Wanna join my gang?

Have you ever tried something new and discovered something new about yourself?  I have recently discovered an extreme fondness for spray paint.  I think I might be a frustrated graffiti artist.  Maybe I have a future running around "tagging" things with my gang sign.  Of course, I'd have to design a gang sign first.  Do you think "tagging" is less "gangsta" if it is done in pink and purple? 
I've been working out my new obsession on stuff for our deck.  Check it out...

Bird cages---I'm going to hang them in the trees just for looks

 all the terracotta pots got painted turquoise---see my little owl in my basil?  I made him in pottery

 LOVE these hooks---picked them up at an auction.  How cute are they?

 My "tables" are an old pot and a piece of wood with a flower from pottery that I made.  got my chairs for $10 at Target on clearance

 This little table was a little picnic set of Evan's that he has long outgrown.  It was all faded out and now looks great with a hit of paint.  The butterfly was just rusty old metal I got at a garage sale

 Wide shot

 Another shot of all my new hooks---great for swim towels and goggles.  See my ugly dead grass?  Yeah, that's what happen when you have 24 days straight of 100+ temps and no rain----UGLY!!!

better pic of the bird cages
Next up,

This old planter is going to get a coat of spray paint and become a trash can for my deck

I'll post a pic once I've got it done

Stay cool!
Blessings,

why I'm NOT a good mom

1.  I let my kids watch TV, alot.  Now there are some shows that I don't let them watch because I don't like the language (or they just plain annoy me) but otherwise TV is my friend.  Sometimes a mom just needs a break and a good episode of Wipe Out or Power Rangers can sure do the trick. 
2.  I also let them play video games, and not just the educational ones.  I'm not talking Mortal Combat here---I do check to make sure the game is rated "E" but I don't put a whole lot of limits on their gaming.  My neice and nephew are only allowed one hour a week and that is on Saturday or Sunday. I'm not anywhere near that strict.   I do limit them to afternoons or early evening and I make them put the game up before they turn into bug eyed mashed potato brains. 
3.  I let them eat junk---I don't forbid candy, cookies, etc.  I don't buy only vegetarian, vegan, organic food.  If I let myself worry about every bite that goes in their mouths I would make myself a total nut. I figure if I can keep them off alcohol, drugs and tobacco I'm doing good. 
4.  I lie to them.  Ex.  we can't swim because Dad needs to put chemicals in the pool (reality--it is too stinkin' hot and I don't want to)  Chuck E Cheese is closed (reality--that place is a parent's worse nightmare and I don't want to go there)
5.  I raise my voice sometimes.  I try to rationalize with them, I try to be patient, but sometimes I just don't want to explain something for a 5th time and I lose it a little bit.
6.  I don't register them for many extracurricular activities.  Our general rule is one activity at a time, i.e. if E is doing soccer in the fall that is the only extra thing he gets to do.  We do this for a few reasons:  they get tired if they are over scheduled, activities cost money and it adds up quick, and I don't like driving them hither and yon everyday of the week.
7.  I don't always listen when they talk to me.  Now don't get me wrong--if they are telling me something important I am attentive, but when they are explaining the intricacies of Bakugan or Mario Galaxy to me I slip into "uh huh" mode and allow my thoughts to wander. 
8.  I don't always stop to savor the moment.  Sometimes I just gotta get things done and I can't stop to enjoy the latest episode of Phineas and Ferb with them.  I'll catch it one of the next 10 times they watch it.
9.  I bribe them.  Sometimes, some things just go more smoothly and quickly with a little incentive.
10.  I don't want to be with them every second of every day and I don't think every single thing they do is cute.
Don't get me wrong.  I love my kids and I am concerned about them but I am definitely not one of these magazine/TV moms.  I don't set up reading tents in the backyard or plan scavenger hunts through the house for them to find their Easter baskets.  Heck, most of the time I'm too tired to read E a book before bed.  I'm just a regular mom, doing the best that I can with what I've got.  I lose my temper, I get impatient, I forget to take pictures of them, and sometimes I really, really want to scream "Quit talking to me and leave me alone!" (but I don't)---:)

Tuesday happiness

Things that are making me happy this Tuesday
1.  On Demand---Evan will sit completely still and quiet watching the free kids shows on "On Demand"  which allows me to catch up on my e-mail and blog without assistance
2.  iced coffee---yummy
3.  having cousins in town to play with and entertain my kiddos---sometimes mommy doesn't want to be the entertainer
4.  a day spent swimming with cousins and friends
5. lazy mornings in pjs
6.  an 11 year old who is willing to empty the dishwasher and fold clothes
7.  bougainvilla in bloom outside my window
8.  not having to make supper
9.  homemade pudding pops
10. healthy, happy kids

What is making you happy this  morning?

Blessings.

