A hairy situation

After yesterday's haircut, the Commander suggested we postpone our upcoming family pictures.

Jesse's back

Check out the banner on the front of our Wal Mart.
My first thoughts-
1) How does one get their baby to a biker's only rally?
2) Does anyone really want Jesse shakin' hands then kissin' on your baby?

Maybe the sign should have read "Shakin' hands & kissin' babes"
Babies?? Hmmm. I don't know.
Another funny sight from the biker rally was a bride riding on the back of a motorcycle with her veil blowing all over the place.

It was bikes day at preschool. All the kids went outside and waited for the motorcycles to pass. They put a "motorcycles honk" sign across a car then waited patiently so they could stand up and wave at each one that passed by. A couple of dads brought their bikes for an up close look at different motorcycles.
I'm tellin ya, they are EVERYWHERE! We are home bound.
The preschooler loved it! :)

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ

This is the time of year when bikers take over and dominate our area for charity.
The air is filled with sights and sounds of motorcycles galore.
I checked it out one time about five years ago.
It is CROWDED like you wouldn't believe and I don't do well in that environment so we generally try to leave town or stay home when the festivities are taking place.
Last year, Jesse James and Sandra Bullock were in town. This year
Southern Living will have a booth for cooking demonstrations. Tempting...but still NO!
Gray's Anatomy is back! Oh, YAY! Must go tune out the bikes and watch!

be careful what you ask for...

I asked the spunky preschooler what he wanted for Christmas..

His answer: A robot...a dark blue one with a head and batteries to make it work.
With wheels on the bottom like a car.

He surely detected my blank stare because he followed it with "You can give it to Santa to get for me"
Any suggestions on this one? No? Me neither.

Oh and Yes, I did ask him this as he was wearing his Halloween pajamas..in Sept.
:)

Showing Spirit

GO HOGS GO!

Regifting Robin mind game

Go ahead and play, it will drive you nuts.
I spent a silly amount of time trying to figure it out.
yes, I was that kid who always had to look in the back of the cross word puzzle if I couldn't figure out the word right away.
Thank you google for coming to my rescue.

Keepsakes

I'm terrible with baby books. Awful I know, but I keep a journal for each of my boys that I write in every month. I'd much rather remember the every day life instead of dates of hair cuts and such so I'm OK with the empty books. I have other stuff in their keepsake boxes such as newspapers on the day they were born and People magazines from President Obama's inauguration. My favorite keepsakes are Patty-Cakes.
The bronzed hand/foot prints to the left are over 30 years old. They are mine.
The other set belong to the preschooler.

Here is our little Gator getting his done back in March.
This picture took my breath away because it was only 6 mos ago, but he has changed so much! My advice to new moms: DON'T BLINK!



I love these keepsakes so much and enjoy being around babies so I decided to become a Patty-Cakes consultant for our area. I'm working with the consultant that did both of my kids' Patty-Cakes.
If you want to see if there is a consultant in your area click here. What's your favorite keepsake?

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend...Giveaway!

OH YEAH! This lil jewel of a giveaway just perked up my day.
If you would like a Tiffany's treat then head over to Kathryn's blog to enter. I want this! Of course, the Pendant of round brilliant diamonds in platinum on a 16" chain would be OK too. :)

Honest Scrap Award

I've been nominated by my newest blog friend, Tiffany, for the Honest Scrap Award! It's an award where I share ten things about me and then nominate ten of my blog friends. I can't wait to learn some new things about each of you so I hope you'll play along. If you have been reading this blog for an extended amount of time then some of this might be review. We'll see if my little bugger crawling around the floor will let me get through ten things.

On with the confessions:

1. I never know when to take my kids to the doctor. I've been told to alternate Tylenol and Motrin and sent out the door on more than one many occasions. It happened today. Does he look sick to you?

Yeah, me either, but I still rushed him to the doctor for his congestion and ear pulling. Turns out, I just need to keep wiping his nose. Go figure.
The one time I waited a few days to make the appointment, my older one was diagnosed with a double ear infection and the flu. I'm tellin ya, I never know when to go.
Remember this time?

