i ♥ faces - Week 4 - 'Texture'

This week's iheartfaces photo challenge theme is 'Texture' which can be interpreted many ways. My interpretation incorporates the various faux furs that my daughter, Audrey, was donning this past Saturday as we ventured out into the snow to build her very first Snowman.
There are many, many awesome entries this week over at www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com so make sure to head on over and check them out!

tough as nails

Trust me, this little DUDE is as tough as nails!
I know I wouldn't event think of messing with him.
No way! Uh uh. Nottachance!
I suppose you are wondering where on Earth this swell outfit came from. Well, yesterday we were cleaning out closets and drawers and this is the 'ensemble' that my little tough guy came up with!
He had so much fun wearing this outfit that he was more than willing to let me snap as many pictures as I darn well pleased.
He even pulled out a little Kung Fu action!
His sister wasn't quite sure what to think of him, but he sure was pretty proud of himself.
He liked the get-up so much that when he took his clothes off for bath time, he asked me if he could wear the same exact same thing the next day!
I convinced him that it would be better to wear his Vikings jersey on Sunday since the Vikes are playing gonna whoop-up on the Saints!
He thought that sounded like a mighty fine idea so that is what we did immediately after he woke up this morning...put on the outfit! Oh yeah, don't worry. I got pictures of that too and will be sharing those soon.
Until then, this little tough guy needs his beauty rest!

The Real Deal

Remember this post where I entered my 'Best Face' photo of Audrey into the iheartfaces photo challenge?
Well, it wasn't as easy as it looked to get a good, usable picture for that contest. Not that it wasn't fun trying. As a matter of fact, it was a blast1 Here is just a taste of the other fun (and funny) photos that came out of that little photo shoot.
This is her 'great big' face...you know, like when she is talking about a great big bowl of ice cream...
...or a great big piece of cake. What can I say, she likes her sweets just like her Mama!
Just one more piece!
The 'fine, be that way!' face is always a classic as well.
Ha, ha, ha...very funny, little Missy!
'Hey, look at me. I'm cute.'
Next came the scream and laugh attack!Okay, now lets get down to business looking cute again.Nahhhhh!Alright, maybe one last cute one. Just for you!

Baiting the Birds

This is the blog post that was supposed have the funny title of 'Baiting Feeding the Birds' but since I am html and formatting illiterate, it will just have to be 'Baiting the Birds.'
Why call it 'Baiting the Birds' and not just call it 'Feeding the Birds', you ask?

The simple answer is...

This is why:
Yep, our cat's new favorite past time is to sit directly under the bird feeder and wait for a cute little unsuspecting tweetie like this one:
And then...WHAMO! When that cute little unsuspecting birdie lands on the bird baiter feeder she strikes with her catlike reflexes (HA! Catlike. Get it? Ha, I say! HA!)
*Notice the bird feeder appears to be 'swinging' in the picture and that is because it was. As I was snapping my zoom lens onto my camera Trixie really did jump up and attempt to snatch a little birdie right off of the feeder. I was super bummed I missed the action shot but glad the little birdie got away.

And here is Trixie Pie looking completely busted!
And then she began slinking back towards the house, knowing full well she was gonna be in trouble.
And this is the 'Is it okay to come in the house now or should I wait a few more minutes out here in the freezing cold while you cool down a little in there?' face.
I'd say she's forgiven this time, especially since she is an awesome mouser. Although, I did just fill the bird feeder this evening so we'll see if I am singing the same tune tomorrow when she inevitably 'assumes the position' again.

Da' Spicy-a Meatbols!

Today, the Vikings played the Cowboys in the second round of the NFC North playoffs and let me tell you the Viking's whooped up on the Cowboys!!

But that is beside the point.

After picking the kids up this morning from their sleep over at my Aunt and Uncle's (which by the way they had a BLAST at...Grant even straight up refused to leave, tears and all!) we headed straight over to our friends, Luke and Stacy's to watch the game.

Did I mention the Vikings creamed the Cowboys? Oh yeah, I did mention that already didn't I!?!

Since I am completely incapable of going to someones house without bringing something to eat, I decided to swing by the grocery store to buy a bag of meatballs (can you believe this is the first bag of meatballs I have ever bought?) and give a stab at a recipe my friend Suzi told me about on Friday.

Suzi's recipe called for 1 bag of frozen meatballs, 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup and 1 small can/jar of jalapenos. Since I am also incapable of following a recipe 100% this is what my version of the recipe was:

1 package of frozen meatballs (if you make your own, it equals about 32 - 1" meatballs)
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1/3 of a can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
1/4 of a jar of sliced (tamed) jalapeno peppers - more or less depending on how spicy you want it.
1/4 cup of sour cream

Mix all together in a crock pot and simmer for about 2 hours and voila! So very yummy and with a little kick!
Now dem is some spicy-a meatbols!

Enough, is enough, is enough.

Toys.

When exactly is it that a parent puts down their foot and says...enough, is enough, is enough?
Apparently, I have not reached that point yet. Or, maybe I am just way too much of a 'yes person'.

'Sure, honey...you can get a car when we go to the store, but only if you are good.'

'No, only one car.'

'Grant, I said you can get only ONE car.'

'One car or none...you decide.'

'Hurry up and decide so we can finish up shopping.'

'Yes, honey. That is the coolest car here, now lets get going.'

