Eat those veggies

In anticipation of April Fool's day next week, I thought I'd share a fun website for you tricky parents out there (or not so tricky like me that need a creative boost). Family Fun has a lot of fun recipes and pranks to play and I'm debating what to try out this time. Last year I made the above grilled cheese sandwiches (toasted spongecake) and veggies (starburst and chewy jolly ranchers). It was a hit. In fact, my boys hate grilled cheese and refused to eat it until they finally figured it out. The best was little Micah, who loved vegetables and was the first to notice. He was chowing down while the other 2 sat and complained. Here's a video of Ben once he discovered what the veggies really were:

We've also tried the mashed potato and meatloaf cupcakes. Obviously not as big of a hit.

Have fun, but shhhh don't remind my kids!! I want to get them again.

Now I get it!

I've always heard parents talk about those kind of kids. You know, the ones that draw on the walls, cut up important documents, flush things down the toilet, make terrible messes, draw on hymn books, draw on magnadoodles with markers, cut up more important documents, sneak siblings' candy, leave trails of toilet paper, draw on homework, color on their pants and hands with markers...all with an innocent smile.

Well, I'm starting to relate. I've never had a child that looked at me when I said, "Don't _________", pause for effect and then proceed to do whatever __________ was. Asking to stop has always worked. The wrath of mom used to be enough. Then there was Micah. He is proving to be "the one". "The one" who has done all of the above, a list which will be added to shortly.

The other day I suddenly noticed he was chewing gum. "What are you chewing Micah?" "Nothing," and runs away. Hummm...not having a child like this before, I of course continued working away. Later I found about 15 gum wrappers on the floor. "Micah????" Yep, you guessed it. He got into both my packs of gum and I found this in the garbage can - 2 packs of chewed up gum. At least he didn't swallow them - that would have taken 57 years to digest...well, there's always next time. I apologize to all parents out there that have previously gotten pity looks from me for having one of "those" kids. I'm joining the club...

Here comes TROUBLE!

With good weather here, this has been the excitement in our front yard. You've got to love little boys!!

Fortunately it wore out Micah. Unfortunately it wore out the break pads:

Girl's "Night"

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.-- Anonymous

I've been blessed with good friends and a GREAT husband. During the years we lived in Houston, it became a tradition to go to Rodeo every year with the girls. It became such a tradition, that it was too hard to give up!! The last few years, I've been able to fly down and visit my girlfriends and go to the rodeo. What a great tradition!!

Now for you non-Texans, rodeo is not just a rodeo. It lasts two weeks, everyone goes, there are concerts every night and you just have to have one of those stuffed baked potatoes!! We went to Reba this year. She's amazing...but not as amazing as those great friends I've made. It's more that just going to rodeo, it's catching up with old friends like we still live next door. These are incredible women that I miss dearly and I'm grateful to have in my life. Thanks for leaving those footprints on my heart ladies. Yeehaw!!

Eleven of us went, but here's a few...We all pitch in some $ for someone to ride the bull. Great entertainment. It may look easy, but last year I exited my 20's and entered my 30's by riding the bull, and it is hard!! I'm sure I got 8 seconds though!!

Actual size and yes, very worth that free point for dinner...

I also got to stay with one of my best friends, Jen, who used to be my neighbor. I'm bummed I didn't get a picture, but she's one of my favorite people. Jen's one of those that made living in humid, sticky, hot, lizard infested Texas (Ok i'm being a little harsh!) a joy and I miss having her so close.

Thanks ladies, see you next year!!

Are you my mother?

For the last few months, there have been discussions around here what kind of mother I am. I'm not talking quality, I'm talking species. Yes, that's right. Depending on the time of day and who I'm being addressed by, I can be a mama penguin, mama elephant, mama bear, Alechia (from Diego who must be considered baby Jaguar's mama) or a mama puffle (to know what a puffle is, just walk into our house and Benjamin will start spouting information at you - it's from a computer game Disney's Club Penguin). The list goes on. And sometimes there are arguments about which kind of mother I am, that I calmly try to solve by explaining I can be a mama puffle and a mama penguin at the same time. I'm that good.

Last night I'm sleeping, quite soundly with the drool and everything, in my bed and I sense someone's presence. I open my eyes to stare directly into Micah's little face as he asks, "Are you my mama __________?" "Of course I am sweetheart." I have no idea which kind of mama I was at 4:00 in the morning, but I know it was a lucky one as I reached over and tucked him into his makeshift bed on our bedroom floor for such early morning occasions. I know it won't be long that he has such a sweet imagination, so I hope I can remember to enjoy it and the simplicity of his life right now. I'll always be your mama, Micah!

Ready or Not!

It has occurred to me over the past few weeks that the boys are growing up. We had been having a hard time motivating the kids to read, so we came up with an incentive program and Jacob's choice was, yes, a skateboard!! Anyone who has been to our house knows that we live on a hill and all sidewalks lead to the middle of the road! So far we have been successful in keeping him somewhat flat, but he and a friend thought it would be a great idea to ride down the steps on the side of the house. ER, here we come! (By the way, for a good laugh, Brian Regan has a great skit on the ER. Click here.)
Benjamin has taken up drawing again. He's always been our artistic child, but I love to see him sitting at his desk, hunched over with his light on, drawing. Very cute! I'm trying to figure out what he'll be when he grows up and how I can guide him to something that brings in the big bucks!!
I watched Micah through the rear view mirror as we drove home from errands the other day. He ALWAYS falls asleep in the car when it is warm, quiet and I drive the perfect speed. He has given up all other naps, and unbelievably, he fought through and stayed awake! It was rather entertaining to watch, but I realized it was one of the signs that he is indeed no longer a baby. He's also not fitting on my lap to snuggle up so well any more. Kind of a weird feeling. I'm trying not to be too sad about it, but to look forward to what's ahead for these big boys!