Fun Firsts Fridays!

Froggy Finds!

Jason and the kids were outback playing and I was upstairs finishing up painting my toes when all of a sudden I heard a bunch of squeals! I peeked out the windows and saw the kids chasing something.... I was curious, so I headed outback. The kids were chasing this HUGE brown frog! My first instinct was to RUN AWAY, and I did but just to grab the camera. They were so funny. Anthony kept trying to catch him. Just as he would get within grabbing distance the frog would jump.... Madison loved watching him but kept screaming "No Touching Anty" It was hilarious! They both kept trying to feed him bits off of my Hostas!

Playdates at the park....

are such fun! This morning my MOPS group met up at a local elementary school and the kids were set loose! They played bubbles, rode bikes, and of course played on the equipment! It was a great morning even though it was overcast!

Please note Anthony's latest fashion statement: He must leave the house wearing two different crocs at ALL times... lol

I love the silly faces!

Wordless Wednesday!

For more WW: Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus, Ordinary and Awesome, MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , Peanutbutter and Smellys Dad , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

Bathroom Re-Do!

I have been dying to get some projects done in my house and finally Jason has gotten on board! He is very handy, but needs some extra motivation at times.... Anyway, he redid our downstairs half bath. This room was HIDEOUS! It had never been painted, the walls were horrendously dinged, scratched, marked, chipped, you name it! I knew just what I wanted and it has finally been accomplished. All the fixtures have been replaced, the hideous gold mirror the builder hung has been painted (though I am not too sure I like it! I may buy a new one...), bead board has been hung, crown molding is in place, and I have to say I am PLEASED with the finished product! Jason did a FANTASTIC job as always!!!!

Now I just need to find what to put on the walls! Any suggestions?

Splash Park

The other day the kids and I hit up a local splash park and we had a BLAST! Anthony loved going down a little ducky slide and shooting the sprayers straight up in the air :) At one point he ran under the buckets and it dumped all over him! It made his bathing suit slide down! As I looked through the pictures, I realized I captured the moment in the background of a picture I took of Madison!! Yahtzee!!! Madison loved stomping in the puddles and sitting on top of some of the water sprayers! She loved lying on the ground soaking up the rays :) It was a fantastic way to spend a hot summer day!

Gotcha!

Our Bathing Beauty

She's my dancing queen!

Madison's dance school was asked to dance at a local fair, so of course she had to participate.... She did FANTASTIC! It amazes me how she goes up on stage all by herself and does her thing! I was actually able to watch from the audience :) (Her dance teacher was on stage to help them some because one of the little girls was upset) I am such a proud mommy when I watch her cute little self up there :)

I was a doubly proud mommy tonight because Anthony was so patient while we waited for Madison to finish her dances. He was DYING to ride rides, but he sat ever so quiet and oh so nice and watch the girls dance! I was thrilled!

After the Madison did her thing, we hit up rides. They had so much FUN! I enjoyed watching them laugh and scream in delight! They must have gone through the fun house 100 times! That was by far the hit of the night!

Just as we were finishing up the last ride of the evening, the sky opened up and the rain fell! I ran carrying both kiddos to the car and we were SOAKED! Anthony was very distraught and Madison did not know what to think! I just had to laugh!

Anthony was so excited to see the firetrucks up close!

My soaked and tired babies!

of course I have a video.....

I'm a stage mom like that :)

Fun Firsts Fridays!!!

Catching Lightening Bugs!

I had to do most of the catching at first! They loved watching them.... They were both AMAZED! Anthony was squealing, "Catch more mommy! Catch us more!" It was such fun! After a few rounds of me catching them, they quickly caught on! Now, they are PROS!

Strange....

I have been back and forth to the doctor for at least a month.... Each time with a EXTREMELY painful sore throat. My throat hurts deep in the back and it feels like I am swallowing millions of knives. I have been tested and retested for strep but its ALWAYS negative. They have given me antibiotics but no use.... They took blood but nada! They have NO CLUE what's up....

Friday, I went back to the doc. The pain was horrific.... They tested me for mono but as I assumed it was negative. I feel FINE my throat just KILLS!

Saturday evening my throat was a bit better, Sunday it felt great! Monday I was ALL GOOD!

Monday afternoon, I ran out of Diet Mt. Dew so I had to drink my second favorite drink: a Pomegranate, Cherry Water drink. Yum! I drank 2 20 ozs and within a few hours my throat hurt.... Like a 10 on a 1-10 scale!!!

So, I have since stopped drinking the water drink and sore throat is GONE! I am thinking I must be allergic to the pomegranate water.... Thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday

For more WW: Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus, Ordinary and Awesome, MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

What a weekend!

It was such a wonderful weekend here! The weather was PERFECT and we had such fun!! Friday afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised when a package came! Jen from Tatertots & Jello had a giveaway and I won!!! There were all sorts of goodies from her trip to Seattle.... I received four flavors of honey, a beautiful necklace (my pic does NOT do it justice), and some Chocolate Cherry Hazelnuts!! Thanks so much Jen! Your gift was the perfect kick off to a perfect weekend!


