Last day

Of the YEAR. New Years is one of my favorite holidays...ranks in at 3rd after Xmas and my birfday (yes that IS a holiday). We rarely do much exciting but I just love starting a new year just something about it I dunno....
We haven't done much today either. We went to playgroup for the better part of the day which was nice despite the bickering and fighting that commenced over one meesily little car...geesh. It's always nice to kick it with the other ma's while the kids trash someone elses house. And I know THEman enjoyed his day to himself.
This year we are actually having a few friends over to help us ring in the new year....the kids are going across the street with the sitter and we are staying here...it will be nice...I am sure of it. They are there we are here and no driving to get them...good times!
Hmm....what else to say...really this was just to help get me closer to 200....I shouldn't be sitting here doing this but should be picking up a few things and getting the boys dinner and a bath....buutttt yeah. I should do that now. Check ya in '09!

Just call me Martha...

So I have had this post thought out since um like 2 weeks ago when I made these little gifts up....but had too many other things I wanted to run off at the mouth about that I never actually got around to it.

Right anyway...I made teacher gifts this year...well I shouldn't say made persay...I purchased items and put it together. That's the extent of my creativity...which was actually stolen from a fellow blogger....so no Martha but it sounded nice right?

Here are some pics of my awesome conconcoction...

1 is wrapped in celophane...I hadn't done the others yet...each has a votive candle in a jar, 2 cookies, a biscotti, ornament and hot chocolate.

197 down 3 to go...

Until I hit my 200th post....maybe I can get it done before 2009 so we hit an even 200 for the new year. We shall see.

Boy1 just came in a few minutes ago crying and obviously having a night terror. He started having these aroung 2 and until I read up on it, they completely freaked me out. He would be crying and trembling and obviously very upset and scared about something...but wouldn't speak. He still does the same things and we know now what they are. He has pretty classic symptoms and I have just about with 97% confidence attributed it to getting over tired. Today just reaffirms my thinking on the cause...poor kid is EXHAUSTED. They have stayed up much too late and gotten up much too early many nights this week. His mood and attitude have been crap so we are hoping a good nights rest will do the trick. Again we shall see. I hope this isn't a taste of the next 12 years...I may go grey after all.

THEman and I have been on a cleaning and organizing frenzy the past few days. Many have heard me rant and rave and just overall bitch about the lack of storage space in our house. We have about 2200sq feet and NO closets other than the small ones in the bedrooms...no attic space...and a small 2 car garage. It's nuts....my office room doesn't even have a closet. Needless to say it's very frustrating like we don't even have a place to put our vaccuum, it's that bad. Whomever designed this house has obviously never lived in one...or wait what's the typical...was a MAN. A woman would never do this haha. So we have been on a mission to find the best ways to hide the junk...thank god for bins and boxes!

Boy2's 5th birthday is fast approaching....I actually called 2 places today about his birthday party. Every year after Christmas I realize how quick his birthday is and start scrambling around to figure it all out. This may be his last "big" birthday party so we need to come up with something fun for him! I am thinking about ditching the "big" party's at 5...it gets a bit nuts having so many so close together. (Feb 12, March 20, May 2)

Boy3 is on week 2 of no pull-ups at all- he's been just wearing them at night for several months now- I am super impressed with him. He had an accident 2 nights ago but I can handle that here and there, esp for a 2 1/2 year old...he's doing darn good. As I have been going thru toys and things I am realizing we are completely out of the baby stage. He's 2 but thinks he's 4--or 12 so all things baby he is all but offended by so they are out. It's a odd feeling really. Welcome but strange.

I am getting ready to go "jam" with THEman on Guitar Hero...um I am addicted yes. We stayed up til 2am last night playing LOL.

OH here are a few "Xmassy" photos...none from the day of because I haven't loaded those up yet sorry!

Ok this isn't Christmas just a warm day shot... THEman made a kickball "court" in the street and played ball with them...

Gingerbread house making...

Us with Santa...yes Boy2 is pissed I made him sit in his lap...

Where's waldo...Boy2 and Boy3 are in this shot as well as tons of balding and curly heads...Boy2 is 2nd row down yellow shirt and I think he's waving at me on the left. Boy3 and the lightbulb head in the navy striped sweater on the very end on the right. THey were cute trust me.

And you see boy1 in the middle...he should get a A in acting class for his rendition of "I am getting nothing for Christmas"...his pissed pouty face and crossed arms was spot on, for real it was.

Exhausted anyone?

