Ramblings by Leadatortilla: 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Meat Drunk and birthday fun

I turned a sweet age of "you're closer to 50 than you are 20"! (thanks sweet husband of mine for your kind words) Here are the highlights of my birthday!

Going out to lunch with my mom at one of our favorite spots "Mi Ranchito" - yummmmmy chili relleno! I'm so lucky to have my mom so close to me - for so many years we'd chat by the phone and say "wouldn't it be nice if we could just go to lunch and hang out?" Well, now we can and I'm so grateful for her.

Cole and Danny got to come to lunch too - beans and rice are an ABSOLUTE fav. They were happy to be with us!

We had a family Christmas party that evening, so who gets to have this many desserts at their birthday party?

I'm not a fan of chocolate, but this cake had peppermint icing and it was DELICIOUS! Aunt Laura knows her cakes and knows to how to make a birthday girl feel at home. The entire family sang in what I thought was a "unique" singing style that only my family could manage - but they really rocked the house with all their hollering, moaning, yelping, every tune far from the traditional Happy Birthday song! It brought tears to my eyes.

We had decided in advance, that our family would celebrate my birthday a day late. On Saturday morning, I noticed that my sweet husband jumped up at the first sound from Danny (he's our alarm clock on the weekends). I quickly figured out he was going to let me sleep in. So, I rolled over and I slept and slept and can I just say, 9:30am was the best feeling in the world!!! Shayne was shocked, he didn't think I could physically sleep that long. I can't remember the last time I slept that late and it was much appreciated. When I came out to face the world, there was Danny begging his daddy for candy! MORE CANDY! And what does daddy do? Yup, this little guy ate candy for breakfast. It brought Bill Cosby's "Dad is great, he makes us chocolate cake" bit come to life for me. I had to capture Danny's smug grin.

The big event of the day was dinner out at Texas Roadhouse - one of my favorite places to eat. It has also become a favorite for Cole - he is CONSTANTLY begging for ribs. Unfortunately, I don't know how to cook ribs, so it's a once a year (maybe twice?) event for this favorite. I told Shayne I still wanted a date with him, but I wanted to bring the kids to dinner with us. We had free kid meal tokens and I knew they would love to go with us. We had a table full of RIBS - 5 orders of RIBS! Hunter isn't a huge fan - but Cole and Danny were living the life. It was a great dinner-date. After dinner, we left the kids with a sitter and the adults went and did boring stuff (shopping)! It was a FABULOUS birthday weekend!

This is our favorite picture of the night - he's MEAT DRUNK!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

When I wear lip-gloss

In the rare moment I slip on a little lip gloss, I get mixed reactions from my family...

Shayne - "I like that a lot! You should wear it more often."
Hunter - "Mommy, you know I hate that. Why do wear that? It makes your lips pink, I really don't like it at all."
Cole - "ewwww, why are wearing that stuff?"
Danny - his eyes get really big and he keeps trying to touch my lips with his finger, and really, he wants some of his own.

Me, I guess I don't wear lip gloss/lipstick enough, or ever! I want to know if my boys change their mind when they start dating. Is lip gloss really that gross and awful looking? But, I'm grateful my boys love me for being "PLAIN" me - which seems to be most of the time!

Friday, December 3, 2010

What happens if....

...you offer Danny chocolate (3 m&m's) every time he goes pee in the potty? He goes again, and again, and again. And don't be fooled - I have no expectations at this point but I will celebrate the little successes. Bribery never worked on his big brothers.
...you try to help Danny pick out a shirt for the day? He will refuse just about the whole drawer full. It takes a while, but he will choose his own shirt.
...put socks and shoes on Danny? He takes them off. In fact, he takes off his shirt too.
...put a coat on Danny? he takes it off - if I even get him out the door with it on, it comes off before getting in the car.
...the old man gives you dirty looks at Walmart for walking into the store with a coat-less, shoe-less, and screaming child? You start that sweet talk out loud that says "You chose to take off your shoes and now you have to ride in the cart. Bummer! Kids with shoes get to walk next to mommy and you didn't want shoes..."
...you try to help Danny do anything? He'll scream, "I DO IT!" and then start the process all over again to make sure HE did it.
...you make cookies after a ho-hum Friday of cleaning house, lots of potty trips, and playing with friends? You eat one, then another, and another. In fact, I lost count after 7 cookies. So, I decided to type on the computer to keep my fingers AWAY from the cookies. YUM!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Repairman FYI's

