Yoga for babies

Apparently it's really relaxing....

And refreshing...

and no doubt relieves stress....

and tension....

and seemingly requires very little effort.

Project #3,569

Ok---Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but really, we get bored easily. This project was actually done about a month ago, but I've been too lazy to mess with the camera until this week.

My Mom came to visit and we had to put her green thumb to use. We sent her home sick and I spent the next two weeks recovering from attempting to be He-man when Byron was at the office. Lovely. Anyway, it's almost done ( eventually we'll get to finishing the lining and mulching between the beds), but for now it will have to do.

My garden before-- well half cleaned out. Please don't judge what terrible shape I left it in last year. I was very sick and could have really cared less about my garden. Okay... I'm lying a little. I always leave it this way at the end of the season (lazy again).


And here it is as of Friday. Thanks Mom for your letting us borrow your appendage (i.e. green thumb)--and of course for all your help. And sorry for the bad words when I was having a disagreement with the wheelbarrow ;-)


Grandma with the kids- not the most cooperative, but my Mom was a saint for enduring my 500 attempts.

Last Day

You know when you watch a movie and they freeze frame and rewind to an earlier time in the story? I have this dream that someday I can rewind and relive moments in my life. Not a memory, but rather an actual transformation back to that time, and the person I was then.
I’m a romantic, an optimist at heart, and nothing short of overly sentimental- a trait I inherited from my father. (and much to my husband's chagrin) I spend a lot of time thinking and idealizing the events of my life so as to capture a memory that I might recall on a darker, sunless day. Most of these memories are bittersweet, filled with anticipation for the future and a wistful longing for the past.
This day holds one such memory for me. It is a silly little memory by most standards, but nonetheless, a profound effect on my heart. Today is the last day of school. While most are rushing their kids out the door , ready for a break from the rigorous schedule, or dreading the summer vacation with everyone home, I paused. This is a picture I want to keep forever--for after today, Andrew will never be a Kindergartner again. He will not change much between today and tomorrow, but the days go so quickly, and he grows faster than I can keep track.
He was once a small helpless baby in my arms, and I could have never imagined this day five and a half years ago--just as I can’t now imagine his impending graduation from High School in just 12 short years. But that day will come, all too soon, and my arms will be left empty, reaching for some one who needs me less and less everyday.
I love to watch him grow and develop into the person he is becoming. I relish his excitement as he grows taller by the day. I am excited to have him home for a couple months, lose a few teeth, and prepare to have a numeral attached to his grade title. I would, however, be untruthful if I said I wasn't disappointed that it went by so fast. In just a few short blinks it was over. We have been initiated into grade school and our home will be forever changed by it's presence in our lives for the next who knows how many years.
On his way out the door this morning, I had to be one of those obnoxious moms snapping pictures of his last day. This memory, I will keep in my vault as one to relive- my five year old rushing out the door to school blowing kisses to his Mommy on the doorstep. Maybe next year he'll be to big to share-- so I'll hang onto this one.

Need a nickname

I've never had a nickname (Krissy as a kid doesn't count). Byron has been called Byroni (like macaroni--I guess?) Strange. Never stuck with me. Andrew is far too proper for a nickname. Byron wanted to call him Andy, I wanted to call him Drew. He won't stand for either name, though on occasion he gets called Waandrew or Cletus (check out his front tooth he almost knocked out.) Ethan has never been called Ethan. It's always Ef, Effers, Efie (no wonder he can't say "th").
Anyway, the point of my babble is that Ava needs a nickname. I may change my mind tomorrow, but today she needs one. I do call her Avs, Avie--stuff like that. Byron mostly call her "baby girl" (real original huh?!) So I'm here soliciting ideas.

I may not like your idea-- in fact I probably won't. But why would that stop you from giving your two cents? Give it a shot. You never know--you might impress me!

Some names in the running already. Punk-ette. (I'm always calling the boys little punks, so this just evolved- I don't really like it.) Wheezy (I'm fond of this one--a tribute to her last couple of months in which she must be toking some serious steroids to keep from being just that.) Shrimpboat (caught on today after her 5th doctors appointment this month revealed that not only would she have to eat a half a cow to scratch the bottom of the weight charts, but she is barely hanging onto the height charts too- 5%tile.)

So there yo have it. Look at this little face and take a stab at it! (Note: Dave is not an appropriate nickname.)

Yes-vember

As I poured the cake batter into the muffin tins, a curious little face questioned me.

"Mom is it my birthday?"

"No Ethan, your birthday is in November."

"Is it in Yes-vember too?"


Well if it's not--it should be!

Prison

Poor Ava...She looks so sad...and innocent.

Don't you feel bad for her?

Not Me--She's LYING!
I was attacked the minute I let her out from behind bars!

Open for Business

After a year of planning, working, planning, working, and being lazy in between, our basement project is finally finished! Six solid months of forcing ourselves to the grind every night after work. Countless trips to Home Depot. A few minor injuries. A lot of irritability and more than a few bad words. An emptied bank account. A lot of cleaning. And finally............joy!

So as of March 30th (2 days ahead of schedule) Hotel Peacock is open for business. It is fully furnished and we're workin' on the bare walls. We love it more each and every day. We'd love to share our new found joy with you! Please feel free to come visit and you will be rewarded with your own space, (bedroom, bathroom, exercise/play room, living room, theater room, and a couple storage rooms that won't bother you) away from our midnight squawkers and early morning talkers!

A few pictures taken right after the furniture arrived. (Not very representative, but you'll have to come visit if you want the full effect!)

Unfortunately, Byron didn't even let the dust settle or the paint dry before he began mapping plans for the next big project--the backyard. Wish us luck and feel free to use the paypal button to donate to our next cause- I'm broke! (Just kiddin'- though I might look into that paypal button!).