May Wrap Up!

School Fund Raiser - Crawfish Boil 

Next Door Neighbor - John - in the Dunk Tank!

A cooler on a motorized scooter - How cool is that!!!

Crawfish!  Eeee!

Several kids ended up getting pinched! :D

1st Grade Field Trip - Dallas Aquarium

Little Man and a big Manatee

LM and his buds

L to R - Luke, Owen and LM

The mustache monkey wants a Cheeto!

Most of the group of 1st grade boys!

The Sloth getting a good look at Owen's Dad. 

Trip Home / Baby J's 2nd Birthday

Grandma McKenna with Jordan, James and LM

LM and bubbles bright and early at 6am at Grandmas!

Grandpa and Henry - 1 of 2 grandsons  :D

Grandpa and LM

Happy 2nd Birthday James!

Quick trip down to The Woodlands to celebrate Hubs Bro's 40th (Bro not pictured!  Argh!)

Me and The Hubs

May Update!

(Sound quality of the videos might not be that great)

1)  The Hubs and I just celebrated our 12 year anniversary! Woo Hoo!  It was a pretty low key affair…had our sitter come hang out with LM so we could go to an outdoor art fair and have a nice quiet dinner.  Ahhhh….  relaxing.  :)

2)  I had just picked Little Man up from school and were on our way to WalMart when we passed an apartment fire near our neighborhood.  LM wanted to do a "Breaking News Report" for his Dad.  (side note:  The apartments are about 2 miles from our house and WalMart is about 5 miles from our house.)

Action news with LM!

3)  LM has been in a R.E.A.C.H (Realizing Excellence in Academic Cognition Heuristically) class for a few months now.  His big project was to do a scrapbook about Russia and present it to the class.  Here is a short clip:

4)  Little Man has been taking Taekwondo two days a week since late February…he loves it!  Monday he took and passed the 2nd half of his test for his orange belt!  Yea!  We're so proud of him!  Here's a video of him being presented with his new belt.

Yea! LM!

Orange Belt!

The Pivot Questionnaire

I'm a HUGE fan of "Inside the Actor's Studio".  I can go on YouTube and watch hours and hours of interviews.  If you get a chance, watch the one for Mickey Rourke (after he returned to acting)…its a GREAT interview… Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep and Robert Downey Jr. are great too!

At the end of the show, James Lipton always asks the actor "The Pivot Questionnaire" questions, and their answers are interesting and sometimes funny.

I've decided to answer the questionnaire myself. :D

These 10 questions originally came from a French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot. 
They're better known as the questions that James Lipton asks every guest at the end of "Inside the Actor's Studio" show. 

Answer them for yourself, and have fun with your friends. You'll be  amazed at how much they reveal about a person's thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

What is your favorite word? 3 words together, I Love You.

What is your least favorite word? No. ;)

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?  Lots of sunshine.

What turns you off? Negativity, constant complaining, gossip and anyone who uses the F-Bomb.

What is your favorite curse word? Shi+ and Dam3 it.  Although when I hear someone say, "Balls", I crack up every time. :D

What sound or noise do you love? When Little Man laughs like a chipmunk and when Henry (the dog) yawns.  I used to love it when my cats sneezed too.

What sound or noise do you hate?  Screeching tires.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  Veterinarian.

What profession would you not like to do?  Working at an animal shelter that gases.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Over there are your loved ones AND pets.

Randomness Part Deux

When parking in the creepy multi-level parking garage…don't make a "mental note" of which level you leave your car.  You'll never remember….ever.  They usually have a little card holder by the elevators with a sign that reads, "Remember where you park…take a card".  TAKE THE CARD!  Spent 5 minutes riding the elevator up and down and hitting the "clicker" trying to find my car after work today…sheesh.  

If your nails need clipping….do it at home!  This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves.  People that clip their nails in public.  Its like nails on a chalkboard I tell ya!  Argh!

