HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This Halloween was so fun for both boys....they now..."Get it". You know, last year it was just okay it's fun to dress up. This year it's YAY it's Halloween, we get CANDY!!!

Christopher is still not a fan of costumes, although he did like his brother's hat, and was a little bummed his did not come with one. It had a hood but he wasn't into that. And he definitely does not like anyone or anything that wears a mask. So it's a good thing no one in our group was wearing one, and we didn't encounter any while Trick or Treating.

And let me tell you, he was one cute bag of bones huh?

And tell me Thomas doesn't just look exactly like Woody? Even if his hat looked more like a sombrero than a cowboy hat! Didn't matter he didn't wear it at all except for pictures!

And here are my two babies chillin' talking candy before trick or treating!

It was a good thing Thomas has Ben, he is his Buzz to Thomas' Woody. The two of them are becoming quite the good friends, it's so much fun to see how friendships are formed and how they were playing and actually talking and being buddies! Would you believe Ben is only 2 months older than Thomas! Mannn my boys are short!

And here is our little group, equipped with a couple of pirates, Peter Pan, Tink, Alice, Minnie Mouse, Buzz, Woody and Nickels the dog!

And you can't have a mouse and a dog without a couple of Kitties!
Meredith and I rocked the kittie ears, even though mine were laying flat!

I can't wait for next Halloween!

How did you spend your Halloween and what did you dress as?

Brought to you by Unknown Mami and SITS

We have to do WHAT?

It's Halloween, we are all dressed up and ready to go...we are just waiting for that knock on the door from the neighborhood kids saying "C'mon, let's go" And we are waiting and all we hear is my mom...
"Ookkkaaayyyy, Time for dinner"

WHAT??? Dinner?? We don't have time for dinner, it's HALLOWEEN, we'll eat on the road!

Mom: "No, come on kids, sit down, I've made Tomato soup and grilled cheese."
Kids: "We'll eat AFTER we trick or treat"
Mom: "Ahh No, get over here and sit down and eat"

We couldn't wait to get out the door, and when mom told you to do something you better do it, rather than risk missing out on trick or treating.
And at our house, we had one of those mean old moms that made us all sit together for dinner, talk about our days and be a family. And you didn't stuff your face and jump down to hit the ground running, you had to ASK to be excused from the table. My mom was all about the polite manners and stuff.

So we would hurry as fast as you can hurry with soup...I think she did that on purpose! =)
And if we were lucky we would get that last bite of grilled cheese in your mouth when the doorbell rang and the neighborhood kids saying "Are you coming or what?" And with a mouth stuffed with grilled cheese we would ask to be excused and off we went.
In costumes like this one.....I posted this on the SITS Facebook the other day, I'm supposed to be Cinderella and this looks scarier than anything even remotely close to cinderella!!

And as the Beautiful Tiffany pointed out, she couldn't figure out what was around my neck....that's right folks...I was hip, slick, and cool with my flashlight!

That's what I remember most from my Halloween's of past!

And in Halloween's past in this house....we dressed the boys up and went to Grandma's and that was probably the extent of our trick or treating with them. But they certainly looked a heck of a lot cuter than I did!!!

This is Thomas' first Halloween...with Mommy as a black kittie! (2007)

And Christopher's first Halloween, I always wanted Thomas to be the pea pod but he was far to big by the time Halloween came around! So Christopher got to be it! (2008)
This is part of an Halloween extravaganza over at SITS!

Ghosts of Creative Halloween past

When I was younger, we didn't BUY costumes, that was unheard of. Now I'm not quite as crafty as my mom, so I'm going to switch it up a little bit and showcase some of the things that SHE helped us make over the years. Most of these were her ideas. Or my brother's idea and my mom implemented them!

My mom was quite frugal, she still is, she is the only person I know who can walk into Macy's and get $150 jacket for $22! I kid you not! She's good! Maybe she should give a class or something…..hmmm

So she would make things that had multiple uses. Use it today for one thing, and tomorrow for something else. Or in these cases….use it on one costume and then the following year use it for a different costume.

Now tell me how simplistic we were as kids. How easy is this? A costume made out of a plastic hefty garbage bag….A GARBAGE BAG PEOPLE!! Now if we could just get our kids these days to think that is just as cool as we did!
Now my mom created this adorable little honeybee costume for me….(And I don't want to hear about the yellowed pics, I get it, I'm old)
The wings, as I proudly display, were made from black panty hose and wire hangers! GENIUS!