First thing Saturday morning I threw open our windows and aired this house out! I LOVE fresh air!!! I think the kids and I were outside all day long just how I like it...

Anthony helped me clean out the car; which was a pleasant surprise for Jason.... It annoys him how "filthy" I keep my car.... He just doesn't get it... lol!

Today we spent the morning riding our bikes along the river. It was BEAUTIFUL and so peaceful.... The kids loved seeing the boaters! Madison dozed off on the ride back to the car.... oh to be 2 and be able to sleep anywhere! As we were loading the bikes onto the car, a train came by on the HUGE bridge and totally made Anthony’s day!!! He has talked about the “coaches and freights” all day long!

Our half bath has been tore up all week, and Jason is finally home and can finish it! Last week he removed EVERYTHING, painted, and hung bead board. Today we bought all new fixtures and he is hanging all the trim. I cannot wait to see the finished project! So far it looks AWESOME!

Another Round of Anthony-isms....

I wake up early one morning to Anthony curling up next to me. He rolls over, peels open my eyelids and says, "Mommy, my butt is TIRED!"

***

I put Anthony up to his room for quiet time (hoping for a nap) and five minutes later he dramatically walks down the steps with his arms over his head yawning a huge, loud, FAKE yawn and proclaims, "I sure had a long nap!"

***

Madison is napping and Anthony is playing trains. I am folding laundry when I hear a door SLAM and Anthony YELL, "Mommy I a good helper. I tiptoed in Madison's room and gave her the lost baby!! I didn't wake her up! I just did tip toes" Meanwhile Madison is SCREAMING because the baby landed on TOP of her and her door SLAMMED!

Fun Firsts Fridays!!!

Our First Experience with S'Mores!

Daddy had to roast them because we were afraid to get too close.... (mommy was kinda relieved!)

hmmmmm..... They did NOT know what to think!

We had a TON of fun!!!

Yes, we used charcoal. We did not know where to buy wood.... Any suggestions?

shoo fly don't bother me!

Yesterday Anthony came home from camp EXHAUSTED! We had lunch and I tucked him in for a nap.... He snuggled into his covers and I could tell I was destined for a major nap!!!

Just as I get to the first landing, I hear:

"Shoo fly! Stop buzzing Anthony!"

I continued down the stairs and I hear a whole one sided conversation my son is having with a fly!

"Shoo fly! Go buzz in some elses room! Shoo!! Stop buzzing me!!! Go away FLY!!! Moooooommmmmmmmy!!!! HELP!!!!"

I head back upstairs and ask where the fly is so that I can swat the thing and nap time can begin!!!

"I no know mommy!! It fly away I dink!"

I stand there a few minutes and NOTHING! Not a buzz or a fly by. NADA! I assure my semi-panicked son that it is GONE! I re tuck him in and head BACK downstairs...

45 seconds later the theatrics begin!!!

Anthony starts SCREAMING "Help me! Help me! MOOOOOMMMY Its a GIANT buzzing!!!!" Heeeelllllp!!!!"

Back up stairs I head armed with a dog eared copy of the latest PB catalog...

I see it! The pesky fly is trapped between Ant's blinds and window. Slowly and quietly I open the blinds and ..........

WHACK!

I nailed the sucker!!! I scoop his remains up and dispose of him. Re tuck my star struck son (he so called me his hero!) and head back downstairs!

Two minutes later he starts screaming again! There was another fly! Seriously we need to re discuss how to close doors BEHIND us in this house!!!!

I go up with a vengeance! Swatting the damn thing like CRAZY.... Sadly this little guy was fast and I kept missing him!!! That's when it came to me....


Just let Anthony sleep in my bed! So I did and the problem was diverted... for now!

Not so Wordless Wednesday....

After dinner we hooked our bikes onto the truck and headed out.... We hit the path and rode along the river and it was so beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing!!! We all enjoyed it!! I cannot wait to go again!

Ant in AWE of the train bridge.....

Patiently waiting for daddy to unhook the bikes!

Camera balancing precariously on our bike seat :) At least we got a pic with all four of us!!

For more WW: Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus, Ordinary and Awesome, MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , Peanutbutter and Smellys Dad , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

Swimming Fiasco Update....

So many of you wanted to hear what the outcome was of Anthony's swimming lessons "incident" so, here it is.... If you some how missed it, read all about it here first....

First thing this morning the head of Parks and Rec called and of course I was dropping Ant off at camp, so as soon as I got in I returned his call and you guessed it: Got Voice Mail.... Isn't that ALWAYS the way!

I finally was able to speak with him this afternoon and he informed me of two things:

1. He refunded me my money... This was so much more than the 30 bucks, but great he gave me the $$ back...
2. The girl who threw my son in the pool was "spoken to at length and placed on probation"

I don't quite know how I feel about this.... Or what more to do.... Or quite frankly what else I CAN do.... I really wanted this girl fired, but would I have felt any better if she was? I really do not know.... I just am unsure of what to feel or what to do.... I just wish the whole thing did not happen....

