Cupcakes BEFORE Pizza!

Whoever said that you have to eat lunch before the cupcake never had an outing with MOMMY!!! Today, Tyler went to her "Meet the Teacher" session with Ms. Tamara, so Jackson and I had some alone time, so we went off to check out the new Sprinkles "Cupcake Store"! Andrea and Lizzy joined us on our adventure, and you could tell that the two little preschoolers felt pretty special walking into the cupcake store, choosing which cupcake they wanted, then sitting outside and eating the cupcake of their choice. The cupcakes were good, but they were really nothing special, and they were piled HIGH with frosting which took away from the yumminess of the cake if you ask me. I did sample some of the "special" flavors when I got home, and while the lemon and banana are pretty darn tasty, I can't say that I am particularly impressed with their basic vanilla and chocolate! The other cupcakes that are left in the box untouched are a red velvet and a black and white. I told Pat when he came home there were going to be little pieces taken out of each of them! I also took a picture so that you could see just how much frosting was piled high on each of them! LOL!

After the cupcake store we headed to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch, which I think was stimulation OVERLOAD, but it killed some more hours in the longest week ever. One would think after this amazing morning, the kiddos would still be asleep, but I got like an hour and a half maximum out of each of them, and then they were up and ready for more. So, we have spent the afternoon swimming and eating fruit snacks. Probably the LEAST nutritious day that the kids have ever had in their life, BUT to me, that's what memories are made of!

What being an aunt means to me!

I have never been an aunt before, and I didn't have aunts that were really active in my life growing up, so seeing how Katie is having a baby this winter, I have been reflecting on what being an aunt will mean to me.



- Being able to hand the child off to the parents after you have had ENOUGH!
- Sticking the child's butt in the parent's face and asking, "Do they need their diaper changed?"
- Handing the child to the parent after they reply, "Yes!" to the question above.
- Being considered cool because you don't have to discipline, you just mediate!
- Enjoying the child when they are around because they are not ALWAYS around, and you have not seen them do their "trick" nine thousand times already!
- Sneaking the child treats BEFORE dinner!
- Watching the child develop a personality unique to it and their family.
- Knowing that you don't have to pay for them to go to college, their medical bills, their grocery bills, etc.
- Picking out clothes for them (I could really do this for anyone, except myself, so I just had to add it on!)
- Setting aside special time to take them to do something they want to do!

I know my reasons may not be deep or profound, but I am truly SO EXCITED to be an aunt this winter. I cannot wait to experience the phone call informing me the sex of the baby, sitting in the waiting room desperate for an ounce of news about the baby, listening to Katie complain about how tired she is (OH WAIT, I ALREADY DO!), and just savoring every moment of holding the precious baby before it no longer wants to be held anymore.

Sidewalk Chalk and Much, Much More!

Pat and I had a DELIGHTFUL, KID-FREE weekend! We spent Friday night celebrating Ian's 8th grade graduation. What an exciting time. Unfortunately I was still a little under the weather, so I didn't get to fully enjoy Valle Luna (my all time favorite Mexican food restaurant), but I did get to enjoy a few bites of Mexican pizza and Bean Dip. YUM! The rest of the weekend was full of activities with both friends and family.
This morning, I was surprisingly energized after having the weekend to myself, that I even let the kids experiment with sidewalk chalk. We live in a REALLY quiet neighborhood, so I should really spend more time out front, but I am just so worried that Tyler is going to bolt into the street that we spend most of our time indoors or in the backyard. However, there were no escapees, and both kids had a great time trying all the different pieces of chalk to see what they would look like on the cement. Tyler loves flowers, and as much as I don't NEED another chatterbox in this house, I am desperate for her to speak more, so I will do just about anything to hear her say the few words that she knows.

You know you have multiple children. . .

when you stop labeling their things with their first name and just label EVERYTHING with your last name! I find this very funny for some reason!

I have a confession!

I got the bug, and it SUCKED!!! Totally knocked me off my feet, but I feel like a new person, and I have much more sympathy today for Pat's pathetic, disgusting face stumbling through the door Tuesday afternoon. Although, maybe if he would have kept his germs at work, I wouldn't have gotten it!

