Celebrating the 4th

5 Jul

I knew people marked July 4th in lots of different ways but today I discovered a whole new way to celebrate.  While some people were firing up the grill to share the day with family/friends/neighbors and others were living it up at festivals – we loaded up the kids and had a blast exploring IKEA.

It was a complete spur-of-the-moment decision.  (I was the reason for the spur and Andrew loves me so much he said yes – plus I think I was driving him a little crazy because I kept telling him every time I saw a commercial for IKEA – it was a sign!  we were supposed to go TODAY – I’ve seen those commercials plenty of other times but this time I knew it was TODAY that we had to go.)  I couldn’t believe how many people were there!  Most of us were donning red, white and blue on our clothes – I made an effort to find a red ponytail thingee for my hair.  So, at least that was patriotic right?

The trip to IKEA meant we would have to give up our steak and shrimp dinner and settle for another 4th feast (subs for mom and dad – Mickey D’s for the kids) but I think it was worth it.  We got some much needed (and cheap!) frames and a nice framed picture for our spare bedroom.  Will it be a Valles family tradition?  I doubt it – but it made for a good memory!

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Fun and Sun at the Park

2 Jul
Picnic Time

 

Bird Watching

 

Teeter Totter Princess

 

Super Nate!

 

Squeezing Down the Slide

 

Daddy Spinning Daughter

 

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Sweet Memory

1 Jul

Tonight, I was feeling a little brave – not in the “I’m going to save a life” way but in the “I’m going to let the kids make cookies with me” way.  I’m calling that brave because I am a nervous person when it comes to cooking – especially cookies.  Even when there aren’t kids distracting me, I still do something dumb like use baking powder instead of baking soda.  Despite my fears, this baking experience went wonderfully.

Yum

Yum

The kids helped me put the ingredients in and I let them put their hand on the blender as I mixed.  They had a blast helping mom cook but, of course, they had a better time helping mom and dad eat.

Cookie Face

Cookie Face

 

Happy Kids

Happy Kids

 

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Too Young to Point and Click?

30 Jun

Computer Kid
Nia is really becoming a computer game junkie and I’m wondering if I should be worried.  She’s not playing shoot ’em up games or anything like that – it’s all educational stuff – but I still can’t help but think she’s a little too young to want to play on the computer every day.

The other part of me though thinks it’s good for her because she’s going to have to learn how to use one eventually so what’s the harm in starting at 4?  I’m actually impressed at how well she can work the mouse and use the keyboard to type her name.  She even knows how to fix her typing if she messes up. I sometimes catch myself staring at her in amazement as she drags and drops things on the screen by using the mouse.

It’s funny because I think about what I was doing at her age.  I didn’t even know what a computer was.  In fact, I really didn’t even touch a computer until my senior year in high school and then it was one of those huge beasts that didn’t even have a mouse.  Nia’s already smarter than me!  I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Now, if we can just teach her how to blog and pay the bills – well, maybe coloring pictures and learning how to spell are enough for now.

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I’m a Nut Job

30 Jun

Even if I’m just walking a few feet from the kitchen to the table, I carry it with me.

I try to plan my day so I will be able to have time to enjoy it. (Nate’s nap time, Nia’s rest time)

When I’m not absorbed in it, I’m thinking about it. (While I’m cooking/doing the dishes…)

I talk about it to other people even if they don’t want to really talk about it. (People at the YMCA/my loyal husband)

This is not the first time I’ve been like this and I know it will not be the last.

Harry Potter consumes my mind.

I just reread the 5th book “Order of the Phoenix” in anticipation of the movie (in theaters July 11th!) and now I am rereading the 6th book “Half Blood Prince” in anticipation of the 7th (which will be in my mailbox on July 21st).
I was even trying to plan out how I should prepare for all of this upcoming Potter excitement.  I sought help from Andrew (who has absolutely no interest in the books/movies and is only taking me to this movie because I agreed he could have unlimited time playing PlayStation.)  I asked him if I should wait until after we watch the movie to reread the 6th book because then that way I will have a clear stream of events. He said he thought that would be a good idea (trying his hardest to care) and while I thought so too I couldn’t help but begin the 6th.

I’m also re-watching movies 1-4 and I’ve advised Andrew he needs to watch them so he’ll have an idea of what’s going on with the movie.  Just to give you an idea of how that’s going – we started watching the first movie last night – he only lasted 45 minutes before falling asleep.  I, naturally, am in total disbelief that he doesn’t love this story as much as I love it. I think he’s just jealous of all the time I’ve been spending with Harry.
 

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It’s Valles, not Valles

26 Jun

Today, I got what looks like great coupons from Target.  The problem is – I can’t read them.  They’re in Spanish and there is no English translation.

It’s not the first time someone thought we were Hispanic because of our last name. Even Monica thought we were when she first met us and she is an English as a Second Language teacher!  I called her and told her she needs to read me the restrictions because I could tell by the pictures of the products that I might want to use a few of them!

