Friday, July 31, 2009

My new Hobby

I have a new silly hobby. Imagine that!

I like to collect glass bottles to use as vases. See standard boring vase above? I have no idea where that came from...but the red flowers are pretty:)

This is an old peanut butter jar. I still need to soak the label off but I like the jar! The peanut butter was good, too.
As I was browsing the Target dollar section (I know, me at Target?), I discovered these mini coke bottles! Aside from the fact that I despise Coke, I do love their bottles and thought this would make a lovely little vase. Now I just need to find someone to drink that Coke....

This is one of my favorites. It's a little spice bottle. It used to have garlic powder in it and I had to soak it for about 3 days to get the smell out...

I discovered two of these little glass bottle vases during my first excursion to Ikea recently! How can you beat 79 cents?! A pretty little red flower to brighten up the living room. Of course, it would be better if the flower was real. But still...
And in other news: Samuel now speaks "Dr. Suess." We always knew he would take after his daddy, who is quite gifted in learning/speaking other languages! We just never knew it would be....Dr. Suess.
"No fank you, Sam I Am!" or "I will not eat it in a truck or a car or in a train!" or "Fight all night and play all day!" (courtesy of "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Hop on Pop.") Thank you, Dr. Suess. Your legacy lives on....He's a whole lot cuter than you though. No offense.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

P is for Popsicle!

Who doesn't like a sweet, cool, refreshing popsicle on a hot summer day? I sure do and so do my little boys! Samuel and I have been trying to do special activities together during naptime and today's special mommy-Samuel time was making homemade popsicles!
As you can see, they were thoroughly enjoyed by the Thomas munchkins:)

The Popsicle Maker himself

Fellow Popsicle Eater!
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They were really easy and really delicious! First Samuel threaded the popsicle sticks with fresh, sliced fruit. We used kiwi, strawberries and grapes. I would suggest using the kiwi slices first and pushing them all the way down to the holder, followed by strawberries and grapes as you please! (or any other fruit you love). While Samuel was busy threading (and possibly sneaking fruit), I blended up some frozen peaches, about 1/2 cup of milk, some fresh strawberries and some honey. I filled the popsicle cups about halfway with the blended mixture and then when Samuel was done with the sticks, we pushed them in and froze them! I put the leftover mixture and fruit into an ice cube tray because I only have one popsicle set, courtesy of none other than Target! (Can you hear the bells playing?!)
Result: 2 Happy and Refreshed Boys, a Yummy Summery treat, and peace and quiet for 5 minutes:) Perfect!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Shredded

Remember this?

Today I was fooled into thinking I was ready for workout 3. Fooled, I tell you! Maybe I ate something wrong or woke up on the end of the bed or something that caused my brain to lapse. I should have questioned my sanity and rolled over and gone back to sleep, I'm pretty sure.

So there I am, everything set up, standing bleary eyed in my workout clothes and I press "Workout 3" with a trembling hand. My heart starts to beat in anticipation. Am I crazy, I think to myself? You can do this, you can do this! You can't do this. You're not ready yet! Here is goes....


The upbeat music starts to play and there she comes, Jillian; the trainer who wishes death on you all in the name of a "Shredded body," and her two sidekicks. She gives a congratulations about making it to level 3 (Oh, crap! What was I thinking?) and a dire warning about how utterly hard this is going to be. I should've tucked tail and run then but...I was filled with the false hope that I was ready.

Ready to die.

Jillian launches into the warm-up which was filled with exercises from the other two levels. What? Did I skip something? Aren't we supposed to be warming-up, I think as I'm huffing through butt-kicks and double jump roping. It's too early in the morning for this!

