A new "do"

Hair is a subject of some angst for many parents. They want their children perfectly coiffed. They want their little boys having perfect "do's" with spikes and gelled front bangs. They style their children's hair for them into faux hawks and all kinds of craziness. While I think it's cute, I don't have time for that (for the most part). My boys are ... well... BOYS! They don't want their hair "done" for them. They want to wet it (to remove the bedhead), brush it and go on their way. I HAVE styled Josh's a few times at his request...and it looks good but for the most part, it's hair. I could care less. I realize there will be LOTS to argue about and to stand my ground about as a parent. Hair. It just isn't one of those fronts I care to battle on. It's HAIR!

I could care less if my boys wanted a mohawk or if they wanted to grow it long and wear it in a pony tail. My only caveats -- I need to see your eyes and don't wear it so long you're constantly flicking it sideways like you have some kind of tic.

Josh wanted to get his hair cut before school so I said, "Want to do it yourself?" I gave him the clippers and we went to the back porch. Here's what followed:

Before:


The first cut


The first viewing




Almost finished... half hawk.


The finished product


Of course, he had a small audience in the back yard. Andy and Ben...


and..

Andy, Ben and Drew

A great blog and a featured giveaway

I keep this blog for me and mine but on occasion, I think it's fair to note that there are some pretty fantastical blogs out there written by some equally amazing women. One of my favorites, that you see linked here every Thursday is The Mommy Files. She is the host of Thankful Thursdays.

While I encourage you to each participate in remembering what you're thankful for, I never mentioned that another of the features of her blog is incredible product reviews and giveaways. And, one of her current reviews is resulting in a GIVEAWAY! I know... a giveaway. But, not just any giveaway! It's a Leapster product giveaway! I know.... I was like... WOW! I have to tell the world about this.

Frankly, I don't just go blog hopping to enter giveaways. There are lots out there doing reviews and giveaways to get lost in this for, but I simply don't have time for that. I am, however, all for entering to win a product that actually would be a beneficial asset to the household and one that could be passed down to someone else in the family to enjoy it too!

So, here is the link to this fun giveaway! I hope you enter but ... I don't hope you win. :) Ha ha!

Big Ben

Just thought I'd share some photos I snapped today of my little man... Big Ben




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Special Days

As a mom, I always love ideas about how to incorporate more FAMILY TIME into my days and, of course, how to make my children feel more special every day.

One thing we do is to have "Celebrate _____ Day" each month for the boys. On the day of their birth each month, we "celebrate" them by letting them choose a meal or do something special. It's not a gift giving frenzy or an excuse to spend... just a way to let hte boys know that they are special not only on their birthday but all year through.

My friend, Vicki, has another thing they just started: 5 Things. Each night before bed, the kids or the parents go through 5 things that are positive and good about that child. It could have been 5 things good about the day...or things they're good at. But what a way to eand their day on a note of positivity! I think I'll start trying that tonight.

Five Question Friday

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up to My Little Life (below)!

1. What is one thing you miss the most about childhood? One thing... yeah, right! Honestly, I miss having really close friends. You know, the kind you quanitify as in, she's my BEST friend. And she's my "bestest" friend.

When I was a kid, the days seem like they lasted forever.

We didn't worry about "grown up stuff."

We never considered our best friends might move away.

Everything seemed much simpler then.

I think it's just the complete lack of "adult" responsibility and the total idea of trying to cram as much fun into one day as possible.

We would leave the house in the morning and were told to be home when the porch light came on. Do that now with MY children? FUGGETABOUT IT! I can't imagine not knowing where my children are. Child predators, kidnapping, exploitation and all that crazy crap... you have to be a mother hen (to some degree)... As such, I feel they'll never know that real freedom of youthful summers.

BUT, if I have to pick one thing... it's my grandma. She WAS my best friend. She taught me to cook.. and clean.. and sew (not that I can very well, but that's not the point).. to crochet (not that I remember doing anything other than really long chains!) and cared for me and cried for me and loved me and... she was so amazing. I miss her.

