Memories

Every summer my brother and I would go stay with my grandpa and grandma Parks for a couple of weeks. I will never forget the yellow farm house with the American flag waving in the yard. The huge barn-red barn full of wild cats, tractors, and the smell of hay.

We would run around the farm, tan and lean, going from one thing to the next. We'd swim in the irrigation ditch (if I ever get cancer, I will know why), catch frogs, drive/wreck the 4-wheeler...

My grandma would cook and bake up a storm. Huge breakfasts, amazing hot lunches (grandpa's favorite meal of the day) and very light dinners. She'd make chocolate chip cookies and bake bread almost everyday. I remember Brian and I would slather on her homemade jam onto warm bread and she'd always wonder why we never used butter. It just didn't need it.

I'll never forget the smoothness of my grandpa's hands. He was a farmer, yes, but he always wore gloves. His hands never aged a day, and even in his later years, his hands looked like those of someone 40 or 50 years younger. Amazing.

He had a sparkle in his eye and loved to chew Winter Mint gum ...

My grandma, who is now living in Spearfish, had the longest hair imaginable. She always kept it up in a bun, and I remember sneaking into her room at night when she would take it down to brush it - it was such a feminine gesture, the brushing of her hair, and as a little girl I thought it was so alluring.

At the end of our visits each year, out would come the Polaroid camera. They would take pictures of Brian and I - happy, content, sun-kissed, and probably a little homesick. I was just amazed at the instant-ness of them...and I loved to wave them around, hoping to speed up the drying time.

I never saw the collection of photos they took over the years, and have often wondered who has them. I suspect my biological father does, but I don't know for sure. They are tied to such sweet times of my childhood...

When I saw this old Polaroid frame, all those memories came flooding back. Of course, this picture is of Wayne & Claire, but the sweetness of the old-fashioned picture goes way back ...

{Happy Valentine's Day}

*Caeden got his first box of chocolates (Hershey Kisses inside)

*Wayne made a yummy (short rib) beef stroganoff for dinner.

*Caeden took a pink bath (love those color tabs for the tub!)

*We all received Valentines from Grandma and Grandpa. Caeden played with his new monster truck, Claire slobbered all over her new stuffed animal (lion, complete with a pink and red mane), and Wayne and I are saving our Valentine money for a night out on the town.
Thank you Mom and Dad!

*A friend brought over pink cupcakes with a heart shaped brownie atop each one. YUM!

*Wayne spoiled me rotten once again ... I can count the ways he loved me: calls, texting, pictures, email ... on my new iPhone! (I am still trying to get his present put together - I have until midnight, right...?)

*Happy Valentine's Day to all! Mmm-wah!

Valentine's Party

I have no pictures of today's party because we were busy making Valentine people, decorating sugar cookies, playing Valentine Bingo, and playing "duck - duck - goose."

Things I overheard today:

Caeden to a friend: "I love holding your hand."

Caeden to his teacher after decorating cookies: "This is the best birthday ever!"

Caeden to his friend T (T wanted to go home - didn't want to be at school): "T, it's okay, my Mommy will take you home and then you can be with your Me Ma."

And, the proud Mommy moment: each child took turns giving out their Valentines to each other. Everytime someone dropped one into Caeden's box, he would say thank you. Sometimes, "awww, thank yooooou." :)

A card for every moment

The last one is my favorite. :)

Found them here.

Arts & Crafts

We love arts and craft time. It happens everyday at the same time - during Claire's morning nap. We color, stamp, paint, cut ... you name it. I love it as much as he does!


This week we have been working on his Valentine's Day box for school. Do you remember those? I loved Valentine's Day at school as a kid ... just to see all those boxes decorated to the hilt. Plus, the Valentine's were so fun. "Oh good! You love me, too!"


So, for Caeden's project: we hunted for an old shoe box and Caeden painted the lid red and the box white.


He stamped old fashioned trucks onto cardstock (that later will be hauling loads of Valentine's in it's bed).

He placed stickers all over the lid and box ...

And finished with a big grin.

Today we're making heart sugar cookies for his school party tomorrow.

Wednesday already?

The past couple of days have been a blur. Sick kids, sick me, sick all around. Last night I literally slept sitting up-right in Claire's rocking chair, holding her upright, so that she wouldn't cough. The night before? Teething got us both up every couple of hours. This week has been a blur.

This picture might be the last of her gummie-ness. :)


Just checked my email and was excited to see a link to this: Matilda Jane. I think I have mentioned this company before, but basically they have the cutest girl clothes on earth. Unfortunately, the only way to get them is to order through a trunk show (think: Pampered Chef). That is all fine and dandy, but I don't know anyone who sells the stuff. I wish I could order it the old fashioned way, you know, online.



