Fun in the Sun

Okay...so the title is a little lame...probably one of the most used scrapbooking pages in all the scrapbooking world...but it's all I could think of. We really did have fun today & it was out in the sun, so it's not completely a lie. We got Sebastian a little kiddie pool to play in & set it up today. He's been playing & splashing most of the day. We've had such a great time today. I'm so excited about all the wonderful things that we can do this summer. Next weekend we're going to Sam A Baker with my best friend Sarah. I don't know who is more excited...Sebastian or me?

I had to post these two pics.

I took them this afternoon before

we came in from a long day of swimming.

His eyes look almost green in this light. [No editing.]

My gorgeous little guy. (I think I might have said that before hahaha)

I have another nice little slideshow from our water-filled day. I ♥ Summer! ♥♥♥

Chloe

My friend (& Sebastian's daycare provider) has a little girl that just turned 1-month-old. She has two boys that are in junior high & high school, so having a new baby girl around is a new & exciting adventure for her. Chloe is so adorable. I got to love on her & steal some pics yesterday morning. I haven't got to love on a baby baby girl in a quite awhile as my youngest niece is 4-years-old. (Well, technically Ava is 3 1/2, but I wasn't around when she was a baby baby as I didn't meet her until Sebastian was born. She is 364 days older than Sebastian with a birthday on 10/25, Sebastian's is on 10/24 - see! meant to be lol...anyway...)

Sebastian said, "I love Chloe!", but when I asked him if we could take her home he said "NO!". I guess I'm not going to rush out and stock up on any tutus just yet ;) Here's a few pics of Chloe -- I got a little carried away with Picnik again lol!

screaming at me for changing her bows...again

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My nieces Jade and Kinlee and nephew Dyson's tball team. Apparently all my babies are Cubbies this year. Jade and Dyson are going to be good little ball players. Kinlee is not. She is only concerned about how cute she looks. She pranced around the field and batted her eyes and flashed her grin. It was hilarious. I had a great time cheering them on this afternoon. Sorry but no decent pics. My camera was dead.

Sweet Surrender

Tonight I gave Sebastian a bath as usual. I really noticed what a nice tan he is getting & that golden blonde sun-streaked hair. He is such a gorgeous little guy. Ahem, anyway, I got him dried off & snuggled into his jammies and tucked in his bed. He gets to watch tv until it gets dark outside. I was sitting at the computer, where I can see directly into his bedroom. He was sitting there giggling at television. He loves everything Noggin right now. He was mouthing the words to songs & moving his arms in motions as the characters were. It was exciting to see him so excited. He was grinning so big and every once in awhile would glance in my direction. I was leaning back against the chair, my arm propped on the back, just staring away at the amazing little person that his Daddy & I created (well, it was more me than his Daddy ;). He would yell at me "Mama!" like he was secretly thinking get a life you crazy woman. After dark we turned off the tv & dvr and I read his current favorite book "My Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants" - maybe 3 times. He loves it. I love him. I give in easily. He said, "Goodnight. I love you Mama. I want some icy water. I love you Mama. Get my pop tart for school." He is full of instructions tonight. He's now curled up with his favorite snowman blanket. I just stepped in and he has finally faded. I am so happy that I was blessed with this amazing little man to remind me everyday how precious life is & how complete my life is having been able to be his Mama.

My Two Cents

Since everyone seems to have an opinion about the whole Jon & Kate + 8 saga, I thought that would share my two cents. (And, no, I don't care who is sleeping with who or why, whether they will stay together or not, and I'm not jumping on a side.) My thoughts are just this...

END. THE. SERIES.

Yes - I have been a huge fan of the show in the past and I love J&K+8 as much as the next mama, regardless of the date & episode in which I first tuned in, but it is so far beyond what it was originally intended to be that it is really rather sickening to me. It seemed to me that the majority of the season premiere was centered around Jon & Kate and their issues and not on the kids. I am not seeing the true reason behind why the show was started anymore, which was supposed to be documenting their childhood.