2. I'm not big on change. That used to bug me about people and now I've become "those people". I don't know when it happened or why. What I do know is that I generally like things the way they are. I almost boycotted my local Walmart when they remodeled and I'm not even kidding. Now...I love the new layout and even shop new departments. HMMM..I think being open to change is definately something to work on. :)

3. I love shopping and I do WAAAY too much of it. There's not a day that passes that I don't stop in one store or another. It's the rush of getting something at a great deal. I LOOOOOVE a bargain.

4. I think Sonic's happy hour is genius. I get a diet cherry coke several times a week between the hours of 2 and 4. What's even more genius is the Sam's snack bar.
There's no special hours involved and you get free refills all for $0.85! Throw in a greasy piece of pizza and you've got yourself supper under $3.00. LOVE IT!

5. I REALLY don't like to do laundry. My motivating factor in getting it done is so I won't have to do it the next day. I also don't understand how such small people produce SO MUCH laundry. Notice the kid above not wearing shorts at home? That's one less thing that I will have to wash. CLAS-AY MOM! :)I've been into great detail airing my dirty laudry.

6. I enjoy yard work. (Hence the name "Toolwoman"). I have my set of yard tools and the Commander has his. I prefer electric. He prefers gas. We both equally dislike house work. I even scored this extension cord set mounted to the ceiling as a gift. O.K... Truth be told, It was really for the Commander from his parents, BUT I requested it after spotting one at their house.

Cool, HUH?

7. I am most like my dad which is not a bad thing. He's very driven, focused, loyal, and passionate. I contribute those same characteristics to getting me where I am today. I wish I had his speaking skills. I just turn into a shaking, idiot when speaking in front of people. It doesn't even have to be strangers for my speaking condition to flare. It's not even pretty.
I wish I had more of my mom's characteristics. She is so sweet and has the patience of Job! I never hear her complain or speak negative in any way. She's so talented and crafty. Look at these two. They truly are the best!

Side note: Dodo has agreed to make the Halloween costumes this year. YAY! I know they will be great. Check out the last Halloween costume she made.

That's the cutest construction worker EVER!

8. WOW! This is getting long. I better wrap it up.
You know how the younger you imagines how things will be with the older you? Well, I never imagined two boys. I wouldn't change a thing about it either! I'm pretty sure I deserve a bunch of rebelious, teenaged girls to pay for my raisin' :) I got lucky with two good boys. :)

9. I've been humbled so many times this past year. I've also met some really great people. Some in person and some from the blog world.

10. I'm at a loss here and it's number 10.
Let's see.. I feel my best around mid morning, but my favorite time of day is winding down before bed.

Now the fun part..
Here's a little introduction to the people I nominate.

1. Katie..Sweet Katie. We met under the most unfortunate circumstance, but I am so thankful our paths crossed. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She also happens to be one of the strongest people I know.

2. Nanny is living retirement the way everyone should. She cherishes every moment and shares the best recipes. Nanny also happens to be my Aunt and I wish we lived closer so we could sit out by the pool and eat some of the those good meals together.

3. Mason's mom is one of my former coworkers that I don't get to see near as often as I would like. She is full of talent and shares her work on her other blog.

4. 26 Dresses is FUNNY! If you need a good laugh she will sure to have one with every one of her posts. She is also full of luck! This gal is winning great stuff all the time.

5. The little ladies
Their sweet lil Momma happens to be my college friend. I stalked her blog for over a year before starting my own. There are lots of days that I wish to be a fly on her wall to witness the comedy of her household.

6. Granola Chick-this girl can write like no other! I admire her so much for her dedication to autism, home schooling, running, and being a mom. She's full of talent! Her stories are from the heart, full of truth, and ALWAYS well written.

