Fun fun fun

John spent a couple of nights welding the boy's new toy. The three of them have spent the rest of the week riding it. Daddy gets home from work and the boys are standing on the porch with their shoes on- ready to ride!
I don't know how much longer the three of them will fit on it- but we're not ready to let them take control yet. And since those skinny butts all fit on it... we'll leave it like that for now. And this is a picture of Kyle on the balance beam during a birthday party we went to. My friend's little boy turned one year old... and we all got to celebrate by having a ton of fun at the gym!

I think I should have spent money on padding the floors like that place- instead of carpet. Sure seemed like a balance beam and a trampoline in the living room might have been a great idea.

But like I told my friend... I'm trying to do my best to stay OUT of rooms with a lot of padding!

Just thought I'd ask...

Hello to everyone... thought I would put this out there in case any of you are interested in supporting Zach in his "Read-a-thon" on March 2nd.
The kids get to wear jammies to school and they will be reading for one hour! This is to support his classroom for future field trips and school supplies. (Zach will be going to the Chico Creek Nature Center later this year.)
The school is asking for $3, $5, $10 or more. If you think you might be interested in pledging for a great cause... let me know!
The money is due back to the teacher by March 15th. I know times are tough, but I'd love to help out a teacher any way I can. I know lots of their stuff comes right out of her pocket (as with most teachers) and she puts her money towards kids who can't afford things.
Thanks!!

YeeHaw Bay-bee!

We went to home depot this morning to pick up supplies... then we took the boys to pick up their new surprise. This is the boy's new toy... a quad! Our very generous friend's gave it to us... it has less than 20 hours on it! The frame needs a small welding repair, and John offered to do it. Apparently their boys have outgrown it, so they told us to do the repair and then keep it.
So if you know my husband... you know that wasn't a problem. As we speak, the quad is up on jacks... and all three boys are working on it.
And if you know anything about their worry wart mother, you'll be happy to know there is a governor screw on it that can regulate the speed to a few miles an hour.
So with a big ol' grin... Zach said "YeeHaw Bay-bee!"

Sunny Sunshine!

Does this picture say a thousand words, or what? We had such a fabulous week, it was perfect weather- SEVENTY DEGREES! It was warm enough to wear shorts for a while- and head to the park.

Where the boys went down their favorite slide... ALL of the boys.

And when Zach wanted to come back up... little brother was right there to help! (Isn't that so sweet?!)

The clouds did come back toward the end of the week... but we stretched our legs and soaked up the sunshine while it was here. The boys finished their weekend with a birthday party that lasted half the day- then we are heading to pick up a cool surprise for them.

Stay tuned!

Ham bone

It was a four day weekend for my boys- all three of them. I spent two of those days working long days... so the guys were left on their own. I came home to a playroom that over-flowed into every nook and cranny of the house- and one empty refrigerator!

Sunday was spent around the house.. it was a gorgeous day.. 70 degrees! We hung out and rode our bikes... and soaked up the sunshine. However, by Monday... they still had cabin fever... and we needed groceries! So we went to pizza for lunch... and I discovered someone has learned how to turn his charm up a little higher when the camera comes out. He held that pucker face for about 4 pictures. I thought the grapes were sour, but he did the same thing for the baby carrots he ate a few bites later!
Now I'll holler for my usual pose... and I'll try to scare the guys eating lunch behind us.

I think I'm pretty funny... and so do the guys eating lunch. Now I have an audience!

My dad is cracking up... so I MUST be doing something funny.

I just kept snapping pictures... because if you know my boys... you know they don't look at the camera and smile at the same time. I guess it must of been really good pizza!

He is such a hoot...

And of course, not to be out done... big brother got in on the funny faces....

Then, after a long afternoon of running around outside... and riding the motorcycle with daddy...and chasing the dogs... and hamming it up for mom... and non stop playing with brother four days in a row...

See- he's even cute when he falls asleep on the desk chair. :)

Mr. Ed's Wife LOVED her hair!

