Luke

Each day Evan had a routine, he wanted to look at images and videos of dogs (boxer and golden retreiver puppies) for HOURS on the computer. He never seemed to get tired of it. I thought that if we spent time online watching the dogs that he would get bored and that would save me from sleepless nights of potty training and house-breaking a puppy. It didn't. After nearly six months of watching videos we met Luke, this sweet boxer puppy, and I couldn't stop thinking about him.

I thought Evan was too young for a puppy. I tried to resist... but both the puppy and Evan could easily see the "SUCKER" tattoo that I have on my forehead in large bold letters. Enough of the right statements and sweet little snuggles (from both Evan & Luke), I couldn't say no. It only took spending twenty minutes with Luke, Lauren & Evan playing together to convince me.

As we walked away from the puppies (yeah, I actually walked away... I couldn't believe it either), I knew the real challenge was ahead of me. I wasn't sure how I was going to talk my husband into having a pet. Daily, I had been trying to talk him into a family pet for nearly a year but he had a great argument; we were already trying to potty train two beings, why would I even think about bringing another into the house. And the simple little fact... he doesn't like dogs!

After nearly a week of expressing how I couldn't live without the puppy, he once again was the family HERO. He contacted the woman selling the puppies and arranged to surprise us with Luke. We had the happiest little BOY ever. Evan, 2 yrs old, has been great at helping me train Luke, feeding him, and letting him out to go to the bathroom when Luke rings the bell. It has been a great learning experience for Evan, teaching him responsibility, and such a joy watching their friendship grow.

Then we have Lauren... I thought it would be my son that I had to worry about, but no. Lauren loves to hug, kiss, and wrestle with Luke and is soooo rough. I have to admit I was relieved when Luke started growing and quickly getting bigger. (At least then he had a fighting chance against her). Now that the playing field is even, life is good and we can't keep them seperated. If she had it her way when Luke is outside, she would be out there in the dog house too... as happy as she & he could be.

We have learned to compromise with Dad, Luke gets to play inside and hangs out with us during the day, but when Dad comes home he goes outside until bedtime. The length of time that Corey tolerates Luke being in the house in the evenings is getting longer & longer, but I still wouldn't quite label him the Dog Whisperer just yet.

Normally I would advise anyone that asks to wait to get a puppy until after their kids are out of diapers but I have to admit, like most things in life, the reward has definitely been well worth the work.

Another Tackle it Tuesday

I spent the day with my son enjoying a special "Mommy - Lil' Man day" so I didn't tackle any household projects other than the usual cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. However, during his nap time I did relish in some computer time and found a project that I would love to share.

Cheryl's Magnet Tutorial, or "Sherwool" as Evan calls her, took de-cluttering the outside of her fridge one step further with her magnets and I thought that it was a cute idea.

Another magnet project on her site:

I hope you enjoy it.

Our Football Fans...

Tonight we are just kicking back and relaxing, watching a football game (just us). It feels so unfamiliar. We are usually VERY busy... each minute of our day seems to be planned. On those moments that we are at home to watch a game, we usually have at least twenty other people in the house with us that we are entertaining.

Usually Lauren & Evan are running around with the other children, so having them join us for the game is nice. Evan, being the boy that he is, is alternating throwing the toys at the designated targets (the decorative breakables) around the room and playing "house" with Lauren (he does love his sister). Lauren was deperately trying to put her babies to sleep. However, every time a touchdown was scored Daddy (Grandpa) jumped up, scooped up Lauren & babies, and did his victory dance. After the fourth touchdown in the first third of the game she has given up on "house" and broke out the mardigras beads and decided to play dress up with Daddy instead.

I have to say he looks good! Not many men could pull off wearing spakling necklaces quite like that. Lauren is so proud of her arrangement of necklaces, patting them as if to say "the masterpeice is complete", then finally turns to me and asks

Lauren: Mommy do you like it? Doesn't Daddy look silly?

Mommy: Yes, Lauren I love it! He is VERY silly. (Calling someone silly is the best compliment that someone can receive here. "Silly" is the champion of compliments... second to no other.