Wow was that quick or what? Our tree is down and everything is put away...Christmas has come and gone so quickly that I am thinking maybe it didn't actually come this year, because it was a blur. The new toys and empty boxes prove otherwise but the damage was small this year so we aren't feeling the clutter maddness TOO terribly bad...or at least not as bad as it has been in the past. We managed to avoid going overboard this year and am quite proud of that...it's so easy to do that but we stayed level headed-ish and the kids got just the right amount. No breaking the bank and overly overly stimulated kids all is right.
Boy1 got his didj he's been talking about for months (his big gift), Boy2 got a new bike so he can hit the streets in style, and boy3 got a geotrax train set that he is quite infatuated with already. They were too cute this year...boy1 and 2 are completely into it and anxiously wait for Santa to come. Boy1 actually began asking when he could go to bed about 6pm on Christmas Eve so that Santa would come. Boy3 was super cute and shouted a couple "awesome!'s" when he opened gifts.
THEman and I of course did our gift exchanging with them...we never go too crazy for each other clothes and other little knick knacks the other wants. He did good this year with his selections too!
We are plum tuckered out today...I stayed up much too late again reading on Christmas night and we had to be up early to do Christmas with my mom. She was ever so kind and let the boys stay the night with her last night so THEman and I could go out with some friends. We had a blast...we went HERE and to see THEM.....very good. and then hit up some Guitar Hero World Tour with some peeps til the way too wee hours of the morning. Needless to say my eyes are puffy and my ears are ringing...does that mean I am getting old? When loud music starts effect me even after sleeping for a few hours? hehe.
The rugrats are out of school this next week and we may hit up Chat-town for a day or two this week or over the weekend. Or we may kick it home style for the week OR we may hit up some other nearby town with our awesomeness....the plan has yet to unfold...we shall see. I am hoping for a day or 2 away myself but I suppose that's not too surprising. My feet get antsy pretty quickly and I need a change of scenery pretty often. Plus the kids like the pool at the hotel hehe.

Christmas Eve Eve

The boys are seriously counting down the HOURS until the actual time they can rip into their presents. And while I am excited for them to get all these new fun goodies, I am a bit disappointed in their greediness...as to be expected I suppose as they are kids but dag seriously...selfish little monsters they are fo real. I can't hardly blame them if I knew that under the tree was oodles of funness just for me I would probably be just as greedy and selfish, I suppose that is human nature or something....but the other part of me (the less selfish part) realizes that it's not so nice. Either way I am stoked that we can put away the clutter of the season in just a few more days. And I am stoked for the boys to see all of the oodles of funness they will be receiving even if they are greedy little stink pots.
We have all been relatively quarantined to the house this week and I would like to say that it has NOT been much fun for one and all. It started with Boy2 LAST Saturday as previously mentioned...Boy1 on Wednesday...Boy3 on Friday...and Yours Truly on Sunday. However mine seems to have drug on much longer and kicked me hard. I have been down for the count, not a good time of year to be out of commission but whatcha gonna do? Thank God THEman has been here to take care of me....and he has. Just for the record he seriously rocks, like for real I am a lucky girl. And he is waiting for me downstairs to watch a movie togever....so I best get a move on.
In case I do actually keep myself away for the Holidays...have a good one!!

Sickety Sick

Can I just say that stomach virus's are the worst!

Christmas Memories

Every year I buy the boys (and THEman and I) a gingerbread house kit and we sit down and all do it together "as a family". The boys made of big deal about that tonight as we did it all together that we had to sit down and do it "as a family". So here we are happily doing our house...THEman and I trying not to shove the kids out of the way and take over the project and the kids trying to not eat the candy and goodies that come with the kit. Boy1 and Boy2 of course finished with their given candies to decorate the house with well before Boy3 so Boy2 reached over and snatched half of Boy3's candies....Boy3's reaction...he huff's and puff's, yells "HEEEEEYYYY, You took my balls!!" slams his hand on the table and quite irritatedly yells "DAMN IT!!!" This after I just tell my friend that he hasn't said it since she watched him last....nice. Needless to say we will have to tackle that another day because THEman and I didn't respond appropriately and instead of scolding....like 10 year olds sat there giggling and laughing at him.

Spring anyone?

Um it's 69 and sunny, after the dreary weeks we have had I am in heaven. We have been outside all morning...the doors, windows if it can open it's open....Lovely, lovely. We loaded the kids up and went for a bike ride a bit ago....can we say OUT.OF.SHAPE. Yikes. Gavin and I rode all over the neighborhood and omg am I spent.

Ahh...

Just gotta say I love the sun and I love the wind....today is a relatively sunny and very windy day. It's unordinarily warm for December (like 60's) and I have opened the windows. I just sat down to upload some photos from the trusty P&S (from like the past 2 months...oops) and a breeze just whipped thru here...and just Ahhhh. Love it. Winter has barely begun and I am already ready for Spring.

7 days

In 7 days time we will be busily wrapping gifts and setting up toys under the tree..I can't wait...and trust me the anticipation is MUCH worse for the rug rats. Everyday they tell me how they can't wait to open presents. Greedy little boogers. Not that I can blame I seriously thought I would die having to wait for.so.dang.long. when I was a kid...but alas I did not and they will survive as well. Provided I let them last that long...Boy2 has had a tummy bug this week and let me tell you that boy has stunk up the entire upstairs this evening. Poor kid whatever has ailed him this week is still lingering in his body and is slowly leaking out...peeeee--ew! He's been a trooper for sure about it though, not hardly a complaint out of his mouth...which is his style any time he's sick. He's going to be one of those men that never goes to the doctor and prefers to tough it out...lovely. hehe.
I have been busily trying to get things done around here...gifts bought, gifts wrapped, parties planned, orders placed, cards mailed, orders delivered etc etc. All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The boys gifts are bought--not as lightly as I had hoped but lighter at least so that's good. They have some much they could seriously care less about and that's all they need is more c-r-a-p. So hopefully we can keep it to a minimum this year. Either way I can't wait!
I took a crap ton of photos when it snowed because the kids were unbelievably cute on their ghetto sleds---seriously if you go to the beach and buy boogie boards KEEP THEM! The make great "sleds" in the winter...who knew? 2 for the price of 1...we discovered this last winter, good times. So with that said....here are a ton more photos...

