Mother's Day

In a nutshell, it kinda stunk.  Andy worked a long day, so it was just a normal Sunday of rushing to get all three of us beautiful and out the door to church on time.  Although I did thoroughly enjoy the sermon while having the pleasure of sitting next to one of my good friends, Amy, Aiden threw a huge screaming tantrum in the sanctuary (thankfully AFTER the service!).  I had to have a random person hold Ashton so I could drag Aiden out to the car, kicking and screaming.  So the boys were finally fed and down for naps at 2, but Ash was up ever 30 mins, screaming because of teething discomfort.  In the meantime, I fixed dinner and cleaned the house until Andy came home from work, exhausted and hungry.  We all ate at different times (just based on hungriness) and I finally went to bed after dishes were cleaned, laundry done and plants covered to avoid frost.  But I DID receive some nice gifts from my boys and had a lovely conversation with my grandma.  If only I could have her energy!  She is amazing!  And hopefully I can have some quiet time today to call my mom.  Hopefully.

Lovely gifts of a new watering can (the old one somehow became a worm farm - guess who's to blame?!), gardening gloves, hose watering attachment, bird feeder and seed, plus a personalized card.

South Paw took the liberty of being frisky while the boys were napping - she grabbed a balloon, ever so gently.

 "Hm?  I wasn't doin' anything!"

Hungry man

My indulgence of the day!

(I enjoyed it while watching HGTV)

A sprig of lilac flowers from my friend Jessie

Mr. Cause and Effect

Ashton's handiwork: he threw all sorts of items out onto the deck thru a crack in the screen door while I was making dinner (including cars, a plane, a dog bone, half an Easter egg, and a green bean!).  Then while I was trying to enjoy my BLT on Mother's Day, Ashton took the liberty of finding the baby wipes in the rag drawer and proceeded in taking them out, one by one.  My BLT was too good to stop him.  He was very into it! (You can also see that he raided the over drawer - he is non-stop action!)

Not Me Monday

I did NOT ...

Tell my son I could not "watch dis" or "look at me" any more that day or I might go crazy.  I always have a bottomless pit of patience for my precious children.

Wean my baby based solely on the reason that I wanted to move the nursing chair out of his room and down into the living room (it's brown leather and matches lovely!).  I am a firm believer in long-term nursing.

Encourage Aiden to watch a certain Thomas the Tank Engine dvd because the narrator is Alec Baldwin.  I am most certainly NOT obsessed with Mr. Baldwin's voice!

Ran out of time to call my mom on Mother's Day - who does that?! (So sorry, Mom!)

Finally brought out the ironing board and basket of half mine and Andy's wardrobe.  It has NOT been 6 months since the ironing board was last used and that time was certainly NOT when my mother in law came to visit and nicely ironed the entire pile.  I'm always on top of everything!  I'm a stay-at-home mom, what better things do I have to do with my time?!

Still in my pajamas.  I always get up before my boys and shower and do my makeup and hair before they stir.  ... Yeah right!

My Favorite Recent Close-Ups

These pics capture such unique sides of my boys (& South Paw!): not the normal sides, but the in-a-glance-goofiness.  I just couldn't help myself in sharing them!

And this one was just too good not to blow up!  

Snack Shack Nite!

There is a wonderful snack shack in the village that satisfies the American-food-craving on every level.  And to top it off, they have an on-site playground!  So the boys and I just jumped in the car (mismatches clothes and all!) tonight and headed into town.  1st: hot dogs, curly fries & Sierra Mist in the trunk of the Mommy Car (allowing Ashton to bug us, err, I mean, roam, freely).  2nd: play at playground (I know for a fact that to Aiden, that should have been first, but mommies always seem to overrule all outside demands).  3rd: ice cream!  (duh!) 

Ash-Babash (newest nickname!) is also Mr. Cause-and-Effect (Daddy's nickname for him): every toy I gave him ended up being chucked.  Nothing new to me.

No!  Not my cell phone!

Ok, so I TOTALLY realize this is a ridiculous pic of me and my cherry-dipped soft serve, but it was the best I could do one handed!  That is my yummy-face, fyi!

And this is Mr. Aiden.  Mr. Predictable.  Mr. Stable.  Mr. Everything-Had-Better-Be-Normal with his vanilla and sprinkles.  Happy Boy!

Now they are tucked in bed, out for the count.  After 6 months of being stuck in-doors, this was quite an adventure for my boys!  I am looking forward to many more impromptu visits to the Snack Shack!

Will It Be a Rough Day?

Ok, so these pics were from a week or so ago, and all the messes and clean clothes have actually been picked up and put away, but just one day of me slacking, and it could all come back again!  And I am hoping today will be a good day, despite what is already present.  First, today is the designated day that my family back in Arizona is remembering my Granny and Papa, by going out into the desert and spreading Granny's ashes.  Closure, but still sadness.  My heart is with them today.
Andy came home early from work last nite, and was up all night sick.  The flu bug bit him.  And Aiden has had a few close calls this morn, so he's on the couch with a metal bowl, just in case.  And South has a vet appointment this afternoon (during nap time, of course!), due to a hernia (or so I think).  So it will be me and my 3 year old, 1 year old, and 8 month old boxer mix pup at the vet, during nap time.  I think I am a glutton for punishment!  Is there really even a reason to shower?!
Well, I would love to keep pouring out my thoughts, but I might pass out if I don't go change that poopy diaper.  So .... so long for now!

Poopy Situation

I knew it would happen.  I didn't know the details, but I knew at some point after the adoption of South Paw, something with dog poop would happen.  Here's how it went down: I went out back to scoop the poop.  I asked Aiden to help me find the piles (in an extra-excited voice).  He said that he didn't think there was any anymore.  Anymore?!
Me: "Zib, where is all the dog poop?"
Aiden: "I frew [threw] it."
Me: "You 'frew' it where?!"
Aiden: "Over da fwence."
Me: "What did you use to 'frow' it?"
Aiden: "My hands!"

Me: "Andy!  Get the tub ready!"

Oh No He Did Not ... But Yes He Did!

After over an hour of being awake, Andy casually told me about his day at work the evening before.  To skip the details, he received the highest performance rating one can receive at his work: "excellent."  Humbly (after I stopped jumping up and down), he nixed the going-out-to-lunch idea and chose to clean his grill instead.  What a guy!  He is more than just an excellent engineer .... he's an excellent husband and an excellent father.  He is my man after God's own heart.  Forever and Always ... plus a day!

Is That A Hubbie and Wifey Date?! For Reals?!

Here are pics of us on a date that Andy set up because he wanted us to spend some quality time together.  Isn't he more handsome than ever?!?!

P.S. Oh yes, that IS a chocolate creme brulee!  My first (and last, ironically!) boss introduced me and got me hooked on the wonderfully delicious dessert.  I have since passed on the passion to Andy, and we taste test it wherever we go.  I like the phenomenal texture differences, whereas Andy prefers the idea that he is consuming something that just minutes before was flaming with fire.  At any rate ... It's a rough hobby, but someone has to do it!

Playing the Matching Game

Aiden is a little genius when it comes to a matching game that Gigi and Freddie sent.  He and Daddy
play it together, fist-pumping at each correct match.  South even got in on some of the action!  

Boy With the Flu

Zib had the flu Sunday night, and is still on the mend, working on building back up appetite and energy.  And although he might not be as crazy as usual, his mouth still runs a mile a minute - all questions.  I finally told him, "Aiden, surprisingly, Mommy doesn't know everything."  My brilliant son replied: "But I do, Mamma.  I know evryfing!"  Oh, ok, that explains it, then!