snarfle

Swagbucks = Free Money!

2010-05-11T14:50:00.001-05:00

So, you have you found Swagbucks.com yet? It's a search and win site where you can win swagbucks. They can then be redeemed for great prizes...but I think the greatest prize is the $5 amazon.com gift card! Since joining in January, I've made about $150. And you really do get the electronic gift cards! The link to join is over there -------> on the right.

And Swagbucks has just introduced a new daily poll feature that will allow you and your friends to earn Swag Bucks every day simply by voting! It's a great way to share your opinons with the community and be rewarded for doing it. All the polls are Swaggernaut (a term for a swagbucks user) submitted and those Swaggernauts whose polls are featured on the site earn themselves 100 SB (those can be submitted to: pollideas@swagbucks.com). This is a fun, easy way to rack up your free rewards from Swagbucks.com, the number one destination for fun, online polls.

Check it out...and then join!

Busy, much?

2010-03-17T21:21:00.004-05:00

Yep. That's me.

And the kids are still growing.

Buttercup is perfecting her sassiness. Yesterday she kept going to her bathroom and turning on the water in the sink just to play in the water. I have no problem with her washing her hands, but she doesn't need to be turning on the water all the time. After the third time of me having to tell her not to do that, I decided to try putting her in time out. Off we went and I put her in the little corner in the living room by the bar. She sat there (and looked incredibly pittiful) until I told her to get up. About 30 minutes later she went back to the bathroom. I went to get her and told her she needed to go sit in time out.

"Ok, mommy!" And just like that, she hopped off the stool and sat in the corner. That little stinker!

I painted her nails yesterday, too. She wasn't sure what to make of it and cried through it all (thank goodness for Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri polish!) but afterwards, she kept holding up her hands to show me her pink nails! And today she wanted me to paint them again because a few nails had already chipped polish. This time she didn't fuss, and she appropriately blew on her nails to dry them. That cracked me up!

She likes to say, "LOOK, Mommy!" or "LOOK, Daddy!" whenever she wants to show us something. Lately that has been hopping. She can get off the ground and she's so proud of herself!

Buttercup pretty much wants whatever toy X-man is currently playing with. Learning to share can be a tearful experience. She also likes to sit down in front of the bookshelf and just pull off books and flip through them. She particularly likes the Dr. Seuss books. And both kids love to sit on the couch with me while I read books. That's usually when I get the most hugs and kisses from X-man. Buttercup is still pretty giving with her kisses! I love that!

She likes to eat "Slalamli" which is salami and she wants all the raw salmon at the sushi restaurant to herself. She loves eggs and bacon and peanut butter. She doesn't seem to eat much, but since her height and weight is in the 50th percentile, I think she's doing fine.

She loves her Kindermusik class and can tell me the names of kids in that class as well as the names of a few kids in her mother's day out class.

She loves to wear "pretty nightgowns" and every night want's to "go show daddy." She'll run into wherever daddy is and say, "LOOK, Daddy! Cute!" and then wiggle her bottom. This love for the nightgowns has translated into loving dresses or even long shirts that look like a dress. And today she wore a headband in her hair because I had a scarf in mine and she wanted a "pretty head" too! She's definitely got the girly role down!

I think that's "all I got" for the updates. Poor Buttercup won't have near the number of updates on her first two years as X-man. Hopefully she won't hold that against me.

Full of funnies!

2010-02-12T07:09:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was X-man's birthday (and the Sunday before was Buttercup's).

He kept telling me that in the night, his legs grew longer and he was bigger now because he was four!

Well, before naptime, after Buttercup went down for her nap, I was reading X-man a book. He started kissing me and said, "Mommy, it's nice to give kisses and hugs and snuggles of love!" I smiled, said, "Yes, it is!" and gave him some kisses. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, don't kiss me!" Ha!

Later I had the kids color some thank you cards for some friends of ours who gave them some birthday presents. I asked X-man what he wanted to say in his card and here's what I wrote down for him:

Thank you for the Toy Story book.
I love you.
Amen.

I cracked up as I wrote it!

And then he even wrote his own name! All by himself! I don't think anyone but me would recognize that's what it was without my translations of some of the letters, but I was so proud of him. I even had him write his name again on another piece of paper so I could keep it. It's so cute!

As for Buttercup, she's definitely got the 'tude of a two year old. She loves to say no and in fact, sometimes I think she's just saying no because she likes the word! And now that she has figured out about the words yep and nope, she likes to say those, too. However, we really work with the kids to get them to answer with yes, ma'am and yes, sir instead of yea, or uh-huh. So the other day, I asked Buttercup a question and she said, "Yep. Yes, ma'am. No yep!" She's going to get it figured out!

Bounce

2009-12-08T15:49:00.003-06:00

Today as I was getting lunch ready, X-man told me he wanted an orange with his macaroni & cheese. I have no problem with that!

Then he told me he wanted to eat the orange first so the macaroni won't bounce in his tummy.

Wha?

And after he said "bounce," Buttercup kept saying, "Bounce! Bounce!" and tried to hop (she can't get off the ground yet) all over the kitchen.

My kids keep me young!

Happy...

2009-12-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

National Roof Over Your Head Day!

I'm very blessed to have a roof over our head. I'm so glad that we can afford for me to stay home with the kiddos.

More Funny Things...

2009-12-01T15:56:00.003-06:00

Howdy-no neighbor! Just me...with more funny things my kids say...imagine that!

Here's the setup: Last night we put up the Christmas tree and had dinner in the living room. I got X-man a Sprite and he was very excited because he only gets soda about once a week, so this was fun. Anyway, we were done with the tree and X-man was standing by the fireplace. All I could see from the couch was from his chest up.

He looked at me a little concerned and said, "Uuuhhh, dere are two tings going on here." I looked at him, giggled a bit and asked him what he said...I wasn't sure I understood. "Mommy, dere are two tings..."

Daddy gets the bright idea to ask him what was happening. What a smarty! =)

X-man said, "This drink spilled [his sprite was all over the fireplace] and I tee-teed in my pants." The fact that he said this so matter-of-factly just cracked me up! I'm going to have to remember to be so calm when stuff all around me is falling apart!

***

This afternoon when X-man got up from his nap, he asked me if he could play a computer game. I told him yes and he gave me a big hug and said, "That makes my heart feel better!" I'm pretty sure he meant playing on the computer and not the hug. In fact, at school before Thanksgiving the kids all made turkeys and the teacher wrote what they were thankful on it. X-man was thankful for playing on the computer.

My daughter, the Breath-Holder

2009-11-24T20:47:00.004-06:00

Doesn't that sound lovely? Buttercup has had two episodes in two weeks and this second one last night made me call the pediatrician this morning.

Two weeks ago Buttercup fell down (she and X-man ran into each other). She let out a scream and then...nothing. I picked her up and her face was still in "scream-mode" but there was no air going in or out.

Freaked me the heck out.

I whacked her on the back a few times, picked up the phone ready to dial 911 and she coughed, threw up on me and cried. Whew. I had never been so happy to see throw up! After that she was just fine. I figured that she just got choked on some phlegm since her nose was pretty runny.

Last night she was running around TC's legs and she tripped and bumped her head on the wall. I heard it from the kitchen and it didn't sound that bad, but I heard her scream. I asked TC to check on her and since he was right there, he said he was. Maybe a second later (seemed like a minute!) I asked him if she was breathing...I hadn't heard her cry other than that first wail. He said she wasn't. I put down the dishes I was washing and asked the same question again (just thinking about it right now is making my heart race) and he gave me the same answer. I think I made some outer worldly noise, grabbed the phone, and finally Buttercup whined and started crying and breathing again. My stomach was tied up in knots for the rest of the evening.

So this morning I called the doctor's office and related the above events to the nurse. She said she would talk to the doctor, but it sounded like breath-holding. She said she would call me back and let me know what he said.

Well, about an hour later, the Doctor called me back...not the nurse. We have such an awesome pediatrician! He told me that yes, this was called breath-holding and it wasn't like a child that gets mad and holds his breath. That's something totally different. This is just a strange reflex that some kids have and eventually they will grow out of it..."Not fast enough!" the doc said! He told me his own son had this when he was young and while it was definitely not fun to watch, the child would eventually start breathing again before any permanent damage was done. In fact, if she does pass out (Lord and Heaven help me) as soon as she passes out her nervous system will start the breathing again. These episodes usually happen after a hit to the head, a fall or something startling like that. The child just gets startled and the reflex is to stop breathing for whatever reason. Doc told me to just stay calm during these episodes and to not "feed" them by giving Buttercup extra/over attention after them. Obviously calm her and let her know that she's ok and someone's taking care of her. We don't want her to figure out that by doing this she gets secondary attention and then have her holding her breath on purpose.

I calmed down quite a bit after I talked to the doctor, but twice today Buttercup ran into something (one a doorframe and the other was the wall...what is up with kids walking forward and looking behind them?!?) and both times I held my breath waiting to see if she was going to freeze up on me. Thank the good Lord about that she didn't.

I have panic issues so I haven't googled this at all. I don't want to read any horror stories about breath-holders. That would only make matters worse for me. I don't even google symptoms that I think I might be having because you can get some wacky advice from Dr. Google!

So I would thank you not to post any comments with your horror stories of kids who had this or kids who held their breath in general. No freaking the momma out!!

I am so thankful for a beautiful family. My kids are my all and before kids I would have never known that I could let my heart walk around outside my body like that! I am thankful for so many things...I have been blessed many times over.

Hug your babies, your mammas, your friends and let them know you are thankful for them!!