I've been having issues with my BRAND NEW washer and although it's totally lame, I'm glad that it's still under warranty. Well, I've had 4 different repairmen here in the past few months and I have picked their brains about how to better care for my large appliances. I thought I'd pass along the info I have learned!

Washing Machine

Don't use fabric softener, use vinegar instead, with every wash. It is better than fabric softener and no, it doesn't stink. Well, maybe I do smell like vinegar and my friends haven't mentioned it?!?!
The vinegar not only cleans your clothes, it also will reduce static - thus no dryer sheets. Also, this cleans your washer and it goes a long way to keep it mold free.
personally, I haven't dried the "no dryer" sheets theory.... I think everything is SUPER static-ee in the winter.... drives me bonkers!
Leave the door (top or front) open on your washer to air out after each washing.
I must mention, no vinegar if you are using bleach in that load
Wash your heavier clothes together - ie towels and jeans. Try to wash clothing with similar traits - loads with half towels and half regular clothes is hard on the washer.
Most stores suggest filling front loaders too full. There is suppose to be 1/3 room on top of space. If you are washing heavy clothing, ie towels or jeans, leave 1/2 of the space free.
Use about 2 Tablespoons of soap. Usually you don't need any more than that. (I was using WAY MORE than that!!!)

Dishwasher

One technician recommended "Finish"... I still haven't finished my other supply to try this brand
Another recommended "Lemishine" product, just 1 tsp per load (for those with hard water)
Once a month, throw in a cup of vinegar at the basin and fill up a cup with vinegar to leave on the top rack in the upright position. The lower vinegar will get rinsed out quickly - but with cup full on top, vinegar stays throughout the cycle. I did this and noticed a big change in my washer immediately.
Another technician recommended powder over gels. He was also a fan of the little "pre-measured" packets simply because he says people use too much soap. You should only be using 2 Tablespoons of soap. Supposedly, too much soap will etch your glassware.

So, there you have it!! Hopefully I won't have to bring a technician back for any repairs!

Friday, November 19, 2010

MINK update...

He showed up in our garage a few hours later!!! Yeah for Animal Control!!

Did I mention that it stunk up our garage.... UGH!!!!

Because I live here...

I don't like to type where I live (just a safety issue), but only here!! (and please don't comment the name of our hometown) These are pictures from this afternoon - this little guy was going up the steps on the elephant slide. And it is not a cat!

That's a MINK!!! Animal control came out within 15 minutes, and he had disappeared into thin air. So, neighbors, be on the lookout for a slide-loving mink!

Some of our favorite things...

Danny with "Bear"

All of Danny's beloved friends.

(He really did bring them all to breakfast one morning)

Cole with his blankie and thumb.
Wait, did I just say blankie? Yeah, his first blankie was lost - and well, I thought it was a good break-up. Well, he informed me later that his blankie just "grew up" since the Spider-Man blanket became the new favorite.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Year of the Flies

Check out our newest decor. At one point, Cherae was checking it out thinking it had been part of our creepy Halloween decor.... No, we just like having dead flies hanging around ALL THE TIME! UGGHHHHHHHH! And might I add, one benefit of our weather taking a turn to the cold is the reduction of flies - the only benefit, really.

Monday, November 8, 2010

A stick of chap

this our conversation in the car the other night between Hunter (H), Cole (C), and Me (M) (for mommy of course).

