Thankful Thursday and general ramblings....

So, I'll start with a disclaimer....what follows may not reflect 100% positively on my hubby, but it will make you laugh (I think!). He's really an intelligent person, but quite frankly his spelling is terrible and at times his grasp of the English language worries me (usually after a few drinks- but still). Like the time that I complained that he really wasn't very thoughtful. And his response to me was- I am VERY thoughtful, I think nice things all the time. Ummmm- clearly we do have an issue, because that's NOT what thoughtful is. I need you to ACT on those nice thoughts. Still a work in progress.

Anyhoo- tonight we went to the mall with the dog (yes, our crazy mall allows dogs- it's strange but really lots of fun!). We ate dinner and stopped at a video place and then went to the 3 Dog Bakery. They have great little training treats that are puppy bite size and perfect for working on getting that silly dog to do what we need her to do. While we're looking at the 15 thousand items in stock Jon says to me in a super loud voice- Hey, check out these bitchin' fries. Suddenly you can hear a pin drop in the place and I turn around to see what in the world he's talking about. This is what I see.


Uhhh, honey- those are bichon fries.........you know those little white fluffy dogs- bichon frise......don't you get it- bichon fries....frise??? At this point he is laughing so hard and I am trying to keep it together but it's just not working. Really honey- bitchin' fries???? I'm pretty sure they are running a family operation and trying to keep it clean. For goodness sake.

And so, I am thankful for moments in our marriage that truly make me laugh. We have them a lot!!

On Sunday as we were packing to leave the river, I took a weird step and felt a terrible pain in my knee. It almost took me to the ground and felt a little like something moved to a place that it shouldn't be. I got myself together and hobbled inside to try and recover. By Monday, it was clear that things were not getting better so I went to our clinic at work. They sent me to an sports medicine clinic where I was x-rayed and told that based on my symptoms and they type of pain I was having that I had torn my meniscus.

Until that moment I didn't even know that I had a meniscus. They loaded me up with directions and crutches, told me they'd schedule an MRI and I'm to see the orthopedic surgeon next week. You have GOT to be kidding me- surgery?? Well, only maybe. So, I've been gimping around all week and have been quite cranky about the whole inconvenience of it all. I am noticing a difference but things still aren't right so I'm getting more convinced that it really is a problem.

I am thankful that it's not worse than it is and really, for my general good health which I take for granted WAY too often. Crutches are not fun but at least they are temporary at best and in no time I'll be back to "normal". That's not the case for many people. I am so blessed with my health- we all are.

Not being exactly mobile this week has left Jon in charge of the kid and the pup. Always a good story there-

They took Gypsy to a self wash dog parlor to give her a bath. Evidently, she wasn't a fan!


She did come home looking so sweet and fluffy and smelling delish. Although she's still struggling with potty training, I really do love that puppy.

I am thankful for the joy that our new pet brings, that she seems to sense that Cooper is the one who needs her most and so she seeks him out and showers him with licks and wags of her tail. He's not ready to say that he loves her more than Savannah (he's loyal, that kid!) but he sure does think she's pretty special.

Tomorrow is Friday. I have to go to court for a traffic violation. My license plate tags had expired. This is one of those jobs that I absolutely believe needs to belong to Jon. Regardless of whether it's my car or not. Mechanical stuff and upkeep falls into his realm (as does the trash). Unfortunately, he doesn't share my thoughts and so consequently I've been driving on an expired tag since April and didn't realize it until the policeman called it to my attention. Honestly, in the scheme of things, not even a blip- just irritating and a waste of my time and money. I'm hopeful that they'll drop the charge since I can prove that I've now updated my registration (ok, I just did it today, but that's not the point).

I am thankful that I've got the funds to renew the crazy tag and to pay the ticket should they not throw it out of court. I take for granted how much we have and how blessed we are to have jobs so that the money continues to come.

Exciting news at the river- a guy is coming to paint our external door, the sunroom and our bedrooms. I am thrilled- and it is CHEAP!! I love that things are so reasonable at the river- because people there are carefree and love life and have no concept of busy or overwhelmed or stressed out. I dream about that life. I need to pick out colors- I love that part!!

I am thankful for the river house and everything that it means to each of us- a place to relax, unwind, be unplugged, be together, play, rest, focus on the good things and create memories for us that will last a lifetime.