2. Are you still friends with your friends from high school? Thanks to Face Book, isn't everyone?


3. Is there a catch phrase, cliche, or word that just drives you bonkers every time you hear it? "Psyche." I can't believe people still say that.


4. What is one thing that you think symbolizes America...besides "Old Glory"? Man, I could SO go downhill with this because of the OBAMANATION that's currently happening...but I'll keep it on the lighter side and think... The Statue of Liberty. We take in everyone... and we don't care how bad it makes it for the rest of us. Just send us everyone and we'll provide. Yeah... what an American way.


5. What are your 4th of July weekend plans? Well, seeing that I have a temperamental 3 month old who enjoys his baths between 8 and 9pm...is ready to be put into clean jammies and rocked for 38.5 minutes after which he anticipates clean sheets in which to slumber peacefully on, I will be taking care of Captain Pampers. Andy, however, is taking the boys to see a BIG fireworks show on Saturday and then to some family friends house who have a big party every years with a water slide and Andy lets the boys light their own fireworks.

Come join the fun each Friday at My Little Life

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. When it's quiet, I am at peace.
2. Too soon my house will be silent of the children of summer, in what seems like a month.
3. My heart is so thankful for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me...like little Benjamin rocking in my lap.
4. Drew's 6th birthday is in July.
5. In the town where I was born has really gone downhill because of all the illegal immigrants.
6. The humbleness within is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with the hubs/chitlins, tomorrow my plans include lunch with the in laws and a fireworks show for the older two and Sunday, I want to relax and clean the castle!

Thankful Thursday

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “T.”

Happy Thursday!


I'm thankful for:

• Toddlers -- not that I have one right now but they certainly make life more interesting and fun with them around!


• Texas -- we're a proud state! We're a big state! We are Texans.... hear us roar!


• Television -- Because sometimes, it's a great babysitter when I have a "me" moment... and I get to watch Paula Deen!


• Teachers -- what better way to truly impact the future than by teaching it!


• Truck drivers -- without them, my husband wouldn't have a job


• Terriers -- like my little Lola! Boston Terrier!


• T-shirts - because right now they're the majority of my wardrobe! They're comfy, you can just throw on a baseball cap and be ready. They're comfortable. They're versatile.


• Tigger -- does he even need an explanation. He's bouncy. He's pouncy. He's fun fun fun fun fun... the most wonderful things about Tiggers is that he's the only one.


• Tact - I'm thankful that most of my family possess it...wish more did.


• Tomatoes - This is one of my favorite fruits of summer. Fresh, wonderful tomatoes.


• Travel - I love a getaway to the mountains, hiking trails and nature.


• Telephones - And while I tell everyone my cell phone is for MY convenience, NOT yours, I do appreciate being able to use it when I want to.


• Take-out - because many times we wouldn't eat a hot meal without it!


• Turtles - two varieties (1) the cute little pond dwellers, because they're so fun to look at and feed and (2) the kind that are made up of pecans, caramel and covered in chocolate. I'm a girl that does NOT crave chocolate but I do crave a good turtle!


• Tin Ceiling Tiles - I love the look of this!


• Tastebuds - man, could you IMAGINE not being able to TASTE your food? Geez, that'd suck!


• Tombstone - One of my favorite movies of all times! I love Val Kilmer saying, "I'm your huckleberry." I can quote so many lines from this movie, it's sick!


• Tea - specifically, SWEET tea. I'm a Texan. We like our tea SWEET!


• Thunderstorms - I love storms just as long as they're not tornadic.


• Technology - while I don't understand any of it, I do appreciate it and am thankful for it!


• Thanksgiving - I love getting together as a family for the sole purpose of being thankful.


• Toilets - because the alternative ... is... not pleasant


• Toy Story - I love 1, 2 and I can't WAIT to see 3! Tom Hanks is awesome as is Tim Allen!


• Tortilla chips! -We in Texas love our chips and salsa too!

So, there's mine! What are you thankful for? The Mommy Files is where you'll find this great Thursday link-up. Join us in being thankful!