Like Father, Like Daughter, Like Son

I know I have been horrible lately about posting, and it's not for lack of material! We went on our cruise, and just got back from California, and I have a TON of pictures to go through, but this one makes me laugh...

I don't know if it was because of poor sun screen application (impossible, since I am the one who did it!), or if it was because of aggressive beach activities, where their swimsuits slid down their bodies, but each of them got a sunburn on their backs about 2-3 inches high...Note to self for next year...they need to sunscreen their entire bums, and I will have NO part of that!

Look at Him Go!

So, last week, it was just Jon & myself at home. He was watching TV on the couch, and I was just doing my thing around the house. I heard Jon say "I want to take my training wheels off". I didn't really pay attention, and just kept doing my thing. He said it a few more times, so I thought, fine, I'll take them off, and then I will be putting them back on. (We have tried this a few times in the past few months, but mind you, it has always been someone else suggesting it).

So, with training wheels off, and helmet on, we ventured out into the street. It only took me about 10 yds., and he was off!

He was SOOOO proud of himself, he just kept giggling! (and when he wasn't giggling, he was concentrating really hard - thus the famous Denning tongue sticking out!)

We decided to venture around the block, so I got on my adorable bike, and off we went. Jon kept yelling "Whoohoo! No training wheels!"

Ashley had taught Nick how to ride his bike when he was 3, so we were starting to wonder if he was ever going to ride his bike without training wheels - for heavens sakes - he's 4 1/2!! What's wrong with him! He just had to do it when HE wanted to do it!!

It made me a little sad (and still does), to see him riding off on his bike. He's my baby, and I realized that he is not so little anymore.

Way to go buddy!

Laundry Helper

One FHE when I was about 10, my Mom passed out a laundry bag to each of the kids (there were 7 of us), that had our names on it. Then she taught each of us how to do our laundry. We each were assigned a day of the week to do our laundry, so if you didn't do it on your day, you were either out of luck, or you had to ask the person who's day it was if you could do a load, or put a few things in with their stuff.

I didn't love doing it, but I TOTALLY understand why my Mom did that. So, last summer, I taught Ashley how to do her laundry. It really is quite cute to see her piles of dirty clothes, and hear her in the laundry room starting up a load of laundry.

I also have had Nick sorting his dirty clothes for a while, and he is next to learn how to do his laundry.

Today is laundry day. I told Nick he had to sort this laundry, and to help Jon sort his. A few minutes after the boys went downstairs, Nick came up. I asked him if he was done, and he said yes. Then I asked if Jon's sorting was done, and he said, "I showed him how, and he wanted to do it himself".

A few minutes later, Jon was calling for me (a bum check - lucky me!), and when I gave my approval, I asked him if he was done sorting his clothes, and he said not yet. So I asked him if he wanted my help, and he said "No". We went into his room, and I was watching him sort. He was talking to himself as he went along "Shorts in this pile, shirts in this pile...I need to start a sock pile..."

So, even though he didn't get the real concept of darks, whites, etc., he was sorting his clothes. And one less thing for this Mom to do is a BIG deal in our house!

Not a Fan

I don't know many people (if anyone), who LOVES to go swimsuit shopping...I just don't think they ever fit quite right!

However this year, I am in need of new suits. My friend told me about a girl that makes swimsuits. She can come to your house, or you can go to hers. She has several styles to choose from, and you try them on, and if you want it a little longer, or a little shorter, higher on the neck line, etc., she will do that for you! She custom makes them for you, and they are CUTE! She has some really cute fabrics to choose from. Her tops start at $25, and her bottoms start at $12.

So, if you hate swimsuit shopping as much as me, you may want to check her out - it was painless, and I got to choose exactly what I wanted - plus she says it only takes about a week! I may have to get some more when I pick mine up!!

www.essentialswimwear.com

Like the Wind

I was totally shocked, and suprised when I opened my birthday present from my Mom & siblings!! How did they know I wanted a beach cruiser?!? Oh that's right...I sent them an e-mail with the link to the exact one I wanted...My family is the best!!

Thanks to Ashley, we have some pictures of me on it, but I am so fast on it (just like when you get new shoes, you can run faster, and jump higher), they are a little blurry...


It really is adorable...the fenders have been ordered, and I am looking for suggestions for decorating my basket...

I Still Kinda Like Him...

Today is our 15th Anniversary, and yep...I still kinda like him!

I am active...I am spry...

My Mother's Day celebrations began Thursday...

When Jon came home from preschool, I looked inside Jon's bag, to see his "work", and I noticed a Mother's Day surprise in there. I told Jon I didn't see what it was. He wanted me to see it them, but I told him I wanted to wait until Sunday. He took it out of his bag and hid it. He came back and told me that I needed to find it, but I just kind of ignored him. That night as I was going to bed, I took all my pillows off the bed, and he had put his little flower he had made under my pillow...soooo cute!

I had heard for WEEKS about the present Nick was making me. He just knew that I was going to love it (which I did), and that he had worked so hard & fast, that he got to make me two. He too, couldn't wait until Friday, so I opened his present, and I had two string art pictures. He said he knows that I love Tulips and the Sun. He was very proud, and I did love them, but almost more than that, is the letter that came along with it...

spry (adj) - moving quickly and lightly

Why thank you Nick!

From Jon's other preschool, they made flower pens (flower on top, then wrapped in green florists tape), and a notepad, but once again, the letter is what made the gift.

First of all - he LOVES to draw/color, so he always colors EVERYTHING on his "work".

I think I will take my pretty self, and go have some broccoli & ice cream and cake..He is in the running for my new favorite these days!

Ashley made a cute heard dish that she mod podged some colored tissue to the sides, and her picture to the bottom - very cute. Troy bought me a tennis outfit that I REALLY wanted - I will be sporting it tomorrow at my tennis lesson.

I hope all the mother's in my life had a great Mother's Day!!