Desperate ants?!

You're familiar with Desperate Housewives I'm sure, but we have our very own "desperate" plotline taking place right in our house. I just don't have it in me to break the news to the little guys that the ice cream cone they're trying to consume isn't the real deal.

If you'd like to experience this for yourself, we have plenty of ants to spare. I'm pretty sure we're living on one big ant hill.

County Fair in pictures

If I had my way this photo would be titled, "Why do I even try?"

"Mia's friendly...even with dinner!"

Spencer asked, "What the heck is that?" To which we replied "?"

"Poor Ma. Once again I show her up!"

"Nachos, check. Dad, check. What else could a boy possible want?!"

Give me your best guess! What do you think Mia's saying in this picture? Oh, you give up too easily. "Cheese", silly!

"This is not as easy as it looks and takes an extreme amount of determination and concentration! Extreme, I tell you!"

Kid Fest(er)

We spent (too much of) today at the Kids' Fest. The first time we went with one of our kids in tow, Spencer was on his way to 2 1/2. He insisted the event was called the "Kid Fester" (hence the title of this post). Yeah, I know, not the most appetizing wording there! Really, it was the perfect little event for both Spencer and Mia if you as a parent can manage to avoid all the advertising "pushers". Alfonso looked a bit concerned when the Mary Kay lady came our way with a tube of lipstick and I'm fairly certain he'll be erasing any message we may receive from the Pampered Chef representative.

One day I figure I'll chuckle when I see these pictures and miss the times my children wanted to clean and didn't say, "Hey Ma, show me the money!"

Congratulations Baby!

As of June 1st, Alfonso will hold the title of Apparatus Operator. Yep, he'll be driving a fire engine full-time.

You've worked so hard and I'm so glad your dream has come to fruition! We're so proud of you!!

Mother's Day

Mixed in with all the mushy and sentimental portions of my Mother's Day card, there was something that made me laugh out loud: "I wouldn't survive a day without you by my side. My clothes would always be dirty, my kids would be terrible, and my dishes...well, my dishes would still be dirty, but your intentions are good." Well, I just can't be good at everything!

With Alfonso at work today, I have to admit it felt more like an ordinary day with the kids. Yes, my nerves were worked a bit this afternoon, but the day ended well. I gave Spencer a big old hug and told him how glad I was to be his mommy. He bounced back the compliment and said, "Mommy, I'm so glad I'm you're brother." Too cute!

That can't be comfortable, part two

Spencer's had a "thing" for Mia's pony since she arrived at our place and that was long before Mia was here. He'll probably kill me for outing his first crush, but I'll take my chances. This is what I found when I went to check on little guy.

First trip, but certainly not our last

How we remained unscathed and somehow protected from a trip to urgent care or the emergency room up until now is beyond me. Of course that all changed today after Mia fell on her little cabeza. Mia was such a trooper and proved once again she's one tough cookie. Mommy and Bubba on the other hand, could have done without the blood and the needles...yikes! Here's proof that you can still smile after a few stitches (although the red vines and stickers may have helped some).

If Mia's Flintstone-like gibberish could be translated, I'm sure she's said: "That's how I roll, Ma. That's how I roll."

(Another) Spencer funny

Mia was a little crabby for a few minutes this afternoon. Of course, those were the same minutes Spencer insisted on playing with his sister and it didn't go over well...she needed some space.

I explained to him that we needed to show Mia some grace. I've used this phrasing in the past, but it's been awhile so he asked me what "grace" was. Here's how our short, but funny conversation went:

S: "Mom, what's grace?"
H: "Grace is giving someone something even when they don't deserve it"
S: "Oh." long pause "Well, when I don't deserve dessert, I need grace."

The kid catches on quick! Maybe I'll use that same excuse, eh?!

Forever Friends

Our good friend Christen came by tonight to visit. It was a visit long overdue considering we haven't meet up for seven years or so. I meet Christen way back in middle school, but we weren't exactly pals then. That's her story to tell :).

We reunited in high school and became very close friends. And just a year after graduation, she stood alongside me on our wedding day. Soon after our wedding, our paths separated some, mostly due to distance. After our get-together tonight I'm sure she's just one of those friends you never really lose. As she prepares for a move to Peru, I find myself so thankful for those forever friends. Although our distance will soon be far greater, I certainly hope our desire for a deeper friendship was rekindled. I know it was for me.

Just a few reasons I love spending time with Grandpa...

This is just a sampling of the bizarre, but always amusing conversations that take place between the family and Grandpa (he's ninety by the way!):

"Will you please put a chicken behind my back?" (We're thinking he meant "cushion")
"How's the second crop of opium coming along?" (No explanation to offer there)
"Where's the other gun?" And after I gave him a funny look he preceded to ask the question again.
"You're a pretty little girl too." Apparently he didn't want me to feel left out after the same compliment was given to little Mia. This is a far cry from the Grandpa who guessed I was was forty years old a few months back. Ouch!!

