Getting my craft on...

I'm super excited to start my next set of crafts.  I'm going to have a few friends over and we are going to work on party decorations for Cedric's birthday.  October is a VERY busy month for us, so I want everything ready to go.  I went with my friend today to a local comic book store.  We took the kids.  I wish I had taken my camera with me to capture the looks on their faces.  They were in HEAVEN.  My friend was super awesome and she entertained Cedric while I sifted through the 10 cent comic book bins.  I found some retro (non-valuable) comics.  I plan on making banners out of them. (hence my soon to be craft night)

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I LOVE these too...such a cleaver idea...

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I plan on cutting these out of black foam core...

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I need to pick some letters up to do this...

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I have a lot ideas to work on as well.  I need to work on invites and decide on who all I will invite.  I had 40 people at last years and that was A LOT.  I want this years to be smaller.  So I will have to figure out a list and start planning.

Eric comes home tomorrow!!!  I can't wait.  I have missed him terribly...and I missed my sanity. Hehehehhee...these boys are keeping me busy. I have the sweetest hubby.  He has been inches away from NYC all week.  His boss told him to go view the city after work.  I told him he should go site seeing too.  He said he wouldn't...he said he didn't want to see it without me.  So he's going to wait until I can go with him.  He knows I've always wanted to go there.  Such a sweetie with a big heart : )  He also told me they have a plant outside of Paris...maybe there will be some business trips abroad in the works...if so I will definitely be tagging along on those : )


Ok...off to work out...I have 5 stubborn pounds to lose...and then off to sleep...I have been a walking zombie the past week.

I haven't heard this song in ages...

I don't know why I love this song so much.  I guess I love how pure and full of emotion it is.  I think everyone has had that moment in a relationship when they realize it's over.  Songs like this make me appreciate the love I have now. I'm missing Eric...New Jersey is a far place from home.  I know he'll be home soon enough...until then...I'll try to distract myself.

Super excited...

They have confirmed Absolutely Fabulous will return with three specials ; )  I LOVE these ladies!!!

Great Day Alive!!!

I have had a great weekend!!!  Too bad it has come to an end.  I scored some awesome blackberry wine from a local farmers market, had a picnic in the park and then a family day riding go-karts/playing games.  It was nice hanging out with my older brother.  This has been a VERY busy weekend.  Yesterday my friend and I worked on my basement after our outdoor adventures.  I bought some wall decals and we put them up.  I plan on having a craft night to work on Cedric's b-day party decorations this week.  I have a LONG list of craft/projects to do.  I am making the kids a little puppet nook.  So I will have to pick up some funky fabric this week.  I also have a lot of things that need to be painted.  

Eric has a trip to New Jersey this week.  I would be a liar if I said I wasn't jealous.  I love travelling and seeing new places.  He will be going back, so I am hoping to join him on one of the trips.  Such a jet setter.  My heart swoons for travel.  Hopefully, I'll be seeing a different view soon enough ; )  

I have a mountain of laundry waiting for us to do...so I hope everyone had a great weekend...and fingers crossed fall comes sooner than later this year!!!

I'll leave you with some Fall Fashion eye candy....

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BRING ON FALL!!!  

So many ideas...so little time...

Ok, I have actually been cooking.  I don't think hell has frozen over just yet.  Needless to say it is just crock pot cooking (I'm lazy) but I have been making some yummy dinners.  So yummy Spencer has asked for seconds.  That's how you know it's good when your 8 year old doesn't freak out having to eat more.

Here are few things I have made so far that were really easy and delicious.

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Updates...I discovered a thrift store I'm in love with this week.  I had to deliver a clients photos and saw it on the drive over to her house.  I scored a HUGE picture ledge for $3.88.  I plan on painting it and hanging it this weekend.  It's so awesome.  I'm excited.  I also scored two identical vases for my night stands.  Now to find matching lamps I like.  

