my life...

So, I've noticed that many bloggers like to share what it is they are currently enriching their minds with (reading)...so, I thought I would do the same. Now, while I would LOVE to tell you all that I am currently completely engrossed in Shakespeare, Thoreau, or better yet...

NOPE! The Cub Scout Handbook is what I have had my nose in...jealous?

And, even more than the educational reading...I wish I could say that this lovely Vera Wang (or something of the like) is what I get to "don" on a somewhat regular basis...I'd take once a year, twice a year, etc...

Oh no...THIS is the cutting edge piece of fashion I get to sport once a month. Again, jealous?

I just keep telling myself that the day will come. One of these days. In the meantime, I will hike up my "mom" jeans, wipe the snot , peanut butter and crackers from the front of my chic scout shirt and go forth and... ???

bye bye...

We are singing the "no more pacifier" song at our house!!!! HALLELUJAH! Little Lizzie has been rather attached to her "bunnypac" (one word...pronounced "bunnypass"). She has a little white bunny that, along with the beloved pacifier, brings her great comfort. Well, the bunny is now flying solo. There is still one more purple pacifier "at large" in our home, and depending on who finds it first...it could be all out war. But for now, I am going to keep on singing my song!!

A beautiful day...

This was a great day to celebrate the 101 years of my Grandma's life. It was fun to be with family, to reunite with cousins, aunts & uncles & old friends, to hear beautiful music, etc. Thanks for letting me share it!

Happy B-Day...

Happy Birthday Hanna Banana!

Wish we were there to give you a B-Day hug!!

A loving tribute...

My cute little Grandma lived to be 101 years old. She was an amazingly strong woman from Norway who left a wonderful legacy: 4 children, 19 grandchildren, lots of great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren. She lived on her own up until just a few days before her passing. She taught me so much about devotion, strength, and perserverance. She always baked yummy treats, too!

For my siblings..."yhaaa!"

For my Grandma: "JEG elske du Bestemoren Olsen. Jeg vil frk. du mye. Takk skal du ha for tilværelse så kraftig!"

Quiet dinner for two...make that three...

Fed the kids early...

cooked a great dinner for two...

oh wait, three...

Happy Valentines Day!

*for dinner details click here*

oh boy...

This started out as a simple "Mom, tape me reading my book." All I can say is listen closely. If you want to get the full effect of this one (and you may not) turn your volume up and listen closely. If you are easily offended by a four year old "potty mouth"...(it's not that bad), sit back and enjoy a chuckle or two. This is the little ray of sunshine that brightens my days. Disclaimer...the sound came from his body...not mine!

they notice EVERYTHING...

So I had just exited the bathroom after applying my make up for the day (which I contemplated rather lengthily...it is Saturday) and one of my kids looked, no stared at me..."What's that black stuff on your eyes?" Now, instantly I start thinking...has it been that long since I put make up on? have I let myself go to the extreme that my nine year old stares (seriously) at me with wonder at what I could have possibly done to my eyes? Then I relax a little, no...I vaguely remember putting make up on atleast a few times last week. So I tell him that. "No, you've NEVER put that on your eyes, before."

I kind of felt like a paid date for a minute and seriously checked it out in the mirror and asked my husband if everything looked ok (a husband ALWAYS knows how to answer this question). Mirror: check, husband: check. For some reason I looked different to him today, and of course that caught on like wild fire with the other brothers... I don't know...I love the honesty of a child!

Oh wait, except for "you're gonna wear that?", "your hair looks funny.", and the all time favorite "your butt is mushy."

In all fairness, I have heard this stuff, too "you look like a princess", "will you marry me when I'm big?", "you're the prettiest mom, ever." (my favorite!!)


So, please share with me the little bits of sweet ( I really mean awful) things your precious little angels have said to you...don't hold back! This recent story from my friend Alison is a classic!

Oh...and for those of you whose kids can't talk yet...BRACE YOURSELVES!!!

friday fashion foto...

I don't know either...

...what I do know is that the little people around here are ALWAYS finding new, different, funny(?)/kinda scarey outfits to sport...and I have too many pics of them to not share.

Score!

So my friend, Jennie and I decided to take our kids to lunch today (we'd heard of a great deal...) There is a new restaurant opening up in our hood towmorrow, and for the past few days their employees have been in training. Technically it is by invitation only, but they are not turning people away to enjoy a FREE meal...you heard me, FREE. Now, I don't mean to sound all cheap here, but taking 6 people out to a sit-down establishment is just not something we do often. IT'S TOO HARD!! So, when a FREE meal is offered (complete with appetizers, dessert, specialty drinks, etc.) I'm soooo in! The kids were in heaven, they got yummy chocolate shakes and a good lunch that did not consist of dinosaur nuggets or pb&j. So, if you live in my area, call me & I'll fill you in on the details...it could save you from having to cook dinner tonight!! AND, when you see a sign on a restaurant that says "Training Today", stop and check it out, you could score the way we did!!! (By the way, our bill was over $60!) Oh, and we should probably be embarrassed about the amount of food we consumed, but quite frankly, we're not...

CRAZY....

We have been going a little crazy at our house lately. Winter is great, but enough already. We feel couped up (as you can tell by the frequency of blog posts), the kids are bored and fighting, I am out of creative ideas to keep everyone busy and happy...and lucky us, the snow isn't going to melt anytime soon. AAAAHHHHHHH! We're just having too much fun for words. No pic of dad...he's taking a nap right now.