I Got IT!

This perfectly captures Nolan. This will be his 4-year picture. I ordered for our whole family for $10. FREE! I went to pick up my pictures and the person who printed them off didn't price them before they left for the day. The new person on staff couldn't charge me for them. Whoohooo! Sure beats Flash, Proex or Sears!

Photo Shoot in the Park

Wheeee!

I'm so in love with this picture.

I'm so in love with this picture too.

At Como Zoo this morning. Being very impish.

Checking out the wee little plants.

Aweeee.

Stuart #$%& Little

Need some motivation to scrub down your kitchen with disinfectant? Let little Stuart Little in. Although don't say I didn't warn you: those "Little's" sure do poop an awful lot.

I went to look in my purse this morning for a receipt and found my purse full of chewed up paper and plastic baggies from the kids snacks. And mouse poop. Lots of mouse poop. Insane amounts of poop.

Further investigation found my counter to be filled with poop. Lots of poop. Massive amounts of poop.

So far the cupboards are clear. I could only find two traps in the garage and they are both set. I'm going to Target after naps and buying them out of traps. We will catch that "Little" son-of-a-mouse.

We're hoping we have a singular mouse. Evan brought in an old blanket from the garage Saturday morning and we're pretty sure it came in that way.

On a funny note...I told the kids we had a mouse living in our house and Avrie immediately went to Nolan's room and got his stuffed Mickey Mouse. Oh, if only.

Confession

I think any of my close friends and family know that I absolutely do not like donuts. They leave a nasty aftertaste and disgusting burps. However, I have had a maple long john craving for the last month or so. I have searched high and low for a donut that takes care of the craving. All of these searches ended with a bite out of a donut and the rest going in the trash. Unfortunately (yes, UN), I have found the best donuts ever. They are from a local bakery in our city and fabulous. To the best of my knowledge my kids have never had a donut. So I treated the family (well, the husband is still in bed) to donuts this morning:

Nolan's finished donut.

Minnesota Weather...

BITE ME.

Blab, Blab, Blab...

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
---At Blockbuster.

2. Who are you in love with?
---"In love" with Evan and LOVE my kids, family and friends.

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
---I'm sure I have.

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
---My daughter.

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
---At least a month ago.

6. Are you wearing socks right now?
---Yes.

7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
---I think so. And also one that's a piece of, well, ya know.

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
---Last weekend.

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
---Nope.

10. Are you hot?
---I'd like to think so. Ha!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
---La Croix sparkling water. Grapefruit flavor.

12. What are you wearing right now?
---The best pajama pants in the world and a black t-shirt. Gray socks.

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
---What's washing your car?

14. Last food that you ate?
---Canadian bacon & pineapple pizza.

15. Where were you last week at this time?
---At Cheri & Farron's.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
---Nope.

17. When is the last time you ran?
---To the garage in the rain yesterday.

18. What's the last sporting event you watched?
---The Superbowl.

19. What is your favorite animal?
---I'm not much for animals these days. I used to love cats.

20. Your dream vacation?
---A silent retreat with lots of yoga and massage.

21. Last person's house you were in?
---Hazel's.

22. Worst injury you've ever had?
---Most memorable is the boiling water burn. Probably the worst was my finger smashed in the door when I was 3-ish. I haven't had many injuries. Unless you count heartache.

23. Have you been in love?
---Absolutely. More every day.

24. Do you miss anyone right now?
---My husband.

25. Last play you saw?
---Jersey Boys...the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Great play.

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
---Umm, I haven't had to do this since I was 15. I smell awesome though. Really.

27. What are your plans for tonight?
---Bathe the kids and put them to bed early. Watch a movie or LOST while hitting the treadmill. The husband left me...again. Can you tell I'm a little resentful? I had last Friday morning to myself and went to Barnes & Noble and wandered around in tears because I didn't know what to do. Seriously.

28. Who is the last person you sent a facebook message or comment?
---Umm...not sure. I just updated my status to "Shannon's fetus has a penis". I guess that means I commented to everyone that's my "friend".

29. Next trip you are going to take?
---Jellystone in July.

30. Ever go to camp?
---Nope. I always wanted to though.

31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
---I think so. I'm not the type of person who remembers these things. Mom?

32. What do you want to know about the future?
---Nothing. Well, except what time my husband will be home. I'm controlling like that.

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
---My signature scent. I smell awesome. Take a whiff and try not to fall in love with me. Hahaaaa. Heehee.

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
---Seeing as how I have a bun in the oven....yeah, I think so.

35. Where is your best friend/s?
---Hmm...not sure! Probably chasing kid/s. And fixing our car.

36. How is your best friend?
---Not really sure what this is asking!!

37. Do you have a tan?
--I do!! A farmer one...how annoying. I must start wearing tank tops.

38. What are you listening to right now?
---My children bicker.

39. Do you collect anything?
---Dust.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
---Hmmm...don't we all gossip?

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
---Can't remember actually. It's been awhile for me. Might not want to ask MARTHA though!

