Thats Not My Name!

Before I start with my blog about this weekend you might have noticed I added a playlist. I did this the other night and found some songs that were college favorites and thought some of you might enjoy them. For this blog I choose a special song to play first, so the song will be starting soon and if you don't want the songs to play turn off your sound or go down to the bottom of the blog and disable the playlist if you choose. Enjoy!
Now to the reason for the title of this blog - as I was putting something away in my bedroom today and Tate walked in. As usual he was wanting me to look at something he was doing or wanted me to get something for him, but instead of the usual "Mom!" I was surprised with a new title. Out of my little boy's mouth came "Darc!" I wasn't sure I heard him right so I asked, "Whats my name?" and again he came back with "Darc." We went through this a couple times before I realized my little copycat was not going to call me Mom and I should just give up. I thought I had won the battle when later he called me Mom, but was soon one-upped again when he called me "Darc". Seriously? This kid might be the end of me!

Teagan had her first t-ball game on Friday. Everyone did well especially for the first game. The kids are always excited to start, but as the game goes on you see more dirt piles growing and more gloves on the wrong hand!

Good form - we owe that to the coaching!

Rounding 3rd and heading home.

Gavin getting ready to bat

Madox took a healthy cut at this one, but got ahold of one on the next swing

Brad cleaned out the garage today and Tate discovered that Teagan's Dora jeep actually moves. He was content letting Teagan ride with him for awhile, but was soon cruising around the yard.

So, of course being only 21 months old he has no driving skills. This picture pretty much sums up what Brad, Teagan, and I are doing while Tate is "driving"!

But he does look like a natural!!

We enjoyed some burgers and time with friends tonight. Teagan and Pierce hung out for a little while - she loves being the oldest kid and helping with the young ones. Thanks Blake and Ann!!

The Graduate

Teagan had preschool graduation tonight. I made it through with no tears, but have to admit that when we were getting ready I did start getting a little teary. Especially when my "baby" says "Mom, I am a little nervous, but I am ready for this." What a brave little girl - again, where did my baby go?Here she is

Walking in - no pomp and circumstance, just a little Austin Powers impression. Not sure what that is about.
A little song and dance. I have to admit I was a little worried when I saw that her and Kam were next to each other, but they did awesome!

Teagan, Hannah K., and Jack D.

Teagan and Hannah - the princesses of the class.
Getting her diploma. What a sweetheart - she said she wanted to be a teacher when she grows up. Good girl!!
I guess the next picture like this will be at her highschool graduation. Weird!!

Have a great Friday everyone!! Last day - woo hoo!!! Maybe we'll catch some of you at the ball fields. Summer here we come!

Rain, Rain...

...go away! Teagan was really looking forward to her first t-ball game tonight, but the rain had other ideas. Oh well, there is always Friday. If you are interested in coming let me know and I will tell you when and where.

So I guess this gives me a chance to post a bunch of pictures I took over the weekend.Tate loves to throw anything he can get his hands on, so we are soooo glad he can finally be outside. Way less stuff to break!Yes this glove is on the wrong hand, but he can throw a laser either way. Never mind the fact thats its upside down too!Brad isn't a fan of this, but I think it is adorable. He is ready for t-ball!Aunt Beth sharing her batting secrets!The whole crew playing a game at my parents.Jack tried to convince Tate to pick up the grass he had swept up, but Tate wouldn't have much of that. He decided to take off running - look at that form! He's got Schaefer speed - poor kid!Grandma decided to watch a movie with the kids. After the parents had a couple of drinks we were wondering why everything was so quiet. She had it all under control!

Teagan's new obsession is playing restaurant. She went through this earlier in the school year, but now she likes to try and write down the orders herself. A little dress up outfit...

and cheap help - she is ready for business!

Tate got a new hat for summer. He is really good about wearing them, so we wanted one that would last. I made the mistake of telling him to say cheese - theres no turning back after that!At least you can see the hat in this one!Now he is getting ticked! Its time to be done before I get that cup chucked at my head!

Hopefully by Saturday I will have some Teagan pictures to share from t-ball. Have a great rest of the week! Its Wednesday!!!

Over the legal limit

As we celebrate this Memorial weekend we are constantly reminded to stay safe and know our limits. This rings true for my kids too! Teagan drank a ridiculous amount of keg root beer at a graduation.
Tate was well over his limit of sugar too. I would hate to see what that breathalyzer would show! Here is just how "impaired" he was!

My camera stopped recording otherwise you would have seen Tate sprinting up and down the hallway, running full force into the closet door and then on-top of Brad and Teagan sitting on the floor. He was on fire!!

In all seriousness, take a minute out of your day today to remember those who have sacrificed everything so that we can enjoy this life we have.

Random rants and raves

What am I going to watch now?

Now that Dancing with the stars is over I am wondering what is going to take over the TV in my house. I am thinking I will definately be DVRing the new Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Supposedly 2 of the housewives are pregnant - can't wait to see those baby showers!!

http://www.starmagazine.com/teresa_giudice_jacqueline_laurita_pregnant/news/15624

I also read that Project Runway got past their lawsuit and is going to start again, but on Lifetime (or Oxygen - can't remember which)

I love Heidi!! She is what I think I could look like if I had personal assistants, hair and make-up, millions of dollars, and a great body. Really, I think that is all it would take!!

