Lots of Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless (World Culture) Wednesday Day

And You Wonder Why I Don't Nap

Last Saturday I indulged in a very rare and long overdue treat. A nap. A nap with my husband.

Chubalicious was down and the Notorious MRA was having some quiet time, very quietly. So I fell asleep. It wasn't that kind of deep sleep where you wake up and feel refreshed. It was more that kind of sleep that while you are asleep you are still thinking and wondering if you really are, indeed, asleep.

I was thinking/dreaming I was having the carpets cleaned. And it was a good nice.

I heard MRA poke around downstairs a couple of times but he was really quiet so I did not get up and just kept on lying there wondering if I was asleep.

Once Chubalicious woke up, though, nap time was over and MRA wanted to show us what he'd been doing.

Jonathan quickly found 2 empty yogurt containers scattered around the living room so we knew he had been snacking, but what else???? After bouncing down the stairs with a stack of papers, MRA invited us to view his art.

MRA: Here are the tracks my toy dinosaur made across the paper.
Me thinking: Yep, looks like tracks, wait... shit, where did you get paint?

 

MRA: Oh, and look Mama at this one - these are my hands.

Me thinking (still sleepily) - Those ARE your hands - wait, did he put his hands in paint?

Then came...
Me: MRA? Are those your feet?
He was VERY proud.

 

Then the indisputable evidence. I asked him how he did it and he proudly confrmed that he painted his feet. 

 

I wish I had taken a photo of the carpet before I cleaned it up. I was thankful for washable paint but mostly really proud of his resourcefulness.

 

Sunday morning he painted all our feet! See if you can guess whose toes belong to who tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday

Chubalicious

Somebody in our house is photogenic and it is definitely not me.

And as much as you want to squeeze him... well, he'll let you. Its awesome!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 8th Anniversary To Us

Yesterday was our eigth wedding anniversary! We have made it eight years! We are taking a long weekend in a few weeks for our anniversary so I really wasn't expecting anything AND I was sick so the day wasn't as wonderful and romantic as one might think.

So on my way home I call Jonathan and I am complaining that we should have tried to mark the day better even though I was sick. I am going on and on about the fact that its important and I feel bad that all I did was send flowers and we really should try harder to mark the day with something special even though we are going away soon. And he is letting me go on and on.

And I get home to...

 

I decided to leave it all in place so the boys could see it and they would know that Daddy does nice things for Mama. Let me tell you, they were fascinated. The Notorious MRA mad it halfway through the garage (that's where the trail started) and, with hands on hops, questioned, "Who made this mess?"

 

Chubalicious, on the other hand, came in and immediately started picking up the petals. When he got to my room (where I was standing) he said, very sweetly, "Mama. rose petals made a mess on the floor."

That's when they discovered the food on the bed and the gift.

 

And proceeded to eat half of my chocolates and tear open the gift. The gift was a gift card to a spa that I have wanted to try out and something I am so thankful for.

 

The Notorious MRA, saw the picture of the spa on the brochure that was included and declared it a magical room (yes, I hope so, buddy.) He also declared that he wants to go with me (not a snowball's chance in hell, buddy).

 

Thank you, LB for the wonderful surprise. You always seem to know just when I need it the most. I love you!

Wordless Wednesday

And I Ran, I Ran So Far Awaaayy

I ran a half marathon last weekend. All 13.1 ridiculous miles. My first. Likely not my last. It's my sister-in-laws fault. She had signed up to walk it with some friends and caught me during my post Life's A Beach Triathlon (the Triathlon for Slackers) high.

The half marathon was in Charleston and they advertised shrimp and grits and beer at the end. How could I refuse the opportunity to be back in my city, see some family, and have a great excuse to eat food I love somewhat guilt free?

So I committed. The persuaded Jonathan to commit. And then, my brother committed. I must admit that looking at the 13.1 mile route on the map was daunting but we all began training.

Last Saturday was the big day. The Notorious MRA and ASA both had the flu and the forecast for the event was a sunny 37 degrees. But we persisted. And I bought some "cold gear" to run in.

