Weekend Fun

Pretty much I am gone ALL THE TIME. 

During the week there is work and during the weekend we do a ton of errands.

So, because my guilt is so heavy and because I'm the most un-fun mother in the world, I have started

"Five Minutes of Fun."

SUPER Cheesy - I know. 

But, my thought process is that instead of planning great and elaborate things, which seem to always run into snags... I can do simple things more often that are still fun for me and the kids.

So, we made ice-cream cupcakes this weekend.  Don't they look like real ice cream?  Jaxon had fun decorating and eating his, Kyah prefers eating the toppings separately and eating the cupcake minus the frosting.

Whatever works!

It was my baby brother's birthday this weekend as well.  Happy Birthday Daniel!

Kyah stayed up late Saturday night "helping" me cut out the circles.  She was so proud of herself and covered in powdered sugar.

My Mom

It was my Mom's birthday this week.  She is pretty much holding at 1 year older than me.  She looks like she should be my sister NOT my mom and she acts that way too.  My Mom is my rock, she is the constant in my life.  I hope one day to be just like her, I would love to be a sexy grandma - too bad I will still be "short."

Yes, I am an adult, yes, I live a few miles from where I grew up, and YES I talk to my Mom on the phone EVERYDAY.

(Don't even think about saying anything about cutting the cord - if you knew my Mom like I do, you'd want to talk to her everyday too.)

My Mom is funny and laughs hard.  She is the best Nana a kid could ask for. 

She is generous, loving and beautiful. 

She inspires and motivates!

I love you Mom!

(And I KNOW she is going to LOVE the pictures I posted.)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day Treats

Here are some fun ideas and links for St. Patrick's Day Goodies.

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

Homemade Oreos

(Replace cream cheese frosting with Mint Buttercream from above recipe.)

Key Lime Bars

Enjoy!

We are Ready!

We are ready to wear these...

Every chance Kyah gets she runs into her room and puts these on.

In case you are wondering if you are seeing it correctly, yes, Kyah wears her flip flops in between her second and third toes.  Silly girl - everytime I try and fix it she tells me I'm doing it wrong.

Oh how I love her independence and strong will - I pray it will be an asset in her future.

Bring on the Spring!

Seeds - Update

Our other row of seeds/herbs came up.  See this post for more details.

The kids are tickled!  What a fun learning experience this is for them.

"Pants gowin Mom!" - Kyah

Saturdays

If you come to my house on Saturday, you will probably see some of this...

and this...

and definately some of this...

I love Saturdays! 

My day at home with the kids. 

My day at home to pray that the kids will want to spend 15 minutes longer in their beds. 

My day at home to catch up on all the "Mom" stuff I didn't do because I was at work doing the "Dad" stuff. 

MY day to willing surrender to them. 

(And the cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, bill paying, cooking, running around and every other thing we can possible pack into 24 hours.)

I'm a big girl now

Kyah has graduated from her "infant" car seat to a "big girl" car seat.

A car seat that she insisted be PINK.

I tried to get a more neutral color - wasn't happening.

When I put the PINK car seat in the cart at the store - Kyah did fist pumps and danced around in a circle saying "Yes! Yes!" (The other people in the aisle thought she was a hoot.)

What a girl!

Seeds

We took dirt, added some seeds, water and sunlight and got...plants!

I went to the store the other day with the kids and we found these great starter sets.  The kids picked out watermelon and pumpkin starters and I picked out herbs.  The germination period for the herbs was very short - about 1 week.  For the kids this was perfect - instant gratification.

To take this...

and a week later get this!

They check on the plants every day.

I love spring and the promises that come with it.  I love that doing a few simple things can produce benefits and results for weeks/months/years to come.  I am in aw of these "seeds" of mine and how they grow right before my eyes.  I worry about what I am "feeding" them, are they getting enough "light," is their "thirst" and "hunger" being quenched from the right source? 

Healthy Dinner Ideas

We went to the grocery store after work... this is normal.  Upon entering the grocery store Jaxon asked for a raspberry filled donut ... which happens about 50 % of the time.  Due to it being 7 pm a box of a dozen assorted donuts was half off.  Great!  Not a big deal, I figure they'll have maybe 3 or 4 donuts that the kids will like and because they are cheap if they don't finish them I won't be upset.  So, we proceed to the donuts... to my shock and Jaxon's delight - they had a ton of raspberry filled donuts left ... this is NOT normal.  So, I bought 9 raspberry donuts and 3 chocolate (for them to share with their Dad.)

Do I need to explain what happened when we got home? 

The funny thing is, Jaxon could only make it through one donut.  I realize that is a good thing but normally he finishes one and wants to eat Kyah's.  When the opportunity presents itself to eat himself sick - that's when he chooses to use self-control.  Go figure!

(No children were harmed in the eating of all of this sugar - Dinner was eaten before we went to the grocery store.  Besides, I'm the Mom and I do what I want! )

Boondocks

We took the kids to Boondocks... I'm not even sure what else to say really.  We went with the intention of bowling and well, you can see from the pictures that didn't happen.

The kids had a GREAT time!!!  They were so fun to watch and play with.  Holy Cow is Kyah independant!

We ate dinner (pricey - eat before you go) and then spent the next 2 hours palying games.

The ride/game the kids are on above simulated different "rides" (dune buggy, roller coaster, boat, etc.)  The seats moved and there are big fans that make you feel like you are actually there.  The kids thought it was so funny.  I thought it was hilarious watching them hold on for dear life - I know I'm twisted. 

Go speed racer, Go!  Look at their consentration - they are crackin' me up. (Notice to the right of the picture - Harley is actually driving and Jaxon is only controlling the gas.)

All in all we had a great time - even counting the fact that I thought my skull might split in two.

(Note to self: take some advil BEFORE you go.)

Deja has left the building

Monday night Deja went home with her "real" family.

So the kids said their good-byes and gave their loves.

Jaxon says he is sad, but secretly he is relieved.  He has always been very afraid of dogs - he's not really a fan of animals in general.  One of my primary reasons for agreeing to take Deja was for Jaxon to be able to adjust to a dog.  Deja was mild and Jaxon did great.  Truly, 4 months ago this uncomfortable hug would NEVER have happened.  I am very proud of him.

Kyah on the other hand LOVED Deja and is genuinely sad that she is gone.  For days following her leaving, everytime we would come home (when we would normally be greeted by Deja), Kyah would ask about her "Deja dog."  For Kyah, I too am sad that Deja is gone.

As far as my black bedskirt, dark dress pants, black rugs, walls and back yard are concerned - I'm not that sad.

Good luck Deja - you were a GREAT temporary pet.