The body was made out of a rug! Okay maybe it wasn't a rug, but pretty darn close! Cut it to fit, cut a hole in the top for my head, Throw me in some black tights, a black leotard and a ski mask with some PIPE CLEANERS….do they even make those anymore? HA!

And TADA instant Bee costume….cost….a heck of a lot less than what you would pay in the stores!

And look how that ski mask doubled in costumes…remove pipe cleaner antaene and insert construction paper ears….same tights, same leotard and black Halloween cat here I come! And that ski mask worked double time as it kept my face and ears and head warm!

Now my brother decided he wanted to be the Headless Horseman…..and so he was, thanks to my mom's extensive expertise in crafting. They created a pumpkin head out of paper mache, painted it. Took one of my dad's old shirts and jackets….cut some eye holes out and DONE! The only thing he was missing…..a horse!

And don't think my mom couldn't whip one of those up….just look at this beauty she made for a Halloween party that her and my dad went to.
A sheet, some construction paper, a scarf and an old Styrofoam hat….Instant CA Snowman! It was really funny considering my mom and dad were both from Chicago!
We had home made costumes almost every year, super easy stuff, but costumes none the less and we loved them! Wish I could dig up more pics for everyone!

What kind of stuff do you create for Halloween?

Brought to you By Mama Kat and the SITS Girls

Basic Math, cuz the chicks dig it

I have two wonderful boys....and they are ALL boy. Well except in the whine department, then they are all girl! =) But they are rambunctious, they are starting to play together, ALL. THE. TIME. So here is some basic math....

THIS

PLUS THIS
PLUS THIS

EQUALS

AND THIS

My youngest gets the brunt of everything, Poor Christopher. I am sure if I would have taken him to the ER they would have thrown in a few stitches, but it didn't look deep and the bleeding stopped. And my immediate thought, after I almost barfed from the sound of his head hitting said table....

Scars heal....glory fades

And all we're left with are the memories made

Pain hurts, but only for a minute

Life is short so go on and live it

Cause the chicks dig it!

Thank you Chris Cagle for that song!

Brought to you by pBd

When the Magic Happens

Have you ever read the story of The Magic Quilt? If you haven't it's worth a quick read!

I was struggling with the fact that Christopher was creeping up on 2 and he had no words! He would just not speak. I would put the words out there and ask him to say them, and he just wouldn't. He would look at me like I was speaking a different language! I have been paranoid with him since the start. He was a preemie, and I knew he would be behind, and I know you aren't supposed to compare children let alone siblings.

But with Thomas, he walked at 9 1/2 months, he was talking full sentences when he was 2. The kid just did everything early. So we assumed Christopher would follow in his footsteps. Not so much. He didn't walk until 18 months, and he's still unstable on his feet. Agility comes in time I suppose.

But I couldn't help but worry! Then when the doc said the dreaded word no one wants to hear...."Autism" I panicked even more! I posted about that whole ordeal in my head Here
And we waited, and we tested and his results were just perfect! So now there was no mental reason as to why he wasn't speaking.

Great....now I didn't know to be worried or relieved!

I finally just let it all go, realized that when he has something important to say he will say it.

Now I would love to report that he is just a chatter box, but he's not. But he is saying more and more words. He's had several sessions with his language development coach, and I am happy to report that his new words consist of Honey, Money, Help, yellow Happy, Hat, Hammer, and the one word that I do not know why she taught him to say....MINE!

And despite his lack of vocab, and his growing desire to learn more words, he has not a single problem telling you what he needs, wants or what his brother has done to him now!

So I guess everyone is right, when he has something important to say, he is going to learn it and say it! Before I know it I will be listening to "STOP IT" "DON'T" "MOOOOOMMMMM, he's looking at me". Maybe I don't want him to talk yet!

My Little Pumpkins

We actually saw some sunshine today in good ole So. Cal! And then it clouded up and we got some rain! But it was the perfect time to carve us some pumpkins!

Look at Thomas trying to look all smooth and cool....he is a gonna be a heartbreaker!

