top ten

Memorial Day weekend is usually one of my favorites. We typically rent a cabin for the weekend with my family and even though the weather always stinks, we usually end up having some bright spots. This past weekend was no exception. At the end of the weekend, my mother asked the kids what their favorite parts were and she tried to limit it to just one. I, however, had too many.

Here are my top ten favorite moments.

1. Kiley discovers dip. She's had the usual 'dippy' things like ketchup and ranch. But, I'm not quite sure she's ever enjoyed her dip like she did this weekend. I thought she might just lick the bowl. I think we may have created a monster though. Tonight I caught her sticking her hands into the butter tub and grabbing chunks of butter to lick off her fingers... oh my.

2. Watching the kids get so excited to go fishing. Jaxon had some great 'fish tales' this year, including things like, 'we caught a bluejay. It was the biggest crappie bluejay I've ever seen' (as he holds his hands about 4-5 inches apart.

3. Making fruit loop necklaces. Gotta have something to do when the weather turns crappy. I'm not sure Kiley ever finished hers- she just kept eating the fruit loops. Jaxon made one but it ended up eaten within five minutes.

4. Kayaking with Zoe at sunset. Even though I know I was illegal by not having a life jacket, I still had fun and it was worth the risk. She is growing into such a confident young lady. I remember the days when she was just Jaxon's size and how afraid I was of taking care of her, thinking I'd somehow give her something she was deathly allergic to. Now she's so grown up. She tells me what she can and can't have and reads her own labels, teaches me to kayak, and the girl has more wits and brains than she knows what to do with. It's very fun having her around.

5. Golfing with the boys. It isn't often that I get to do this. My clubs come out once a year, if that. So this was a fun couple of hours, even if it was raining. I even had my own caddy! Can't say that he was that helpful, but he certainly was entertaining.

6. Shopping in Park Rapids. Always a bonus when my mom and I get to spend some time boondoggling as they say.

7. Bubbles, the park, playing baseball, basketball, and the infamous game of headbandz!!

8. The campfire. Who doesn't enjoy a good campfire? I think it may have been Kiley's first. She seemed pretty enthralled with it. Jaxon just loved the idea that he was still up. And that there weren't any ghosts around. Even though Grandpa was a little too candid about those ghosts. I won't forget Jaxon running from the cabin towards the campfire yelling, 'Grandpa's bringing marshmellows and sticks! Marshmellows and Sticks! Marshmellows and Sticks!'.


9. Watching Kiley. I'm not sure if she knows it yet, but this girl has seriously stolen our hearts recently. Scott and I dote on her way too much, but she is seriously like the cutest, funniest, most lovely creature. She has these shy little looks, mischevious grins, and no fear. She loves to play, do anything Jaxon does, and says the funniest things now that we're starting to understand her more (when she takes the paci out!).

Here are the kids getting 'jerseyed'. Something they actually enjoy doing. They get jerseyed and then run and jump on Scott. It's quite hilarious.

10. The hope and promise of a summer of fun. It seems whenever we get together like this, we all share our plans for the next few months and begin to talk about when we'll see each other, the promise of a few more weekends for making memories. With such busy lives, it is something I really cherish, even if we're just sitting around watching Arietty, having some popcorn, and drinking a Honey Jack and Diet (okay, that is my number 11).

All in all, it was a fantastic way to kick off the summer.

And P.S. I fixed the two photos that weren't showing up in my recent post. Check 'em out cuz they are priceless.

mother of the year

Mother of the year award. Again.

As I prepare to watch the Billboard Music awards tonight, I am reminded of my performance yesterday and the awards that my kids would bestow upon me if they could.

Awards such as 'Lunatic mother with a shrill voice.' 'Mom who has no groceries in the house.' and my favorite, 'Mom who didn't let me stay at the party and made me ride all the way home in my swim trunks with no shirt or shoes on.'.

