The Celebration

I started off my birthday celebrations by having lunch with my two friends Rachael and Rachel. We went to Zaba's, my most favorite place.

(Our Entourage: Jackson, Sadie, Connor and Eli)

They also gave me the most thoughtful gifts. This summer whenever I went swimming at Rachael's house I brought all of our swim paraphernalia in a large plastic garbage bag. Rachael, seeing my choice of bag, determined that I was in dire need of a large bag, and so got me this oh so cute one. She also got me a gift certificate to Zaba's. My other Rachel friend, having read on my blog that Moonlight Path products from Bath & Body Works were my favorite, got me this cute gift basket, along with these super comfy socks.

When I got home I found these packages waiting for me. My mom had sent me this great bracelet, and my friend Behnaz had sent me all of these books. She always sends me the books she has read, and every time I receive them I feel like it is my birthday. This time they actually arrived on my birthday, and I was so excited.

After Eric got home, I got to open my presents. Eric and the kids got me some great jewelry, a new iron, a new camera, and fingernail polish (my most favorite gift to get).

After opening presents we headed out to Macaroni Grill. It was good as always. I love celebrating birthdays at Macaroni Grill because they give you this huge, huge piece of cake at the end (for free). It is big enough to feed all of us.

Like I said I had a great day, but the best part came towards the end of it. Through eye contact my little Jackson got my attention from across the table, smiled at me, and said "Happy Birthday Mommy." It melted my heart.

Thank you all of you that had lunch with me, called me, left me messages, texted me, e-mailed me, sent me cards, or just thought of me. You are all so great!

Happy Birthday To........ME!!!

Today I am 31. I know, I know, I don't look a day over 30. So for my birthday I have compiled another list of 100 things about myself. Mostly for me to remember who I am at this age.

My Birthday 100

1. I love to jump on the trampoline.
2. I don't iron frequently.
3. I own no luxury items.
4. Desserts with fruit or berries are my favorite kinds.
5. I will miss a lot of things when my kids grow up, but I am pretty sure I will not miss fingerprints on glass or windows.
6. I don't change my household decorations based on the seasons.
7. Every few years I become obsessed with getting a job, but don't follow-through.
8. I love to swing (not that kind, but the kind of swinging you do at the park).
9. I am constantly misplacing my sunglasses.
10. This past year I have had a desire to try out for Survivor. Even though don't like the outdoors, particularly camping.
11. I had to stop watching Wheel Of Fortune because it depressed me that people (not me) were winning so many great things.
12. I love Family Feud. But just the old ones with Richard Dawson as host. I have a secret crush on him.
13. Clutter drives me crazy. However, in the last few months I have thrown two things out that I now wish I still had.
14. Babysitting is not a service I enjoy performing.
15. I still watch the Real World and the Real World/Road Rules Challenge on MTV. However now I watch with a sense of disgust.
16. I love black furniture.
17. I love babies. They would be perfect if it weren't for all the crying.
18. I collect pitchers.

19. I prefer black and white photos.
20. I love politics.
21. I gain all of my weight in my stomach.
22. There are certain words I cannot make myself say. I cannot even write them or I would tell you what they are.
23. I no longer crave fast food.
24. Being a nurse would be my least favorite job.
25. I don't swear much, except while watching sports. Something about them brings it out in me.
26. I love my car.
27. I use to be self-conscious of my moles, but now I don't even think about them.
28. I don't mow the lawn. Except for this one time.


29. I am a stickler for rules. Cheating drives me crazy.
30. We have had our alarm clock for 4 years but I have never learned how to set it.
31. I have lots of journals and stationary that I have never used. I don't know what I am saving them for.
32. I think all Swiffer products are amazing.
33. Spain and Mexico are the only foreign countries I have visited.
34. I have only visited 14 states (not including those stopped in briefly for layovers).
35. I can recite all of the states in alphabetical order.
36. I would like to carry a handgun around with me in my purse, but never really would.
37. I have many sets of dishes.
38. I am always wondering what mistakes I am making as a parent that my kids will remember when they grow up.
39. My grandma's house was the one place I always felt totally loved as a child.
40. I am scared to get Sadie immunized.
41. I love the smell of rubbing alcohol.
42. I would rather go out to dinner than get flowers.
43. I have an addictive personality, but like being in control too much to let myself become addicted to anything.
44. I sneeze loudly.
45. I blow air out of my nose when I laugh.
46. I could never home school my kids. I do not have the patience for it.
47. I can't wait to re-read my 100 lists when I am 40 or 50 and see how much I have changed.
48. I wish I had more endurance.
49. I have a hard time following directions, especially when putting toys or furniture together.
50. This is my favorite part of my home:

I love walking in the front door and seeing these birds.

