Instagram photo April 1, 2012 Day 1 Reflection

Well, I'm back to the blog!

It's been nearly two years since I've actually posted...but I miss it...and have thought of returning SO many times. 
I've decided to dive right in with this very revealing Instagram photo in the hopes that it will motivate me to get crackin!

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"#photoadayapril Day 1 Reflection: in my hovel of an office...so many unfinished projects "

Sheesh, what a mess!  I'm now just a teensy bit embarrassed, but today's title was reflection and this pretty much sums it up.

What do you wear when you shop?

South Coast Plaza;  One of the finest, most high-end "malls" in the world. 

 

My child insists on wearing a fireman's outfit throughout the entire evening. 

 

We dined at Boudin's, he and Cousin Jen took a twirl around the carousel and we did a teensy bit of shopping.

 

March 23, 2010

Will Work for Fun!

Proof you can get kids to do anything if you turn it into a game.  This one is called The Waste Management guy cleans the "garbage" out of the sofa.

February 18, 2010

Amo for the Vac

I pulled out the hose to attach the handheld portion of the vacuum and these colored pencils and drumsticks came out.

 

When I asked Rett about them he said they were AMO.

 

February 6, 2010

Nail Polish Wars

Proof that boys can turn anything into a competition. 

 

The shades of red are the the good guys. 

 

The ones laying down on the right have been captured...and are most likely waiting to meet their death.

 

February 4, 2010

Homemade Honey

So there has been a bit of bee obsession around here lately. More like a conversation that was temporarily put on the shelf and then brought back with gusto. 

Does anyone remember our Dead Friends from last summer? 

The catalyst to this conversation was finding our long missing Bee Movie. Subsequently watching it as many times as possible. It's triggered more internet research, playtime, and experiments than we've seen in a while. 

"If the bees can make their own honey then why can't we?" 

So he found this empty container, added water, sugar, and some fruit juice.  He tells me if we just leave it in the sun for a little while it will turn into honey.

February 3, 2010

Rett's Doctor's Appointment

Nurse Teresa measuring how tall he is!  As soon as he put on the gown he wanted me to take a picture and send it to Daddy.

He got to choose 4 stickers from the bucket.  I didn't realize when we got in the car that he was plastering them on his head.  I don't think he'll do that again.  It really smarted when he took them off.  Most of his eyebrows are still there.

February 2, 2010

Tell a Story Game

Once upon a time...That's the way the story always starts. 

 

Then, each person adds to the story, presses one of the sound buttons and passes it on. 

 

At least these were the original rules I set up a few years ago. 

 

We got this little gem at the Legoland in Denmark.  But now the middle school boys have a deviated version of the game, same rules, but the end goal is to make up the most horrific or embarrassing story possible. 

 

Who knew this little toy would spark so much creativity.  If they ever come up with one clean enough to post I'll add it.

 

January 26, 2010

Berries, Berries, Everywhere Berries

So one of my rules is "no food upstairs." Not complicated, very straight forward, should be easy enough to follow.


Last night at bedtime I go into Rett's room and find that he has taken his Home Depot plastic hammer to several dozen frozen berries.


They are in his new firehouse, on the DVDs, CDs, and toys scattered on this floor, and the CARPET. There is a tipped over white garbage can and the empty mixed-berries bag laying on the ground. As soon I walked in the room he stammers "I...I....I was.... hammering berries" as though he can't understand the angry look on my face.


My brow furrows and the first words out of my mouth were "LIAM!!!!" Because the only person who eats mixed frozen berries from the bag is Liam. Rett wouldn't even be able to find them in the freezer if he tried. Rett gets marched into my room where Daddy is watching the football game. I made no attempt to explain to Tim what is going on. I just rolled my eyes and made Rett sit in the bathtub, which he did without question.... that just tells you how terrifying I must have looked at that moment...he always questions.


Liam meets me at the scene of the crime. I say, very tersely, "I know this isn't your fault, but I hope you can see how your actions contributed to this???.....there is NO food upstairs." he says "yeah… sorry about that Mom....he must have gotten them from the garbage can in my room."


It isn't until Liam begins to look around the room that I see the TV, Playstation 2, light blue wall and 2 large Veggie Tales posters have been "hit" by flying berries! Liam's mouth opens in horror.


I walk down the hall, past my room, where I give Tim the angry look and go to get cleaning supplies from the garage.


