Wednesday, May 30, 2007

More Questions


What were you doing 1 year ago?

Getting used to being a mother of two.

Five snacks you enjoy:

1) Chips and salsa
2) Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream
3) green apples (with peanut butter)
4) Popcorn
5) Pretzels

Five songs that you know all the lyrics:

1) We Didn't Start the Fire-Billy Joel...I really do know all the words
2) I Will..The Beatles
3) A few Backyardigans songs...building my lyric repertoire here
4) Probably every patriotic and holiday song
5) A lot of 80's songs.

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

1) Get us out of debt once and for all and get savings and retirement all set
2) Build a dream house
3) Make sure my kids have college money
4) Buy my mom a great house too
5) Shop, shop, shop 'til I drop!

Five bad habits:

1) Worrying about little stuff
2) Being late almost all the time
3) Wanting my husband to be excited to clean or do projects.
4) drinking diet soda (today is my first day without soda!)
5) Eating out

Five things you like doing:

1) Scrapbooking
2) Taking pictures
3) Reading books
4) Blogging
5) Shopping

Five things you would never wear again:

1) Pretty much anything I wore in high school
2) Pointy toe shoes
3) Perm
4) Crew neck t-shirts-they feel too tight on my neck
5) anything midriff showing-although I am not sure I wore that to begin with.

Five favorite toys:

1) my camera
2) puzzles
3) board games
4) quiet toys
5) crafty stuff

Monday, May 28, 2007

Father and Son

Some may own castles on the banks of the Rhine

Or dine with an orchestra each evening at nine,

But richer than I, they will never be,

For I had a father who spent time with me.

-unknown





The Words I've Been Waiting to Hear!




"Mommy, take my picture!"

Today, it was "Mommy, my hair's all wet, take a picture!". Of course, he is running about saying this, so trying to get a semi-decent photo is still a challenge. He likes to look at the pictures to see what I have been doing and checking that he is the subject.

Now, if I could find a way to get him to eat and not whine, I'll write a book.

Sprinkler Au Natural




I am not posting a bunch of the pictures I actually took today, because the boys went for an impromptu session in the sprinkler sans bathing suits. They had the greatest time splashing and running in and out of the water. Don't worry, we made sure there was a lot of sunscreen.

This is also a precursor to the start of swim lessons tomorrow. Ian will be going in the kiddie pool. For anyone that recalls last year, swim lessons did not work out the way we had hoped. He seems less fearful, but again we will not rely on that as any type of indicator. Connor will probably have fun, he has that happy-go-lucky spirit with a streak of fearlessness.

The ABC's

A)Available or Single… ??? Neither!
B)Best Friend...I have a bunch and I consider them all my best friends.
C)Cake or Pie...I am more of a cake person, but pie is great-a la mode, of course!
D)Drink of Choice…..sangria, water or an occasional treat from Starbucks
E)Essential Items….Lip Smackers lip gloss, baby wipes, my favorite clicky pencils.
F)Favorite Color … black and red
G)Gummi Bears or Worms....Sorry, neither. Ate too many once and had the most horrendous stomachache. I have sworn off of them.
H)Hometown….Wappingers Falls, NY.
I)Indulgence…I love pedicures, not that they happen often! I love grabbing Starbucks on occasion. I also love getting foot rubs from my husband -they are great!
J)January or February.. Either one. Lots of birthdays in January, a few days off in both.
K)Kids…2
L)Life is incomplete without…laughter.
M)Marriage Date…August 21, 1999
N)Number of Siblings…. Zero! I am an only child, unless you count my invisible brother with no bones. Big Kindergarten story, a classic tale.
O)Orange or Apples… I love both, but I eat apples more often (green only!)
P)Phobias…heights, spiders
Q)Quote…"Let choice murmur in your ear. And love murmur in your heart.
Be ready... here comes life." Maya Angelou
R)Reasons to Smile…three boys in my house (includes hubby!)
S)Season…Winter in AZ, summer for the beach-NOT in AZ.
T)Tag...Stacy! Add this to your blog!
U)Unknown fact about me...I won my fifth grade spelling bee.
V)Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals… Yikes! I want to say Vegetarian so I don't sound so horrific!
W)Worst Habit…worrying about little things WAY too much.
X)X-rays or Ultrasound….Does this mean which I would rather have? I don't know that I have had an x-ray, except on my teeth. I didn't mind the ultrasounds for the babies, but all the water you drink and holding it was really challenging!
Y)Your Favorite Foods…Okay, everyone say it with me-NY pizza! Mexican is a second.
Z)Zodiac…Somehow I ended up a Leo. From reading the general literature, I am not a traditional outspoken Leo. But, my friend Hilary has enlightened me to how astrology actually works and then being a Leo made much more sense.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Thanks Diana, I love these Q&A's!

