By Popular Demand

I have been MIA for a bit. Jackson was on Fall Break last week, and we have been busy eating our way through the Valley. No seriously, the kid and I can eat!

Here's what this family has been up to lately:

Two weeks ago we had the craziest hail I have EVER SEEN in my life. I have never seen anything like it. I was driving to pick up Tyler, and I had to pull over a gas station awning because the hail was the size of golf balls. It was beating down on my car and scaring the crap out of me. The hail wasn't the size of golf balls by my house, but I took some pictures of the massive amounts of hail we had! The quality is not the best because it was my cell phone, but you can get the idea.





We also celebrate Tyler's 4th birthday this past weekend. She wanted everything Hannah Montana, and on your birthday, your wish is my command. We also hit the horse races that day per her request! She was one very happy little girl!




Wednesday I took Jackson to his first tasting at Z'Tejas. We were tasting the winter menu. It was a little spicy for him, but he was a trooper and tried everything. I was so proud.

Thursday I took him to Cracker Barrel for breakfast as a reward for behaving so well at the tasting. His meal cost ten dollars, and I couldn't even complain because he ate the whole thing. I learned my lesson though, and we won't be returning to Cracker Barrel for a while. I am NOT a fan of their combination plates. I had to add a bunch of stuff on and it ended up being rather expensive. BUT, the hashbrown casserole is just SO GOOD THERE! Mmmmmm!

This past weekend was very dull, but it was exactly what I needed.

This last picture is just because I thought it was funny. My sister and I were driving to lunch one day, and this thing was just standing on the corner by her house. WEIRD!

Ten on Tuesday-Jackson's Wish List

UPDATED: 10/7/10 crossed out items have been purchased!

1. ANY DS game! Currently he REALLY wants the Toy Story 3 game, but anything with Mario would make him happy!

2. Dart Board

3. Gift Card/Certificate to McDonalds, Sonic, or the Movies.

4. Legos but OMG, they are soooooooooooooooo expensive!! The one he wants is a Toy Story 3 set about $50 at Target, the Bear is falling into a fire-I think it is called the Trash Compactor or something. (I saw the movie-I don't remember their names!)

5. Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii

6. The Penguin Boat from Batman that goes along with the Imaginext Batman play set.

7. Puzzles

8. Loves pajamas Size 7

9. Tickets to Legoland

10. A big screen tv. . .OH WAIT THAT'S ME, but I think he would like it as well!

Honestly, Pat and I must be AWESOME at opening gifts, because no matter what you get him, he will love it, and when he opens it, he will make you feel like you bought him the best gift in the world. Again, variety of prices so there is something for everyone. I don't know who would buy the tv, but you never know! HA!

Step Up Women's Network

As you may know, I support Step Up Women’s Network – the national nonprofit that connects you to the professional women you need & underserved teen girls who need you. We need your (digital) help now more than ever!

Step Up is up for a $250k grant that would help us fund after-school programs that help our underserved teen girls become confident, college-bound and career-ready through the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Through October 31, please vote three times per day via the website (http://pep.si/ci154d), facebook, and text (103315 to 73774). There is no charge to vote (other than your standard text rates) & it takes just a moment. One minute of your time could add up to $250k for teen girls nationwide!

A sincere thanks for support of this important cause I am backing.

Happy voting!

Jackson's Art

Anyone who knows Jackson or had Jackson in their class, knows that the kid despised ART. He would pick up the paint brush, make a streak across the page and be done. Finger painting, FORGET IT, he hated the way it felt, and he didn't want to get dirty. He probably had some sort of sensory issue, but his teachers worked and worked with him and NOW he loves art! He has art class at his school, and his painting was selected to hang in the Transfusion and Treatment Center at Scottsdale Osborne Hospital. I haven't seen the picture, but as soon as I do, I will take a picture of it and post it. Until then, here's the notice we got telling us the good news! YAY Jackson. I couldn't be prouder if it was reading or math!

Ten on Tuesday-gift ideas for Tyler!

If you are lucky enough to receive a party invitation to the fiesta in November, here are ten things she currently has on her wish list. Who am I kidding? Half the city is invited.

1. Hannah Montana DS game, found it for TEN dollars at Best Buy.

2. PINK DSi

3. Barbie Newborn Doctor

4. Hannah Montana Wig (Target)

5. Hannah Montana Guitar (Target)

6. Just Dance 2

7. Target Gift Card

8. New Tinkerbell Movie

9. ipod

10. Just about anything, she is the WORLD'S BEST GIFT OPENER! If I could have just a smidgen of her excitement, I wouldn't be so hesitant to open gifts in front of people.

I know this list has a wide range of price points, but I wanted everyone to have plenty of options, get together with other people, whatever! She doesn't need a lot, she is already truly blessed!

Coming next Tuesday. . .Jackson's wish list

Crafty Morning

OK, so after Tyler and I got home from testing out the new Just Dance game at Best Buy this morning, NO SERIOUSLY, I didn't really get a turn because there were way too many salesmen standing around doing nothing. . .I wonder how many people are really working in any given Best Buy store on Monday morning at 9AM, my guess would be about TEN TOO MANY! It was a sea of blue shirts. . .Tyler LOVED the game, so I probably wouldn't have had a turn anyway- it looked like SOOOOOO MUCH fun if you could really break it down in the privacy of your own home. Ooooooh, I want it!

Commercial for the game!



(How cute is this little one playing the game!)



But this post isn't about how I exercised EXTREME self control today by not purchasing Just Dance (Just Dance 2 comes out Oct 15th!). . .please remember that I spent SIXTY-FIVE dollars on light bulbs last week, so my guess is that another FORTY on a video game would not have been smiled upon by my husband who already thinks I spend too much money. . .as if I am the only one who uses the light bulbs in this house! HA! What this post is about is the crafty school bag Tyler and I made together this morning. She is in Room 3, so I cut out a big THREE from my FAVORITE material! Then, we used fabric paint to put some dots on. I think it turned out cute, and she is thrilled to pieces to show it off tomorrow.



We also have matching BRIGHT purple toes (Originally I was talking about matching toe nail polish, but I think we have the exact same feet-look at our pinkies!).



I feel like Super Mom this morning!

Tyler-Living the Good Life!

My friend, Kirstin, owns Basically Bows, A DARLING boutique in Scottsdale. No seriously, it is DARLING, and I could spend hours in there. When I go I am there FOREVER! I usually shy away from Scottsdale because you know how much I love it and all, but this store makes you feel like you are a kid again! She did a photo shoot last night, and Tyler and Pat had some daddy-daughter bonding time, but I sent him with a camera so that I could get a glimpse into all the fun!

She wore two outfits:





Pat and Kirstin both said she was little reserved at first, but once she found that she could just go up to things and choose them and poof she got to wear them, it was heaven on Earth for her. Pat said at one point she was trying to choose between SIX bows, and it was just a little slice of heaven for her.

I love the group shots:





I especially love TIRED TYLER. . .this was WAY PAST HER BEDTIME! But so worth it to see the complete JOY she experienced participating. THANKS KIRSTIN!



You can also follow Basically Bows on twitter, facebook and at their new blog!