busy body

When Layla is at school and Hayden gets really quiet I always go running to find him.  You never know what he in getting into.  I was folding laundry in the living room the other morning and I couldn't find him.  The little stinker heard me calling him, but he didn't make a peep.  He was in the office watching the screen saver on the computer.  It is a slide show of my photo album.

I thought it was so cute, however I was afraid he had touched something.  He is so good at pushing buttons or restarting the computer or tv.  He is into everything.

Look at his little face...he realizes he is BUSTED!

And then you can hear the silly, contagious giggles.

Later that day, I was cleaning the kitchen and was scrubbing the sink.  He ran to the bathroom to get his potty, that clearly he uses as a step stool instead! Hohum! 

He climbed up and was peering over the edge of the cabinet.

Such a busy boy.  No wonder I am so tired at the end of the day.  Sheesh!  I don't know how all you moms with more than two babies do it.  I am beat at the end of the day.  I do love being a mommy though.  I wouldn't trade it for all the rice in China!

miscellany monday

I made salsa yesterday and I intend to consume as much of it as possible before anyone else can have one single bite.  The hubs and I may scrap! I love salsa, any time of the year, but he loves it too.  So we fight over it.  HA! Not really, but he will eat it all if I don't watch out.

Don't you just love it when God talks right at you!  {not to you, but AT you} At church yesterday it was as if I was the only person in the room.  The message was for me~at the time I needed it.  Sometimes, when it comes to certain people in my life I tend to be a doormat.  I now know what I need to do.  I need to pray for them!!  I need to speak the truth with love, and let them take it as they will.  I have to stop trying to be a peacemaker.  I am good with what God has asked me to do concerning the situation. I wish I could blog more about, but I can't.  How's that for miscellany?

I am craving cupcakes. I do not need cupcakes.  Yesterday I ate all day long.  I was starving like I hadn't eaten in 6 months.  What is that about?  I couldn't help myself.  

We ate breakfast for lunch and breakfast for dinner. And left over pizza for lunch.  Spectacular diet...right?!? Ughh!  But I did find an app for my phone that I love!  It is a fun calorie counter. I do the best when I am held accountable.  Yes, to myself!  Journaling the food I eat totally works for me. It keeps me in line.

In other news: I can't make a tooting noise with my arm pit.  Can you? You know, when you cup your had under your pit.  Please tell me you know what I am speaking of.  I can't do it, never have been able to.  The kids and Gary were trying to do it the other night.  Laughing like crazies.  I couldn't do it. Poo & ha!  

So, now you know!

Happy Monday to ya, and for more miscellany posts head over to Carissa's bloggity blog. You must visit her anyway to see her sweet babies.  They are A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!

our relaxing weekend

When Gary and I found out the weather was supposed to be nice this weekend, we decided we wanted to go camping.  The forecast said it was supposed to be cooler.  Lower temps at night with a moderate warm up during the day.  Well, it got hotter than we expected, so I am thankful that we didn't go camping.

Layla has been so tired.  Starting school has WORN HER OUT!  The evening hours really have proven to be 'the witching hours' in our house.  She needs a nap after school, but that really isn't an option.  She doesn't even get home until almost 3:30, so naps are not an option.  We just have to push through the crankiness.  Hayden too is getting up earlier and had been a stinker...top that with our first allergy attack of the season = no camping!!!

Hanging out here at the house ended up being a wonderful choice.  Friday night we ordered pizza.  The kids love pizza nights, and so do I.  Friday was a long day and pizza was a perfect meal.  Saturday morning we hit a few garage sales.  I love piling in the car, hitting the donut shop for the kids and cruising around the neighborhood looking for hidden treasures.  I found some amazing deals, and maybe I will post about those someday.   After naps and a low key afternoon of hitting golf balls, we got a visit from Auntie and Donny Ray.  It was wonderful to see them.  It seems like we hadn't seen them in ages.  The kids were thrilled!!  We planned to grill {like we do every weekend}, and they love it when Gary grills.  So we were all happy hanging out and having a great visit.

This morning we went to church.  Hayden had a crazy melt down in his class...it was not fun. He needed a nap something terrible.  We all needed naps.  In fact we all slept EXCEPT Layla.  She was so cranky tonight before bed.  After putting them both down at 7:00 tonight, we haven't heard a peep from either kiddo.  Their allergies have worn them down for sure.

We took a few pictures yesterday of our golfing, but that is it.  I was a photography slacker this weekend, and {brace yourself} I didn't turn my computer on all day until just now to post this update.  HA!

I hope you had a great and restful weekend!

my boys

I am so proud of the hubs. I know how much he loves golf and I am so happy he is able to play often.  His game has gotten so much better.  Hopefully when we retire we can travel while he plays the Senior tour!

