Silly Boy ...

I just couldn't resist posting this. I was working on the computer last night when M came out of the bathroom giggling. I turned around and he was wearing my bra and saying, "look at me, look at me!" Luckily, I had my camera right on the computer desk so I snapped this shot. Definitely not technically good but absolutely hilarious.

Va-va-voom!

I took K to daycare today to spend some alone time with M. He says he never gets it so I am making a point to do that more frequently. We had a great time. We started out by getting a donut after dropping K off. To my kids, this is a huge treat (we eat junk food a lot but not usually donuts) so I always make a big deal over it. Then we went to Target ... we have 2 birthday parties to go to Saturday and we had to get a present for one of them. We must have spent 1 hour in Target, just looking and talking. We headed home for a little while because I had some phone calls to make and then went out again, ran a few more errands and had lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory. I knew he'd love to eat in the trolley (and he did). Afterwards we picked up pictures for my photography class and went to the library. We read books, played games on the computers and checked out a ton of books which he was so excited about. He can't believe that they're free.

Brian and I had an eventful night last night (in the bedroom but not what you'd think ... ha, ha). The light burned out in the Laundry Room and before going to bed Brian accidentally hit a wrong button while setting the house alarm. We cancelled it right away, brushed our teeth and got in bed. About 5 minutes later my mom called (from Mexico - she's on a cruise) and said the alarm company called her and said our fire alarm was going off. I reassured her that we were fine and Brian said, "oh, man, I think I hear the engine coming". I quickly hung up the phone and ran downstairs to see 3 firefighters, complete in their turn-outs, ringing our doorbell and shining flashlights in through the window. Roscoe began to bark like crazy. I opened the door and apologized numerous times for the accident... they laughed and said they were in the middle of watching a good movie when the call came in. At least now I know the thing works and hunky men will come to my rescue if I push the button. Oooops, I should tell the guys at Brian's work about that one! Dyan had a good point. My kids both slept through this entire thing. I don't think smoke alarms would wake these two up.

Interview with M. I asked him these questions today while we were out at lunch.

Favorite Food - PB & J
Favorite Snack - Ice Cream
Favorite Book - The Cat in the Hat
Favorite Song - "I Wanna Jump and Fly" by The Laurie Berkner Band. We LOVE all three of her CD's. Run out and get them.
Favorite places to go - The Train Museum and Discovery Kingdom
Favorite Color - Blue by a landslide
Best Friend - Jack

I decided to continue our interview on our way to pick K up and I guess he just wasn't in the mood. He's kind of grouchy in the afternoon like me. I am a real grouch from 3-5 in the afternoon. I said, "M what makes you really happy?" He looked and me and said, "nothin!"

I've been busy working on my Final Portfolio for my Photography Class. It is supposed to be a collection of at least 10 images on one subject matter... something you enjoy photographing or that has meaning. Some people chose serious work - documentary photography but I wanted to shoot something less heavy. I chose to photograph butterflies (my moms idea). There is a huge butterfly exhibit at Discovery Kingdom so my loving husband took me there and watched the kids for two hours so I could shoot. I loved every minute of it (taking photographs), in fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather do (other than spending time with my family - of course). They have to be taken in Manual Mode, Manual Focus and she does allow some editing although I didn't touch mine. I don't have the eye for adjusting color like my professor does. I'm not sure she'll like the collection - she's not really the happy photography type but I don't care. Not to toot my own horn or anything but I have to say, I'm proud of how they turned out. I love 8 or so of them but I have to have 10 so there will be 2 that are so-so. I have to mat them and put them in an art portfolio to show to the class. Here are a few. If photography doesn't interest you, these will be very boring.

My favorite. Love it.

My second favorite.

M's favorite is the brown butterfly because he found it for me.

Picasa (the collage program) crops these a little and I'm not sure I like how they did it. The real photographs look better (as far as composition).

Least favorite is on the bottom right. It was hard to get the butterflies to land, especially close to me.

Sorry for the long post. Off to pack M's lunch.
Melissa

Miscellaneous

Things have been going pretty well around here. I've had company for a few days and worked so I haven't had a chance to blog. K was sick yesterday. She complained in the morning about having a tummy ache and we just kind of thought, yeah whatever because she says that a lot (she loves band-aids too). She was crying about something a little later on and started vomiting. She was just miserable for the rest of the day. She went from room to room and just laid down. She and Brian stayed home last night, while M and I went to The Club to meet Dyan and the kids for happy hour. When I got home from The Club they were both asleep on the couch. She seems better today, has already had milk this morning. Yesterday she wouldn't drink ANYTHING.

