Friday, May 28, 2010

It's all {relative}

A couple of weekends ago Mr. D's brother along with his wife and adorable 6mo old baby came for a visit.
The problem with taking pictures of kids is, the more kids you try to cram in, the more you realize you just aren't going to get a good photo of everyone smiling....we gave up.
I'm not lying, this child ALWAYS has her blanket on her head.  Baby R loved Auntie W!  She talked to her, held her arms open to get picked up by her, really took to Auntie W but Uncle W, well that was another story....
Uncle W!  G and Little R loved hangin' w/Uncle W but Baby R just gave him the evil eye every time he came near her.  It was quite humorous.

Darling baby boy!  Baby R was funny with him, she'd crawl over to see him and try to talk to him but when he'd just squawk back, she'd get a confused look on her face.
We ended our weekend by obviously hitting the pool.  This was Baby R's first time in the pool.  All the other times it was during her nap or too close to bedtime.  She was chill the whole time, she loved it (I know she isn't smiling, she really was that chill!)!  She didn't want to get out, she was so relaxed and bobbed around the pool without a care in the world.

Thanks for coming Uncle W and Auntie W and cousin O! 

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I miss it...

I miss how adorable Little R looked when she was completely bundled up.
(Gooseberry Falls)
I miss seeing how G would come to life when we'd visit Lake Superior.
I miss my house.  This was an amazingly, perfect house for us.  Best layout, best yard-we had a waterfall in the landscape up front that was so soothing to sit on the front porch and listen to but Mr. D said we all looked like "porch monkeys" so it was usually just me and the kiddos.
I miss the fact that our perfect house backed right up to the woods and there was a gorgeous trail that had a spring running along side it.
I miss that the spring along the trail would make giant puddles in areas that were perfect for throwing stones in.

And last but never least, I miss all my friends!  Love you guys!!!!!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I'm hooked!

OMG!  I HAVE to have a party now, how adorable are these mini gumball machines?  You could use them as centerpieces or place your guests name card on it.  Anyway you look at it, these are a must have at only $3.25 a piece, they won't break the bank!  They come in blue (shown), black and red courtesy of http://www.beau-coup.com/

Summer Bit Me!

I LOVE giving party favors and gifts whenever I get the chance.  So how adorable is it to give your summer bbq guests a little gift bag with a fan and designer damask sunscreen sticks?  Seriously, your guests will love the fans sitting in the heat and the sunscreen is (well should be!) a staple everyone uses!  I'm feeling a summer evening party coming on at my house with the essence of sparkling raspberry lemonade!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

U.S.A
Ok, it's almost time for some true Americana backyard bbq's.  If you are the lucky one that will be the hostess of one of these All American festivities whether it's Memorial Day, 4th of July or if in Utah, the 24th of July why not do your "tablescape" as above?  How simple and adorable is this idea of just a plain, red galvanized bucket with watermelons and Gerber Daisies?  All you have to do is slice the top off the end of the watermelon, slip in your Gerber Daisy stems and guess what, all that sugar keeps them looking fresh longer than your Mother's Day Bouquet!  So go ahead, get out the croquet set, get some watermelons and make your holidays this summer an All American fireworks extravaganza!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Dear Oscar....

How pretty are these gorgeous couture dresses?
The trendy ruffles adorning the skirt of this dress are amazing!
LOVE a black gown, always timeless.

Peacock green taffeta is a huge color you will see next spring, can't wait!

Now, what would you say if I told you these are all wedding gowns that will be hitting reception halls near you courtesy of Mr. Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2011 collection?  Sorry Oscar, but I'm not seeing the "wedding" part in these gowns, so you've gots some 'splainin to do.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Upsy Daisy!

My Menace.  She never sits still and she will forever think having her beloved blanket over her head is more comforting than a pint of ice-cream (much better, no one likes the freshman 15!).
Seriously darlin', can I have one solid moment with you not crawling all over me to see what I am holding?
Wait for it......
SHE CAN PULL UP FINALLY!!!!!

Friday, May 14, 2010

GAME ON!!!

It's baseball season again and this year G is on the Cubs!  This kid LOVES when they finally usher all the players to the field.  Throughout the whole game G constantly leaves the field to run up to the fence to say, "hi" to me.  Luckily, the coaches don't care that he leaves his post to do this.

                                                                          "HI MOM!!"
BATTER UP!!....must inspect the dirt mounds first (what ya' doin' G?)
SWING BATTER!!
HOME RUN FOR THE CUBS!!! 