And then the workout begins. Each workout (1, 2 and 3) consists of 3 circuits: 3 minutes of strength, 2 min of cardio and 1 min of abs. You do that 3 times in each workout. By the end of circuit one, I was sweating and my limbs were trembling. You want me to do walk around push ups? Alternating lunges while jumping? jumping jacks with handweights? What did you just ask me, Jillian? To remember all the reasons I bought this DVD in the first place? Well, umm....I....my mind is blank. Why in the world did I buy this DVD? Why, oh why? Shredded? Me? It's all a cruel joke. She gets paid to think up the hardest workouts ever and make you feel like a fool as you lumber around like an elephant in the privacy of your home. And there ,she and her two cronies sit with their 6-packs and lean sleek muscles.

You say I should have a 6-pack by this point in the DVD? Did I miss the memo? I have a...well, I can feel some muscles in there. Does that count? Oh, man, what kind of ab exercises? How come they can do that with their legs and I can't? Come on, Heidi, give it your all. You know you'll feel proud if you can make it through the ultimate goal: Workout 3! Plank jacks? Plank leg and arm raises with handweights? Do they sell handweights smaller than 3lbs?

And finally. I can't believe it! It's Cooldown time. I collapse with jelly-like legs, trembling arms and a sweat covered body to the exercise mat. I'm almost too weak to stretch my muscles. Almost. A nice cold shower sounds so good right now. So does swimming. I heave a sigh of relief and accomplishment and stumble on shaky legs towards the bathroom. I pass my reflection in the mirror on the way in. Hey, now. What this? Muscles? Sleek muscles? I have calves? What?! I've never had calves. Hey, there pretty lady. You've got some nice arms. You don't look so bad under that beet-red face, wild hair and glistening skin, gasping for air.

You look...Shredded. Maybe Jillian isn't so bad after all...

Monday, July 27, 2009

Weekend Wonders

We had a pretty nice family weekend. We took an excursion to our special family place: the zoo. It's amazing how away from reality we feel. It's really nice. Even though there are hundreds of other people there, hundreds of strollers and wagons, and shrieking children, we feel alone. In a good way. I will really miss this zoo when we leave.

Samuel getting a daddy-ride!
I like to call this one: "The Ball of Misery." This is Z having a minor meltdown.

It's all good now! Z with his coveted orange sucker:) Enjoying lunch at the picnic tables. He said his favorite animals of the day were the giraffes and elephant.

A cute little elephant bush!

Samuel and Zakkai watching the butterflies. We went to the Butterfly exhibit, which was my favorite part of the zoo!

This little guy, the Piper something or other, was one of my favorites! He landed on everyone who had white clothes on and took a free ride:)

I loved this shot of this beauty sitting on a Sunflower! Beautiful! I think butterflies are one of my favorite of God's creations.

This Zebra striped butterfly landed on my bookbag and I had Ben grab a shot before it flew away!
Some other moments from our weekend:
Samuel sayings: "Mommy, I haven't watched a movie in two years!" or Thursday, same thing:)
"Remember when I got sick a year ago and needed Gatoree?" I guess a week seems like a year to a child!
"It's been years and years and years since I had some candy." See a theme here?
"I don't want to be nuffing (nothing) when I grow up! I am not going to do anyfing!" All I can picture is George on Seinfeld...Oh dear!
Zakkai nonsense: "Mommy is a man!" Umm....
"Dat (hiccup) makes (sob) me (sigh) SAD!!"
"I don't want to go to the zoo! I want to go to the nuseum!" Well! Zakkai has spoken.
"Dat's masty, mommy." One of my favorite Zakkai words! Oh you don't speak Zakkai? Masty=Nasty. Nuseum=Museum. Said with much influction and spit and a charming grin:)
Have a great day!

Friday, July 24, 2009

These are a few of my favorite things!

These are some of my most favorite people in the world! Some other things I love: little boys after a bath, goodnight kisses, cheesecake, chocolate, books and pictures.

I just wanted to say so.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Candyland Man

An hour ago, I was standing in the kitchen preparing a picnic dinner, listening to the sounds of 3 of my favorite people in the world play Candyland. Zakkai, who won the first game, was pushed up to the table in his booster seat, continually turning around to give me updates. "Mohmmy (that's how it sounds when he says it), Mohmmy, I playin' a game!" or "Mohmmy, I get two yellows!" or "Mohmmy, you makin' a picnic?"