Callie update and where we've been

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for little Callie.  She is still in the hospital.  She is being moved out of the PICU this evening which is a great sign. They have found that she has permanent paralysis in her right vocal chord.  She is also having some problems with the right side of her face right now.  They are hoping that this is going to be temporary.  Due to the vocal chord problem, Callie has had signicant problems swallowing and coughing.  This is a current concern and prayer request.  Additionally, her body has still not fully absorbed all the spinal fluid whihch is another prayer request and concern right now.  They have set up a Care Page to keep people updated on Callie's condition.  This is the link http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecochran/journal if you want to keep up with her progress. 

On another topic,, the kids and I tagged along with Mr. G to Austin last week.  He had a meeting and we hitched a ride.  We got to see the bats fly out across Town Lake at dusk.  The next day we went Natural Bridge Caverns.  The caves were really amazing.  However, we didn't realize that the cave interior is 100% humidty.  So, it was 70 degrees but we were sweating like in a sauna.  By the end of the tour we couldn't wait to get outside into the 100 degree weather where there was at least a breeze!  Here are a few of the astounding sights.

We've never been to caverns of any kind before and the four of us all really enjoyed it.  It was WOW!

But, after the crazy humidty it was time for a dip in the pool

They had alot of fun together---which makes for a great trip for mom and dad!

Blessings friends!

I'm coming back as a cat

Do you have pets?  I don't know about your pets but our pets have a pretty darned good life.  They are loved, cared for, fed, have a nice home, don't have to work.  but this guy, this guy has the best deal of all of them right now...

I don't think it would be possible to him to be any cuter.  Every time he walks by some one scoops him up and snuggles on him. The boys fight over who is going to play with him.  And even, Oreo the primadonna, has accepted him.  He is a cutie and has a fun little personality.  Mr. Smooch has it pretty nice.  I wanna be a cat---just the naps would be AWESOME!!

Urgent prayer request with update

I had another topic in mind for today, but as I have illustrated repeatedly on this blog, things changed.
I have a friend.  A dear, sweet, Godly woman, named Courtney.  She is one of those wonderful friends that you don't see often but when you happen to run into her you get a gorgeous smile and a huge hug.  Courtney has two beautiful children, Carson (4) and Callie (2).  Yesterday, Courtney and her husband Phil were told that Callie has a mass in her brain.  They were sent immediately to Cooks Children's Hospital.  Today they will find out 2 things---what the mass is and how it will be treated.  Yesterday their lives came to a dramatic halt.  Today it could make a turn---positive or negative.  Would you please pray for the Cochran family today?  And specifically for little Callie?  Thank you friends.


5:30 pm  Courtney just posted on FB that they have met with the doctor.  Callie has a tumor the size of a peach that is consuming most of the back of her brain.  He said that almost always these tumors are malignant and that even if

surgery is successful, there will likely be lasting side effects.  She is asking for prayer specifically for (a) a benign tumor that can be completely removed (b) a successful surgery without complications or problems (c) that Callie will suffer no lasting side effects and come through the surgery and recovery with flying colors and her sweet personality.  Everyone that knows this sweet family is asking everyone they know to pray for this little girl.  We know that God's ways are not ours and that we are beyond understanding, but we also know the power of prayer.  Thank you friends.  Tracey

Some goals achieved!

A few days ago, I posted a pic of the inside of my fridge.  That day, I cleaned out my pantry, 3 cabinets, and 2 drawers so I never got to the fridge.  Well today I did

It stayed this way for 1 1/2 hours, then Mr. G. spilled juice inside.  ((sigh)) there are no words...

the first pic shows the layers as I began stacking them.  I used two white cake mixes and divided them into 6 bowls and dyed each a different color.  I baked them in 9" pans.  the layers were thin but not as thin as they probably needed to be because this cake was TALL.  You can see in the second pic that I started inserting bamboo skewers to keep the layers from sliding around.  I made a cream cheese frosting (1 block of softened cream cheese, 1 stick of softened butter, a splash of orange juice and powdered sugar until the correct consistency for spreading.)  I had to make two batches of frosting to do the whole cake.  The 3rd pic shows it finished and the last shows the inside.  It tasted very good, it looked very cool, but it is definitely a special occasion cake beacuse of the time and the size.  Evan said next time I should just do rainbow cupcakes. 