Party, Party!!

FINALLY! The secret is out...I can now post what I have been wanting to post about for MONTHS. Saturday was the big event....my mom's 50th SURPRISE party. I have started to post about it many times but know she reads here from time to time soooo no could do. But it's done it's over with and it was a success! She had pretty much no clue...especially to the magnitude it was done. It was great! We all "hid" in a back area and waited for her to come in the door far enough and then all walked out singing of course, Happy Birthday. She was shocked to see me but I stepped out of the way and she saw my grandmother and lost it. It was f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s. We had about 40 guests and everyone was there like they said they would be...perfect. Friends she hadn't seen in forever, she was shocked about it all to say the least. And for anyone in the Hendersonville area doing a party seriously...call Anchor High Grill...they were beyond AWESOME. The place is quaint and cute and right on the water...literally. The service and what not was beyond perfect. It's not a fancy schmancy party spot but for a cute little shin dig it's perfect...and reasonably priced for sure. Anyway just a little plug for them because we have been raving about how great they were all weekend. It was also wonderful to get to visit with family for just a bit and the boys loved seeing everyone.
Poor Boy2 got sick on Saturday night while we were gone...seriously our babysitter is going to avoid us like the plague. Last weekend she came over and the power went out--and crappy chick that I am totally didn't even think to call her to let her know where she could find other sources of lighting for about an hour (I knew they were out from someone else). Nice huh? and then this weekend Boy2 throws up and she is stuck here dealing with it...with us an hour away. Joy. He got sick a time or 2 again yesterday early on but has been ok since although he seems to feel a little sluggish and looks a bit rough. Poor baby :(
9 more days guys....9 more days!

By George it's a snowin'!

It started snowing here about hmm...around 4:30 or so...by 5:30 we had a good covering on the ground. It's starting to melt now actually...and I thought it might so at 7:15ish the kids and I bundled up and headed outside for 30 min or so. We have good lights in the back so it lit up the back yard and we had a big time! Seriously this is the first time we have ever been able to build a snowman...the snow has always been too fluffy or something but this stuff is wet and just perfect--ok I take that back Boy1's first snow my friend and I made a snowman--a big snowman actually-- but um he was like 7 months old it doesn't count. They were so cute about it all! We came in freezing but had a good time so it's all good in the 'hood..

Here's some pics super quick....THE man is patiently waiting for me to watch a movie...so gotta be quick about this...it's more than a little...as usual

Snowball fight!!!

Finished Frosty!

How cute is he? Poor kid was frozen but would have stayed out all night I think!

Is this not hilarious! THE man not the ghetto trampoline in our back yard...

And this was yesterday...totally random with this post but too cute...I turned around and he had all his pups lined up while he ate his soup...sweet Boy2

Short n Sweet

I do not like cold rainy yucky days....
I'm just sayin'.

Got a pill, get a pill, give it to yo motha'

There seems to be a pill of some sort for every ailment or feeling of an ailment around...but do you think there is one to make my approach to parenting a bit less um...harsh? Is there a happy smiley mommy pill out there...or is it just a personality flaw I am stuck dealing with...or I should say my kids are? Will it make them better or stronger people because their mother is a wee bit snappy and dare we say distracted with them? Or will they hate me and turn out to be bums? I suppose it would happen either way huh...I could be too sweet and they could walk all over me...oh wait they do and I am not. THE man and I really trying to work on this slight defect we seem to have been struck with in the parenting department...anyone that knows me knows that patience is not a virtue I was blessed with...well not true in some areas (a sligth few) I have been known to become quite patient. However as of late (er always) with my children that is just the case. It's quite unfortunate really as now my poor vocal chords are getting a work out and my children might slowly be becoming deaf...it's a viscious cycle we have created...I say nicely do blah blah blah...they ignore...I repeat please do blah blah...the ignore even more....I now yell...they look at me dumbfounded and then ignore...I now have to really yell they slowly do what they were instructed. Maybe the defect is in them ya think? Or maybe they sadly have been conditioned to only respond when screaming has commenced...I am not quite sure. But the snappy bitchy mother is no fun...for me or them...or maybe it's that nasty Mommy Guilt that is the culprit and we are really doing just fine here in Casa de' beas...maybe? But I still want that pill....of course then you would feel guilty for that huh? What is it with that...why do we have to feel guilty....because we aren't like Perfect Mommy who does the homework and cooks dinner and has the spotless house and perfectly behaved children and seemingly perfect marriage...mmhmm that's why...it's because we have to give off this "perfect persona" at all times. Really I think one of the reasons I love...you love...reading all the blogs I frequent because it's yet another mother proving how imperfect she is...how she can't do it all...and has time to bitch about it! Hallelujah I am normal (well relatively...or something)! Of course then there's the ones that seem to be able to that I typically skip right on past because after all I need to feel better not inadequate! My house is not spotless...there are toys on the floor behind me...toys on the floor downstairs...toys in the hall...hell there's toys in the backyard. On a good day everything is organized and in it's place on a normal day it's not. We are clean...the pee spots on the toilets do get cleaned up..eventually. The dishes get done daily...the tubs get washed, the floors vacuumed but that's not to say my house is spotless...my back door is covered in muddy dog paw prints (thanks to the never ending mudd in my backyard)...suffice it to say as my MIL would say my house is strowed (wtf kinda word is that...I think she made it up) but it's relatively clean...perfect no? Liveable yes...absolutely. So go away nasty Mommy guilt...oh crap no I don't play with my kids like I should....like ever really. I read to them every night though so take that MG...I talk to them, I feed them, bathe them, teach them....Take that MG...but why is it that I have to play with their toys with them? Isn't that the point of them? For them to play and leave me alone? It is right? Isn't that why we spend bookoo's of money on toys....right?....So I don't have to do that...right? Mmmmhmmm that's what I thought MG so piss off....now where's that darn pill again...