We told Thomas that this year he needed to scoop his own pumpkin, as last year daddy touched his cheek with pumpkin on his finger and he about lost his toddler mind.

He dove right in....but he still wasn't keen on pulling all the guts out!

But once Daddy pulled them out he helped put it in the bag at least!

And Christopher jumped right in with both hands, but he's not quite strong enough to scoop it all...so mommy had to help!

After daddy sawed and cut and carved our cheery pumpkins, (mommy doesn't do scary pumpkins quite yet) this is our end result!

Thomas wanted to put these little clear balls in the pumpkin....supposed to make it look "scary" but with such a happy face....it's not happening! But he had fun putting them in!

Brought to you by Unknown Mami

All about me!

What a perfect way for people to get to know more about me....
You know I've always loved those posts where people ask questions and the blogger answers those have to know questions. Now you don't even have to ask....
Let's talk about me. And those of you that know me, or have been reading for a while, some of these might be repeats....but stick around you may find out something new.

I am a 30 something mom of two boys. I was told I would never have a child let alone two.
I am beyond thrilled that I had two boys....I never wanted a girl....are you kidding? I watched me grow up, you think I want that? No thanks!

I've always been told I would be a better mom to boys anyway, I'm so not a girly girl, but I do love anything pink!

I hate...no, I loathe shopping. Well let me rephrase that, I love to shop for other people. I love to buy my friends kids things, I love to buy things for my family and my friends, I like to try to find unique gifts, but I hate to shop for anything for me!

I love any and all things Hello Kitty! That kitty rocks! I have a "small" collection of things. And if I could, I would own and drive the Hello Kitty Car! My friend Kim said if I ever had a little girl she would be born with a HK birthmark somewhere. And the best thing about having boys....I don't have to share any of my HK stuff! But they do know who she is!

I never understood Twitter, and then my buddy from Bloggy Boot Camp in SF, Julie from Dutch Being Me, hooked me up, gave me the basics and sent me on my way, and now I'm hooked! Not quite so much as she is....she's my Twitter Hero! and I am still learning!

I LOVE when my friends or family are pregnant. I get so excited! I don't know if it's because I spent so many years dreaming of being pregnant, or that they are going to bring another miracle into this world, or because they will soon be larger than I am! =)

I enjoy embroidering and if you have been around at all, you would have seen some of my posts on what I've made, mostly blankets, some onesie's, some diaper cloths, and some kitchen towels, I even made some towels for one of my besties kids....She's got 5, and each one has their own embroidered towel set! But my most favorite is the blankets!

I work full time outside the home, and I'm proud of that.

I have a degree in Psychology, someday I would love to go back to school, and I talk about it often...so maybe....someday.

I was diagnosed with cancer, have had surgery and am hoping that did the trick! But I'm constantly worried about it.

I survived an abusive marriage...I got out alive and I'm smarter because of it!

I've been through more death in my life than most people deal with in a lifetime.

I Love me some Football! And although since becoming a mom I don't get to watch nearly as much as I would like....I am still a die hard TN Titans fan!

I love my family with a fierceness people will never know! Well maybe...wanna know? Mess with my family and you will see!! I will do anything for them! And I will stop at nothing to ensure their happiness.

I'm a wife, and a friend, and a sister, and a daughter, I'm a niece, and a cousin, I'm a HK lover, a TN Titans fan, I'm a tweeter, and a blogger, and above all else, I'm a MOM! And that to me, is the most important job I will ever have.

Now what more could you possibly want to know? I'm an open book, wanna know just ask.

Brought to you by Mama Kat

Holy Bee Hive Batman

In Keeping with my Bee theme this week....get it? Keeping? Bee Keeping? Ahh nevermind.

This is in the tree outside my work, and I was very disappointed to hear that they asked the gardners to remove it!

You don't just kill a bee hive that large....they should have called a Bee Place and had them come and remove it!

Brought to you by pBd

Another Wordful Wednesday

This is what happens when

I was in the mall, with Thomas, having a snack. Thomas being the active preschooler that he is can't wait for me to finish cleaning everything up and throwing it away. I look up and he's 5 feet in front of me, "Thomas? please wait, I need to throw away our trash."

