The Difference Between Girls and Boys

We were invited to our neighbors 1st birthday party this past weekend. I knew when we received the invitation, pictured above, it was going to be special. The front of the invitation had this beautiful picture attached. Inside it was stamped with her initials, inviting all princesses and princes to the party.

The little girls got fairy wings and wands. The boys (only Connor and Colton) got swords and chest plates....so cute

The theme continued through the kitchen

Amelie was dressed the part and even managed to keep her gorgeous dress clean through her cake.

The mantel was just a beautiful as the rest of the house.

I told Mark we would never be able to invite them to another party. I am gonna have to work on my party throwing skills-HA! Kind of puts our Spider Man and Lightening McQueen themes to shame. Maybe it's a good thing I have boys!

It was a fun afternoon. Sometimes it is nice to be around pink! I will post more play pictures from this party and the one we to on Saturday in my next post.

Summer Time

I was tagged by Dee and My favorite Cousin

My summer has not been that exciting so be warned! HA!!

Favorite Summer Cocktail: This summer it's been a nice, cold ice water


Favorite Summer Movie: I haven't seen any new movies, so I will say Dirty Dancing and Top Gun, as I have watched both several times this summer


Favorite Summer Song: I have been enjoying all the 80's tunes on XM radio in the car-makes you want to roll down the windows and sing real loud.


Favorite Summer Time Outfit: Flip Flops-though I wear them year round in the house and whatever fits each day-I have been very limited this summer!
Favorite Summer Reading- I love to read trash magazines (Star, People,etc) when I am on vacation or lounging. As far as books go, I have read a couple of Janet Evonovich novels this summer and she is always a hoot!


Favorite Summer Moment: My first family vacation-a quickie trip to San Antonio and of course feeling this new baby move around!

Anyone????

Does anyone else out there ever just sit and WATCH the workout channel? Or better yet do it while you eat?

Please say yes!!

Stop and Smell the Roses

Or any flower....that's what we did at the Arboretum on Thursday

We woke up Thursday morning to a very cloudy sky and the weatherman said the high was in the mid 90's. It looked like the perfect opportunity to do something outside for the morning hours. The Bonus-it was $1 days at the Arboretum all month long. So at the breakfast table I asked if any one was interested in going.

Connor-Yeah, is that like the mall?

He must of thought I said Galleria-he kept calling it that all day. That ought to tell you where we spend too much time. HA!

Colton was far more interested in the mud puddles than the flowers-or anything else for that matter. Of course he had to be jumping in the water with his good leather sandals on. Oh well, it's the end of the season right. They should be good and dried out before Baby C needs them! I know some moms freak out about kids getting messy or wet, especially out in public or in their good clothes. He was having too much fun to get upset about it. And I was a little surprised because normally he doesn't even like his hands dirty. His boy-ness was out in force for this one! He was soaking wet before it was all over.

There were several story-book houses out, each one went with a different fairy tale (I guess uncommon ones because I had never heard them before). It must be a summer thing because they were set up where the pumpkins usually are in the fall. We don't spend much time at the Arboretum when it's 500 degrees outside so I am not sure if this was a special this year or an annual thing. I was not so impressed with the houses and quite frankly, neither were the boys. They ran through them very quickly. Connor wanted me to take a picture "about him" sitting on the bench-above.

This one had a fantastic garden though....

This okra was huge!

I think this is an eggplant?? Connor was holding it a little too well for the photo.

Connor was trying to sneak in a little brotherly kiss but Colton was not into it



Below is the spot where Jon (Mark's little brother) got married in 2006. It is one of my personal spots in the garden. It is so beautiful and peaceful with an excellent view of the lake. There are several paths off this area that are not accessible by stroller, unfortunately. This would be the place to go if you wanted to write, draw, pray, or just sit and think.

I threw in this old picture. This is what Connor wore to Jon and Charlene's wedding. He was about 6 months old. This is part of the reason I love this spot in the Arboretum. It brings back such sweet memories. Sometimes I have to go back and look and pictures like this when Connor is wearing on my patience. It usually helps. I mean just look at it, how could it not!

The following pictures are from the Pioneer Section of the Arboretum They have a covered wagon, a mud house, an old school room and hospital room. This was our first time in this section because it is usually closed off when we are there. This visit we ran through them quickly as Big Mamma was fading fast!

Chicken Enchilada Recipe

OK, here is the recipe for Rhonda's chicken enchiladas.....hope you enjoy them as much as I do.


Chicken Enchiladas

2 T butter
1 med. onion, chopped
1 (4.5 oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, cut up and softened
3 1/2 C. chopped cooked chicken breast
8 (8 in.) flour tortillas
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
2 C. whipping cream (will say heavy cream)

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute 5 minutes. Add green chiles and saute 1 minute. Stir in cream cheese and chicken. Cook, stirring constantly until cream cheese melts. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas, and place seam side down in a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese and drizzle with whipping cream.

Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. YUMMY!

Baby C Update

The countdown is on with only 3 months left to go. Baby C is kicking like crazy, mostly at night of course! You can even see and feel it from the outside now, which I always love!

I am not usually one to complain because I figure any ache or pain is temporary. But I could bitch from here to Friday. I have been going along this whole time thinking this was my easiest pregnancy ever. Heck I could have a dozen more.

And now I feel like I have hit the wall. I not only hit the wall, I ran into at about 100 miles an hour! I am tired and can't sleep. I am having a really hard time breathing. I have to sit down after I walk up the stairs. My chest hurts at night trying to just breath so bad that it is affecting my sleep (that and the belly in the way and the peeing all affect my sleep). I did have my sugar test yesterday and they will also check my iron levels. My doctor suspects that my iron is low which is why I feel winded. She also suggested I not eat or drink for several hours before bed to help with the breathing. She said is probably reflux. So I tried it last night and it did help! I also slept most of the night because I did not have to pee as much. My chest still hurt this morning. I actually think I just might be getting sick because I have been coughing.

See I told you I could bitch for a week!

I am still working out though at least 4 days a week. My twice weekly turbo kick class is my favorite. But my kicks are quickly becoming taps. Another week or so and I will just be marching in place. On the plus side, I have a killer jab! I pity the fool who ever tries to mess with me...I bet I could give a serious black eye!

And then there are my sleeping angels.

I will just sit and stare and them at night, especially Colton. I think about how big he looks in his bed. Then mind always goes to weird thoughts...am I doing a bad thing by adding another baby into the mix so soon. It's definitely different feelings than when it was just Connor and I was pregnant with Colton. It was just bitter-sweet emotions then. I was thrilled to be having another baby, but so sad that it wasn't just going to be me and Connor anymore. I think this time it is a lot of guilt because Connor is at such a crucial learning age and Colton is so far behind in his speech. They both need so much. I know it will all work out.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

OK, so it wasn't my party, but I did shed a little internal tear. It was Mark's birthday last Tuesday and he was out of town so we had our family celebration on Thursday. I made chicken enchiladas (using a recipe I got from Rhonda because hers are so stinking good you would never want to eat out again). I also made a cheesecake and we had an actual family dinner! All of us eating together is truly a special treat given Mark's work and travel schedule. (I always sit to eat with the boys because I think starting those important family values now can only strengthen our relationships. But all of us together-I LOVE IT!) I was so excited about dinner and the gift. We got Mark some golf balls and a gift certificate to play some golf. I feel like he never gets anything from me that is just about him. The boys and I worked all afternoon on our dinner and dessert.

Ok so I burnt the top just a little, but I thought they were great...not near as good as Rhonda's of course, but pretty good for my first time. Mark ate a couple of bites and said "these are good" and it was followed up by "different, but good".

And ego deflated!!!!

I heard-thanks for waisting your afternoon and I hope you like them because you will be eating the leftovers. Which I did, all though he did eat a couple too. I know he did not mean it in a negative way. He's just not that into food, unlike me who can savor flavors and crave a great meal.

My cheesecake, however, did suck. At the last minute the boys and I ran to Kroger and grabbed a cupcake, just big enough for the 4 of us. It wasn't that great either.

Good thing everybody loves icing

This weekend it was our nephew Carson's 1st birthday party. August has been a busy month for us with party's and we have 2 more this weekend.

Carson is so cute and chunky-you could just cuddle him up. He weighs more that Colton who is 9 months older.

Carson and daddy Jon, Mark's little brother

Connor and Pappa Lou enjoying some cake

Seriously?!?!

So the city is doing some work in our alley (don't know if alley's are a TX thing or Dallas thing but they suck-driveways in back with alley access only-can't meet neighbors-traffic jams-fast driving cars-kids chasing balls or getting bikes out of garage). Parts of it have been closed for 2 weeks now. Of course I can't seem to remember this until I have turned into the alley and then see the trucks and/or barricades blocking my driveway.

Anywho, they did not pick up my trash this week, which I found odd since the recycling got picked up. Well I certainly can't make it another week seeing as how the lid already wouldn't close. So I called the city and they said if I could roll it out front they could have picked up with in the hour. SWEET!! I got the kids busy with a toy and ran out back to roll the stupid thing to the front. The side yard that is not fenced in was of the course the chosen route. I almost thought I wasn't going to make it past our new $4500 AC unit. It was a very tight squeeze but I got it by. The next time I looked out the window the trash can was empty.

I had told Mark all about this....I was actually bitching about it on the phone with him as I was pushing it to the front.

When he got home last night he said to me, you know this really bothers me that you had to take the trash out front. It's their job. They should have walked to the back to get it if they couldn't get the truck down the alley. You're pregnant.BLAH!BLAH!BLAH!

