Siblings

I saw this on facebook today, it was my status on this day in 2010 (a year ago) and it gave me a good laugh -

"L.'s saying 'Dada' and JP is telling her, 'Dada's at work. Work is no fun. I know you need Dada, but he's at work, and it's no fun.' I think I need to talk to Hubs about what he tells JP about work, otherwise he's never going to want to get a job!"

Love it!

Also, this happened the other night, right after L moved from her crib into a big girl bed. I love how JP takes care of his little sister, he really does love (and like) her -

The kids were getting ready for bed, and they both decided to hide behind the curtain panels in JP's bedroom. I overheard JP whispering to L, "This is how I do it, L. I pretend to fall asleep, then wait until Mommy and Daddy fall asleep, and then I sneak down into their bed. So that's how you have to do it." How adorable is that? And that's NOT how he does it, he most definitely falls asleep, but really does sneak down into our bed in the wee hours of the morning.

And tonight JP is spending the night with one of his grandparents. He just called to say goodnight and asked to talk to L. I put him on the speaker phone and let him talk to his little sister. First he said, "Hi, Poopyhead!" but then he followed it with, "L, tomorrow we're gonna do lots of fun things. I don't have school tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, so we get to stay home all day together!" How do you top that? The bond that those two have is magic. We, and they, are so blessed.

We are a bunch of heathens...

My four-year-old son said "Motha Focker" today (we spent the weekend at the lake with a whole host of characters) and my sweet and brilliant husband left a little love mark in a very noticeable location.

Like the title of the post says...

Anatomy Of My Evening

Mama (me) has a migraine with nausea, The Husband is working until 9, the kids became unruly around 5:00 so I sent them into the backyard while I made dinner, they covered themselves with dirt (I kid you not, they didn't even look Caucasian), I put them into a bath before dinner, one of them pooped into the tub, I picked up the poop while fishing around for the washcloth, they both pitched a screaming fit (remember migraine) when I had to give them a shower, then they lost ice cream dessert privileges due to repeatedly not listening, cue another screaming fit. I presently gave them a dose of Benadyrl (for mosquito bites, not to sedate them, I would never, never sedate my angels) and am starting bedtime at 6:50. Goodnight to all.

Swim Lessons

We signed LM up for swimming lessons this summer. His first week was during the very first week of summer vacation, and he did so well! Before the lessons, he would sit on the pool steps, and that was about it. If his daddy or I tried to get him into the water he would almost have a panic attack, even though he wanted to be in the water so much. So during the first week of lessons he learned how to jump off the side of the pool all by himself, go underwater, safely reach for a toy in the pool, float in his back with assistance, and swim a few feet with his head underwater. We've had lots of opportunities for swimming since then and he's enjoyed the practice.

During this second week, his teacher, Ms. Holly said she just expands on the skills they already learned. For example, now they jump into the deep end and swim all the way to the shallow end. I can't wait to see LM do this!

LM is a little bit shy and reserved (I wonder where in the world he got that from?), and he likes me to stay at the lessons while he's there. Parents are persona non grata, however, we even have to drop the kids off at the curb and wait in the car when it's time to pick them up. Every day, LM asks me the same thing, "Will you stay parked in the car on the street while I'm at swimming?" Every day I say, "Yes," even though I have no intention of doing such a thing. His lesson lasts an hour and it's only 10 minutes from home, so I either run an errand or two or even go home (as I am now). He's caught on to my tricks a few times after he gets back in the car and sees a Starbucks cup or a few grocery bags. He's never happy about it. So today as I was dropping him off he said, "Mommy, just wait on the street, don't go for a walk or go to a store or anything. Just stay in the car. You can even turn on the radio if you want." LOL!! So sweet and so innocent. I love my LM, one day when he's a parent he'll understand and forgive my little white lie.

Cake Pictures

I haven't added any cake pictures lately, here are a few:

Little Man's Fourth Birthday. He wanted a tractor theme, at the last minute he asked for a Thomas the Train cake, so we put Thomas around the cake base. :)

Cupcakes for one of my best friend's little boy, his first birthday.

The cake, cupcakes, and smash cake.

Wedding shower cake for a close friend. It was supposed to be a two layer cake, but I had was also hosting the shower and I had a horrible cold with fever. I decided this would do.

Petit Fours, yum!

One of my very first cakes, mom's birthday cake.

Christmas Eve Tiramisu Layer Cake, oh so good!

I also made a two layer Blue's Clues cake for Baby Girl's second birthday, but it has her name in huge pink letters up the side, so I'm not posting it. It was pretty!

Pushing the Limits

How did I get two children who don't know how to listen? I was such a good kid, so afraid to get in trouble and disappoint my parents. My two, wonderful and sweet as they are, test the limits throughout the day, each and every day. You know the expression "give an inch and they'll take a mile?" Well, with mine, you don't have to give an inch and they'll still take a mile. I guess this means they feel secure with me? Can I put that positive spin on it? I'm guessing their strong wills will do them good when they're older, they'll be a bit bold, think for themselves, and hopefully stand up for themselves. Right now, though, when they're both little and in need of rules and structure, it's driving their mama nuts.

Love you BG and LM.

The Lake!

Nana and Pawpaw bought a lake house!!

It's a four bedroom house, with a pier and dock, a pontoon boat and jet ski, and it's own lake front, and only 45 minutes from our front door to theirs. It's absolutely beautiful.

We went this weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for sun, water, and family fun.

Today (Monday), LM asked why we weren't going back today!

BG got on the jet ski, she said she loved it, that "Pawpaw go fast!" We tumped into the water, she didn't care, she's such a little daredevil.

LM swam in the water several times, we are so thankful that he had swimming lessons a few weeks ago so he was accustomed to the water. He and Daddy helped to fix the pier and dock, it's needs a little TLC, and they swam under the dock and checked all the wood and looked at the boats. We had cookouts and watched the sun set every night. There's a beautiful green lawn behind the house where the kids can play. It is such a wonderful retreat, all weekend I kept thinking how I was enjoying the feel of the warm sun, the sound of water lapping, children laughing, family time, good food, the wind on the water - how blessed am I?

When I asked the children what was their favorite part, LM said "Everything!" and BG said "The jet ski!"

Here are a few photos:

The view from the pier and dock.

A bit of the house and the gorgeous yard.

One of the older kids jumping off the pier into the water.

The dogs love it, too.

A view of the pier from the yard.