Spring!

Oh thank goodness Spring is here! I love this weather. I love being outside. I love that Hulk can run and play and wear himself out. I love that I can run and play and chase him around and hopefully get rid of some winter weight in the process.

 

 

I love the look that he is giving me in this picture. He is so annoyed with me. He just wants to run and play I kept snapping pictures.

 

I love that I found a place with tons of hills for Hulk to run up and down. I love that he can run up and down them without falling down all the time. I love that my legs hurt so bad today from chasing him up and down the hills I could hardly walk. I'm hoping that means that some fat fell off!

 

Heck I love a lot of things. This weather makes me happy. Keep the sunshine coming!!!

Gum

You know I like gum. I like to chew gum sometimes. I like the taste of gum. Gum can be our friend. But there are some problems with gum. Several problems really. And as much as I enjoy gum the problems of gum seem to outweigh the joy of gum. So I'm thinking that maybe just maybe gum should be eliminated from my life completely. And because you all probably think I'm over reacting I should give you examples. Because it's not an over reaction gum elimination must occur!

1. I'm a fat kid. Always have been and I'm guessing I always will be. And fat kid mentality doesn't mix well with gum. For you skinny people out there let me explain. Fat kids know that whatever goes in our mouths is for eating. It is just the law of fat kid land. So gum can be problematic. See fat kids like me start chewing gum. We chew and chew and chew and then after a while a thought crosses our mind. Something like hey where did my gum go. And sure enough the fat kid in us just swallowed that gum because anything you chew must be eaten in fat kid land. Not good on the tummy friends!

2. Gum finds my shoes! In fact at least one time EVERY week I step in gum. I watch out for gum even and still step in it. I haven't walked with my head up since 1994 because I'm on the lookout for gum and yet I still have gum stuck to my shoes. And the worst is when it is a hot summer day and the gum is kinda melted and you step in it and have flip and flops on and the flip and flops slide on the gum and some of the melty chewed on gum from some random stranger is not only on your flip and flop but also stuck on your flesh. Yes that is the worst and really sends me over the edge!

3. My kid has an afro puff. As you can imagine gum and an afro puff should never be combined. But last night we came home from a birthday party and I was putting Hulk in bed and I went to kiss that little afro puff good night and what is in it? GUM!!! How gum got into the afro puff I do not know. And just to help other afro puffing parents out the whole peanut butter/ice gum remover rumor is a bunch of crap. The only thing that gets gum out of an afro puff is scissors.

So gum has officially been eliminated from our lives and household!

No gum allowed!

And if you give my kid gum I seriously may punch you in the eye.

Just to warn ya.

Not Me Monday

I promise you I did NOT go into my bathroom and lock the door the other day and pray to God that he give me enough strength to deal with my child kindly before bedtime. I did NOT pray that he help me manage the tantrums and not listening in a gentle and loving way. I then did NOT scream at the top of my lungs, "Quit banging on this damn door I'm trying to pray!!!"

I did NOT misplace my keys at my office. I did NOT recruit my coworkers to help me find the lost keys. We did NOT look everywhere for at least 30 minutes. And we did NOT find the keys in the refrigerator! Who puts keys in the fridge!!!

What have you NOT done lately???

Floating

I am no longer drowning in photographs. Now it's more like floating. My head is above water with only 942 left to go thru! I see the shore now. I'm hoping to have them all done by Wednesday. That is my goal. Then I'm going to clean my house! Yes I've neglected all my household duties to edit in every spare moment that I have. Things are getting slightly scary here. What do you want to bet they will want to show my house tomorrow morning when it is totally trashed. That would be my luck.

Today Hulk and I snuck outside to play. We had a great time in the sunshine. Except he forgot his listening ears in the house. Today he seemed to be completely deaf to every direction I gave him. Don't run towards the street, don't eat pinecones, put the dog poop down, please don't throw rocks at me, stop putting the dog in the bird bath. Yeah I actually say those things and yes he decided not to listen to me AT ALL today. So there was some naughty spot time.

Then there was the huge meltdown at the grocery store. He wanted a magazine off the shelf and I said the horrible word NO and all hell broke lose. It was like WW3 of a tantrum. I wanted to give in and just give him the damn magazine to shut him up. Seriously it's embarassing when they act like that. But no I held my ground and he flopped and screamed and carried on in the cart. The cashier asked me what was wrong with him and I explained in a soft and gentle voice that he has a severe allergic reaction to the word NO. She rolled her eyes but another mom in line gave me the look. You know the one. The look that says she understands. It's also the look that says don't beat him in public even though you really want too.