Happy Birthday Jason!

Jason's birthday was on Wednesday, but he was working overnights, so the kids and I planned to celebrate on Saturday. We picked up his favorite cake (carvel ice cream cake) and a few gifts.... After baths we had our mini party! The kids were so EXCITED! They both sang at the top of their lungs and could NOT wait to give daddy his gifts! It was a great night!

This picture makes me laugh because Madison would NOT look at the camera. She wanted to hurry and get in her seat because she wanted CAKE!!! :)

sad

I am sad to say that my poor little guy had a bad experience this week.... I am frustrated, sad, angry, and guilt stricken all at the same time. Some of you know about this and I am sure sick of hearing it, so feel free to skip this post! :)

We signed Anthony up for swimming lessons and he started this past week. He has always been leery of the water, but this year has really blossomed and has enjoyed playing in it! We are so proud and had hoped that the swimming lessons would foster this new growth!

Monday he did FANTASTIC! He had so much fun and really enjoyed it! Tuesday he also had a blast, but in true Anthony fashion his listening ears were not on the whole time.... He needed a few reminders, but still did GREAT!

Wednesday was much of the same EXCEPT that when it was time to jump in they did not catch them this time. This shocked Anthony and he, admittedly, freaked OUT! I gave him a hug and sent him back to his class... When it was his turn to jump in he refused and MELTED down! Understandably he was told to find his mother and I took him home. No big deal. He was frightened and we discussed it! I explained that we would speak with the life guards and they would NOT let him go under.

Thursday came and we talked about it a lot and he did not want to go, but I told him he had to try. I spoke to the guard in front of Anthony and she assured us both that he would not "sink" this time.

The time came for him to put a life vest on and the waterworks came. They put one on him though.... All the kids began walking towards the opposite end of the pool and Anthony was refusing to follow.

At this point, one of the guards picked him up and football carried him a few feet. All the while he was SCREAMING "no thank you! I no like it! I'm scared" At this point my attention was diverted to Madison and my friend Sara saw the guard hold her arms out and drop him into the pool. He went under and when he surfaced he was terrified.... At this point Sara told me what had happened and I immediately went to get him.

As I was approaching the pool, another life guard was in the pool with Anthony and swimming him over to the end where his class was. Anthony was screaming. The guard was speaking over Ant's screams and repeated, "If you do not stop screaming I will leave you in the pool". I leaned in to get him and the guard turned to the others and said, "What is wrong with this kid?!?!"

One of the guards, said "Dude his mom is right there" At this point I took my son and we dried off and I dressed him. I left him with Sara as I looked for an adult supervisor. I could NOT find one... So we left.

I was shocked.... I did not confront the life guards because:

1. I would have been inappropriate / used inappropriate language in front of all the kids...
2. They were kids and I would have gotten no where
3. I was in shock and did not know what to do!

I called the head of the parks and rec center and explained the situation. He promised to look into it. Anther parent (whom I do not know) apparently called and complained as well. I have since emailed with her and she has contacted CPS over the incident also.....

I want the girl who dropped my son into the pool to be fired..... I know that she was NOT at the final lesson tonight, BUT I have not heard back from the parks and rec head.... I will be calling him on Monday to find out how this issue has been resolved!

Anthony was treated poorly and was in a sense abused by this girl. She should NOT be working with children!!! I do not know what I should do if the girl is not fired.... I will be anxiously thinking of what the next step will be if she is still a life guard.....

Sorry for the novel....

Madison's turn....

Do you know what happens when mom is chatting up a neighbor and dad is playing blocks with the kids??

One child will inevitably wander off and get into SOMETHING!

Madison went upstairs to get another train and did not come back.... After a few minutes Jason went up to see if she needed help with the trains and this is what he found!





Madison climbed onto my bathroom sink, got my nail polish bin, opened the french manicure white bottle and proceeded to paint her toe nails! Little Miss has asked me to paint her toesies all day, but I was waiting until AFTER bath tonight!

The art of a successful Otoscope removal.....

Jason and I were lucky enough to learn the four simple steps in the removal of an Otoscope from a preschooler's finger yesterday when Anthony was playing with his doctor kit. I guess that hole was just the right size. The finger went in, but WOULD NOT come out. Anthony did not panic. He just told Jason that he was stuck. Jason, on the other hand panicked! He called for some back up and I was no help. I did stop to grab the camera though! I just laughed as the camera went click, click, click!!

Step One: Takes LOTS of pictures so that you have PLENTY of blog material!

Step Two: Fill Otoscope generously with dish soap! The more the better!!!

Step Three: Gently twist and pull while child is mesmerized by Handy Manny!

Step Four: Breath a sigh of relief because it is FINALLY off and NO tears were shed!