This post is getting long.....there are a gazillion other things.......for my mom and crazy phone conversations, for Friday nights with the girls, for clothes that make me feel pretty and better yet, skinny, for West Wing re-runs and the Today Show, for living in a cul-de-sac, for rearranging the living room, for building new relationships at work, for comfy beds and cute flip flops.

I am so thankful!!

Happy

Lately, Cooper has had an affinity for big shirts....weird. He's obsessed with wearing Jon's sweatshirts or t-shirts and quite frankly, it's annoying. He can't walk, can't function and looks nutty. Today he dragged out yet another big shirt as we were leaving the river and I couldn't take it. I tried to get him to put on his clothes, but he wouldn't have it. I checked my drawers and found a long sleeve t-shirt that I adore from eons ago. He didn't need much prodding to put it on and it's way more manageable that anything that Jon has!

Years ago Jon and I took an amazing anniversary vacation to the Gulf Coast- I think pre-Cooper but potentially after he was here (hate that the years are running together!). I'm pretty sure it was pre! Anyhoo- we stopped for lunch at Lulu's, which at the time was in the original location on Weeks Bay. We had the best lunch and could have stayed forever. I couldn't leave without a commemorative t-shirt.

Seeing it on that silly kid all these years later.....I love it! He looks so little, and so happy and so adorable. We had about 30 minutes alone tonight while Jon ran a quick errand. He said, "Momma, let's do something fun while Daddy's gone". Hmmmm- quick fun? I've got the perfect thing- S'MORES!

And for 20 minutes we had the best time....eating s'mores, telling him about Lulu's and having fun just the 2 of us.



Jon came home and thought we were nuts- but that just made us laugh even more because we are!!

Hope you have a great week-

Just Wondering.....

Cooper asked me for an apple this morning. I got all excited and thought we had turned a nutritional corner and he was craving fruit. We didn't have any apples, but I offered grapes or blackberries. Nope- wouldn't work. A few minutes later he said emphatically, "it's out!"

And just like that, tooth #3 is out.


And just like that, it's all over. His sweet baby grin is gone and a big gappy one has arrived.


But I adore that gappy grin and even though it's there, it doesn't mean that he's all grown up. He's still little and sweet and innocent....and he was over the moon at the thought of the tooth fairy arriving.

Or so I thought.

"Hey Momma? I'm just wondering....is there really a tooth fairy?? Or is it you?"

Apparently Quantaz (who's name has not been changed to protect the innocent) has informed my child that there is no tooth fairy....and there is no Santa.

Remind me again why I work to support my family and as such pay to send him to camp each day so that he can socialize with others and pick up crazy ideas and leave his childhood innocence behind????

And so, as calmly as I could, I said that I thought it was really sad that Quantaz didn't believe in magic.

And then he picked up his tooth, put it into the glow in the dark tooth shaped container with a secret compartment so the tooth doesn't get lost inside that Santa brought and lovingly placed in his stocking and said- "that's what I thought".

Please stay little....you deserve to be happy and carefree and to believe in the magic at least for a little while longer.



Please...

Success

Recipe for a great 7th Birthday-

1 package of cupcakes (chocolate with white icing)
1 container green sugar
1 "7" candle



3 fun balloons



1 tent
1 happy birthday sign (recycled from years 1-6)



8 scavenger hunt clues & prizes



1 pool (on loan for the evening)



1 pizza
12 juice boxes



1 fire pit (c/o cousin of the year!)
fixin's for smore's
3 flashlights for flashlight tag
2 great friends



Mix well- makes 1 happy kid!!



My favorite parts? Before the party started, he and Jon were putting up the tent. He ran over and gave me the biggest hug and said "I just wanted to give you a hug- I'm so excited about my party"....and afterwards, "Momma, that was the best party ever. From now on, I want to have sleepovers for every birthday!"

Totally worth the sleep that I didn't get on Friday night! And if I had worked on it for months, I don't think it could have been any better.

Thankful Thursday

Tomorrow is Cooper's birthday party (uh-huh...23 days after his actual birthday- who's counting!). He wanted a sleepover....I said he could have 3 friends and then changed my mind and said 2. I figured, start small. There will be other sleepovers.