Yesterday, I met my match with my soon to be 2 year old.  I made a HUGE mistake taking Cedric to story hour with too much energy.  He is going through this phase of independence.  OMG he is too cool for me.  He worked the room like a politician.  Telling everyone hi...patting their legs.  He also LOVES attention and has no fear. The woman in charge told me she had one of those type of little boys.  She said not to worry, he'll end up running a corporation one day.  During the story hour Cedric thought the woman was reading just to him...and felt the need to get as close to her and show her EVERY cool item he thought she should see to impress her....all while she was READING to the group.  He then proceeded to steal her animals off her display board and show them to her and the rest of the group.  It was really comical looking back...at the time not so much.  He was so funny and so sure of himself.  I LOVE that he has confidence.  It was funny, the woman asked if any of the kids could point out a cow from the choice of animals she had on her board.  All the other kids looked like deer in headlights...not my child...he hops off his chair and proudly walks up to her board and says cow...all while pointing to a pig...hehhehehehehehahahahahaa.  In the short 45 minutes while we were there he tried to escape 3 times, take off with someone else's stroller once, and greet every person there at least once.  I had to laugh when he grabbed his backpack...put it on the front of his chest...he doesn't know how to properly put it on yet and tell everyone bye bye while he jetted out of the door.  We hadn't even done the craft yet.  So I brought him back to do our craft, which consisted of him wanting to play with the scissors only.  We soon left...we did not wait around to get our sticker.  While walking out to the car...I'm sure I looked a hot mess.  I had entered the story hour a cool, calm and collected mom.  I exited a sweaty, half dazed, emotionally and physically drained mommy.  I wanted to cry leaving...not because I was mad or upset...I was just that tired and wore out.  I then looked down at my sweet energetic little guy holding my hand and had to laugh.  He was smiling ear to ear.  He didn't do anything wrong...he was just being Cedric.  The entertainer...maybe I should have chosen a different name for him?   He had the greatest time and he was so pleased with himself.  He ended up falling asleep in the car.  All his entertaining wore him out.  So I now have a new strategy.  I plan on having him play A LOT before the next story hour.  Hopefully, wear him out a little so he won't have so much stored energy.  Fingers crossed it works.

Cedric is also entering into the phase of hurting himself NON-STOP.  Yesterday alone he busted his lip and got a huge bruise on his forehead.  He is so busy...and has no fear so he is the kid that is covered in bruises and looks like pig pen.  Hehehehehee.  I plan on buying him a big wheel today.  He needs to work his energy out while seated.  Running right now is not working out so well for him.   He keeps falling.  I also want to buy him a new rug for his play room.  Target has an adorable alphabet rug for $30. 

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Cedric LOVED the story hour rug so I thought this would be fun for him and he can learn his alphabet.  He now thinks he can read.  It's so cute and funny.  If he sees letters, he yells A,E, I out.  No idea why those letters.  But he thinks he's reading.  He also LOVES books.  He'll grab a book and climb into his little chair and pretend to read while pointing at words.  I LOVE IT!!!  

Ok...off to the grocery.  Have a great day guys!

Being true to one self...(warning a rant post)

It's funny when realizations come to you in the fleeting moments of being a parent.  It's like a lightening bolt that infiltrates your mind and you realize that's a great moment to make a point, teach a life lesson and spread your beliefs.  I was listening to Lady Gaga in the car with Spencer today. Born This Way was playing.  My 8 year old is way wise beyond his years, so I can always level with him.  He asked me what the song was about and I broke it down for him.  Then I flipped it and let him know why it's so important to be who you are.  It seems more and more of the ugliness of society is creeping in our doors.  From commercials to horrid TV shows. Last year my son came home telling me his friends had Jordans and he had no idea why they were so 'special" of a shoe.  He said it's just someones name...I laughed and loved his pure spirit.  There is a really ugly image out there that society is trying to sell and I don't want my kids buying.  I live in suburbia.  I love my house and my neighbors, but I hate all the keeping up with the Joneses.