Happy...

2009-11-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Abet and Aid Punsters Day!

For some great puns, visit www.punoftheday.com!

Happy...

2009-11-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

Write Your Own Epitaph Day

Ok, so it's a little morbid. Maybe mine would say something like, "She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend!"

Our Song

2009-10-06T21:30:00.002-05:00

I saw this post over on a stamping blog that I enjoy reading. And I loved the idea of a family's song.

Here's ours...

I want daddy!

Let's get dressed for the day.

Good morning sweetie girl!

Mee-ulk, pees!

Mommy, say the blessing and we'll all say amen.

I wanna watch Curious George.

I want some chocolate milk with a little bit of chocolate.

Let's head to the car.

Mommy, thank you for being such a sweet girl.

Stop. Screaming. At each other!

Are you hungry?

What would you like to drink with lunch?

Time for nap!

Close your eyes, be still and go to sleep.

I love you, sweet boy!

Nah-noo?

Daddy!! Home!!

Mommy's fixing dinner.

Amen.

Who's ready for bath?

1, 2, 3, Hugs!

Time for pajammies.

Night-night, punkin girl.

Give mommy kisses.

I love you.

Happy...

2009-09-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

National Good Neighbor Day!

We have great neighbors! We are so lucky.

Happy...

2009-09-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Visit this site to translate some of your own stuff to Pirate Speak: talklikeapirateday.com

Two more...

2009-09-11T06:21:00.003-05:00

Teeth! Yep, Miss Buttercup has a total of 6 teeth now. The front two on the top and bottom and then two molars (!) on the bottom. I think her top molars are working their way out, too! And I will promise you that those little molars are SHARP! She didn't realize that when mommy stuck her finger in her mouth to feel if there were any teeth back there, mommy did not intend for her finger to be used as a chew toy.

She just keeps on making all of us laugh. Her vocabulary is growing and she's been putting words together to make two- and three-word phrases! I think my favorite one is: "Paw-Paw. Sugar. Funny!" When my dad kisses her, he shakes his cheeks and makes this really silly sound. Buttercup just loves it!!

Both of the kids had school this week. X-man did great on his first day of school. Thankfully he'd been to mother's day out so this really wasn't anything new for him. His teacher said she was glad that he was ok with being there as there were a few kids that were not happy about being apart from their parents.

I've got another 30 minutes or so before X-man wakes up (most likely he will be crying/screaming for me to tell daddy to come back home...he wakes up and immediately remembers that daddy is at work and he starts to fuss about it...I understand your pain, little man, but daddy's job is to go to work!). I'll be hanging out on Facebook or reading my parenting/crafting/stamping blogs!!

September!

2009-09-02T06:38:00.002-05:00

Two days into September already! Happy birthday, daddy!! And sis' birthday is at the end of the month...better start figuring out her birthday gift...send me a list, sis, would ya?

September just means fall. I know it's still hot here and it will still be hot, but we get the occasional cool breeze that just hints at the cool weather coming! I love it! I have always loved fall. I much prefer the cooler weather and there were/are so many fun things that happen in the fall! In high school, fall meant football/marching season. Stepping out onto a football field with 400-500 of your closest friends and entertaining the crowd is such a rush! And then there were the marching contests. Oh, those were great fun... I remember one (as I'm sure everyone else remembers if they were there) when we went to Wichita Falls for a contest and marched our hearts out in the pouring rain! Good gravy it was wet! The flags were trying to hold on to their flag poles, the tubas were trying to keep from blowing over and the rest of us were just trying to keep our footing in the wind!

And then there was contest at Texas Stadium. That big 'ole star in the middle of the field sure is slick when you're wearing marching shoes!

In college, I was also in band. But this time, the band was much smaller. Only 40 or so (right?). We still had a great time during half-time. And for my junior and senior year, the flute/piccolo player marched with a tuba!! Loved that!

Fall also means Homecoming. Our university has a distinct Indian theme (even if we had to drop the mascot...oh, well). There's a big park on campus that turns into an Indian village. All of the social clubs have a tee-pee and in front of every tee-pee is as fire. Out in the center of the park is a giant bonfire. One always leaves homecoming smelling of smoke. TC and I haven't missed a homecoming yet and this year will be no different. Except this time we get to see TC's niece at homecoming...she's a freshman there!

Ah, fall. Cooler weather, fun time with friends and a wonderful prelude to winter.

Happy...

2009-08-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

National Kiss and Make Up Day!

This could be fun...

My daughter, the buzzard

2009-08-23T20:54:00.002-05:00

TC and I had a meeting at church tonight. Thankfully there was child-care available. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have gone...or just one of us would have gone.

Anyway, we dropped the kids off in the nursery and the child-care worker in the twos and threes told us to bring X-man and Buttercup over to her room. I was a little confused because the ones were in a different room. I'm pretty sure it was because she wanted Buttercup in her room! I put Buttercup down and let her walk in the room and she made a beeline for the hamburger Happy Meal on the little table. I warned Ms. L that they better corral Buttercup or she'd eat anything on the table! Ms. L laughed, but as we left the children's area, I heard her tell Buttercup that food didn't belong to her.

My daughter, the buzzard.

Buttercup and the things she says!

2009-08-15T15:48:00.003-05:00

Buttercup's vocabulary list is really growing. She's saying so much more that Xander did at this age!

One of her new things is to say "funny" and when she says it, there's a great emphasis on the last syllable and she scrunches up her face. So, when someone laughes, she'll look at them and say "funny" and then she'll giggle! Cracks us up every time!

Something else she likes to say is "noie-nee" which means "noisy." She'll say that if everyone's being noisy but she also likes to say it and then pretend to holler with a relatively quiet "Ahhhhhhhh!" That, my friends, is hilarious!

She loves to carry around her "bee-bee doll" (the little Madame Alexander doll that looks just almost like my baby doll) and her two little pink blankets. She'll tote those around everywhere with her until something better comes along...like her sippy cup of milk. Then, she drops her doll and blankets and makes a beeline for the milk! I never know where her little lovies are going to end up!

Happy...

2009-08-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

National Lighthouse Day!

It was on this day in 1789, that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. In Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Act and the commissioning of the first Federal lighthouse, Congress passed a resolution which designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day.

X-man and the things he says

2009-08-04T15:50:00.003-05:00

I am constantly laughing at the things this boy says sometimes!

Just a few days ago, we picked up the kids from their week-long visit with Granddaddy. As we pulled up to the house, X-man noticed the, oh, 20 mushrooms in the front yard (TC and I had also been gone on a week-long vacation of our own!). So, he asked if he could go see them. Daddy said, "Yes, but don't touch them." X-man said, "Oh, I never touch mushrooms!" (with a great dramatic voice!) And would you imagine he proceeded to go right to them and touch them? (of course you would believe it!)

Buttercup and X-man were sitting on the couch and Buttercup dropped her toy. X-man picked it up and I said to Buttercup, "What do you say?" She looked straight at X-man and said, "tan too!" X-man said, "You're welcome! Mommy, I said 'You're welcome!'" He's quite proud of himself using his polite words...and he's working on "teaching" them to his little sister! Awwwww!

I was getting lunch ready and I was making peanut butter and honey sandwiches (or just peanut butter on bread is how X-man likes them). X-man told me he wanted "boy peanut butter." I knew exactly what he meant. We are a his and hers peanut butter household (thanks for that phrase, ^starshine!). I like creamy and TC likes crunchy. The fact that X-man logic-ed out that it meant the kind daddy likes is "boy kind" cracks me up. What cracks me up even more is that I'm always talking about how I prefer "girl" chocolate chip cookies over the "boy" kind.

I'll let you kick that around for a bit. Got it? Yep, I like my chocolate chip cookies without nuts. Ha ha ha!

One is an OK number

2009-07-29T15:18:00.003-05:00

I had lunch today at Olive Garden.

By myself.

And read a book.

Would you believe that that is the first time I've eaten by myself in public since I can remember? Even in college when I went to the caf, there was always someone to sit down with!

Man, I can certainly work myself up into a panic attack if I really try! Thankfully it didn't get that far, though.

I do have occasional anxiety issues and this one started last night. I woke up at 1AM with the most horrendous stomach ache. And I could tell it was a worry-ache. I think I was all worked up about having to go out to lunch by myself today. The hotel restaurant doesn't serve lunch, so that was out of the question. I didn't want to eat 7-11 food (or whatever that convenience store is right next to the hotel) so that was out, too. All I had to do was get in the (rental) car, take a left out of the hotel lot and then a right on the next main street, drive a few blocks and there's the OG. I was (mostly) ok with driving myself. I put the GPS in my purse just in case I needed it, but I didn't plan to go off the beaten path at all because I HATE being lost! That'll work me into a dither quicker than just about anything!

This morning I felt much better and considered just getting something to go and eating it in my room. But if I did that, the room attendant wouldn't be able to get in here and clean up. So I just said to myself, "Suck it up and go! You'll be fine!!" And I was. I sat in a nice little booth and read my book (the first in the Sookie Stackhouse books...Death in the Dark or something like that). I ate, slowly and relaxed and only once felt a panic attack creeping on. I was able to talk myself out of it, so that's good. And it allowed me to enjoy my gelato. The waitress was so nice she got a 20%+ tip!

Tomorrow, TC has to work again (yes, he's working for two days while we're on vacation...the meeting up here is why we decided to make a vacation out of it!) and I'm going to meet an online friend for lunch! We first met in a group on a mommy board (that my friend ^starshine invited me to). I keep up with her on facebook now and on her blog. She's got the most adorable two little boys and an awesome photography business!