Our original plan was to take a picnic outside but that was suddenly waylaid by a summer thunderstorm rolling in. So we put our brilliant parent-how-do-I-break-the-news-to the boys minds together and decided to have a picnic in the living room. We laid out our picnic blanket and set our simple picnic dinner down and lounged around enjoying each other's company. There's nothing like a picnic to make little mouths devour food. I swear I could've put down chopped broccoli and cauliflower and they would have gobbled it up! Okay, that was an outright lie. The day my children willingly inhale broccoli and cauliflower on a picnic is the day I....well, I'll......I'll eat it, too! Have I mentioned that I really don't like cauliflower? No? Honestly I haven't tried it in years but I have memories of choking it down as a child with large gulps of milk to disguise the taste. It never worked. Although I try that very same method with my children...Oh, right, I'm getting sidetracked.

Our leisurely picnic was followed by tickling in the daddy jungle tent (it must be a boy thing) while I cleaned up, relishing the delighted shrieking and laughter of my precious little boys. It was a night memories are made of.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

boy Oh boy!

So I was sitting here minding my own business, checking a few blogs, watching "America's Got Talent" when I heard it....talking coming from the boys room. I stopped my blog stalking in disbelief, hoping against all hope that it was a fluke. Maybe a sound coming from the hallway? A neighbor's child? Oh darn, none of our closest neighbors have young kids. The tv? Nope, it was on mute. There it was again!

I blew out a sigh of frustration and crept slowly towards the white door. I listened carefully with my radar mommy-ear only to hear....Zakkai happily chattering. Not the mumbling of a boy deep in sleep, or calling out after a bad dream. Happily. Chatting. I opened the door to find that bright eyed (yes, bright eyed at 9pm) spunky little 2 year old sitting on the heater, peeking out the window. I stalked over with new energy bursting through my body and snatched him up and layed him down in bed. "Zakkai! What in the WORLD are you doing?!" I stage whispered. I felt around for the blankets to tuck him in and encountered a diaper. Where in the world did he get a diaper from? Unless....sure enough, my hand touched bare flesh and I realized that my son was naked from the waist down.

I straightened out the crumpled diaper and positioned it under his body, ready to wrap him up securely when i saw something. Extra clothes wrapped around his body. What was this? I pulled and twisted and found not one but two pairs of jammie shorts wrapped around his waist. In the dark, gleefully staying up waaaaayyy past his bedtime, this ornery toddler had decided to dress himself. He found an extra pair of shorts that I must've forgotten to put away and, in a charming 2 year old way, stuck his legs through one leg hole and pulled the shorts up around his waist. Both pairs of them. I fought back the grin as I redressed him and tucked him in. I admonished him to go to sleep and as I turned to leave, I noticed that the blankets covering the window were coming down, courtesy of my night wanderer. I hoisted myself up onto the heater to fix the crooked blankets only to step in a cold wet puddle. I froze, hardly daring to believe the thought that flashed through my mind. Please, oh, please tell me that wasn't...pee. It was. Muttering under my breath I cleaned up the mess and my feet and crept back out of the darkened room, past my slumbering 4 year old. I closed the door and sat down to wait.


50 minutes later....I hear silence. Silence is golden.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Not My Child Monday!



Welcome to "Not My Child Monday!" I have perfectly well behaved children...all the time! Promise! Well, er, then I'm not sure who's child it was who threw an ear-piercing, stare-inducing, highly embarassing tantrum in the store today. Not mine! Nor is it my 2 year old who has suddenly developed a bad attitude and says in a mean little voice, "I do NOT want to be a nice boy!" Not my son!


And since my children are sweet little angels who love to share, just like any 2 and 4 year old would, it definitely wasn't my son who refused to give some roller blades back to one of his best buddies (who happens to be well over 6 ft tall) because he thought he could take one home! And then proceeded to throw a 2 year old tantrum.....I have no idea who's child that was!