Lauren obviously finished with this game now and trying to decide what to play next looks around and says "hmmm"

Then Mommy (me) being my "silly" self can't help but smile while looking at Daddy (eagerly anticipating his reaction) throws out an idea to help my dear girl with her dilema : Hey Lauren, do you want to borrow some of Mommy's makeup?!!!

The look on his face was priceless... the perfect combination of "No you didn't and FEAR (because YES I DID)!!

Your body is a wonderland...

I try to be careful about what music is playing when the kids are around. Just the thought of my kids singing some of the songs that play on the radio makes me cringe... for example Crazy B*&%... yeah, words like that are not something that I ever want to hear my innocent Lauren say, sing, or even think. I do want her to remain innocent as LONG as possible.

Recently she was walking around the house singing Your Body is a Wonderland. At first it caught me off guard and I didn't know what to think about it. Her little voice made the song adorable and I definitely didn't want to say ANYTHING to discourage her from singing. So I struck up a little conversation with her:

Mom: Lauren, your voice is so beautiful... I absolutely LOVE the way that you sing that song.

Lauren: It's my favorite.
(This must mean David Cook has received the boot. She used to be his No. 1 fan).

Mom: Oh yeah? Why is that?

Lauren: Because it's about the fair.

Mom: (More than a little amused) Please tell me more.

Lauren: Well my throat is the water-slide...

Mom: A slide?

Lauren: yes MOM... you are so silly. You know the RIDE at the fair. And my tummy is the Tilt-a-Whirl (one of her favs) spinning 'round n 'round mixing up all my food.

Mom: Of course! Silly me. Your little body is a wonderland (amusement park, fair).

As she was walking off singing the song, I was trying hard to conceal my laughter. The way her little mind works cracks me up. I love how she understands (and misunderstands) what people say, including me. (Her version is ALWAYS better). The world through her eyes is definitely a BEAUTIFUL and LOVING place. I am just thankful to be a part of it.

(To hear her song, click on the link below... and type in John Mayer)

A special Thank You...

... to Jackie for the award.



Here are the rules that go along with this award (Rules to encourage the winners to "pay it forward").
1. Put the award up on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog

My nominees are:

Elaine
Lisa
Heidi
Gabrielle
Jackie
Kate
Cheryl - she is the culprit that inadvertently encouraged me to start blogging. Her blog inspired me!

Thank you all for sharing!

What a DAY!

Every day is definitely an adventure with my little ones. I never know what to expect next, but I can always count on being amused by them. Today was a typical day like most others, this may give you some insight into what I consider "normal" these days.

This morning as we were driving to school (the kids are enrolled in a mother's day out program a few days each week), all of a sudden I noticed that the back seat was silent. In my world, silence is not golden... this is usually a precursor to finding your son emptying the ENTIRE refrigerator looking for "chocowat wilk". Quickly I found myself thinking, it can't be that bad they are buckled into the seats in a moving car. I was terrified to look in the rear view mirrored. However, once I did I was extremely relieved and laughing hysterically.

They both had reached into their backpacks and pulled out their "spare" undies and put them on their heads. Once they noticed I was looking at them I received the full performance which was followed up by a goofy laugh that sounds like it came straight from a "Dumb & Dumber" movie (disclaimer: no they have not ever seen this movie nor do I plan on letting them anytime soon. They come up with enough crazy things on their own).

And to think... this was just the beginning of our day.

Always aiming to please

I recently found an old notebook with a few stories of funny & cute things that the kids have either said or done. I hope that you enjoy them. Here's one:

Evan was thirsty and asking for some juice and after hearing the request Lauren agreed that juice was a great idea.

My leg was cramping from running with the kids earlier (My body is trying to tell me that I am getting old). So I pleaded with them to "Just give me a minute please, then I will get juice & pineapples for both of you". Also secretly hoping that the idea of pineapples would buy me a few more seconds to rub the cramp out.

Lauren jumped up & exclaimed, "I'll get one for you." I assumed that she was still talking about juice, so I said again "Just a minute please."

So she walks over to Daddy who was watching basketball on TV and asked him, "Daddy will you get Mommy a minute so she can get us some juice."

We both started laughing and enjoyed her sweet heart and loved that she was so eager to help in any way that she could.