Had to break out the reading glasses at work today….not happy about it.  I thought about taking a selfie and sending it to the hubs…ya know, "the secretary look" ;)  but when I saw myself on the screen, I shut off the phone and went back to work….nothing "sexy secretary" about that!  :D

Another perk found at work today!  I was snooping in the break room and lo and behold!  A cabinet full of tea!  Every flavor you can imagine!  Regular AND Decaf!  Niiiice.

Randomness…...

Just random stuff: 

We have underground parking at my new job……have never liked parking garages (think creeper lurking in the shadows waiting to jump you) and underground parking garages even less (think cave in and you'll be trapped).  I still think they're creepy and stinky but I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the height of TX summer….maybe.

Amazing how the little things make me happy at the new job.  Free brewed Starbucks coffee, at least 5 different types of pods for the coffee maker, Crystal Light for you water…which comes from a filtering dispenser…HOT AND COLD!  The parking is paid for and you get to wear jeans on Friday.

When using a public bathroom, make sure you use the paper in the holder…not the roll sitting loose on top…because you will always drop it on the floor….ALWAYS.  And it will roll across the floor UNDER.EVERY.STALL.  Thank goodness nobody was in there and I could retrieve the evidence.  But little man thought it was funny. :D

When you're at the dentist and she/he says, "this cavity isn't very deep, I don't think we'll need to numb it."  GET IT NUMBED!  3/4 of the way through I about came out of the chair and smacked her!  (sniff sniff, what was she thinking?!)

When you're spreading something on bread or a cracker, always make sure you're over the counter because it will always, ALWAYS fall goop down on the floor.  ALWAYS.  And its not like you can use the 3 second rule when you have a pet.  Furry toast and jelly anyone?  bleh.

When you're over 40 and you catch yourself saying, "mental note to self"…you better write that stuff down because it will be gone 2 seconds later.  ALWAYS.  What was I supposed to do before Friday?  What did we need to pick up from Target?  sheesh.  Getting old brain SUCKS!

When you're child is in the back seat playing on the iPad while you're driving and you think they're not listening to your conversation…THEY ARE.  And they will repeat everything they think is remotely funny.  Keep that in mind Hubs! :D  

Have a great day!

Working Hard for the Money!

You know how I posted my "professional" head shot and was all excited about re-entering the workforce?

Well, I've gone from this:

to this:

Well, thats not really me but thats about how I feel at the end of the day. :D   But its a good tired!  

Been at it for almost 3 weeks now!

Back story:

I was bopping around on the computer when I received an email from the "Talent Acquisition" department of the company…but the email was addressed to someone else.  So I replied that they emailed me by mistake.  They didn't, they just put the wrong name on the email and said to give the job opening a look.

It was an administrative position in their Private Client department (sounded schmancy) and the hours were 9am to 1pm, Mon-Fri.  Score!  I met all the qualifications and I wouldn't have to figure out after-school care for LM!  And whats crazy is that the building is on a street with the same name as my first house address.  Its karma I tell you.  

I was getting discouraged that I wouldn't find anything that fit my weird schedule requirements and out of nowhere came this email.  I hadn't applied because I had never heard of the company…they must have found my resume on Monster Jobs under Part-Time Searching.  Dunno.  What I do know is that the hours are perfect, the ladies in the department are awesome, we get free underground parking, free Starbucks coffee and we get to wear jeans on Fridays.  AND the ladies / department head are just as anti-pantyhose as I am! :D

I have been working longer hours on Mon and Wed because LM catches the van to the Taekwondo after school program we have him signed up for but otherwise I leave at 1-2pm.

On my 4th day of work LM was sick and needed to stay home but The Hubs offered to work from home and watch him (he wasn't feeling too swift either - allergies).  So crisis averted there.  I called at lunch to see how they were doing and LM was in a great mood!  Daddy had taken him to Panera and the frozen yogurt place.  Niiiiccceeee.  I stay home with him and the kid is in bed watching videos all day…Dad stays home and they hit the town. :D

The other day I asked how LM felt about me going back to work and he said, "its good, but I miss you".  I explained that he still sees me before and after school like before but he said he misses me volunteering up at the school on Fridays.  Awww.