Miscellaneous Stuff
2 new websites that might be worth visiting.

1. Magsalmostfree.com. I love, love, love magazines and as much as I try to help myself, I buy them at newstands prices. What a waste of money! I done... I'm now recovered. I found this website and with a 20 % of internet coupon (VALUE20) I got 5 annual subscriptions for $25.40. Now thats a deal! I got Good Housekeeping, Redbook and Ladies Home Journal for $4.95 each, Everyday with Rachel Ray for $3.95 and Scrapbooks, Etc (by far the best scrapbooking mag) for $12.95. And don't forget about the 20% off these prices. Check it out.

2. Propertyroom.com. The guys at Brian's Fire Station told us about this one. Brian just got this exact laptop for $200!!! It also comes with the Wireless Card. It was $235 with tax and shipping. Another great deal. We've been talking about getting one for a while ... he needs to be portable with all the classes he teaches at he station and the 3 classes he's taking in college. How does he find time to do it all? I guess they have a lot of property that has been confiscated by the police, foreclosures, etc. They have all kinds of different items... I'm keeping my eye on the camera lenses. We got the laptop so cheap because Brian didn't do the Buy It Now... he bid on it. Should be here Wednesday so we'll be able to give the site a thorough review.

K Funnies.
I'm not sure what she was doing the other day but she looked up at me and said, "I am not fusterated Mommy." Too cute.

She calls the refrigerater the "fooderater." Cracks me up every time.

M Funny.
My mom and I took the kids to the toddler pool on Monday (big pool is too cold) and there was a little baby drinking the water. M said to the baby, "don't drink the water in here, there's toenails in it!!" The weather was 96 degrees on Monday and somewhere in the mid 70's yesterday. We have quite a range.

We had very nice weather on Monday morning. The kids were outside playing while I was doing laundry upstairs. This is what I found them doing when I went back downstairs ... while in their jammies. I decided to let them stay out there awhile.

Ring-around-the-rosie.

Giving love to each other while soaking wet. (because I asked them to)

These crazy kids. They must have played in the sprinklers for an hour - running the entire time.

Going out for pizza tonight with Dyan, Monte and the kids. The kids are excited. We have to take advantage of the time because they are moving June 12th. :(

More when I get time. This photography class is killing me. I've learned a lot but I'll be glad when it's over.

Bye, Bye "Fie" (Pacifier)

Well, the "Fie Fairy" came last night. Yesterday we got some of my craft supplies out and decorated a bag to put the fies in. We gathered them up from around the house and placed them on the front porch last night before going to bed. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She cried going to bed and was sad but I laid down with her and we both fell asleep within a few minutes. She woke up twice in the night and whimpered a little but went back to sleep. She had the hardest time this morning (she woke up at 5:45). Normally she would usually get in bed with us and snuggle while watching cartoons with her fie. This morning she just couldn't rest, almost as if she didn't know how to without the fie. She cried, "want my fie" every few minutes or so. We went outside about 6:30 to see what the Fairy had left for her and she was so excited. There were 3 balloons and a Littlest Pet Shop Toy... we also scattered fairy dust (glitter). Both she and M thought that was cool. He fell for it also.

Brian said that when he put her to bed tonight (it's 11:50 pm on Sat night now) he knelt down by her bed and rubbed her back for about 5 minutes until she fell asleep. I guess she said, "I need something in my mouth." When I got home from work tonight she was asleep on the floor in the loft area ... she just about scared me to death.

The Fie Bag

One last look.

Putting them on the porch.

Off to bed.
Melissa

Easter Morning and K's Official Birthday

WARNING: LONG POST AHEAD.

I am so behind on my blogging. My photography class has been keeping me so busy.

The kids woke up early on Easter... no different than any other day but instead of laying in bed and watching morning cartoons, they ran downstairs because my family was in town and they wanted to see them. No snooze Phineas and Ferb for me. By the way, have you ever watched that show? It really is funny.

Here they are digging through their Easter Baskets. K's mouth is wide open.

Chocolate Bunny, no make that duck time. Ouch, my ear!!

A cute picture of K.

Brian let the kids help make breakfast. K's working on the pancakes... one of her favorite things to eat.

Mike and Carol (Brian's Parents) got M a cute monkey spatula and animal shaped pancake molds. They turned out so cute... the kids had a blast with it. This is the elephant one.

K's turn to flip.

Hunting Easter Eggs in the backyard. Of course, M found most of them and wouldn't let K get any. She was so frustrated. Bummer being the youngest sometimes.

