Say What?

Bird says some pretty funny things, like...

1. Momma! There's a one-nation dog on my fire hat!
(Translation: There's a dalmatian dog on my fire hat!)

2. Momma, let's read that Nanoneen book about the scary toast.
(Translation: Let's read that Halloween book about the scary ghost.)

3. To infinity and be gone!
(If you know anything about Toy Story, Buz Lightyear specifically, you know the correct saying is "To infinity and beyond!")

4. Look! There's a zizard on the sidewalk!
(Zizard is Birdspeak for lizard.)

5. Can we go outside? I want to work in the yard with my brake.
(Translation: brake = rake. And yes, he loves yard work. Let's hope that continues.)

6. (whispering and tip-toeing) Let's sneak up like skunks. They're quiet. And then, (now shouting with hands in the air) THEY SPRAY PEOPLE WITH THEIR STINKY SPRAY!! (sigh) I wish I was a skunk.
(I have absolutely no idea why he wanted to compare his "sneakiness" to that of a skunk. He comes up with some very strange similes.  And I definitely not sure why he wants to be a skunk.... )

Life With My Littles

Just a few random moments from life with my littles.

1. With 2 curious little boys, each day is like a living, moving illustration from a library book entitled "Toddlers Love Transportation." Be ready at all times to open the blinds to gander at the passing garbage trucks, run out on the driveway to hear the nearby train whistle, and stop the car to check out a parked tractor.

 

On the way to swim lessons, Bird spotted a tractor.

Of course, we had to pull over so he could check it out.

2. Mom's current workout routine consists of bending over to pick up toys or a crying baby, lifting heavy loads of laundry, and hurdling over childproof gates.

I give him about 1 more week until he has this gate down.

3. Pretend play is great for kids! It enables Mom to get things done! It builds kids' creativity! Even if it entails your son stealing all your cooking utensils to play redneck kitchen.

Bird mixes his soup with his shotgun barrel.

4. Toughness training for the littlest can be difficult at times, but it's a necessary evil if he is to survive through the formative years. Plus, I haven't found a crash helmet small enough for an 11 month-old.

Bird claimed he was "awwesting" Levi

5.  Eating dinner as a family is important. Dinner table rules:
- Eat your vegetables.
- No throwing food.
- Keep phone conversations short.

Bird taking a call from his "worker men" during diner.

6. The 2 hour stretch from 1 to 3pm (aka naptime) is a time to be protected and cherished, but the minute the clock numbers show 5:00 and Daddy returns home from work, the golden hour has arrived.

Singing & Dancing with Daddy wearing mixing bowl hats.

Fourth of July Fun

I really can't remember spending an entire 4th of July weekend indoors, but we did this year! Since it was monsooning outside, the annual picnic at Dude's in Oostanaula was cancelled. Jacin insisted that we eat hot dogs anyway, so we improvised and went to Granny & Pawpaw's to eat hotdogs for lunch (inside).

Sitting on the 4 wheeler under the carport with Pawpaw

 

Eating brownie & ice cream with Granny

Later that night, we had the Witts over for dinner. Jacin and Jason cooked burgers in the pouring down rain while the kids played inside. Jackson Bird and Lucy had a great time chasing each other and screeching. Ruby played with Levi, and 2-week old Baby Clay shamelessly snuggled with whomever would hold him. Jacin and Jason enjoyed talking in the kitchen, and Kim and I attempted to carry on an conversation but were significantly hindered by the raucous racket produced by Jackson & Lucy. A good time (and meal!) was had by all!!

Jacin grilling in the rain. It was a toad-strangler!

Sweet Ruby playing with Levi

JBird & Lucy caught in a rare moment of relative stillness

Playing with baby Clay's carseat & Bird's pirate sword

On Friday, I took the boys and went to the lake to spend the weekend with my family. Jacin had to stay at home because he was on call. Considering the rainy weather outside and the close quarters inside, the boys did pretty well on Friday. Then on Saturday morning, we were awakened by a surprise! Daddy had come! At the last minute Jacin was able to switch call with a work partner and come up to the lake! That made a good weekend GREAT! Despite the weekend-long deluge, we enjoyed inside time with Great Gran & Quincy, Kathy & Jack, Aunt Sarah & Uncle Russell, Aunt Laney (or Aunt Waney as Bird calls her), and of course Meme & Rayray.

Ridin the wave-runner during a brief break in the rain

Enjoying some indoor rough housing with Aunt Laney

Aunt Kathy entertaining Levi with her funny British & Irish accents

The rain stopped long enough to watch the fireworks!

Sparklers with my Levi Bug

My big boy doing his own sparkler

I'm so thankful to live in a free country. God has truly blessed America (and me). May America (and I) bless God!

Bug's 1st HairCut

At 11 months old, my little Levi Bug had his first haircut today. His hair is only thick in certain places, and it had gotten long over his ears and at his neck, so I decided to get it cleaned up a bit. Suffice it to say that the experience was exhausting and I felt like I should have paid the lady much more than the standard $12 Great Clips price.  Levi was a monkey! He squirmed, tried to get out of my lap, turned around backwards and forwards... everything EXCEPT sit still. The end result looks good, but not super different, which is probably best. I'm getting a bit overwhelmed at how quickly he's growing up, and I'm not sure I could have handled a complete baby-to-little boy transformation yet.

I'm holding his cheeks on both sides. He didn't like it.

Squirming.

Trying to distract him with a squirt bottle. Didn't last long.