It certainly wasn't my 4 year old who cried out in the middle of the night because he'd wet the bed. And if it had been my child, which it wasn't, I certainly wasn't too bleary eyed to change the sheets so instead stripped the bed and laid a towel down for him to sleep on. It wasn't us!


I'm so glad I have nothing to write about since my children are always little angels!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Sinoef has NOT gone to bed...

There are many joys of being a mother: listening to the funny things your kids say, getting and giving a bazillion hugs and kisses everyday, getting compliments from strangers on how adorable or well-behaved your kids are.....Here are a few of the joys of my mothering from the past few days and a couple not-so-joys....

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I still have to separate the boys at bedtime because Zakkai is a monkey and keeps Samuel awake. Samuel begs to be allowed to go to sleep (due to no nappage) so I have to put one in our room and one in their room. We recently rearranged our bedroom to make more room and took down the pack n' play for the first time since Z was born! So anyways, I put Samuel in our bed the other night, thinking he would think it was special to snuggle in mommy and daddy's bed until Z settled down. Wrong. He was SO upset at not being in his own bed that he was crying and arguing with me.

Finally he angrily said to me, "I will NOT sweep in this bed! Mommy, this is the word of Samuel who will not sleep here: S-I-N-O-E-F. Samuel will not sleep in your bed!" Obviously we need to work a little more on how to spell his name!:)
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Taking the boys swimming for the first real time. (long story) We finally found a place to swim around here! The boys had a blast! It was so fun to teach them how to float and splash and have a good time. They didn't want to leave:)
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Leaving Target early because Zakkai was throwing an outrageous tantrum. Over not being allowed to try on helmets. Fun times.
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`Making homemade granola bars for them and watching them eat with pleasure. It's really fun to cook for my boys! When they eat it, that is.....see recipe below.
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Waking up to a sick child at 5am this morning. I always think of my mom when I am comforting a sick little one.
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Listening to Samuel play with his trains on the train table during naptime. He makes up elaborate stories and conversations between the trains and Sir Topham Hatt:) He gets really embarassed if he notices that you're listening to him!
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Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1/2. c. butter, melted (I used less)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. coconut
1/2c. shelled sunflower seeds
1/2 c. raisins or dried fruit of choice
1/3 c. wheat germ or gr. flax seed meal
2 TB sesame seeds
3 cups quick-cooking oats 1 (6oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
*I used probably 1/2 the amount of
Ghiradelli milk choc. chips. YUM
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 in pan. In lg bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients; blend well. Add all remaining ingredients; mix well. Press evenly into pan.

2. Bake 15-20 min or until light golden brown. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars.

* I would like to find a way to make it a little healthier but I still liked that it has oats, flax seed (or wheat germ), and fruit in it! They were DELICIOUS! Ben proclaimed them the best granola bars he's ever had. And he loves granola bars:)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hide and Go Seek!

The boys were playing "Hide and Go Seek" while I was making dinner tonight....their version anyways! It all started when I hid from the boys (without their knowing it) and popped out, scaring them. They think it's great fun! So...they decided to play. Ever heard a 4 year old teach a 2 year old how to play?

Samuel: "Okay, Zakkai, your turn to hide! No, Zakkai, you have to find a new place. You already hid there! No, I just went there, Zakkai....Okay, I'm counting (after receiving instructions from mommy on how to play) One, Two, Free, Ten! BOO! Zakkai! It's my turn now...."

It was hilarious! They had a lot of fun giggling, shrieking and yelling "Boo" though:) I think instead of "Hide and Go Seek", I'd call their version, "Run around and yell Boo."

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After weeks (or months) of nagging, um, I mean, prodding gently...I finally got Ben to organize his books in his study area. How, you ask? I invented a really great reason to rearrange the room and that just had to have his help moving his stacks of books, bookcases and desk, which led to the perfect opportunity for him to organize his bookshelves. What's that? I'm a genius? Thank you! I should've taken a before picture and after picture. You would not believe how many books (or how much dust) he has out from the library? Anyone want to take a guess??

