Oh Colton

Bless his little heart

Adam can be extremely shy and we have been trying to talk to him lately about making new friends and being friendly.  We have lived in our new house for about 2 months and we have especially been trying to encourage him to get out and meet the neighborhood kids (there are only a few and they really are not his age) but he just cant bring himself to make that first step.  He was very quiet and busy all night in his room and came out to tell Mark and I he had a good idea and he and handed us this…

Oh my…Bless his little heart.  He is so excited and has it all planned out, as you can see by his diagrams.  He is planning to make copies of this and pass it out to EVERYONE in the neighborhood.  We don’t know any of our neighbors yet and I am sure if they got this in their mailbox they would think it was cute, but feel a little awkward. But if we don’t let Adam pass these out, he is going to be devastated.  Ohhhhh….what to do?????  Mark just told me that Adam originally wanted to charge everyone a dollar to come!  HA!  Not sure if he wants to make friends or money?!

Baby Baby Baby Ohhhh

Colton LOVES to steal Adam's ipod and he will entertain himself with it forever. He holds it to his ear like it is a phone. His favorite song? Bieber ...Baby!

This is actually not his best work. He got a little shy with it once he saw the camera. But trust me, he sings all the parts right on time and right on key.

Cant Take Your Eyes Off Him For A Second

I couldn’t figure out how the TV in Colton’s room kept changing channels…until I came around the corner and saw this…

The scary part is that he knows what buttons to push to get the TV to the channel he wants.  After quietly watching him do this for a few minutes he finally realized I was there with my camera and flashed me this funny smile which made it impossible for me to be upset with him…

Adam is home from school today (teacher work day) It is raining outside and he is very bored which results in him driving me nuts with 20 questions.  His most recent question…

“Can girls grow beards"?”

Hmmmmm…

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Do these PIECES look familiar?  YES, that is my beloved wreath in 4 pieces. 

Someone, who will remain nameless (MARK), slammed the door a little too hard last night.  Which resulted in the wreath flying off the door and shattering into pieces.  I was not aware a wreath could do this.  It was a very sad moment.  There was alot of blaming, accusations and excuses flying around one of which was that I had not secured it properly!  To be honest it was not secured very well, the entire wreath was teetering on a tiny nail, but I kept that  info  to myself  so I could milk the guilt of my hubby.  The funny part was when Adam chimed in and said “Dad, I cant believe you did that.  Mom has been working so hard on that wreath”.  Mark felt really bad.

I noticed on a tutorial somewhere that they said to wrap your wreath in tape before wrapping the yarn.  I obviously skipped that step because I did not understand the need for it and I like rushing things.  Lesson learned!   I guess the tape makes the Styrofoam more secure so it does not shatter when it falls.

And speaking of my husband…he came home with this surprise gift for me the other day.

The Cake Wreck Book!  Awww, how romantic. He actually knows me so well and I was so excited to get this book.  I have been LAUGHING MY HEAD OFF ever since.   Gooood stuff…gooood stuff.

More Vistaprint…Funny & Free

This post will only make sense if you live locally and were involved in the Sausser Farms Co Op scandal last summer.

Basically, nearly everyone in town bought in on a too good to be true vegetable co op and it turned out to be a disaster that resulted in thousands of people waiting in locations on certain days where you were supposed to get your veggies…but no one ever showed up with the veggies.  Every once in a while when they did show up they would only have enough for about 10 people.  There were near riots at times and people were losing their minds!  It was the talk of the town, which isn’t hard in this small town!  It ended up all over the news and basically everyone who invested lost out and a lot of people say it was a scam from the beginning.  I am not judging or making accusations…I am just trying to find some humor in the whole thing.

I kept joking with my family that I was going to make “Sausser Farms” shirts and sell them to all the disgruntled people, but in reality I just wanted a shirt for myself.  Then my sister reminded me of Vistaprint.  So, below is the best design I could come up with given they did not have many choices involving veggies or farms.  Go figure.  I cant believe they don’t have a high demand for that motif!   But it is FREE so I will settle on the cheesy artwork!  Oh, and they now have ladies fit shirts so you don’t have to get the boxy men’s style anymore.