So...um...

The bus was late today bringing Boy1 home. THE man was much more nervous about this than I was, as I knew that this happens and the friendly school people don't bother to contact parents to let them know (although I do know this would be a difficult task). A friend of mine recently waited an HOUR for her child only to discover the bus had broken down...thanks for the heads up. Seriously had that not happened to her...I would have been beside myself with worry. Anyhow...so it was 40min late...at the 30min late mark I look up the transportation number and we give them a call. We discover that yes the bus is on the side of the road, but no it's not broken down...it's waiting for the seat to be taken off the floor to get the CHILD out from under it. The child (who lives across the street actually) thought it would be a good idea to crawl underneath the seat and get himself stuck. Are.you.kidding.me? Way to go genius. So ok great some dingbat got stuck under the seat...so we ask if we can go get Boy1 off the bus, and I grab my keys to go grab him as he had to be at karate in 30 min. As I leave I see parents waiting and worrying...so I let them know what's going on and as I start to leave again up comes the bus. 40min late. And full of kids with a story to tell....I mean they had police men and an ambulance after all. Geesh.
For what it's worth I know the kid who got stuck...he's not a dingbat....he's actually a pretty sweet kid, but um seriously what in the world was he thinking? They did at least call his mother and see if she wanted him to be taken to the ER. To which she said uh is he hurt?...no...well then noooo. LOL.
Boy1 was barely phased...he seriously barely even spoke about it...instead he stomped off mad that I was making him go to karate when he "JUST GOT HOME!". Um sorry kid you insisted for months you want to do karate...we signed a big fat check just so you can so you are going.
So lesson of the day...tell your child that it's NOT a good idea to crawl under the seats on the bus. not.a.good.idea.at.all.

Picture(s) of the day

Look at what Boy2 has accomplished!!! I am so proud of him! Looks like that new bike he's getting for Christmas was a good thing (he has a little bike now that is just that....too little). Goooo big stuff, Gooo! Seriously the kid is getting too big!

(and I am supposed to add that that shirt makes THE man look big....it's not really a fat suit *giggle*) And Daddy is very cute running beside him the whole time too!

Boy2 is very much that...a boy. We had lunch with my mom today...he leans over to her and tell her he needs to tell her a secret...and BURPS in her ear! Um at 4 you aren't supposed to know that crude stuff right? Lately his hand has been permantly in his pants which is uh...so NOT ok with me, so the threats of time out and grounding have begun if he doesn't stop doing it in front of me all the time. On the way home from lunch I keep hearing burping so I tell him to stop that I will NOT sit and listen to that...and then glance back and see his hand is again...in.his.pants. So then I find myself saying stop burping and get your hand out of your pants! Oy vey! He is gosh darn sweet though, constantly telling me I am beautiful and a princess...and that he loves me about 30 times a day. Sweet sweet boy he is! I am so proud of him for his newest accomplishment!

Seriously...

Do you realize that we have less than 3 weeks until Christmas!? Holy Guacamole!? My friend and I hit up Toys R Us this morning...wowzers was that place a mad house. We swung by the drive thru and ate in the car watching people and it struck me that while Christmas is supposed to be this fun happy holiday instead it's this spending, buy this and that, stressed out holiday. People are stressed trying to figure out how in the world they are going to buy gifts for everyone on their list or stressed because they can't find that perfect toy that little Johnny is asking for....and I am not sure when it happened but that is what it's become. So to me it's just down right sad....we are ok this year, we can actually afford to swing gifts for people AND pay our bills...and it's sad that in past times it was buy for so and so...or....pay the house bill...it's sad because we aren't the only ones. I get that it's the "season for giving" but um yeah I think it's been marketed to death and it's just nuts. Don't get me wrong I LOVE, LOVE giving gifts to people, LOVE it....but it just gets excessive. There are people who can't even afford to buy food or pay for a place to LIVE yet we run around make sure we buy the ride on dinosaur or pony that little prince(ss) wanted...I mean come on. Am I the only one that finds it disheartening? I guess I do a lot of talk and little do to make me feel better about the situations around us...in fact I just get sucked right in and buy, buy (I did not and would NOT get a flippin' ride on dinosaur...) like the rest of America. But I do try to be aware and am really working on being better. I just can't help but think of all those that can't...and how 50 years ago it just wasn't like this--at least not to this extreme. ....ugh and as I sit here typing this I am listening to all of the commercials sucking my 2 in with their promise of grandeur toys....

Now that was just dumb...