FOODOLOGY

Q. What is your salad dressing choice?
A. Ones with a kick, like jalapeno ranch.

Q. What is your favorite Fast Food Restaurant?
A. Pizza!

Q. What is your favorite sit down restaurant?
A. Caruso's or Meson Ole

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. Whatever my tip calculator on my cell phone figures out for me. (20%)

Q. What food could you eat for two weeks and not get sick of?
A. Pizza

Q. What is your favorite type of gum?
A. I love gum, not the thick Hubba Bubba kind, but the Ice Breakers or thin strip bubble gum is good. I am a very annoying gum chewer, so I try to not to indulge.

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. 1

BIOLOGY

Q. What's your best feature?
A. Toenails?

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. An appendix and some horrible nose growth. Not kidding. I am not sure if two children count here.

Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
A. Smell. My husband thinks that is my superpower.

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. Last summer.

Q. What is the heaviest thing you've lifted?
A. Actually lifted or dragged? I usually pretend to lift and let Tom do most of the work. (lift....and slide) (PIVOT)

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. No

BULLCRAPOLOGY

Q. If it were possible would you want to know the day you are going to die?
A. No

Q. Is love for real?
A. Yes

Q. If you could change your first name what would you change it to?
A. Regina Fallangie (tee hee)

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
A. Red and Black

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. No

Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
A. I thought I saved my son's life when he was pretend choking on something. Turns out he was just coughing.

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. no

DAREOLOGY

Q. Would you walk naked for a half a mile down a public street for $100,000?
A. I guess so.

Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. I would probably say no. Make a bigger offer.

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. No-ouch!

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000.00?
A. Yes, but I would secretly write on my word program. I can't not write!

Q. Would you pose nude in a magazine for $250,000.00?
A. I am pretty sure that I would not be asked for this, but no.

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000?
A. Yes

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment take a human life for $1,000,000.00?
A. Never

Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000.00?
A. Sure

Q. Give up myspace for $30,000.00?
A. Yes. This is especially easy since I do not care about my space in the least.

DUMBOLOGY

Q. What is in your left pocket?
A. No left pocket!

Q. Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. I don't know that it is "good" but it will be a classic with many quotes.

Q. Do you have hardwood floors or carpet in your house?
A. Both

Q. Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A. How do you sit in the shower? -Yeah, what Diana said!

Q. Could you live with roommates?
A. Probably for a short while.

Q. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
A. 4 or 5

Q. Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
A. I was stopped while I was 9 months pregnant for doing 40 in a 35 zone. Got a warning.

Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. I am not grown up yet?

LASTOLOGY

Q. Last friend you talked to?
A. Stacy

Q. Last person you called?
A. Also Stacy

RANDOMOLOGY

Q. First place you went this morning?
A. Connor's room and fell asleep in the rocker while he played.

Q. What can you not wait to do?
A. Finish school this week!

Q. What's the last movie you saw?
A. Uhh, duh, I have no idea.

Q. Are you a friendly person?
A. Yes.

Celebrating with Friends

What's Your Angle?


