Like Bruce Says: Baby, We Were Born to Run

Reality can be a harsh mistress. We've all been adjusting this week from Kansas time back to Texas time. Time is racing by with all that we have to accomplish before school starts next week. Some of us are feeling the time constraints. Others, are feeling constraints on their freedom from city life. Take Brown Eyes for instance:



Brown Eyes: "Mom, I really miss Kansas."



Me: "Ahhh! You do Baby?"



Brown Eyes: "Yeah. 'Cause in Kansas, you have room to run!"



Apparently, Bruce Springsteen isn't the only one who was born to do it. ;)

It's a Crockpot Life for Us...

I've often said if we were wealthy, I'd hire a cook; so, I wouldn't have to. EVER. (She says sighing wistfully...) I can cook. But I don't enjoy it. At all. It's a chore. An endless chore. We just returned from our summer pilgrimage to Kansas. Wonderful Kansas. Where family and friends are plentiful and the cooking is done for you. After absolutely feasting on the delicacy's made by others, reality is hitting especially hard this week. Since reality is kicking my buttooski, I thought I'd share a little Orphan Annie ditty that I composed while cooking dinner today. Here goes:





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


No more fancy cuisine.


From the pages of a magazine.


It's a crockpot life!





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


No gourmet grub-or bakery.


Just chicken,... simmering.


It's a crockpot life..





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


Please take me back- to Kansas.


And cul-in-ary bliss.


It's a crockpot life!

A Conversation with Brown Eyes

My youngest has entered the "question phase." Endless questions. One right after another. All day long. He never seems to get tired of asking them. Although, I must admit, I do get a wee bit weary of answering them after about the 1 millionth one. :) But, then I remember that there once was a time where he couldn't communicate with us at all. Would just have a melt down because he couldn't express how he was feeling or what he wanted. So, that makes all these questions seem like a beautiful thing indeed.

Today while we were swimming, we had another Q&A session. It went a little something like this.

Brown Eyes: Caesar and Disney are in Heaven right Mom?

Me: Yes they are.

Brown Eyes: But I'm going to live a long time right Mom?

Me: Yes you are!

Brown Eyes: Do they have pools in Heaven Mom?

Me: No they don't.

Brown Eyes: So, we'll just have to build one right?

Me: Yes, we will.

Brown Eyes: Both people and dogs will like that won't they Mom?

Me: (extremely choked up)...Yes son they will.

Maybe it's just the sun...and the son....But, I think that is one of the most beautiful thoughts I've ever heard.

New Tongue Twister

I found myself wondering today how tongue twisters came about. Who writes them? What was their inspiration? I know that you do indeed see sea shells, sea shells by the sea shore. But, was there really a guy named Peter? Did he indeed pick a peck of pickled peppers? And exactly how many of these tricky tongue twisters are there circulating out there anyways?



Well.... today, there is one more. The author's name escapes me at the moment. I will say however, that this particular person is a female. I know that for a fact. And if I recall correctly, she is a less than graceful, (some might say "klutzy person") who may or may not have been in a hurry while shaving her legs. Perhaps before doning a swimsuit and going out to the pool. But I don't remember exactly. Or maybe I've mentally blocked that out. Anyhow, here is the latest tongue twister that is making people stutter... and wince:



Nerd Nicks Nipple Now Needs Neosporin.....



Try saying that 3 times quickly. Maybe while applying a BandAid. Let's just leave it at that shall we?

Family Fun Day with the Griswalds...

We had a fun family Saturday this weekend. We went to our local Bass Pro Shops store. For those of you who have one nearby and have never been-go! It's oh so much fun. A true feast for the eyes . We went this particular Saturday to have pictures taken. They are offering photos this month (every Saturday and Sunday) with your child on the cover of a magazine. I'd explain more, but they are going to be Christmas presents. So, I don't want to give the surprise away. But perhaps I've already said too much. ;) Ours has also recently added children's workshops. This is what greeted us as we arrived on Saturday: The shot doesn't do it justice, but trust me, it was wall to wall children and parents. What could have this many people mingling about in such cramped quarters you ask?







Why...

Free birdhouses of course! We had to assemble them ourselves-luckily no hammer and nails required. Simply put Slot A into Tab B. So simple even the directionally challenged mom can do it. :) (Notice the lake in the background- sooooo peaceful to gaze out upon. Made the claustrophobic conditions tolerable. For those who are claustrophobic.)

Then came the fun part: The painting. Ohhhhh how all the kids (big and small) were crazy about the painting. Many a shirt, shorts, and shoes were splattered by the end of this workshop. I love this shot of Ol' Blue Eyes. He is talking with one of the other parents there, very mature and mannerly. Yet, this pic of his expression reminds me of how he looked at age 3 and 4. Hard to explain, but all you mom's know what I mean. Made him seem little again. So sweet and nostalgic. It was all I could do to restrain myself from hugging him right then and there.

Besides the workshops, they have HUGE acquariums chuck full of fish. MONSTER fish:

Darling monster fish that make you smile as they swim by.

