooooo)

Legoland--AKA California Adventures Part 2

California Adventure Part 1, Oh No!, and Ick

Things I love Thursday (even though it's not Thursday for 22 more minutes)

A New Favorite

Randomness

I tried it . . . now it's your turn (a.k.a. Giveaway!)

Wordless Wednesday: It's good for a Mommy's heart!

First Ever Tea Party

Old and improved!

The Pouty Princess

Things I love right now

A Favorite

Holy Camel Ride, Batman!

LaTeeDah