H: I think I have a chap on my lips

M: well, you don't get a "chap" on your lips - chapped is a description for the way lips are. Either they are chapped or not, but you don't get a chap.

C: What is chap?

M: Chapped is a description of dry lips. You'll see little white flakes and they hurt.

H: I definitely have chapped lips.

C: So, why do they have sticks of chap?

M: what? I'm confused.

C: Then I'm never going to use chapstick again.

H: What, why wouldn't you use chapstick? It helps the chapped lips go away.

C: No, it sounds like it is a stick of chap. Why would I want a stick of chap? I'm never using chapstick again. I don't want my lips to be chapped.

M: giggling and thinking, this is priceless. And I KNOW I'll never think of Chapstick the same way again.

Monday, November 1, 2010

First snow

This happened BEFORE Halloween - I'm just completely out of order now. Danny was the first one to get outside and play in the snow. Good thing he did it first thing that morning, by the afternoon the snow had melted!!

TV dinner

A regular spaghetti dinner... this is what I'd expect to see on everyone's plate.

BUT, whenever we have spaghetti, my boys want "spaghetti tacos".... a meal they picked up from one of their favorite T.V. shows. WEIRD!

But they eat them. And well, I'm glad when they eat something I make. It doesn't always work that way around here.

I'm back

Obviously, I've worked out a few kinks - but honestly, I wanted to quit the blog these past few days. HOW FRUSTRATING! I had to download Firefox to get Blogger to work again. Evidently, it doesn't work with the newest version of Explorer. So be FOREWARNED... don't do upgrades on Explorer! Anyhoo - I think it has been resolved for the time being. Thanks for letting me vent.

Halloween Fun

Gardner Village
I went to Gardner Village with Alisa and her family. I spoiled the kids with some cotton candy. (I'm way nicer when there are cute nieces around)

A picture of all the kids together (Hunter was still at school).

Ethan is growing up so fast!! Look at him try to eat his mommy's nose.

Alisa's family... sort of.

Annual Halloween Party
Princess Peach and Mario

The group - I'm so glad we got a group picture!

Do you recognize these guys? They looked AMAZING! When Danny saw them the next night... he FROZE with fear. Well, Grandpa was the scary one... he was quick to Grandma's arms (plus she brought candy with her!)

Challenge: pick up the paper sacks with your teeth - and no bending of the knees. Chanin did it gracefully.

Not so pretty....

FYI: this guy can't even sit Indian Style... can you "see" him screaming in agony?

Sheldon is trying to knock over water bottles with that panty-hose/baseball on his head... we know how to PARTY!

CORNBELLY'S
We took the boys to Cornbelly's on Saturday. Sad to say - we enjoyed lots of fun activities but all my pictures were from the corn bin. It was definitely a highlight - for all the boys (old and young!).

Hunter

Danny (he didn't like being buried much, but he did like to throw the corn)

Cole

Happy Halloween!
Princess Peach, Mario, Squirt, Super-Diaper Pirate Baby, and a Vampire.

Cherae took us to a neighborhood train ride. I didn't know what to expect - but there's a reason why this has little activity has more than 10,000 people visiting this season alone. It's completely run by volunteers from a neighborhood and it was AWESOME (and free!). Too bad we were enjoying it too much to take lots of pictures. Here's one from the train... I don't even know how to explain it - but it was an "Awesome Halloween" - as Hunter exclaimed at the end of the night.

Shayne's pumpkin... and yes, he designed it himself.

Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, so we had a special dinner: Mummy Dogs, Scones, Tomato Slices (we decided those were guts), Broccoli (bronchi), and everything on our cool Halloween plates. I'm glad the boys have such a fun daddy - he's the instigator of all our fun!

Is anyone else have trouble with blogger? I can write a title - that's it!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Hunter's Concerto

Well, I upgraded blogger - and none of the buttons work. So, I went back to "old editor" and the publish button doesn't work... seriously, what is the deal?!?!