Men and Illness

I don't even understand men when they are ill. It may not be all men, just my husband, I don't know for sure. I do know when I told Karissa about Pat's illness, she proceeded to laugh, and I said, "You are only laughing because it is not your husband." To which she replied, "NO, I am laughing because I have seen Pat sick!" OK, so there is my proof, that he is the absolute DEVIL when he is sick. I begged and pleaded with him to just stay at work because I didn't want to see his pathetic, disgusting face when he stumbled through the door, but none the less, he is here, and I am less than pleased.

He has EXACTLY the same thing that Tyler had. Tyler was a gem through it all. She would throw up and go back to playing, drink a little juice, throw it up and be on her merry way. In fact, I would have to say that she was in the best mood EVER on Friday, so if an 19 month old can pick herself up and carry on, shouldn't a 28 year old man!!!! I guess women are born fighters!

I just want to reserve him a room at the nearest Days Inn and call it a night. GO AWAY GERMS! BLAH! Where would I go if I were to get this? I would not have anywhere to go because everywhere I went, I would have four tiny feet chasing me down asking me a million and one questions about what is wrong! You would never hear me utter the words, "I want to go home and rest!" He has to be joking, right?

I am sure Tamara who has cared for her husband throughout several serious injuries now is reading this and thinking, "OMG Woman, it is a tiny little illness!" But, I guess that is my point, it is a small illness, what if something was to REALLY happen to him.

Dream Home

Of course there would be some cosmetic changes, but I adore this home, if you get a chance click on the floorplan section! LOVE IT! One day, I will learn how to link stuff, but until then you will just have to copy and paste!

http://www.thecanigliagroup.com/6737+n.+central+ave/listing-22/

Until Death Do Us Part

Pat read a study that people are happiest in their marriage before they have kids and after their kids are all out of the house! I don't know that I necessarily believe it, but it must be hard for those people without a strong support system in tow to really have time for one another. Pat and I celebrated our five year anniversary this past Saturday, and we did it the best way we know how, by being around all our friends and family. It wasn't about us, but that's the way it should be. Jackson had a birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza, so he got to do what he loves. My darling Gina graduated from high school and had a graduation party that afternoon, and we were able to be around the ones we love the most. I have to tell you about this party. For those of you who know me, I am a very SCHEDULED person. My kids have their snack at the same time, drink their beverages at the same time, sleep at the same time, etc EACH AND EVERY DAY! I know some may call me crazy, but it has given me a certain amount of sanity to survive the preschool/toddler years. So, no one would expect that we arrived at the party at 2 o'clock, only to stay until 8:30, way past my kid's bedtime, but we did. The kids had a FANTASTIC time at the Parise's house. Jackson "played" pool, Rock Band, and ate cupcakes. While Tyler managed to walk up and down every step in that house, and for those of you who have seen it, you know their are a lot. The time just flew by, and it was an absolutely PERFECT night!

The next morning we woke up to begin my very latest obsession. . .Mario Kart! It is FABULOUS! For those of you looking to invest in this game, here's a little review, the wheel that comes with the game is fine, but there is no need to buy anymore, you can play just as well without! I just adore video games. Good thing too because it is just a little too hot outside to explore the great outdoors!

We're following the leader, the leader, the leader. . .

What I wouldn't give to be three again and be over the moon because I got to be line leader. The excitement around here today is that Jackson was line leader at school!

I handed over my title as Event Director this morning and the Board meeting for the preschool, and I am now Secretary. We will see how this goes! That's all for today!

Baseball, Baseball and more Baseball

We have had quite the baseball weekend, that is FOR SURE! On Thursday, a friend and I went to the afternoon Diamondbacks game, it was quite a nice break from the traditional week. There is something fantastic about drinking a beer at 2 in the afternoon. Of course, we didn't want to go home, and it was about the fastest game ever. I don't know the last time I actually stayed through an entire game.

This weekend was Jackson's last t-ball game. He was very excited to get his trophy and follow up the game with a trip to his favorite local, Peter Piper Pizza. I was quite sad to see it come to an end! While I know it is getting WAY TOO HOT for any sort of outdoor activity, it was a great way to start our weekends.





Yesterday, we met one of my friends from high school, Alissa, for dinner and a trip to the ASU vs LMU baseball game. It is such a GREAT FIELD for kids with a HUGE grassy area. We got a chance to meet the players, and they were all REALLY GREAT with Jackson. I kept teasing Alissa about wearing a tube top dress to a baseball game with two kids, but I guess you don't really think about all the activities you will be a part of if you don't already have kids. So, I had to include a pic of Alissa playing baseball with Jackson in her tube top dress! On the way out, we met Sparky, which just made Jackson's day! Tyler will even stare down the DEVIL!

