Tailgate Party!

I am going to start out by saying that I am not a real big football fan. It’s not that I really dislike the game, I just honestly don’t understand it all that well. That said, I never turn down a chance to have a good time away from the kids with my husband.

Stephen’s work bought a huge block of tickets to one game and offered them first come – first served to the employees. Not only were the seats amazing, but they were having a tailgate party before the game. Free food, free drinks and fun. Unfortunately, it was friggin’ cold! Our winter has been unusually mild but, of course, the day of the game and tailgate was miserable. It was cold and rainy. Think 38 with yuck wind. We were troopers though and bundled up in the name of burgers and mimosas.

My sister-in-law and her boyfriend met us for the tailgate and the game. It was nice to get to spend some time with them, even if there wasn’t a lot of conversation involved. After we froze, we headed to the dome for the game. Our seats. Definitely not like the seats Stephen’s dad has. We were behind the goal post and only about 8 or 10 rows up. You could actually see the players and the cheerleaders. It was so funny seeing middle-aged men with their binoculars ogling them during their dances. Unfortunately, the Rams are horrible this year. The game was pretty close though for a while and we thought they were going to pull out a win. And in true Rams fashion, they blew it.

Despite the loss, we really had a good time. The tailgate party was fun and our wonderful seats made it okay.

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Staying busy in the afternoons

Zachary, of course, still naps in the afternoons. I have been trying to do some more one-on-one activities with Emily during that time instead of spending the precious hours cleaning while she watches a show on TV. There are still days where it’s necessary because, well let’s be honest, the bathroom is not going to clean itself and she only wants to help for so long. We have been finding some stuff to do though and it’s been fun.

Flipping through Family Fun magazine a few weeks ago, I ran across “Jar-o’-lanterns”. They looked like an activity that Emily would have fun with and was easy enough to do. Surprisingly, I had no empty jars on hand. During a Wal-mart run one day, Zachary and I found a case of canning jars for $5. The craft possibilities with them are endless. That afternoon Emily and I got to work painting. We did the activity a little different since I couldn’t find the painter’s tape. We painted faces onto the pumpkins and we made ghosts as well. Cute and fun. One ghost resides at Grandma’s house and the rest of our creations have a place of honor on the mantle.

While Emily was painting the jars, I decided to make a ghost. I found an old pillow cover in the basement and painted a ghost face on it. I then used a couple of styrofoam bowls and packing pouch things to give it shape and strung plastic string through it. It is hanging on our porch. We are getting all decked out for Halloween.

Our next activity arrived in my inbox one day, bird seed ornaments. (I’m a little smitten with Hoosier Homemade. So many cute ideas and wonderful recipes.) The best part of this activity, I had all of the ingredients in the house already. Yes, even the bird seed. Emily decided that she had to be fancy while she made yummies for the birds. She did most of this herself as well. My tip- use thinner cookie cutters. If you use thick ones, don’t fill them all they way. Takes forever to dry and impatient mommies little girls cannot wait and tend to break off pieces. Although, those broken pieces were lots of fun to the one year old that loved throwing them on the driveway.

activity #3 actually involved Zachary. Surprise, surprise I found it while surfing Pinterest. This hand art screams fall. Emily did a great job with it and really went to town with the falling leaves. She never does anything half way. Zachary really didn’t care for the paint on his hand and arm. And he didn’t really want to cooperate with the leaves so I was happy with what we got. I am used to Emily, who loved painting and coloring at his age. I know, two totally different kids. These pictures now grace the walls in our living room.

The last activitiy was just something I decided to do. Probably got the idea from Pinterest. I could probably find the link if I took the time to look. Zachary and I poor kid has to run all these boring errands with me were in JoAnn’s Fabrics the other day on a mission when we ran across these 3d cardboard letters. I chose a “J” to play around with. I panted the sides of the letter with some acrylic paint and then traced the letter onto some scrapbook paper that I had in the basement and then used modpodge to adhere the paper to the letter. After it dried, I put another layer of modpodge on and sprinkled some clear beads on it to give it a little depth. Then I sprayed an acrylic coat on it.

