mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

A picnic.

After school we came home and the boys wanted to make a tent. They actually do have a tent popped in our front living room that's been there for weeks but they wanted something more grand. So, I helped them use our big blanket and we extended the "tent" feature out a few feet. They were enjoying playing in that while I made lunch and then someone made mention of a picnic. I then asked if they wanted to have an indoor picnic (ahem, it's FREEZING outside today!) in the living room with our lunches. They both were ecstatic. I got them to clear most of the living room of toys so I could lay the neat sheet down so we could eat on it. Then, it was time for lunch:

The picnic was awesome! We had a fun time. While we were picnicing, we were pretending to see things that we would normally see if we were outside having a real picnic. We talked about seeing birds, airplanes, trees, and flowers. Then Nathan even pointed out a fire truck that was driving by our picnic area. I think we'll have to make regular picnics a must now that they can both enjoy it so much. It was also nice for me to not have to wipe crumbs off of a table and instead just take the neat sheet and shake it out when we were done.

A {small} splurge.

Today I finally unloaded that Nordstrom gift card I received back on Christmas and boy, did it feel good! It was a nice enough treat just to get out and go to the mall alone, let alone actually buying something fantastic. David came home this afternoon and after he said he had no plans for later, I told him I was going to head to the mall. Of course, Nathan became all inquisitive about what I was going to do there. I am sure he was mostly upset because he knows what an awesome play area there is there and he wanted a part of it. I kindly explained that I was going to go alone and that he and Will could just stay home with Daddy. Yeah, that didn't go over so well.

I set out looking for a swimsuit. Not just any swimsuit, but the one I've thought of for weeks since I first laid eyes on it back when my sister was visiting. I knew exactly where it would be hanging (if it was still even at the store) and that it was super expensive. I had never even tried it on but I fell in love with it when I first saw it. So there I am, making my way up not one, but two escalators (Nathan would've been so jealous!). I round the corner and there it is. But wait, there it is in black, a color I hadn't seen the first time. And, there's one left. My size? Yep, my size! I grabbed it off the rack and headed for the fitting room. As I went to slip it on, I could tell I was going to like it.

Long story short, it's mine (but in black, which for some reason doesn't come up online, and the price was lower in the store). Yes, it was more than I've ever paid or would be willing to pay for a swimsuit, but my hefty gift card (thanks, Mom) covered most of it. So, out of pocket I ended up owing about sixty bucks. Not bad for a designer swimsuit that I also happen to love, feel good in, and will use for years to come! Now, THAT is priceless.

Spring concert.

Nathan performed beautifully (as did all of the kids) for their spring group concert yesterday afternoon. I absolutely love listening to the kids play at the recitals and concerts. The kids are fabulous and their hard work really shows as they play each piece. I seriously don't think Ms. Jean, the instructor, has the capacity to even have a poor student. She is an awesome instructor who takes her job seriously. Sometimes, a little too seriously, yes. But, that's what we pay the big bucks for, right? Anyway, here are some photos and video of the performance.

They’re married!

Just got the call from my sister in Paris that she and Guillaume were married in a very beautiful [and bilingual] ceremony. It's a beautiful day in Paris, I hear. I don't have any photos yet of the wedding, but as soon as I do I'll upload a few. Congratulations to ya'll! Love you lots!

CoCo Key Water Resort

This is a post I actually made on my business blog, but I can't resist sharing it with you local KC moms who read my blog, too. KC is getting an awesome new attraction in the heart of the new Power & Light District and I've entered into a partnership with them. I just copied the following from my biz blog:

KCMetroMoms.com and CoCo Key Water Resort have partnered to bring you fantastic deals on admission tickets to Kansas City's newest family attraction! CoCo Key Water Resort is located at the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex across from the stadiums at I-70. Now a fantastic family-friendly getaway is just steps from your front door anywhere in Kansas City!

Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at Coco Key Water Resort, featuring a selection of signature attractions including 3 thrilling body and raft slides, interactive water cannons and spray nozzles, giant soothing whirlpools and even a Dip-In theater you can enjoy from your tube! They even offer special group rates and kids' birthday parties. What a fun and unique way to celebrate with your kids!

CoCo Key is scheduled to open over Memorial Day weekend and I, for one, cannot wait to take my family to this place! And now you can take your family and save with our exclusive rates which save you money by buying through KCMetroMoms.com!

To purchase tickets at the special discount rate offered only to our moms, please visit this link and enter the password "kcmoms" (without quotes). We'll see YOU at the hottest {coolest} hangout in KC!