Bubble pizza recipe

I tried out a new recipe for bubble pizza tonight and it went over well. I found it on the Mealtime Mommies blog. It is super easy and the kids liked it. Here is the link:

http://mealplanningmommies.blogspot.com/2009/01/tuesday-night-bubble-pizza.html

Brad's birthday

The hubby celebrates the big 32 tomorrow. He is a prime example of "you are only as old as you act". Last weekend for example - I don't think any of us were remotely close to our age range!! No big plans for tomorrow - work and then to my parent's for supper. My sister is back from her Mayterm trip, so we decided to celebrate her homecoming and Brad's birthday. Then its off with friends Saturday night. Plans are changing a little, but no matter where we end up it is always a good time!

Graduation costs

Just when I thought I was done buying graduation cards and gifts we get another invite today. #11 - yes 11!! I am thinking that I am going to spend more on other people's kids than I will on mine!! What is that all about? Oh well, I make up for it with eating their food!!

Have a great Friday!!

What can you do with $20?

Anyone who knows me well (and most of you do) know that I love a good deal. I rarely buy anything full price and I wanted to share some of my $20 dollar (and under) deals.

So I painted these blocks I found at Michael's ( $.79 each) with the brown spray paint I used on my table in the living room. I hung them up with sticky squares from Dollar Tree. They are hanging above my toilet. I am sure one day I will find one at the bottom of the stool, but thats the price I pay for being cheap! Not bad for under $7.

I bought this chrome shower rod (not even on sale), but the towels were each $2. 50 and the towel bar was only $5, which put me right at $20. And to top it off I think the bathroom is pretty much done.

A couple accessories to finish off the countertop. The jar was $5, the kleenex holder was $8, I already had the star, and the plate was $2 (clearance at Gordman's - love that place!)

I blogged about this frame earlier, but didn't know what I wanted to do with it. I got it for $10 at Kohls, but found this print on the square at von Essen. They were having a sidewalk sale and it was only $5. It is hanging in my bedroom and looks pretty nice.

This was my deal of the week last week. All 3 pairs of capris for Teagan were $3 each and the shirts were $3 each also. Tate's shirts were $3 and $1. Everything for $19. Yea for me!! Bad for the checking account. No matter how good the deals are sometimes you just need to leave them on the shelf. I can't do it with clothes for the kids.

Honestly the main reason for bragging about what I can get for $20 is to share with everyone what my husband gets for $20. Guess what it is:

absolutely nothing!! He paid for this game of pepper - $18 to be exact. By hey - just having a great (and obsene) time with friends is worth every penny!!!

The writing on the wall

Today started out a little differently than most. Tate woke us with the usual "Mommy, are you?", so I rolled out of bed and went to his room. He was standing at his crib and said,"Mommy, pee-pee, foot, leg." I picked him up felt his pjs and they weren't wet - what a faker! Actually, not so much. As I unzipped him I discoverd clear gel all over his tummy and as I got him all the way undressed I found even more down his legs! Poor kid - his diaper was so wet it "popped" at the top and little gel pieces were everywhere. If you have never seen this stuff it is like trying to wipe cottage cheese off a counter - it just spreads!

Needless to say I stood him up, brushed off as much as I could and had Brad put him in the tub. Luckily it vacuumed well and I was off to the next task - laundry. As I was taking off Tate's pjs I noticed some gel so I decided to turn them inside out to get out any extra - this is when I figured out why Tate was saying "feet". All the gel had collected in the feet of his jamas - a good palm full in each! Gross! Poor kid - I can't imagine how uncomfortable that was. Oh, the daily adventures of parenting (and being 20 months old)!!

So after everything was picked up Teagan and Brad headed to the course to set up our new shed. While they were busy with that I decided to hang pictures in my livingroom. I had been waiting to paint the wall, but wasn't getting very far and I just wanted it done so here it is:

I need to add something to the bottom left and of course need to fill most of the frames. Not to worry - I have about $60 worth of pictures sitting in my Kodak Gallery cart!!

I put these up in the bathroom after I finished painting. I really like them. I didn't want to put up any artwork above the sink, but also didn't want to leave it blank. This fits perfectly.

Brad and the kiddos got me this arrangement last week for Mother's Day and they still look beautiful - great work Amy!! Just wanted to show them off. For all the complaining I do I am a pretty lucky lady. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Together time

The kids and I decided to spend some quality time together Thursday afternoon. Good thing we did because today is disgusting!!

We had a "picnic" in the garage. I don't know what it is about not sitting at a real table, but Tate will eat all of his food!

Then it was outside for some posing and silliness! I love how shy Tate looks and how "out there" Teagan is!

Tate showing off his moves

This is seriously the best picture I got of both of them. Its not like they are even looking in the sun - they are both saying cheese. And once Tate starts saying it he doesn't stop and neither does the crinkled up face!

I love black and white pictures, so you have to bear with me. This was in the van on the way to Des Moines last weekend.

So was this. Tate was cuddling with his "banket" and trying to sleep.

Once everyone was past napping it was rock star time! Teagan loves these glasses!

Tate is pretty good about wearing his too. He loves this Thomas book - thanks Griff!!