So that's my story. I'm off to edit. Feel free to stop by and help if you want!

A Message From Our Sponsors

Actually not a message from our sponsors. Heck we don't have sponsors! But a message from my boy! I got my old camera to work a bit and recorded a little video today for Granny and Pop. So I thought I'd just share it with all of you too.

Drowning

I am officially drowning in pictures! Weddings pictures galore! About 2,847 of them left to go. Okay not about exactly 2,847 pictures left to go thru. What a process. So since I'm spending all my time editing wedding pictures this week I haven't had time to edit the pics of Hulk on a Harley! Yes indeed my child loves motorcycles. I also haven't had time to edit the newest pics of our Sophie girl. She has had some adventures the past few days. And I haven't had time to post until now. And I would tell you some funny story or share a recipe or do something creative but honestly my brain hurts and my eyes are blurry and I'm gonna go to bed. Maybe I'll have my head above water by Monday... Let's all hope!

Birthday Review...

Some little boy had a very happy birthday! Hulk enjoyed his cake and his presents. He was so funny opening presents this year. He would get excited about everything. It didn't matter if it was clothes or cool race tracks. He would oh and ah and clap and be silly. Very funny to watch his expressions.

 

I almost didn't think I was going to get to see him on his birthday. I had a wedding to photograph on Saturday. And even though it was the first day of spring we got a horrible snow storm. It took me 2 hours to get to the wedding when it usually would take about 45 minutes. The drifting was horrible and the roads were snow packed. I got home late that night and Darby's husband took me in his big truck out to my brother's house in the country to get the boy. It was like a winter recon mission to get my baby back.

 

 

It took quite an effort to get to my brother's house. We had to break out the truck manual, plow through huge drifts, and then walk through snow drifts that came all the way up to the top of my thighs. It was late and cold and windy and snowy but we got the boy and made it home safely! I couldn't imagine not being able to see him on his birthday. Thanks to Chris we got him home for his party. I'm so glad we went and got him in the middle of the night too. Because by morning my brother's road and driveway were so buried in drifts they couldn't get out to make it to the party. So we were fortunate that we did the midnight recon mission.

I'm telling ya nothing is every easy around here or dull. As I tell my sister all the time....

NEVER BORING!!!

Cake Smash

The cakes turned out wonderful! They were really cute and kinda funky. I was thrilled with them. And the petite cake was wonderful for smashing. In fact the cake smashing was a huge hit with the 2 year old! We had a great time yesterday and I am still worn out this morning. I'll share more pics soon but I must go get ready for work.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!!!

My Sweet Hulk-

Today is your 2nd birthday! Another amazing year with you as my little boy has passed by. And what a year it has been! There isn't a single day that passes without me thanking God for you. You are so quickly growing into a hilarious, kind, loving little boy. It's such an honor to be your mama!

This past year has been such a year of exploration for you. For the first year of your life I was pretty much your world. You needed me for everything. But this year you figured out that there is a whole lot of world in front of you. So you have spent a large portion of it running from me. Rather than think of it has running from me I like to think of it as you taking life head on. And that you do! You fear nothing! And you enjoy everything! You inspire me to look at the world differently. And for that I thank you!

So my sweet boy I hope that 2 is good to you. I hope you continue to grow and laugh and learn and love the way you have so far. I pray that you continue to rush forward in your determined and excited ways. The world is in front of you love and it's just waiting for you. Just remember though that your mama is always behind you. It wouldn't hurt a thing if you came back this way occassionaly and gave me a hug or two.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Mama loves you!!!

Cake Conversation

Hulk's 2nd birthday is Sunday! I know that doesn't seem possible but it is the truth. And since I can't boycott the day I decided we better just celebrate it. Which means my boy needs a birthday cake. So I went to the dreaded Wal-mart to order him a birthday cake. Lucky me I had to get the dumbest cake lady on the planet. So because it was so painful for me I just have to share it with you. This is our conversation. I am (Me) and she is (DACL) for dumb ass cake lady.

Me: Do you have any Elmo cake decorations?

DACL: Hmmmm let me look. (She looks for about 5 minutes) Nope

Me: Do you have anything sesame street?

DACL: I have sponge bob.

Me: No sesame street?