I said that we could have a camp out and they could sleep in a tent- it seemed like a good idea until he really thought about it. Now, he's decided that perhaps sleeping on the floor in the family room would be better. There will be other camp outs.

Typically, Cooper's birthdays are big events- not big in size at all (clearly, we're not in need of crowd control with 2 kids) but big in terms of planning. As in- I usually start planning months in advance....agonize over every detail and throw myself into near exhaustion to get ready for an event that will perhaps be remembered for 6 months afterwards. As I sit and type this post, I am looking at a pile of laundry on the sofa, a pile of puppy poo on the floor, haven't thought about a cake, let alone ordered one, haven't been to the grocery store for food and am not quite sure that I know where the tent is (which may not be a problem since apparently he's not going to sleep there). There will be other times to be a freak.

This time I am throwing caution to the wind and letting it happen on it's own. I'll grab some cupcakes, clean up the poo, fold the laundry, find the tent and buy some snacks. Because in the end, he's a simple little kid who just wants to have a sleepover with a few of his pals.

I think I can handle that, thankfully.

4th Recap

Our tradition has been to spend the 4th of July at the river. We watch the fireworks from the water and get to see displays from all around us. It's typically just us and our river family and we always have a great time.

This year, we were invited to spend the 4th with Jon's aunt and uncle and their family in the mountains. The thought of no heat, no humidity and no bugs plus the opportunity to spend some time with his family made us jump at the chance! To say that we had a super weekend would be an understatement.

It was heaven!

A few highlights.....

Pugs

(his name is Wilbur & Cooper adored him!)

Pigs Feet

(somehow Jon & Hugh got obsessed with these and couldn't stop)


& plenty of laughs

(Aunt Sarah is the best- she wore this hat all night and periodically shared pearls of wisdom with us)

What 4th is complete without some sparklers and those worm things that grow when you light them?



Some highlights from the famed pigs feet experiment...



The mountains are incredible. We took a hike and could see for miles.


Although the view from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Bill's was great- we decided to add a little adventure and borrowed the deck of an empty home nearby. About 25 other people had the same idea....and technically, we had permission (sort of). Regardless, the fireworks were fantastic and being able to look down (or right at them) was certainly easy on the neck!




The weekend was non-stop and centered around family and creating memories. This one goes down in the books as the best 4th of July ever!!

Thanks Aunt Sarah & Uncle Bill- we love you!

Thankful Thursday

As much as I've tried not to think about it, the fact remains that turning 40 is a big deal and that it should be celebrated with at least a little pomp and circumstance.

I really had a fabulous birthday- we celebrated in TX with an incredible fajita fiesta at Jon's cousins house. And on the actual day- with dinner at a great little tapas place that I adore! And then at the river with my parents (and my cake).

Last week, Diana and Jennifer lured me out to dinner with them to celebrate my 40th and my request was Vietnamese food. Delish. At the last minute, they decided (or so I thought) that my big day warranted a little more ambiance than our favorite dive had and they switched the venue. I'm nothing if not flexible when it comes to food and went along not thinking that anything was up (although Diana did meet me for a pre-dinner spring roll and glass of wine).

We were meeting Jennifer at the restaurant, and as I turned the corner I saw my friend Maile sitting at the table inside the restaurant. And the only thing I thought was- "oh look, Maile's having dinner here too!". Not until Diana gave me this happy/excited nod and I realized that another friend who didn't know Maile was sitting with her did it click that they had planned a little surprise par-tay for moi.

How great is that!! They truly spoiled me and made my birthday complete.



I am thankful for wonderful friends with giant hearts!

It's a 3 day weekend because the 4th is on Saturday and I couldn't be more thrilled! I am thankful for having Friday off and for being able to celebrate this country that is my home. We're doing something different this year (we usually go to the river) and are heading to the mountains to spend some time with the other side of Jon's family.

Hope you're doing something fun!

Happy 4th of July!!

Psycho?

Cooper is newly obsessed with something called a tech deck- an item that last week did not even exist in his world. Thanks to a kid at summer day camp he not only knows what they are but he is insistent on having one of his very own.

He talks about it every. single. day.

This was the conversation yesterday morning:

Cooper: Daddy, Momma is going to take me to T@rget today after camp so that I can get a tech deck.