Next up, we are going to make a red, white, and blue cake for 4th of july!

the lazy HOT, HOT, days of summer cause random thinking

1. First and foremost---did you watch the RH of OC reunion?  Was anyone, besides me, bothered my Tamara continually saying "sist and decease"' instead of "cease and desist"?  And how much more stupid can she look when she gets all worked up about people being in her business but can't see that she is in everyone else's business?  And, I'm not a big fan of Alexis or her husband, but he hasn't been around these women all year so why are they still talking about him?  If she is happy with him, that's her call.  I wouldn't want to be married to him (cuz he comes across as a big jerk) but I'm not so it's not my problem.  I was very disappointed that there wasn't more to the reunion.  I would really like to see Bravo confront the women with video to prove they are psycho/lying/or just plain delusional.  Now THAT would make for good TV!!!
2. We have been swimming each day.  Which is great because it wears the kids out!!! Both boys crashed this afternoon.  Chris slept for 2 hours!!! that is so out of the ordinary, and Evan slept for an hour.  Swimming is awesome!
3. And I love the summer specials the movie theatres run.  Tonight we went and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 for $5 each and popcorn and coke were $1 each.  Tomorrow we are going to see Shrek 2 for 50 cents!! and I'm packing my own popcorn.  Yes, I do take our own snacks--I refuse to pay $12 for 1 coke and a bag of popcorn.
4. The best part of summer though is making our own schedule, which includes having no schedule.  I can work on projects, the kids can hang out and have pj day, we can swim, hit the movies, whatever----LOVE IT!!!!!
5. Our new kitten is just too cute and lovey.  Smooch is a doll and although we probably already have too many pets, he is just too cute to not keep.

What are you doing this summer?
Blessings!

what I can do with 2 hours

This is what my children do to my pantry--the mess makes me crazy!!

Our fridge is bursting in the summer, with fruit, drinks, etc.  Plus since we are home every day, there is a lot of in and out.  This also makes me a little nutty

And this is what my kitchen counters look like after the monkeys have gotten up and had breakfast. 

Something had to be done!!!

Isn't it beautiful?!?!?!?  I know, I have an illness---an addiction---to organization.  My clean, reorganized pantry makes me ridiculously happy.  Check out my basket full of paper plates, cups and napkins, on the bottom left. and see my sorted, and grouped canned goods?  I know, I know, I have a problem

Left to right:  large plastic cups, kids lunch box drink bottles, water bottles, and coffee cups

Plastic storage

And two hours later....all clean

I didn't get to the fridge, that is why there is no after pic of that one.  By the time I did all of the above annnd cleaned out three cabinets too, I was done with my kitchen.  :)

Apparently, my organizing wore him out too...

he's very cute isn't he?

And for dinner tonight....

Wedge salad

chicken kabobs, polenta, and grilled stuffed mushrooms

and the classic Jello poke cake

YUUUUUMMMMMEEEEEE!

what we are going to cook this summer

both the boys love to cook. And I love to cook but usually have a stack of recipes that I want to try come summer. So, we usually try  out some new things each summer that are kid friendly. This is what is on our list this summer


http://circle-b-kitchen.squarespace.com/food-and-recipes/2009/10/24/dutch-baby.html

the recipe calls them dutch babies, we call them lemon pancakes, and we all love them. these are a definite MUST for this summer


How cute are these fruit tacos?  A variation on the fruit pizza--the boys will love it


blueberry ricotta pancakes---Chris and I saw these on food network and wanted to try them so I looked up the recipe


cinnamon sugar and puff pastry--easy and tasty---we're on it.


I've wanted to try this for months.  I made rainbow jello in march.  This summer it is time to make the cake!  And how cool is this project for kids? 


changing the recipe to suit our tastes but totally perfect for a family movie night


mini-pies?  yes, please!

That's what we are looking forward to making (so far) this summer!  We will keep you updated on our progress.

Blessings!

Bear with me---I know I'm a nerd

Ok, so each summer I try to come up with some cool crafts for the kids to do at least once a week.  They enjoy the creative process, look forward to the day each week, and it focuses them on something other than each other! :)
But, I like and need lists.  I had found a bunch great crafts that I want to do with the kids.  If I don't get them all together in one area---I am going forget something.  So, I decided to list them all here AND it gives you a chance to use them too if you choose!





Aren't these cute?  Obviously, we aren't going to do all of them this summer but we are definitely going to do some!



How cool are these?  You blow up a balloon, dip yarn in glue, wrap it around the balloon, when dry, pop the balloon and pull it out.  The boys are going to love these


Totally making giant bubbles---found this on Tater Tots and Jello



saw this on whatever and the boys and I LOVE it---can't wait to get started on it

We are also making:  some wooden birdhouse in the shape of rockets that the boys are going to paint.  some wind chimes (I made the pieces in pottery class and the boys can use acrylics to paint them) 

I LOVE this one---it is based on Dale Chihuly's work with glass.  If you have never looked at any of his amazing pieces you should gooogle them.  You make these with shrinky dink plastic.  Each child draws his own design, you glue gun them togther and then hang the sculpture.  AWESOME
That's all I've got right now.  We've also got some cooking projects in the planning stages and I will post those soon.
Blessings!!