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I know that David and the kids will be thrilled when this place finally opens up! Maybe Nathan can actually have a water fun birthday party now!

Anyone else irritated by this?

Ok, this is going to sound uppity and rude, but one of my biggest pet peeves is when businesses don't have a website, or if they do have one and don't bother listing it. Is it just me or does this seem to bother anyone else? I mean, isn't not having a business website today the equivalent of not having a phone number just fifteen or so years ago? I was recently given a professional referral by someone and went to pull out their business card today to look them up before calling or emailing first, and whaddya know..... there's only a telephone number and fax number listed on the business card.

No email.

No URL.

Nada.

I'm sorry but it's just a few bucks to get your own business website up and running so why wouldn't you if you were a business owner trying to get your business to flourish? Besides, who uses phones anymore, really?!

No nap = no good.

It's been quite an eventful day here at the T household. First off, I took the kids to our usual Tuesday morning hangout for storytime and playing. And, well, let's face it, another stamp on our book club card making us one step closer to a free $10 shopping spree there. No, really, I do enjoy chasing Will around as he

• tries to steal other kids' snacks.
• grabs every soccer ball, basketball, and baseball in sight only to fling it across the overstuffed room.
• knocks kids down with no remorse and just in general, bothers other kids trying to enjoy storytime.

Oh, and let us not forget the beeline he made today for the front doors (which open outward) and nearly made it across the walkway into the busy parking lot. Yes, I got there in the nick of time, but damn, that kid is fast! Had I been half a second later I am certain he would've went running onto the pavement greeted by the truck that was rapidly making its way around the front of the store.

So, after storytime I had a networking luncheon appointment so we quickly left the store and were home by 11 a.m. My meeting was at 11:30 so I quickly changed my clothes and headed back out again. My appointment went great, by the way. Thanks for asking. I came home and met David at the garage where he was waiting for me to arrive so he could go out and make his 1:10 p.m. tee time. We exchanged a quick hi and bye in the garage and I went inside the house to greet the kids. We read stories and picked up the living room a bit before Alexander + John Paul came over for a playdate just after 2 p.m. It was nice to have some downtime and catch up with Erin about life.

I shuffled off to drop Will at David's mom's house so she could watch him while I took Nathan to group violin. He has a concert this Saturday so naturally we all rehearsed for the performance. He did manage to take a short snooze on the way there which was better than nothing. After violin we headed over to pick up Will but we ended up going inside and staying awhile so Nathan could play Dan's tennis game on his PS3. Afterward we headed over to Sam's for some necessities and then home. After dinner the kids were obviously exhausted and I am happy to report Will fell asleep on the couch while we were watching American Idol. I swooped him up and took him to his bed and he's still happily sleeping. Nathan was quite tired despite his short car nap earlier and he, too, went down without much fuss. Nathan has always been such a good sleeper and I know that Will really is not ready to give up his nap at this point in his life. Hopefully the days in which they don't take naps will be limited.

I get to love on another baby!

No, it's not me that's expecting. Rather, it's my favorite friend in the whole wide world who has finally made it public. I was bursting at the seams there for a moment but glad it's out! Doing the happy dance for the M familia.

Seemingly insurmountable.

Today while the kids were visiting with David's parents at their house I finally tackled that mound of papers + stuff that's been collecting on my counter by the fridge. I took everything to the living room and made stacks of things based on where they needed to go. I am finally back to some state of normalcy, thank God! That clutter was driving me nuts. Even David made mention recently about how it must just really be bothering me. He knows I can't stand the sight of stuff like that here. I normally never let it get that bad, but I just let it go since the trip planning sort of took a front seat a couple of weeks ago.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

"Ahhhhh. Now I can breathe!"

My sweet boy.

Nathan never fails to pick a "flower" for me when he's outdoors and today was no exception. David took the boys to the park this afternoon after their naps were over so I could have some time at home and get dinner started. Which, by the way, I ruined by burning the rice. I think it's been entirely too long since I've really cooked anything since I became accustomed to eating at the lovely Disney property restaurants. Anyway, we survived and the fajita tacos were good despite not having good rice to eat along with it.

When the boys returned from the park, Nathan stormed in calling out, "Mommy!" and holding this out for me:

He informed me that it was a sunflower he picked for me and asked me if I thought it was beautiful. I told him it was the most beautiful sunflower I've ever seen! I love my boys!