Jon: Really? Why do you think that?

Cooper: Because I'm psycho.

Jon: Is that right???

Hmmm.... psycho, psychic....not so different if you think about it!!!

Have a great day!!

Flop & Props

Friendship is...
-when a friend sends you an instant message at work that says- "Come see me....I need fashion advice"
AND she has every expectation that I will drop everything to come and provide said advice.

Friendship is...
-knowing that telling the truth is the only real option regardless of how much it may hurt!
"Yup- I'm getting an MC Hammer type vibe from those pants too."




True friendship is...
when that friend agrees to be photographed with the knowledge that said MC Hammer pants will be posted on the internet.

But truly....how could I resist?? It was clearly hammer-time!




We laughed so hard....and she agreed, it was time to part ways with the 80's.


Friendship is
-sharing your most creative ideas and being ok with someone else imitating your hard work!

Check out the handiwork here- she created their name with photos taken on family vacation. Genius I tell you.




Thanks Diana- for letting me share your flop, for being most deserving of some props but best of all, for being such a good friend!

Don't Be Crabby!

Our friends Will & Patti stopped by on their way home from the beach. We hadn't seen them since last year and it was great to catch up.

Crabs seemed like the logical choice for dinner. Jon made some calls and found a guy with some to sell that were caught that morning. Perfect!

They came with one restriction- we had to pick them up by 5 because that's when he had to leave to report to jail. Yup, true story. Seems that he had some struggles with driving on a restricted license and was sentenced to a year of weekends in jail. There are times when I shake my head about our weekend life, and sometimes when I wouldn't change it a bit. It's salty and makes for lots of laughs!



The first crabs of the season always taste so good and these didn't disappoint- they were amazing!!

Blackberry Picking

Blackberry picking, eating fried chicken. Never knew a thing about pain....life is just a tire swing.....

There are a ton of blackberries near the dock- they are sweet and so delicious.




but a bit dangerous with those dreaded prickers


I love summer in the country!!


If only Jimmy Buffett was there to sing along....

Yee-haw!!

We had so much fun on vacation! We spent time with Jon's family in TX- it was truly wonderful and we made incredible memories.

I took lots of pictures and am having a great time playing with them and pretending to be a real photographer. I love the look of the mosaics.....



There were smiles everywhere and clearly, lots of longhorns!

Almost Friday!

Introducing Gypsy!!

We picked her up on Friday morning.
This was the face that we saw as we walked up the path.



I think we all melted instantly.


She was so spunky


And such a good traveler


And she's completely in love with her boy.


Almost as much as he's in love with her!!!

A boy & his dog....true happiness!

40

I'm 40. I don't really feel different than I did when I turned 39 (at least not yet!)

Jon has been making me a cake for my birthday since we got engaged. I adore the tradition and the labor of love that it is.
He missed one year- the year that Cooper was born.
I cried.
It could have been the postpartum hormones- whatever the reason, he's never missed a year since.

My cake this year was fabulous! They've all tasted wonderful (my favorite is white cake), but the decorations are always a gamble. This year he made a smiley face with the shape of 40 and embellished with candles- lots of them.
He's creative that one!



Cooper helped me to blow out the candles.



Jon took me out for tapas on the 18th and so my celebration with cake was at the river- complete with my parents and our river family. It was a special night!

7 Years & 7 Things I Love

Happy Birthday Cooper!!

I cannot believe that you are 7 years old- the time has flown by and it's been such a wonderful journey seeing you grow into you!!


Cooper's Birthday


Cooper's 7th Birthday

I love your compassion, your sense of humor & your laugh, your little mind and how inquisitive you are about EVERYTHING, your heart and how full of love you are, how important family is to you, your big brown eyes and how you drink in everything that they see, your intensity about everything from loving milk to legos to your dog.

Here's to being 7 and all that it brings with it!!

Thankful Thursday

I have been counting the days until tomorrow. It has finally arrived and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am on VACATION!!!

I continue to be so thankful for my job- but there is really nothing more satisfying than walking out of the building and knowing that I do not have to return for an extended period of time. I think I bounced out this afternoon. WOO-HOOOOOO!!!!