I was playing around with different angles on the camera. I had a very obliging subject. Just give him a small bag of mini M&M's.




No more Baby C??


Connor has been getting faster and steadier each day. In my mind, he is still a baby but I know that he is becoming a little boy. It is so bittersweet.

Connor was playing by the gate and looking through our missing panel. I kept trying to frame him looking through the opening, but it was tricky. When I enlisted Thomas to help, Connor was not too enthused.






It's My Diego Birthday!


We invited several of Ian's daycare pals over to celebrate his birthday Diego-style. Of course, it was questionable whether Ian actually make it to his own party after a very dramatic visit to pick up supplies at the store earlier in the morning. Turning three has brought a whole new meaning to the word drama. But we all survived the turbulence and had a cute party.

The pictures are a bit out of order, but we set out the little pool and a sprinkler ring to play in. They also enjoyed the swingset. We moved on to pizza and then it became a free for all of present opening. Ian could not wait a second longer to open presents and he had some assistance from all the boys. He got a Doodlepad, Aquadoodle foam mat, Diego toys and some books and a scooter.

We tried to get a picture of all the kids before they left. One of the little ones wasn't interested in pictures, so we're down one guest. Ian had on his new Diego shirt, which I hate to say, he is still wearing this morning (Sunday).

My friend Cindy got Ian a scooter, which he enjoys. She got it because whenever Ian is over at her house, there is a big fight over the scooter. Smart thinking to have two to calm toddler nerves. Of course, this picture was taken well after the party festivities were over.

I picked up a $7 sprinkler ring and the boys loved it. Ian kept coming over and saying "It rained on me!" and Connor just stood in it, holding his little pirate.


























And this is the incredible Diego cake that my friend Cindy made. She came over on Friday evening and put it all together. The rescue center is a pound cake with graham cracker stick shingles and she added green leaves around the palm trees. She took a bunch of the kids Diego figurines to add on the cake. It was so fun and quite yummy!

Adios, amigos!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Good, Clean Fun

When you are in the kitchen and you hear your son, from another room, excitedly say "Mommy, come look! I made a mess!" - it's always disconcerting. I took a deep breath and walked into the bathroom, when Ian was supposed to be washing his hands.

He took it upon himself to not only wash his hands, but his brother's hair. There is Connor, covered in soap suds and Ian continuing to shake handfuls of soap on Connor, the floor and the cabinets. (at least it's soap, right?) The two of them are having a grand old time.

Two things. I could have been angry, which did cross my mind for a brief second. Or I could run and grab the camera. Thankfully I had taken that initial deep breath, so I was able to enjoy the moment with them.

I also made Ian clean up the suds. Plus, the bonus was Connor was also clean.


Birthday Cake-That's My Favorite!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Happy Birthday Ian!

Our illustrious boy has turned three years old! He has been looking forward to this day for several weeks. Here are the first moments of the day.


Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The adventure continues..

More astronaut adventures...


He Walks

Astronauts Never Give Up

Grandma Sheila sent Ian an astronaut helmet, which Ian adores. (think Spaceballs with Rick Moranis in the big helmet) Now, there are two more videos, which I am working to upload, so stay tuned.


Sunday, May 06, 2007

A Job Well Done

Hats off to Thomas, who spent all day Saturday completing the swingset! He finally had a day off to really work without having to run off to a gig. The day was really beautiful too-sunny and breezy-perfect working conditions.


Ian is enjoying the swings, laying on his tummy and twisting. He still calls it "the fort."

Connor and Dad enjoy the picnic area in the shade.

A big slide to play on, which both boys really love. (Connor going up and Ian coming down-at the same time)

Well, I'm signing off, because we are going to play in the fort!

Friday, May 04, 2007

Interview Me Blog Challenge

1. Do you have any books signed by the author? Why did you decide on these authors to sign their books?

Yes, I have a book called "The Mitten", it's a Russian children's book. I played clarinet for her signing back in college and she gave me a book. I also have " Way Out in the Desert" signed by the author, who came to our school.

