Sonish

My son's version of eating a hot dog :)

Recently, I've also enjoyed his version of the English Language...

English Sonish
Waffle "Wamples"
Sleeping Beauty "Sleeping Duty Duty"
Disgusting "Dis-crust-ing"
Tears "My 'cries' come out when I close my eyes"
Dessert "Bizzert'
The Sun came out "I waked up the sun for you"
Cape "Gape"
"Dad, let's play Ring the Ghack" (actual game from Dr. Suess Book)
Twelve (12) "Twelven"
Frisbee "Fris-a-pea"

Then we dip, we dip, we dip

I couldn't resist!

My daughter loves this fruit dip I make. So I snapped a picture and thought I'd share the recipe. Bon Apetit!

Fruit Dip (s0 easy its a sin!)
16 oz. Strawberry low-fat Yogurt
1 Small container of Cool-Whip

Mix & enjoy or chill and serve with cut fruit!

Organized & Accessorized

Now that my daughters hair is grown a bit longer, I bought more hair doodie-dads for her. This prompted me to "organize" her hair "things" and off I went. I used my old nuts, bolts, and screws holder (found in the hardware areas of most stores) and placed them by color.

After completion, I went to the store to purchase a larger one for my jewelry, as the one I was previously using was a bit small.

Viola! end result. Nice neat packages that are easy to transport and easy to find what I am looking for. Both compartments were less than $10 total {craft areas sell a similar concept in storage, but are more expensive}
In case anyone wonders the method to my madness here: I placed earrings and rings in the first row, bracelets in the second, necklaces third, and JUMBO necklaces in the back (all according to color)

"Mother's" Day

It should come as no surprise that I LOVE GETTING MAIL!!! Of course not bills, but letters, cards, and especially packages. It was well known in my house< growing up, that I committed to memory the sound of our local postal workers vehicle. Because of this I would know when the mail arrived. There was something about the anticipation of walking to the mailbox and prying open that federal door to see if a "little goody" awaited me. Ironically, I don't quite get the same satisfaction from email. Although I always enjoy receiving a personal one.

Now that I am older and home all day, I have also memorized the Fed Ex and UPS truck (I know right? I need another hobby). About a month ago I received a visit from one of these trucks! I was thrilled and surprised in regards to the unexpected visit. Lo and behold, a PACKAGE for me! YES!

I opened the wonderful piece of parcel and revealed the lovely arrangement photographed above. From Michael & my mother for Mother's Day. I loved everything about it. But it got me thinking...

For the last several years my mother has sent me Mother's Day presents. I love gifts, so that is not my complaint, but I kinda feel guilty that MY mother is sending ME Mother's Day presents!

Furthermore, these last couple of years I have felt Mother's Day is a bit impersonal: the 24hours that we the people tribute to the Mother's in our lives. I guess its something about everyone doing it at the same time that doesn't make it as meaningful to me. Which is weird, because I don't feel that way about Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter! Anyway, it may simply be that my epiphany emerges as I have become a mother myself.

In no way would I ever recommend we not pay tribute to our mothers on Mother's Day. As a matter of fact every Mother's Day, my poor husband has to hear me torte, "Every day should be Mother's Day". I can only imagine what he's thinking.

Along with my Mother's Day controversy I began examining why our parents call US on our birthdays (I'm just taking the holiday's by storm!). If you think about it, good ol' Mom and Dad are the reason we HAVE a BIRTH day. And from that special day they have sacrificed to raise us and give us the best within their powers. What do we need to celebrate? That they let us LIVE! Surely none of us is perfect--so I can only envision their birthday wishes to mean, "Happy Birthday little darling, you're so lucky you made it another day." All joking aside for a moment, I feel the ones that need to be celebrated are our parents.

And that is just what I did. This past birthday of mine, I called my mother and father. I shared my feelings of gratitude for selfless sacrifice and the blessings I feel they have been in my life. etc. etc. My birthday meant I was one year older and wiser too, but I would not deny that was the case because of the family I had in my life.

Everyone's situation is different. Some may not have had one or both parents as active members within their upbringing, but hopefully there is someone in our lives that we could look to (even if it was a bad example you've worked hard not to repeat) that have helped shape us into who we are as individuals.

May I suggest that we take a step back on our next birthday (and the many more to come), take a moment to contact the people that brought you into this world and/or made it possible for you to continue to learn and grow--and tell them how much they mean to you...how grateful you are for them. That my dear friends, is a much more personal "Mother's Day".

Free Free Free

Since I committed to following a budget, I have to admit it's been kinda fun to find some creative ways to have free fun.

My mother always told me I could take a pile of junk & make something neat out of it (THANKS MOM!). **She said it much nicer than that

So after we took the swing set items out of their massive boxes I saved them for future projects.

If anyone remembers my kite experience, you know this could get interesting.

Today, I took one of the larger boxes and constructed this tunnel. I quickly ran & grabbed the camera before it fell apart!

Swing Set Satisfaction

As I am sure you know by now, I don't have patience for craft-like things. This includes reading instructions.

For my son and daughter's birthdays this year we combined all the money they received from loved ones (THANK YOU!) and purchased this awesome swingset I won't have to refinish each year.

So when it arrived via big big truck, I skipped out to meet the truck driver. And as required; had my brother help me carry the massive thing in the back yard. I warned Mr Thurgood and Uncle ahead of time that they would have to assemble it together--if I had picture proof of some of the items I've tried to assemble you would know why.

So there the swing set sat in a box in our backyard and I just stared at it. It was then that I decided to have my brother help me move it to where it would actually stand for the duration of it's life. He complied.

Now I stood looking at it all cramped up in its box where it would eventually be able to stretch its wings. I then looked at the time (approx 11:20) and did the math in my head (shocker, I know). Mr. Thurgood would be home @ 6PM that night. Good gracious that was a long time for the playset to just sit there.

Yes, you guessed it. I sent my son (the one that can guilt trip uncle the best) to ask my brother to put up the swing set with me. He complied again :) I was elated!

Now you must know that Uncle's patience for assembling things is similar to mine (must be on my Dads side of the family. Dad?) So picture us on one of the hottest days of the week....outside, READING instructions and actually trying to follow them!

Its was quite the comical experience. We know that if we were ever on a reality TV team, we would be America's favorite!

Our little jabs at one another. Our jokes...laughter, frustration, arguments about which piece the instructions were refering to, and the victory dances we performed for whomever was right, was truly a sight to see!

The highlight of the assembly was the point at which Uncle suggested that we just throw out a piece that just wasn't fitting right! I envisioned my children trying to swing and the whole set falling down on them.....so that didn't last long.

But my dear friends 5 HOT SUNNY HOURS LATER we finished!

Earth Day: Garden in a Glove

For Earth Day we made Garden in a Glove

With a plastic food-handling glove, we placed wet cotton balls in the fingers and thumb of a glove. Then placed one seed in each section. We tied the end to ensure the seeds didn't become lunch and set them out to soak up sun & heat. Within a few days the little guys started budding....if I could keep them alive, we would have planted them. .....may they rest in peace!