A little of this and a little of that........

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we took our trailer out for our maiden camping trip (of this year anyway...).   It's always a good idea to give it a trial run to get all of the kinks worked out and to discover what you're missing, what needs to be restocked, etc....
While that camping trip was HUGELY successful (at 7 months old L was a total dream), there were a few things that were missing or that we were low on and need to be replaced.
Saturday we brought our trailer back to our house cleaned it out, and took stock.  Literally made a list of things we need to make sure our camping trips go as smoothly as possible.  The trailer is 28 feet long, so it gets attention sitting on the street in front of the house.  Lots of neighbors stroll by to see what's happening.  Thankfully, we only had it there for a few hours not long enough for someone to get to upset by the ghastly scene of a trailer on the street and get the HOA involved!  I mean the nerve!!  HA!
After that, we got together with my Dad's side of the family for about an hour or so.  We rarely see them (in fact none of them had even met L before), so it was nice to reconnect for a little while.  I'm pleased to say that all three of my boys were very well behaved.
We made our way back home, puttered around and tried our hands at laundering the linens that belong in the trailer.  We were unsuccessful in really accomplishing much of anything the rest of the evening. 
I did however make it to Aldi to do my 'BIG' grocery shopping.  Since I've taken a big interest in seeing where we can cut back, I thought I'd see what Aldi has to offer. I was very surprised!  I can't say that I'm 100% sold, and I can't say that I can shop only at Aldi but I was able to do the bulk of my shopping there and I spent significantly less (like less than half) than what I normally spend.  I think I had 9 things left on my list.....not bad!
Sunday was a chores day too.  I helped M clean and organize his room.  WHAT has been happening in that boy's room?  I took out all of the clothes that he's out grown, I swear he's grown a foot since the beginning of the school year!  Washed bed linens and did other bits of laundry. 
We scoped out some new camping spots that are close to home. I went back to the store to pick up my remaining 9 things on my grocery list as well as the items we'd put on our camping list.  I spent more than I wanted to, but I think we're good as far as supplies go for the camper.  It should only need minimal restocking the rest of the season. 
I was busy from the time I got up until the time I went to bed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  How come my house looked like a tornado hit it when I left this morning?  Something about that doesn't seem right!

Friday Fragments

There's so much happening this week my brain is on overload!  It's great to have an opportunity to dump what's rattling around in there, so that I can relax and enjoy the weekend!!

The first half of the week we fought rain.  Yes, Monday through Wednesday rain all day....around the clock.....RAIN.  It's great for the grass, and with the drought that we had last year we definitely need the rain.  It's not so great for kids that want to get outside and play!!

Yesterday was hubby's birthday!  How come men become more charming and distinguished looking with age and women....not so much!  The boys and I got him an arrangement from Edible Arrangements and a sign for our camper.  He said the arrangement was yummy and he was nice enough to share it with his coworkers.  The sign for our camper is great and let's other campers or visitors know who's staying there.

Today is a full day of work and then we're escaping reality to go camping for the weekend!  I have some serious germ issues, but when I'm camping all of that seems to fade a little bit.  God made dirt, so dirt don't hurt...right??

This will be L's first camping trip.  He's almost 7 months old, so I'm a bit nervous on how this will play out with his sleeping.  He's a terrific baby so I'm sure it will be fine. 

J and M were bouncing off the walls last night helping me prepare for our mini vacation. 

M said 'Don't worry Mom.  I've got my suitcase packed for camping.  I've got some clothes, my DS and LOTS of books'.  Lots of books??  I can barely drag that kid into our camper for sleeping.  When does he think he's going to slow down enough to read a book??  Alas, at 9:30 he was rummaging through our clean clothes looking for pants and socks.  Maybe I should look through his bag before we head out to make sure he has all of the essentials?

That's all I've got for today.  Now I can kick back and become ONE with nature.  Well, maybe just kick back and relax a little bit...becoming one with nature may be a little much.

One Foot in Front of the Other

I feel like I've been in a daze all week.  Sunday night L woke up at 4:30 and wouldn't go back to sleep without a bottle.  He's been sleeping through the night for a few months now so this was exceptionally unusual for him.  By the time I got up, warmed his bottle, fed him and put him back to bed it was 5am.  My alarm goes off at 5:30.  I slugged my way through Monday.

Tuesday I felt like something was just off all day.  I couldn't quite put my finger on what.  Maybe it was just leftover sleepiness from Monday??

Last night M woke up having had a nightmare. I sent him to go to the bathroom (thinking maybe he just wasn't firing on all pistons and that was really what work him up).  Of course he needed a little snuggle for a few minutes to get settled back in.  I love to snuggle up with all of my boys; 1:30am is not favorite time to do that though!

So, here we are on Wednesday and I'm fighting to stay awake. 

I work about 45 minutes from home.  I can hear my bed calling me....my poor, comfy bed covered in great big pillows and super soft blankets laying there all alone with no one to crawl under the covers and take advantage of a nice nap!  I shall see you this evening my great big comfortable friend!

