Midnight Friday - TIME'S UP!!

Hi guys!

Sorry I've been a little absent lately. I'm just coming up for air a bit from CHA prep to give a little reminder to leave a comment on my "Love is all Around" post to be entered for a little Valentine present from me :) Make sure it's there by midnight Eastern on Friday! (Just for fun, I'll announce the winner on SuperBowl Sunday! Go Pats!)

Have a Happy Hump Day :)

Snow Day!

This morning when the alarm went off at 6:05, we awoke to an 1" of snow with it still coming down. And around here, that means SNOW DAY! I know all you New Englanders are cracking up right now, but it's true. And dont' even get me started on the grocery raids with the threat of snow. That's another post for another time. Anyhow, since we don't often get snow and snow days here (which might seem contradictory considering I blogged about snow just a few days ago, but I swear it's true!), we took full advantage of it - after sneaking back to bed for another good hour and 1/2! (aaahhh...heaven!)

The boys ran out first preparing their snowballs for the upcoming battle with what was apparently some awesome packing snow. I ventured out a little later with my camera trying to make good on the rare opportunity. Thank goodness I did because all of that good white stuff was nothing but slush by lunchtime. Ah well. We had fun while it lasted and I think I'm good until next winter ;) Have I mentioned I hate the cold??!

But before we went in, the boys all got together to pose for a picture for me. I think I should have known something was up as they all raised their arms armed with snowballs "for the picture." Uh, yeah. Thank goodness most of them have lousy aims! ;) They're cute, even if they're being punks!

I am just about to figure out what's going to happen here and that I've been set up (yeah, I'm slow!). They're yelling "SNOWBALL!", what else. Carson's face totally cracks me up here.

And finally - fleeing before the other 3 snowballs find their way in my direction!
Have a fabulous day!

1978 Revisited!

I was at Michael's the other day and found a flashback from my childhood c. 1978 - SHRINKY DINK plastic! I snatched some of that good stuff up on the spot and stashed it away for just the right time to play with it. And you guessed it - today was the day. Seriously! I haven't had this much fun in ages. There's just something about watching that plastic curl up to contortionist proportions and then settle back out again, infinitely tinier, that just makes me happy!

As a special treat for my Curious George-loving 4-year-old, I traced one of his coloring pages, colored and cut it out while he was at preschool (where he made his OWN hat - see picture ;)). Then when he got home, I let him have the honors of shrinking that little monkey right up! He was duly impressed. The results are that he now has a necklace I'm afraid will never come off of him. (And I'm thinking in about 30 years, he'll be mentioning shrinky dinks to his kiddos and his childhood c. 2008!)

UPDATE: Sadly, since that photo was taken, Mr. Carson has broken George, so now only his poor head hangs from a string. Yet he still won't take it off. I find that slightly disturbing.

Let it Snow & Love is all Around Us

This was the scene here yesterday morning! It wasn't much (I think we accummulated all of about 3/4" or so which, of course, was gone by noon), but it's rarity is now documented and I finally have some "snow" pictures!
So while I do love snow, I have to say I HATE winter and being cold, and the only thing that gets me through it is looking forward to Valentine's Day. I'm such a romantic and living in a house of all men, I'm all about a holiday that is about red, pink, love and glittery pretties! Since I've been all in the spirit lately, I thought I'd share a bit that makes me smile :)

I could eat this kiddo up, he's so cute. Yes, I realize I'm biased, but I'm allowed! By the way, these yummy looking lollies (that's for you, Nic!) can be found at the $1 Spot at Target and Carson assures me that they're pretty good. Warning - they last ALL DAY and getting them away from wee ones can prove slightly..uh...difficult!

And being the good little enabler I am, GET THEE TO TARGET! They have all kinds of fun, cute, and have-to-have goodies there for Valentine's Day. It's taking all the restraint I have not to buy them out!


Ok, so back to other fun pretties...here are a few love-related/pink things I've made lately - a little mini-album and some Valentines along with a Christmas present for my sister-in-law (I posted it on a gallery or so but don't think I shared here).



So tell me (by February 1st!) - are you into Valentine's Day like I am or do you dread it? What do you like to do to celebrate? What was your favorite Valentine's Day ever (or worst!)? There just might be a Valentine-related RAK for my favorite story! ;)

My Birthday Boy

My baby turned 8 two weeks ago today. I always take him out (as with his brothers) for his annual portrait session, but due to the funky weather we've been having, we didn't get out until today. I love doing these portrait sessions with my boys because it really lets me see how much they've changed year after year. And this sure was a big year for change for E. I could hardly believe it.

Gone was the baby face of just a year ago. Now he has adult teeth and big feet and picky taste. He's shooting up so fast that right before Christmas, he was one size, but in less than two weeks, he's another. He's bright, handsome and funny (*ahem*, even if often too funny according to his teacher). He's a great, if not always patient, big brother. He makes me laugh like no one else but can get me frustrated just as quickly. He's got my brown eyes and when I look into them I feel like I'm looking in the mirror, he's so like me. He is strong and athletic, gentle and kind. He loves video games, football, Harry Potter, his dog and 98% of the time, his family. He melts my heart when I see him sleeping he looks like such an angel, but has this devilish grin that does the same. He's the one that showed me what my purpose in life was. He is the one that made me a Mama.

He's my first born.
My first love.
And I am so grateful to be his mom.

Happy Birthday, Ethan.
Love,
Mama

Fits right in.

Oh, yeah. He fits right in. It seems I can't have a family member under 8 who doesn't love sticks. When the boys were out playing the other day, Fletcher had to get in on the act. He's looking mighty pleased with himself, don'tcha think?? And I swear he's twice the size as when Santa left him with us. Must be all those sticks he's eating, eh? :)

So, anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone! I hope it's been off to a fabulous start for you and yours. I've been meaning to update for days and the longer I put it off the more I wanted to say so, well...I'm not the Queen Procrastinator for nothing.

Since Christmas, we've celebrated Ethan's birthday - my oldest is now an 8-year-old!- just a few days after Christmas. We spent it with my parents at the Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum (where they manufacture the famous bats) and then had a quiet dinner. A Lazer tag party is coming up later this month now that school's back in session. Those of you with holiday babes know just how hard it is to get people together for a kid's party this time of year.

Speaking of school, the boys started up again Thursday. I think they were ready to get back. They were tired of just having each other to bug and missed their friends at school and the routine. I find it strangely quiet in the house again with them gone most of the day, but Carson does his best to make up for it when he gets home from Pre-school.

Other than that, I'm busy gearing up for CHA in just a few more weeks. It's coming up fast and I personally can't wait to hit California in the middle of winter! It's been disgustingly bitter cold the past week or more and I'm ready for some heat.

Happy Play-off Sunday!

K.