DACL: Dora

Me: (trying to move on) Okay well how about we just do this cake and put Happy Birthday Sylas on it.

DACL: She gets out her note pad and writes down the cake number. This isn't Elmo.

Me: I know it isn't. You said you didn't have Elmo. Do you have Elmo?

DACL: No we don't.

Me: Okay then just do this cake and have it say Happy Birthday Sylas.

DACL: Spelling it out for me. H A P P Y B R I T H D A Y.

Me: No it's b i r t h d a y.

DACL: Oh okay so it says Happy Birthday Elmo.

Me: (Trying not to scream) No it's happy birthday Sylas. He wanted an Elmo cake but you don't have Elmo so I just want this cake to say Happy Birthday Sylas.

DACL: Okay ( She finishes that)

Me: Okay I also need one of the petite cakes to match the big cakes.

DACL: Which petite cake. We just have Barbie today.

ME: I don't need the petite cake today. I need to pick it up on Sunday. I don't want Barbie I just want it to match the big cake. Same colors, etc.

DACL: Well it's round.

ME: I know it is round. I just want the colors to be the same. The same blue and red and green with dots.

DACL: Oh okay what do you want written on it.

Me: Just a 2.

DACL: Writes down #2 on her notepad.

Me: Now it will just be the number right. Not the number sign.

DACL: Yes and the barbie.

ME: Okay let's try again. Petite cake, red blue green polka dots, NO BARBIE with a 2 on top. Got that?

DACL: Sure. Thanks for coming by. You want these today right.

SO I am officially a bit scared to go pick up the cakes on Sunday. Who know what kinda cake Hulk will have.

Mascara Man

This is what happens if you leave your makeup bag on the counter rather than putting it away. A little boy will use your mascara to paint himself and the TV screen. When you walk into the room he will quickly tell you "uh oh mama". He also will be willing to share the mascara with you and offer you a bite. Trust me you should decline! Mascara man may be cute but obviously not so bright yet. Mascara has bat poop in it. You don't wanna eat bat poop. This should also teach you why men should not wear makeup. They aren't good at applying it.

Happy St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patty's Day! I hope you all wore your green. We did around here. In fact not only did we wear our green today but someone wore a helmet most of the day! Last night we went to hang out with our best buddies and Hulk got a hand me down bike helmet from Caden. Not only does Hulk love the dinosaurs on it he also loves that when he runs into walls and doors it doesn't hurt his head at all. I wish I had a video camera to record him and show you all. It's crazy. Not only does he run into things but he also roars at the top of his lungs while doing it. Because you know wearing a helmet with dinosaurs on it obviously makes you a dinosaur! Strange little child of mine.

In fact he loves wearing it so much that when I asked him to take it and his coat off for dinner he got a bit upset with me. He really didn't want to let it go. Luckily I served some of his favorite things for dinner! Nothing like strawberries and turkey to bring a smile to his face. Boy I love this kid! So much personality!!!!

Love The Light

Okay at first I was a little upset about losing an hour of sleep. But I am so loving that it stays light later now! It makes the day feel so much longer. I got so much done this evening and it is still light out!

Hulk and I raked the backyard and bagged up all the leaves. He also made sure to jump in every water puddle he could find. Then we planted grass seed. He thought that was pretty cool but was a bit upset about not being able to eat it. Yes I do have some boundaries. I don't let him eat grass seed or fertilizer. Just some crazy rules I have.

After I got his mud caked shoes and pants off him he had a quick bath and we read about 18 books. That kid would read stories all night if you let him. Then he crashed hard. I think all the yard work wore him out. It's so nice to be able to get outside again. The fresh air is wonderful and well the sun is even better!

Then because I was feeling so darn productive I made my best friend's twins some baby food. Yes I realize that I'm weird. Not many people make baby food for their own kids so why in the heck would I do it for someone else's babies. But I love it. I really do. Which is weird since I'm not a huge cooking fan. But something about making baby food makes me a little bit happy inside. I never knew much about nutrition until I started making Hulk's food and it fascinates me. I like combining things to get complete proteins or baby sized healthy meals. So weird I may be but at least I'm good at something.

So enjoy the light folks! We sure are here!!!

Not Me Monday!

This week I did NOT misplace the keys to my office. I did NOT search my desk, filing cabinet, purse, coat, and have my co-workers do the same. I then did NOT find my keys in the refrigerator!!!

I did NOT find our puppy in my kitchen sink.

