Mr. Sun, Can You Come Out and Play?

I found three pairs of Wall-E sunglasses at the Disney store for just $.99 each. Score!

The Spud wore his constantly, even while eating his breakfast.

The Beast wore his for a short time as he stomped around the room and caused mass destruction.

The Drama Queen even wore hers during her morning bath (hence the wet hair, folks!)

I think they are trying to tell the weather something. No more rain please????

Best $2.97 I've spent in a while...

Been Blessed

A little over a week ago, I was suffering from a head cold that just kept getting worse and worse, resulting in ear pain and severe headaches. By that Sunday, hubby made me promise I would take myself into urgent care. It turns out I had a sinus infection compounded by severe allergies.

The next few days were full of taking antibiotics, Sudafed (I found it mildly amusing that I had to show my ID to get this one), my regular allergy medicine, and a new nasal spray. The first part of the week, I knew I was getting better but was still feeling sluggish and icky. To make it even more fun, hubby ended up working late every night, making me feel a bit like a single mom. There were perhaps some days when the kids never made it out of their pajamas. And maybe the TV was on a little bit more than usual. But we survived.

Then hubby mentioned a Linux conference that he really wanted to attend in Washington over the weekend. This would mean he would leave late Friday night and not be back until late Sunday night. Feeling a sudden burst of energy, I told him to go and have fun. Ha!

Before he went, however, we had the chance to have a date night and attend a Kutless concert in Portland. Sweet man bought me special earplugs that did not diminish the quality of the sound but lessened the volume tremendously. I guess I'm getting old. :) It was a huge blessing though to hear Kutless and their opening bands, Chasen and The Museum. The testimonies of the band members through their words and songs were amazing and truly touching. I still have many of the songs going through my mind and heart as I prepare for this day.

I ended up feeling so energetic this weekend that I completely decorated the dining room and also cleaned and organized and decorated the master bedroom, a feat not possible without the in-laws whisking the kids away to the zoo/Chucky Cheese for the day.

And last night our church had "Talent and Testimony" night; so I got to be blessed again, hearing how God has worked in the lives of my church family.

My point amid all this rambling about my week? I have been blessed! :)

Honk If You...

Happy Friday all! Hubby is off work today so this will be quick.

We have a fun day planned with the kids before we send them off to their grandparents for the night. Then my Nerd and I will get our date night (at a Kutless: It is Well concert tonight!) before he heads out to a Linux conference for the rest of the weekend. Sigh. I feel like I have been a single mom this week, with him working late every night and then being away all weekend.

But today will be good. :)

And in case you need some extra smiles today, read this: Honk If You Love Jesus!

haha, wicked funny!

All My Pigs in Their Pen

Every Wednesday evening, I have the privilege of spending some time with some very adorable kids. My husband and I run the PeeWee Pirate club at our church, which is a program for 3 -5 year-olds that teaches them character traits and Bible lessons. They also learn a new verse and song which they all get to perform in a church service each month. I love my PeeWees, although things can be a little hectic with nineteen little ones. And did I mention that two of the rascally crew are my own Drama Queen and Beast?

Last night, the PeeWees sang a hilarious song called "Pigs Don't Live in Houses". (hence the pig noses on some of the children!) Note the smiling blonde all the way in the back corner. Yep, that's my Drama Queen! You may also note the absence of the Beast.

That's because Mr. Beast strutted his stuff right out on stage, turned around, and spotted his grandparents in the audience. He kept shouting "There's Grandma! There's Grandpa!" "Hi, Grandma!" until we had to take him down from the stage so he wouldn't distract from the rest of the song.
Everyone loved it of course, and kept telling me what a little ham he was. The truth is, they were all little hams! Sweet little pigs! :)

Wordless Wednesday - The Big Reveal

some dear friends who are expecting a baby this summer had a gender reveal party this past week. We all (including the happy couple!) found out that they are having a girl! when he cut into the surprise cake. So fun!

more wordless fun at 5 Minutes for Mom...

Deals and Wheels

I spent hours the past couple of weeks washing, ironing, and tagging clothes for our local seasonal consignment sale.

I made a list of what the kiddies needed (and wanted!) and double-checked it.

Then I headed off to the pre-sale, set up only for consignors, to see if I could clothe my kids for the upcoming spring/summer for a reasonable price.

It was a most successful shopping trip. Hubby gave me a $150 budget.

Here's the loot:

The cost? A mere $108! I definitely got almost everything I needed off my list and a few extras as well, including some goodies for my little niece due to arrive this summer.

I left the sale, grinning from ear to ear at the thought of the deals I had just gotten. I didn't even mind walking the five blocks it took to get to where I had parked.