2. If you could go back in time with someone in history, Who would it be and why?

That is a tough one. I'll have to think about that.


3. Did you study any courses in photography?

No, but I am signing up for the Sony photography workshop in July. I also read a lot about photography.

4. If you could pick somewhere to live if money were no object, Where would you live and why?

Somewhere in Southern California. I like warm weather, like the beach and fun things to do. Most of all, I would love to live close to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.


5. What was an important moment in your life that if you wouldn't have done it, it could have changed the course of your life?

Gone to college at Potsdam. I met my future husband there and our paths would be very different if we hadn't met.

6. What is your all time favorite website to visit?

All time? I love craigslist, I check it everyday. I also love SBA, but I haven't been posting there lately.

7. What do you consider to be your best and worst character trait?

Best: I can be a very good listener.
Worst: I get very anxious about a lot of little things and drive other people nuts.

8. What was one of the most embarrassing moments in your life?

When I yelled "Mambo" in the wrong place playing in the pit of West Side Story in college. Another was when I fell backwards off the piano bench flat on my back in middle school chorus class during my first year teaching.

9. What was the best advice your parents ever gave you?

I don't know. My mom doesn't give a lot of advice, but she didn't baby me through things and I appreciate that. My dad always encouraged me to get a good education.

10. If someone was to make a movie about you, Who would play you? Tell us why? Is it their looks, personality? What?

Oh, boy. I have no idea. I am going to pass because I am almost positive there will be no movie options in the future.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A Pirate Says....

Arrgh!

Okay, we burned a copy of the Backyardigans CD for Ian to listen to in the car. Ian enjoys singing along and with every single song intro, he says, "I know this one....Pirates" or whatever the song title is. Then at the end, he either says, "That's a great song!" or he'll say, "I'm great at singing that song!".

Now, today on our way to daycare, we were listening to the Pirate song, which says "A pirate says Arrgh!" . Ian was singing along and I heard Connor make a little noise that sounded like a growl. I didn't consider it anything significant until this afternoon when we listened to the Pirates song (again). Connor was in the back saying "rrrr", right after the CD sang "arrgh". I listened more carefully this time and he was definitely singing along. I really need to catch this on video, but when you're driving....

I love their little voices. Ian with his lisp and Elmoish voice. Connor with his raspy chatter and his bizarre little laugh. But the singing is so much fun in the car. It makes me want to drive around town all day so we can sing, sing, sing. Arggh!

I Heart Lists!

I copied this from mamichelle's blog-thanks!

time to reminisce: when was the last time you....
1. kissed someone? Five minutes ago! (my son just went to bed)
2. drank coffee? Yesterday afternoon to keep awake during our meeting
3. read a book? Sunday. I just finished. Need to get to the library for another book.
4. cursed? Hmmm, in Costco tonight when some guy was cart-tailgating me and ran into the back of my foot.
5. had a nightmare? A few months back.
6. checked your email? About 10 minutes ago.
7. had a crush? College? Unless you count Antonio Banderas.
8. drove a car? 2 hours ago.
9. rode a rollercoaster? Hmm, a few years ago, I can't remember.
10. took a nap? Sunday night on the couch.
11. went to the movies? Oh, boy, I forget! It's lame. Thomas would maybe know.
12. drank alcohol? Friday night, a glass of wine at dinner on our date
13. went to a party? Well, I threw my son's first birthday party here, does that count? Other than that, I went to a Thomas the train birthday party for a two year old (with the boys!)
14. said "I love you"? Said it to my boys before bed tonight.
15. cooked a meal? I am not sure if dino nuggets in the microwave is really "cooking". Thomas cooked tonight!
16. exercised? Hooray! Today in PE! Including pushups in every class, a few yoga moves and some skipping and galloping.