On the drive up, MRA vomited all over Chik-fil-A and the forecast changed to include WIND! We decided if it rained we were throwing in the towel and sleeping in. We finally made it to South Carolina, dropped the boys off with my parents and were relieved to finally be in a car without incessant hacking coming from the back seat.

My runner friends all insisted that 37 degrees was PERFECT marathon weather but if you know me, I am a cold weather wimp. I turn mean and angry and I say things to people I love that are rude and ugly. I hate to be cold.

Long story short, I did it! We all did it. Chad clocked the winds at 19 mph around mile 10 which is about were my knee gave out (and my headphones died) but we finished. And we finished within our goals. Jonathan was super fast (although he doesn't think so) and my brother and I finished in stride, crossing the finish line together. Robin also finished with a great time.

I could not have crawled another mile.

My mother-in-law asked if I was going to get one of those 13.1 stickers for my car and all I could say was, "NO! I am more proud of 37*F. I'll take one of those stickers.

I loved finishing with my brother and hopefully we will all do it again next year and I learned that I can run in the cold but I can absolutely do without the wind.

And next year I need to add a little Flock of Seagulls (I Ran) to my play list.

And here are the stats so I don't forget them: Charleston Half Marathon Stats

Happy New Year!

My husband just unexpectedly became a guest blogger and provided the content for the first blog of 2014.

I just received the following email from him. I think this may give me high hopes of the year to come!

"MRA and ASA had their squabbles this AM as usual. Being that I’m still recovering from the sleep deprivation from the past week, I tell both of them to go to their rooms. They both do while I’m finishing getting ready. When I go up to get them, I open MRA’s door 1st, and not only is he playing quietly, but he’s also both gotten himself dressed and cleaned-up his room (which he quickly told me about). It was one of the more proud moments that I’ve had of him."

Wishing you all much hope in 2014!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas. Ours was wonderful and low key and fun with lots of quality time together. Yesterday we had a playdate with Chubalicious' best friend Colten. They had a blast.

 

MRA in notorious fashion, ran his car over our friends landscaping and spun his tires while stuck on a rock then he ran ovr my foot. He can't wait to go back. I can.

Not so Wordless Wendesday

and probably a little long if you are not related to these two whack-a-doodles by blood.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I spent Thanksgiving with several families. We met in a hospital group for new Mamas just a little over two years ago, right after Chubalicious was born. Its true to say that our children have grown up together (at least to date.)

They, like their Mamas, have formed good friendships and I am thankful for each one of them for many and various reasons.

 

They are not my oldest friends but they are dear friends and we had an AMAZING Thanksgiving!

Its Me and George W.

Do you remember, oh, I dunno, maybe seven years ago or so., that time when George W. was still president and during a press conference a reporter threw a shoe at him?

I know how he feels. Sort of.

Of late, Chubalicious has decided to remove his shoes and socks whenever he is in the car. It started with a shoe then both, then the socks. And now, now, he chucks them at me while I am driving.

So there I am. minding my own business, trying to get him to school or wherever safely and BAM out of no where a sock flies into the front seat. Presently, I am grateful that its usually the socks but on occasion it is the shoes.

Now, unlike the disgruntled reporter in the George W. episode, Chubalicious does not seem to be at all upset. In fact when I ask him why he does this, he giggles like a madman. There are times, as well, when his aim is not so good and I go to get him out of the car seat only to realize he is barefoot. At these moments, when I ask where his socks are, he points to exactly where they landed (usually somewhere in the front console) and says, "Right there, Mama" like its the most natural thing in the world.

I am not offended by this at all although, sometimes, when I am in a hurry, it is quite annoying. I actually have begun to find the whole thing rather funny. And I am quite certain that on years to come, I will remember these moments endearingly or use them in some way to totally embarrass Chubalicious in front of his friends.

I have no idea how George W. remembers his incident.