We decided a while back we better just laugh a bit and since then, it's provided some unforgettable moments. Sorry Grandpa!

We had a chance today to honor a friend and firefighter. Jay lost his battle with cancer a few days ago and to say he'll be missed is quite an understatement. This was my first experience witnessing the support provided to a brother in need and I'm amazed at the love and bond forged by fire. As a wife of a firefighter, I find myself swelling with pride.

Now I'm absolutely convinced that Alfonso's found family in his fellow firefighters.

The kids

I don't claim that the above pictures are fantastic or future favorites, but the kids are in the same frame and they're both smiling...sorta :)

I'd live there, pal!

Spencer was the recipient of a free bird house. I wasn't with him at the store, but he insisted he said "thank you" (and he's retold this portion of the story several times).

We broke out the paint and now we're certain we have the most colorful birdhouse around. Mia added a bit of paint also, but she was much too busy to participate come picture time.

I'm no prankster, but...

I thought it would be funny to play along with this whole April Fools' Day thing. Usually, I'm not any good at participating in a prank as the truth is written all over my face. Its a bit of a curse really.

Yesterday I had the perfect opportunity to get my prank in as Alfonso was away at work. Because we'd be speaking over the phone, I knew I could put all my energy into not busting up. So, my idea was to tell him I was pregnant. Yep, and you wouldn't believe the reaction: absolute silence. I thought maybe I'd get a little chuckle or something, but the laughter didn't arrive until he was certain this was indeed a prank.

I should be a little easier on the guy. After being solo for two full days and with one left to go, I might just be a little glad it was a joke too :)

Pictures of Miss Smiley

Easter

Nope. Not one picture of the kids dressed in their Easter best, well, because it was a busy morning. Instead I took a few of the kids testing the candy for poisonous ingredients (it's an excuse they've learned from the parents).

Last night I made Easter cookies with Spencer. Each ingredient signifies a portion of the Easter story (i.e. eggs=new life, salt=tears shed by Jesus' followers, white=purity) and I found it to be a fairly simple way to explain Jesus' death and resurrection. I just about teared up today as I heard Spencer telling the Easter story as we ate our cookies. To think that he's beginning to understand why Jesus died for him just blows me away.

Its so easy to get lost in the details and forget the significance of the Easter story. Before you know it, things become complicated. As you're probably well aware, "complicated" doesn't work so well with little ones, especially if you'd like the meaning to stick. As I explained the power of the resurrection to Spencer, I found my eyes reopened to the simplicity of the story. Today I saw Easter through the eyes of my son. And like never before, I find myself holding tight to the promise provided to me through His death and I'm refusing to let go.

Now that's a good reason to eat some cookies :)

The kids and I colored our eggs this afternoon. Spencer ensured each egg was as vibrant as possible. I'm almost certain the color will make it through the shell. Thankfully, I'm not a fan of hard boiled eggs :).

Mia observed from her perch (AKA highchair). After seeing Spencer's mess, I was a bit hesitant to involve our adventurous daughter in the egg dying process. Instead, she was provided plenty of stickers and made her own little mess. My carpet is thanking me!

We're going camping?!

Spencer's been a bit excited about this camping business he's overheard. We missed out on roughin' it last year because we were hesitant to make any plans without knowing when Mia would be coming home. This summer will be different, or so we hope :).

With our camping trip in mind, he announced he was going to get us packed. I thought this "packing" would be interesting enough, so I went along with the plan. Spencer decided it would be best to use our rolling suitcases (I think we'd most likely be laughed at) and then invaded the cabinets. He finished earlier than I expected. Apparently we'll be taking the trip without any clothing, but plenty of smelly stuff, including: deodorant ("Daddy needs to wear this everyday so he won't stink"...glad I was left out of that one!), baby oil (your curious aren't you?), bar soap, and a bottle of lotion I've had since before we were married (spring cleaning?!). And all this packaged nicely in a small zippered case.

Now that would make for an interesting camping trip.

Specification required

We've had some beautiful weather here lately and we're both getting the itch to work on the yard. How long will that itch last? We shall see.

Yesterday I was outside sizing up our out-of-control lavender bush. Deciding it needed a haircut, I went looking for our prune shears without any luck. Before we had shears, we resorted to using scissors instead and I thought I'd revisit the old days and get a pair from the junk drawer. Spencer and Mia were playing in the garage and I figured I'd be gone for 30 seconds max, so I asked Spencer to watch his little sis.

I did come back within 30 seconds and Spencer did watch Mia as he had promised. The problem was he watched Mia crawl under the car to fetch a few stale cheerios she spotted AND eat them. Next time I will be far more specific...if there is a next time!