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I’m Stricken with NKOTBSB

22 Nov

I find myself dealing with mixed emotions about the comeback and combination of two boy bands from my younger years.

When I first heard that New Kids on the Block were reuniting, I felt nostalgic and wanted to be a part of the fun and frenzy. I got to go to their concert with a good friend and other fans and it was great. Singing and dancing along, screaming like we did when we first saw them years ago (minus the tears). It was a nice trip down memory lane.

It’s also how I felt about watching my first loves from afar share the stage with some other former teenage heartthrobs, the Backstreet Boys, during the 2010 American Music Awards. At first, I laughed. I loved. I sang along. And then it hit me. I know all of these words. I’ve lived through two generations (plus) of boy bands. I’m now rejoicing in reunion concerts. I’m older.

I felt a little bummed for a minute but then I realized, I may soon have Nia’s generation of bands to (quietly) sing along with too. I’ll get to see it through her eyes. That might be my favorite concert yet.  (With the addition of ear plugs to minimize the screaming damage.)

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Scenes from the Backseat

20 Nov

Our recent road trip offered plenty of entertainment and patience testers. Some of the scenes from the backseat include:

  • Drama as Nia’s seatbelt tightened on her and she couldn’t get it loose.
  • Forget, “Are we are there yet?” or “I gotta go potty.” We heard, “What street are we on now?” “What about now?” “Now?” (We were on the same road for hours.)
  • Dancing like SpongeBob SquarePants to the “Wizards In Winter” (instrumental) by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
  • Fits of giggles thanks to the Megamind Happy Meal toy.  (And some flatulence.)

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Perseverance

14 Nov

Today’s lesson during church really hit at the right time for me. I’m not talking about it literally because that message was about something much deeper than this but I’m talking about the lesson of challenges and never giving up – staying the course and it will be ok. It’s not a new thought but after my last post about my fear of having Nate in church for an hour-plus with nothing to help, this lesson/reminder was needed.

Turns out, I was worried, stressed and upset for nothing. (Like usual with me.) Nate did great. He sat next to Andrew and followed and sang along with the readings and music. It was a joy. He did get a little difficult toward the end (wanting to lie on the pew) but overall it was just fine.

But, back to today’s lesson, even if it turned out to be harder than it was, that shouldn’t make me want to run away or give up. I should stay the course. Feisty four-year-old and all.

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He cried, then I cried – in baseball

18 Oct

I thought he made it. He thought he made it. It was such an exciting sight. Cheers from both sides erupted as we all watched him take off for Third base as the Second basekid on the other team chased him. That Second basekid had to dive for Nate to even have a chance at catching our speedy number 8. Nate was almost there. I screamed and jumped. The other child dove. I screamed and jumped. “He made it! He made it!”

“You’re OUT!” The umpire’s call proved me wrong.

My arms fell to my sides. Nate stood on Third in shock. He shook his head in disbelief and sadness.  His head folded under the weight of his helmet as he was guided off the base. Tears slid down his cheeks. Tears slid down my cheeks.

I’m sorry, Buddy. I know it won’t be the last time you are disappointed on the diamond. I can only hope your little heart doesn’t break each time – for both of our sakes.

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“They don’t look like the picture.”

10 Oct

How could I say no? Nia asked if we could make a sweet treat out of her special recipe book (she still loves it, Ginger!) so that meant I needed to swallow my cookie insecurities and put on my baking face.

“Pretty Princess Puffs,” you seemed simple enough and we enjoyed the time trying to bring you to life but you still defeated me in the end. Even Nia critiqued, “They don’t look like the picture.” That’s ok, Bean. I will always be here to bake with you. I hope you don’t mind my baking blunders along the way.

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Picture Perfect Here

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Making them was fun.

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Making the Puffs Pretty

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Pearls for the Puffs

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Eh.

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Puff went poof.

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The ones that didn't make it.

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This one reminds me of "Little Shop of Horrors" plant.

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The ones that made it. Puffs!

 

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Pumpkin Patch + 85 Degrees = Fesitively Wrong

9 Oct

What the? It was fall weather when I went to sleep last night. As I dreamt of picking the perfect pumpkin, hay rides and apple cider, the temperature was supposed to drop, setting the stage to bring my dream to life.

Well, part of the dream came true. We had a great time with our friends, the Combee family, at Washington Farms but sweated through pumpkin picking, jumpy jumping (where Andrew got in trouble for doing what the video below captures), cow-train riding, goat feeding and pig racing. Hoo-wee. Nothing like a happy and hot fall day.