He asks "Mommy, are we going in that store right there?"
My reply: "Yes baby, but don't go to far from Mommy okay? I need to see you"

He goes tearing off into the store and it's just packed with rack after rack of clothes, and I easily lose him. He's so little and the racks are so tall. I usually can hear him giggling and can hunt him down like a lioness to a meal. But I don't hear him.

"Thomas? Mommy can't see you, please come out so mommy can see you"

*Crickets*

"Thomas? THOMAS?"

I am frantically walking faster and faster...he's 3 1/2 how far could he have gotten? He can't run that fast! I stop, listen. I can hear people talking, and I can hear phones ringing, but I can't hear Thomas.

I start panicking, "THOMAS, Mommy is calling you, don't you hear me?" A lady stops me, asks me what the problem is, and I tell her, my 3 1/2 year old, he was here a minute ago and now I can't find him! She starts helping me to look for him, I am in a full fledge panic right now.

We alert the store clerks, anyone who will listen, "Excuse me, have you seen a little boy? Golden hair, brown eyes, t-shirt and shorts running around here?? THOMAS?"

As I run through a doorway, down some stairs I turn the corner and see him, laying there, eyes closed, labored breathing and a man in a white coat and a stethoscope standing over him....
"A Bee Sting, he must be allergic, I've treated him as best I could for now, we are waiting on the ambulance"

At which point I move closer to Thomas, to hold my baby, to pray that all is okay, my breath is being taken away, my heart is just breaking, so hard to breathe, to see through all my tears.

And I hear it, Thomas screams. And my eyes flew open....my breath returns, my cheeks are wet with tears!

This is what happens when you see a real live bee hive at Underwood farms pumpkin patch and you discuss with friends being allergic to bees and how Thomas has yet to be stung so for all I know he could be allergic to a bee sting, and you go to bed thinking about it.

And Thomas' scream?....a direct result to waking up at 6:15 coming out into a dark hallway on his way to Mommy and Daddy's bedroom and running into Grandma's over zealous dog wanting to lick him!

I hate dreams sometimes! What a way to start a Monday Morning!

Fall is FINALLY here!

Fall has finally reached us here in So. Cal. And it was the perfect Sunday to go to the Pumpkin Patch! It was foggy and drizzley and just so much fun!

I am still in awe that my babies are 3 1/2 and 2! They are growing up so fast and they just get cuter and cuter! I'm not biased I swear!

Thomas finally got to ride a pony! He had a ton of fun!

On of my besties son's Jayden LOVES the Ponies! I think he went home and told his daddy that he wanted a Pony for Christmas!

I'm #1, I'm #1.....

And Thomas is fully willing to share his #1 status with Jayden showing off his muscles!

These are always so much fun, and I this is the 1st year we've gotten them both behind it!

We got two perfect pumpkins and we'll be carving those next weekend!! We can't wait to go trick or treating!!

See other cities and how they spend there time at Unknown Mami

Gypsies, who knew

Hi there! I'm so happy to be guest blogging today for Erin who I contacted through SITS. By the way she's guest blogging on my site today too, a recipe I can't wait to try! Guacamole with Peas! I'm Prairiemother and you can find me and more of my ramblings on Kansas, cooking, motherhood, art, photography and whatever else I deem important for the day at my blog, prairiemother.

When Erin asked me to guest blog here I asked her what topic she'd like me to cover and she graciously left the door open for me to cover any topic I wished. So without any further ado, we are going to jump into the world of Gypsies!! No, I'm not referring to the Europeans gypsies but rather my own family. Yes I consider my little family a band of American Gypsies.

You see that good looking guy with the beard up there? Well, that's my husband DR along with our Hobbits; Yip, Yap and Yahoo (no not their real names! Geez, what a complex they'd have if I actually HAD named them that!) DR and I have been married for 7 years. In those 7 years we have lived in 7 different houses in 5 different states; Kentucky, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois and for the last few months Kansas. I sure didn't plan on being a gypsy. I mean what little girl plays make believe that she's loading a moving truck? DR didn't plan on it either but, due to his career, it has become part of our lifestyle and, I have to say, I've come to love it!