I think me being back at work is good for all of us!

Just need to figure out the logistics for summer! 

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday Little Man!!!  Can you believe that we have a 7 year old?!  Crazy!  I remember when he was a baby and people would always say, "enjoy it, they grow up so fast!"  They're right.  

Little Man on the morning of his Birthday!

He's still a good sport about wearing the Birthday hat. :)

The LEGO Movie wii U game!

Hot Wheels track and cars from Aunt Kathi and Uncle Lonnie!

Dinner at PF Changs with Cousin Lindsey, Abby and Ara.

Cat on the gift bag says, "Oh, It's your Birthday?  That's cool I guess, Ya know, I have like seven of those each year, but yeah, whatever".  ha!

LM and Abby

Minecraft figures!!!!

THANKS FOR THE PARTY HORNS LINDSEY!!! :/

The kid kept blowing them.all.the.way.home.

and more soccer.

Getting ready to goalie up!

Happy Birthday Little Man!  We love you!

Spring Break 2014

Spring Break 2014!  Little Man said that he wanted to go see his cousins down in The Woodlands during his vacation so we took 2 days for a quick down and back.  

While we were there we visited with our friends, The Hurleys, and met their new little guy, Keegan!  So cute!

                                   Little Man and Keegan

LM says, "I liked him!  He was heavy!"

A quick run to our breakfast place when we lived in Houston.

Harrys!  Best Migas!

Driving back up to the hotel in the The Woods from Houston, we hear from the backseat, "Um, Mom…"

LM had pulled his tooth that had been hanging on FOREVER! 

LM putting his tooth under his pillow

Waking up to find a dollar from the Tooth Fairy!

LM and his cousins!

Cade, Conley, LM and Rylan!

Back home...

LM enjoying some blue ice cream!

Thanks Daddy!

AND!

Soccer!

LM in the black sleeves!

Hope everyone had a great Spring Break!

Whats Up!

Snow!   That is one thing we missed while living in Houston.  Oklahoma always had snow and it was so nice just sitting and watching it fall.  Ahhhhh!  Nice that we get it here in Dallas too!

 Little Man chilling with The Henry.  

LM with his friend Grant.  Class picture day at school and they happened to wear the exact same outfit!  Too funny!  They're in different classes so that helped with the twins situation. :D

We're going to have new gutters put up and paint the exterior of our house soon!  Right now we have about 5 different swatches painted on the back of the house.  Sigh….who knew it was so exhausting and frustrating picking a paint color!  Too pink, too green, too light, too dark, etc.  Will reveal the final choice when we have it!

current greenish base, white trim, black shutters

This Saturday is LM's last basketball game of the season and its been great!  Some of the kids on his team are doing layups and 3 pointers!  LM has been great as a guard!  He gets in there and distracts the other team's players while they're dribbling allowing for steals!  

Grant, Ian, Eli, Andrew, Julian, Aiden, LM, Blake and Jett.

Will keep you "posted" on whats up with us!

Picture Catch Up, etc!

Finally had to take time to sit down and catch up on my blog!  When Little Man was younger, I took pictures of EVERYTHING and blogged about EVERYTHING that happened.  Now I find myself thinking, Man!  I forgot to take pictures or I should have posted something about that in the blog….but life is going 100 mph and I'm holding on for dear life!  Ack!

I'm WAY overdue in updating so here is a 100 mph catch up!  whew!

Thanksgiving...was great!  Lots of family in from all over, eating, drinking, celebrating together!  Good times!  No pics! (I know…what is wrong with me!)

Elfie, Bear and Mini Christmas Sock Monkey were caught playing with the remote control jeep!