Jon & Kate seem to be all about the money now. Their kids are their "business" & I don't mean that in a good way. They said themselves that this is their "job" and you can't separate work from home when home is work. I'm sorry, but kids are not a business. I could really appreciate the reasons why the show was initially started - to document their lives with 8 kids. I can't imagine in hundred years how hard it must be to raise 8 kids and especially what memories you could actually have saved while doing so. For that reason, I was completely supportive of the show. It's a different world now and in no way do I believe that it revolves around documenting their precious kids' childhood. And I also believe that they would not just call it quits like they always said they would if they thought it was best for their kids. Because, right now, is it really best for their kids to grow up on the cover of every tabloid in the nation?

I know how the media distorts everything and exploits them, but are we supposed to be surprised? I understand the destruction that is aimed directly at celebraties by the media & paparazzi and although I think it's disgusting what they do to families, that is reality. That is what comes with fortune & fame - whether it's right or wrong. It's not as if paparazzi is a new trend designed only for the Gosselins and they did not go into this blindly.

I really hate it for entertainment icons who are continuously trashed by the media, but it's one of the those things that "if you can't take the heat, then stay out of the kitchen". The media is not going to go away no matter how much we love to hate them. If the damage that the paparazzi does to your family is worth the megabucks that comes with a hit reality tv show, then that is a sacrifice that you have to be willing make.

It all boils down to taking responsibility for your decisions and I just feel that if they really cared about what the media was doing to their family and children, then they would choose not to put their lives on display for the entire world. You can call it what you want - giving up, giving in, whatever - but it's not going to change what the media is all about.

The best analogy I can think of is this...you are not going to let your child play at a neighbor's home that you suspect of abuse, etc. even though there are laws that are supposed to protect your children from predators and it's wrong for an adult to take advantage of a child, but you know in the real world, that people do and so you do not take that unnecessary risk. To me that is no different than putting your family out there for the media, even though it is wrong for them to try & destroy your family, reality is that they will. So, are you justified in sending your kids on over to the neighbors for a bigger home and tons of money?

Anyway, this is purely my opinion and I hope that they find whatever it is that will work for their family.

There's No Place Like Home

As I posted earlier, Memorial Day weekend was pretty uneventful for us. We didn't leave the house at all, except for an occasional dash to the grocery store, well, David & Sebastian did. Saturday was a gorgeous day, which David & Sebastian spent outside and I spent laying on the couch with a headache. We watched it rain...and rain...and rain! My mommy came over and spent the afternoon with us one day and David's mom came over yesterday with steaks for David to grill. It was a very relaxing weekend and I had a wonderful time (other than the headache). There truly is no place like home.

At home, Sebastian dresses himself...

Outside on his 4-wheeler between rain showers

Trying to shoot me with his kids meal watergun
Swiping my clothes...please excuse my dirty carpet

He said that was his bubble "wankwie"

{that's a blanket for those who don't read my blog}

Lounging in his nice Halloween ensemble that is too small

Stacking pillows until they fall over...then he shouts "WAY" {that's YAY}

He made a bed out of pillows on the couch that he planned to sleep on

He seriously looks up to no good here

Sebastian & Daddy watching the rain pour down

Showing off his busted lip...he learned the hard way

"NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED"

BTW, if you're wondering why he always picks out a long-sleeved shirt when he "dresses himself"...it's because his long-sleeved shirts are currently on the bottom closet rod in his closet and that is what he can reach.

Sweet as Sugar

To Comment or Not to Comment...That is the Question

H-E-L-L-O to my blog followers...my faithful bloggers who read my posts everyday and to my followers who just check in every now & again and to those who just found me by accident. It is so exciting to know that "someone" out there in this endless cyberworld is interested in my daily ramblings. I think the word "stalker" gets thrown around a lot, even by me, to disguise the fact that we are actually interested in the life of a stranger, but I don't think that is a very good term. It's just human nature to be curious about other people -- how they live, how they view the world, what's important in their life, what similarities they share with you. It's just interesting stuff.

