A Few Favorites

We've been moving a lot of things around as we get the house ready to sell. My Mom has been in charge of the "finishing touches." Here are a few of my favorites...These are my dinner dishes. I just hang them on the wall after we eat. Genius, huh? I'M TOTALLY KIDDING. I let them dry first. Wouldn't want to get the wall wet.

Okay, funny story about these clocks. When we were hanging them my mom said, "Boy, I sure hope these don't make a lot of noise." She said that because they are hanging a few inches above our bed. We couldn't hear them...that is, until we went to sleep last night. Hubby and I both started laughing at exactly the same time. It wasn't that bad though.

Behold the new carpet. That was quite an adventure!

Oh, one more thing. Our oldest offspring got her fourth set of ear tubes in yesterday. Poor little lamb couldn't hear for months!!! At the end of the day I asked her how she was feeling. She said, "Good, except you guys are really loud." Finally, someone agrees with me!!!

All in a Day's Work

Well, my job is always interesting. There are new things around every corner (sometimes lurking). Today seemed especially "unique." And it hasn't even ended...

I'm still trying to get the house ready to sell. The kids "undo" half of what I do. My love/hate relationship with permanent markers reared its ugly head again. Can we say, "uphill battle"?!

My baby brought me two "pieces" of his poop. Fell right out of the diaper, I guess. I never thought the sentence, "I have to go. I think my baby just brought me poop." would come out of my mouth. (Sorry for the graphic nature.)

My four year old "...just needs ten thousand dollars." He's quite distraught about the fact that I won't write him a check.

Work

We are having new carpet installed today in all the bedrooms and on one flight of stairs. As we were moving everything out of the bedrooms and closets last night, I started out very organized. There was a definite system in my head. The kids helped (good intentions, the little dears) and they started taking everything out of the bins/baskets/boxes. What we ended up with was a bunch of messy piles of clothes, toys, and bedding. I'm in complete denial that I actually have to put this stuff back at some point.

The tradition started way back...actually I don't know exactly when, but my sister thought it wasn't fair that there is a Mother's Day and a Father's Day and no Kids Day. So, it was declared that April 15th is "Spoil Your Kids Day." Everyone looks forward to it! There is much spoiling!

My parents still observe this holiday. The above jar is the present we got from my mom and dad. It had lots of fun surprises.

Festivities

I had to post these darn cute photos. I am NOT biased toward the youngest offspring, but he was the only one not running away from me while I tried to take photos. They had eggs to find, so I can't blame them. After all, we are a VERY competitive family.

I love this "Please Grow" sign in my parents flower bed. I couldn't resist. Come on little guy, Grow Already! Do you love the rolled up size nine month pants? See what I'm talkin' about?This is just a glimpse at Nana's prize table. The grandkids were in hysterics.

These little chicks were for one of the games. I know they're fake, but I JUST WANTED TO SQUISH THEM, THEY WERE SO CUTE!

Cookies, Anyone?

Now, don't these look tasty? It's hard to see, but the frosting is actually two inches tall! I ask you again, "Want a bite?" Come on, you know you do. But you better hurry over because they're going fast!This tasty treat (below) actually used half a bottle of sprinkles! Again, it's hard to see the height that was achieved.

Now, a comment on this project. I was once again reminded why I rarely undertake such baking endeavors.

Preparation/Baking Time: 65 minutes

Cleanup Time: 48 minutes

Actual Time Spent Decorating Cookies: 16 Minutes

Bottles of Sprinkles Used: 2 (completely)

Cookies I Would Actually Put in My Mouth: 0

FINALLY

Oh, we've been so busy/sick lately that we hadn't even celebrated our baby's birthday! But we were finally able to remedy that last night.

Most people are shocked to find out that he's even close to thirteen months. They peg him for eight or nine months. Whenever we're out in public and he's walking around, people gasp and point. He looks too small to be walking. They always ask how old he is. When I reveal his real age they ask if he was premature. Nope. Then their next question is if he weighed under six pounds at birth. Nope. When they find out he weighed over nine pounds they look at me like I'm slightly crazy. (Which I am.) He is a teeny tiny little guy, BUT at our "mom and me preschool" last week the teachers told me that they think he's even more fearless than his big brother. Yikes! So, we had to throw him a monkey party since he's our little monkey.

I got these very yummy cupcakes at a bakery downtown. They were worth every minute in the car.

He's a thinker.

And a finisher.

Visit The Poster

The winning posters are on the American Girl website:
http://www.americangirl.com/girloftheyear/postercontest.php
(Titled "Give, Help, Share Your Inner Star")

Boy, there are some really talented little girls out there!

S received her prize and she's "over the moon." She was also interviewed by a reporter yesterday. That was an interesting experience. Poor guy, must not deal with kids very much. Every question he asked was WAY over her head. Eight year olds don't quite grasp phrases like, "forefront of your mind" and "priorities of relating to others." Heck, I didn't even know what he was asking. I was trying to help, but I could only do so much. We shall see. The story comes out on Friday.