Here's to no panic attacks at lunch and none in the projections for tomorrow!

I'm off to nap. This hanging out by myself has worn me out.

Cuteness...and not so cuteness

2009-07-23T14:36:00.003-05:00

My kids never cease to amaze me. They just get cuter and cuter...and now they've started to cop an attitude. Oh, man. I can not stand an attitude...from a child OR an adult. And I have varying levels of understanding depending on your age.

Buttercup, being 1 and a half, I can almost forgive most of her attitude, but I still remind her how we're supposed to be acting. She can throw quite the lying-on-the-ground-screaming-kicking fit. It doesn't get her what she wants, though.

X-man is getting quite the attitude lately. I still remember that he's a child and sometimes it's hard to control all these feelings/emotions/stuff that happens. I'll ask him to go do something and he'll just look at me and say, "No." And what really burns my tush is when he smiles at me after he says it. He knows he's doing something he's not supposed to. And he gets to spend time in his room for that kind of thing.

And he spends lots of time in his room.

As for cuteness, my dad has taught Buttercup how to say, "Mmmm, mmmm, good!" when she eats something. And she shakes her head back and forth when she says it! She also will come up to you, grab your finger and say, "wal" (which means walk). She's got a huge vocabulary now and is even working on two-word phrases! She can say, "daddy wok" (which means daddy is at work) and it cracks me up everytime!

X-man also has cute moments. The other day, we had some relatives over and their son was making X-man laugh. And he was laughing and laughing and laughing. Then X-man stopped and said, "I'm funny!" Of course, that made the rest of us laugh!

Yea for cuteness!!

Happy...

2009-07-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

Moon Day!

This day celebrates the day in 1969 when Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon!

I finished!

2009-07-03T12:31:00.003-05:00

It's a crocheted purse! I got the pattern at www.futuregirl.com (you can click on Free Downloads and it's the Starling Handbag). This is the small version. I thought that would be best to start out with. And as it was, I had to rip it out twice before I finally got it right. I have such a problem following crochet patterns sometimes. I think that's why I like blankets. Usually I choose a pretty simple pattern and it's just back and forth and if my stitch count is off somewhere, I don't have any problem just adding a stitch or decreasing a stitch somewhere. I don't think the gift receivers are going to look that closely! For things like this purse, there's going around and making sure you get the seam stitches lined up (and I did! Yea!) and making extra carefully sure that the stitch count is correct so the purse isn't lopsided! It's so cute that I think I really am going to line it. I'll have to go find some fabric. Alice at futuregirl has some great tutorials for the whole part of this bag and she has a really simple looking tutorial for making the lining. Just some measurements (which she walks through and includes a worksheet!) and straight-line sewing! And when I get the fabric for the lining, I think I'm going to look for some felt and make a few felt flowers for the front!

Oh, and this pattern has three different sizes, though I think that if you're proficient enough at crochet and reading a pattern, you could increase or decrease it however you wanted to change the size of the bag!

And not that I need another crochet project or anything, but I happened to fold this little purse up with the sides touching in the middle (so it folded in the middle of the handles) and it looked like a really cute child's tank top! And it wouldn't require any attaching of sleeves! I might have to see if I have some lightweight yarn and try it. Buttercup might be getting a cutesy new top!

Crockpot Goodness

2009-07-01T12:25:00.005-05:00

I love my crockpot. It's so easy to throw stuff in and have it cooked and ready to eat at dinner time. Sometimes, though, whatever hunka meat I put in there comes out dry...and still edible, but you just know it would could be better if it weren't so dry.

I have found the absolutely perfect recipe for pork roast in the crockpot. Hands down this is the best tasting thing that has ever come out of my crockpot!

Here's the recipe:

Perfect Pulled Pork

Now, she talks about how she made it in the oven. And it took over night and then all day. That makes way too much heat!

I think the secret to the moist pork is the overnight brining. I used a 4ish pound pork roast. And the next morning I dried it off (like the recipe says) and rubbed the dry rub all over it and plopped it into my crockpot. It cooked on low for 10 hours and by dinner time, it was all I could do to not just eat the whole thing! I was so hungry after smelling that all day!!

I just ate mine plain, but TC had his on some bread with some barbeque sauce on it.

Yummy!!

Buttercup cracks me up!

2009-06-29T21:23:00.002-05:00

Buttercup is getting an amazing personality. I'm fairly certain she's going to be the hardheaded one...

Her favorite toys ("toe-ee" as she calls them) right now are her two lovey blankets and her baby doll (the Madame Alexander doll I bought for her shortly after I found out I was pregnant...it's almost the same style doll I had when I was a little girl). She wants to carry these three things around along with her sippy cup and anything else she finds interesting. She tries to pick up everything with her little fingers and little hands. She just can't get it all most times and that really makes her mad.

And speaking of toys, when she sees something she wants to play with (which is often something she's NOT supposed to play with...like the TV remote) she points to it and says, "toe-ee? toe-ee?"

Do not tell this girl no. She has got her pout down pat! When she's mad she turns into noodle girl and if I try to pick her up (in order to keep her from going where I don't want her to) she just relaxes everything...so when I try to lift her up by holding her under her arms, her arms relax and I don't have a good hold. I have to be ready for it so she doesn't slip out! And if I'm holding her when she gets mad and I put her down, upon being set on the floor, she will throw her head backwards. That could lead to all kinds of problems if I'm not careful where I put her down!

This one's going to be a handful!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

2009-06-25T17:00:00.011-05:00

I don't usually post pictures of the cards I make because so many of them are just recreations of nice cards that I see. But, this one I made because of a Challenge posed by the head of Papertrey Ink, Nichole Heady:

"Summer is FULL of so many wonderful colors, sights & sounds! This month your challenge is to get inspired by the lazy days of summer and reflect your inspiration in a project of your choice! Whether it be the colors in your favorite summer treats, the pattern on your bathing suit & beach towel or even the texture of the sand between your toes, use any or all of these things as a springboard for your design. Please be sure to share an image found online, in a magazine or a photo you have taken yourself that communicates your point of inspiration within the body of your blog post! With everyone's amazing contributions, this ought to be one of the most colorful Blog Hops yet! We look forward to seeing you there!"

So, the first thing that came to my mind was an article I had recently read in Real Simple magazine about how to wear bright, colorful makeup in the summer. I was particularly drawn to the story about the nail polish. I just love nail polish! In the back of every issue of Real Simple is a sheet of cardstock that has tear-out cards. They may be recipes, tips for removing a stain, a quote or just something fun from the magazine. I immediately tore out the card that showed the colors of polish from the article and put it on my craft table. Not only did I want to buy the polishes, I knew I could incorporate those colors into a card. Here's a scan of the tear-out card and the page from the magazine...

On to the card!

This picture came out so small! You can click on it and it will open up a much bigger version for you!

I loved the circle-blobs of nail polish, so I picked Polka Dot Basics (PTI) for the focal point and it was cut out with the largest Labels One Nestabilities. I love the tone-on-tone look of the damask, so I used Pure Poppy (PTI) over the Hibiscus Burst (PTI) cardstock. I wrapped my True Black (PTI) ribbon around the card intending to make a bow, but I decided it wouldn't look right. Then I thought about stamping my sentiment directly on the ribbon and PTI ink is perfect for that! The buttons (PTI) were the perfect finishing touch.

Supplies:
Stamps: (all PTI) Damask Designs, Polka Dot Basics, Handwritten Notes
Cardstock: White (unknown), Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Ink: Only Orange and Brocade Blue (SU!); Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, Fresh Snow (PTI), Stazon Black
Accessories: Ribbon (True Black - PTI), Buttons (True Black - PTI), embroidery floss, Labels One Nestabilities

My 365 site

2009-06-24T06:54:00.004-05:00

Ok, if you're interested in seeing my 365 site, just shoot me an email (the contact me link is over on the right). I've made that blog invite only...I may decide to undo the invite only thing...I don't know.

Up

2009-06-20T20:10:00.004-05:00

Today we took the kids to see Up. I was pretty sure X-man could handle it, but I wasn't sure Buttercup would. I would have bet money that I'd miss the last half of the movie due to having to walk Buttercup around outside the theatre.

They both surprised me.

With about 15 minutes of the movie left Buttercup started to get antsy. But I was able to appease her by standing in the hallway so I could see about half the movie screen and still hear it. Both of the kids LOVED the popcorn!

The movie was really good. I was really amazed at how much I was "into" the Carl/Ellie relationship when all we really got was a combination of sceens with no talking. I just about lost it when Ellie and Carl were in the doctor's office (after they looked at cloud shapes...don't want to give away all the stuff!). I loved Dug, the dog and Russell, the little boy, was adorable!!

Anyway, I've been seeing other people's Photo 365 projects on the net and decided that today I would start My Adventure Book and do my own Project 365. I'm probably not going to Venezuela or anything terribly exotic, but I do have my own little adventure right here in my house...and they're not getting any younger (but they are getting cuter!).

I'm nowhere near a professional photographer. I don't even have a fancy-schmancy camera...just my little point and shoot. But at some level, pictures are pictures and I'm looking forward to this!

Happy...

2009-06-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

Ice Cream Soda Day!

My favorite ice cream soda is vanilla ice cream in Coke. But I also like lime sherbet in Sprite. And I love it when the soda gets all icy on top of the scoop of ice cream!

How do you like your ice cream soda?

Welcome to Fred, Jack and Thomas!