One of the MANY reasons I drink. . .

This is Tyler still going at it after 1 hour and 15 minutes. The incessant wailing is making me INSANE! Sorry about the horrible lighting, I figured you didn't need to see the door too clearly to hear her objection to napping. The only good thing I can say about this is that Jackson is sound asleep in the room right next to hers and has been for 2 hours!

Monster Baby!

Make sure you check out Karissa's page to see the MOST DISGUSTING THING I have ever seen in my life!!!

On a side note, I am not completely heartless, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers this month!

Say Cheese!

These tasty little crackers are a HUGE weakness of mine! I should know better than to buy them at the grocery store, but I have to say, they always have their little sale sign hanging below them shouting, "I AM A BARGAIN! BUY ME!" So, I cave because I already think food is so incredibly over priced, and I end up at home craving the suckers! Who is the sucker!??

And, for the record, not only is the original flavor scrumdiddlyumcuious! But, the spin off flavors are out of this world as well!

These crackers should not be confused with Cheese Nips, which are a nasty cheese crackers with zero flavor. My mom could never it get it right growing up, and we would end up with every cheese cracker under the sun, EXCEPT the Cheez It. Better Cheddars and Goldfish are fine, but their cheesy goodness does not compare.

A little of this, a little of that!

Here is one of the best pictures that I have gotten of Tyler in an incredibly LONG time. You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture, but five minutes early, she had fallen face first off a kitchen table chair and split her lip in two places. It isn't pretty when I flip her lip down, but she sure looks GORGEOUS in this pic!


Here is a close up of Jackson's teeth. You can tell that his front right tooth (your left) is a little discolored, but today it wasn't as noticeable to me. Maybe I am just getting used to it! Anyway, in my eyes, he is still as handsome as ever!

Dos de Mayo Party!

Well, the event came and went, and all without taking a single solitary picture! Everything ran smoothly. We made a substantial amount of money, everyone that we had contracted to provide services the night of the event showed up on time, tasted great, worked, etc. I am very relieved that it is over, and once my reports are done for the Board, I will be sitting around wondering what to do with myself.

As far as my family at the event, Jackson had a blast on the enormous jumper/slide, and it was GREAT watching him get excited every time he would see one of his friends arrive. Tyler loved to run up and down the hill, and she especially loved the ENORMOUS chocolate chip cookie that came with the dinner. Patrick was a great help, taking orders, running food, and making sure legal action was avoided by super duct taping the cord for the bounce house running across the sidewalk. Overall, it was a great night, followed by heavy drinking with friends at the neighborhood bar.

I thought I would take a few minutes to research the history of Cinco de Mayo, and what exactly we celebrated on Friday night, and what you may or may not be celebrating tomorrow. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory, on May 5, 1862, of an ill-equipped Mexican army fending off a large invading French force at the Battle of Puebla. It's a day of national pride in Mexico, but not celebrated with nearly the fervor as Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 15. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a holiday to celebrate all things Mexican, and Latino heritage more broadly.

So, as you sit down to eat your tacos and margaritas tomorrow night, remember that no holiday is created without reason or purpose behind it!

Busy Bees

We have been busy little bees around here this week. Yesterday, Jackson had his Breakfast with Mom gathering. It was so fun to watch the children interact, so completely different than how they were at the beginning of the year. They were all running around the room, trying to chase one another, lots of laughing and giggling. They did a short song, which Jackson wanted no part of. The first half of the song, he stood there playing with his belly button, and the second half, he stuck his tongue out as far as humanly possible!



Today we went to the park with the Preschool Mommies. It was a lot of fun! Tyler, sat and played in the sand for a good 20-25 minutes, which is a LONG time for her. Tamara said that children who play in sand will be good at math and science, LUCKY HER, because I don't think Jackson got any of those math skills that I have tried so desperately to pass along! Jackson shared his remote controlled car with his friends very well, I was quite please with today's outing. Especially because I even captured a picture of Tyler smiling on the swing, SHOCKING! I know it may not look like much, but some days that is as close as you get!


I think my favorite moment of the day was watching 6 foot something Tamara ride the Plasma Chair thingy, I only call it that because I don't know what it is really called, but she was a great sport, trying to catch her daughter on it. Was probably even more hilarious because there wasn't a slope to the sidewalk at all!!!