51. I am orally fixated.
52. My favorite book is the Red Tent.
53. My least favorite book is The House Of Sand And Fog. I found it maddening.
54. My current favorite song is "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock. It is truly impossible not to dance to.
55. I wear an apron whenever I cook or clean.
56. I sleep with 3 pillows.
57. I am impatient.
58. I never buy fingernail polish, but it is one of my favorite gifts to get.
59. I am not particularly sentimental.
60. I take my jewelry off as soon as I get home.
61. When I am at home I am usually dressed very comfortably.
62. I have tried waxing my eyebrows, but am not that into it.
63. I hate this (subwoofer) :

But have been told it can't be put anywhere else.

64. I don't think I ever want to live on the beach, because I am afraid of Tsunamis.
65. I have Photoshop, but have not installed it yet (I have had it for over 6 months).
66. I wish I could find the "perfect" pair of jeans.
67. I don't look good with really short hair.
68. I find toe rings to be very unattractive.
69. I had a lot of freedom as a child and teenager.
70. I don't enjoy writing the capital letters D or G.
71. I enjoy black clothing.
72. My body has changed dramatically since I had kids.
73. 3:30 - 6 pm is my least favorite time of day. I feel like I am never very productive during this time.
74. I bruise easily. I currently have 6 bruises on my right leg.
75. I really admire people who take the bus.
76. I have given up using paper plates, but can't yet give up paper towels or water bottles.
77. Things I miss most about Utah: The time zone and T.V. shows starting an hour earlier!
78. I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I love to vote!
79. I don't eat hot dogs.
80. While pregnant I have overwhelming cravings for green Tums.
81. I wish I had scrapbooking talent.
82. I am pet free.
83. Green Apple Extra is my favorite gum, but they have stopped making it!!!
84. I thought a baby horse was called a pony until 2 years ago.
85. I spell well.
86. I buy cheap laundry detergent.
87. When I was younger I really believed you could get ink poisoning if you wrote on your skin.
88. I also believed that if you popped a zit, the puss could get into your blood stream and kill you.
89. I believe strongly in personal responsibility.
90. High School did not prepare me for College.
91. I would be a terrible Police Officer.
92. Every night I check to make sure my kids are breathing before I go to bed.
93. I enjoy a winter wardrobe much more than a summer one.
94. Today, I bent over and my lower back actually hurt!
95. Since moving to Las Vegas I hardly ever wear socks.
96. I rarely spend more than $20 on any piece of clothing or pair of shoes.

I got these shoes in the mail 2 days ago from oldnavy.com. They were $7.

97. I have a Vision Board.
98.Black ink pens are my favorite.
99. I can walk on stilts.
100. I am old. JUST KIDDING!

I've Been Waiting

I have been waiting for something for over 12 years. Something that I have been searching for, longing for, and wishing for. Yesterday if finally once again entered my life and I feel like I am now complete. It is:

"Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner"

This is my absolute favorite food. The last time I remember being able to eat it I was a Freshman in college. Shortly thereafter it disappeared from the grocery store shelves. For years, that's right years, I would search grocery stores in many different towns, hoping to find it. But much to my dismay I never did. Those of you that know me, know that I have some strange food obsessions, so when one of those leaves my life, I go into mourning. Last week, without much hope I decided to once again go searching for it. And miracle of miracles I found it. I have searched for it before on the internet and never found it, but this time I discovered a group of people just like myself who were also missing "Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner" and they were able to lead me to a site to buy it. Isn't that just the best news?

The Progression

Sadie's fit-throwing progression:

She first expresses her unhappiness, by putting her head down and crying softly.

Then realizing that I am not responding, goes into full fit-throwing mode. Complete with tears and screaming. This picture also shows paper in her mouth that she has been trying to eat. She is so sneaky!

However once picked up, she recovers within seconds.

I have a sneaking suspicion she is so cranky, because SHE IS NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT. It is also making me cranky.

Newly Crawling

Sadie has been practicing and practicing all month, and she is now a full-fledged crawler. I am excited, but Jackson isn't too happy that she can get to his toys whenever she wants. I am wondering how much I am going to have to baby proof my house. We still have all of the outlet covers, and door locks, but I wonder if I am going to have to move all of my breakables out of reach. My other two kids were never very interested in them, and I am hoping the trend continues. We will see.

First Day Of School-Megan

Yesterday was Megan's long-awaited first day of 3rd grade. Construction is now complete, but the traffic was beyond terrible. It will definitely be an adjustment. Anyway, Megan had a great first day.