42. Have you ever drunk your soda from a straw?
---Always. Wait, I don't drink soda.

43. What does your last text message say?
---No one texts me. No one loves me. Boohoo. It would help if I actually had a phone that has text message.

44. Do you like hot sauce?
---Never have the occasion to use it. I think I like it though.

45. Last time you took a shower?
---This morning.

46. Do you need to do laundry?
---ALWAYS.

47. What is your heritage?
---I'm a mutt.

48. Are you someone's best friend?
---I hope so.

49. Are you rich?
---Yes. The bank doesn't think so.

50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
---Sleeping.

It's a.....

boy!

Afternoon Excitement

A house a few doors down went up in flames this afternoon. We got to watch the whole thing from beginning to end. It was a really small house so it only took about 15 minutes for them to put it out. The kids were mesmerized. We watched them open the hydrant and hook up the hose. We saw them climb the ladder to the top of the house and use their axes to cut a big hole. We watched the fire men carry the big hose in through the front door and the flames leap out the top of the house through the hole. Now all they can talk about is fire trucks! They have a CD with a song called "Fire Truck" and it's been playing nonstop since we got back. Oh, and we stood out in the rain to watch it...the kids were thrilled to be able to use their rain boots for their intended purpose!

Cotton T-T-T----Toy!

Avrie's toy of choice this afternoon:

Nolan's New Ride

We found this bike for $8 at Salvation Army and couldn't wait until his birthday to give it to him. We did have to buy a new back tire so it cost us more than $8 in the long run but still much cheaper than a new bike...and it is new.

Can you tell he's pleased as can be?

Pushing just one kid in the stroller is much less work than two. I think we'll be doing the bike trail a lot this summer. Ain't she purtty?

Vocabulary Explosion

• Avrie's language skills have really increased over the last week. She can repeat any 2 syllable word and is putting verbs/adjectives and nouns together into 2 word sentences. She knows a few 3-4 word sentences stemming from "I want". I need to look back at Nolan's babybook and see where he was at this age. I know he was talking in full sentences by 2 so they must be pretty close.
• We went to the park this morning and weren't there more than two minutes when a group of kids from a nearby alternative school came over for their gym class. If the kids were listening (and aren't they always?!) they learned an extensive 4-word vocabulary and countless ways to take God's name in vain.

A Few Pictures...

Playing a "game" with mosaic tiles they found in the wood chips. Nolan was telling her all the rules.

Cookie Face

Nolan washed Avrie's hair. Can you tell?

Proof...

That spring has sprung:

1. A sandbox in the kitchen has replaced the puddles of melted snow.
2. A fly landed on the stroller today.
3. I made a special trip to Target for stain remover and color-safe bleach for grass-stained clothes.
4. We walked around the "duck pond" and fed the geese stale bread today.
5. The kids are so exhausted at the end of the day that they don't fight bedtime. Love this perk!
6. Grill smoke in the air.
7. Hotdogs, baked beans, potato chips and fresh homemade mandarin orange ice cream on the table for supper tonight. The ice cream is every bit as wonderful as it sounds. With milk and eggs less than 12 hours old. Perfection.
8. A sandy bathtub.
9. I looked at Target today for some Sun-In. They don't carry it...or maybe it's not made anymore. I'm looking forward to some bleached locks.
10. Housework severely neglected.

New PJ's!

Avrie is taking after Grandma Char. She is obsessed with shoes. Every morning she digs through her shoe basket and finds the pair she wants to wear. She changes at least 6 times throughout the day. She really loves to wear her winter boots. We went to Payless today to get the kids their summer mock-crocks and Avrie was so excited she couldn't sit still. We met up with Tara and Jaden today and Tara gave her these snazzy new kitty jammies. She loves them and put them on the minute we got home.

Pretty in Pink

After this video plays you have to click on the little girl dressed in pink...it is hysterical. It's titled "toddler swearing".

HumDrum, Dreary, Lackluster, Dismal, Insipid

I'm glad the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" doesn't apply to blogging.

I:

• have a black cloud over my head.
• a brick on my chest.
• feel empty.
• am so lonely.
• am constantly on the verge of melting into a mess.
• haven't exercised in over a week.
• can't communicate.
• need to take care of myself.

Have a nice, uplifted day!

Recent Thrift Finds

Amazing Kenzie clogs. This brand retails $60-80.

Way cute purse.

Way cute #2.

Maternity jeans. They fit today. Maybe if I don't wash them they'll fit tomorrow. Apparently my husband doesn't understand "don't get my head in the picture".

Cute maternity skirt. Not so cute facial expression. Too lazy to crop.

Yes, my jacket does rock. Yes, it was also thrift last spring.

I bought this exact skirt brand new in a size larger at full price--$30--because I was in desperate need of a nice maternity jean skirt. However, it is still too big. I found this one today in a smaller size for $3.95. Another reason to vow never to buy new again.

Side view. And that would be Avrie with her new book. Saying "I wanna read it".

Evan found this. Brand new and never opened. It sells at Circuit City for $99.99. We paid $6.99

Last week after our date we went to Target and walked around without the kids (sooooo awesome). We saw the cutest croquet set in the kids outdoor section. I'm pretty sure it was plastic...and the hoops were animals. Grandma found a wooden animal set today for the kids.