She got her pretty new dress from Lacie for her birthday.

Easter morning, we all sat outside and had our coffee. M was riding around on his Spiderman Scooter... eventually my niece, mom and sister had to give it a try. I HAD to get my camera out. My family is crazy. Hilarious.

Tonight is the last night K's going to bed with her beloved "fie"... aka pacifier. We've been talking about taking it away for a year now and because she just turned 3, it's time. We've told her for a few weeks that the "Fie Fairy" will be coming after she turns 3 and we set the date for tomorrow. Our plans are to box up the "fies", set them on the porch and have the fairy pick them up to give to all the little babies. The fairy will leave a little toy or something, a balloon bouquet and scatter fairy dust (glitter) around on the porch. Do you think it will work? We absolutely can't give in ... I think we're in for a rough few days. Tomorrow night if it's bad, Brian and I can sleep in shifts but I work Saturday evening so he's going to have to do it by himself. She's NEVER gone to sleep without it. M said the cutest thing today. He said, "Mom, I don't think the fairy will be able to get it out of her mouth!!" Cracked me up.

K with her "fie" and her "sheepie."

As cute as she is, she is also becoming a little stinker. While she was in the bathroom this morning I could hear her screaming, "it's not working." When I went in to see what was wrong I found what appeared to be an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet and she was trying to flush it down. She said she didn't know what happened.
Just look at her innocent face.

Another M funny. While driving to school this morning M said, "you know something... Police horses don't have lights on them ... so how do they pull cars over?" Totally out of the blue. He's something.

Today K and I went to the mall because I needed some sunglasses. I would have never pegged her to be a shopper but I think she's going to be. We walked the entire length of the mall and she still didn't want to go home. We had a great time browsing. It was just SO easy... no stroller or supplies needed. She'd walk up to something and say, "oh mom, this is so cute." We walked together hand in hand (she held it the entire time). This really is the cutest, sweetest age. She REALLY loves me ... she tells me and shows me often. She rubbed my arm a few times, smiled at me and said, "your arm is sooooo soft, Mommy." I told her what a good time I had while we were walking to the car and she said, "just girls, no boys!"

Kyla's 3rd Birthday Party

K's birthday party was Saturday at The Club. I was a little worried about the weather... Friday was windy and rainy but it turned out to be a nice day. K was so excited and had been talking about her party for weeks. She helped with a little bit of the planning and shopping. We went to Party City last week to look for The Littlest Pet Shop party supplies but they didn't have any there. She was a little bummed and I was getting a little worried until we rounded the corner and she saw the My Little Pony party supplies. She screamed, "this is it, Mommy" and began jumping up and down. She repeated, "it's my birthday, My Little Pony birthday" numerous times at the top of her lungs. I wish I would have had a video camera... it was the cutest. Then she proceeded to put everything in the cart! She wanted the key chains, the blowers, the coloring books, the little pony toys... all of it. We had to have a discussion about the fact that we weren't getting everything. We had fun.

The party started with yummy food, prepared mostly by my family (thank you). The kids played in the bounce house and the park area. I bought a bubble blower which ended up being a huge hit and a pinata. Thank goodness Dylan (he's 6) was there to break open the pinata. I'm not sure what that thing was made of!! I told K that she could open her presents after the pinata so she immediately ran over there and tore one open after the candy was cleaned up. I didn't even notice until Willy pointed it out. She loved all of the presents... OK not all of the presents. She wasn't into the clothes AT ALL and refused to even look at them. Mommy is very grateful and loves them. Is she a stinker or what, I guess she is 3 years old.

Huge thank you to Dyan who took all of the pictures for me! I was able to just enjoy the party. She got some great shots. I owe you! Here are some of my favorites.

Our Birthday Girl. Is she happy or what?

I LOVE this one.

Another great one... K with Grammy and Grandpa.

Opening presents is serious business.

Cake time. She insisted on having chocolate.

I was worried she would cry like she did last year while we sang Happy Birthday but this year she it. To view the post for last years birthday click here.

She had no problem blowing out her candles.

K and her friends. Addie, her best friend from school had already left here's a cute one of the rest of the kids. This wasn't easy!

Happy 3rd Birthday to K!

Happy Birthday K!! I love you more than words could ever express. You amaze me and are always full of surprises and energy. You are an absolute joy to be around (most of the time). I can't believe my BABY is 3 years old!! I can't believe how lucky I am to have everything I could ever need or want. We celebrated her birthday yesterday and had a great time. Luckily we had sunny weather and all of her best friends were able to make it. I'll definitely post pictures but I'm exhausted right now. All of our company just left so I'm headed downstairs for some couch time and to pick up the house which is an absolute trainwreck.