These, my friends, are not the kind of awards I win just everyday. No. They are awards that are only given to this special mama when Scott has begun his 'month of greatness/everyotherweekoffishingandgolf'.

He left me with two tired kids yesterday as he went to Canada for a week to fish and be with nature. Lucky for me, I have some great in-laws who rescued me this morning from my poor discipline hangover by taking the kids for the day, leaving me with the opportunity to restore my balance and get my parenting skills in check.

Yes, I've spent some time reviewing Babycenter.com and Parents Magazine for the latest discipline tricks. We're now trying a reward jar. Let's hope it is rewarding.

We did, however, have a lovely day at Calvin's birthday party before we had the mother of meltdowns as we had to exit (mine and his). I like to think that it is just because Ms. Breyer throws such wonderful parties that Jaxon did not want to leave, and that it has nothing to do with me or my parenting skills (or lack thereof).

Alas, here are some photos of the kids. They clearly had SO much fun at the UP party! Happy Birthday Calvin!! We enjoyed celebrating with you.

Mothers' Day

As mother's days come and go, I have to say that this one has meant a lot to me. It isn't one thing we did or the gifts I received, but maybe just the realization of how very lucky I am...

Trying to 'sleep in' this morning, I was greeted with Jaxon in my face, sniffing or snorting, making some wierd noise, then climbing into bed in between Scott and I. I tried to close my eyes and just rest for another twenty minutes but the rustling of the sheets and leg kicking my back with Happy Feet on in the background sort of prevented that...

Scott asked the kids to help him make some breakfast... we were out of pancake mix, but Jaxon declared he had a good recipe on his 'cell phone' (the one he got in his McDonald's Happy Meal).

Note to self: teach Jaxon how a cookbook works. 

After mixing up some batter, we decided on waffles, but we had no syrup because we just used it up yesterday. Kiley threw her toast on the ground and fought with Jaxon over the last of the blueberries (which she also calls strawberries so you just have to guess which one she actually wants). There goes my freshly mopped floor...

Following breakfast, they decided to color with the paint dabbers I bought them. Somehow we ended up missing a cap to one of them and we've only owned them for 48 hours. How does that happen??

But Jaxon made me a picture and presented it to me as a Mothers' Day gift and said 'I love you'. "because that's what you do on Mother's Day.", so says the wise Jaxon.

Between all this chaos of the day, I was reminded, what a gift they are.

We certainly have had our battles lately, but these two are the most amazing, lovely little munchkins a mother could ask for. And I'm also so thankful for my mother, who taught me everything I know (along with my dad, What to Expect When You're Expecting, and WebMD)... thanks mom!

And thanks to my kids and husband for a wonderful day today, and every day...

kiddywampus

Growing up, my mother used to use the word 'cattywampus'. It meant we were all going a little nutty. Punchy. Loosing our marbles. CRAZY.

So, it wasn't too hard to imagine what we might expect from the local store/studio, Kiddywampus.

A little bit of crazy, but a whole lot of fun.

Aunty Jenny bought the kids a gift certificate for Christmas and we finally got around to using it on Saturday. It was pretty much a dreamland for Kiley.

 Jaxon had fun painting on the walls, practicing his cutting, and making a mess.

Daddy had fun doing the same.

Me? I just took pictures and doted on the cuteness of my kids.

I mean, seriously. This girl is after my heart. She loves all things crafty, colorful, and messy. She's a true artist. Just look at the crazy little box she made. 

 Jaxon made himself a rocket ship, with a little help from Daddy and his own goofy creature guy.

 Scott was hard at work too, practicing his cutting and making a mess that rivaled our kids'.

He ended up with this little man. Don't anyone go stealing our idea, but we think it might make a pretty good product to sell little pieces of wood, fabric and paper cut-outs and glue and market them as 'make your own little family'.

Thanks Jenny. We had a super fun time with you at Kiddywampus and can't wait to do it again sometime!