Cheap Entertainment and Maddox's Bucket List

I found this genius idea online. 

Baby + colander + fuzzy straws = amazing.

Today we attempted a Valentine's Day craft: cards for all of the grandparents. We used pink and red paint and even though they don't look like they are supposed to, I think the grandparents will still love them. Hopefully I can send them out once the globs of paint dry! (...which seems like never. They are still wet.)

Maddox just told me, "When I get big, I'm going to be a rock and roll band."

I guess we will add this to the When I Get Big list, which includes:

-having a fourwheeler (a "loud" one, mind you)

-shooting a gun

-catching a deer

-and driving to Chik-Fil-A "all by myself"

A Poop Story and Other Things

I'm bringing the 50's back! 

Actually, cooking in a cute apron is kind of fun. Thanks to Yani for gifting me with this one!

I made Caribbean Jerk chicken lastnight. Here is a link to the recipe:

http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/caribbean-jerk-chicken-tenders/

Andrew said he would pay $15 for it at a restaurant, so I know I'll be making it again...and again.

Isn't little man adorable? Well, these pictures were taken seconds before he pooped in the tub, so after that...not so adorable. Every Mom has a "poop in the tub" story to share and I have way too many. I rushed him to the toilet mid-poop, hoping for a grand introduction into potty training, but he wanted nothing to do with the toilet. In fact, he went into hysterics. I took him off, he ran onto the carpet, squatted, and tried once again to poop somewhere he shouldn't. 

Luckily, it didn't happen. 

We spent most of the day in Destin. Andrew found some good deals (hello, $6 Gap pants!) and I even scored a $2 fleece jacket for Maddox. Jude is not a shopper, though. At Barnes and Noble, he attempted to pull every teddy bear off the shelf and then drag them around (or lay on them). Target was worse. If I wasn't constantly feeding him, he was screaming. So we went through three Mum Mums, a giant cheesy pretzel, and then I got desperate and gave him a Tootsie Roll. From then on, he was a happy shopper.

Back home, Maddox wanted to do the only thing he wants to do these days: ride his bike with the girls. 

Oh, my. What a little ladies man. 

Let the good times roll

Why do good times go by so fast?

We are Day 3 into our 4 day weekend and it's been a blurry blast.

From the-best-ever-ham-and-cheese-croissant to antiquing and Dunkin Donut-ing (yep, new word) with Yani to Peyton's birthday party (Maddox popped the pinanta!) and Shoreline Sunday...it's been a good time.

I did Tidepools today (the 2 and 3-year-olds) and didn't get peed on. Yay! Maddox is pretty proud of his craft, too (the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fish). The combination of glue, oatmeal, and thousands of pieces of paper is a messy one when it comes to preschoolers, but it turned out cute. It now hangs proudly from our fridge. Jude didn't have such a good day. He was hysterical in the nursery so he ended up in the 2-3 class with me (precisely, on my hip) but it got to be too much, so I was forced to call 911 (aka Daddy). He saved the day (and my class!)!

This is what Daddy's weekend wake-up call looks like. 

Proud!

Our first time playing The Picnic Game. As usual, Maddox won!

4 Day Weekend

4 day weekends are treasures. So are days when the house is quiet (husband and oldest kid at the grocery store; youngest kid fast asleep). I didn't know what to do with myself. Finally, I decided to be a girl and paint my nails and do my hair. Oh snap! 

Maddox is a big hit with the ladies these days. Maybe it's the hot car...or his golden curls...or the way he waves at his entourage and yells, "Hey girlfriends!"

They really do grow up fast huh?

 This week, we've been doing the usual: jumping off the couch into a sea of pillows (my pillows are finally being put to a practical use).

 We've made bread, too. It lasts about a day, if that. Maddox loves it so much that he hugs the bread machine. I let him make his own "baby roll" and he thinks it's the coolest thing ever. He tells me, "I can make bread now because I'm a big boy."

 Another thing to contribute to his new big boy status: he can put on his camo belt, although it may take him half an hour to do it.

 He and Jude tried mini corndogs for the first time at Buffalo Wild Wings this week and they cleaned their plates. Maddox also loves celery...a lot. He could be a vegan kid.

We are still living outside most of the day, riding bikes and exploring parks. I feel like I need two sets of eyes though. The last time at the park I lost sight of Jude while looking at Maddox and then I heard him giggle...from the top of the jungle gym! He is a fast one. And super sneaky.

 And tall!!! 

His current favorite food: blueberries.

Favorite song: Don't Stop by Foster the People. He climbs into my computer chair, punches at the keyboard and yells, "Don't 'Top!" over and over until I play the song. Then he begins his booty bounce and head shaking. I really need to video it and post it. At this age, Maddox's favorite song was "Baby" by Justin Bieber. Good thing he outgrew that one!

What's behind those big, sparkly eyes? 

Rainy Day

It's a dreary day outside, but never inside!

I've spent most of the morning with Mr. Sunshine/Mr. Troublemaker.

 Maddox has been outside with "TaTa" enjoying every minute of the day before it pours rain. They are now at the library and I'm curious to see what book Maddox brings home. Rainy days make great reading days! And, they also make great Play-doh days. Too bad Jude just wants to eat it...or play peekaboo behind the containers.

What a little sweetheart!

Dear Florida, Get Cold!

It's 70 degrees here and I'm dreaming of snow.

But, days like this are good for the boys. We went to the park with some friends this morning and Maddox climbed the "rock wall" to the top and went down the big boy slide all by himself. Jude wandered back and forth and tried to eat gum off the pavement. Ah, boys, boys.

This boy in particular has a knack for finding trouble....

Oh, check these out. You can't miss them! Every girl needs a little fur in her life.

2012

My first impression of 2012: What's new? I'm STILL sick! And apparently Amoxicillin and I don't get along anymore.

Really, though, it's four days into the New Year and not much has changed. But, I have high hopes. I'm craving some new adventures this year...maybe some road trips, some new faces? Or at the very least, a more relaxed summer on the beach, where I don't have to worry about a little baby eating sand 24/7 (like last summer). Wait. Who am I kidding? Now that little baby can run and I'll probably wish he was still sitting in one spot, eating sand.

Hey, it's going to be a fun year. With my two boys, I KNOW lots (and lots and lots) of adventures await.

Did you enjoy the traditional collard greens and black-eyed peas? Not us. I opted for a new chicken recipe, some green beans and homemade rolls. (I did miss the collards though.)