Random Thoughts

1. Sometimes I think it would be easier to raise wolves than to have two kids.

2. If anyone knows of a dishwasher big enough to get 14 dirty sippy cups, 8 Spiderman plates, 5 pacifiers, plus all of the adult things that need to go in there at the end of a day around here, let me know.

3. Do you think my kids "try" to lose their socks or does it just "happen"? I can't decide.

4. How is it that the smallest member of this family generates the most dirty laundry in a week?

5. If I have to be Darth Vader one more time today and fly in my jet destroyer only to lose to Ryan, who is also Darth Vader, in The Great Sky Race, I think I'm gonna start pulling my hair out.

6. Somebody needs to smack Dora in the head with a hammer. She is getting on my nerves as of lately.

7. God, please give me the courage to take my kids car seats out and clean up the spilled Capri Suns, Teddy Grahams, raisins, Happy Meal toys, and God knows what else is lurking under there.

That's about it for now. I'll let you know if I think of anything else. I hear Ryan calling for me. I'm sure Darth Vader needs some chocolate milk.

Lessons From The Laundry Room

I was thinking about some stuff earlier while folding laundry with two wild, little men "helping" me. I have my neat, little, perfect way of folding towels. It's the way Mother did it and the way she taught me and I still do it that way. I had my nice stack going of my perfectly folded towels when Ryan grabbed the last one and announced that he could do it. I watched him lay it down, fuss around trying to get it flat (all the while stepping all over it), and work to get it "folded". He proudly picked it up and laid it on top of my stack. It was all balled up with the corners not matching or anything. Instinctively, I picked it up because I was going to fix it to MY way. After I'd grabbed it, I looked at Ryan. He was staring at me with a sad little look on his beautiful face and he said "did I do it wrong Mommy?". My heart broke. What message was I about to send my little man? He had tried his best. Was I going to tell him that it wasn't good enough...all over a stupid bath towel? Moments like these always make me stand back and think. I put the towel back on top of my pile just the way he had laid it down and I said "you didn't do anything wrong, you just did it differently than I do it, but I like your way, too." His face lit up. I hadn't crushed his little self esteem, in fact I lifted him up. All over a crazy bath towel. Who cares. I don't think I'll ever fuss over the way I fold towels ever again, and I'm just fine with that!

Spring Training

Ryan had his very first t-ball game yesterday. It was a complete riot! The kids were so excited. The coaches did a great job of keeping them all together. Ryan had a great game, offensively speaking. He didn't have such a great time playing defense. He missed a ball and it completely devastated him. He was crying so hard, it was sad. John and I convinced him to go back on the field but he sorta lost focus after that. He wandered up to home plate and was trying to bat. The weather cooperated and the rain held off until the very end of the game. We had to run to the car because it was pouring! Fun stuff! Great way to spend a Saturday!

Bad Blogger

I'm back. Sorry for the lack of posts. If anyone still checks this, I promise to do better. Without going into details, let's just sum up the last couple of weeks with this--depression sucks! That's all I have to say about that!

On to some happier topics, the boys are great. Tanner is a full time walker and can crawl up onto anything. He is a busy little dude. Ryan had a fun time at his Trike a Thon at school, he and Nolan had a great time together, and he's gotten more Easter candy than the law allows. John is on the mend and feeling much better but his cough is lingering. Here are a few of my favorite pics that I've made lately.

Happy Easter!!!

Spring Is Here!!!

And these pictures prove it! Everything is starting to bloom and it's just wonderful. I'm so very ready for Spring and Summer. Winter is just a hard time with little ones. They get tired of being inside. We have some great parks and playgrounds close by. I'm predicting a lots of great times in the coming, warmer months!!! All of these pics are from our yard.

The Home Depot and Tony Stewart--10 Years!

Hello all! Yesterday, John's client, The Home Depot, had a HUGE to-do at their headquarters celebrating 10 years of being a part of Nascar with the #20 car's driver, Tony Stewart. I picked Ryan up early from school and we met John at Panera, ate a quick bite and walked (just around the corner) to the party. It was really neat! The cars were there. The big truck that hauls the car was there. Tony and his entire crew were there. We weren't cool enough to have the armbands to get his autograph. Bummer. You had to actually work FOR THD, and John actually works for KPMG. :( The weather was gorgeous and we had a nice time. Don't you think John looks like an Old Spice man in that one pic? As long as he only LOOKS like one and doesn't SMELL like it, I'll be happy!!! :)

GRRRRRR!

Friday afternoon, Ryan asked if we could eat lunch at Chili's. Great idea! The boys both ate a ton, played together, and we all had a very good time. So after paying and gathering up the 12 Hot Wheels on, and around, the table, we headed outside to get our car. Atlanta is kinda weird...you have to valet park at EVERY restaurant. Even at lunch, at Chili's, we had to valet park. So stupid. Anyway, as the kid is walking towards us, I notice that he is looking at me. Not just looking, but staring. I instantly realized he was about to tell me some crappy news. Sure enough, "I'm so sorry, but I backed your car into a steel beam". Are you kidding me? Okay, let's take a look so he runs across the street into the parking garage and pulls it over. OMG! He must have been backing up really fast. I'm not sure if you can really tell how bad it is from the picture, but it's really bad! The tailgate won't open because the rear panel is so dented. Nice, because I had just bought a dresser for Ryan closet but hadn't gotten it home yet and now it is being held prisoner, courtesy of this ditzy college boy who told me "I just didn't check the right side". Why then, sir, are you working as a valet if you can't remember to check BOTH sides when backing up? My car even has the navigation system and it DINGS AND LIGHTS FLASH when you get close to something in back. All I can say is GRRRRRRR! This car has been injured twice now and I haven't done anything wrong either time. (A few months back, a little old man back into me at the grocery store.) So now we have the fun task of working with this company's insurance to get it all fixed. The only saving grace is that we now have the Jeep, so at least I'll have something to drive while it's in the shop and not have to fool with a rental car.

I know this is a big vehicle. How is it, though, that I drive it everywhere, everyday and never hit anything but this kid couldn't get it across the street without wounding it? Ryan kept asking the kid, while I was filling out paperwork, "why did you hit my Mommy's big, black truck?". Nothing like having a four year old rub it in your face! Way to go, Ryan!!!