When I come back up, Tim follows me into Rett's room to find out what’s up. His mouth also drops open in surprise, then he begins to laugh, as I'm telling him, with curse words at this point, about the all the potential staining that I might not be able to get out. We cleaned for about 20 straight minutes.


Luckily the carpet is a darker brown, so you can't totally see it. The splatter on the sheets aren’t that bad. The new play Fire station is light wood, and stained beyond repair...it now looks like a bloody massacre happened there. The wall and posters came clean. The TV was a bit difficult to clean as it was on and thus cooked the berries on the screen, it's fine and has since been removed as part of the punishment. His clothes, ivory colored pjs, have been oxy cleaned several times, but may never recover.


When I went back to get him from the bathtub, he cringed a little in preparation for what I might say. I very calmly had him wash his purple stained hands, change into new pjs and brush his teeth for bed. We read stories, listened to his music cd and when the lights were out he said "Momma.....I'm sorry...I love you....you're the best"


The worst part is I was SO mad I forgot to take a picture! ugh!  I did at least snap this one of the offending trash can, berry bag, and cleaning clothes used.

 

January 10, 2010

Three Kings Day

Went to the French Bakery. 

They were out of Galette de Rois by the time we got there. 

We settled for cupcakes and cookies. 

I figured that would buy me some time with the remaining errands I had. 

Next stop the bank. 

I had to walk up to the ATM for like 60 seconds....in the mean time Mr. Bound-and-determined-to-make-trouble decided the cupcake icing would make nice shaving cream for his legs.

January 6, 2010

Garbage Can a Universal Tool

Today, being used as a step stool to access the upper shelves of the pantry. You may recognize it from here.

December 22, 2009

Construction

As a result of living in an 1100sq ft townhouse for more than a decade we are always looking for extra storage space. 

Our new place has vaulted ceilings, so no attic. But Tim realized our Master walk in closet, which was an add on from the room across the hallway, had a low ceiling and thus there must be space above it. Today was the day they cut out the hole. 

Yay! Now all the Christmas decorations have a place to go.

December 14, 2009

Advent Calendar

Boredom strikes again...someone sped up the Advent!

The calendar is empty!

All the cute little Playmobil forest creatures are missing. 

Finding them is going to be too much work. 

One less thing to do everyday between now and Christmas?

December 11, 2009

Headless Pilgrim

At some point during yesterday's festivities the pilgrim took a hit. No one mentioned it. No one said "Hey by the way Mom, sorry about that." I found him in the garage with his head on upside down, no less. Time for the superglue.

November 27, 2009

Why?

Why, oh why, is there a water balloon in my shower? Me thinks someone has been up to no good....and since Rett has yet to learn the art of filling water balloons that really narrows down the list of suspects.

November 20, 2009

Forget Something?

I walked into the downstairs bathroom to find this...pants that look as though they are standing on their own. Perhaps someone is missing them?

November 4, 2009

Best Deal in Town

For the kid who rarely wears shoes: 2 Pairs for $5 at Old Navy. 

If he can't go barefoot, flip-flops are the next best thing. 

He usually takes them off as soon as he gets in the shopping cart, stroller or when we sit down at a restaurant, then slides them back on when it's time to walk again. Oh, my little California boy, this reminds me of all the years Liam would only wear shorts, no pants, everything comes to an end sooner or later, just enjoying this for now.

November 2, 2009

Ugly Pumpkins

I was in charge of purchasing some pumpkins on a budget. They are for the upcoming middle school dance. 

These are quite possibly the ugliest pumpkins I've ever seen. They were only $2.48 at Fresh and Easy! They look right off the farms, possibly cast off the farm. 

Clearly my photography skills have not improved even though I'm doing the picture-a-day challenge, as evidenced by the hand/camera shadow in the lower right hand corner, amongst other things.

  October 25, 2009

Silver Science Project

It started out as a chicken...or maybe a duck? 

 They removed the feathers and fabric body and duck taped it and spray painted it silver. 

Each team got the same plastic chicken/duck to start with. 

They will launch them via catapult in science class tomorrow.

October 7, 2009

Homework in the Car

The notebook he carries with him everywhere. 

Sometimes he'll say "My Science teacher told me...." or "Not right now Mama, this is really important for me to get right" or "I wish I could, but I just have way too much homework"....he's not even in Preschool.

October 6, 2009