 I totally get wanting nice things...dressing nice and wanting to feel good about your accomplishments.  But so many people go way beyond that...  It's amazing how surreal it is. They want to obtain that "image"  the image that doesn't exists.  People are so consumed with image and wants they don't see the bigger picture. People think that what materials they give their kids are way more important than time spent with them.   They blow money on an image when they should be paying their bills, and it's all fake.  I sometimes feel like I'm trapped in a bad chapter of Peyton Place.  Where all the wives are pumped full of antidepressants and the husbands "work" all week only to disappear when real parenting is needed.  Eric and I are amazed with how weird and ass backwards most the people are around here.  Marriages aren't teamwork... a lot of the wives have jumped back from the women's right movement and are slaves to their families. It's funny I get "judged" because my husband cooks and does the laundry most of the time. I'm a stay at home mom.   I totally get dedicating your life for your family. But I don't get or care what school your child attends, what sport your child plays, or what job your husband does...what type of person are you?   That's the question I feel like asking some of the women I come into contact with.  I get stares when I wear what I want and do my hair how I like.  I'm a pretty modest person so it's comical to see how just being different at all gets the attention it does.   I got daggers when I wore a pro Obama t-shirt around my son's school.  One would have thought I had leprosy.  I am who I am...always will be...so quoting Ron Whitehead from  my youth pertaining to BTGOG....

I Will Not Bow Down America  

I have a feeling we will be moving sometime in the future...and I hope my children don't get consumed with the image that is knocking at our front door.

If I can say anything...be real...

Movie Night...

It's been ages since I went to a movie...ok...let me rephrase that...ages since I went out on a date to the movies. I think I was pregnant the last time...and ummm...my baby is almost two.  It was nice to go out with Eric and be silly.  Although, we did go to Lowes and return some air vent registers on the way home...yeah...that's a super hot way to end a date..heheheee.

I was happy to wear my new cute dress...

I love it!!!  Super comfy and fun.  I actually curled my hair...usually it's thrown up in my mom ponytail and did my makeup for tonight.  We had a good time at the movies.

Here are pics of us being silly in the Jeep...

Eric being sweet.

I can't wait to get my braces off!!!

Now back to reality...I have laundry to do, dishes and cleaning to be done.  But it was a nice evening out.  Next week we do the State Fair!!! {wish me luck}

I survived...

I survived the tie dying extravaganza of the 3rd grade; )   I volunteered to help out with Spen's class this week to tie dye their t-shirts.  It's a tradition at the school for the 3rd grade to make their own shirts and wear on field trips and outings.   Well, there was a hiccup in my plan.  Since school had been delayed due to the power outages the date was moved to Friday and I had no babysitter.  So Cedric the monkey had to join us.  Thank GOD this child was cool and calm today.  He was awesome!!!  The shirts turned out cute!  So all in all a great day ; )

I saw an adorable little quote on piniterest and made my own version of it.  I printed it out and hung it up in Spen's room.  I think it turned out cute.

Ok...so anyone who knows me knows I LOVE throwing parties...I swear it's crack to me.  I think I changed my mind with Cedric's 2nd birthday theme.  I have been wanting to do a carnival theme since last year, but I want him to be able to enjoy it.  At 2 he will just enjoy running around acting silly.  So I think I'm going to put the carnival theme on the back burner for another year.  This years theme I'm leaning towards is superhero.  OMG they have so many cute ideas out there for parties.  Here are a few that I fell in love with...

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How cute and fun!!!  I could totally see Cedric enjoying running around with the kids and capes.  So fingers crossed I stick to this theme.  I think I'm going to start soon on the decorations and favors for the kids.  October is just around the corner. 

Wishing everyone a great weekend!!!

Too funny...

Yup...that's my little monkey at nap time today...out cold...

First Day of School...