I am thankful for my friends- we had impromptu domino's here tonight and ate, drank and laughed. The belly kind of laugh that makes you feel like you worked out because your stomach muscles constrict.

I am thankful for summer camp- specifically the one that Cooper is attending this week. He is having the time of his life.....it's global village camp. Never heard of it? Me neither- his school sent home a flyer and the timing was perfect. I needed a filler for this week and camp is from 9-5 each day- I wasn't picky about the activities but they sounded interesting so I signed him up. It is nothing short of amazing.

They are learning about other countries and cultures and the economies around the world. He comes home each night after visiting a different place and can't tell us enough about his day. I adore seeing him drink in the learnings and be so proud of what he knows. Today they were in Europe, tomorrow they head to Thailand....on Tuesday they went to Africa and learned about water conservation.

Did you know that every 15 seconds a child dies from a disease caused by lack of clean water? It's true. And terrible. I am thankful for clean water, and for living in a place where I can turn on a faucet rather than walking 5 km with a jug on my head. I wouldn't last 2 days. I'm starting to take water conservation much more seriously and so we're installing a rain barrel. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I am thankful for speedy shipping. I ordered a new camera....of course 3 days before we leave for vacation. It arrived today!! Now I need to learn how to use it. I am thankful for directions!

I am thankful for the roof over my head, friends who send hand me-downs, my parents safe return from a trip, being healthy, sunny skies, losing 12 lbs, perennials, support from my husband and flip flops.

Enjoy your Friday!!

Weekend Fun-

Busy weekend...but lots of fun!

Jon had graduation on Saturday. He escapes having to wear his own cap and gown by volunteering to work security instead. Security means patting down the students (no females) to ensure that they don't have any prohibited contraband (streamers, beach balls and cell phones). Remember when we used to have so much fun with silly kid pranks like that? Now, they are all business.

He got a tear in his eye as he relayed a story from the day. Evidently, prior to the graduates lining up to walk to their seats, they file by the teachers. Jon said that as they went by him, every single one of his kids got out of line and either shook his hand, or gave him a hug. Every single one. He was incredibly touched and so proud of them.

His kids are amazing- and the club that he sponsors does a million things that make my jaw drop open....they are kind, compassionate, resourceful and talented. They give me faith in the future.

After graduation, we headed to the river and the girls took me for my 1st pedicure. Yes, it's true. My 1st one. I'm sort of a freak about feet....but I'm almost 40 and decided that it was about time. I cannot say that I am a fan, but I will say that they look very nice. I think there is something creepy about someone being that close to my feet. Oh well- it was an experience and I did indeed feel pampered.

Sunday morning took us on a hunt for turtles. It's become a bit of a family ritual- we drive around looking for turtles.....and the weather on Sunday was perfect for hunting. After only 5 minutes of hunting- we hit pay dirt!



The rest of the day was spent at the dock....

on the water.....



and exploring!





I do live for the weekends!!

Scurvy??

I'm not sure how I happened on this stroke of genius, but it couldn't have been more brilliant if I had planned it myself.

Cooper had a friend come to play on Friday and I had a quick errand to run so I threw the boys in the car and off we went. Cooper grabbed a book about pirates.....Peter grabbed Star Wars figures.

As we're driving, Cooper is reading and Peter is having a battle and this is the conversation.

Cooper: Momma? It says here that the pirates got this terrible disease called scurvy. Do you know what that is?

Me: Hmm, scurvy- yes, it's when you don't have enough vitamin C.
Cooper: Where does vitamin C come from? Milk?

Peter: Nope, it comes from fruit and stuff. I have a ton of it every day. I'll never get scurvy.
Cooper: Momma, is Peter right?
Me: Yup, he sure is (at this point, my spidey sense kicks in and I realize that we may have a winner)
Cooper: Well scurvy is really bad. It'll kill you.
Me: You're right. Scurvy is terrible- we certainly don't want you to get scurvy.
Silence.

Ding, ding, ding. We do have a winner!! More fruits have been consumed by my child since learning about scurvy than perhaps in the entire month (yes, I get that I'm admitting that I'm not the mother of the year....and I'm ok with it.....it's for the greater good!).

Strawberries, oranges and apples have certainly moved up on his list of 'favorite' foods.
I'm riding the scurvy wave as long as it can- GENIUS!!