Christmas…well, lets just say it wasn't on the top 5 list of our best Christmases.  Helped out with LM's class Christmas party on Dec. 19th.  His Winter Break started on Friday, Dec. 20th and BOOM he has the flu (high fever and all) for the next 4 days.  Dec. 23rd/24th - Husband is sick.  Dec. 25th/26th - I wake up with a fever but manage to throw Christmas dinner in the crock pot, take a couple of pictures of LM opening gifts (all blurry) and go back to bed for the rest of the day.  Dec. 26th - Husbands Birthday we all seemed to be better so we plan on going to visit family in Tulsa the next day.

 

Henry playing with one of his gifts Christmas morning….probably the only pic that wasn't blurry.

Trip to Tulsa…Great to see everyone but it was a quick visit.  We were still getting our energy back, other family members had recently been sick and were still recovering and another became ill while we were there…..flu season sucks!

New Years Eve…Relaxing night at home.  Husband and I broke out the champagne and of course sparkling grape juice for LM...in a real champagne class!  He thought he was so cool!  Kept asking for more "champagne"….until he vurped! (vomit/burp) So Gross!  The kid can't hold his grape juice!  :D  I'm sure all the sweets he had that day didn't help.  But he did make it until 10p before we had to carry him to bed!

Pre-Vurp

And now on to the Rainbow Loom Craze. LMs cousin R had the RL during a visit last year but around Thanksgiving we noticed the girls at his school sporting the RL bracelets.  Apparently they make them then trade them.  And now the boys are getting into it too!  We bought a cheap knock off loom (FUN LOOM) at CVS because I wasn't sure it was something he would like after a week. 

A month later we're researching how to make complex bracelets and key chains on YouTube!  A friend of mine said she found a Mincraft RL bracelet tutorial on YouTube…and thats all it took for me to jump on that like a rat on a cheeto!  LM loves Minecraft and wanted to make something (cough - Mom gets to make it) so I spent the next hour watching the video and trying to make this thing….finally finished and LM was so stoked!  He wore it to school the next day to show his friends and then stuck it in a drawer when he got home…doesn't want to lose it!  Are you kidding me?!

 Minecraft Creeper bracelet!

Henry the Dog is doing well.  Nothing eventful there, although he did kill another lizard the other day.  Its been at least 7 months since his last victim and I've been careful to scan for sunbathing lizards before letting him loose in the backyard….alas, he grabbed one while I was inside.  RIP poor thing.

Me and Henry, The Lizard Slayer

Usually he doesn't lick me in the face and I discourage it…you know lizard guts, crotch licking and all but he snuck this one in. EW!  I thought he was just going to sniff me!

LM playing basket ball (#3).

This is LMs first experience with basketball.  Lots of running back and forth.  I think guard is his best position, and he gets to throw the ball back in which he thinks is pretty cool.

Me:  I've made the decision to go back to work after 7 years of being a homemaker and its SCARY!  But, I've put together a Linkedin page and a Monster Jobs profile.  Was nervous about my first job  interview since 2004 but it went well!  Was offered the position before I left their office but due to the pay rate being less than ideal, I had to decline.  So….the search continues.  

Head shot!

Do I look professional to you? :D

Hope your 2014 is off to a great start!

Picture Catch Up!

It's almost Thanksgiving and I figured I better post some sort of update because who knows if I'll get some pics during the holiday.  :D

We took Little Man to the Home Depot Kids Build thing that they have the first Saturday of every month.  LM thought it was so cool that he could build something and paint it any way he wanted.  

The kids also get to keep their apron to use for future builds and receive a pin (or "flair") for their apron upon completion of the project.  Pretty cool!

Me holding the boat while LM hammered in the nails - I was pretty nervous about getting whacked with the hammer folks!

The finished project!

LM playing on the phone with Daddy.

Flag Football season is officially over!  The Prairie Creek Panthers came in 4th Place (not too shabby!)!

My friend Leigh Ann made the boys jersey cookies with their numbers on them!  So cute!

Final team huddle!  Yay Panthers!

Can't wait to see all the family at Thanksgiving!!!