The summer is now over and school is back in session.  Today Eric and I walked Spencer into his class.  He was ready and a little bit nervous.  I gave him a hug goodbye (no kiss...he's too cool for that) and then I was off. His teacher seems super sweet and his class is filled with all his close friends so I have a feeling this will be a good year : )  I can remember having butterflies the first day and seeing my mom whisk away out of site from my classroom door.  I remember how my heart sank and the real butterflies would settle in. I'm sure his butterflies will be gone in no time, especially since he is sitting next to his friend and partner is talking.  

It's not a school morning if Spencer hasn't spilled something on himself ; )  He was happy with his backpack    : )

New shoe love...he has been begging to wear these bad boys since we bought them.  He thinks he is super cool since his dad had these when he was a "skater"...heheheheahhahaa....kids are funny.

Ok...next subject.  My bedroom.  I bought some sheer panels for my bedroom windows to go under my current curtains.  Ummmmm...yeah...I feel awful.  I had my husband fabricate my old rods so everything would fit together perfectly.  After I hung one pair and stepped back I hated it.  It looked like an old woman's bedroom.  Eric agreed and happily removed them.  I am cleaning my bedroom out.  Minimalist is the new catch phrase in there.  Not sure what bedding I will use.  It's coming together awesome though. I have been searching for lamps and flowers for my room.  No luck yet.  I started working on my chairs.  I have the blisters to prove said work.  I have all the fabric off, now I just have to pull the extra staples out.  Yuck!!!   It's very time consuming.  I want to hurry and get it prepped for painting.  Eric will do that with his paint gun.  I have a heavy hand and almost always leave drips. 

Ok...off to clean...Eric decided to have a cub scout meeting at my house...and it's tomorrow.  So off to finish cleaning I go.  Have  a great week guys!!! 

Sheeeshhhhh...

Well, for starters the first day of school has been called off for two days now thanks to the lovely storm that passed through here a few days ago.  A lot of schools are still without power.  I think Spencer is slightly happy with the delay.  I am happy Eric will be able to join us the first day of school : )  I always walk Spencer into his class, snap a picture and hug him goodbye.  Usually, Eric has a conference call on Monday mornings.

I broke down and took Spencer to get his hair cut by a pro.  I usually cut it, but I wanted it to be shaped better. I printed out a picture of David Beckham and gave it to the hair stylist.  Spencer thought it looked cool, so we were both happy.  His hair turned out super cute.

My bedroom is done being painted...wheeeewwwww...something that has taken a small eternity to happen.  I need to buy new curtain rods.  I decided I'm going to save money and use the curtains I already have.  I'll buy some new ones down the road.  I have been searching EVERYWHERE for two nightstands that would  go with my bed.  My bed is a huge massive canopy monster.  Every nightstand I found looked like a footstool next to it. So while looking around target today I saw a nice short bookshelf.  PERFECT!!!  It fit the dimensions perfectly, and the color worked as well.  I love the idea I will have a place to house my books and my search is now over.  We bought two of the bookshelves for CHEAP : )  The nightstands that matched my bed were like $400 (plus) each...no.  I have two clumsy boys who have managed to chip, scuff or nick every piece of furniture I have.  So I'm stoked with my bookcases. I need to figure out what I will put on them and if I will go with two side lamps.  I want my room to be very relaxing and spa-esq.  It's so funny my friend came over and I showed her the room so far and she thought it was really calming without me telling her my theme...yay...just the vibe I'm going for    : )  This week, once my room is put back together, we start on my chairs : )))))


Ok...off to piece together my room...not enough hours in the day...

Big Boy Rooms...

Ok...I know I updated about Cedric's new toddler bedroom but here are the pics : )

My oldest son is OBSESSED with Star Wars...so here is a peek at his room.  His room was a mess (in the process of moving things around) so I only took a few pics.  Below is a picture of a fun project my husband and I did.  We printed out my sons name in the Star Wars font, traced it on foamcore and traced over some Star Wars posters, cut everything out and then with a little mod podge help we had this...

He loved this!

Hope you enjoyed the pics...and

have a great weekend guys!!!  Off to a kids b-day party.