2009-06-13T12:28:00.002-05:00

These are X-man's three little monsters. Yes, my friends, I think we have our first imaginary friends!

They've only been here for two days but X-man has taken them to bed with him and they even went with us to sushi for lunch today. And X-man did a great job of telling them how to act in a restaurant. Such a good boy!

Yesterday we were eating lunch and X-man said there was a monster in the kitchen! This isn't too surprising as he talks about the monsters...the friendly one from Word World and the scary one from Bugs Bunny. And last weekend we watched Monsters, Inc. several times on our trip out of town and back.

So, there was a monster in the kitchen and X-man clarified that it was a scary monster. Well, he wanted to scare it away so he roared at it. And Buttercup roared. I just laughed! Another monster appeared in the living room and we scared that one away, too.

Then one showed up in the kitchen again and X-man said, "Look! The scary monster brought a little monster and he's friendly!" Yea for friendly monsters!

So, that little monster sat on the table (X-man told him to be polite at the table) and the little monster sat on the couch while I read X-man his pre-nap book. Then the monster went to bed with X and even got covered up under the blankets. Several minutes later I went to check on X and he told me there were 3 little monsters on the bookshelf and he asked me to get them and put them in bed with him. I scooped them up and plopped them right next to X. I asked X if they had names and he said, "I don't know they names. We'll find out later."

The first thing he said to daddy when he got home yesterday was, "Here are my three little monsters, daddy!"

They finally got names this morning at breakfast.

Incidentally, my sister and I had imaginary friends. Shockapocka and Pooley. If I remember correctly, Pooley was my friend and Shockapocka was my sister's. Shockapocka was always getting in trouble. No further commentary on that... =)

Kids=Random stuff

2009-06-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

Overheard in the living room while I was cooking dinner: "X-man, we do not vacuum our sister!"

...

I love how Buttercup says her brother's name: Nah-nooh

...

I was talking to my parents about a long ago memory of the first time I met TC's parents and that I wanted to make a good impression. My mom said I obviously did...and then I made two little good impressions. I said, "Yes, I made two really cute impressions!" So X-man looked at me and said, "Did you make me?" I told him yes, daddy and I made him.

Then he looked at me and said, "Then you had to let me dry."

Ha!

Happy...

2009-06-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

Upsy Daisy Day!

This is a day to get up, "gloriously, gratefully and gleefully!"

WWJL?

2009-06-04T06:14:00.000-05:00

What Would Jesus Like?

To get to this story, there is a bit of backstory, but I'm going to leave out some of the details because I'm not sure I want to blog about the whole thing...

Three weeks ago, my beautiful, gentle, caring mother-in-law died in a motorcycle accident. The night we got the news I prayed with my whole body for help with what to tell X-man about Gramma (along with other prayers!). He would absolutely know that she wasn't there if we got to Granddaddy's house and Gramma wasn't there.

So, I told him that Gramma went to heaven to live with Jesus. He said, "But I didn't see Jesus..."

"We don't have to see Jesus. We just know that's where Gramma is now."

"Where is heaven?"

"Heaven is way up in the sky so if we want to talk to Gramma now, we have to wave up to the sky and blow kisses way up high!"

We have sent lots of waves and kisses to Gramma and to Jesus in the last three weeks.

Ok, now to the story...

A few days ago we had pizza for lunch. I watched X-man pick off the bell peppers. I told him that Gramma didn't like bell peppers, either. He looked at me and said, "And Jesus doesn't like bell peppers?" I told him that Jesus probably did like bell peppers. So he said, "Only Jesus likes bell peppers. And me and Gramma don't like bell peppers!" He was very proud of himself with his little logic!

Kids!

The flower

2009-05-26T10:06:00.003-05:00

After a bit of research (using Google's image search), I think this flower is a poppy and not a hibiscus.

Gotta love Spring!

2009-05-14T08:55:00.002-05:00

Like the new blog background? I took this picture last weekend at the zoo. I believe it's a hibiscus.

Pretty, huh? It just makes me happy to look at it!

Take on me...

2009-05-13T13:12:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been in a situation where someone did something that was so perfect and so smart that you can't believe you didn't think of it yourself? That happens to me quite frequently.

Case in point, my sister and her to-go salads. She came to visit a few months ago and she was with me for a Target run. We ended up going to Super Target (maybe to pick up some portraits we had done?) and we got two salads from the deli. After we got home and got lunch ready for the kids, we were ready to dig into our salads. And my sister did the most amazing thing: she poured the dressing on her salad, closed the lid of the container and then SHOOK her salad! She got that thing nicely tossed in the dressing. I mean, how awesome is that? Of course, every to-go salad I've gotten since then gets the same shake-shake treatment.

And I would have to mention the smart idea my dad had after I mentioned to him that I really didn't like liquid laundry soap because the lid that you used to measure and dispense the liquid was always mucky and I didn't like (or was too lazy) to rinse it out in the kitchen sink. "Well, why don't you just throw it in the washing machine?" Sometimes his matter-of-factness is freaky...

Have an a-ha moment you'd like to share?

Rabbits

2009-05-12T15:44:00.005-05:00

Buttercup has a few new words these days: duckie, bye-bye and banana (which comes out as na-na).

Her duckie is a little yellow duck that was X-man's. He never really took to it but Buttercup has! It's in her bed...along with a bunny-blanket (one of those with a bunny head and the body is the blanket), a little pink lovey, her Bunny blanket (it's a crocheted blanket that was made for her by TC's previous boss, named Bunny) and a blue rabbit that I crocheted for X-man that was meant to be his comfort item at mother's day out. He never took to that, either. And yes, I am painfully aware of the interestingly large number of bunny-related items. I don't like rabbits (due to one of them peeing on me when I was little...gross!) but I do know two people named Bunny and I like them both (one of them is a pledge sister).

Wow - that was off on a tangent.

Even though we've been through this with X-man, I am still amazed every time Buttercup learns something new. It's just a matter of time before she and X-man can work the computer better than I can...

15 Months

2009-05-07T21:32:00.002-05:00

Buttercup is 15 months old today! I can't believe how big she's getting and how much she is learning these days.

She's got three teeth (two on bottom and one on top) and the second top tooth looks like it's trying to come through.

She has figured out how to climb. She climbs up on Xander's kitchen stool, on Xander's bathroom stool; she tried to climb up on his step in front of the potty, but I caught her before she climbed up there...I could see her falling in the toilet!

She can now say "diaper" which actually comes out like: by-bpur. And I love watching her say "uh oh." When we ask her to say it, she always looks to the floor first!

She loves to drink milk from her sippy cup and her favorite food is whatever's on my plate.

Daddy is always appropriately welcomed when he comes home. When she hears the door open, she drops whatever she's doing (even if it's having a little milk break) to walk straight to daddy. I'm sure he loves it!!

She and X-man are starting to play together even more. The best time is first thing in the morning when X-man and I go to get her out of her crib. She sits in her crib and he stands outside it and they just laugh at each other! She'll stick her hand out and he'll kiss it...then she pokes his face and he laughs! So fun to watch!

She's got her 15 month check up tomorrow. That should go well!

Would you believe...

2009-05-06T08:40:00.002-05:00

So, some of you might remember my music note necklace that I wear all the time. (For those that don't know, I got this necklace in the 2nd grade for getting straight A's)

I've only had to replace the chain once on it and that was back in middle school, I think.

And I'll have to replace it today. Buttercup got ahold of it as she fell down this morning and it snapped.

Happy...

2009-05-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

No Diet Day!

A Bummer...

2009-04-26T21:18:00.002-05:00

I'm really upset that I can't get Kraft Deluxe American Cheese (that would be the stuff in the blue box...NOT Velveeta) around here. I've been to 6 (!!!) area grocery stores and none of them carry it. I even contacted Kraft to find out where I might be able to get it, and they told me there wasn't a store in my area that carried it.

Before I met TC, I would tell you that there was no difference in the two (not that I really ate either one of them). But now, there is definitely a difference and the blue box cheese tastes MUCHO better!

My parents brought me four boxes of the stuff the last time they were through here (was that only a week ago?)...I'm running low!

What we're up to now...

2009-04-24T07:04:00.002-05:00

Well, we're up to alot.

Both kids are doing great with their second set of tubes. Thankfully Buttercup's cold seems to be going away so that unpleasantness will be gone soon. She's got her two top front teeth that are just trying to push their way through. She's been full of spit and vinegar for the last month and I'm pretty sure the majority of it is due to these teeth. Yesterday, though, I could see a tiny little part of the tooth that had come through. I'm hoping I'll see more of that tooth when I get her up in a few minutes!

Buttercup is talking up a storm. I don't understand much of what she says, but she sure is passionate about it!

She can say (in order of frequency):

da-dee (he loves that!)
uh-ohhh (and she makes the cutest little face when she says that!)
hee-haw (thanks to a Kindermusik song about a donkey)
zeh-duh (that would be her brother! I love it when she says his name!)
moo
woov-woov (yep, the sound a puppy makes)
yee-ya (that would be my mom - G-Joy)
ma ma (she'll say this sometimes)
paw paw (just yesterday she said this - that would be my dad)

So she's got quite a vocabulary. She is loving Kindermusik and will dance along with the motions to the songs when we're at home. I love to watch her pretend to play the little xylophone when we sing "Sweetly sings the donkey" and she'll "quack" her hands when we sing "All my little ducklings." It is so cute!

She's walking everywhere now. And she's pretty stable now! She can even stand up on her own. And when she does that X-man will say, "She squats, then stands up!"