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Quiet Evening

I have spent such a quiet evening with myself:) It's been a long time since that's happened! It used to be routine (boys sleeping, Ben studying) but this past month and a half have been incredibly busy so we've gotten out of routine. I spent the evening cleaning (woohoo!), watching America's Got Talent, quilting and internetting (can I copyright that?). I dearly love my family but sometimes...silence is Golden. The only thing that would've made it better is a hot bath. Mmmmm...

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So there's been a running conversation between Samuel and Zakkai lately, usually at breakfast.
S: "Zakkai! What's your favorite color?"
Z: "My fav'rite color's RED!"
S: "No, Zakkai, your favorite color is orange."

next morning....
S: "Zakkai! What's your favorite color?"
Z, with glee: "My fav'rite color's....RED!"
S, exasperated: "No, Zakkai. Your favorite color is blue."

He'll even sneak it in during random times of the day. "Zakkai's favorite color is green!" or "Zakkai wants the purple one because that's his favorite color." Doesn't he know that he should be flattered by his little brother's adoration? Oh wait. I don't think that has worked with an older sibling. Ever. Zakkai has definitely learned how to pester Samuel and finds great enjoyment out of it, too. Who wouldn't when you get such a glorious reaction?! Now I can see why I was teased so much growing up:) I can remember my mom telling me that my sister loved me and that's why she copied off of me and wanted to do everything I did. Yeah right. I think the whole goal of younger siblings is to drive their older siblings crazy! Sorry, sis, if you're reading this! Love you! (I'm talking about when we were kids!)
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I can't believe how big my boys are getting. I mean really, where did the past 4 years go? That sweet little baby with the blond peach fuzz is now a tall skinny, red-loving, bike-riding, blue/grey eyed 4 year old? Who has a brother? That drives him crazy? I was told today that our boys are going to drive the ladies wild someday. I'm not sure I want them, too but hey, I love the compliment! It makes my mama-heart puff up proudly....as if I had something to do with chiseling out their perfect little noses (thank you, Ben), rosebud lips (again...Ben), blond hair (about time I get some recognition!), big blue eyes (okay:). I was also told today by a man following us out of the produce market that I looked like a teenager and he couldn't believe those children were mine. Thank you. I think...
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I'm taking my teenage looking, beautiful baby creating self off to bed now! Sweet dreams!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Chickie Sayings and other things

See S's new red big boy bike in the corner?!

My boys are really funny. Of course, maybe all moms think that! Here are a few chickie sayings to brighten up your Monday:)
Samuel: "Zakkai! How do you spell airplane?"
Zakkai, very confidently: "H-A-I!"
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Zakkai: "Dat's not my bellybutton! Dat's a cherry!" Hmmm...
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Samuel: "Mommy, come here!! Zakkai is getting me into trouble!" Good one, Samuel.
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Daddy, looking at baseball online: "Oh, the Reds have off tonight."
Samuel: "And the Blues have on!"
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Zakkai, exclaiming excitedly, "Dere you are!!" to every stranger who walked through the door of our building:)


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The boys and I had our first Ikea experience today! My friend recently acquired a minivan and invited us to join her and her little boy. What a cool store!! I saw so many things that I need desperately to make my life so much better. It's a good thing I have no money:) Before I left Ben said, "Remember Heidi, we are poor." As if I needed the reminder! Well, maybe a little one:)


Remember all those silly personal goals I had for this year? Things like: catch up on scrapbooking and finish my quilt? Going to the library totally ransacks my plans! When I get a new book in my hands, it's so hard to do anything else. Have I mentioned that I love to read? Since Thursday, I have read 4 books. And that's pretty slow for me! It's not like I have other things to do like raising children, loving my husband, cleaning the house, having company over....oh wait. I may not have touched my scrapbooks and quilt this past week but I did make a jean skirt! It was really easy and fun. I've been looking for a short jean skirt for awhile but these days, a "short" jean skirt basically means tight skirt-like underwear. Not exactly the image I'm going for....