Some highlights:

• She already knew 3 other girls in her class.
• She received her first classroom job as office runner.
• She was quite annoyed that most of the girls were wearing skirts the first day and she was wearing shorts.
• She said her lunchroom was a lot smaller than her other one, and that her classroom was pretty small but did have windows. (Has anyone else noticed how small the classrooms are here in Las Vegas?)
  
• The best part of her day: Recess

The second day of school-skirt and all.

Eight Is Great

I don't think I have mentioned how great it is to have an 8 year old. I really don't know how I managed to take care of a baby without one. Megan waited quite a few years to have a sister, and now that she has one, she takes the job of big sister seriously. She goes back to school today, and I have to admit that I will be going through a transition period. This summer Megan has helped me more than I think I even realize. If I needed someone to play with Sadie while I took a shower, cleaned, or made lunch, she was more than willing to help. Granted, she is still 8 so that help only came in about 20 minute bursts. But still, it was a big help. Good thing I still have Jackson to go get me diapers. Imagine if I had to go and get them myself! Here a few of my favorite pictures of Megan and Sadie the last few weeks.





Oh, and one more thing that I will miss. She would run into the store to buy my Dr. Pepper while I waited in the car with Jackson and Sadie. It was great! I let her keep the change which seemed to make her day.

Megan Said

After looking at this ad for Old Navy:


Megan: "Mom, her hair is definitely not very age appropriate."

(I guess we have been watching a little too much Shear Genius)

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Entertaining/Parties

Hmmm. First of all, there are so darn many amazing bloggers out there, with so darn many good ideas when it comes to entertaining. However, I have not actually taken any of these good ideas and ran with them, so for this SPT I am giving my favorite party idea. It is not extravagant or exciting, but nonetheless it is one I use every year on my kids birthdays.
When it was time to open presents at my kids parties I noticed that there tended to be a lot of crowding, yelling, and mayhem. So a few years ago we started setting up two chairs.

One for the birthday kid to sit in, and one for the kid who was giving the gift to sit in. That way everyone could see, my kids were able to actually see who gave them the gift, and thank them properly after they opened it. It also gave me a chance to take pictures of everyone at the party. So although not super exciting, it has been practical.

Who's That Girl?

Megan got her haircut. At first she requested only a small trim, but then realizing if she cut it shorter she would no longer have to actually do her hair, so decided to cut it off. Just a brush in the morning, and she is all ready.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Megan when mom asks you to clean your room and you don't, does that invite the spirit in or turn the spirit away."

Still Swimming!!

One of the best things about living in Las Vegas is that our swim season lasts so long.

Sadie loves the water. She doesn't even mind it when we dunk her.

Megan is becoming a much stronger swimmer. Last night she was even diving into the pool.

The only problem with swimming late in the summer is that it gets dark so soon. But the pool lights were really cool.

First Day Of School-Jackson

Yesterday Jackson started his last year of pre-school. After I dropped him off I ended up talking to another mom about how they all looked so small. Our first children had been in pre-school together a few years ago and we both felt that they seemed so much older. It is probably just another case of wanting your first one to grow up fast and pass another milestone, but wanting to hold onto the smallness of the rest of them.


Jackson had a great day.

• He has a new teacher this year named Miss Sheree.
• He got to have animal crackers with blue whip cream for snack. Doesn't that sound appetizing?
• He requested a mo-hawk this morning but when I went to pick him up he had plastered his hair flat.
  
• These pictures made me notice that he never opens his mouth when he smiles.
• He was a little reluctant for me to leave him this morning (he held my hand for a few extra minutes).
  
• He said he had a lot of fun and liked his teacher. What could be better for a 4 year old?

We are still awaiting Megan's first day of 3rd grade. She is going to a new school this year that is not completed yet. It is supposed to open on Sept. 15th. I hope so, because with most of her friends back in school she seems to be getting a bit bored.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "Yes, Sadie is beautiful."
Jackson: "No Mom, Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "What does that mean?"
Jackson: "Beauty is much cuter than beautiful."

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Tuesday September 2nd: Home Decor/Tabletop
Tuesday September 9th: Entertaining/Parties
Tuesday September 16th: Arts/Crafts
Tuesday September 23rd: In The Kitchen
Tuesday September 30th: Personal Growth

Home Decor

This challenge is going to prove slightly difficult for me. Not because I don't find inspiration from fellow bloggers, but because I don't usually take action on that inspiration. However, a few months ago I ran across an idea that I liked instantly and actually tried it. It also helped that it was really easy, thereby not too intimidating to me.
Here are the results:



All I did was turn the pictures black and white, adjusted the contrast, and printed them out on colored cardstock. I haven't done anything with them yet, but I do enjoy looking at them. My inspiration came from Amy (a blogger that I have never met). To see her original idea please click here.