mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Confuscious say….

You Are a Fortune Cookie

You're a rather normal person, except that you have extraordinary luck in life. People want to be around you (even when they're a little sick of you), in hopes of being lucky too!

 What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Thank GOD it’s starting to warm up around here!

I can definitely take days like today if it means they lead to stinkin' hot 90-degree summer days.  I didn't wear a jacket all day long! 

We had quite an interesting Fat Tuesday.  It all started with n8's preschool Valentine's party which he was totally psyched about.  (pics later) Then, we headed over with like 20 other people in our group to eat free pancakes at IHOP. N8 and I also ate a cream cheese stuffed waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream. 

Then it was over to the Little Gym for n8's sports skills class where they started golf today.  I didn't get to check out his form too much as Will is quite the busybody these days and likes to go into the party room where they have wall to wall mirrors and stare at himself.  He's also quite fond of Miss Kelsey who sits behind the desk and he's always trying to make his way back there via the push door.

It was such trying day today. N8 was having some issues with following directions. I really think it was all the sugar and the activity.  Oh, well, there's always tomorrow.

This is the only, I repeat, the ONLY time you’ll EVER see ANY of my kids like this.

Janelle brought over a tub of 12-18 month clothes for me to go through because my little Will keeps wearing the same outfits over and over again.  He's outgrown most of the 9 month stuff and even a few 12 month pieces but I just REFUSE to buy any new clothes, especially Winter clothes.  I am boycotting Winter.  And, in light of the fact that it's too early (and cold) to even THINK about springing for Spring threads, I am at an impass.

Well, as I was going through the tub this afternoon I came across this K-State Wildcat jacket.  I couldn't help myself. Besides, when else would I get the chance to see how good my son looks in purple?  But, don't be gettin' any ideas, people....he still bleeds orange.

And no, Janelle,  I didn't find the purple sunglasses you've been looking for or I'd have included them in the fashion show.

Will: Ten Months

I will have to get caught up with my writing and finish up my 10-month recap for him.  For now, this pic should be entertaining enough!

Other random Natespeak.

While getting shoes and coats on this morning so we could head out for Kindermusik, N8 asks me,

"Mommy, what is a prophet?"

and not even five minutes later while buckling him into the car, he says matter-of-factly:

"Mommy, I like to toot everyday."

Our sweet day.

I love Valentine's Day. Not for the gifts or the candy but I think mostly because it's all about my favorite color - PINK! I know, I am such a girly-girl.  Anyway, today I am totally wiped! This has been the most exhausting Valentine's Day ever...but it's been great.

N8, Will and I got dressed and were downstairs by 9 am this morning and N8 offered to help me make pancakes.  We made two for he, David, and myself and then a small baby one for Will.  They were yummy.  After David left to get going to work I gave the boys their special Valentine's from Grammy & Popo.

N8 loved the stickers with his race car Valentine card and he loved the $10 gift card to Target.  Will listened intently as I read him the card - almost as if he was comprehending its message.  He seemed to want to eat his gift card.  Since both of them still have their $5 gift cards from T, that's 30 bucks all together that works just like CASH at my favorite speding hole!! They're rich!  That's an awful lot of snack bar popcorn.  Maybe they'll pool their money and pick out something nice for their mama?? Yeah, right. 

After opening the goodies, I got shoes and coats on everyone and we headed out the door for a busy day. 

I had to swing by Wal-Mart to pick up some photo cards I had ordered but had forgotten all about until my sister reminded me last night over the phone.  Then we made it just in time by the skin of our teeth to storytime at the library.  It was a small crowd...must've been the weather.

After the library we headed over to one of my favorite sweet places, where I picked up a mini carrot cake for David, which is one of his favorite types of cakes.  Doesn't it look yummy?

(note the pink and red mini cupcakes -guess which one's mine and which is N8's?)

Then we ran through the drive-up window at the post office to get stamps for the aforementioned photo cards.  This is where I really got a smile on my face.  The postal worker was super nice (very unusual) and along with my stamps and change, she included a little Hershey kiss with my purchase.  I kindly smiled and thanked her and she wished me a Happy Valentine's Day.  How sweet!  I love people that are just kind for no reason.

After our errand at the post office it was almost time for N8's parent teacher conference up at preschool but he and Will had both fallen asleep in the car.  At that point I knew it would be more trouble than it was worth to actually drive home, unload everyone, then 30 minutes later load everyone back in the car to head to the school.  Instead I decided to make a couple of calls I needed to and get caught up on some motivational reading I've been needing to do.  So I headed over to the school parking lot and just waited till it was time for our meeting.

David met us there shortly before the meeting and we met with N8's teacher for his progress report.  He's doing great!

After the conference we headed over to Jack Stack for a special Valentine's Day lunch.  Will was not in the best of moods but we all survived. Lunch was yummy and there was much to bring home.  Afterwards, David headed back to work and the boys and I got ready to head back home, however, as I was driving out of the parking lot I realized it was 3:37 pm and N8 had to be at catechesis by 4:30 so it made absolutely no sense to go home, unload the kids, then have to turn around and reload them into the car in 15 minutes so that we could leave in time.  So we just took our time getting to our destination and as a result, arrived just in time!

After catechisis we all headed back home...finally! After a little bit of playtime Will is fast asleep and N8's of course waiting up for his daddy!

It's been a busy, fun, but exhausting day!

******************************************
UPDATE:

The time is now 9:48 pm and Nathan is FAST asleep!  The lil' dude was falling asleep on the couch so I went over and woke him and took him upstairs to get ready for bed.  The kid has not been to bed this early in LONG, LONG time.  He must realize his timing is perfect since it IS Valentine's Day.  Maybe he wants a sister? HA! Keep dreamin', little man....at least for another year or so!