Excerpt from The Three-Martini Playdate

This is so awesome that I just had to share:

If you are forced to make dinner for ungrateful children, and you anticipate that their reaction to your Potaje de Frijoles Blancos con Codornices will be less than enthusiastic, do not, whatever you do, fall into the "white food" trap. Do not trot out a plate of wagon-wheel noodles topped with a shake of Parmesan-flavored cheese product and call it dinner. How in the world are your finicky eaters ever going to raise their level of taste or expand their culinary horizons if they are exposed only to plain noodles and cut-up hotdogs? Offer them what the grown-ups are eating. Fill their plates with color and flavor. If nothing else, they can admire the texture and composition.

It is not your job to spend every evening over a hot stove, preparing two or even three different dinners, catering to every preference in the family. Why not try a novel approach and serve the same dinner to everyone *gasp* It may seem difficult at first, getting your children used to this egalitarian plan. They may balk and make unpleasant faces. They may turn up their noses at Monday evening's braised Blanquette de Veau and refuse to eat. Enjoy your meal, and firmly insist that this is what is being served for dinner. Tuesday night they may rudely refrain from the roasted asparagus ragout (Nolan asks me to buy asparagus every time we're at the store), and will almost certainly complain of some vague "hunger". Do not be inveigled to whip up a small pot of macaroni and butter. Wednesday may find them sniffing disdainfully at your Coq au Poire, but by Thursday their little tummies will begin to rumble ever so slightly as they glance with longing at the Creole trout puffs. Come Friday, in a weakened and much more malleable state, they will be begging for seconds of spring-pea soup, and clamoring for just one more piece of cauliflower torte.

If you didn't start them on an interesting variety of foods by the time they were a year old, then this method is really the only way to break them of their persnickety eating habits. As long as they are given plenty of fresh water to drink, they shouldn't be in any serious danger.

Attempt to avoid the ubiquitous "negotiating" that goes on at dinner tables across the country, which is really nothing more than bribing children to eat dinner.

They poke at their salad, they move the carrots and broccoli around the plate. You propose a deal: In exchange for taking "just five more big bites" they can have sweets beyond their wildest dreams. "Just three more bites" will get them cookies and ice cream. The child puts two grains of rice into his mouth and demands dessert. You will be exhausted, and your child will get dessert, having won the battle. So it will go, meal after meal, night after night.

If you must try to reason with them, do not barter with food. Use a cherished nonfood item as a bargaining chip, for instance telling them they will not get to watch their favorite video or play poker after dinner unless they eat all of their vegetables. Dessert is taken out of the equation. Simple. Clean. They keep up their end, you keep up yours.

Bon appetit!

Couldn't say it any better. Nothing annoys me more than restaurant children's menus. Chicken fingers, fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese. Seriously?? Every single restaurant. It's ridiculous. Children can and DO have broader palates than that. Like Nolan eating all my clams and shrimp. His favorite food is Pad Thai. He loves vegetables. Oh! Another thing that annoys me to no end is the "hiding the vegetables" fad right now. Puree veggies and add it to your kid's food so they won't know. So, in reality they get a teaspoon of veggies in their mac & cheese. And they learn that veggies are only good in disguise. You suddenly put cauliflower in it's whole, pure form before them and they recoil in fear. Gah! Oh! And as I just commented on Mindy's recent post...why in the world would you cut the crusts off your kid's bread? It's just retarded. Off my soapbox now.

A Random Dose of....

• Avrie is losing her babytalk and turning into a big girl. "Be-be" has turned into just "blanket". Her favorite thing to say this morning has been "I don't want it". And then proceeded to eat it anyway...
• Poop progress report: Excellent! Nolan has been doing wonderful. The first place he goes now is the toilet. If he has trouble he'll ask for a pullup but it's been over a week since the last one!
• I think this will be my last pregnancy. I am in severe pain already and I have a long, long way to go. I practically cried myself to sleep last night and was numb and tingly from the waist down when I woke up this morning. I wish I could afford the chiro. Or acupuncture. I wish my bathtub had jets. I wish I had the guts to sit in the Y hot tub without getting dirty looks from other patrons. Although I think I could just pass for plump and not pregnant.
• I've been having horrible dreams lately about losing my kids. They are so real. One night this week I was battling sharks to save Avrie and lost her amongst the waves. I woke up sweating and tried to get out of the dream but as soon as I fell asleep I was back in the ocean of despair.
• I think I will go crazy if it snows again this season. We were having so much fun outside and now it's all wet and slushy. Blahggh.
• Oh! I hate, hate Peeps. Actually, marshmallows in general. Unless they are in s'mores. And I heard this fabulous idea on the radio...buy some Peeps on clearance and toss them in the freezer for the summer. You roast them and they taste just like creme brulee. Now I think I could handle that. So every time we open the freezer we see two boxes of Peeps.
• I want these. So badly.
• My kids are extra whineeeeey and needy today. So am I. And I have nobody to take care of me. *Sniffle*