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When you don’t get out much…

5 May
  • you forget your wallet at work the night of your romantic surprise date with your wife.  Andrew planned a trip to a play in Atlanta while my mom was here and it all turned out perfectly despite his driving without a license and my initial reaction to the surprise.  If I could go back in time, I would definitely not ask, “What’s this?” with a look of confusion when shown the e-tickets. And, I would absolutely not be all like, “What’s this play, *Doubt, all about? I never heard of it.”  Poor Andrew. He knows how sorry I am.  I only hope it doesn’t discourage him from any possible future surprises.  (I really appreciate and love what you did.)
  • you act like an idiot and tell anyone who listens what’s going on in your life at that very moment.  I’m pretty sure the clerk at Old Navy did not care that my mom and I were going to go see a *movie and I was going to order nachos and cheese – oh, I really hope they have nachos and cheese – I’m sure they do right? I mean, it’s an IMAX theater after all….   Yeah, I had uncool written all of my face – and probably my outfit.
  • you have to get a ride from security after the movie is over because you parked on the complete other side of the largest mall in Georgia.  Not only was it silly enough that we were being slowly chauffeured around the mall, but then some “real” action happened (a car backed into a yellow pole) and the security guard was all disappointed that he had to take my mom and I (or as he kept repeating on his walkie talkie, the “10-15”) to our car.  My mom kept hysterically giggling every time he called us the “10-15.” It was all so hilarious, especially when the guy said “I’m going try to get there as soon as I can but I still gotta find this 10-15’s vehicle!” It was at that point that my mom and I told him to go get that “41” or whatever it was and let us out to walk.  Man, I feel bad for that “41.”  He had one geeked up guard coming after him!
  • you enjoy every second of your special time.  Thanks for the wonderful memories Andrew and mommy!  I had a blast!

*If you were wondering, Andrew and I both really liked the play and the movie my mom and I saw was Made of Honor and we both enjoyed that as well!
 

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Maybe we can get in-store credit?

30 Apr

Andrew has the best line for whenever Nate starts acting crazy. He looks at Nia and says, “I think he’s broken!  Do we need to take him back to the Baby Store?”

Nia, being the sweet big sister she is, will laugh and say, “No Daddy!  You’re silly!”

It’s the same thing every time and every time it makes us all chuckle.  Well, except when Mommy tries to use the line. I said it the other night and Nia flat out told me, “No Momma!  That’s what Daddy is s’posed to say!”

I guess I need to be taken to the Get Your Own Line Store.

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Oh, Happy Day!

29 Apr

Blur of Excitement

Yep.  Nia’s face in that picture pretty much sums it all up.  Her 5th birthday bash was a blast!  There was plenty of jumping, screaming, prizes and junk food for everyone but there was also a significant amount of stressing on my part prior to all that.  The forecast of “isolated thunderstorms” really had all of the outdoor party plans up in the air.  The sun teased us throughout the afternoon but then finally came through for us as you can see!

Happy Birthday Jumping Bean

It’s actually kind of funny because in the end, I think the chance of rain helped make the party a success because we had to hurry to make sure everyone got to play the games and that kept the party from lasting forever and ever.  Although, I think that would have been just fine with Nia and her friends!

They couldn’t get enough of the fun and loot.  A few of them kept asking me, “How can I win more prizes?”  They each walked away with bags full of popcorn, candy and toys, plus cotton candy.  Andrew even let one family take a whole box of pizza home with them!  I bet you want to come to our next party right? We might have to charge admission  though!

The kids certainly weren’t the only ones who had a great time.  My mom (“Honey”) found some super cool clown gear during one of her party supply shopping sprees and we just couldn’t pass up the chance to be goofy too!

She definitely deserved to have as much fun as possible after creating Nia’s adorable and delicious cake.  She even made it two flavors and made the icing from scratch!  It was hilarious watching her ice it with the vultures, I mean kids, hovering.  Nia kept leaning over it and putting her fingers too close for comfort.  Every time Nia or Nate got near it, we would gasp.  When it was finally finished, Honey actually shed a few tears of relief and joy!

Nia’s party even had a little bit of Savannah at it.  Our good friend Paul’s arrival at the party brought huge smiles to Nia and Nate’s faces and it was so wonderful to have the Heidels celebrate all weekend long with us.  It means the world that they were here through all of it (thanks for not slapping me silly when I kept stressing about the rain) and I’m very happy that Miss Cami had a nice time.  (Minus the moonwalk though. Poor sweetie.  She just wasn’t having it.)