I also did NOT find a bunch of shredded paper under Hulk's bed this weekend. My child would NOT be tearing up books and hiding the paper from me.

I did NOT drag my toddler into the post office, wait in line for 20 minutes, get to the front of the line only to realize I had left my purse in the car!

What did you NOT do this week?

Time Flies

Man this weekend has just flown by. My little man has been feeling a bit under the weather. He has some stomach bug going on and just hasn't been himself. He hasn't been on bit crabby or fussy just very lethargic and having stomach cramps, and wanting to be held and snuggled lots. Which I don't mind doing one bit. So rather than do any Spring cleaning this weekend I spent a ton of time snuggled up with the boy reading books, singing songs and watching silly movies like Over The Hedge.

So my kitchen is mess and all the laundry isn't done. I didn't get the windows cleaned or the patio swept. But I had a wonderful weekend with the boy. I just hope he is able to rest a little better tonight and is feeling okay in the morning.

Amazing

So all winter long I've had horrible dry skin. Like painfully dry skin. It's been a hard winter people! I've tried several different types of lotion, body cream, soap, etc. I've tried a lot of stuff. And nothing and I mean nothing has worked. I can't even say that anything has somewhat helped. My skin just hurts.

Well I guess I should say my skin hurt. Because tonight I used some of my creative genius and developed a little bit of heaven in my kitchen. I made my own body scrub and seriously it was amazing! It is the first time in almost two months that my skin has not hurt or been dry. Right now I'm typing this with soft smooth non hurting skin. I feel like having a party. But since I'm broke I'm not gonna throw a party. Instead I'll just share my heavenly creation with you....

Put the following things in a bowl.

1 cup sugar
Enough olive oil to cover the sugar
1 T. Honey
A splash of milk

Mix it very well and then head for the shower. Rub this delicious heavenly goo all over and then rinse with lukewarm water. I swear to you your skin will feel like silk!

Try it and let me know what you think. Next time I think I'm going to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to give it a little kick.

That Kind of Mom

I'm the kind of mom that....

Let's her kid play in the bathtub until the water is ice cold
and he turns into a wrinkled a prune.

Sometimes loses her temper over silly little things
but holds it together in the middle of pure chaos.

Thinks someday having a dad around would be a great idea
but also doesn't want to share her child with another parent.

Teaches her kid how to say his prayers and say please and thank you
but also teaches him how to stick out his tongue, do a touch down dance, and say "Yo".

Doesn't always cook a "real meal" but tries to sneak veggies and fruit into every meal.

Let's her little one climb in her bed in the middle of the night
only because I know someday he won't and I'll miss it.

Hates to see her child hurt but also thinks those bumps and bruises
will make for quite a story someday and give him character.

Will wear old not cool clothes so she can buy whatever her kid needs.

Prays everyday to be the best mom possible but also laughs and let's go
of those not so perfect mom moments.

Talks like an Asian person just to make my kid laugh.

Wants to take my kid all over the world
but would settle for a lifetime of memories at home.

Is so thankful everyday that I was blessed with such a caring, funny,
silly, tough, intuitive, creative little boy.

Not Me Monday!

While my child was taking his bath I was NOT sitting in the hallway folding laundry when I heard a loud bang. I peeked into the door to see what was going on and did NOT find my child sitting on the potty chair in the bathtub! And since he wasn't doing that he also did NOT pee in the potty chair that he was NOT sitting on in the tub.

 

As you can see he he also did NOT think this was very funny!

This weekend I did NOT put my little boy to work. We did NOT fill his wagon with rocks and move them to another part of the yard. He did NOT get sweaty from all the loading and loading of rocks and ask for a "dink peaseeee". I did NOT feel a tad bit guilty making him work. I was also NOT just a little impressed at how helpful he can be.

What did you NOT do this week?

Wonderful Weekend

This has been such a wonderful weekend! Sesame Street Live was fabulous! Hulk was on best behavior and danced and clapped and had a grand time. I've never seen him so excited yet contained and focused before. He didn't miss a thing. They even did a couple of his favorite songs and he sang along and clapped. It really was a good show. It lasted a full 90 minutes and the lighting, dancing, and effects were really great. My sister and I had a good time too. My camera was on the list of cameras not allowed in the arena so I don't have any pics. My sister took a few but I haven't seen them yet. If they turned out I'll post them later.