Seems like a lot of activities but they weren’t done in one week. I actually did have to do laundry and clean the bathrooms at some point.

 

Nature in our backyard

Squirrels, rabbits, birds, cats. Those are normal things to expect to see in our backyard. Stephen was doing the dishes one Sunday morning and was looking out the kitchen window. I hear “What IS that?!?!” I walked, carefully, to the corner of our fence to investigate. This is what I found:

Pretty cool!

Some summer fun has been had already

I am so very behind on things. Not really sure where the time goes. I do love to blog but unfortunately, it is one of the things that has been put on the back burner for the time being. It’s already July. It’s hard to believe that we are already through with a month of summer. We have been keeping pretty busy. A few things require a post all their own but this one is a hodgepodge of things we have done.

Just to name a few….

Played in the sprinkler, several times
Went to the park, several times
Gone swimming, a few times
Had fun at a church picnic
Lots of family fun
Gone to the zoo (more on that later)
Checked out the Botanical Gardens (more on that later)
And lots more.

Emily is starting to be able to mark a few things off of her super summer fun list! Yay! After looking at it again, I am thinking there might be a few things that remain…. Just gives us a start for next year.

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Morning song

Emily serenaded me the other morning. I love how Zachary tries to do much of what big sister does- whether it is singing or dancing. Take a listen and you will understand.

A new look

It’s amazing how getting new furniture, removing and moving other furniture really changes a room. It’s like we have a new living room!

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This is what it has come to…

My son… Into every thing…
One of his favorite rooms the house is the kitchen, much to my dismay. He opens every single drawer and cabinet. He pulls out utensils, bowels and towels. I “gave” him a few drawers but that was not good enough. He wants access to them all. He plays with the trash can, making the lid open and close while pushing it around the room. He opens the bottom drawer of the oven where we store skillets. Laundry room door not closed? He goes in there too.
It is maddening!!! He has a room full if toys and a sister who will usually play with him. Emily was never like this. She was content to play on her own while I made dinner or washed dishes. Zachary wants to be in the thick of things. Hanging on my leg while I try to clean up dishes. It’s ridiculous.
So this is what it has come to…. This or a good stiff drink every night.

Enjoying the weather

The weather was pretty SPECTACULAR here last week. It’ was nice to have a break from the usual sweltering, can’t breathe humidity we are used to. We have had some good times outside. Hanging out in the yard and going to the park. I haven’t been adventurous enough to take them both to the zoo or somewhere else really fun by myself yet. My wimpiness and the fact that Zachary naps all the time has kept us close to home. Soon we will see the elephants. Might have to enlist grandma or some mom friends first.

First time in a swing

Chilaxin’

Sweetness with a side of ornery

Burnt plastic

The stink of burnt plastic lingers long after the damage has been disposed of.
I decided today was a good day to sanitize some binkies since Zachary spit up last night with one in his mouth. I fill the pan with water, insert binkies, turn on the burner and walk away. Notice anything missing? Something important? Like setting a timer??
I walked off and started playing with Zachary in his room. Then I start to smell the stench of something burning. Being the good mom that I am, I had no idea where Emily was. Playing with a candle lighter? In flames? Turns out she was in the basement, making a mess while the binkies were melting to the bottom of the pan. Did I mention the smell? And did I mention that I was sanitizing all of the binkies? Oh yes. the only binkies in the house were the ones from the hospital, which he hated, and small newborn binkies.
Good times! And did I mention that I need a new saucepan?

Blow them out!

Another year older. I celebrated my birthday on May 25. It’s amazing how much has changed since I celebrated my last one. The biggest change being the new addition to the family. I do not regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many.

I had a wonderful birthday with my family of four. We started out by dropping Zachary off at Grandma’s so Stephen, Emily and I could go pick some strawberries. We had a great time and picked about 14 pounds (some were for Grandma). After naps that day, we went out for dinner and then came back to open presents with Grandma and Nina. The cake was delicious! Normally I just have Stephen make one but this year we ordered a cake from JNoto. Not only was it delicious, but it was beautiful as well!

It was a great day spent with some of the people I love the most.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.  ~Douglas MacArthur