I Got A Feeling...That Josh Is A Good, Good Uncle

Adam is spending the night at my parents tonight and they sent me this video titled "Gigi's Talent Show". Adam has been planning on doing a talent show at my parents house for a while and he even put the song he wanted to use (I Got A Feeling) on his ipod and made sure he packed it to take with him. He was the only grandchild there tonight so I was not sure how he was going to pull it off...Uncle Josh Oh my word. I have not laughed this hard in a long time. Josh, you are a good sport and a REALLY good Uncle! I love your moves...and your creepy mustache!

Keeping It Real

This is what happens when you leave your child in the care of his grandparents…

They get the dog and the baby confused. My dad emailed me this picture…nice!

Actually, this is Colton’s favorite place to be when he is at my parents house.  He loves crawling in the dog cage, locking himself in and playing with the dog toys.  I know…NaSTY!

Keepin It Real

Here we go. This will be my first post for my new series called KIR (Keepin it Real).

OK...deep breath...I am about to show you something that I would normally hide from the world. In my mind and dreams, Adams room would look something like this.

But the reality is that this is Adam's room 2 days after Christmas! AHHHHH!

The whole family ended up having to go in and do an intervention. It took us ALL day to clear out the messes in this room. Not pictured is the inside of his closet where the main issues were hiding. We love watching the show Hoarders and we kept joking with Adam that he is a "Hoarder in training". He literally has an emotional attachment to everything and does not want to get rid of one single keychain, rock, broken pencil or happy meal toy. I kept picking up things and jokingly saying to him "Adam, how would it make you feel if we threw this away" (the line the therapist use on the show). Every time he would reply with a big long explanations of what the item meant to him and when he got it and who gave it to him...JUST LIKE the crazy people on the show.

I think we have joked with him a little too much because he is now very paranoid that he is a hoarder. He keeps saying to me "Do you think I am a hoarder...I dont want to be a hoarder mom...I think I am just a normal 8 year old boy...all boys have stuff like this mom". :) Too funny.

So there you go. If you choose to join in on KIR, let me know so I can come see your deep dark secrets and maybe feel a little better about mine.

Boy or Beaver?

I should be embarrassed to post this since it will probably make me look like a horrible mother. But this is my cry for help and I hope someone out there will have some advice. I know it is somewhat normal for babies to bite on the rails of their crib a little bit, but this cannot be NORMAL...

I know...it is horrible!!! I can only imagine the splinters in his mouth and stomach, not to mention that this was a BRAND NEW crib! Ahhhh. I honestly don't know when he is doing this. I have tried to listen and check when he is napping, but there is no activity. He must be waking up in the middle of the night and sneaking a little chew.

Unfortunately his bed is an odd shape and I don't think they make those rail covers for it. If I don't figure something out soon he is going to widle that bed down to some match sticks. HELP!

Look Out Justin Bieber

Before you think I am the worst mother in the world for posting this video, let me explain... Adam is a somewhat shy and reserved child, but I dont know what has gotten into him lately. He has been a dancing fool! Almost every night he wants to dance for Mark & I and show off all his new moves...after he has been practicing in the mirror for an hour. :) It is some kind of funny! He has been BEGGING me to videotape it and put it on YouTube. I tried to explain to him that everyone in the world could see it if I put it on You Tube and some of his friend in school would see it too (hoping this would discourage him). He said "cool, I want everyone to see it"!

Mark was out of town on Saturday night and Adam came out for his nightly dance, wearing his SKIN TIGHT long john PJ's. He started begging me again to video it. I said "trust me, you do not want me to video tape you dancing in those PJ's...you will hate me for doing it when you are 16". I had this horrific mental picture the whole time we were discussing this and I even reminded Adam about it becasue he watches it all the time. He said "mom! I am not going to use a rotten bannana. I will find some good clothes and we can do the video tomorrow"

The funniest part is that is that he is dancing to the Chipmunks. Bless his sweet heart!

Ugly Christmas Sweater

Look who is almost 5 months old and sitting in his Bumbo!