And all thru-out the store are these wildlife scenes:

So realistic looking. I apoligize for the next shot. It really did look cool. But, I was too intimidated by my fear of heights to lean over and get a good shot. Nothing good could have come from it. All I could foresee was me leaning out too far and dropping my camera. Or leaning too far with my graceful self and plunging to the lower level. Humiliating. It's not the freak accident I mind so much as the thought of losing my beloved camera. There's plenty of dorks out there to replace me; however, a nice camera is hard to come by ya know?! But I digress. Anyhow, here's the pic:

Ugh! I'm getting lightheaded and nauseous again just looking at it. Sweet Baby J.

Also, they have the most realistic looking mannequins I have ever seen. Don't you concur?

I can only imagine the parties they have after hours. (You know, like in the movie Mannequin. Anyone remember that flick? Anyone? Buehler?....Buehler?)

Besides the workshops, photo opps and feast for the eyes with all the wildlife scenes, they also have a restaurant. We partook of some seafood while sitting at a table with an awesome view of the lake. Very relaxing. They also offered children's tackle boxes at aforementioned restaurant for 2.99. Just little plastic ones; but, cute momento for the kiddos none the less.

We spent the better part of the day there. It was really a fun family day that cost next to nothing; yet, will be remembered fondly for a long time to come.

3 More Days...

Hello? Anyone still read this doggone thing? I don't blame you. I would have given up on me too.

We are FINALLY going to finish up our school year this week. Come Friday we'll be done...until the middle of August. Short summer. Again. But, can't bemoan that sad fact now. Looking too forward to some downtime. Any downtime. No matter how short. It is well deserved. And each second shall be savored and cherished by all.

It's been a gruelling school year. I know that (former) President George Dubya Bush was always saying "No Child Left Behind!" But, (I gotta be honest here) at times.....it was damn tempting. LOL!

Looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Ima X. Ahstead
:)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there! May your day be as special as you are!

And to my wonderful husband Ricardo :

Each day you show amazing patience, love and guidance. But enough about how you are with me....:) You are such an excellent Dad! You are never to busy to listen, teach or just hang out and have fun with your boys. The boys and I are blessed to have you and be loved by you.

We love you!!! Happy Father's Day!!!

Birthday Festivities

For the wee one's birthday, we started off by having homemade pancakes and opening gifts. Then, headed out for the local amusement park. (These season passes are really coming in handy!)



We spent several hours riding numerous rides. After noshing on the local fare for lunch, Brown Eyes announced that, "He might be ready to go home now." (so sweet.)



So, we loaded up the truck and headed home. At which point, the wee one asked if we could stop by the grocery store and get some Birthday balloons. (Who knew?!) A clear over site on our part indeed. (I felt terrible!) So we stopped and Brown Eyes got to pick his own balloons. He got a superman balloon that plays the theme song when you tap it. (A huge hit!)



We spent the afternoon poolside cooling off. And wound up the day doing Mexican food, Birthday dessert and spending the evening just hanging out together.



The 8 year old started yawning by 9. Was asleep by 10 and the rest of us were soon to follow. A great day was had by all!

Happy Birthday Brown Eyes!!!

8 years ago today, our wonderful family of 3 grew by 2 more feet. 2 teeny tiny little feet; but, what a difference they made. These 2 beautiful feet made our lives complete. These 2 little, willful, feet also opted for a path less traveled....


Due to a long, complicated pregnancy, my doctor decided to induce labor 3 weeks early. After 18 hours....It bears repeating, 18 hours of aforementioned induced, drug free, labor, (ooooh, I shoulda opted for pain meds! But I digress...) we discovered that little brown eyes was a gymnast. A gifted, gymnast who added an unscripted backflip into his Olympic womb routine. This flip caused him to now be a footling breech baby. And thus, made his dismount impossible. The Olympic judges...um, doctors, were totally impressed. Mommy- totally freaked out. An unfortunate added coincidence, there was little amniotic fluid left. We didn't have the time needed to see if he would flip back once again. An emergency C-section was the new plan of the day. Thus, began life with our youngest. Life unscripted.





The past unscripted 8 years have been an amazing journey. Brown Eyes you've taught us to live life as a celebration. Celebrating all life's accomplishments big and small. Celebrating spontaneity. Being a child again. Laughing at jokes with punchlines that may not always make sense. Singing songs of our own composition. Making our own rhythms. Using our hands as drumsticks and almost any object as our drumset. You've taught us how to break into uninhibited dance at a moment's notice. To laugh out loud for the sheer joy of it. To be heedless of what others may think.


Today we celebrate you Brown Eyes! You made our hearts grow another 100 times larger. You add inexpressible joy to our lives, just by being you. You make us all better people and the world a better place, simply by being in it. You are truly a gift!

So Happy, Happy Birthday Brown Eyes!! We love you more than words can say; but, hope you feel how much each and every day!

Love and Gratitude,

Mom, Dad, and Blue Eyes