Nathan’s report card.

Today we met with Ms. Jan, N8's preschool teacher to go over his year thus far.  David and I are so pleased with his report!! I also literally teared up when Ms. Jan showed us the two different self-portraits he's done; one had been done back in September and the other in January.  At that moment I realized just how much growing and maturing he has done over the past 5 months! I was thankful she didn't call attention to my eyes welling up. Some of the phrases used by his teacher to describe him were:

"[academically] so far ahead of the game",

"enthusiastic about everything",

"so much FUN to have in class",

"he loves to learn - you can just see it in his eyes",

"[has] mastered skills that he shouldn't even be demonstrating until the latter part of the 4 year-old class"

"he's SO bright!"

His reading, patterning, sequencing, and other related skills are all up to or beyond par at this point. Okay seriously, I'll stop bragging.  But Mom, this post is really for you!

While Ms. Jan gave kudos to David and I for working with him so much, I guess this is my formal shout-out and kudos to the LeapFrog series, Little Einsteins, and all of the other educational programming we permit him to watch.

P.S. Kudos to you, Mom, for raising such an intelligent and bright daughter who is now passing on the smarts to your grandkids. [insert ego trip.]

I want to skip Spring and go DIRECTLY to Summer.

This morning was yet another day blanketed by white.  There is literally no part not covered by snow.  I don't know who's more bummed about preschool being canceled - me or Nathan.

His smile quickly turned to a frown and he teared up and said, "but I want to go to my Valentine's party" when I told him that school was canceled today because of the snow.  Poor kid.  Good thing they've rescheduled it for next Tuesday.

So here I sit in my fleece lined pants, a sweatshirt, two pairs of wool socks, and slippers.  And I'm. Still. Freezing.  I SO MISS TEXAS RIGHT NOW!

The people who complain that they hate the heat of summer should NOT be complaining that it's too cold.  That's what you get, people.  Next time, in the heat of the August nights, think back to THIS day and think twice before you complain of the heat.

Like I always say, I have the BEST friends!

Check out Erin's birthday wishes for me.  I am humbled.

Birthday recap.

My birthday today has been about as fantastic as I could've imagined it.  I've still got the BEST husband in the world who never ceases to suprise me because he knows I love surprises!  He's the best gift-giver, and that's not just my opinion.  Others say it too!

Anyway, I woke up, got dressed, got the boys dressed while David went into work for a bit.  When he returned we had all finished up breakfast and David sat me down on the couch with Nathan and Will and told me he was going to give me my gifts.  I was like, "what?"!  I really wasn't expecting anything.  I knew we were going to go out to lunch and I thought that was treat enough (especially since for once, Nathan didn't get to decide!).  I should backtrack and mention that on Friday David called me from work to tell me to invite some friends of mine and their kiddos to join us for lunch for my birthday.  Is that a sweet man or what??  I was thoroughly impressed by his suggestion and that he was willing to treat my friends to a great lunch, but I kindly told him that I wanted it to just be us - our family.  He didn't argue.

So, I sit down and David pulls out this box and it takes me a while to figure out what it is.  I then realize it's a sleek and updated camera that I was TOTALLY not expecting!

Then he pulls out another box and casually mentions that this is my Valentine's Day gift.  Now, I should mention that for most of the years that I've known David, he's either given me my birthday and Valentine's Day gifts together on the same day (my b-day) or has given me one BIG gift on my b-day and claimed that it counted for both.  Either way, imagine my surprise when he handed me this.  By far, this is the COOLEST gift to give someone! We had fun loading it with pics and watching them go by in the frame. I love it!

The we went and had lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise which just reminded me that I am SO READY FOR SUMMER!!! That was totally my kind of place with all of the tropical Maui-like decor and the sweet-tasting tropical drinks.  I had a great Island drink that was made up of coconut, grenadine, pineapple juice, pomegranate, and a splash of Sprite.  I can hardly wait for the warmer weather so I can have a great excuse to head on over to this place and hang out.  We started out with quesadillas which were tasty and then had burgers, of course.  Then for dessert we opted for the chocolate nachos! YUM-O!

FYI - here's a shot with part of the chocolate nachos in view: 

My day doesn't stop there. I came home only to realize I had received these from my mom, Joe, and the rest of mi familia in Texas.

(32 beautiful pink and white tulips - one for each year of my life, of course!)

and these from Dad & Brenda: 

(a beautiful arrangement of orchids that hadn't even bloomed yet mixed with greenery!)

I guess there's one upside to being born in February - my favorite flower, tulips, are in season. 

I also received a $300 gift certificate from my mom, Joe, and Sarah to go to a spa for a day of beauty including massage, facial, pedicure, manicure, etc!! I am so psyched!!!

The rest of the night we just chilled out.  David went to work and Season came over later to hang out. She brought a great pink summery t-shirt (c'mon HOT weather!) and a coordinating bracelet for me! Nathan helped me unwrap it of course. 

Then David came home from work and handed me a $100 gift card to Macy's from his mom.  How thoughtful & practical! I can't wait to get a new pair of shoes or a handbag or something!

Let's see..what else?? Oh yes, then Will woke up with a fever and was feeling really crappy, I could tell.  Not sure what's wrong with him but I am hoping he's better soon.  He really doesn't have any other symptoms other than the fever, but he is cutting his sixth tooth so maybe that's the culprit.

Anyway it was a great day and I am so happy to have such wonderful friends and family in my life.  Include yourself in this company if you're reading this.  I truly am such a fortunate and blessed person in this world and I have so much to be thankful for.