Speaking of X-man, he is cracking me up on a daily basis. He just says the funniest things. Like one morning last week, he woke up and came to find me in the living room. He came up to me and said, "What a wonderful shirt you are wearing, mommy!" And when we're eating and he needs to excuse himself to go to the potty, he'll start walking away and say, "No time to stop and play!" He's even started telling daddy, "Be a good boy at work, daddy!" when we talk to daddy in the mornings. Cracks me up every time!

Yesterday is was such a beautiful day that we ate dinner a little early (5:45 instead of 6:00) and after cleaning up, we walked to our neighborhood park and played. Both kids really enjoyed that and I was glad that it wasn't just swealteringly hot. When we got back home, TC started the sprinkler on the lawn and I suggested to X-man that he go stand in it. He never did really get in the sprinkler, but he sure was having a good time! I even put Buttercup in the "line of fire" once, but she wasn't really enjoying the sprinkles on her face.

Kids are so fun!

Happy...

2009-04-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day!

Or as X-man used to call them, Pajamees

The Bible According to a 3 Year Old

2009-04-05T20:02:00.003-05:00

I love to hear X-man's interpretations of the Bible stories he hears at church. My favorite is still this one about Adam and Eve, but today he had quite a doozy. I'll get to that one in a minute.

A few weeks ago, X-man told us that Jesus was mad and turned the table over. He didn't like the people in the temple. Now that one was pretty close to actual.

And last Sunday X-man told us that Peter didn't know Jesus and Jesus was sad...and "I like roosters." So, the story about Peter denying Jesus was a little garbled, but I think he still got the jist.

Today, being Palm Sunday, I was pretty sure I knew what story they learned about. Before the story time, though, the kids all got to sing in big church. And TC and I volunteered to help out with the Young Adult chorus (I'm glad they still consider us young adults) that sang with the kids. When X-man came into the sanctuary with the rest of the kids, he was doing a great job of following directions. He was waving his palm branch with all his might! He finally noticed that daddy and I were up there and he turned to daddy and said, "Hi, Daddy!" Then he just went right to singing! And he did a great job.

Anyway, back to the story. At lunch I asked X-man what story they heard at church. This is exactly what he said:

"The people had pecan branches (it was hard to discern if he said "palm" or "pecan"). Jesus rode on a donkey. They put down the pecan branches and Jesus walked on them."

Then he looked at us very concerned and said, "But why did those people take his car?"

I nearly fell out of my seat.

Happy...

2009-04-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

International Children's Book Day!

Let's see. What was my favorite children's book? I love The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. My favorite part is when the pink stuff gets blown all over the snow. Cracks me up every time! I also loved Shel Silverstein and Judy Blume books.

X-man loves whatever book you are currently reading to him. However, he does have The Giving Tree memorized!

What was/is your favorite children's book?

Just going...

2009-03-31T06:26:00.002-05:00

This have been crazy around here (and that really just means it's been normal). Since Buttercup's gotten her walk on, that's pretty much all she wants to do. Well, that and eat...

She will pull herself up to standing anywhere and then just head off in the general direction of something to hold on to. And watch out if X-man wants to get in on the action. He likes our newest "game." It consists of TC and me sitting a good distance apart in the craft room or the living room. Buttercup will walk toward me and X-man will either walk next to her, behind her or in the totally opposite direction. Both kids get praise for getting to their destination and both will giggle uncontrollably! The funny part is when Buttercup is walking and X-man will pass her going the other direction...she is totally watching him and loses her balance and concentration. Bump - on the floor. She will look at you with that pitiful face of hers (where in the world did she learn how to get such a pout?) and just cry! We have to remind her to just stand up! At that point she'll crawl to someone (not necessarily the nearest one) and pull up and then start it all over again.

She's been quite talkative lately, though we can't always understand what she's saying. We can sometimes pick out when she's saying her brother's name. And she loves pointing to people in pictures. We have a wall of pictures on the way to all the bedrooms and she loves to point to everyone. In our kitchen, we have two family pictures...one with us and my mom, dad and sis and one with us and TC's mom, dad, sis and niece. (Target portrait studios are really good and really affordable! Just get a coupon from their site first) Buttercup can identify my mom and X-man but the rest of the people she'll just point to. It's really cute!

She seems to be doing fine with the tubes. It was no big deal getting them last Friday. Since I'd already been through it twice before, I knew what to expect. When the nurse brought her out after the tubes were in, Buttercup was at the ending stage of a crying fit...you know...where there's a big sniffle and then several little breathy sniffles. Poor girl just couldn't get back to her happy pants. It took at least an hour when we got back home for her to finally start laughing again. And it's been all sunshine and roses since then! (and I'm not kidding...our kids have been incredible for the last few days!)

X-man cracks me up everyday. Yesterday he was looking for his flashlight (not this one...it's still MIA) and he asked me to help him. So I walked over to the toy area (it has broken the bounds of the 2 toy tubs) and started looking. X-man stood in the middle of the living room and said, "Flashlight? Where are you? FLASHLIGHT!!" I doubled over laughing. We finally did find that particular flashlight in Buttercup's room.

And X-man loves to make up songs either to his own tune or a tune of another song he knows. You just never know what phrase he will use to make a song. Sunday at lunch it was, "Jesus is good. He is going to sit with me." I can't wait to see what the song of the day is today!

She's walking!

2009-03-26T06:23:00.002-05:00

Something clicked and Buttercup started walking yesterday! She's been taking a few steps at a time and then crashing on her bottom. But yesterday I propped her up with her back to the couch and I sat a few feet away from her. And here she came at me with her arms out in front of her, a giant grin on her face and laughing and snorting the whole time! She finally got to where she was walking almost half the length of the living room (which I understand means absolutely nothing to those of you that have never seen my living room). Even X-man was getting in on it and clapping and laughing right along! He'd say, "Good girl! You did it." probably because that's what I was saying.

And then she didn't want to stop walking.

She'd crawl to a wall, get herself stood up (is that right? sounds weird) and then walk - somewhere. She still bonks down on her bottom, but she is just so proud of herself! And yesterday when we were at church, she tried to wriggle herself out of my arms so she could walk to the car. But it was 8:45 and we were tired and she's not exactly the fastest and most efficient walker of all time.

She'll get her walking in today though! I bet I get to spend the better portion of today walking right beside her!

Ahhh...kids are so cute!

Tubes all around! Again!

2009-03-24T21:04:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday, I took the kids to the ENT for an ear check. Thankfully, neither one of them have an ear infection. BUT, both of them still have fluid in their ears.

So, Buttercup is scheduled for tubes on Friday and X-man will get tubes in two weeks at the surgery center. Yes, anesthesia and everything. I think daddy is going to take him and after I take Buttercup to mother's day out that day, I'll head over to the surgery center.

In fun news, Buttercup can "say" X-man's name. She'll point to pictures of him and say "zeh zeh" and it's just adorable!!

Help a friend out!

2009-03-19T06:58:00.002-05:00

My friend, Sarah Meyer, has some digital paper-come-fabric up in a contest. If you want to read all the particulars, go to her blog which will direct you to the contest. And really, I'd have picked her design even if I didn't know her because it's the best looking one!!

And if you're into digital scrapbooking, the kit that this pattern came from has got to be my favorite one of hers. She's got the kit on a special sale right now, too!

Go! Vote!

Just a little something to throw on...

2009-03-13T14:34:00.003-05:00

I got this on Wednesday during a trip to Hobby Lobby...

Isn't that yummy? I've already figured out which of my inks match these colors and stamped a lovely piece of cardstock all ready to be made into a card...

Anyway, I was inspired by my friend over at one-hip-mom to make a pillowcase dress. I found some instructions online but was a bit intimidated by the part about finishing off the armholes with binding tape or making your own binding tape. It sounded really complicated. So Ms. Lisa typed up her instructions and she didn't use a pillowcase...just two panels of fabric! So, on Wednesday after lunch while the kids were still at school I started on a dress. I had a few rough starts (actually had to pull out where I seamed the front and back panel together) and I couldn't work on it yesterday due to Buttercup not napping (and I had a raging migraine). I finished it just a few minutes ago and here's what it looks like...

I think it may be tea length on her right now, but it'll be adorable for a long time (if my wonky seams hold up that long!). I'm greatly impressed with myself and if you look on the sides (but please, not too close, I've got a little pucker on the left side) the polka dots even line up! Now I just have to figure out how she's going to wear it and not untie the bows. I think she'll be wearing this on Sunday with a little long-sleeved onesie underneath.

Now that he's 3 years, 1 month...

2009-03-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

X-man had his 3 year check up last Friday.

He is just under the 75th percentile for height and weight and he apparently is meeting all the appropriate milestones. At this appointment, the Doctor mostly asked the questions to X-man. I would nod when necessary, but X-man answered all the questions correctly and did carry on quite a conversation with the Doctor.

At one point during the exam, the doctor pressed around on his tummy and then X-man pointed to his undies and said, "My pen*s is in there." Yep, he knows the real word...but I haven't brought myself to tell him what girls have. Only tell them what they ask!

We need to get him in to see a dentist and we need to get him a tricycle. That will be fun!

Folks, he's here all week...

2009-03-10T19:29:00.004-05:00

X-man is a hoot! Quite regularly he says something that will really get me laughing.

Yesterday at naptime, I crawled into bed with him to tuck him in and he said, "Mommy, how was your day?" (He and daddy have this conversation at bedtime)

I said, "My day was outstanding! How was yours?" (His usual answer is whatever your answer was)

X-man said, "My day was INstanding!" Genius, I tell ya!