Andrew says I should go in and talk all redneck – asking if I could still use ’em being that I don’t habla Espanol and all.

Oh, if you don’t get what the title of the blog is about, click here.  Andrew and I think this Saturday Night Live skit is pretty funny.

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When You’re a Wife and a Mom

21 Jun

I was recently thinking about all the funny things that happen to me now that I’m a wife and a mom.  Things that I probably wouldn’t have even considered doing before the kids or the hubby. I may make it sound like I’m complaining, I’m really not.  I treasure every gross, annoying, tiring and space-invading event that happens to me. For example, when you’re a wife and a mom:

  • Your body parts are no longer your own.  Andrew slaps my butt – now Nate slaps my butt. And, even though they are now closed for business, Nate still tries to reach down my shirt from time to time.  I feel so used.
  • Nothing is ever boring.
  • I no longer get grossed out when it comes to snot or boogers – even the really gooey ones.  I’ve watched Andrew blow his nose in the shower by holding one nostril to empty the other one.  I cannot rest until I’ve made sure every last yucky green guy is removed from Nia and Nate’s noses.  I will shove tissue after tissue up there and when that doesn’t work, I admit it, I pick their noses.  (Of course, making sure to let them know THEY are not allowed to pick their own noses.  What a good example I am, huh?)
  • I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but I can no longer go potty in private or in peace.  The kids follow me in most of the time and I’m forced to waddle off the toilet because I have to save the boy from falling over the bath tub or getting into the trash.  Even when the kids aren’t in there with me, the dog comes in and stares at me, breathing his warm, smelly breath in my direction.  It about drives me bonkers and I end up taking my frustration out on him.  I ask him, “Do you freakin’ mind?!?!”  He just keeps breathing on me.  Perv dog.
  • I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner almost every day.  Before married life, I pretty much only cooked some Ramen noodles or a tuna sandwich.  I was pretty much petrified to really cook a meal.  Now, I love it.  Especially when Andrew and the kids say “mmm.”  I never would have thought I would love cooking like this.  There is just something about it that makes me feel like I’m taking care of my family.
  • I’m at home during “talk show” time during the day and I don’t even get to enjoy it. I just feel bad watching tv when I should be reading to the kids or playing with them or taking care of house stuff.  Besides, who really wants to watch Ellen dance anyway?  Well, actually I do. I’ve tried recording the show but it’s just not the same.  There’s just something about watching a talk show in the middle of the day that makes it even better.  I can’t really explain it…I guess that’s why they’re scheduled to air then right?
  • You remember which sock is missing its partner.  It doesn’t matter whose sock it is.  If I see a pink ruffled sock at the bottom of the hamper, I say “there it is!” because I remember I washed a pink ruffled sock last week and couldn’t find its match.
  • It’s really hard to diet when you’re constantly surrounded by delicious food you’re not supposed to eat.  Cheese puffs, fudge-striped cookies, ice cream, frozen chicken nuggets with ranch dressing, french fries…

I could keep going but those are probably the best examples.  I wouldn’t trade in my titles for the all the peace and quiet and sanity in the world.  I feel so blessed and loved every day and it is because I’m a wife and a mom.  Thanks fam!

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Our Little Mermaid

21 Jun

Nia is finally getting over her fear of going under water!  Today, she went under all by herself at swim lessons!  She was so excited.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get the full underwater event on camera, but I thought you would like to see the action I did capture.

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Missing Phone

20 Jun

Remember that toy phone I wrote about in the last blog?  The one that came with the playhouse?  The one I said I didn’t know where it was?  Well, I found it – or more, it found me.

As I was taking out the garbage, it beeped at me.

Yep, I had to dig in the garbage (past the dirty diapers and old food) because I could not knowingly throw the phone away.  Don’t worry, I doused it with Lysol wipes.

If you’re wondering how it even ended up in the trash can, you probably can guess.  Nate slipped it in there the other day.  I thought I saw/heard him put something in the can – but I wasn’t about to go garbage diving.  That was until I realized it was his phone.

The things we do for our sweeties.

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Tiny Homeowners

19 Jun

This weekend we bought the kids a playhouse.  It was Andrew’s Father’s Day gift.  He said it’s what he wanted because he knew it would make his kids and his babies’ mama happy. (Don’t worry, I still got him his very own gift too!)
Welcome to Our House
While the house is making everyone happy – there’s already been quite a few domestic disturbances to report. Nate is a wild man in the thing.  He climbs through the windows and he constantly tries to stand on that flimsy yellow table.  He also fights Nia for the little phone that came with the house.  Notice in the picture below that it’s missing from the wall?  Who knows where it is and we’ve only had it since Saturday!
A Happy Home
They really have been having a blast in there and Andrew and I have a blast as their next door neighbors.  (As long as they keep their music down and their grass cut!)
Hello There Neighbor

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