The 4th of July parade!

Zakkai's face the entire parade:)

In other goals, I've been sticking to my workouts. Woohoo! I'm beginning to hate, er, strongly dislike Jillian Michaels. She is a tough cookie! But I'm also thankful because I can tell a difference in the way I feel and look. She isn't kidding when she says she's shredding you! I hope to be moving on to Workout 3 soon. Although, can I admit to you? I am slightly terrified....

I'm off to ruin my workout and eat some chocolate! Happy Monday!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Wheels on the Bus..

The really interesting thing about living in the city is the people! There are people EVERYWHERE! You see people doing all sorts of things, too. For instance, since living here, I have seen multitudes of people walking their dogs (from silly little dogs wearing clothes to large scary dogs foaming at the mouth), riding their bikes, singing at the top of their lungs while walking down the sidewalk (really, do you think we want to hear you??!), dancing , cursing, talking on their phones, begging for money, moms pushing strollers, etc.

Have you ever noticed how interesting people are to watch? Today we took the bus downtown to go to the museum (yea for missing our bus stop and having to walk extra blocks!) and, as usual, there were lots of people on the bus. There seem to be some rules while riding a bus (this comes after observation from all of 4 or 5 bus rides:)
1. Do not make eye contact with anyone or if you must make it as brief as possible.
2. Absolutely no talking and breaking the thick silent bus atmosphere
3. Stare out the window or at the ground as if the dirty floor and passing traffic is fascinating. Or else bring a book. Then you have an excuse to practice rules #1 and 2.
4. Confidently act like you know where you're going/what you're doing at ALL times or else you scream "tourist!"

So I covertly, while practicing #2, tried not to make eye contact with anyone, yet enjoyed watching the many different people around me. There was one lady in particular that fascinated me. We had seen her walking to the bus stop just before us. Strong and confident were my first thoughts. She looked to be in her 70s with very pretty curly dyed hair. She was dressed simply yet practically and she carried a book bag. A Spiderman book bag. Really, I've never seen anyone over the age of 7 daring to wear Spiderman paraphernalia, let alone a grandma! She was reading a book about Ghengis Khan and eating a snack, after which she delicately emptied her crumbs on the floor, neatly folded up the plastic bag, tucking it in the front pocket of her superhero backpack. She looked "streetsmart" for lack of a better word. And I found myself curious about her and the others around me.

People are really interesting. There are so many things that shape who we are from our childhoods to our environment. I often wonder what prompts people to wear their hair a certain way (mullet was NEVER cool, people!) or dress in a certain style (80's again?), wonder what country they are from, their relationship to the people next to them, etc. What do people see when they see me sitting on the dirty bus with one child on my lap and one next to me, covertly eyeing the other passengers while my husband silently stares out the window (practicing #s 1 and 2)? What impressions do I give off? Do you ever wonder what people think of you when they are passing by?

The funny thing is that the boys do it, too. I think it's really natural for kids to be interesting by surrounding people. After all, there are a lot of "big" people in a 3 foot tall kid's world! The only difference is that I keep my opinions generally to myself, whereas Samuel has no bones about questioning why the lady sitting 2 feet from me at the dr's office has multi-colored fingernails or why a fellow customer in the store has dyed her hair florescent red or why that man is letting his belly hang out....Oh, the joy and innocence of children! I bet Samuel was thinking that Spiderman backpack was pretty cool....

