I am pleased to inform you..

that CD has gotten into the preschool of choice (and the one CJ goes to).  If you’ve ever tried to get a child in preschool, you know this is major.  There was a lot of stress involved.  Cam was on the waiting list and they made us sweat it out a bit but we are in!!!!!!  Hooray!! I am thrilled. Oh I hope they get to play together at school at playtime, wouldn’t that be sweet?  When we pick CJ up from school CD gets so excited when we get to his room and he yells his name over and over. 

We’ve been hanging around the house today doing lots of laundry.  I’m hoping to get back to square one so that I can start on CJ’s new duvet and bedskirt.  I’ve never made items like this before but how hard can sewing giant squares be, right?  I have so many things on my project list, holy moly! But I will feel successful if I can get CJ’s room done this weekend.  I have an adorable piece of artwork arriving soon from B's shop Mod Memento and I cannot wait to get it!!  You will be in love!

Well we all have days and I think I’ll share that yesterday afternoon was a less than stellar afternoon for me where mothering skills are concerned.  The boys screamed at each other for sooo long that I simply began to unravel.  It was hard to keep my cool.  I said a quiet prayer that the Niemeyers were not in their yard, oh dear, because my voice may have raised the slightest bit.  Then….CD locked himself in our guest room and was screaming and crying.  I lost it and called Big CJ in a panic.  I don’t think there is anything in the room that could’ve hurt him, but a frantic feeling sets in when you cannot get to your child.  Luckily I found one of those little key thingies to get in and everything was fine.

But I was so mentally exhausted. And disappointed that I screamed like a lunatic raised my voice. But today was a new day and we did better=)

On another note, today is the start of Lent and I am excited it is the beginning of the Easter season.  I love Easter and this year it is extra special because we finally have a church that we both really love; it feels great!  Hallelujah!

I leave you with more pics from the past few days, good night!

Cuteness and ramblings..

Yesterday after running some errands I let the boys fire up the Gator and take her for a spin.  We needed some fresh air.  We were so happy that Evie ran over to say “hello”!  CJ was squealing he was so excited.  Evie seemed interested in the Gator and felt right at home in the driver’s seat.  She surprised us all when she mashed that pedal to the floor and took off!  Evie hangs right in there with these boys let me tell you.

This morning CJ had school and CD and I headed over for more playtime with Evie.  We had some delicious banana bread (Jennifer seriously needs to write a cookbook, everything she makes is delicious) and had a great visit.  When we got home CD announced he needed a “nap-a-rooskie” and so he headed upstairs and stood by his bed, no kidding.  I put him in his crib and he was out like a light, ha!  Thank you Evie!!

And now for some randoms....

*Last night the root beer pulled pork was fantastic, yum!  Big C was a huge fan and so was I.  Gave the pork a really wonderful flavor.  A must try.

*My beloved Keith Urban (or as my husband says in his best Australian accent, Keith UUHH-ban) is playing Bridgestone Arena in August.  I haven’t been to a concert in so long I probably wouldn’t know how to act but I soooo hope we get to go… It’s been a decade *gasp* since my last K.Urban concert and I’m sure he’s missed me…

*I broke down and bought Chantecaille foundation.  I love.  After trying Stila, Lorac, Lancome, Clinique, Dior, Loreal, Cargo, Maybelline, Mac, Bare Escentuals, and Bobbi Brown, I’ve caved and accepted the fact that my face likes Chantecaille the most.  It is the most I’ve ever spent on foundation but it’s really fabulous; the colors are natural and it feels lightweight.  And it doesn’t make my face itch, a definite positive.  One of my friends reminded me that since I’m the only girl in my house, I should buy whatever girlie items I desire.  We girls can justify anything can we not?

*The Bachelor was enjoyable last night, though Brad’s extreme overuse of adjectives and his amazing incredible enthusiasm is getting on my nerves.  I cannot wait to see who he picks so that I am no longer a slave to Monday night television..

Bye for now, friends!

Does this mean I'm old?