This morning we finished Caeden's Valentine box. He did such a good job painting, stamping, using glitter glue, slapping stickers down everywhere ...I'll post it on Valentine's Day. Oh, speaking of, you know those felt Valentine envelopes I told you about? Mine came in the mail and they are just darling. I am going to write the kids a love letter every year and give it to them in their special envelope each Valentine morning. I love having kids so that I can do stuff like this.

Back to it ...

What we did ...

While the fellas were away ... we played peek-a-boo.

We played, "I'm gunna get yoooo-u."


We rocked in the rocking chair ...

And we napped {there is no picture of that}.

Weekend Update

Grandpa & Claire having a blast ...

Claire groping Grandpa's face. It's how you know she really likes you. :)



I know I have been a bad blogger (no Monday post - thanks for the email reminders! :).
Water spilled on my beloved MacBook Pro, so my keyboard is jacked. That's why I didn't post. But anyway, onto the weekend update.

We had the best weekend. Caeden was on cloud 9 all weekend. His Grandpa was here and all was right with the world. There was hardly a moment when they weren't together : playing in the playroom, going for a walk to see the construction site, playing in the back yard, or ... just sitting together. My heart gets so full when I think of how much love Caeden has for Dad/Grandpa. There is just nothing like it. See? Like right now, as I type this - {heart is filled to the brim}.

Can you believe I do not have a single picture of them together?! I think it was because they were always so busy playing (and not wanting me to get to close as to ruin the fun) that I didn't get a chance. But trust me, they would have been great - Caeden would be staring at his Grandpa with adoration and clutching toy monster trucks. :)

Dad, do you know how Caeden looks up to you? How even when you and Mom aren't here ... you are? In memories, in stories that Caeden tells, in the fabric of our daily grind. Today, for example, you are back at work in RC, but as Caeden was painting his Valentine's Day box, he wondered out loud, "I wonder what color Grandpa likes best?" You are always on his mind.

Anyway, the mushy stuff had me sidetracked for a second, when the real attention should be the MONSTER TRUCK SHOW. :) Yes, Caeden took Wayne and Grandpa to the show. I think it was quite painful for Wayne (he had great stories about the other attendees) but Caeden had a blast. This morning he had his toys lined up just like at the show. I had to stand on the sidelines and wave a flag, "Just like they did at the show, Mommy."

It has been back to reality this week. School yesterday, swimming lessons today, and Friday is the Valentine's party. We're in charge of bringing plain {heart} sugar cookies for the kids to decorate, so I suppose we'll be doing that Thursday night...

Sunday

Caeden is taking Wayne and Grandpa to the Monster Truck show today. He can't wait!!
So, I'll be busy cleaning, doing laundry, etc.

You know I am kidding! I'm taking a nap with Claire! :) Here's to a lazy day. Just my style!

Text Message

This morning I stole away (alone!) and went to the mall. Grandpa and Wayne played with the kids while I:

1. Stopped at Starbucks for a Vanilla iced tea

2. Went to Nordstrom and tried on every.single.kind.of.jean.
a. None fit in the size I thought they should have.
b. Texted (is that a word?) my sister to whine/get validation that, YES, all these jeans are made for women with no hips or thighs, and it is just disgusting that they actually made sizes SMALLER than last time I shopped for jeans (which was before Caeden. I know, I really needed a new pair...).
c. She tells me to try on WilliamRast jeans (over in the Savvy department).
d. I do. I fall in love.
e. Do you like my outline format?
f. I take a deep breath and buy them. Ooooh how I love them.
g. Call my sister and tell her I got them. She curses me (she wanted them).
h. for the first time EVER, I am glad we are not the same size, because I know she would "borrow" them. Take that, Linz! That's what you get for being so dern skinny!!!

Done with the outline.

Also got a few lip glosses and some moisturizer. I actually feel like a GIRL today. Yay!

Thank you, Lindsay, for being so fashion savvy. And thank you texting-inventor. Thank you.

More Photo Sharing

I love being able to take pictures like this. I have always felt bad that when Caeden was born we went all out and had professional portraits done. All Claire has is what I have taken. Maybe these aren't such a bad trade.


This is the official 8 x 10 the family is getting. Already printed and ready to go!


I was just playing around with the color on this. Photoshop is so fun!

Thanks for letting me share. I was shy to post them because I don't expect comments, but I wanted to show you what I've learned.

I've learned: practice, practice, practice. :)

Supposed to be working out ...

But here I sit, looking at DESSERT recipes. Could I be anymore ridiculous?

My high school/college friend turned email/blog pal (hey, gotta do what you gotta do when you live a million miles away), Paula, sent me a random email a long time ago about Pioneer Woman. This woman is funny, brilliant with Photoshop, homeschools her kids (saint!), and can cook up a storm. I think I am going to make this "best ever" chocolate cake tomorrow night for my Father in Law (who loves pecans) with my sister's spaghetti (she uses sausage and hamburger - great idea, huh?!). Do yourself a favor and spend lots of time on PW's website. I have a crush on her and you will too.

