The ULTIMATE Diaper Bag

I have just completed it.
What does The ULTIMATE diaper bag entail? Well... let me show you.
1. Most importantly, it must be cute. Why bother carrying around something that's ugly???

2. Must have a strap long enough to put over your shoulder across your body, so it stays attached to you when you want it to.

3. LOTS and LOTS of pockets. There can never really be too many.

4. A divider in the bag so MY stuff stays separate from KIDDO stuff. See below - MY side of the bag. Two big pockets with custom dividers sewn in. Top pocket is complete with a velcro-stick-in-place flap to keep my cell phone, keys, chapstick, and gum from sticky wandering fingers. Bottom pocket has room for my checkbook, hand sanitizer, backup pack of gum (cuz sometimes you want minty and sometimes you want fruity. and sometimes you run out and just really NEED gum. and sometimes you chew way too much gum... but those who know me well won't be surprised by this at ALL...), pen, kleenex, and whatever else.
5. KIDDO side. Two big pockets on the bottom for diapers/wipes and food/whatever. A skinny pocket on the top that is currently being used to hold my COUPONS. And, yes. There is a velcro little divider that runs along the side.
6. What does that divider keep in place over there? A custom made TOY bag. (Reggs and Les... I added this to my bag last night with some scraps. You too can make one with your scraps!)
So when we are leaving for church / grandparents / wherever we go, I hand that bag to Sam. He can put whatever toys FIT in this bag. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go. That way the toys aren't spilling out all over the inside of my bag. After all... it is MY bag. Also - this little toy bag is lined in the same light yellow fabric so that you can find things easily inside (like that ONE car that your child just MUST have or else he'll lose it in 2.7 seconds flat.)
7. Lastly... the EXTRA pockets on front and back of bag that stay securely shut with velcro. For those little things you always end up with. Papers, burp cloths, changing pad, food, clothes, toys, etc. You know what I mean. All That Stuff. That's what these pockets ought to be called. All That Stuff Pockets.
8. To be added tonight. Sunglasses sheaths hanging from the liner on MY side. To keep them nice, unscratched, and handy.

And... that's a wrap. Stay tuned. I'm sure I'll make a different variation of this bag sometime in the next year. :) For now, I'll hang this adorable polka dot gem from my shoulder.

Saturday Morning Snuggle Party

Bike Riding Superman

Sam LOVES his new bike that he got for Christmas from Grandpa R. He especially loves to ride it around outside. It's not quite warm enough for long jaunts around the neighborhood, but we let him ride it around the driveway often.
Later this same day, Sam ... all dressed up as Superman (complete with too small Lightning McQueen pjs over the top of his clothes) fell asleep on the couch. My sleeping superhero!
Look at that sweet face - still with a little bit of baby chub left. I love it. Sam - I can't believe you're growing up so fast!

To the PARENTS of BOYS

HELP.

You see, we're potty trained over here. Yep. No accidents. We're good.

There's just one small catch.

Aim.

Yep, you heard me. Aim.

Tell me you understand, PLEASE. I"m talking about each and every time Sam "goes potty", I end up cleaning the toilet, floor, walls, towels, sink and mirror, and even the CEILING a couple of times. Not to mention cleaning off Sam and me.

I don't know what else to do!!! Aim is a major problem around here. Sitting is a sprayfest and standing is WORSE. MUCH. WORSE.

Any tips? I'm tired of disinfecting my bathroom about 6 times a day (and changing clothes - both mine and Sam's!!!) HELP.

(And you parents of girls... you're just so very very LUCKY.)

Children's Museum

There are some CUTE pics from this trip, so I just have to post. While my mom was here, we went to the Children's Museum. I wasn't a big fan of this museum the first time around... mostly because it was WAY overcrowded and you have to pay for parking. (I moved from the east... I shouldn't have to do that anymore, right?). Plus, the Boston Children's Museum is so much better.

But, we went anyway, and I loved it! It was EMPTY, which is mostly why. The kids could roam free.

First of all... how much do you love this face? And I gave his hair a little trim... so now... it's baaaaaa-aaaaack. (It was starting to lie down, which after 10 months is a good run, but I wasn't ready to let it go yet!)

Soph and Sam had a great time playing in the construction zone of the museum.
Soph loved the music.Sam LOVED being all by himself on the helicopter.


Mom, Leese, Trav, and Z-man
A classic sign.
They have a TON of ride-on toys there. Sam would jump from one to another.
In the "kitchen". Sophie could have stayed here all day long.
The stroller gang.
It was so fun. Come again soon, Grandma! Love, Sam and Zack

Three Days of Sickness

Sunday: a few sips of gatorade and 2 saltines
Monday: about a half a bottle of gatorade and 6 saltines
Today: another half bottle of gatorade, 10 saltines, and one piece of toast

Hope the boys and Matt avoid this one... YUCK. Thanks to my mom for extending her flight yesterday so that she could help with my boys. You're a LIFESAVER!

Present Time

okay so i entered a giveaway on my friend's blog, and the "catch" was that i had to do this same giveaway on my own blog... so here you go!


The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. My choice. For you. (I know...a little scary, but maybe fun, huh?)

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like it .
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done by the end of March.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a loaf of homemade bread. It may be a bag, a card, an apron (my next project). It may be a book, a scarf, a poem. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did it will then win a Fabulous homemade something made by me! Ready, Set,....
GO!!!

Playing Cars and Trucks

Heard today as we are coming home from church.
Sam - Daddy, I had fruit snacks and graham crackers in Sunbeams today.
Matt - You did?
Sam - Yes. When you get to be MY AGE, you can too.
Matt - Oh, I get to have graham crackers and fruit snacks when I'm your age?
Sam - Yes, you're right.
Matt - What age is that?
Sam - Three years old.
Matt - How do I get to be three years old?
Sam - Wiggle your arms.
Matt - Really?
Sam - Just try it. Wiggle your arms.
Matt wiggles his arms. He is still "old".
Matt - I guess it didn't work.
Sam - Yah. I guess you're too tall. You don't get snacks at church.

Too bad.


On another note, Zack has a newfound love. Playing cars and trucks with brother. He LOVES it and will play happily with Sam for about an hour at a time. A-MAAAAAZ-ING. I love it too.

Playing with brother.
Different day, same game. With the addition of beads.
How do these wheels work?
Look at the mess I made! A nice circle of cars all around me!

So You Think You Can Dance, Sam Style

We dance a lot in our house. While Zack is really getting the bop down, Sam has some classic moves. Here's Sam "boogie-ing".

On another note.... this is what I get when I ask for a "smile" these days.

Happy LUV Day

One of my new years resolutions is to celebrate the holidays more. More basically means more than a passing thought that today is actually V Day. So, we went all out. Sam helped me tape hearts up on all the walls, hang hearts from the ceiling, do some valentine's crafts, color some cute free valentines, etc. We had PINK waffles with strawberries and pink whipped cream for breakfast, heart shaped sandwiches for lunch, and Mindy's DELICIOUS stuffed pork chops for dinner. Ahhhh. Yum.

The best part about our celebrations? How much Sam LOVED it.

Matt - even though you hardly read this blog and may never see this... and even though you hate validating this "hallmark holiday"...

Happy Luv Day to you, my foxilicious hubby.