All bargaining elation quickly faded however, when I noticed that I had left my headlights on. I hurriedly tried to start the car, but to no avail.

I calculated my situation. I was five blocks from the sale. I didn't really know anyone at the sale - my friends that had been there had left much earlier. I was in downtown Portland, with my mother-in-law back at the house watching the kids.

After calling the hubby and realizing that he would not be able to get away from work to come jump-start the car, I started walking back to the sale. I briefly considered asking a total stranger to help me, and then in the distance, I thought I saw a familiar figure. I ran ahead and was thrilled to see that my friend Christy was still loading up her car. Of all people, I was particularly glad to see her, because I knew that she would actually know where to put the jumper cables. :)

We got my car to start, and I thankfully drove home. And now I know - red is positive and black is negative.

Gotta Love the View

The view from our front deck:

The view from our front door:

The view from our side window:

Is it any wonder that I love Oregon so much? Now if I could just see Mt. Hood from our house, that would be perfect!
Oh wait. I just have to drive for a couple of minutes for that awesome view!

Happy Friday, all!

Happy Diva Day

Okay all you moms out there.

yeah, you still in the fuzzy bathrobe who hasn't showered yet because you know your kids would destroy the house during your shower time.

And you, you there, who just put your cell phone in the toaster thinking you were making breakfast.

And I can't forget you! You won't admit it, but you have secretly contemplated dropping the kids off at Grandma's a little earlier than planned. Like five hours earlier. It's just been one of those days.

To all of you exhausted weary moms today, I am declaring a Diva Day!

Go ahead, take that shower!

Get a new cell phone - you've been eying that iPhone anyway!

Drop the kids off early and do something special for yourself.

I don't know - get a pedicure or go browse through the shelves at Barnes and Noble.

Or, get a free coffee at Starbucks! Just take in your own travel mug and they'll fill it for you for free today.

Happy Diva Day!

Wordless Wednesday - Race Car Party

vroom vroom!

this past Saturday we had a rip-roarin' Race Car birthday party for the Beast.

our home was overtaken by little boys eager to play with the elaborate Hot Wheels track that the Nerd had set up.

each party guest brought a wrapped Hot Wheels or Matchbox car for a gift exchange.

each boy had to test out his new car on the track.

yummy race track cake was devoured, especially the candy cars.

and it all ended with a photo finish - seven smiling drivers! :)

(not so wordless!) haha

A Really Really Ridiculously Large Energy Drink

It's finally Friday. I am so exhausted.

Tomorrow 14 little boys will invade our home for a Hot Wheels race car party. We just moved into this house and there is still much to be done.

Today I am again going to be cheerful about potty training and try to make it exciting as possible. I will inevitably be cleaning up potty messes.

This weekend I have to get all the consignment clothes washed, ironed, and tagged for the big sale next week. Last I counted, I have over 200 items. Yawn. It makes me super tired just thinking about it.

We are. . . errr. . . not quite finished in the tax department. Owning my home business has proved to be quite the challenge in figuring out taxes this year. So those still need to be filed.

I have seven outstanding orders currently from The Framed Frog. Hence the exhaustion! I have been staying up late and getting up early to find the extra time to work on these.

And somewhere, in between all of these, there are dirty clothes to wash, dishes to put away, meals to make, boo-boos to kiss, and all the other ordinary things in life.

So I'll pour myself another cup of coffee. And then I'll sit here for a few minutes, snuggling with the kiddies. The to-do list can wait. . .

Favorites Volume I

1. 25 assorted buttons in an array of sherbety colors by mariam
( I can think of so many uses for these in the Drama Queen's new bedroom. We are doing it in shades of pink, green, and yellow.)
2. midnight blue little itty bitty star bowls by kiln goddess
(I want to mount these on the wall in my dining room. So simple and lovely!)
3. silvery birds on a branch salt and pepper shakers by snapsink
(I have found myself collecting an assortment of birdy things, and I just love this vintage set.)
4. spring blue damask on moss green fabric home organizer by pink pins and needles
(The main floor bathroom is in these colors. Wouldn't this be fantastic holding magazines and books?)
5. Vintage 1950s pink aluminum canister and kitchen set by treasure again
(I am embracing the pink countertops in our "new" kitchen and redoing my kitchen theme in a vintage 1950"s feel. This set is just fabulous!)

Just doing a little browsing and dreaming and planning tonight. . .

Wordless Wednesday - THREE!

the Beast is THREE!

pray for this momma. . .

underneath that most charming smile is the world's biggest troublemaker!

more wordless fun at 5 Minutes for Mom!