This boy is only two years old, but he cranks the ball.  I am so proud of my little golfer.

My three peeps. I ♥ them!

Princess Layla.

I enjoy hitting a few balls around.  I can't wait until the kiddos are both in school.  This fall I am hitting up the driving range to practice up on my skills.

Gary took this picture.  It is the best action shot ever!  

Simply amazing.

I knocked the mess out of that ball.  It felt great!  

are your mornings stressful?

So far mine aren't to bad!!

Why am I posting a picture of Layla's closet?

I want to share a tip I incorporated for Layla's first year of kindergarten.

I ordered this canvas sweater organizer from Amazon.com. The choices are unlimited when purchasing organizational products. While shopping I noticed some really expensive organizers, made in bright colors that sell for as much as $50.00.  I wanted something to fit our budget better.  These were around $6.00 each, and they work great for us.  I noticed when linking to their site, the price has increased to around $9.00.  That is still reasonable when thinking about getting your kids to school with no STRESS!! 

I'm sure eventually I will label the days of the week also.  The way the organizer is hanging in Layla's closet it is a bit short and only 5 slots are showing, but its all we need for the week days.

On Sunday afternoon after naps, Layla and I pick out her outfits for the entire week. We fold up her choices nicely and place them on the shelves.  The side pocket works wonderful for panties and socks.  There is never a question on busy mornings about what color socks match.  We already have it done!!  Sunday we have a fashion show...and it ends up being fun!

Hayden will start pre-school on next Wednesday, here is a peek at his closet. 

I remember the chaos that was last year!  And Layla was only going to preschool two days a week.  If she changed her mind about an outfit, it was so stressful to re coordinate and not argue and stress out about getting out the door on time. This year we just stick with the plan and wear what is there.  It isn't up for discussion since she picked out and tried on her clothes the Sunday before.

 I knew I had to take control this year and I am very happy with the way our mornings have been this week.  I think the first week of school has been fun and successful! 

 But don't ask me about the carpool line...that is one thing no one warned me about. 

I am linking this tip to I'm Loving it Friday's @ Tindymom.net

baconator

I have been wanting Gary to do a guest post for so long...he is the best cook...a wonderful grill master.  I will warn you though, one of the precursors is that he appeals to the guy in you.  He posted a football favorite, and just in time for the upcoming season.  As you know we are huge college football fans.  This recipe would be great for any college football watch parties including tail gates.  In my opinion it is a heart attack waiting to happen.  But it is tasty!

 So, without further ado...

 Here is my husband, Gary, posting his recipe for the baconator.

ingredients:

1 lb bacon, thick sliced your choice

1 lb hot or mild breakfast sausage

1 cup of grated cheese, your favorite varieties

4 red potatoes, flash boiled and chopped to a 1/4 inch

garlic powder, cumin, black pepper

Braid strips of bacon as you would a pie crust, over under, over under.

spread sausage, flat to cover bacon

sprinkle with cheese and potatoes

add sprinkles of spices as you desire.

Roll length wise and pin with tooth pics or wooden skewers at end and in the middle.

Preheat smoker and smoke for 2 hours at approx. 200-250 degrees, with hickory or mesquite uncovered.  Then pull and let rest for 10 minutes. 

Slice with a sharp knife 1 inch slices and dip in ancho ranch sauce.

see (AR) recipe below.

Up close and personal with a slice of the BACONATOR...yum!

Sauce recipe:

1 cup mayo

1 cup milk

3 tbs ranch seasoning

2 tbs ancho chili spice

A fan favorite to be, a man favorite for sure...signing off, Gary

So there it is....I finally got the guest post I have been promising y'all.  I should have known it would have been for the boys.  After all it is football season!

are you ready?

big kid

This little beauty did great today when we dropped her off for her first day of school.

She was loving the camera this morning...cheezin' it up!

I woke her up at 6:45am bright and early.  She woke up sooo super excited. She was asking me what I thought they would do first in her classroom.  She said, "I'm not scared at all, I just wanna go!"  And that made me so happy...it was a great morning.  She isn't a breakfast eater though, but I made her a smoothie, and I think smoothies will be a huge hit in our house from now on.

Layla walking into the school.  She was so proud of her new school clothes, back pack and lunch bag.

The school looks so big behind her.  I am much better about the big school today.  Yesterday I was super emotional. Thanks for all the prayers!  They mean the world to us.

Here is the last picture I took of her before Gary, Hayden and I headed to the kindergarten breakfast.  She looked happy with her classmates.  You can see her to the right in the picture above. 