One of the reasons I don't read more often is that I have this afflication I like to call...undisciplinedness....it's quite horrible if you have it too and I am terribly sorry. Symptoms are as such: inability to not eat bad for you foods...
inability to control impulsive decisions (this varies in severity)
ability for read for hours and hours and HOURS past when you know you should
put the book down
inability to exercise or do anythings you say you are going to do....
Yes, this *thing* I have has caused me some discomfort today...in fact it resulted in a quite sleepess evening while I stayed up until FOUR am reading a gosh darn book...so yes I am going on 2 hours of sleep all day. Which just doesn't cut it for me and I feel sick. I have a session I need to get loaded and then I am Going.To.Bed.
One thing I have learned is that this problem seems to be quite prevelant among peers however that provides me with little comfort...one day I will get a better grip on myself....maybe.....

Tsk, Tsk...

So remember that wii fit? Hmmhmm yes that's the one...the one I raved about and oh how great it is and I am going to use it everyday blah blah blah. Would you believe that I haven't used it in uh about let's see...2 months? Not even turned the thing on...surprised? Yeah I bet not. And to top it off I ate food out not once...but THREE times today. Starbucks for "breakfast", Moe's for lunch (yes I love that place), and *coughKrystalscough* for dinner. Seriously something has to give...and it's going to be the seems on my pants...I am not kidding.
It doesn't help that there are signs for food everywhere...and I am serious when I think they put some kind of "addicting" something in the food so that when I am sitting here at my house with my kitchen full of food that I bought because it after all is what *I* like I long for nothing other than Chicken tenders and fries from Zaxby's or Skillet Queso from Chilli's...or worse still Chilli Cheese pups from Krystals. I think I am being drugged, really that has to be it. I mean just typing those food choices out make me want to rush to the porcelain throne...really why would I choose to eat such. No wonder "america is fat". Turn on the TV for 5 minutes during meal time and you are blasted with food commercials. We are marketed to every single time we turn around. Now don't me wrong I get suckered just like every other Tom, Dick, and Harry...I just can't help it. Those sweaters, shoes, toys, cool drink holders...I mean I DO have to get them all. I do however hate it. Not because I can't buy it all (although I can't)...but because I find myself wanting these stupid trinkets...and for what reason? I can manage to stifle off some idiotic purchases like THIS or well the other hundred stupid creations people have come up with. Now see if I had thought this out before I dived into this rant I could pull out link after link of dumb items that people think are just great...but alas as are all my posts, I am again unprepared. So the peepee teepee is all I got---cus I have thought it was stupid forever...I mean come on can we say LAZY. Anyway stupid commercials and marketing...buy, buy, buy is the moto huh?
Right.... so....anyway I need to get back on that Wii fit....

The Countdown

That's where we're at...t-31days....nope not until Christmas, until we are finding ourselves wrapping up the 2008 year. Holy cow!? Um seriously I think we skipped month or two somewhere along the line here. Wow. I found myself quite reminiscent today...my "work" computer was/is on the fritz earlier so while I was restarting it umpteen times before I finally was able to do a restore and get the bad boy up and functional again. In the meantime I was on our back-up/kids computer/Robert's work desktop...which was my old computer and has all of the old pictures files all the way back to January 2006. First off omg has Boy2 slimmed up from a year ago. I couldn't do much on the computer so I decided to upload some of the old images to shutterfly to be printed...I was doing Sept/Oct/Nov of last year (2007) and going thru some of them to narrow it down from 343535 pictures for those 3 months to at least 30093. And Boy2's face looked a lot rounder than then it does now. Boy1 as well has slimmed down on that baby fat quite a bit as well and just looks older overall. Boy2 has, I thought, maintained that "baby face" look but after looking at those pictures I see how much he has and is changing and growing up on me. Boy3 looks about the same really...well not really but he doesn't have as much of a change that I see, I bet next year will be huge though! Secondly I am SOO SO incredibly thankful for my picture taking obsession and the abilities to do so...because there are so many moments that I seriously have just forgotten about completely until I look at the photo. Things the kids did or habits they have/had that I capture on camera that I would have otherwise forgotten. I tend to get a bit nuts with the number of photos I take of the kids...but I just can't help it. It's my way of remembering.
So here's some snapshots...of past memories....

Here we are in...let's see September 2006--on a timer with the trusty p&s-Boy1 was 4, Boy2 is 2 and Boy3 is a mere 4 1/2 months.
Here they are a year or so later (November 2007)....wow huh? This is at Fall Creek FallsNow for some real "old school" look at my baby--can you tell who this one is? Now this is seriously one of my all time fav pic of...Boy1. He is 8 1/2 months old and A-dorable...this is right before we chopped off his "comb over" and I pulled it all down to show how long it was.And look at him now...big ole...6 1/2 year old himself...in the above picture he was just getting his top teeth and in this one he is just loosing those same teeth...and now I am all teary eyed because I just realized this! This is yesterday...And for our next "moment in history" my chunky monkey...this is Boy2 at 2 months old...and this also is one of my fav baby photos. I just love that chunky smiley face! April 2004And for that adorable smiling face now....he's cheesing it up here as well and is doing a mighty dang good job...and check out his new doo! Courtesy of barber Mommy... And now for the baaabbyyy boy....Boy3, this is another "one of my favs" of him as a baby..really just because it's so darn sweet. I did the "sepia" thing with it way back when so excuse the quality of it all....I just love his sweet little smirk.and uh yeah...how can you not love this....notice the bald under the hat... and check out the sweet boy now...that's just the sweetest little face isn't? This is from this past weekend one of his "sweet faces"....But this is the boy3...we REALLY know...while I do get that sweet face from above from time to time...this is a bit more typical...hehe. I sure do miss those babies....but I sure do love the big boys they are and continue to become...