Last night was the first basketball game of the season for the Brookville Bees. Adam and Colton dressed up in their Bees gear and we all headed out for the game.

Bees #1 & #2 Fans!
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I have been a little MIA in the blog world lately because I went back to work last week and have been trying to adjust to a new and crazy schedule. We had our Christmas party at work today and the theme was an ugly Christmas sweater party. This picture was sent out by a co worker a few days ago to get everyone excited.

I just love this picture and have looked at it several times this week when I needed a good laugh! :)

Here I am with my parents at the party. I think they missed the memo about the sweater and just chose to dress up like crazy Christmas people.

My BIL dressed like Cousin Eddie from National Lampoons. You cant tell in the picture, but he had a real nice Dickie on!

Me, April & Nikki wearing unplanned, matching Christmas vests!

Do you think my mom is going to kill me for posting this picture????

And the winner of the ugly Christmas sweater Contest is.....

None other than JD's hubby and my boss, Dave (left) He had layered 2 of Julie's old sweaters. The one underneath was the best, but I didn't get a good picture.

**If you own and wear any of the sweaters pictured, I hope you are not offended that they were part of an ugly sweater contest...sorry!** :)

WHY!!??

I don't know what I was thinking! I have never shopped black Friday...EVER. But for some reason I felt the need to go to Old Navy at 3 am this morning (like I need another $5 polar fleece jacket) and then over to Target. This was my first and last time to shop black Friday. I can check it off my list of things to never do again. The crowds were crazy and the lines were miles long. I am seriously lucky to be alive. Insanity! I was able to snag a special deal on a certain requested Christmas item for a little boy who has been very good this year, so I guess it was worth it...kind of.

Hair Update:

Don't you hate it when you put up your pre lit, piece of junk Christmas tree and this happens?

I think we have a few bulbs out. I seriously want to take this thing and throw it in the street. We usually get a real tree, but I tried to pull this thing out of the attic and make it work this year. Mistake.

Some Accountability Please...And a Barbie Story!

(not me...but very similar)

I was HORRIFIED after seeing myself in our recent family photos. I mean, I realized that I had not lost much weight since having the baby. But when I actually saw myself in the pictures, reality hit hard. I am the biggest I have ever been in my life and have realized that as you get older the pounds don't just come off as easily as they used to. I got mad at my sisters and husband for not telling me I had 6 chins, huge thighs, massive upper arms... and if that was not bad enough I chose to wear a big puffy sweater to just add to the bigness. I realize that I only have myself to blame! Something must be done but I HATE to exercise. I have decided to do the "From Couch to 5K" program. This takes you from being a couch potato to running a 5K in 9 weeks (I think it might take me 9 months and I will be happy with that). I am only posting this because I thought that by saying it out in the open it would give me some accountability in knowing I told everyone I was going to do it and I don't want to look like a big loser. If you love me you will HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE! :)

**Dont feel like to have to leave a sweet comment telling me I don't look that bad or that I am crazy. I am not fishing for a compliment. I looked in the mirror and saw the pictures. I saw hthe evidence and know the truth and it is not pretty!**

On another note: Mark told me that he was watching TV before going to work this morning and something was on the news about Victorias Secret models. (He says he was not really watching or paying attention...hmmmm...) Adam had just woke up and walked in the room and said to Mark "What is that woman wearing? A Barbie costume?" Ah, my sweet, innocent, funny boy! Sadly, that is no Barbie costume!

Adam makes me smile!

**This post is for my scrapbook/memory purposes...it may have come across a little annoying or like "my child is the best and cutest ever" if I didn't give this disclaimer first** :)

I love this stage that Adam is in right now. I love to see the things he writes and draws and how he expresses himself. Sometimes it can be so funny and also so sweet. For example, Adam gave us this paper after church on Sunday. He said they were asked to write/draw about a time when they were faced with a difficult situation and they chose to follow God.

His story was about a lost pencil!!! Oh to be 7 years old and have your worst fear be losing your pencil! I cant imagine what his teacher thought when he saw this.

