Healthy Eating Habits

Where's the tears?

I'm pretty sure this picture should evoke motherly compassion.

It doesn't.

This kid has been crying every time HE doesn't get HIS way. Looking at this picture almost makes me laugh. So here's my motherly compassion spelled out for ya buddy, "Life's not fair," "Suck it up," "Move on," "Let's work on some self-control," and last, but certainly not least, "Mommy loves you, so STOP crying!"

Precious little fingers

Practice makes perfect sweet Ella!

Rats!

At our house we measure time by when the next birthday or holiday is. It doesn't make good sense, or help my children understand what a week, a clock, or a month is. But.... that's ok with me. I enjoy the pure anticipation.... even if this Halloween fever is going to last 6 more weeks!!!

Chili

I can't wait for cooler weather! I want to start cooking chili, soups, and stews. Fall NEEDS to arrive!
I "jumped the gun" a little last Saturday evening and made chili. I suppose it's OK to eat frito chili pies anytime... but, they just taste better when it's a little nippy outside. Either way, a pot of chili equals an easy Saturday night meal. Well... easy, that is, until rancid chili puke gets spewed all over the place!

Poor, poor Leah.





































It was NASTEEE! I had to stick her in the shower first to spray the bean chunks out of her hair, then she soaked in the bathtub to rid herself of the disgusting smell. After her shower/bath combo, I tucked her in the extra bed in Devon's room and began to tackle cleaning the "bed 'o barf!"

Poor, poor Mommy.

Devon's first Soccer game

Who's the cutest little soccer player ever?












































As you can tell, Devon is really listening to the coach in the huddle.... while he inspects a blade of grass :)

Osaka Steakhouse

My BFF's daugther, Ainslie, turned 10 last weekend. She is an 1/8 Japanese and celebrated her birthday and heritage with a party at Osaka steakhouse. The girls each wore a kimono and some were even brave enough to try the sushi! We had a great time!

Stuff

I typically only blog about my children, but today I must tell you about STUFF. Yes, the all-inclusive, non-specific STUFF that makes us the crazy individuals that we are. Let me begin with the crazy individual I call my "husband." I love this man. He is my favorite. BUT, David has an unhealthy love for big vehicles, big tires, and big shiny wheels. I do not understand this. I do not REMOTELY understand this. Yet, I choose to tolerate this obsession.

Meet Samson. (Yes, his Chevy Suburban has a name.)
Samson consumes over half of my driveway. Samson sits almost 3 feet off the ground!














Here is my van.















I do not care about what I drive, other than the fact that my kids can climb in without my help, and that I have ample room for groceries and the occasional extra cousin passenger. It doesn't have to have big tires, tinted windows, or shiny wheels. This kind of stuff does not excite me.

Backing out of the garage in my van without hitting Samson is a challenge. I TRY to be careful. (I am a woman driver, you know) I occasionally nudge the passenger side mirror against the side wall of the garage in an attempt not to harm Samson.
This is what happened on nudge number 3.



















Now, I typically don't drive Samson, (you can only image what I would hit driving a bigger vehicle than my van.) but every Wednesday morning, I fire up the V6 engine, toss (yes, literally toss) my kids up in the suburban and roll out to 3 schools with a load of cousins aboard.
Here is, as I affectionately call it, the "Cousin Caravan."

Man, do I love the "stuff" inside this tricked-out and ridiculous suburban today!