I said to him it was no big deal, it was empty now. He then wanted the name and numbers of the people I talked to. I just laughed!


This coming from the guy who will sit on the couch and barely glance up while I, the same pregnant one who moved the trash can, unloads all the groceries and drinks from the car without even opening the door for me. He said he could do that because he was my husband!!

And for some reason we still love them!

OK that was my bitch session for the day-actually I just thought it was funny!

The Dog Days of Summer

We have 2 dogs, Precious and Frisco, that were our original babies. Precious, the red colored one, we adopted about 6 years ago and she was 1-2 years old then. Mark picked her out all by himself for me as a Valentine present. Best gift I ever got. I instantly fell in love. She already had the name Precious from the pound and so we kept it. All though it does not fit her AT ALL. She will also respond to Big Mamma (but so do I). The next year we decided she needed a friend so we went to the pound and found Frisco. His name we did change from Buck-that could have been bad! Don't let his sad eyes fool ya-he's quite a happy dog. I hope so anyway. He is a bit of a loner, not into snuggling or playing much. He hangs out by himself, sleeps alone, and doesn't like to be bothered much. They have been part of our life. Precious brought me the key to our first house and my engagement ring. Good thing she didn't eat it!

They used to get long walks and regular baths. Now they spend alot of time in the back yard, but only when it's under 90 degrees. The last time they had a walk was probably when we went to San Antonio and paid a dog sitter. A bath....well they at least get one twice a year when they have their vet checkups. Luckily there is a groomer on site. We just can't tackle them with the hose anymore. Oh, I just had a thought. In another year or two I can force the boys to do it!! Quite frankly, I don't even remember to feed them twice a day. But by 5:00 Precious will be following me around non stop and taking me to the garage door to be let in there where the food is. After kids, the pets learn their place....under the kitchen table. So don't think I'm a bad dog owner. Look at them, trust me they are NOT starving for food or attention.

Mark came home from a trip last night and kissed the dogs-not ME!

And speaking of Mark's trips-that's when I love having the dogs. Precious does bark at most noises, the sprinklers coming on or a person or other dog walking down the sidewalk, a horn honking a mile away. But Frisco, the quiet one that he is, doesn't even open his eyes to such noises. But when he does bark, especially in the middle of the night, I get up! He is a great guard dog. And scary. If he does not like you he will growl, the full teeth, eyes bulging kind of growl. Kind of makes me feel good.

Now Precious worried us when we had kids because she had shown signs of aggression toward small children and other dogs. We did everything all the books and experts said about introducing dogs and babies. But it was still a good 6 months before we let them around the baby. Now look at her. She is great. The boys climb all over her, poke and pull things, and she just takes it. They are still dogs, and not small ones. I would never leave them alone together because even the best dog can only talk so much!

Laying around getting dog hair all over the floors. This is how Precious and Frisco have spent most of their summer. I have spent mine vacuuming!!

OMG

If I have to pluck one more grey hair out of my head I think I will poke my eye out with the tweezers!!!

Sunday Surprise

All dressed up with no where to go! Actually we went to church. The boys were watching Mickey Mouse while we waited for daddy to get home from the gym so we could leave.

Then we took the boys to Chuck-E-Cheese for lunch a bit of playtime afterwards

How sad is it that I really enjoy this place? For $20 all 4 of us can eat, drink, and play for a good hour and a half. The rides are all 1 coin each and sometimes the boys just play around pushing buttons. We have gone in there and not spent a dime (quarter)! Plus we usually get enough tickets for the boys to get a prize each. So it's usually a rubber spider of a sucker, but it's a prize that makes the ride home enjoyable and they won't miss when it gets thrown away (by mistake of course).

Summer Lovin'

We are on week 3 of our 4 week break before preschool/MDO starts back. The first week we were busy with our mini-vacation. Now we are just trying to stay busy with friends, swimming, reading, and as little cleaning as possible! The bad part is that is still 98-100 degrees so the outside time is either EARLY morning or after dinner or sitting in our whale pool (which there are no pictures of as no one will witness this "whale" in a swim suit).

Out front playing with our neighbor Milla (and baby sister Amelie, not pictured)

Colton lost his shorts because there was apparently water running down the street and he sat in it

And it was muddy!!

We managed to make it to the outlet mall the other day for a new pair of tennis shoes for Connor-$19.99-thank you very much! Since everyone was good, they rode the tow truck. However, not witnessed by the camera is the boys sitting in the car for 5 minutes after (it was running) and me standing on the sidewalk waiting for Connor to stop throwing his fit about having to leave the tow truck ride.

We even snuck in a park visit yesterday morning for about 30 minutes. We obviously should have skipped the gym and gone straight there seeing how red the boys' faces are and their hair was soaked with sweat.

I am ready for cooler temperatures so we can enjoy the outdoors a bit more.