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Wheel Barrow Princess

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Pumpkin Patch Princess Gets a Lift

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Perusing the Pumpkin Patch with Pals

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Pumpkin Patch Pose

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Pumpkins!

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Hot Hay Ride

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Jelly Bean Cow for the Bean

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Headless Annabelle Cow for the Boy

It's called a jumping pillow and it's awesome!

 

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Hair, Teeth and Mini-Golf

9 Oct

To share in the kids’ fall break from school, Andrew and I took a fall day off from work. The day off meant quality time with the kids and checking a few things off the to-do list. Those do’s included a hair cut for Nia and a hair color for momma, a Nia dentist visit and then (a non-do) a rad game of glow-in-the-dark miniature golf.

When I asked Nia what her favorite thing was that day, she surprised me by answering, “Going to the dentist.” The one place where I didn’t get a picture.

 

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Having fun waiting for my hair color to work its magic.

 

 

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Goofy Girls

 

 

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Cut and color complete!

 

 

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Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-Golf Fun

 

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Come out, come out, wherever you are

7 Oct

I hear it but can’t find it. “Choo-choo.” It taunts me as I search in the dark of Nate’s room while he sleeps. I don’t even really know what it is. “Choo-choo.” I pause. Hold my breath. Direct my better ear to where I think I – “choo-choo.” Wait. Did that come from in Nate’s room or not?

I walk out of the room and head toward the living room. I freeze and search and freeze and search for what seems like forever and finally decide to go to bed. Of course, that’s when I hear it again.

I walk to the hallway and go to Nia’s room this time. Nothing. But it sounds so close! I sneak back into Nate’s room and start silently searching again. This time it becomes more difficult because the ridiculousness of it all strikes me as funny and I struggle to muffle my laugh. The “choos” continue.

Andrew assists in the search but still nothing. We decide to surrender for the night. After all, it had been going off for hours and hadn’t disturbed the kids, it should be ok. Yes, it still disturbed me, but I knew I needed to be well-rested to defeat the noisy, sneaky object.

It wasn’t until my ears woke up to the never-ceasing – “choo-choo” – that I figured out where the toy was hiding. It had been chilling out amongst their bathroom books all night. Choo-choo, I found you.

 

 

Peek a Book

 

And, introducing the “choo” that didn’t end – until I ended it.

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Worse Than a Horror Movie

4 Oct

I felt the blood leave my face. The goosebumps broke a new record in how fast they appeared on me. I dramatically yelled for Andrew to save us all from the two black widow spiders and their eggs living in our garage. It was the first of three major insect sightings we discovered in or around our house this past weekend. Something I’m still struggling with thanks to my fear of all things bug.

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The next discovery caused me to gasp in amazement. I’m so thankful we found this mound of fire ants hiding under second base before Nate did while rounding the base:

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I had to do a double take on this one because it was so well camouflaged. Do you see it there? The Praying Mantis? We let it hang out on our porch but I really hope I don’t find it inside one day.

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What’s up bugs? Did they all get the insect-vite to invade on that certain day? Well, I officially uninvite you. Forever.

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Mommy Mysteries

30 Sep

How did you do it, lady? How did you manage to stay so mom-like and proper around me as I grew up? I can’t help but wonder (and, heads up, some of these are TMI) how you managed to:

  • Watch what you wanted on tv even if it had adult tones to it? I remember the CBS Soaps and Hill Street Blues in the background. I’m lucky if I get to watch Top 20 Video Countdown on Saturday mornings.
  • Deal with how grown-up I played Barbies? Or is that why you never played Barbies with me? I understand. I don’t really love playing Barbies with Bean but I don’t know how to tell her no without making her feel bad. You never made me feel bad. I bet my storylines stressed you out. I know they would me if I heard Nia throwing Ken off a balcony because he cheated on her with her sister. (Maybe those Soaps sunk into my head?)
  • Hold your gas around me? Yes, I mean toots. I don’t ever remember you letting one rip when I was a little kid. I hope my kids can forget their mommy’s noisemakers. They usually cutely yell at me, “Mommy!” What?
  • (This one is TMI you can never unread.) Change your lady products without young me barging into the bathroom mid-change? Sure, locking the door seems so simple. Even if they don’t see the act in progress, they still see the product which prompts questions.”Why do you have a diaper, mommy?” Yes, I answered it without really answering it. “It’s not a diaper. It’s not for pee, it’s for something elsethatI’lltellyouaboutlater.”

I guess I have created at least one mystery. Just on another level.

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