Let me tell you something... I have known many people in my life that are true Bull-Shiters. They could spin a story about anything.... and usually you can read them from a mile away. The only person they impress is themselves.
That's why I've never understood them... because life is SO crazy that it's really not necessary to lie to be able to tell a great story.
Take my day for example:
Client calls a few days ago to find out if I can color her "horse's tail". I had to ask, "Is it still attached to the horse?" Thankfully the answer was no. Apparently in the world of show horses it's standard procedure to buy ANOTHER tail to bulk up the show horse's own tail.
Sort of like extensions for horses, I suppose.
So I told her I didn't have any experience... but what the heck? I'd give it a try. Here's the problem... I have to match it to her horse's natural color... and she brought me three pieces of her horse tail to see. And the other problem was that this piece of horse extension cost her $300! No pressure, right?
After my busy day, I worked my magic... and ta-da... we had a nice dark chocolate color.
Her horse is in competition Sunday morning... and from what I hear.. Mr. Ed LOVED his wife's hair!
And yes... I took a picture of it so you'd know the b.s. that comes from this blog is all truth, all the time... bay-bee!

This morning... I found myself doing something new. Well, sort of...

I dropped Zach off at school, grabbed coffee and then headed to a friends house- a brand new friend.

Somehow, she sat in my chair at work a few months ago for the very first time. We quickly discovered that we had so much in common. We were both mom's, hairdressers, and wives struggling to balance everyday life. We had very similar outlooks on life... and most importantly... we share the same values.

We kept saying we were going to get together over the holidays, but never did. Then a few days before Superbowl she came to get her hair done. I invited her and the family over, and they came to our home on Sunday. Right away, the boys were off playing- and quite nicely! We spent most of the afternoon talking and laughing... and of course... they were a great fit to our crazy bunch during the party.

We both had our little guys, and decided to visit this morning at her house. She lives in the town the boys go to school- just blocks from Zach's school.

It was such a nice morning... she is a great person to talk to. She was positive and encouraging... and she didn't mind challenging me to think of new solutions that would make our family life easier. We have similar thinking on so many levels... I'm thinking I might want to check out her family history!

And before I left, I watched her fold several loads of laundry. Her son had a pee pee accident... and I sat down in it. She chased me around trying to spray my pants with febreeze.. and without missing a beat, I grabbed a towel and sat right back down in the same spot. We get the craziness that involves being a mom... and laughed about most of it. It's so nice to have a friend that wants to see you succeed, but understands why you feel like a failure.

Don't misunderstand... I have some GREAT girlfriends that are a phone/email away. We have been through thick and thin together... but it's different to have someone that is so close. Someone who is in the same school system... someone to watch you fold laundry while your yapping about child nutrition. Someone to sip coffee with...

And so, I feel like this is a great friendship blossoming. And it's reminded me that it's important to be Joann, and not just mommy all the time. That has just put the biggest grin on my face...

Here's to friendship!

Entertainment?

Hello out there... we come in peace...
Yeah... your right... not too many exciting things going on. No one has insulted me at Walmart, I am actually getting used to being called Grandma- seems I have a ton of smart arses that read my blog.

Let's see... on Saturday we finished some home projects. I now have a chandelier in my laundry room- along with a flat screen TV mounted to the wall! (Lol... YEAH I 'pimped' my laundry room!) We also built a storage closet- and now have THREE 10 foot shelves to store our seasonal things- complete with closet doors! I will be so happy to put all those Rubbermaid totes away where I can't see them everyday!

Then, of course, on Sunday we had our annual Superbowl party. (Which I am ashamed to say I have NO pictures of!) But I will tell you I didn't have to eat the dead crow they brought for me... apparently I have some smart arses that read face book, too. Thankfully, but not surprisingly, the team I was rooting for won. I couldn't bring myself to root for the spoiled brat, aka Manning, and therefore was on the opposite team as my sister in law. That's not unusual... because almost as sure as the final game of football is super- we ALWAYS end up on the opposite team! I like it that way... :) she's so fun to rile up!