He's trying to climb over my shoulder.

He finally gave in and sat still for her to trim the back.

Happy to be done.

And special thanks to Granny for being our photographer, taking us swimming, and treating us to lunch! We love you!

Special Agent Dishwasher Monkey

Levi Bug is officially a rascal. He has now identified the things that are off limits, and those itmes seem to be the only things he wants to play with. The trash can, the rocks in the fireplace, the DVD player, the lamp cords, and the dishwasher. All "No No's" that have recently become favorite play things.

It's kinda ridiculous how fascinated he is with the dishwasher. When it's not open, he crawls through the kitchen, pulls up to stand in front of the dishwasher, and pounds on it while chattering nonsense (much of which sounds like "Annt! Annt!" - the "no no" sound). When it's open, he turbo-crawls into the kitchen to be a part of the action. Even if he's in the den busy playing with something else, the minute he hears a dish rattle into the drawers of the dishwasher, he's there.

I feel like emptying the dishwasher has become a covert chore requiring skills of stealthy precision so as not to awaken the attention of the Dishwasher Monkey. Once he's alerted to the operation, all bets are off.

Here are some pictures of this sneaky yet smiley special agent in action. One of the most dangerous things about Agent Dishwasher Monkey is the absolute joy he takes in his missions of disruption. Be warned - his smile may disarm even the most seasoned field agent. Stay alert and stick to your dish brush. A firm "No No!" usually disables him and brings him to tears.

A Great Workout

In an effort to be healthier, I've been trying to exercise more. I'm a few months into a "Couch to 5K" program (and yes, it's only supposed to take 6 weeks. I'm 3 months into it. I do each week's workout for several weeks. I'm a slow learner. Give me a break.).

Running is definitely not my thing. In fact, I really prefer not to do it at all unless someone scary is chasing me. I would much rather walk. And this leads me to share with you one of my workout secrets. Want a GREAT workout? Here's the answer (and no, you won't find this in any fitness magazine or on pinterest, so pay attention): power-walk the path at the park while pushing 56 pounds in front of you. You may feel (and look) a bit odd, like you're training for some strange Olympic event, but trust me - this really works up the sweat and burns the calories!

Here's a pic of the 56 pounds I push while walking:

It may look like a simple double stroller, but I assure you that it's much more. This product comes equipped with all the bells and whistles. Here are the detailed specs for this model:

The front 21 pounds includes 10 cute baby toes that hang over the side of the unit while in motion; 10 chubby yet sweet fingers that beat on the front bar and wave at passers-by, and one loud little mouth that squeals delightfully at various, unexpected times. 

 

The rear 35 pounds of this model includes one hat and pair of sunglasses (no matter the weather), 2 dangling feet that randomly rest on the unit's wheeles (significantly increasing the push power needed), a set of 2 blue eyes that see E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G., and one mouth that constantly issues random topics of conversation and endless questions throughout the entire workout period.

It really is the best workout ever. As a satisfied customer, I can guarantee that by the end of your workout, you'll be covered in sweat and exhausted (not just physically). But, if you're considering purchasing a model similar to this one, I must share this one caution:
WARNING: The rear 35 pounds of this unit does NOT have an off switch, volume toggle, or mute button. Anyone wanting a quiet period of exercise should NOT use this product.

Quinoa Casserole (and Ritz crackers)

So I've read a few articles on this stuff called Quinoa. No, I don't know how to pronounce it. My friend Holly has been trying to teach me, but the minute I walk away from her I forget. Anyway, it's a grain that cooks and tastes like white rice but is much better for you. I've wanted to try it, and receiving some for free spurned me on. Thanks, Holly!

I found a recipe for Broccoli Quinoa Casserole and thought I'd give it a go. I added chicken to mine to make it a complete meal. And.... (drumroll, please!)...... it was a success (meaning Jacin and I liked it, there wasn't any leftover, but we'll be making it again soon). But I must admit the term "success" has its limits, defined mainly by Jackson Bird.

Our Pre-Dinner Conversation:
Bird: What are we having for dinner?
Me: This really yummy chicken stuff. You'll love it!
Bird: Nope. I don't want it.
Me: How do you know? I've never even tried it before, but I'm super excited about it. I really think you're gonna like it!
Bird: Nope. I hear my tummy saying it doesn't want it. Hot dog, please.
Me: No. You tell your tummy that we don't eat hot dogs for dinner. We eat what Momma puts on the table.
Bird: Then I'm not eating at the table! (Runs to the den and is then hauled back to the table by Daddy.)

Our During-Dinner Conversation:
Bird: Yuck. I'm not eating this.
Daddy: Listen, I'm not real excited about eating this either, son, but we eat what Momma cooks and we say thank you. (He says all of this while totally missing the look of incredulity on my face.)
Daddy continues (holding out a spoonful of casserole): try this bite please. Now.
Bird: (in tears) Ok, but my tummy doesn't want it. (He eats a bite and gags, but gradually manages to eat and swallow some down, probably because he's bribed by the promise of a Ritz cracker in exchange for each bite successfully chewed and swallowed. No up-chucking allowed.)

Our After-Dinner Conversation:
Me: So what did you guys think of that?
Bird: I liked the crackers.
Daddy (after 3 servings): I love that stuff - however you say it. When can we have that again?

And that, my friends, is what you call a success. And a lesson learned along the way: never underestimate the power of a Ritz cracker.

The recipe I used: http://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/blast-from-the-past-with-a-new-twist/