Happy...

2009-03-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Middle Name Pride Day!

My middle name is Fair and it was the middle name of my mom's grandmother.

What's your middle name?

1 year check up

2009-03-06T06:47:00.003-06:00

Buttercup had her 1-year check up on Tuesday. Yes, it was a month late...I forgot to schedule the next appointment at her 9 month check up and when I finally called to schedule, they were already booked up in February.

At any rate, Buttercup still had (or had a new) ear infection. I'm guessing the ENT is going to want to put tubes in again. Hers have fallen out already. I'm not going to call the ENT until after X-man's appointment (3-year check up) today. I'm hoping the fluid in his ears has gone away.

Buttercup weighed 19lbs, 9oz and she is 29in tall. Just almost time to move her to the front-facing car seat! I remember when we moved X-man into that seat and how small he looked in it. He doesn't look so small in his seat now!

The doctor said we can move on to whole milk. So, when we finish this can of formula, milk it is! She's doing really well with the sippy cup so we'll be moving to that, too!

She talks all the time, but we recognize the words "ma ma" and "da-dee!" She mostly says da-dee, which I think is adorable. X-man said "da-da" but I guess since he's always saying daddy, Buttercup picked up on that, too.

She took a few steps at Kindermusik on Tuesday. She hasn't done it too much since then, but I think both kids (and momma!!) will be worn out when Buttercup learns to walk!

I was hoping Buttercup would share her "flirty eyes" with the doctor, but she didn't. I haven't seem them too often, but occasionally she'll look at you and blink her eyes slowly. Too cute!!

Happy...

2009-02-28T06:51:00.000-06:00

National Public Sleeping Day

A little cheer for a great product!

2009-02-27T06:31:00.004-06:00

Let me start out by saying I am not being compensated for this review. I did receive a sample of this polish because I am a member of the ALL YOU Reality Checked team, but I am posting this review on my own free will...

Have you seen this nail polish by Sally Hansen? The first time I used it, it seriously became my favorite polish.

I love having my nails done. When I was younger, I bit my nails and since I stopped the habit (thanks to braces and a little bribe from my parents) I've always really liked having polished nails. I usually just do them myself but I had two stints of wearing "falsies." The last time I wore acrylic nails was some time in college. The year I took piano I had them taken off and haven't gone back since.

And since having kids, it is incredibly hard to find time to paint my nails. It's either too close to bedtime (and I hate sheet marks on my polish!) or there is an impending diaper change, child to pick up, laundry to fold or something else that will equally mess up my freshly polished nails.

So, when I got this polish in the mail (in Mauve It) and asked to sample it and return my comments through a survey, I was quite skeptical. I've never seen a polish dry in one minute...has it really taken this long to figure out how to make it happen?

Let me tell you, Sally got it right! I've already purchased two more bottles (in Racey Rouge and Presto Pink)!

Here are the claims and my comments:
* One-stroke application - There is a wide, flat brush in the bottle and it didn't quite cover my nails in one stroke, but it was pretty close. It could cover my pinky nail with one stroke. It took three strokes to completely cover each nail, but it was a nice, thin, even coat which I'm sure helps with the quick drying aspect.
* One-coat coverage - It did cover ok with one coat, but I opted for two coats (three coats with the red).
* Dries in 60 seconds - I didn't time this, but I did my nails at 9:15 pm...with bedtime only 45 minutes away! I would never do my nails this close to bedtime with my other nail polishes. I went to bed and could tell that the polish felt dry, not tacky and squishy. Do you know what I'm talking about here? Anyway, I got up the next morning and there were NO sheet marks on my polish! Awesome! I did do a quick touch-up on one nail and then left the house about 5 minutes afterwards and the polish did get a little messed up when it bumped up against something as I was getting in the car. I will make sure I have plenty of time for the polish to dry and "cure" before doing anything else, but I won't have to wait near as long as I do with my other polishes!

I did my nails again just two days ago (this time in Racey Rouge...rrrawrr!) and I could tell that my nails were "labor-ready" in about 15 minutes. I did my nails while the kids were sleeping and they were ready for the diaper change and after-nap-potty-trip! Love it!

So, if you like to do your own nails and have limited time to sit around and wait for them to dry, you might like Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri polish!

commercial over

Happy...

2009-02-27T06:12:00.000-06:00

International Polar Bear Day

Happy...

2009-02-25T06:32:00.000-06:00

Quiet Day

This sounds like a nice day. Doubt it will be too quiet today, though.

The English language is sometimes confusing...

2009-02-22T19:37:00.003-06:00

X-man: "Mommy, put my jacket on!"
Daddy: "Mommy's busy, can daddy put your jacket on?"
X-man: "No Daddy! It's too small for you!"

----------

X-man: "The Lord ate an apple and Jesus was sad. Jesus was just a little bit sad."
Mommy: "Did anyone else eat an apple?"
X-man: "No, just the Lord."

He apparently didn't quite understand the story of Adam and Eve.

-----------

X-man likes to put his boots on by himself. He did that the other day and got them on the wrong feet. It told him that his boots were on the wrong feet and he said, "Yes, they are on the wrong feet." Then he carefully crossed his right leg over his left, and standing there with his legs crossed he looked at me and said, "Now they're on the right foots!"

Happy...

2009-02-22T06:04:00.000-06:00

Humble Day

Happy...

2009-02-20T06:02:00.000-06:00

Love Your Pet Day

Happy...

2009-02-17T06:40:00.001-06:00

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Go out there and RAK someone today!

Happy...

2009-02-15T07:39:00.000-06:00

National Gumdrop Day

I'll tell ya, I'm not a fan of gumdrops. Too chewy.

More funny things...

2009-02-13T14:28:00.002-06:00

I know I've said this before, but sometimes I just wish I had a tape recorder going all the time so I could record all of the things that X-man says! And these days, Buttercup tries to get in on the act. But usually, she's just hollering, "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" and X-man will holler back at her. It cracks them both up!

One of the cute things X-man says is, "Pick me wup!" I don't exactly know when that errant W ended up in the phrase, but it's there now! And he likes to be picked up, especially when he's whining.

Last Sunday, we all went to church and near the end of the service, my mom and I went down to get the kids from the nursery so they could stand up during the part of the service where we sing Happy Birthday to those with birthdays.

I was holding X-man and my mom was holding Buttercup and X-man was ready to go into the sanctuary to see daddy. I told him we needed to wait until the congregation stood up and they started singing. We didn't want to go inside during a prayer. Shortly after that, I reminded X-man to use his inside voice. So he started whispering something.

I couldn't really hear what he was saying due to the waterfall in the church foyer. So I asked him to say it again.

Again, he whispered.

I turned my head so that my ear was to his mouth and he took his little hand, put it on my chin and turned my head so that I was looking at him and whispered again.

Ha!

I told him I couldn't hear him. More whispering from him, head turning from me, and a chin twist from him.

So, this time I said, "Please talk in mommy's ear. I can't hear what you're saying."

And the little stinker said, LOUDLY, and right in my ear, "WHEN THEY ARE STANDING UP WE WILL GO IN!"

I nearly dropped him I was laughing so hard!

Happy Birthday...just one day late!

2009-02-12T06:47:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday, X-man! You turned 3 yesterday and I think you had a better understanding of it all. Not a complete understanding, though. You kept tell your sister that "today" was her birthday, too! Too funny!

We celebrated your birthday with family on Saturday. You specifically asked for an orange cake, so I made you orange cupcakes. And I made pink ones for Buttercup. You thought that was acceptable.

In the last month:

* You have started working on getting those two-year molars in. The two on the bottom are just starting to poke through which I think is leading to some of your extra fussiness and night waking.

* You are doing so well with potty training. We have had very few accidents in the two weeks that you've been in big boy underwear. We do put you in pull-ups for sleeping and going out, but I think that in the next few weeks, we won't have to do that except for night sleeping. You have managed to stay dry during naps and on our outings! I am so proud of you! I do have to laugh when you get the urge to go. You squat just a bit, get jazz hands (cracks me up!) and with a pained look say, "Oohh, gotta go potty!"

* You impress so many people by saying "Yes, Ma'am" and "Yes, Sir" and it makes me really proud when you do.

* You are always amazing me with the things you say. A few great ones:
"Mommy, my legs are bendy!"
Buttercup, "Come play with me!"
"I'm not a person, I'm a gentleman-boy!"
"I'm not gonna tee-tee on Lighting McQueen or Sally!" (Yes, you say Lighting instead of Lightening)
Buttercup, "Where's you paci-pyer?" You said this several times on Saturday while she was fussing...and all the "paci-pyers" were in the trash.
"I want snuggles!" And you specifically want snuggles...no hugs...just snuggles.

*Your favorite toy that you got on your birthday happens to be Buttercup's favorite, too. Gramma and Granddaddy got you a Handy Manny tool box (you have no idea who that character is). Anyway, the tools in the tool box all dance to a song when you push the button. Buttercup loves to push the button and dance along with the tools. And you do a great job of sharing your toys! Of course, Buttercup also shares her toys with you...you don't discriminate when it comes to playing with toys! All are welcome!

You are going to have so much fun with your sister this year. Soon she'll be walking and following you all over the place.

Happy Birthday...a few days late!

2009-02-12T06:37:00.002-06:00

Buttercup turned 1 on Saturday! I can't believe it's been a whole year...I can still very clearly remember the day we brought her home from the hospital.

My parents and TC's parents and sister came for the weekend to celebrate both of the kids' birthdays (X-man's was yesterday) and we had a great time!