Do You Want Fantastic Flips?

Cooper informed me that I could have fantastic flips this morning as I was using a flat iron to "smooth" my hair. He watches me almost every morning, but today was evidently different.

This is our conversation-

Him- Momma, did you know that your flat iron isn't good for your hair?
Me- Well, it's not the best thing....but I like how it makes my hair look.
Him- Have you ever heard of the in styler?
Me- The what??
Him- The in-styler. You can have elegant curls and fantastic flips.
Me (fighting back laughter)- What in the world are you talking about?
Him- Momma, you should really try it. It will definitely make your hair look way better than it does now.

Thanks buddy- I'm incredibly touched that you're concerned about my hair. A little paranoid now maybe, but touched none the less.

My kid is a sucker for an info-mercial. Just like his dad. We've got the bullet, snuggies, the sham wow and the ped-i-cure....and those knives that never need to be sharpened. Evidently, there has been a little too much tv viewing in our house as of late!

I was interested though....so I clicked here and learned all about it. I'm interested, and more than a little tempted.

Anyone have it?? If you do, please leave me a comment with a review!!

So Long 1st Grade!!

Cooper's last day of 1st grade was on Tuesday.

Wednesday were Closing Ceremonies for K-2. It's a church service where each class sings a song, the children recite Bible verses and the Pastor blesses the teachers and children. Very sweet, simple and in line with the values of his school. My favorite part is seeing the children sign their school song- I get teary eyed every time I hear their little voices.

Afterwards, they go to the classroom to get their report cards and to give their teacher the class gift. Since I was the room mother this year- it was my responsibility (as a side note- I do not recommend this job to anyone with a full time job outside of the home. It about killed me and I don't even think I was very good at it- adequate, but not great).

While I do pride myself on being a super gift giver, I am not completely skilled at coordinating 21 children and coming up with something creative yet simple at a relatively low cost. Thankfully, the other room mother is an artist (click here to see her wonderful photography) and she had a great idea. She shaped the kids into letters and photographed them on the art room floor (which is white). Then she lifted their images and arranged them to say Mrs. B! for my class and Mrs. W ! for hers. When the whole thing was done, it was an amazing black and white photo on a black background that was framed and ready for presentation. Am I lucky or what?

Here are the kids gathered around her as she opened it (Coopers head is front and center).


She loved it- whew, mission accomplished. Thanks Jackie for saving the day on this one!

Cooper had a fantastic year. Mrs. B is soft spoken and strict, but the children adore her. She's a former reading specialist and her passion is teaching kids to read. Cooper couldn't have had a more perfect match for 1st grade. Here they are, goofy face & all!


We'll miss you Mrs. B!

Another room mom duty is planning the End of Year Party. Hmmm- Jackie and I went with simple and low stress. We headed to a nearby park for playtime and a picnic. I bought balloons and a cake, Jackie brought a cooler of water and we called it done! It was exactly what we needed. The kids played, moms talked and the sun blazed across a playground without an ounce of shade. Mrs. B had given the kids books as an end of year treat and Cooper found a shady spot under the slide and read for 30 minutes. Yup, that's my kid! He does make me laugh- but he knows what he likes and how can I complain about him reading?

At the end of the day he said to me, Momma- you're sure I'm going to 2nd grade??
Yes, sweet thing- you are most definitely going to 2nd grade!!!

I love that little kid-

Alternative Route

Typically, the drive to take Cooper to school is peaceful and relatively mindless. We meander through the neighborhoods so we don't have to take main roads and chat about whatever subject is pressing that day.

This was not the case today. We passed 4 (yes, 4) dead things in the middle of the road. Things that I had to steer the car around so as not to inflict more kill into the "road kill".

2 squirrels (which I'm not that undone by- but one prompted this reaction from Cooper- Momma- look at him!! He's frozen with his arms straight up!" "Ahhh, yes- I believe you are correct."
1 cat (so, so sad)
1 bird

I said a little prayer that this is not an indication of how the rest of my day/week will go (and also for the owner of the cat). To compensate and lift my spirits, I'm wearing a new outfit & shoes.

I also took an alternative route on the way home!

Hoping your day/week go well and that you don't encounter anything dead in your path!!