To Be Two

I wonder quite often what goes thru the little ones heads, Boy1 is 6 and honestly I remember quite a bit of being 6 and the things I thought about and what not so I would imagine it's things that are similar as far as his understanding of things around him....
But under that age is a blur of people and confusion of the world. Boy2 can be down right growdy at times...I won't even share with you the latest of his nastiness just trust me it's enough to make ya do some hard core gaggin. But what I don't get is why he thinks it's ok...what part of his mind says oh now THIS is a good idea!? He comes up with funny things that he says and you sit there laughing but going huh?
Boy3 has been the funny one today and hence the post...pondering the thoughts of the rugrats. He took an exceptionally long nap today and thus has been full of energy. We ventured out this evening with just Boy2 and Boy3 in tow (Boy1 was at a friends house)....we were feeling a bit stir crazy and decided to go to dinner and to hit up Target for the $15 Leapster games...so we decided upon Carraba's (yum!) and Boy3 is trying to watching the fire pit in the kitchen and apparently someone was in his way cus I hear him saying "Move ya dumby head!" seriously he's 2....the kid is a tiny terror. He got mad at me at Target, because Boy2 had to go to the bathroom and instead of waiting for THE man and Boy2 in the store Boy3 & I went to the car....so he starts yelling at me "Youdon't pushmeouthere!" He has a tendency to run all his words together esp if he's mad so you have to decipher it all out, but the kid talks very well.
On the way home he decides to pelt his brother in the eye with his dough from Carraba's (if you ask for it they give the kids dough to play with) but what he didn't consider was if he chucked it to the back seat that it would be gone...so he starts saying "I am mad" and tells me "ugh now wehavuh gobacktuhrabasget me moredough" I tell him uh no we aren't going back so all I get "ugh I am MAD" .
He is a BIG time daddy's boy as of late, like doesn't even want to sit by me and will tell me so as he is scooting away or pushing me. I am not the softy with him that THE man is, but we are working on that as I told him I am not always going to be the bad "guy" with them so he's trying to uh...get some balls with his kids. Just now from the bathroom as they are getting in the tub I hear this conversation...
Boy2: "Im gonna go get more toys to play wif..."
THE man: No you aren't going to get anymore, you don't need them
Boy2: But I wanna get just a couple more...
THE man: no you don't need them you are just going to be in the bath for a few minutes
Boy2: begins whimpering and starting to cry
THE man: ok fine just go get 1 or 2 more and that's it...

Me: *chuckling and rolling my eyes* uh did you just hear what happened there? (retell THE Man the conversation)
THE man: well I uh...swatted his rear as he ran by
Me: uh huh right....just proving my point....

Anyway Boy3 the 2 year old has THE man right were he wants him....suckered by his cuteness. I am not so fooled despite that adorable little voice...afterall he backhanded me in the eye yesterday, he can't play me hehe. But seriously what is the kid thinking, I would love to be in his mind for an hour....maybe it would help us out over here.

Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!! We are going to the Inlaw's for dinner....er lunch...er well whatever meal is served at 2pm. THE man and I griped about this yesterday as we cannot stand meals served at the "in between" time....seriously it's a PITA LOL. Anyway today I am supposed to be thankful so no bitching....so my thankful things :)
1. Obviously top on the list is my awesome fabulous wonderful "little" family. I really think I am like the luckiest person around, I know I know everyone says that but just listen...first I have a spectacular hubs--seriously he IS THAT great. He puts up with me and the kids and still manages to smile about it and says he loves us all. He's caring and understanding, funny AND laughs at me, talks me down when I need to be and I am able to do the same for him....we compliment each other very well. Secondly I have the best 3 little boys I could hope for...Boy1--is oh so grand, he really is. He's well behaved 95% of the time and is considerate (for the most part) and caring, he's loving and sweet. He cares deeply for other people and has his daddy's compassion and wants people to be happy. Boy2--is my my little softy, as my mom says he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's just as caring and sweet as Boy1, he is always telling me I am a princess and that I am "so SO pretty". We laugh that he's Mr. Cassanova. He's got my stubborn streak and has a smile that lights up the room. Boy3--how to describe Boy3--wow, he's down right adorable. He has the sweetest little voice and is so darn smart. He's sweet and tender (when he wants to be). He loves his big brothers so much. My favorite is when Boy1 or Boy2 walk in from being gone and he runs up so excited to them yelling "I MISS YOU!!" and gives them a giant hug. Seriously it's the sweetest. Each one of them give me so much to be thanful for every single moment of every day.
2. Outside of "our little" family I am sure that I have the most amazing parents and grandparents around....I am not kidding. They have been there for me every step of my life, supporting me...helping me...cushioning me when I fall. They adore Robert---in fact my grandmother even wrote a letter to his parents about how great he was (I know serious gag fest right?) They are just wonderful and I know that I, *we* would not be where we are without them (aside from the obvious)

3. I am also thankful for the awesome, fabulous friends I have "aquired" over the years. Friends that have been there thru thick and thru thin, that have supported me and stuck by me...who also put up with me and understand me. Those that lend an ear or a shoulder, even if it's to vent about my stain on my shirt...Friends I can laugh with and know I can always call....and who I know think and feel the same about me.