But I wanted to share a video of Hunter performing Concerto in C Major... he rocks!

Check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgVaeTrlNnU

Thursday, October 28, 2010

ISSUES

I'm having issues with this blog. I can not post a picture - let alone a video I want to share. NONE of those cute little buttons are working at the top of this screen. A week ago I couldn't even get a post to "Publish" and I finally got that worked out... but obviously there are still kinks in the system here.

AAAARGGGGHHHHH!!! I'm frustrated.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Danny's Fav's

I keep thinking I'll write these things down in my journal or perhaps in his own little "memory book" - but it ain't happening. So, here are a few of the cute things I want to remember about my danny at 2 years old and some translations too:
*"I DO IT!" - for just about everything - especially for getting into the car and climbing into his seat.*"I too" -which means I want one too
*"Jesus" -Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam - his song request before every naptime and bedtime.
*"blue!" -he has to have his blue quilt laid out perfectly on him when going to bed. If I lay other blankets down, the blue one goes on TOP. It's serious business.
*"mee-mouse" -his favorite cartoon is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We watch an episode daily.
*"ball" -which does NOT mean a ball - it means WHOPPERS candy (which looks like a ball) - it's definitely his FAVORITE candy.
*"my turn" -after Hunter's piano practice, we usually have Danny's turn. Who knows, he might be another budding pianist.
*"Baby" -when I ask which book we should read, this is his favorite. It has a few pictures of babies, and somehow it has become the "baby" book. The other favorite is "Monkey's jumping on the bed"
*He loves wearing his Superman jammies, his Mickey Mouse t-shirt, and usually throws a fit when I dress him without letting him choose his shirt for the day. I think the biggest battle is just getting the favorite jammies off - I have to be pretty convincing to get those off.*How old are you? "3" - No you aren't! - "3" (who taught him this?)*He constantly feeds Maggie and when I catch him - he says, "for danny?" "YES, the food is for Danny, not Maggie!!" Needless to say, Danny is Maggie's favorite in the house these days.*He loves to do whatever his brothers are doing and he still has Mr. Magnetic personality - he's just too much fun!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Earholes

While on a class fieldtrip with Hunter yesterday, we sat next to a couple of girls and another mom as we ate our sack lunches. The girls started to talk about their upcoming birthdays.
Hunter says, "Oh yeah, did you know that Jenna is getting her earholes for her birthday?"
::::I'm in a stupor, not knowing what to say or how to respond::::
"You mean ears pierced?"
"What does that mean"
"Earholes, it means earholes."

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Funny story

While we were in Disneyworld, we shared a bedroom with our boys. There were two queen beds and a pak-n-play for Danny. One night, we were all tucked in and saying goodnight to eachother in the dark. Shayne gave me a kiss (Seriously - very innocent kiss) and we hear...
"UGH! Are you guys KISSING?" (Cole)
"Remember, I'm the one sick here..." (Hunter) (He had an upset stomach and had been in bed long before the rest of us)
I wish it sounded as funny in writing as it did in person - but, it still has me giggling.
The next morning, Cole informed Grandpa:
"I heard my mommy and daddy kissing last night!!!"

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Laura-ba-dora

A few weekends ago, our awesome friend, Laura, brought her hubby and baby to visit us! I think Maynrad and baby Carlo LOVED Utah and are already hoping to come back soon!..... RIGHT?!?!? Check out the fun we had together:

Tracy Aviary - Feeding the birds was definitely a highlight.

Do you see the little birdie attacking my hair?

We drove to Cascade Springs and it was BEEEEEAUTIFUL!

Doting parents - so sweet!

"I WAS SMILING!" The boys were quickly bored with lots and LOTS of family pics....

I wish I had this on video... we were just sitting and chilling and Cole started to "direct" us. Laura and Maynrad started to sing - and well, it just started quite the musical number. I think my parents would have been very impressed with Cole's directing skills!

The group of us.

A visit to Temple Square