Soothing her sweetie's moonwalk stress

Now, it’s on to planning the next party.  I’m thinking I’d like to have it somewhere where I don’t have to worry about mother nature or decorating.  Then again, none of that stuff mattered to Nia so why should I let it worry me?  As long as Nia and Nate are happy, that’s all that’s important.

I think she had fun. What do you think?

 

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Chasing Butterflies

24 Apr

I never fully realized the power and beauty of a butterfly until recently.  When Nia and Nate see one flutter by, they gasp, squeal and giggle with excitement and then take off after it.  Sometimes I worry about how captivating the beautiful creature is to them because it seems they will follow it until they run squaw into the fence or out into oncoming traffic.

Danger aside, I just love the innocence and happiness that comes along with chasing butterflies and I’ll admit there’s even been a time or two when I’ve joined in with the kids.  How can I resist after they’ve shown me how much joy it can bring?  I think I actually get as excited as they do now when we see a butterfly.

Thanks sweeties.  I will always cherish our chases.
 

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The 5 W’s Times 100

19 Apr

Who?  What? When? Where? Why? Oh yeah, and How?

They’re asked while I’m talking on the phone.  They’re asked if I sigh or think out loud to myself. They’re asked, of course, if I say no to a prior question that’s usually about going somewhere or doing something.  They’re asked while I’m driving.  They’re asked while I’m taking a potty break.  They’re even asked while I sit in silence.

All day long.  Questions. Questions. Questions.   Sometimes, I don’t even have the answers to them.  Other times, I think I have the answer but then Andrew very sweetly smiles and shakes his head and then tells her the correct reason two positive ends of a magnet don’t stick together (or whatever).

I read somewhere that an average 4-year-old asks about 440 questions a day.  I just don’t have that many answers.
 

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Neighborhood Watch

17 Apr

Who needs a busy body policing the neighborhood when you have a 4 year old?

Today, Nia made it known to me and the neighbor across the street that she disapproved of how he was dressed.  This “he” is a teenage boy who is constantly working on his car that has one of those deliberately loud mufflers on it  (speak of the devil – I hear the car now) and one of those “systems” that he decides to blare at odd hours of the night.

Anyway, today Nia announced out her brother’s open bedroom window, “Momma!  That boy who’s our neighbor is outside and doesn’t have a shirt on!”

I’m not sure if he heard or not and I really don’t care anyway.  I know I’m supposed to “love thy neighbor” and I keep telling myself that but every time I hear his annoyingly loud car I feel the urge to cuss under my breath.

Maybe I should get Nia to give him a piece of my mind.  The G-rated version, of course.
 

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All Aboard the Cuckoo Train

8 Apr

I think I’ve caught Thomas the Tank Engine Fever.  Nate’s love of the little trains is contagious.  I sing Thomas songs, like he does.  I get excited when I see any Thomas product, like he does.  I shriek “Thomas Train!” when I see the product, like he does.  I want to have all of the trains and the train sets, like he does.

This is where it goes from cute and fun to expensive and looney.

I can’t help it though!  It’s just so adorable to see how happy Nate gets because of Thomas and I want to buy and buy and buy…

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Balancing Books

4 Apr

I don’t know how it happened but I went from only reading Harry Potter books to trying to read 4 different books at once.

– Two of them are supposed to tell me how to be a better parent.  Supernanny (I love me some Jo Frost) and Transforming the Difficult Child (I know Nia and Nate really aren’t difficult – the book just offers some beneficial advice and strategies on handling situations.

– One is supposed to help me be a better person/be inspired.  (It’s one of the many books written by Beth Moore –  she’s the woman who teaches my Bible Study – through a DVD of course. She’s an awesome speaker/teacher.)

– The last is a book called The Shack that Julie lent me during her visit with us.  (I’m halfway finished Julie!)

I’m just so excited to be reading again!  I love how much better I feel and how active my mind becomes after reading.  I actually have even been creating a list of books I want to dive into next!

I think the books (along with an addiction to catching up on the tv show “Lost”) has kept me from blogging as much. Oh yeah, that and trying to plan Nia’s 5th birthday party!  I need a book to help me with that too!
 

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A Trick of the Trade

2 Apr

Want to get the kids to come inside after playing outside for long enough?

There’s bribery – “If we go inside now you’ll get a treat after lunch.”  No takers.

How ’bout health reasons – “You are really sweaty sweetie.  I don’t want you to get too hot.”  Whatever mom.

Maybe you should just go straight to the big guns – Totally freak out (I’m talking screaming and bobbing and weaving) when a bee/wasp buzzes around you.

Yep.  That should get them inside real fast.
 

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Easter Fun 2008

23 Mar

Eggies!

Little Hunters

So Egg-cited

Nice Color!

Crazy Colorer

On the Hunt

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