The best thing that has come from living in so many places is the opportunity to see this wonderful country of ours without having to plan a big long trip. Most of the sights we've seen have been just a weekend away. Our family's first trip started when my twin boys were only a month old when we moved from our home state of Indiana to Delaware. In the few months we lived out east we went to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. While we lived in Illinois we would ride the train a couple hours to downtown Chicago. In Indiana, aside from visiting lots of family, we visited hidden destinations like French Lick and West Baden Springs, plenty of state parks and campgrounds, and my favorite, Purdue University's campus! But living here in Kansas has been a historical sight seeing adventure! We are only half an hour from Dodge City where you can visit the historical front street. There's also the Sante Fe Trail and Monument Rock. Back in August we took off for a weekend in the Colorado Rockies, what a glorious sight. Even though our family get uprooted every few years I'm learning to enjoy the sights that await us in our new home...where ever it may be. Most of the places DR and I have visited we probably never would have taken the time to plan a week long vacation to go see.

Of course with moving so much I'm often asked about my houses. Which house is my favorite? Don't you hate house hunting all the time? For example, when we moved to Kansas from Illinois DR headed west first and found a house. Many friends are shocked when I told them I had no idea what my new house looked like before we arrived. I've learned to live in just about any kind of home; town or country, one story or two, basement or no basement. I've learned to make it work and be flexible. It doesn't matter what kind of house I've lived in there's always something good and bad about every one of them. Being a gypsy I've also learned I don't need "stuff" and I'm always throwing away things I don't want to move! I used to be a packrat, saving everything...see, being a gypsy is a good thing! I sure don't have that problem anymore! After all, houses aren't that important it's the home we build inside them that counts.

Before my boys, Yip and Yap, started school this year I did worry that maybe all this moving around wasn't a positive way for them to grow up. Those thoughts were quickly dashed a few weeks ago when Yip asked me, expectantly, when we were moving again. He proceeded to inform me that we are a moving family and it's what we do! His choice of our new home? Australia! Maybe moving isn't as big of a deal for kids as I thought. And how cool would Australia be??

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of things I hate about moving too. Usually it means the kids and I are separated from my husband for a month or more. Unpacking is a chore I still haven't gotten the hang of. Settling into a new neighborhood; finding new doctors, schools, banks, etc. can be a daunting task too. So far though, the good has outweighed the bad. If I was asked tomorrow to move again I wouldn't bat an eye. What bad can moving be when you view it as an adventure?

I only recently started blogging as a way to stay in touch with friends and family so far away but I've found a world of wonderful and intriguing women bloggers too. Who knew what a wonderfully supportive online community there was out there? I'd love to have you stop by and check out our Kansas adventures!

Thanks Erin!

Now go check out some of her other awesome posts! Over at prairiemother

My Worst nightmare

I was 15, I have no idea how I got roped into this particular job. A friend probably, didn't want to do it so they recommended me.

SURE I said when Mr. George* asked me if I could baby sit little Stacy*! She was so cute, she was all smiles when I came in the house. We played, Mrs. George* showed me where dinner was and what Stacy could have and not have. Showed me where movies were in case we got bored playing with the millions of other toys they have. How hard could it be, play with Stacy for a few hours, bedtime and ahhhhh relax and get paid to watch movies and talk on the phone.

Mr. George says "sometimes when we leave, Stacy can get a little upset, but she calms down"
I reply, "no problem" like I am some sort of expert on child rearing! I just want to make a little money and watch a kid for a little while.

Exit Mr. and Mrs. George, insert ridiculously loud, screaming, crying, hysterical Stacy! OMG you would have thought the kid was being brutally beaten. Sitting at her parents door, screaming and crying. I did everything I did to coax her down. I offered a bottle, I offered dinner, I even offered dessert first. A movie? Baby dolls? N-O-T-H-I-N-G! So I sat with her and listened to her scream and cry.....for 3 hours, do you hear what I am saying???? THREE HOURS! I figured after 3 hours the kid would drop from exhaustion, jeeze I cry for 5 minutes and I'm ready for a nap in a huge way! Nope, the kid would not go to bed.

And when Mr. and Mrs. George got home...she fell asleep before I even got to the door. No free money at that house! And I never babysat for them again.

Move on to next babysitting job, 3 kids, John*, Amy*, and Allison*! I figured, no more babies, KIDS, I can do! They are older, they have been babysat before and they know the routine, so no screaming babies when mom and dad leave, and free pizza for dinner! What could be better!