I have "come out of the closet" I guess you could say with my blogger curiousity. I am beginning to leave comments on other people's blogs that I don't know, something I would have never dreamed of a year ago. And guess what? People that I do not know are beginning to leave comments on mine. I absolutely love it. I want to know what you think. Do you think I suck? Do you love me & read the same posts over & over? (haha I do that sometimes) Do you think that my little guy is the most adorable thing that ever graced this Earth (or is that just me)? Do you think I go insanely overboard on pictures?? (my husband says definitely yes) What do you want to know or see or hear about? Do you want to see more pics from my fridge?

I want to know everything you think about my blog - so leave comments. I LOVE THEM ALL. I like learning about new people. I love my peeps that read me everyday. SARAH YOU ARE FREAKIN' AWESOME. You make me want to blog everyday. Guys, if no one else in the world reads my blog, it's okay because I know that Sarah will...EVERYDAY. Thanks for being such a loyal friend. I have a few new loyal readers which completely pyches me out. And even some Brazilian followers which is totally cool. This is some very cool stuff.

I am going to end this post today with a Random Picture Challenge from one of my favs...4 little men & girly twins. For more info on how to play - check out her blog. Anyway, today's pick is 16th folder, 28th picture or August '08 28th picture.

This is my 16th picture folder...28th picture

This is my Sebastian doing what he loves best at bathtime - lounging back in the water. He loves bathtime and is not a bit afraid of the water. I love that I don't have to fight him everynight to wash is hair and he will gladly dump a bucket of water on his own head. He's a great kiddo. Can't wait to see your comments about my random picture...so make sure you leave one!!

For my friends & family that know about my blog but don't read it...or read it VERY RARELY...and never ever comment - - Shame on you!

Countdown to Summer

I'm going to take a cue from my friend, Sarah, and blog about all the reasons that I love summer (because I couldn't think of anything else). Unfortunately, summer does NOT entail leisurely days of sleeping in and extended breaks for me because I think my employer would frown upon coming in around 9 am and not working for weeks at a time :(; but that doesn't mean that I don't love summer. It's a wonderful time of year...aside from the insanely amount mosquitoes & excruciating heat & humidity that we get down in the bootheel. Ughh I do not look forward to that. What I do look forward to is this...

sweet tea & lemonade, picnics in green green grass, unlimited trips to the park, baseball games, waterguns, tag in the backyard, sprinklers, Hawaiian ice, watching my nieces & nephews jumping like monkeys on the trampoline, lots of summer birthday parties, lightning bugs, the Peach Fair, BBQs with friends & family, wading pools, 4th of July, camping, water parks, Sebastian's tan lines (which he already has) & sun streaked hair, the smell of sunscreen & chlorine, bright beach towels, dirty feet from playing outside for endless hours, the backyard filled with toys & laughter

A Graduation & Goat's Milk Soap

Not much to report. Yesterday my niece, Jayden, graduated from pre-k. She was quite adorable in her purple cap & gown. She was absolutely glowing. I am pretty proud of her. She is so very smart. She aced the pre-k screening & the school was worried about placing in her pre-k because she was so much more advanced than the other children. She is easily doing 1st & 2nd grade work. Her teacher was absolutely thrilled to have Jayden in her class. She is so sweet & kind and I'm sure was the most well-behaved child in the school. She worked with Jayden on the side with her reading & math because regular ol' pre-k studies just wasn't cutting it with Jayden. The future is going to be very very bright for my gorgeous little niece. Oh the places she will go. (Hopefully she takes her favorite auntie with her ;)