The kindergarten breakfast was very informative.  The principals and counselor went over basic school policies and car pool and bus information.  I was very glad we attended, and lots of other families were there too.  Hayden did great, he ate a donut and watched the whole presentation.  He loved watching the school counselor.  He never took his eyes off her as she spoke to the crowd.  When the presentation was over Hayden asked for Layla.  It was so sweet.  He will miss her so much!!  So will I, but she is going to LOVE school.  She is such a little learner.  She really does love to learn.

Here are my boys leaving the school.  I am so glad Gary was able to take the day off to hang out with us.  Layla was so proud to have him with us, and I am thankful that he was able to play with us this morning. 

When we got home I started a few loads of laundry, and Gary did some work in the home office.  Hayden was quiet.  Oh Lordy...the first thing he did was go straight into Layla's room and crawl up on her bed.  That was the sweet part...he then proceeded to draw on her bed with a marker he found.  He drew on her comforter.  BLahhh!!  I was so mad at him.  It was a marker that Layla uses to color a purse, so it is permanent for fabric.  CRAP!  I flipped the comforter over and hope she doesn't notice.  I don't want to ruin her day.

After that Hayden and I played in the playroom.  We read books and played in the pretend kitchen.  He loves to cook and play with food.  I realized how little I spend one on one time with him.  I am so thankful for the time we will have.  After lunch I put him down for a nap...he is out...he was so sleepy.  When he wakes up it will be almost time to pick Layla up from her first day.  I can't wait to see how it went.

Thanks again for the moral support you all offered via telephone, email, facebook, twitter and blog comments.  Just knowing that you all understand helps get this Momma through :)

meet the teacher

Bright and early this morning we headed to the school to meet Layla's new teacher. 

She is the sweetest lady :)  I am so happy to have her teaching my Layla this year.  Layla is very excited and nervous about heading to kindergarten tomorrow. As we walked down the hallway to Layla's classroom I was so excited for her.  The school is so new and pretty and big.  We met her teacher and I filled out paperwork and we found Layla's locker.  Her classroom is so cute!  As we were leaving the classroom I started to feel my throat tighten.  Huh?  Me nervous?                            YES!!!!  The school was so big...there were so many people walking around in the halls.  It hit me all the sudden.  Why did the school have to be so big? What if they lost my baby girl?  Couldn't we wait and start her next year? I grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight thinking I could hyperventilate.  Why did she have to go to such a large school?  Maybe I could home school her?  And then I came to my senses.  I know she is going to be fine, but I am nervous for her.  She will do great...I loved school when I was little, and she will love it too. 

   

Many people have asked me if I am going to cry on the first day of school.  I laughed and thought they were crazy!  But they are all right...I did cry.  Not on the first day.  But today when we got home...I cried.  I was so sad and I read this silly little story/letter that was put Layla's folder.  Thank goodness the kids were playing in  Hayden's tent. I keep telling Layla not to be scared, I didn't want her to see me upset. I never thought I'd be so emotional.  But I was, and hopefully I will be able to keep it together tomorrow.  After we drop Layla off at school, I am going to a kindergarten breakfast. I'm excited about it.  I will post lots of pics tomorrow of my girl's first day.

This little guy will meet his preschool teacher on next Monday.  His first day of preschool is next Wednesday.  I'm not sure how he will do, but I'm thinking he will love hanging out with the other kids in his preschool class. 

i have good news, and bad news...

***disclaimer***

one day my kids are going to kill me for posting these pictures. 

 I couldn't help but have some fun with them.  And I wasn't alone in this post...my baby daddy helped.

No children were hurt during this photo shoot.

look y'all the good news is...kids new glasses came in today. 

the bad news is...we had to sell their pants to get the glasses.

i mean really? 

 could these pictures be any more horrible.

What kind of mom am I to see my kids in night shirts and goggles and grab my camera...who does that?

Their faces are just so silly...some pics they have blank stares, and in then the other pics their eyes are closed.  Ughhh!  so stinkin' funny.

What is really funny is the shirt Layla is wearing while sporting the goggles...it says "too hot to handle"

 Ummmm yep, that used to be my shirt. I really didn't wear it that often.  Layla saw it in the garage sale stack and decided she needed to sleep in it. "Fireworks on a t-shirt...that is cool mom!!"  

Oh! I just love these little faces. 

I know one day they are going to make fun of me.  Layla is gonna get mad at me and draw horns on my picture...I will love her anyway.  Hayden won't get his way about something and throw darts at my picture, but I will still love him and be his mommy! 

I love kids. 

 I remember what I thought of my parents sometimes and I know my kids will be the same way. 

 I am so glad I chose to be a parent...the best job ever.