4. I am thankful for my house and that I can even sit and type out this list...I could go on and on with all the little things I am thankful for all day long...so suffice it to say I am Thankful on this Thanksgiving....BUT I am always thankful, I am thankful every single day that I wake up, thankful that this is real and that it's not a dream.


AND Thanks to Kate Crafton for the above family shot!

ETA~ That I am also thankful that I reread my posts because this one got accidently posted on my "biz" blog...oops!

I am stumped for a title tonight....actually I have been stumped for much conversation on this here blog for a bit now. I think of things randomly here and there but I sit here open it up ready to get started and BLANK. Lovely. Not that I am getting graded or am I real sure who reads and how often but for some reason I feel the need to get those "creative" juices flowing and to come up with some wordy bunch of nothing really to be happy with my post. Tonight however that's just not happening. I am completely distracted with the bazillion things I need to do...my own christmas cards and pictures (although I have a few to choose from already if I need to use them), a invitation card, sessions to get caught up on (one that I am working on now which is fabulous--super cute peeps!), other photog items I need to do and/or learn to do--it's a constant learning process really....THE man is sick, my mom is getting remarried on Wednesday, Thanksgiving, family gatherings to prepare for, cleaning to do etc etc etc....as I am sure many peoples lists are.
I am super stoked to play around with some new equipment I finally have gotten though...I bought some of the pieces a while back but got overwhelmed with it and said heck with it at the time but have decided to get back with it and am just waiting on one more item to get here and then it's time to play!
And um....not sure who or if anyone is into the Killer's or not but lala I am now. I heard them a while back on SNL and loved them...and their new CD came out today and I got it on itunes yesterday and am not listening to it...ahhh. Me likey, yes. They are coming in January and I am scoping out ticks for THE man and I. I have a difficult time dropping bucks like that on a concert but damnit we NEVER do stuff like that so I may splurge...although it will be painful for me...really it will.
Boy1 started KaraTAY today--I am still unsure about this decision as it's so flippin' expensive AND time consuming....let's just say THE man and I could hit up 13 concerts a year with how much it is costing us. And it's 2 days a week for an hour each time...UGh, UGH...he liked it today so that's good but dang it's a bit much however you look at it.
Okie dokes now it's switch to the ONE linkin park I despise...bleh. It's screaming "Put me out of my miserrrrryryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" like the flippin' omg shut up screaming...I think that might show my aging self a bit but god I hate that crap.

Sickety Sick

Poor, poor THE man is very sick....the actually has me kinda worried sick. He started not feeling well sometime on Thursday and had a fever Friday night of 101.ish still fever Saturday so I shoved him out to the "Minute Clinic" at CVS where they said he had a "severe ear infection" however...today over 24hours of his Rx later he has a fever of 103.ish. I am thinking the ear infection was secondary to something else....I was thinking flu. So good thoughts for him to feel better tomorrow! I haven't seen him this sick...ever actually.

Junkies...

It's official the kids are video.game.junkies. It's a sad day as its something I vowed to NOT let happen. But it's happened and just about overnight. Boy2 has asked today to play...the Wii (as he's coming downstairs from sleeping), Nick Jr., Hotwheels.com, Leapster, and my favorite he even resorted to THE man's blackberry. Now I really think the Wii is cool but agh...they fight, they whine, they cry, all over the stupid Wii. Come one now little people...get a grip....PLEASE. It's sad that it's a issue already at 6 and 4.....they will be in "gamers anonymous" by the 3rd grade.

Check 'em

So I added my little list of "blogs I dig" and thought I would suggest to you that you check them out when you get a moment. Some of them are quite funny...and really I have others to add but forget (shocker right). Here are my "honorable mentions"...ie my favs...Suburban Turmoil, Ashley's Closet, ClemsonGirl and the Coach, Scary Mommy....all of these funny mommy blogs. Good Stuff. And a couple photog favs...Kelley Ryden, Audrey Woulard, Whitebox, Captured By Carrie....I of course could list a bazillion more but those are the tops...Enjoy!

And Dude it's SNOWING!? Obviously it's not going to stay or stick but still!

Not diggin' it

So anyone else NOT digging Grey's this season? THE man and I have borderline ranted about it after every flippin' episode. Grey's IS my show...like it's the only show I watch religiously...like I once almost cried cause THE man didn't record it for me (once a long time ago). It's it for me. I just can't commit to more than that so because I only commit to the one..I REALLY commit. Anyway but my obsession is becoming less lately. I was NOT about the lesbo thing, was thrilled to read it was going to vanish into thin air. Don't get me wrong I am a-ok with gay/lesbian relationships--to each their own but I did NOT think it fit in there...the entire story line was random as hell. Completely.Random. Didn't like it glad it's gone. But seriously I would take that over the new one with Izzy Stephens and Denny...um no. It's just bad....a ghost? Really...we are doing the ghost love story thing? On Grey's? We have to do that now? Seriously it's bringing back "Days of our Lives" (seriously click that and scroll about 5 min in) memories that I would prefer to forget--and pretend I didn't actually WATCH that nonsense, even though in my defense that's when I swore off soap opera's for good. Right so anyway back to the current ghost. Why oh why do we have to go there...He is dead and we have already had to deal with the constant pop up's of him, now don't get me wrong I was SUPER bummed when they actually killed him off in the show--but it's done you can't bring him back...sorry not happening. I was glad to see she didn't "choose him" but damn that scene should have not even been there thank you. I hope we don't have to go all crazy and junk with it because that might alter my view and opinion of the show. I like Izzy despite her whiney-ish character and despite her lack of much participation to the actually main storylines as of late I would hate to see her go nutty and get the boot. I mean really her and Denny were an item for what like 2 weeks or something---and only in the hospital at that?! And now he's back as a GHOST, come on people I know we can do better than this. I am sure of it.