Monday was a big day for Zach- it was 100's day! His 100th day of kindergarten... and so we got to bring 100 of something. We took a box full of 100 Googley Eyeballs! He wanted to take 100 trains... but I didn't want to bring the wheel barrow.

Monday was also a big day for Kyle! He actually took his night-time diaper off to do his #2 business on the potty! That's a big deal in this house- because he easily could of went in his diaper and let mom clean it up before she's had her coffee. Thankfully... I think we are finished with that! Whoo hoo!!

So I guess I lied when I said nothing exciting is going on. It is non-stop entertainment around here... whoop whoop.

When it took me 10+ years to become a mom, I'm not in any hurry for my little guys to grow up. Sometimes though, I see other children... and I compare them to Zach- when it comes to his independence. I think Zach lets his mom do more than she needs to...
After he began kindergarten, I have slowly been working on little things to help him become a more independent little person. I make him put his own clothes on, and he has to remember to grab his back pack. I also try very hard to not help him with 'clean up' on the potty. I also let him pick some of his snacks, or what's going to be packed in his lunch.

Today, I told him to grab his own afternoon snack. Imagine my surprise when he declared how "delicious" his snack was... I was intrigued to find out what he grabbed.

He was eating cinnamon sugar graham crackers... with cheese on top!

Ewww... phlack!

But I can't squash independent thinking... so I just grin... and let him eat it. :S

Then, he declares he wants to go outside and ride his bike. We bundle him up, and off he goes. I figured he was going out to feed the cats (his chore) but instead he went straight for the ramp that he and his daddy built yesterday.

I ran for my boots.. because he couldn't quite get over it yesterday... and John was helping him. By the time I got out there... he was screaming "I DID IT MOM!"

I don't suppose there is any way I can squash him back into his infant carrier? Make him stop growing... and keep him my baby forever?

I don't' suppose so... and with that grin he gave the camera... and the pride in his eyes... I guess I don't want to.

The Walmart Saga Continues...

Tap, Tap, Tap... Testing 123... squeeeeeaaal.

Hello, my name is Joann, and I would like to announce that I AM NOT Kyle's GRANDMOTHER.

I came to your store today for a few things to hold us over until we make our trip to Sam's Club. I had to get milk, more cold medicine, dog food... and I wanted to see if your jackets were on clearance. I thought I might be able to save a dollar on Zach's jacket for next winter. I came to see what kind of plastic storage containers you might have. Also, I thought with this cold I've had... it would be nice to stretch my legs and come into town after dropping Zach off at school.

Things were going really good.. I found sweat pants on clearance for Zach... for $1.00! Ooohhh my luck. The store was quiet, despite being so close to the first of the month- and lots of management was walking the aisles.

If you recall the last time I visited your store, I almost threw my neck out from shaking it so violently in disbelief. I witnessed a woman trying her best to make a date with a man parked in the handicap spot... and her lack of dental hygiene wasn't going to stop her. I successfully dodged all six children running through the aisles, unsupervised. And, no matter the obstacle course you leave for me... I found a way to get through the aisle congested with your 'middle of the walkway' pallets.

I exited the store with my head held high. I am quite confident that I might be the last human that knows and uses the foreign language known as MANNERS. I also take great pride in knowing the time and money I've spent at the dentist was all worth it. And, no matter how much extra weight I put on, I will always find a way to keep it covered.

However, today... when your cashier asked me with a straight face if I was Kyles' Grandmother I almost died. (I refuse to be posted on the peopleofwalmart.com as a corpse though!) I was shocked, and insulted. While I am excited that I do not fit your demographic of usual teen pregnancy... I must refer to the Retail Golden Rule # 1...

IF your not sure, keep your mouth shut.

I will try my best to not let this ruin my day. But for now, I must go.. I have wrinkle creams to research.

Thank You for listening... and please don't kill each other over $1 sweatpants.