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy #4, Notorious MRA

Happy Birthday to my Notorious MRA,

Oh yes, MRA, you made four years old (which means your Daddy and I also have survived four  years of parenthood. (Don't think we didn't crack open a bottle of champagne over that little feat!)

You are definitely our child as you wanted to CELEBRATE! Probably for different reasons, though. In any event, celebrate we did - with a super-fun pirate themed birthday party.

 

 

 

The setting was perfect under the trees and on the beach. The weather was amazing! We did have to chase off a pack (seriously, a pack, like five or seven) of raccoons that were eyeing down our set up. But those raccoons were no match for our pirate crew.

 

 

It took some doing, but we got the place set up, and you were a perfect swashbuckelin' pirate - Captain Mad Dog MRA, they called you. Chubalicious, aka Rum Runner ASA, was a great sidekick... if not always the most attentive.



There was food and there was cake - you and your gangly crew couldn't keep your raggedy paws out of the cake (you get that from your father.)

 

 

You and your motley band of pirates were rather fearsome. I dare say that any ship full of popinjays sailing by our party who caught sight of you and your crew (or heard the screeching and wailing coming from shore) would nary a stepped foot on our little key.

 

 

 

Of course it helped to have some real pirates there to entertain you and your gang. They painted your faces, twisted balloons, provided magic and candy and treasure. You were so unbelievably happy.

 

 

 

And seeing you so happy made your Daddy and I unbelievably happy. Of course we were exceptionally happy when you and your brother went to bed at a reasonable hour that night, as well.

 

 

 

 

It was a very merry and happy day had by all. However, as fun as the pirates were, I would like you to consider perhaps taking five friends to a movie next year for your 5th birthday? Mama and Daddy will still have champagne! Yay or nay?

 



Wordless Wenesday on Thursday

I think Wordless Wednesday on Thursday means I can use a few words. Its just a limited number of words. So with this in mind, I say:

Halloween costumes.
Pirate invsion.
So excited.
AAArgh (all the time).
Did I mention excited?
Not putting on other clothes.
Great Pumpkin had to come and hide said costumes.
So much fun, I'm loving it!

The Benefits of Planking

Last weekend, I took both Notorious and Chubalicious to the gym with me. I have been so diligent about my workouts lately in preparation for the Life's A Beach Triathlon I signed up for (don't be too impressed, its an easy one and billed as the Triathlon For Slackards.)The boys have mostly been good in the play room there but I know, we would all rather be some where else.

Prior to heading out, MRA asked when he could start exercising. To which I responded by saying that he could begin exercising anytime he wanted and I offered to show him a few moves. He readily agreed. We did not have a ton of time nor do we have a ton of space so I quickly dropped to the floor and showed him how to plank. He did well. I explained he had to keep his belly and knees off the floor so in reality, it looked like something somewhere between a plank and Downward Dog (for my Yoga following friends).

I explained that this particular exercise would make his belly strong, and his back, and his arms and legs, too. He liked that idea.

We went on to the gym and all proceeded as typical.

Until later.

While running errands throughout the weekend, I noticed that prior to opening a door to go into a store, MRA would drop to the ground and plank. He did this at Target and Old Navy. At Dairy Queen, he must have forgotten because he got outside on that filthy exit ramp, stained with grease and gum and God-knows-what-else and planked. The whole time I am fussing away to, "Get up!" Sanitize your hands". "It's dirty down there." "People need to get by." He even did this going into Saks Fifth Avenue at which point I tried to explain that we don't plank going into stores, we only plank at the gym. All my fussing went in one ear and out the other.

The next day I went to his school to pick him and Chubalicious up... and low and behold, walking out the door (with a stream of other parents and children behind us), MRA stops at the door and drops into plank position (really more like Cobra Pose.)

He holds it long enough for me to scold him and say, "MRA, WHAT? ARE? YOU? DOING? Why do you keep doing that right here?"

He looked up at me with his huge grey eyes and an even bigger smile and said, "Mama, I'm getting strong so I can open the door for you!"

Plank away, MRA. Plank often and plank well. You bring the most unexpected moments of joy into my life!