Today was a very un-eventful day, packed full of laziness. I have had a nagging headache most of the day, so I pretty much just laid on the couch. I did take a very relaxing bath with my new goat's milk soap. I'm not very big on "scented" things, especially lingering scents that never go away, so I have some mixed feelings about the new soap. I purchased two kinds...Ocean & Oatmeal Milk & Honey. Ocean smells nice, but it's a little too strong for me. I am VERY sensitive to most smells and although I like the initial aroma, it doesn't wear off so I was stuck with it all day. Today I decided to try out the OMH. I love love love it. Although it does have a wonderful aroma, it is not at all overpowering (to me) and although it also stays with you all day, it is very subtle. I can't really describe it...to me it is very intoxicating because I was continuously sniffing my arms (lol) today and making other people sniff me (lol). I am slightly worried that I could not completely get rid of my headache because of the enduring scent, but I am also hopeful that it is something that my (mind) & body will adjust to because it is so very invigorating. I really encourage everyone to try it. It looks very pure & rustic in form and it really does leave a wonderul fragrancy smell in the bathroom. (Sebastian thinks it looks like cheese - ???) It does lather very very well, which I was a little surprised about and it makes your skin feel incredibly smooth. I used it today to shave my legs & it is amazingly soft. It is a little bulky & hard to maneuver in your hands, especially in little hands. I may try out more less aromatic scents or some fragrance-free scents, but my 1st choice right now is the OMH. Try some out at Goat's Milk Stuff.com.

My Sweet Girl

Have I ever told you about my "adopted" niece, Adyson Grace? Well, she is about to be 8-years-old. She is so gorgeous and so smart and so kind. She is all the things that I would hope my daughter would be. I enjoy spending time with her so very much. I have 4 nieces...2 bio & 2 I have adopted and each one of them are absolutely wonderful. Tonight Ady's mom...my best friend...called to let me know that Ady was having a game tonight. I rushed on over to pb after work so I could see her play ball. I finally got a few pics tonight. Not the best in the world, but that's what her mom gets for not taking pics herself ;)

Win one for me Ady!! :)

Wordless Wednesday

You know me...I can't go completely "wordless". Sebastian fell outside and scraped his knee. I'm not really sure who this was more traumatic for - him or me. He was screaming screeching squealing shrieking crying uncontrollably and absolutely nothing would console him. It was one of those "near death" experiences where one trips in the driveway, scraping their knee & gets a little bloody & dirty, and your whole 2 years of life flash before your eyes. I know you are all very aware of the type of experience I am speaking of if you have a little one around.

Anyway, he finally calmed down and am on the line holding with social security as we are now going to have file for disability. He refuses to move from his perch on the ottoman in the living room...of course because he is now unable to walk. I'm telling you it's serious folks. He must have some sort of unknown, now chronic, dirty knee syndrome which enslaves his parents for all eternity. As if I don't wait on him enough - now it's mandatory that I carry him from rooom to room because of his "condition". He is in such pain that I had to up his dosage of Starbursts. What a cruel cruel world we live in ;)

{you know that I am not enjoying one single second of coddling him & nursing his every little woe because there is nothing in the world that compares to a Mama's healing touch! gotta go now & tend to love on my baby boy}

Lazy Town

After a three-hour Farm Town extravaganza this morning (thanks Sarah), I had to literally force myself kicking & screaming away from the computer. I'll skip the detailed descriptions of what a 2 & 1/2-year-old boy can do to your house when he's given free reign of your home while you're glued the computer harvesting potatoes. Let's just say that strawberry jelly & chocolate donuts can be damaging.

Anyhoo...

When I finally broke away from Farm Town (it's a Facebook application & I warn you now to stay away...stay far far away if you value your time at all) I played outside with Sebastian for awhile - chocolate face & all sporting very lovely red & black striped "pirate costume pants" & his favorite black flip flops. He traded in his tutu for some buccaneer pants & played some manly golf with his Daddy out in the rough terrain of our backyard. Sarah, I hope his pirate pants meet to your "masculine" standards ;) I don't think the tutu scarred Sebastian or his Daddy and in fact, David said only the most manly men can wear pink now & again (or in Sebastian's case some green & yellow tulle).

OK...getting off track...we went outside and all was great. The sky was blue the temperature was perfect the grass was green. Sebastian & I rolled around in the grass and played for a few hours before we were both itching like crazy. We've both had a bath & he's resting peacefully in his bed and I think I may join him for a nice afternoon nap. Oh how I love our lazy Wednesdays.

BTW...no eyes were tampered with in the making of this post ;)