Then Adam came home from school yesterday with this paper he was assigned to write. The title was "Adam and the awesome, wonderful, very good, great day!" (way to keep the title short and simple Adam)

I love how he included getting a baby brother among things like getting a Wii and making the basketball team that would make for an "awesome, wonderful, very good & great day!"

And finally, my favorite. You may remember this trip to the Pumpkin Patch... with the whole family...on the coldest day EVER! Well, what I didn't mention in my original post was that Adam had a complete meltdown that day. We had already purchased pumpkins at another pumpkin patch before this excursion. So when it was time to leave and all of Adam's cousins were buying the biggest pumpkins ever. Seriously, the hugest pumpkins you can imagine. He assumed that he would be getting one too. When I informed him he would not be getting one, he did not handle it well. (I know I am a mean mom and should have just got another pumpkin for him, but those things are expensive...and I had already spent all my money on my fried oreos!) I was taking Colton to the car and in the meantime Noel decided to be a nice aunt and buy a pumpkin for Adam. Well, the pumpkin was not near as big as the ones Bentley & Riley had. So instead of being grateful for his pumpkin (that he was not supposed to get) he complained about the small size and even cried about it. Oh, I was some kind of mad about his behavior and this resulted in a VERY LONG discussion. Which led Adam to write Noel this letter...

I love that sweet boy! He makes me smile!

A Moment Of Silence Please

Only those of you who have known my husband for a long time will truly be able appreciate this post.

I am sad to report that the "Ohio Hog" has finally bit the dust. (Please insert your moment of silence here for our dear friend that has served us well...RIP) This beauty has been Mark's sole form of transportation for the past 14 years! That is right...since his college days! He was determined to drive her till she died (Yes, he is VERY frugal) and even joked with Adam that he would pass it on to him one day. Honestly, I thought and hoped this day would come years ago...but oh no...this pretty lady just kept hanging on. The red paint had faded so much that she had turned an almost pink color. Real nice.

I cant say that I share the same sadness felt by Mark and Adam for this timely passing. This truck holds alot of fun memories for both of them and was even featured as the backdrop for our 2006 Redneck Christmas Card! Oh Yeah! (picture was taken in the dead heat of summer and Adam had on snow boots, cowboy hat, no shirt and a plastic sword - love it)
However, I am giddy with excitement because Mark has now taken over driving my old car so I got a new mini van!!!! WHOO HOO! Livin large! And by "new", I mean new to us, but old to someone else who didn't want her anymore! :)
You would think I got a fancy sports car or something...I am so excited! Never thought I would have or like a mini van, but I do.

Hair

Did I mention Adam is letting his hair grow out...

And loves to comb it in all sorts of crazy designs every night!

Like Watching TV In My Mind

Adam has always loved to read. (he does not get it from me...I am borderline illiterate, unless it is an In Touch or People magazine) He recently checked out some books at the school library and has fallen in love with them. He told Mark the other day that when he reads them "Its like watching TV in my mind". The past 2 mornings I have found him waking himself up extra early in the morning to read his new books (instead of his usual morning ritual of spongebob and sports center before school) And what book series could have possibly captivated his mind and given him this new found passion for reading...

Captain Underpants!!!

Now, I have not personally read these books. But I can only imagine the inappropriate content in them that I am sure is every 7 year olds dream. I should probably not be letting him read them for some reason or another, but I will just chalk it up to one more thing I swore I would never let my children do, before I actually had kids.

Lets review some of the other things on that list:

1. Before kids - "My children will never wear those tacky character shirts and shoes they sell at Wal Mart "(and such places)...After kids - My children's wardrobes consist of mostly cheap, tacky character shirts and even the plasticy character shoes from Payless, oh those are the best!

2. Before kids - "My children will eat whatever is served for dinner. They will not be picky eaters. I will not give them choices"...After kids - I find myself making easy mac for Adam every night while Mark and I eat a nice healthy meal. Although we are working to correct this one.

3. Before kids - "I will not take my kids into a restaurant or other such public places and let them be loud, cry or disturb other people who don't have children and are trying to enjoy their meal"...After kids - HA! This happens all the time.

Soooo many more, but I will stop here.