So, here's Buttercup at one year:

* You love to dance! You sit down and you'll twist your little torso and clap and just grin! I've even caught you boogying on your tummy...with your little bottom in the air and you just wiggle it! Oh, my...I nearly hurt myself laughing when I saw that!

* You still love to eat! Anything we put in front of you, you'll try at least once. You prefer those things you can put in your mouth yourself...and of course, anything off of someone else's plate!

* You are still only rockin' the two teeth. Just the two on the bottom. I keep looking for signs of new ones!

* Somewhere around your birthday, you got an ear infection. We found it at the ENT's on Tuesday after having X-man's ears checked.

* The ear infection explains why you were so difficult to get to sleep over the weekend and the long screaming jags you'd go on. Of course, I chalked it up to having relatives over and the fact that all your pacifiers (X-man calls it a paci-pie-er) disappeared. Yes, we disappeared them...but I wanted to do it before you really knew what was happening.

* You give the sweetest little kisses and just started giving hugs and snuggles. I'll be holding you and you'll grin at me and then put your head on my shoulder, nuzzle my cheek and then look at me and grin again. I just about melt when, after the snuggles, you open your little mouth and come at me for a kiss!

* You love to kiss X-man...and he loves to kiss you back! It is really sweet to watch. Just yesterday he said, "You are the sweetest baby I ever seen!" And he rubbed your cheek and kissed you. Awwww...

I can't wait to see what the next year will bring!

Happy...

2009-02-11T07:39:00.000-06:00

National White T-Shirt Day

Happy...

2009-02-10T07:38:00.000-06:00

Umbrella Day

Happy...

2009-02-09T07:37:00.000-06:00

Toothache Day

I guess we're supposed to be happy if you have a toothache today?

Happy...

2009-02-09T07:11:00.001-06:00

*Fly a Kite Day!

Ooooh, this sounds fun but who wants to fly a kite in February? Obviously not someone who lives around these parts!

*Clean Out Your Computer Day!

I'm pretty sure I need to do this pronto!

Happy...

2009-02-07T07:10:00.001-06:00

Ballet Day!

In honor of the day, maybe a plie is in order...just don't hurt yourself!

Be strong, mamma...

2009-02-02T14:48:00.005-06:00

We have a deadline for getting X-man potty-trained. If I want him to start going to pre-school in September, he has to be potty-trained. And I do want him to start in that program because it is the natural progression from the children's day out program he's in right now. So, I have 8 months (or less) to get him going to the potty. He knows how to go, he does it every day, usually at night before bed, but often in the morning when we get dressed for the day.

We've tried some (unsuccessful) attempts at training in the past and this weekend I decided we were going to go drastic...but not like wicked witch drastic!

So, we bought some underwear (they are the cutest little tighty-whities!) and some special Disney/Pixar character ones. I'm not one to have lots of character items (we do have some Word World stuff), but I know that X-man loves Cars, Nemo and Toy Story so I wanted to get these as an incentive.

When X-man went to bed last night, TC and I took his diapers and changing pad and put them up. When he got up, he noticed it was all missing and started looking for his diapers. He even opened the closet where I keep the extra boxes to see if they were in there. Nope.

I told him he was going to wear big boy underwear and he would learn to use the potty. He wore the undies this morning without incident. And we put on special "going out" underwear (pull-ups) for our trip to the grocery store. Yes, he pee'd in those. Oh, well.

We changed back into his undies when we got home and he was fine. I set the alarm on my phone to go off every 30 minutes and let the phone say it was time to potty instead of me. He tried to go once, but after that, he didn't want to go. note: I must be stronger about the trying part!

Around 11:15, he looks at me with this pitiful face and says, "Mommie, take off my big boy unnawear!" Poor kid had wet his pants. No biggie. We just went to his room (he walked with this hilarious bow-leggedness and his palms were turned outward...too funny!) and took of the wets and started to change into dry clothes.

X-man said, "I wanna wear diaper! I don't wanna wear unnawear!" And tears insued.

Not wanting to traumatize the kid, we snuggled and I finally determined that he didn't like the underwear because it felt yucky when it got wet. Good! I explained the whole concept of the potty to him and that seemed to calm him down enough to get him dressed again.

He had another accident during lunch. And then when we were through, he said, "Mommie! I gotta potty!" So I unbuckled Buttercup (poor girl, had no idea what was happening...why are we getting up and down so many times during lunch? I just want my carrots!!) And X-man went right to the bathroom and took care of his business! The three of us had a little party right there in the bathroom!

Now, I have only had to deal with the wet issue up to now. The other is probably going to happen later today. I am not looking forward to that.

Hopefully this will all go smoothly and he'll be a pottying champ soon!

Happy...

2009-02-01T07:36:00.000-06:00

This month is:

Return Carts to the Supermarket Month (You know who you are!)

National Dental Month

Chocolate Lover's Month (I'm in love...)

National Blah Busters Month

Happy...

2009-01-31T07:21:00.000-06:00

Backwards Day!

But let's keep it safe, people. I don't want to run into anyone driving in reverse all day!

Happy...

2009-01-30T09:58:00.000-06:00

National Escape Day!

Have anything you'd like to escape from for one day?

The perils of social networking

2009-01-30T06:06:00.004-06:00

You might think you know what I'm going to talk about here: online predators, people leaving their current significant others for old flames fanned on by FaceBook...

Nope.

How about "finding" someone you once knew maybe back as far as elementary school. You knew that person through high school. You've got a really good idea of what kind of person they are.

And then they go and post something horribly offensive for their FaceBook status.

I'm all about letting people express themselves how they want and if FB allows curse words to be used on their site, then that is their call. And while I don't use them and certainly don't want my kids to use them, I know people do...I don't have my head in the sand. I know that friends and family use curse words (in fact, I even joke everytime one of my parents or sister lets on slip around the kids that they owe a dollar to the jar!) and I don't think any less of people that use them (unless that is seriously all the vocabulary they have).

But this person I have always thought of as an always-play-by-the-rules kind of person. And the status that was posted was not just alluding to something, but was flat out TMI. While it was quite descriptive and very well written, I actually thought someone had hacked their account!

I can't shake it. I don't see the same goody-goody person anymore when I see their profile picture. Maybe that's what they want...

Happy...

2009-01-29T07:20:00.000-06:00

National Puzzle Day!

Happy...

2009-01-28T07:18:00.000-06:00

National Kazoo Day!

Anyone want to play "Rollo Takes a Walk" with me?

Let me know if you're a super band nerd and actually know what I'm talking about (I know you do, sis...you had to teach Ryan (? - or was it Trevor) how to play the kazoo!)

Who's on first...

2009-01-27T06:09:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, all the news stations were predicting a winter storm that was going to really hit by the afternoon. And it did. The kids and I headed out in the morning for groceries and we got back before the roads got bad.

It continued to precipiate throughout the day and by evening it was really icy outside.

When TC came home from work, I went and got a flashlight to shine it in X-man's mouth...his two year molars are poking through! (Yes, he's about to be 3) After I was through, he wanted to play with the flashlight, so I gave it to him and told him to put it in a specific place so we could find it if we needed it. Can you see where this is going?

Around 7pm last night, the power went out. It was dark outside and it was dark inside...with the exception of TC's iTouch. That was a pretty handy flashlight! So, we asked X-man where he put the flashlight. The conversation went something like this:

Us: "X-man, where did you put the flashlight?"
X-man: "Where did I put it?" (in a most adorable little boy voice)
Us: "We are trying to find it! Do you remember where you put it?"
X-man: "Yes"
Us: "Where is it?"
X-man: "Where is it?"
Us: "Did you put it in the drawer like we asked?"
X-man: "Yes"
Us: "Well, it's not there. Did you put it in your room?"
X-man: "Yes"
Us: (in his room) "Is it in your dresser?"
X-man: "No"
Us: "Is it in your frog tent?"
X-man: "No"
Us: "Is it in your closet?"
X-man: "No"
Us: "Where did you put it?"
X-man: "Where did I put it? Mommy, FIND IT!"

And it just went on from there. It would have been funny if I wasn't so stressed. Buttercup was wailing mostly because X-man was whining. I did have another flashlight in my bedroom but it didn't work.

After the power came back on TC remembered that there was a really nice battery-powered lantern/lamp in the front closet.

And I ordered two crank-up flashlights from Amazon (one for my sister and one for us) so we don't have to worry about not having a working flashlight.

And no, X-man, you may not play with it.

And no, we have not found the flashlight yet.

Happy...

2009-01-25T07:17:00.000-06:00

Opposite Day

Or should I say, I hope you have a terrible, awful, horrible no-good day!

Happy...

2009-01-23T07:17:00.001-06:00

National Measure Your Feet Day

That sounds like a pretty smart idea since I think having two kids has made my feet expand!

and

National Handwriting Day

Why not send a handwritten note to someone today?

Happy...

2009-01-21T07:16:00.000-06:00

National Hugging Day!

Go hug someone right now!!

Happy...

2009-01-20T07:15:00.000-06:00

National Buttercrunch Day

What is buttercrunch? Is it like butterscotch?

Happy...

2009-01-18T07:00:00.003-06:00

Winnie the Pooh Day! (totally makes me think of MJS!! And I just noticed her initials are the same as my mother-in-law's and TC's niece!)

A.A. Milne was born on this day in 1882. Who's your favorite character from the Hundred Acre Woods? I think my favorite is gopher (is that the one that whistles when he talks?).

Out of the mouths...