More later. Check back for pictures if interested.
Melissa

Easter Eggs

Coloring Easter Eggs with the kids get more fun every year (and messier). M loved dropping the eggs into the colors and checking on them periodically and K loved painting on the eggs after they were colored. M did most of his eggs in blue... finally I asked him to please try a different color so we would have some variety. We colored 18 eggs and had no cracked eggs so I'd consider that a success. I bought a few extra egg coloring kits because I think the kids would enjoy doing this again before next year.

He is so cooperative... and she just isn't! With photographs at least. This is a cute one of them both. She is fun loving for sure.

Hard at work.

Posing for me.

She is screaming, "woo-hoo, I'm coloring eggs!" Silly girl.

Look at those messy hands! It took a few days to wear off.

Our masterpieces.

We decided to have a pinata at K's birthday party so here she is stuffing the candy into it. She did it all by herself.... almost 3 pounds of candy!

More when I have time.

Fairytale Town and the MOMS Club Easter Party

The kids and I went to Fairytale Town today... the weather was beautiful and we hadn't been in a long time. It was the best time we've ever had there. For the first time, we saw a perfomance at the Children's Theater and I wasn't too sure about it but they loved it. K actually laughed out loud a few times and tried to dance along. They behaved so well... and stayed close. Life is getting simpler. I didn't even need to take a stroller in... or any supplies. Dyan told me this year would get better. M has been a champ lately. He does what I ask him to do on the first time, doesn't whine as much and is doing more on his own without being asked. He's still a bit of a bully to his sister, but I think that's pretty normal, right? Strange thing happened today. While standing in line to get in, I was making small talk with another lady in line. We talked a little while and then I realized who she looked like. Laci Peterson's Mom. You all remember her, right? Well, I finally just said to her? "Do you know who you look like... I'm sure you hear this all the time but you look just like Laci Peterson's Mom." She gave me a smile and leaned in to me and whispered, "because I am." My jaw just about hit the floor... I didn't think it was her or I wouldn't have said anything. Anyways, she was extremely friendly and we talked for a while longer. She was attending her grandsons birthday party there. Later in the day, she came up to me again and we talked a little more. I'm truly sorry for her loss. What a nice woman.

The kids have also been sweet to me. Last night before bed, K rubbed my face and lovingly said, "your face is so soft, Mommy." This morning M said, "you're cool, Mom" after I gave him his milk this morning. Those moments make all the exhaustion and worry worth it.

While reading Pinocchio to the kids before bed this evening, M and I discussed how the Blue Fairy grants wishes. He looked at me and said with the saddest voice, "how come my wishes don't come true?" When I asked what his wishes were, he said, "for fire trucks." I told him he had several firetrucks and he said, "no, to work on the fire truck!!" How cute is he. I told him I thought he needed to be able to drive first.

M did good at baseball today. He's not feeling very well so wasn't as eager as usual. Instead of running home, he skipped!

On the tractor at Fairytale Town.

Watering the plants.

M's turn.

K just being her crazy self. I absolutely can't get a good picture of her right now.

The MOMS Club Easter party at The Club. M came up to me and whispered, "that Easter Bunny isn't real, it's just a man!" I asked him how he knew that and he said, "I can see his neck." I explained that the real Easter Bunny is very busy so sometimes he has someone stand in for him because he can't make it to ALL the parties. I think he bought it. K was scared of the him until D got in the picture.

M doing the Bunny Hop while following the Easter Bunny. Look at that air!

The Easter Egg Hunt. He loved it.

She had a great time also. Wasn't in a big hurry so she only got 6 eggs.

Cutie. Mr. Photogenic.

Finally a decent one of K.

The kids being silly and having fun after the Egg Hunt. Someone put a little bunny plastic toy in one of K's eggs and she thought it was candy and tried to eat it. The other kids got a huge laugh out of that.

M is getting more use out of the Mardi Gras beads from Dyan. I came home from work to find this on my headboard, footboard and all along the banisters on the stairs!! Brian taught him how to tie this knot and he was so excited. I've had to leave them up for the last week.

Finishing Post - It's Sunday night now and I just put K to bed (at 6:50 pm). She was so grouchy and had one of the biggest fits I've seen today. She can be exhausting.

Sorry for so many pictures... as usual, I just couldn't narrow them down.