Family Moments

The kiddies got Easter beach pails this year. :) We made a special trip to the Dollar Tree and stuffed the buckets full of coloring books, bubbles, Veggie Tales toothbrushes, army men, glow sticks, and more. I think we spent about a total of $8 per pail - totally worth it! :)

Drama Queen was super excited to put on her new twirly skirt and spin madly in circles. The rhinestone shirt and lime green leggings were purchased at Childrens Place, and the extravagantly large hairbow was made by a friend of mine. The skirt matches the ties I got for the boys - all three pieces were made by Savannah of Savannah Williamson.

The Beast in his new tie, amazingly not bothered by it at all. Poor Beast has a rather thick neck and struggles with tight necklines in shirts.

Couldn't help but snap a quick photo of this cutie strolling down the hallway. He is already quite the ladies' man!

The three little reasons that made me a mom. I just love those precious little faces!

Happy Birthday to My Beast

Hey little man! Today you are turning three, although you keep insisting to everyone that you are still two years old! Three seems so much older than two does. I watched you walking out of church yesterday, with your shirt tail hanging half-way out of your khakis and a determination to your step. You are growing up so fast!

I am so glad that you still come up to me and ask for a "snuggle". I know those days are numbered and I cherish each one. Between the two of us, we have invented every kind of hug there is, including your favorites, the "shark" hug and the "monster" hug.

You live in your own little world, my Beast! Sometimes you let me know what's going on in the head of yours by sharing wild stories and hilarious (although not always intended to be) comments. I don't know any other kid who admonishes himself to not touch the vacuum before he goes ahead and does it anyway.

We have a lot to learn together. Your personality is so much like mine, and I'm guessing that's why we clash so often. Know that Momma is trying to figure it out, sweet boy!

I love you so so much and look forward to this next year with you! First on our agenda - potty training! Come on, you know you can do it!

Now come on over and give me a "sausage" hug! (wait, gotta clean that blue yogurt off you first!)

Have a Glorious Easter!

The Next American Baby??

The Spud is a big fan of the camera, turning on the charm as soon as he sees me pull it out.

So I decided to check out the American Baby cover contest in which some readers thought he might do well.

Yesterday was the deadline to enter the contest - I uploaded my allotted six photos and I guess we'll see how my blue-eyed cutie does.

You can see the little album here and of course I would love "likes" and comments on them.

Thanks everyone!

RX: Use Your Sad Face

Yesterday, I took the Spud to his 18-month well-baby visit at the pediatrician's. He was a charmer - winking at the nurses and conning treats out of them. He was a trooper too - he didn't cry at all during his shots. That's okay - I cried for him. :)

As I suspected, the Spud is about average for height, average for head size, and in the 9th percentile for weight. Yup, he's a little guy but more than makes up for it in attitude and general mischievousness. The pediatrician predicted that he will be the kid that breaks an arm or leg before age five and will most likely be the class clown. I would have to agree with that assessment.

On my way out of the pediatrician's office, I was handed a sheaf of papers with information about his shots, poison control, car seats, etc. I was a bit taken aback to see an entire sheet on Discipline/Time Out. Is it really the doctor's job to tell us parents how to discipline our kids?

"Use your body language, such as looking sad, to let your child know you do not like his or her behavior. A child this age may misbehave 30 times a day."

- Haha! Amateurs! I believe that 30 is on the low end of the spectrum for the Spud! And, yeah, looking sad has such a lasting effect on him. Right.

"Do not spank your child."

- Okay, so I don't want to stir up the pot too much with this one, but seriously? It's not your job to tell me what I can and cannot do in disciplining my kid. Especially when Oregon state law clearly states that parents have the right to spank their children as a disciplinary measure, as long as it is not excessive or abusive.

"Use time-out very little. You can try time-out when your child is angry and hits, punches, bites, kicks or has tantrums."

- So I'm not to spank my kid and I should use time-outs sparingly. Hmm, what to do the rest of the time? Oh yeah, I can give him a sad look...

"Do not yell. Talk in a soft, bored tone."

- I totally get the no-yelling thing. It isn't easy for me, but I do my best to not raise my voice with my kids. But a "soft, bored" tone? Where is the authority in that? "Okay, Junior, I don't really care that you're disobeying, but would you stop please? Not that it really matters to me, but maybe you should stop?" Haha!

Apparently I have got it all wrong. :) I am sure glad that my pediatrician is watching out for me and can help me in this area.

Excuse me a moment. ("Hey, please don't hit your brother anymore. It makes Mommy so sad when you do that. See my sad face?")

Yep, totally worked. I bet he never tries that again!