Now, with the food business out of the way, a funny YouTube video sent to me by Nellers. It's the one where Ellen DeGeneres calls Gladys (from Austin), an 88 year old fit fire who "loves Jesus but drinks a little, too." The call is so funny! If you have a few minutes to watch, it will make coffee come out of your nose (that is, if you are drinking coffee this time of morning).

What else ... can I talk about while stalling on working out? What's that? Nothing is more important than my health/fitting into my bride's maid dress in May? Fine. Thanks for the buzz kill. Off to do lunges.

Tagged via Sara

Six Names I Go By

1. Mommy
   
2. Val
3. Valerie (only Wayne calls me this)
   
4. Seestor
5. Baby Girl (before Claire - she is the new baby girl, of course)
   
6. Honey
   

Three Things I am Wearing Right Now

1. Grey Sweatpants with "Jayhawk" across the bum
   
2. Pink Sweatshirt with "Kansas" on the front
   
3. Dark brown toe nail polish
   

Two Things I Want Very Badly at the Moment

1. A wedding ring. Mine was lost in Florida 2 years ago.
   
2. A cleaning lady. I find myself thinking this multiple times a day: "I JUST cleaned the bathroom ... do you (not me, everyone else, of course) really need to pee that badly?!"
   

Three Favorite Things I did Last Night

1. Played on my computer with the photos that I took earlier in the day.
   
2. Rocked Claire to sleep.
   
3. Scrapbooked.
   

Four Things I ate Today

1. Cheerios for breakfast
   
2. Cheerios for lunch
   
3. Cheerios for a mid-day snack
   
4. Pineapple pizza for dinner (and some M&M Premiums "Almond" - huge, overpriced mistake. Not that good).
   

Two People I last Talked to on the Phone

1. Mary Jo in Texas. She took my order for Claire's baptism gown.
   
2. Lindsay

Six Things I Plan to do Tomorrow

1. Take Caeden to an allergy appointment. He is really, really sick.
   
2. Pick up Dad from the airport.
   
3. Work out to "Cindy Crawford" DVD. Don't laugh! It is the best workout ever!
   
4. What Gray's Anatomy (which is recording now).
   
5. Go get some moisturizer. All three jars are empty, and I have exhausted all reserves.
   
6. Blow on Claire's toes and read "Tickle Monster" to Caeden.
   

Five Things I am Grateful for Today

1. Not to be dramatic, but I am grateful for health insurance and Wayne's job security.
   
2. A clean house/fresh sheets.
   
3. A spouse that doesn't mind that I don't cook every, single night.
   
4. The Internet.
   
5. That Caeden still has dimples on his hands. I know they won't be there much longer.
   

I tag...Paula, Whitney, Delise, & John.

Sneak Peak

It was 70 degrees today! So while Caeden dug in the dirt and hauled it all into the middle of the driveway, I took a few pictures of Claire for our Valentines that I am trying to get in the mail. This is one of my favorites.



And then there's Caeden. Does he aspire to be an Abercrombie model? Is that why he pulled his shirt up? And the gesturing...? All I can think of is "Y ... M .... C .... A!"

I could just eat him up. Crazy kid.

Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte

Yum. Last night I met some friends at Starbucks, where I promptly ordered my standard Grande Decaf - Black. (I have a weird thing about drinking calories - I try not to.)

Then wandered over to M. where she tells me about this amazing caffeine-free tea she is drinking. I took a sip.YUM. It takes like vanilla milk, except not. It's warm, sweet (but hardly), and so good. I had to get my very own.

I came home and did the math on the calories. 160. Not horrible, not great. But really worth it.

All about Etsy

My super stylish & amazingly vintage chic cousin, Nellie, has started an Etsy store. You can find her 70's & 80's stuff here: Nells Finders Keepers. I already scored the watermelon bowl; you need to be fast around here! She's the one who discovered the above card. My new favorite!

I am loving this felt Valentine Envelope.

How sweet would a yearly love letter to your children be in this? I ordered 2 {Caeden & Claire}. Hopefully I'll get them before Valentine's Day.



Last, the beloved tutu. Haven't ordered this as my Etsy spending limit has been reached for awhile, but isn't this just cute?? I love the rose petals in it. I have some sort of strange need to get Claire a Tutu in every color! :)

Things I Learned This Weekend:

How to download cool (& free) photoshop actions to make pictures look awesome. Doesn't this picture of Claire look vintage? Exactly! That is the name of the action, Vintage. Now if only everything in my life was this straight forward.



Secondly, Caeden. He no longer knows how to smile. Instead, some sort of cheese-grinning monster lives in the crook of his mouth and rears it's ugly head whenever the camera appears.