Does anyone remember this Fisher Price parking ramp/service center? My brother and I played with this thing non-stop when we were little.  I was reunited with this jewel while visiting my parents last week.  They still have tons of our old toys and I was so excited to find this while rummaging through some stuff.  It holds such good memories, sigh…  My boys are having a ball with this thing and it makes me laugh to see it in my den all these years later!  And frankly I still enjoy playing with it, ha!

And my old tin lunchboxes… Still looove Strawberry Shortcake.  And E.T.   Aw.  I don’t know what I’m going to do with these, maybe clean them up and put matchbox cars in them?  And my make-up in the Strawberry Shortcake one? Kidding.  I can’t wait to go back and rummage through more of my parents’ collectibles. Big CJ and I are like the American Pickers when we go to Dry Fork.  My Dad has all kinds of little treasures, he’s a sentimental guy, and it’s so fun to walk down memory lane!

This is a random but it must be shared.  On our road trip back to TN we passed quite a few Hooters restaurants… No, we did not stop.  But it was quite hysterical that little CJ noticed the giant O’s in Hooter’s and thought they were donuts! He would say, “Oh wow, I love donuts, can we have some donuts?”  HA!  The things they say..

We’re having us a fine Monday.  I’ve got Val’s root beer pork in the crock pot and this will give my hubby an opportunity to use some of Keaton’s famous sauce that we picked up Saturday, so he should be happy=)  Hope y’all have a great Monday, and don’t forget the Bachelor : Women Tell All is on tonite, yeah!!



One good movie..I love this picture!



Togetherness, Keaton's, and iPad fun

We’re back home! Hallelujah!  It’s good to be home but I will admit I cried like a baby when we left my parents’ house.  It’s always so hard. 

So Friday the boys and I visited a good friend who still lives in North Carolina.  Her daughter Willow is 2 years old and it was the first time the boys had met her.  Willow watched the boys a bit but she was far more interested in talking to me and telling me about “sheepie” and “paci”. Ha! I had to laugh!   She sure made me feel special and she's such a sweetheart.

Friday night it was back to my brother and sister-in-law’s house for a birthday dinner—the honorees were my dad and my sweet CD.  (Daddy’s b-day was Feb. 29^th and Cam’s 2^nd birthday is Thursday, I cannot believe it!)  Dinner was fabulous, Grace and Davey are gracious hosts and Grace is really wonderful at entertaining. I always take notes! The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and we all just had a great time together.  CD enjoyed opening his presents and didn’t mind that he had some help=)  He got an adorable shirt, a puzzle that has kept him busy today, and a great little DVD of veggie tales (which he promptly snapped in half in front of everyone *gasp*).. 

Saturday we loaded up the truck and headed back to big T. We stopped in Mocksville, NC at a legendary BBQ joint called Keaton's.  It's what you might call a hole in the wall but it has quite the reputation. It was my first visit there but my husband has been many times and has raved about the BBQ.  The Niemeyer's are big fans too, small world, right? Well it was indeed dee-licious.  And you should have seen us trying to order.  I am a pretty Southern girl, but I didn't understand a word the nice lady said to me so my husband stepped in and took over (and he's a New Yorker??)  There is a special Keaton's language apparently..

The Apprentice is tonight and I’m a watchin’.  Plus, Grace shared some new iPad games with me… Fruit Ninja (which both boys love) and Cooking Dash.  I’m already addicted to both.  And I discovered Bubble Shoot, oh silly fun.  Toodles for now!

Action packed

Holy Moly! We’ve been going about 200 miles an hour today!

First, as promised, we took the boys to the John Deere dealership.  I wish you could hear the squeals of delight.  These boys were so excited, like Mama in the Nordstrom shoe department.  They kept saying “Look at this tractor! Look at this one! Look at this one!!!”   It was precious.  We took pictures and climbed all over the tractors like we didn’t have a care in the world, and thankfully no one kicked us off the lot. Ha!

Later this afternoon we headed over to Uncle Davey and Aunt Grace’s house.  Big C and I often chuckle and call their house Disneyland.  They’ve got it all—acres and acres of land, a motocross track (you read that correctly), of course tons of toys to play with, an enormous basement full of gymnastics equipment, and yes, more toys. 