April Fool's!!

I believe that honesty is one of the best character traits a person can have.  I believe that no matter the situation, you should be honest.  Be honest with yourself and be honest with any others that may be involved.  Yes, there is a tactful way to provide unwanted news but you shouldn't soften the blow so much that the truth gets hidden.

That said I took FULL advantage of April Fool's Day yesterday.  It was a great opportunity to be a little ornery and have some fun with J and M!

First thing in the morning I told them that school had been cancelled because they were expecting very low wind-chills and they didn't want children waiting at bus stops.  APRIL FOOL'S!!

When I picked them up I told them that I'd heard on Good Morning America that scientists had been studying gorillas and the way that they communicate with each other.  After years of study they were able to decipher the intricacies of their grunts and these scientists have actually been able to communicate with the gorillas! APRIL FOOL'S!!

At dinner J was having grape Crush for dinner and M was having 7-Up.  While they weren't looking, I switched J's grape pop out for plain water with food coloring and M's 7-Up out with plain water with salt mixed in.  APRIL FOOL'S!!

At bedtime they were brushing their teeth and I'd added one drop of food coloring to their tooth brushes.  When they were brushing M was really surprised.  He said 'What is on my teeth? Is it paint??' It looked like he had mustard all over his mouth.  It was a little anti-climactic for J he just thought there was an unusual amount of blood (how much blood does he normally see, yikes!), but he rinsed and carried on with his life. APRIL FOOL'S!!

That was it...that was all of the orneriness I pulled on them, but it was GREAT fun!

Proud Mommy Moments

One of my favorite blogs is The Daily Dribbles.  The author of that blog is really good about being real and honest about what it's like to raise a family.  I find myself checking in on her blog every day to see if there are any updates.  Weekly she posts her Proud Mommy Moments...I think this is a fabulous idea!  So here goes....

We go to dinner with family friends every Friday.  They have children the same ages as ours, everyone gets along and we all look forward to Friday Family Dinner.  It's just great conversation with great people that we enjoy spending time with.  This Friday, said family is out of town.  They are in sunny Las Vegas (while it's 30 degrees and snowing here) so I hate at them just a little bit.  Needless to say, this means no Friday Family Dinner, bummer.  M has been itching to color Easter eggs, to the extent that he's asked me EVERY SINGLE NIGHT THIS WEEK if we could color Easter eggs.  I've managed to get the eggs cooked, but we've not gotten around to coloring them yet.  It's just too chaotic during the week!

We've got plans all weekend, except for tonight (because our friends are in Las Vegas working on their tans....ehem), so I thought this would be a terrific night to stay home and color Easter eggs!  If we're going to color these eggs dinner needs to be ready and waiting when we walk through the door.  I'd planned to make crockpot chicken tacos, but I just plain ran out of time this morning!

As I was driving to work I called J and asked him if he was up for whipping up dinner.  I told him it would take 5 minutes.  I walked him through step by step what to do (8 minutes later...rather than the promised 5 minutes) he had dinner going for us!  I'm super proud of him for being willing to give it a try.  Now when we get home we will be able to feast on his yummy chicken tacos and then color our Easter eggs!  HOORAY!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Baby crocs....OH MY!  A pair of these may or may not have made their way into my home for L's Easter basket.

**Thanks Target for letting me snag a pic for croc props**

 
Possibly the best blankets EVER!  They are super stretchy and cuddly, and best of all they are breathable.  L is now 6 months old...and he's only just now gotten too wild that he can't be swaddled anymore.  He still LOVES to cuddle up with these blankets though.
**Thanks aden and anais for letting me snag a pic for props on your awesome blankets.**

**disclaimer.....all opinions expressed above are my own.  I've not been paid or reimbursed for use of either of these products. 

Easter baskets....check!

I'm a list maker, even if it's just a list that I'm keeping track of it in my head....the list exists!  I like to have a plan, and I like to be able to check things off of that list.  It gives me a feeling of accomplishment or at the very least some idea that SOMETHING is getting done!

Easter crept up on me this year, and I've become all but consumed with the idea that I'd done NOTHING to prepare.  Granted I still have a little bit of time before it's actually Easter Sunday, but still NOTHING!?!?! Pathetic.

So, yesterday I hauled myself to the store and took care of Easter baskets.  It is VERY easy to get carried away and spend oodles of money at Easter buying loads of things that my kids don't need, or particularly want for that matter.  I tried to be practical on what I purchased as we're going on vacation in a few months, and summer is just around the corner.  I racked my brain thinking about what I could fill their baskets with that they could actually use.

J, M and L are all getting swimming themed baskets.  Two birds.....one stone, right?  Swim trunks, towels, flip flops and pool toys.  I figured they all need stuff to go swimming both at home and when we go on vacation.  Why go to the expense of filling their Easter baskets with expensive junk cheap toys things they don't really need.  I'll fill them with swimming things, they'll be thrilled and I've just filled two needs!  Plus J and M are getting candy too....I mean what's Easter without candy?

Easter....check!
Summer preparedness....check!