2009-01-17T21:47:00.005-06:00

The backstory to this could get cumbersome, so I'll make it simple. We were discussing how we were people/persons with X-man (one person, two or more people was a little over his head) and daddy said, "You are a person."

X-man looked at daddy with a very concerned look on his face and said, "I am not a person!"

Daddy said, "Well, what are you?"

X-man said, "I'm a gentleman boy!"

...

Tonight X-man wanted to take a bath with Buttercup. He likes playing with her in the bathtub and it's fun with all four of us in the bathroom!

They were playing just fine and Buttercup started to sing...more like hollering, but it was a happy holler. X-man clouded up, pouted his lip, looked at me and with tears running down his cheeks said, "Buttercup's hollering at me!" And he started wailing so Buttercup thought it was just in response to her song so she started singing louder! And you know how resonant the bathroom is!! (You do, don't you? Yes, I've practiced my flute in there several times...it just sounds so pretty!) X-man just kept crying and didn't stop until I took Buttercup out of the tub!

Anyway, I'm not sure what set X-man off about Buttercup's singing, but I'd have been laughing at him if it wasn't so pitiful!

...

We bought Wii Music today. It's a cute little game and X-man was more interested in watching than actually playing. And the one time we tried to let him play (I think we picked the xylophone) he couldn't get the wii remote and nunchuck moving with enough force for it to register. Anyway, one of the songs on there is "Daydream Believer" so we played that song. TC started singing and out comes, "Cheer up Sweet BaJean!" I almost fell over laughing! He said he didn't think those were the real words but they fit...and he wasn't interested in looking up the real ones (Cheer up sleey Jean).

...

And lest one thinks that *I* never mess up the words to a song, I'll go ahead and tell some on me. I don't remember the setting, but I was singing along to Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" and at one point I said, "To me you're like a rolling dictionary did ya know, yeah.*" I thought TC was going to hurt himself laughing! He didn't know what the real words were, but he was 100% certain that Seal wasn't singing about a rolling dictionary and what was that, anyway? I told him I had this interesting picture of a rolodex in a graveyard. I know...weird. And of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Aerosmith song "Loving it in Lovington" or George Strait's "I'm a River by Mornin'!"

So, any interesting song lyrics you've messed up lately?

*"To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny"

Happy...

2009-01-17T07:15:00.000-06:00

Wright Brothers First Flight Anniversary

Happy...

2009-01-16T07:14:00.001-06:00

National Nothing Day

Now what does that mean? Is it more of a nothing day than yesterday?

But does it remind you of "The Neverending Story?"

Now do you have that song in your head?

***

Appreciate A Dragon Day

Hey, this goes right along with "The Neverending Story!" Wasn't his name Falcor?

Happy...

2009-01-15T09:56:00.000-06:00

National Hat Day!

Happy...

2009-01-14T07:13:00.000-06:00

National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

Sis, is Cypress gonna take part in this holiday?

It's all too much

2009-01-13T11:28:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, nap/quiet time was neither for either kid. They both pretty much talked or sang (or screamed at the top of her lungs) until I got each one out of bed. X-man was actually pretty good last night but Buttercup was another story. Starting around 5:00, we could not get her calmed down! She screamed and fussed and just didn't like anything we did. I did manage to stop her crying for a bit, but I'd move, or say something to TC, or X-man would be loud and she'd startle out of her calmness and start all over again with the fussing. She didn't each much dinner...but part of that was my fault. I didn't want to feed the screaming child for fear that she'd aspirate her food! She was so tired she didn't know which way was up.

And this morning at 4:30, she started the crying again. It wasn't too terrible sounding but after I got on my gym clothes (Since last Thursday, I've been every morning except Sunday since they don't open until noon) I went to check on her. She had pulled herself up to standing in the crib (good thing we lowered it last week!) and I think was up there and didn't know how to sit down. It is dark and that's a giant leap of faith to just fall into the unknown. I gave her her pacifier (that I will be throwing away in a month) and put her back down on her back and left. TC said she didn't make another peep.

Unfortunately I couldn't just let her sleep this morning. I woke everyone up at 7 since X-man had a hearing test at 8:30 and both kids were getting their ears checked. There's no worries about X-man's ears, it's just that the info sheet from the tubes when he got them said that he would need a hearing test at 3 years old. Since his birthday is in a month, I was hoping we could go ahead and do it.

He ranked about average on the tests, but he mostly was distracted and after a few beeps in his ears was over it and wanted to play. The test did indicate that there was probably fluid/wax build-up in his left ear.

The ENT looked at his ears and yes, the left one was full of wax. But X-man let Dr. M. look at his ears while sitting in the chair all by himself. I didn't have to hold him down and X didn't cry at all! He's such a big boy. He was a bit scared when they cleaned out the wax, but he was fine when he got back to the exam room. And then they brought in a prescription for antibiotics since X has an ear infection. Lovely.

Buttercup, on the other hand, has perfect ears. The tubes have fallen out and are still in her ear canal but her eardrums have healed. In fact, if I wanted to take both kids swimming, I could! I think I'll skip that for now...makes me cold just thinking about it!

So, it's been a long morning...I'm glad it's just about lunch time!

Happy...

2009-01-13T07:13:00.000-06:00

Make Your Dreams Come True Day

Happy...

2009-01-10T07:12:00.000-06:00

Save the Eagles Day

Sitting up!

2009-01-09T09:34:00.001-06:00

Guess who can get from her tummy to sitting up all by herself?

And no, it's not me...

C'est La Vie

2009-01-09T06:30:00.001-06:00

The Shuffleupagus Anti Meme. Courtesy of One-Hip-Mom.

1. Put your iTunes or MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer

YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Hearing Aid - They Might Be Giants

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Hallelujia - Mannheim Steamroller

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
O Come All Ye Faithful - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Boys and Girls Come Out To Play - Countdown Kids

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Mister Five By Five - Oklahoma Rising

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Some Like It Hot - The Power Station

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Blue Jean - David Bowie

WHAT IS 2+2?
When I Look Into Your Eyes - Firehouse

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Are You Sleeping - Baby-Go-To-Sleep

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Promises to Keep - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
More Than a Memory - Garth Brooks

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
The Vowel Family - They Might Be Giants

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Rock to Sleep - Hootie & the Blowfish

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Heard a Rumour - Bananarama

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme - They Might Be Giants

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be? - Countdown Kids

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Lucky Ball and Chain - They Might Be Giants

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Lay Your Hands On Me - The Thompson Twins

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
That Summer - Garth Brooks

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Piano Man - Billy Joel

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The Old Gumbie Cat - Andrew Lloyd Webber/Cats

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Love Shack - B-52's

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Father Figure - George Michael

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Moondance - Michael Buble

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Workin' For a Livin' - Garth Brooks

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Polly Wolly Doodle - Countdown Kids (LOL!)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
C'est La Vie - Robbie Nevil

Two days in a row!

2009-01-09T06:22:00.000-06:00

Just got back from the gym. Yea!

Happy...

2009-01-08T07:00:00.002-06:00

Bubble Bath Day!

The kids might have to have a bubble bath tonight!

At least I remembered how to get to the gym!

2009-01-08T06:29:00.004-06:00

Several years before X-man was born, TC and I joined a gym that's near the house. We'd pack our gym bags and go there after work (since it was on our way home, that made it easy!). I didn't do much more than walk on the treadmill and the elliptical, but I would use the weight machines sometimes.

And when I got pregnant with X, it was good to go to the gym after work. I think that's what helped me not gain too much weight during that pregnancy. And after he was born, I lost the 30 pounds from the pregnancy and another 20! That was awesome! Sadly, that hasn't happened since Buttercup's birth. I still have 20 pounds to lose to get back to my prepregnancy weight. And about 30 more to get to what my doc says is a health weight for me.

So, yesterday morning when I was getting ready, I put on a pair of pants that I was hoping would fit. I looked like a sausage stuffed in them! They zipped and buttoned and I could breath, but it just wasn't pleasant to look at.

In an effort to fit in my clothes better and get rid of this baby weight, I got up this morning at 5AM and went to the gym. My choices were 5AM or 7:30 after Buttercup went to bed. And I didn't think that I'd be as motivated to go out after dinner, resting, etc., so I decided that first thing in the morning would be better. Yes, the gym has childcare, but I just don't trust the people working there.

It wasn't that bad this morning. I just didn't think about how early it was (the alarm is usually set for 5:30, so it wasn't too much earlier). And TC got to eat breakfast at home...and he even left for work about 20 minutes earlier than usual!

11 Months!

2009-01-07T14:54:00.000-06:00

Buttercup, you are only one short month away from turning 1! I can't believe how fast it has gone by!

At 11 months you:

*are sprouting tooth #2...next to tooth #1. I just saw it yesterday peeking through your gums.

*are starting to pull up on things other than someone's hands! You can't quite get a grip on the couch to pull up on that, but you can just almost get up by using the fireplace. I let you try it, but I am very careful to make sure you don't wonk your face into the rock!

*love it when X-man talks to you. And when you see him first thing in the morning, you always have a squeal for him!

Happy...

2009-01-06T07:12:00.000-06:00

Cuddle Up Day!

Now this sounds like a day I can really get into!

Make the craft fit you...

2009-01-05T11:03:00.002-06:00

Three posts in one day? You'd think I have lots of extra time or something!

Buttercup is currently napping. I'm making some cards and X-man is playing with my paper punches. I've got a big Marvy punch that punches scalloped ovals. I just heard X-man say, "Gotta punch da football one, gotta punch da football one!"

See, crafting can be for boys, too!