The boys were so adorable playing with their cousins.  David III is the oldest and he’s a champion motocross rider in his age group, so proud of him.  He hung out with us for a while and then headed outside to do some practicing…Anne is in the middle and she’s a real sweetheart.  She's got a killer smile and she's super smart.  She had my phone doing things I didn’t know it could do!  She just got glasses today and she looked so stylish.  Aunt Courtney is inspired to go update her glasses now…Faith is the youngest at 4—she’s a bundle of energy and laughter, kind of like a mini happiness tornado.  Sometimes my CJ can take a while to warm up, but not around Faith!  She can pull him right out of his shell.  He loooves hanging out in Anne and Faith’s room, and they are so sweet to share everything they have with him, David too.  Hopefully the boys will pick up some of their sharing skills.

The kids had a ball playing and were so funny on the girls’ gym equipment.  We’ve been thinking of signing them up at a My Gym and I think we’re going to have to do that soon.  They love it!

Well we’ve had a great day.  They don’t get much better than this.  Except we miss Daddy, but he’ll be back tomorrow and we can’t wait.  These boys will be soooo excited.

Tomorrow’s Friday, yippee!!!

Quick trip to Richmond

This morning my sweet little CJ walked into my room, put his hat on backwards, and said “I’m bad to the bone.”  Uncle Davey sure is rubbing off on his nephew! 

Nana, the boys and I played and hung out at home today.  We did some coloring, battled over a few tractors, read a good book (over and over and over) and threw a ball… good stuff.  This afternoon I left for a quick trip to Richmond to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends while Nana kept the boys.  Julia’s mom and my mom were roommates in college.  She’s the best and she’d do anything for me (and vice versa).  She is one of my 3 loyal followers, after all, ha!  We had a great dinner at TGIFridays and shared lots of laughs.  Good for the soul stuff.  But time flew by as it always does and it was soon time to head back to the hills.

When I got home I was so happy to see my little guys sleeping like angels.  I always feel such a sense of peace when I kiss them goodnight, they are just so innocent and precious, you know?  I’m always a tad anxious when I’m away from them (even though they were in great hands).  Guess that’s just a mama thing!

Tomorrow's a big and important day--we're taking the boys to the John Deere dealership, yay!  I can't wait to see their little faces! 

Okay, time for night night! Good bye for now=)

Big brother love

That’s a picture of my big brother (Davey) with my boys.  I love my big brother.  I think he’s cool, just like when we were little.  Davey and I are only 11 months apart, isn’t that something?  I’ve always looked up to him (Lordy I hope he doesn’t read this, his head will surely swell!)  I just don’t see him often enough and so being around him again is pretty great.  He has a wicked sense of humor (just like his kid sister, ha!;) and I miss that so much.  He makes me laugh!  He has 3 kids of his own and he’s such a great dad too. And a great uncle—he’s a motocross guy and he got the boys some new hats today and so they think he’s pretty great.

Now when I look at my boys I have to grin at the sweetness of CJ being a big brother and how I can already see how CD looks up to him.  Its so super sweet.  I know it’s going to be amazing watching these two as they grow up together.  It already is!!

In other news, we’re having a good visit here in DanVegas.  Big CJ told me I was being mean by picking on my hometown (I made a comment yesterday about missing civilization) so my apologies to any offended Danvillians.  It’s kinda like that old saying goes though, I can pick on my family, but nobody else better!  Small town America was surely a great place to grow up.



A cool hot dog joint: if you're ever passing through, stop here for a dog!

And yet another topic: did you see the Bachelor?  I can’t let a Tuesday slip past me without commenting.  I was a little confused by the absolute awkwardness between Brad and Ashley? But hey, if they’ve known each other for 5 weeks and are already struggling, then it just ain’t gonna work.  One minute I think he’s picking Emily and the next I think Chantal.  But it sometimes seems when ABC makes it appear so obvious (Emily) that maybe it’s a trick and Chantal is the one???  I’m putting a lot of thought into this and I’m really losing sleep over it! Okay not really.

Folks, have a wonderful Tuesday evening!

PS  The boys are making a miraculous recovery! Hooray=)