So, do you think we go to shopping much? (please note that these are not ALL Hot Wheels cars. One tote is 'guys', one is Lego's, two are monster trucks and well...the rest are cars.)

But seriously, when is it that enough, is enough, is enough? Does anyone else have the problem of wanting to spoil your kids rotten fulfill your child's every dream? And I don't just mean toys...I mean like bringing them places all the time, such as the zoo, the amusement park, Space Aliens, Bounce Depot...and the list goes on! Maybe it is because I don't really remember my parents bringing us on 'everyday outings'. Yes, they brought us on family trips to Mt. Rushmore and Disney World, but I really don't recall my my Mom or Dad taking the day off to bring me to the zoo or even just for lunch at McDonalds just because. It was always something that was very planned and didn't happen all too often. Maybe that was just how it was in the 80's and I do have a terrible memory, so it very well could have happened, but the memories don't ring loudly in my head like I hope they do for my children. I want them to feel special and oh so very loved. Deep down I know it's not toys and trips to the zoo that make a child feel loved, but for some reason I feel compelled to spend money in order to make people happy. I have trouble saying no. As a matter of fact, a Boy Scout just knocked on my door about 10 min ago wanting me to buy tickets to a Super Bowl breakfast fundraiser and I LIED to him! I told him that I was sorry but we were going to be out of town that weekend. I know, I am terrible lying to a Boy Scout. Shame on me. I usually give to everyone that knocks at my door but there is a point when you just have to say enough is enough and I hit that wall today!
Now that the Rubbermaid's are all full and we can't possibly find one square inch of our house to stash even one more Matchbox car...maybe I really have finally reached the point of enough, is enough, is enough!

...or maybe I am just really in need of a night out. Thank goodness in about an hour I am bringing the kids (who are currently both napping) over to my Aunt Kala and Uncle Russ' to have a sleep over with my cousin Evan, who is Grant's age. They are so excited! From what I hear they are going to have home made pizza, cake and ice cream, watch Star Wars (the boys) and play lots of Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman on the wii. Right up Grant's alley! And for Duke and I...we are heading to a surprise 40th Birthday party for one of our friends. Can't wait for a night out with my hubby. We could really use the time to reconnect a little, and I always enjoy adult interaction outside of work!

(Great) Grandma

While in Grand Rapids visiting my family over New Years, my brother, sister-in-law and I brought the kids over to visit (Great) Grandma Flo. Grandma to me, Great Grandma to my kids, that is!
As I mentioned in this post, Grandma is now in a nursing home. Previously she had lived in and assisted living apartment so it was new for my kids to see so many other residents. I was so proud of Grant for being a big boy and talking politely to all of the passers by. The residents really get a kick out of all of the kids.
When we first arrived, she didn't recognize all of the kids, mostly because they were all bundled up in hats and coats but also because she has difficulty remembering recent events due to her dementia.
Since Grandma doesn't have much room for gifts, I thought it would be appropriate to give her a calendar that I made with pictures of her Great Grands. I really think she loved it too :)
I especially loved her getting to see Audrey. Grandma has only seen Audrey a couple of times and Gram was pretty sick our last visit in Aug so she basically didn't remember seeing Tootie since she was a baby. These next three pics are very special to me. Just see why for yourself...

I really thought Audrey was going to be scared of Grandma but she proved me completely wrong. She wasn't shy or apprehensive in the least. She was actually more enamored with Grandma than anything. I will surely cherish these pictures forever!
Grandma basically went through and got reintroduced to each of the Great Grands.
Little Logan (who is almost 3 but is super short for his age...you'll see what I mean later on in the post) fell asleep on the ride over and slept like a log through his entire introduction.
We each took our turns visiting with Grandma since she doesn't have the best hearing anymore and it is easiest to talk directly to her while on her right side.
I think she really enjoyed our visit.
Next it was on to taking some group pictures. That is Sam, my oldest nephew on the left, then Aiden the middle nephew, Susan my sister-in-law and of course Grandma.
All the while, Corey was working on waking up little Mister Sleepy-Head.
As you can see, he wasn't all too successful. Keep an eye on him throughout the group pictures. It is sure to make you giggle!
And one of the special lady all by her self but surrounded by love and family...
...oh, and utter craziness!
Logey woke up with a burst of energy and before we knew it he and Audrey began running wildly through the lounge area. I normally wouldn't have allowed this kind of behavior but Grandma was really enjoying watching them having fun so we let it slide for a little while.
See what I mean about Logan being little??? Audrey is 2 years 2 mos in this pic and Logan is 2 years and 11 mos and they could easily be mistake for twins (not identical of course)! To give you an idea of how small they are...Audrey was 24 lbs at her 2 year check up so she really isn't that big and neither is he.They kept running...
...and running.
While we kept visiting...
...and visiting.
And again...
...more running!
Finally, the kids were gingerly told to 'simmer down.' I guess this is their version of simmering!Finally, it was time to say goodbye. The part we always dread coming.
The feelings are always bitter sweet because I love seeing my children get the chance to bond with their last living Great Grand Parent but the haunting thought that it may be their last chance is always lingering in the back of my mind.If, heaven forbid, anything were to happen to Grandma, I take comfort in the fact that my children will have these pictures and this blog to remind them of how wonderful their Great Grandma Flo is!