Do huh?

Really it's 8pm already? Um yeah I am not sure what happened to my day today but around 3pm I looked up and realized that it was nearly over....and it seemed that it had just begun. Weird, but ok. We sat at McD's with a friend for hours while the kids ran wild....er I should say my kid ran wild (Boy2 has been on a wild streak lately---especially in public).
THE man is watching his show while I try to catch up on some emails and what not. He just called me down to ask me how to get the parental block off the system hehe. I think I recall doing that but didn't think it would block his shows---one of which is Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. Which really I get why it would be blocked fuck is every other word out of the dudes mouth. Granted all 3 of the boys have heard the word and know it's not ok to use...I really don't think they need to hear it THAT often. Boy1 used it appropriatly at 3 1/2 years old...in front of a friend....AND then again in front of the mother in law. Lovely. Thank you Boy1, thank you. Of course now that IS one of my very favoritist kid cussing stories to tell EVER. A sure laugh all the way. I suppose now would be the time to share it...since we are dropping "F" bombs already and everything....huh?
Ok here goes...it's really a proud moment...not...really it kinda is...right so picture this...
Me, friend...Boy1 in his car seat, boy2 and friends kid in their car seats....cruising thru the streets...we pass a man in some snug tappered leg Levi's...friend says "Nice pants." we chuckle....Boy1 pipes up from his cute little seat in the back in his cute little 3 year old voice. "Fucking Freak"... my jaw drops...we laugh til we have tears... Mr. 3 year old Boy1 thinks it must be a funny thing to say so he repeats it over and over til I regain control of myself and tell him no no that's a nasty bad bad word and to stop saying it. He stops, only to repeat himself a few days later with the In laws. Thank god he stopped after that. Boy2's word was "damnit" and Boy3's was "oh sit"...translated to "oh shit". I swear (or don't) that we don't use such language around the kids that often. It has happened a time or 2 but dag not that much! Darn kids....not sure who I can blame for those though...at least they have seen the error in their ways, right? Or ours.

Lovely...

I have a migraine. I don't get them often and haven't been able to locate the cause...other than maybe they seem to happen more in the colder months? It's tappered down a bit now minus the nausea and I probably should go lay back down as I seemed to feel better then but darnit I don't want to. Everyone is gone so the entire house is quiet and I am stuck in bed!? Many people would relish in that opportunity but I however am not a napper or a lay-around-the-houser. I don't particularly like sleeping past 8 and I don't like taking naps during the day (unless I am dead tired or hungover). THE man would probably attest to all of this and also say that he isn't particularly fond of my go go go tendencies...because he would like to nap and lay around more. Now dont' get me wrong I am not buzzing all over managing to get everything done I should...no no in fact probably just the opposite....doing tons of things but none of the things I should--I am not really the house-wifey type with my doings of things around the house...our house is clean yes, relativley organized yes, spotless everyday no, dinner prepared by me everyday at six no. So while I am on the go I typically feel I have nothing accomplished...which reminds me I have some phone calls I need to make and some emails to respond to...and...and...

Drivin'

Another pretty chill weekend for us... THE man of course went out on Friday....I got to go kick it on Saturday and we all just hung out today. Boy2 stayed in his pj's ALL day yesterday...and slept in them last night (had I been here he would have changed but whatever). So it was a lazy day for them which is nice for them to have from time to time. I was feeling a bit antsy today and with the sun out and the cold day we decided to hit the road and for a "Sunday Drive" my mom is looking at property to buy about an hour from here so we decided to check it out. We also stopped in and checked out the cute little town we drove thru. Grabbed some grub at one of the little restaurants on their square....at which we were the only people. THE man and I talk about moving "to the country" from time to time but honestly I don't know if I could really cut it in the sticks. Apparently my idea of country life is a bit different than what it actually is....as THE man pointed out I grew up "on a farm" that was 25 minutes from Music City...sooo while we did do the farm thing we also had everything else not too far. I really doubt I could actually cut it in a town where my only shopping options are Dollar General or Walmart. Not that those places are bad but um...I need more. At least a Target near by. It sure is pretty in them parts though...

The boys were mighty cute in the BBQ Caboose and the people were mighty sweet....Boy1 has decided we need to go back for their Christmas parade they told us about (of course this is only because he heard "kids get a present"). We just might make the treck back out there just for that cause it kinda sounds fun and cute.

Boy1 also lost a tooth....er I mean had a tooth extracted by yours truly...on Friday evening. He mentioned he could feel the bottom of it with his tongue....oh realllyyyy I thought so of course I couldn't resist. Out it popped! He's cute now...but with our dental history oy vey it's going to be bad in there....so we'll snap pics now before he is crazy teeth.

They are both into the scarves right now...Not gonna discourage that esp when I have the camera out!

THE man looking quite serious...trying to ignore my camera in his face hehe.