Next: Claire is infatuated with balloons, just like her older brother. She especially loves the danger of the string, which has threatened to cut off the circulation in her hand a time or two.


The forth thing I learned this weekend is, apparently it is possible to become whatever it is you are wearing on your body. Have you ever seen a child look MORE like an owl? I rest my case.

5. Homemade chocolate chip cookies taste much better when you bake with the itty, bitty, mini chocolate chips instead of the normal ones. More chocolate per bite. Trust me on this.

6. Sleep can happen anywhere. Even on Claire's bedroom floor, using a towl (left over from bath time) as a blanket. No pillow. It doesn't take much to be comfortable when you are too exhausted to climb down the stairs for the 8th time that night. Screw it. I am taking up residence in her room. It's much cuter than mine, anyway.

7. The superbowl commericals did not disappoint! I loved the Pepsi ones, but missed the Audi one, and all the Dorito ones. Must see them after I am done blogging. The biggest hit for me? Learning about Hulu. That clever Alec Baldwin sucked me right in with his alien schick and now I am totally loving Hulu. Free t.v. anytime! I no longer have to compete with Wayne while he vies for Family Guy.

8. I am, indeed, a bargin shopper. Normally when I walk into a store, I go immediately to the full-priced clothing, finding tons. Next, head to the sale rack where I find absolutely nothing. Not so! Yesterday I got the kids much needed P.J's at babyGap. Normally 22.oo each...I got 4 pairs PLUS a new pair of sunglasses for Caeden for 34.00. That includes tax.

Yes, I know! It totally makes up for the {undisclosed amount} that I spent the very next minute at a baby boutique buying some new spring time Baby Lulu clothes for Claire.

Until tomorrow...

Our Night Out

Do you remember a while ago when I said I was annoyed because I was trying to figure out how to make a frame? It took 2 hours yesterday and an hour this morning, but I finally figured it out. Go Val!

***
Last night Linz & Jordan watched the kids so that Wayne and I could hit the town. It was cold outside, and later than usual for us to be out and about, so we thought we'd be wild and crazy and head to Cherry Creek and eat at Elway's Steakhouse. For a while we thought Elway's was a gimmick. We all know how Denver-ites love their #7. Elway is like a super star here in Denver, and we thought the restaurant would be gimmicky. Well, we quickly learned his restaurant is top notch (having just opened another one in the Ritz) and decided to give it a try.

Uhhh, YUM! We had (split the sides) filet, asparagus, salad, baked potato, and a wonderful bottle of wine (for which I am paying for this morning).

It was great to be out and about. Wonderful to talk to Wayne without simultaneously feeding Claire, keeping Caeden entertained, and woofing down food before it gets cold.

We flirted. We drank wine. We talked about our usual gamut of conversational topics, we held hands on the way home.

Thanks for letting us have such a nice night Linz and Jordan. We love you!

Totally All Over the Place Entry

****

Tutu picture added later. I must have a thing for color these days as I want all those stinkin' tutus for Claire's room!

****
Baskets of crayons, markers, glitter glue, and more.


To create this: a sweet little person named Henry (I kid you not, Paula!) who went to a volcano and stepped on some lava (but was a Doctor and knew how to fix himself).



So, that was this morning. Picture drawing, story telling, and volcano education.
This afternoon, I was (almost) thinking about making this with Caeden:

Rainbow Cake

Except. The recipe is kinda ... chemically laden (sprite instead of butter, etc.). The lady who made this cake is 25, on a diet, and has no kids. While the cake would be so fun, because Caeden loves to mix colors, the recipe is a bit ... skinny. Is that good for kids? Not that fat-laden desserts are any better. Sigh.

Anyway, take a look (the commentary is funny).

Is there a child out there that wouldn't have a blast with it?

Another One

You are probably getting sick of these layouts, but to be honest, playing with photoshop is the only interesting thing I have been doing. {You should see the house.}

I am trying to talk myself out of spending money. Do you ever get the itch to just buy something?
I walked into J.Crew last night and found 10 things I want: shirts, pants, & a cute cardigan (on sale!) but walked out with nothing and am STILL thinking about it all. I am about 4 years behind on fashion as my closet has this in it: skinny clothes from 5 years ago (the shirts are too short, the jeans too light, the styles are all wrong), pregnant clothes, losing weight from being pregnant but still can't get into my old size (but who cares cuz' the skinny clothes are ugly), and finally, a few little gems from our Key West trip (two years ago!!).

The other thing I want is some photoshop actions. They make your photographs look like candy. I want them. Bad.

I also have a shopping cart full of scrapbooking supplies just sitting there, as I loaded up the cart and then left the website.

So. Hide the credit card. And continue to play with photoshop. Boring?? Maybe, but definitely thrifty!