Birthday Boys

We have TWO birthday boys in our house. Matt's was on Saturday and Zack's is today. I can't believe that Zack is one already. Anyway, we tried and tried to get good birthday photos and this is the best one from the bunch. Something about squirmy boys that makes a fabulous photo always just out of reach.

Happy Birthday Matt and Zman!

This is How I Feel...

...about all the leftover Easter candy in this house.

Hope you had a happy Easter. And that you don't have as much candy sitting around expanding your waistline as I do. Ahhhh chocolate peanut butter eggs...

Crib Snuggle Parties

Zack's crib has become the scene of many snuggle parties. Especially now that Sam has figured out how to climb in by himself. These were from the other day.

Of Hairbows and Squinty Eyes

I'm making these darling things with my sister. They are so fun and easy. Anyway - Sam loves wearing them... can't you tell???

On another note... Z squints his eyes every time I use a flash.
That results in chubalicious pictures like this one.

Let's look at that adorable face a little closer...

I Love Brock and O

Sam has a funny way of changing lyrics. He KNOWS what the real lyrics are... he just insists on singing the songs his own way.

Some of my favorites?

I Love Brock and O. (Yes, our San Diego friends... referring to your boy. And I have NO CLUE who O is.)
Real Song? I Love Rock and Roll

Don't Go Strange.
Real Song? Follow the Prophet... don't go "astray".

BaDoo BaDoo
Real Song? The Pink Panther Themesong

Ehhhhh Ehhhhhhh
Real Song? My Favourite Game, by the Cardigans

And my personal favorite right now?

LeShaun, LeShaun
Real Song? Accidentally in Love. He sings "LeShaun, LeShaun" where the Counting Crows sing "Come on, Come on!"

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