Friday, July 10, 2009

Girlie Girl

I am a girlie girl. I have monkeys, er, boys. Boys who woke me up this morning shrieking (monkeys, see?) and throwing things in each other's beds. I love boys. Hey, now. MY boys. I love having boys. They are totally foreign to me though. Boys are loud. I am not. Usually. Boys are stinky. I have never been stinky in my life. Boys are rambunctious. I play quietly. Boys like bugs. I hate bugs. Boys like boy things. I like girl things. What's a girl to do in a boy's world, I ask?!
I long for good girl company sometimes. Girl talk and spending more than 15.2 minutes in the store, taking 10 minutes to debate between the wicker basket or the blue container instead of grabbing the first available thing while I'm breaking up boy fights , giggling over silly things and just, well, just feeling like a girl! Sure I do my girlie things here, by myself, like pouring over cookbooks and finding great delight in recipes, making cards for people, scrapbooking, quilting (my never ending quilt that just may be finished in time for the boys to graduate from college), reading girlie books that cause my husband to make fun of me (I just may have taken 28 books out from the library yesterday...Hey, 13 were for the boys!) and other things.


But a girl, who grew up with 4 sisters and a girlie mom, just misses feeling like a girl sometimes. I'm just sayin'. I love things like crafts, dressing up, a clean house (someone else to do the cleaning perhaps?), cooking and baking, library books (cookbooks, craftsbooks, romance stories!), shopping (which I don't recommend when you have no money) dreaming, reading magazines, romance, being a mommy and a whole host of other "girlie" things. And I'm not ashamed to admit it!

I'm a girlie girl livin' in a boy's world. But I wouldn't change a thing.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me!

All I want for my birthday....

Monday, July 6, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday!

Dear Samuel,

It's so hard to believe that you are 4 years old today! Every birthday, I love to pull out my memories of the day of your birth and savor them. Our first child, our first son. No moment can trump the one when you came out and the dr held you up and said, "You have a SON!" It makes me cry to even think about it. You made us parents. You have taught us so much, sweet Samuel. We are learning how to be more selfless, kinder, gentler, more patient and so many other things just because we have you in our life.

You have changed so much in the past 4 years, from a tiny 7 lb 1oz baby boy with scrawny legs to a 36 lb big boy. There isn't much baby left in you now. About the only thing left is when you spot your best friends in the whole world, giraffees, and you break out into a huge smile and you pop your two callused little fingers in your mouth. You warm my heart thoroughly when I check on you at night and sometimes find you curled around giraffees, sucking your fingers in your sleep. You LOVE to hear the story about when I first gave them to you when you were only 5 month old.

You are so affectionate, often spontaneously throwing your arms around us for hugs and looking up with your gray-blue eyes and saying, "I love you, mommy!" or "I love you, daddy!" We love you, too, precious boy. You love to be close to us and know that we are happy with you and proud of who you are. We love your sweet sensitive spirit, your gentle heart, your giggle and bright eyes. We adore your still soft cheeks and the swirly calick on your forehead that's been there since you were born. We love everything about you.

You adore the color red and want everything to be red, from your vitamin to your clothes. You just got a red big boy bike for your birthday that you adore. You still love trains and light up at the mention of them, which is why we took you to a special train restaurant today on our way home from Ohio. You had the best time there! They brought you your food on a little train and you got to ride on a train just your size. You rang the train bell the whole way around. We hope with all of our heart that it was a special day for you. I can't wait to make your red strawberry-raspberry cake tomorrow!

Sweet boy, you have filled our lives and hearts with joy for 4 years today. We thank God for knitting you together perfectly and placing you into our arms to hold. We adore you, Samuel Benjamin Thomas. Have sweet dreams tonight about trains and weekends in the country, red tractors and snuggling with giraffees. We can't wait to kiss you tomorrow!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Samuel~ July 2005


Samuel~July 2009

Getting ready for a train ride!

Holding my precious birthday boy and monkey!
4 years old:)

Friday, July 3, 2009

"I'm a Travelin' Wo-man!"

Hey, hey! We're traveling AGAIN, hence the lack of blogging this week! I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to share.....except so far I've forgotten to take pictures of all the fun we've had like playing outside at my mom's, throwing rocks in the river with Grandma, putt-putt golfing with lots of family and best of all: Zakkai getting into some white paint, (AFTER BEDTIME WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ASLEEP) and painting himself head to toe and Mugga's walls...and a door...and some blankets...and the nightstand....He got two baths tonight:)

And I have no pictures....

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