Mr and Mrs. Blanks* say it's a school night, kids in bed by 8:30, YES it couldn't get any better! Umm yeah, for one, I am outnumbered. For two, they know the routine....over power babysitter and get their way. Babysitter, not a parent, but would deal differently with children such as this, but couldn't because I am 15 and they are 6, 7 and 8, and not my kids! Kids go to bed when garage door opens....again no free money there.

What was I thinking??? Didn't I remember the crap we used to pull on our poor grandma like babysitter? Shutting lights off all at once and pulling the plug to the TV at the same time and telling her it was a blackout, running between our rooms and giggling and such while she sat having no clue, pretending to barf and needing to stay up.....Yeah my brother and I pulled a lot, but never seemed to pull the wool over that babysitters eyes.....but me? Not so tough, and I haven't been around the block like she had been....And I never go babysitting again! I HATE babysitting. The only babysitting I enjoy is the one that involves my own kids! =)

*names changed to protect the innocent, or not so innocent
Brought to you by Mama Kat I could have used this for last weeks post on what job I would never want to do. So Mama Kat, and all those other in home day care providers, my hat's off to you for doing it for a living! You are awesome!

The Simple Things

Someone's very first Ice Cream Cone....

You think he liked it?

Brought to you by pBd

Brain Waves

My brain is so random, I will start thinking about something and before I finish that thought I have another thought coming AND going. I just love that about me! =)

You should see the unfinished posts I have.

Anyway, it brings me to the way a preschooler's brain works, or doesn't work. Of course I don't remember how my brain worked at that age.

Right now it is all about RE-TRAINING my oldest's brain waves. No not shock therapy! But I am hoping someone can help. A little background please....Thomas has suffered from chronic constipation since he was about 6 months old. He has been on Miralax off and on since about that time. So his brain tells him that when it's time to poop it's going to hurt coming out, so when it came to potty training it took a lot. He would hold it in and hold it in, and a little would come out and he would need 8 diaper changes in a matter of 2 hours, which in turns creates super bad diaper rash. And again his brain tells him it hurts to go on the potty.

We stopped giving him the miralax for a little while and that set us back to square 1. So back on the miralax he goes. But now, how do we go about changing the way he thinks? We are so over this changing his underwear 8 times a day because he won't sit up on the throne, read a book, sing a song and let it happen. But I REFUSE to put him back in a diaper. Which is what the aide at his school keeps doing! I swear I want to slap her! Why? Because he doesn't poop on the potty, he does everything he can NOT to poop in his underwear, he holds it in, it's not going to make it "easier" on him to poop in a diaper. He even has says "If I don't eat I won't have any poop in my belly"

And when he does go days and days and days on end with out going and then when he does have to go and I pick him up and RUN him to the bathroom, this is what happens, I plop him on the potty, his body can't hold it in any longer and it works against what he wishes, he pushes so hard that he pees all over mom! DON'T LAUGH!! =) The hubs thought this was hysterical! I didn't at first, but laughed after the fact! One of my besties came over with her kids right after this happened and I know she laughed!

Don't tell me "No one ever graduated high school without being potty trained" because I can assure you, it happens more often than you think!

This isn't about forcing him to do something he isn't "ready for" the kid pees in the potty each and every time and this isn't about "patience", If I wanted patience I would have been a nurse! =) this is about how do you change a preschooler's mind if they won't try? Any suggestions?

Do you have a minute?

I hear this a lot. "Do you have a minute?"

What are you supposed to say? Umm NO? And when the boss asks you at work, it's a loaded question. If you don't have a minute then you can't help with whatever problem, and if you do, you aren't working enough!

I'm easy, I usually always have a minute, I'm in no hurry to get anywhere! But I'm beginning to think that maybe I don't want that minute? I am hearing this phrase every few days....from PRESCHOOL!!!

Okay I thought kids aren't supposed to get in trouble for at least another few years. I thought I would have at least several more "Do you have a minute?" free years.

Not with this clown in my house! But it seems every couple of days his teacher Ms. Kim always says when I drop him off in the morning "Do you have a minute?" And I always say SURE! And it's always about how this one, my little ham, my class clown that everyone loves, is getting in trouble or causing some trouble.