Today was gorgeous out which was very nice. Today is the start of Walk Kansas which is an 8 week walking event that I'm a part of. I am on a team with 5 other people and we have to track how far we walk and how many fruits and veggies we eat every day. We are competing against about 40 other teams in our town. We have to walk or work out a minimum of 2 1/2 hours a week which equals 10 walk Kansas miles. Today Hulk and I took two walks for a total of 5 miles and we played like crazy in the backyard. That boy loves to be outside! So who knows between Walk Kansas and chasing him around I might lose some weight this spring.

The sleep challenge continues to go very well. In fact last week I lost 6 pounds and did nothing right eating or exercise wise. I really do believe that getting enough sleep helps me to not eat as much during the day and that of course means losing weight. So who knew that just getting enough sleep could kick start a diet!

Okay off to fold the laundry that I put off while playing in the great outdoors.

Random Ramblings

So many random thoughts in my head... So grab a drink, get comfy in your seat and let's get to it!

First things first. My kidlet likes Elmo "Melmo". Actually he loves Melmo! Sometimes his love for Melmo and the fact that he plays really hard just wears him out.

Sometimes he gets so worn out he falls asleep on his aunt's lap. Which means it is the only time he is still enough for me to snap a pic of his adorable Elmo socks! He loves those socks. Well he loves all things Elmo!

 

And since he loves Elmo so much today he is getting his birthday present from me early! I am taking him to the big city today to meet up with his favorite Aunt or "da da" and we are going to see Sesame Street Live! I was stumped on what to get him for his birthday and then we found out the show was coming to a big city near us. I'm hoping he loves it as much or more than his socks!

 

This is a picture of my niece that I took at my sister's birthday party. I just find her to be incredibly cute and thought I would share the cuteness with you. She is sweet and fun and waddles when she walks. I miss the waddle walk that Hulk had when he first started walking.

 

And the last bit of randomness I have to share is simple. If you ever visit our house and you can't find our Sophie dog the solution is simple. Just look in the wagon! Somehow she winds up there frequently. This is odd since she cannot jump into or out of the wagon on her own. I think some little boy helps her but that could just be speculation on my part...

 

Why I Love My Aunts!

I am so lucky to have such wonderful aunts! Not only are these ladies incredibly funny but they are also some of the most loving gals I've ever met in my life. I have a million and one reasons why I love them so much but I'll just share a few with you...

How about the fact that they love my little Hulk and are always so thoughtful when it comes to him. They bring him gifts that they know he will really love. Things like Elmo t-shirts, magic grow capsules, balls, and little people toys! And don't forget the cookies! Yes they bring him cookies which is something I never do. They read to him, kiss on him, play with him, and just love him. It's so awesome to me because they are so much like my mom and when they do those things for him it makes me feel like a little bit of her rubs off on him!

Seriously when I say they look and act like my mom I am not joking! Their hands are so much like my moms. It's amazing how much time I spend staring at their hands. Now that I've said it they are probably going to be all weird about me stalking their hands. But I can't stop myself. I love their hands like I loved my mama's hands.

Another reason to love them is that they can make me laugh like a crazy woman. They say some darn funny things. We spent hours last weekend looking thru old pictures and they had me cracking up. Heck I wish I would have known them when they were in their 20's because they looked really funny then!

In all honesty the main reason I love my aunts is because they love me! They really just love me for me. No strings attached. I don't have to be funny or have cute hair. I don't have to be happy all the time or have a perfectly cleaned house. They just love me and laugh with me and are just some of my most favorite people. So thanks gals. You crazy aunts rock!!!!

Sophie

Seriously can a puppy get much cuter than this???

Not Me Monday!

This week I did NOT feel like a high school girl again doing my hair every morning. I did NOT actually pull my hair to my nose and smell it and love my shampoo even more. I did NOT realize that when you only wear your hair in a ponytail you miss out on the delicious yummy scent of strawberry shampoo!

I did NOT laugh with my aunts so much this weekend that my abs hurt today!

This weekend when I wasn't laughing I did NOT eat way to much junk food. I did NOT let my child eat way to much junk food. And I do NOT find it incredibly adorable when he looks up at you crunches up his face and says cookie peeeeseeee! My child would NOT be a cookie beggar!

I did NOT fall asleep curled up with my coughing son on the couch at 6:00 last night only to awaken at 3:00 in the morning wide awake! Since that could NOT have happened I would NOT be writing this post in the middle of the night!

What did you NOT do this week?