7. Solar--a brand new mom! I am so lucky to have Solar as a cousin and even more fortunate to call her a best friend! She's got a heart of gold and I wish she would move closer. It would be helpful to have her closet closer too. :)

8. Kathryn-one of my newer blog friends. She is a SEC fan which makes practically makes her family. :) She's a sweet gal who will soon be relocating to her dream house. I feel like I've known her forever.

9. Kelly--another one of my newer blog friends. She's a sweet girl that enjoys football, shopping, and good food. That's my kind of girl. :) Look to her for recommending great products too.

10. The James Five--another college friend. Sweet, trendy, and my fashion icon. :) This girl has some beauty school makings on her hands. Her young beauties have been known to cut blonde ringlets on her carpet...more than once.

WOW! I hope you are still with me after that long one. The time is getting late or I would keep on nominating my blog friends for this award. Feel free to play along. I think I broke a record in the amount of time it took to get this posted. I haven't showered, the breakfast dishes are still in the sink, and it's almost time to pick up the preschooler.
Thanks for the award, Tiffany. That was fun! Now head over and read about her teeny, tiny, Tessa who just turned ONE!

Chicken Noodle Pie

This recipe comes from my kitchen assistant. He is four years old.
We did NOT have this for dinner.:)

Me: Tell me how to make your Chicken Noodle Pie.
R: OK, OK

3 Hoppers (He adds rocks)
1 Cup Ham
3 Yules (he spits in the bucket 3 times)
A bunch of sugar
1 cup of ketchup

"You put it in the oven." "The cherry melts, the ham melts, and the ketchup melts and the yule melts" "It could be yummy, but it's hot".
Me: How long do you cook it for?
R: 6 minutes
Me: What do you do with the left overs?
R: Throw it in the trash

Today's Riley-ism:
"We watch fire crackers on the North of July"

Hit that line...Hit that line

Keep on going,
Take that ball right down the field!
Give a cheer. Rah! Rah! Never fear. Rah! Rah!
Arkansas will never yield!
On your toes, Razorbacks, to the finish,
Carry on with all your might!
For it's A-A-A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S for Arkansas!
Fight! Fight! Fi-i-i-ght!

I don't know about you, but around here the start of a new football season is like a holiday in and of itself. I wonder if the fans outside the SEC are as passionate about their teams as we are. My favorite part is tailgating before the game. I love getting to see everyone that we usually only see during football season. I enjoy the weather that football season brings (most of the time) and I LOVE game food.
I made these cupcakes for the preschoolers so they could have a tail gate party today at snack time. It didn't take me long to figure out that I'm not very good with icing. Wouldn't it be fun to work in a cake shop and learn all their tricks? I would have lots of pretty edibles for all the different occasions. I'm sure there would be a few extra LB'S hanging around my hips too. HA!
Have a good weekend everyone.

Chicken Burritos

This is a SUPER, SIMPLE, SUPPER and just so happens to be one of our favorites.
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can rotel, drained
Refrigerated mild white cheese dip (or your favorite cheese dip) I prefer the Pancho's yellow cheese dip.

toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, shredded iceberg lettace, salsa (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Heat oil in a large skillet over medicum-high heat. Ad onion; cook 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add chicken and tomatoes; stir well. Microwave cheese dip according to package directions. Stir in just enough cheese dip to lightly coat the chicken.

2. Spoon about 3/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place burritos, seam side down, in a lightly greased baking dish.

3. Bake, covered, at 350 for 15 min. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with toppings, if desired.

Calling All Moms

That kid...on the package..is misleading. I'm convinced this picture was taken during the day! :)
We've been on an unsuccessful journey of night time potty training for several months. Besides the obvious of getting up to make the big guy use the potty, does anyone have any tips to share? We've tried not using pull ups and were rewarded with LOTS of laundry. We've tried the cold pull ups. I think he prefers these, actually. It must be the nice cooling sensation on a summer night. :)
I'm at a loss and VERY ready to rid this house of Huggies and Pampers Pull Ups so ANYTHING you have to offer will be much appreciated. He does great during the day!
My theory is he just doesn't wake up to go at night unless we get him up with him.