And of course everyone's first thought when they are told something bad about their child is "Not my kid", but unfortunately, I know better. This child can throw a 57 minute....yes you read that right....57 minute tantrum! And I would love to sit and say "Well now you know how I feel" or how about "Hey, think of it this way, he's finally comfortable with you!" or how about "I think it's that kid he's hanging around with" but I can't. All I can do is shake my head and say "Ok, I understand, we'll work on that"

What else can you say? And when I drop my oldest off at preschool, can't I ever hear a "Do you have a minute, because I just wanted to tell you what an absolute joy your son is to have in my class, I don't know what I would do without him, he completes my life as a teacher"

Maybe....someday....I mean it can only get better right?

Cowboys, Clowns and wildlife

It's been a while since I posted. Phew it's been a long week.
Christopher once again decided to give mommy a nice little scare with his breathing issues. All while Daddy was on a business trip! He's okay now after being on his steroids and breathing treatments once again! And he is breathing easier and sleeping sounder and that is what mommy likes to hear!

And along came a.....mantis....and they are good luck! We see so many of these around here this time of year! As long as they stay outside I'm good!

We had some visitors for lunch. Thanks to grandma for the Mickey and Minnie sandwich maker! The boys loved it!

Here are three clowns that we just having a ball goofing around all afternoon! Serena's mommy found out some spectacular news and we were celebrating!

And we did FINALLY get out halloween costumes done! As cute as this little cowboy is, he will be a skeleton since he refuses to put on a costume. And Thomas will be out little cowboy Woody! *sigh* and I was so hoping I could dress him up one last year as something cute and fuzzy!

What did you do on your Sunday?

Brought to you by Unknown Mami

Tick Tock of the clock

Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires. ~Charles Caleb Colton

It seems there is never enough time. There is never enough hours in the day to spend with my boys, there is equally never enough hours to spend with the Hubs. Definitely not enough time to spend with friends and family. Lately I don't need more hours in a day so to speak, I need more hours in a week. But let's just say for arguments sake, if I could stop time for 1 day, just a day, what would I do with my time.....what would I accomplish?

Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow. ~Denis Waitely


I think I would have to make a list, I'm big on lists, even if I don't ever check everything off on that list, at least I made one right? It's the Virgo in me! So I think I would have to make a list of what I would like to accomplish.

Then I would spend all of that 24 hours playing with my boys, no crying, no bickering, no fighting! (This is my 24 hours, it's going to be MY way)No headaches, no illnesses, no breathing issues. That is all I would do. I would play, I would roll on the floor, I would run, I would jump, I would swing and slide down slides. I would play basketball, I would chase after a 3 yr old in a little Jeep, I would laugh and I would be happy! I would be 6 again!

And at the end of that 24 hour period when the tick tock of that clock came on again, I would look at my list and say "I have so much to do". So what would I accomplish....nothing on the list.....but everything in my heart! I would make me happy, I would make my boys happy and life would be good. Because that is what is important, that means more to me than anything in the world!

Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life. ~William Faulkner

Wanna know what everyone else is up to....see MamaKat

Quack Quack

After my last post many of you asked what was next on my embroidery agenda, and this is one of many.

A little camo for the son of a duck hunter who's room is all done up in Camo!

Little Wyatt, despite his 8lb 10 oz birth weight, he's TINY!! He'll have to grow into his blanket!

And since I got NOTHING, you all get to enjoy my craftiness!

I'm a "single mom" this week since the hubs is out of town on a business, so I am busy busy busy! Embroidery, taking the boys to get flu shots, dinner with family and a couple of play dates! I need more time during the WEEK, not just the individual day!

Brought to you by pBd, head on over to her place for more!

It's official

It's official, it's now Fall.
The Dodgers finished off their final games of the season!

So while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a great time at the game, the boys enjoyed an even better time at home with Grandma and Aunt Tami. Eating pizza, playing, getting spoiled!

I'm telling you, aren't they a bunch of hams???

And with Fall, comes crafts and such and a new embroidery machine....okay it's not new, but it is FIXED!!! YAY! So now I can finally finish a lot of the projects I have started!

This particular one was a onesie, my 1st attempt, and it came out great! So for all the wine lovers out there....

I'll take a bottle of the house white! For all the wine lovers! So that is how we do it here in our household on a Sunday!
What did you do?

Brought to you by Unknown Mami