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Outside Bed

Although it feels like summer, it is technically spring in my neck of the metropolis. Ever since I met my hubby he's talked about wanting a hammock every summer. Well, it finally happened, Mr. D bought himself a hammock (so he thought). I helped him haul it to the backyard where he put it together and now the kids won't let Mr. D have a turn. 

So, unfortunately, Mr. D is still longing for a hammock.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My FAVORITE cartoon ever....



The only problem though is that my kids have moved on to Iron Man and Dora.  I can still watch these adorable episodes without them right??

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Hello? Is anybody out there?

Am I the only one who still enjoys blogging?  I'm starting to feel like most days I'm the only one out here in the blogosphere typing away.  I guess those who know me best know that I don't care much for Facebook when it comes to posting about my life and especially my "littles".  Maybe Facebook or "Facemeth" as Lisa put it one day is taking over cyberville and the masses are following it's blue light in a trance.  HELLOOOO!?!?!?  Us bloggers are still posting and just wanted to let you know that there is a more colorful world vs. the blue and white of FB!  Come back and join us won't you?  You are missed :(

P.S.  If you changed your blog or you didn't realize that you never gave it to me, share the love and let me see your colorful world won't you?  I just want to hold hands and skip.

I am THE Mommy.

Top 20 Reasons Moms of Kids With Special Needs ROCK


1) Because we never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But we do do it all -- and then some.  Have you ever had to pick apart your child's poop for lab work?
2) Because we've discovered patience we never knew we had.
3) Because we are willing to do something 10 times, 100 times or 1,000 times if that's what it takes for our kids to learn something new.  Sheesh, where to start on this subject! 
4) Because we have heard doctors tell us the worst, and we've refused to believe them. Take THAT, nay saying doctors of the world!  I'm more educated than the average pediatrician when it comes to Autism!
5) Because we have bad days and breakdowns and bawl-fests, and then we pick ourselves up and keep right on going.  But you would never be able to tell!
6) Because we gracefully handle the stares, the comments, the rude remarks. (Well, mostly gracefully.)
7) Because we manage to get ourselves together and get out the door looking pretty damn good. Heck, we even make sweatpants look good!
8) Because we are strong. Man, are we strong. Who knew we could be this strong?  Have you ever watched as your child is put in a full body straight jacket to get blood drawn?  How else will they hold still?
9) Because we aren't just moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs and women who work. We are moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs, women who work, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, researchers, nurses, coaches and cheerleaders. Whew!  Amen sista!
10) Because we work overtime every single day.  Do you have to cook over 9 different meals in one day, every day, from scratch?
11) Because we also worry overtime, but we work it through. Or we eat chocolate or Pirate's Booty or gourmet cheese (which aren't reimbursable by insurance as mental-health necessities, but should be).  Is anything Autism related covered by insurance?
12) Because we are more selfless than other moms. Our kids need us more.
13) Because we give our kids with special needs endless love, and then we still have so much love left for our other kids, our husbands, our families. And our hairstylists, of course.
14) Because we inspire one another in this crazy blogosphere every single day.
15) Because we understand our kids better than anyone else -- even if they can't talk; even if they can't gesture; even if they can't look us in the eye. We know. We just know.
16) Because we never stop pushing for our kids.
17) Because we never stop hoping for them, either.
18) Because just when it seems like things are going OK, they're suddenly not OK, but we deal. Somehow, we always deal -- even when it seems like our heads or hearts might explode.
19) Because when we look at our kids, we just see great kids -- not kids with cerebral palsy/autism/Down syndrome/developmental delays/whatever.
20) Because ... well, you tell me.  Do you lose friends over a busy schedule or a child who can't cope going outside at the moment and is throwing a head-banging fit?

I love this list.  I can't take credit for it though (although I did add my own comments in red), you can find this and others at momlogic.com. 

HAPPY MOMMY'S DAY TO ALL MY MOMMY PEEPS WITH KIDDOS THAT HAVE SPECIAL (INTERESTS) NEEDS!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Saltwater Taffy and Seaside Breezes....

I'm reminiscing.  Mr. D and I were married a few years back this week and this is the FABULOUS hotel we stayed at on our Honeymoon.  It was decorated after a true 1920's seaside boardwalk, so fun!
A view at dusk of the boardwalk and water.
The lobby.  Nothing is more relaxing than calm, cozy colors and the fantastic Jazz-aged music being played over head.  Walking through the lobby always made me want to break out into the Charleston.
This was the "Bellevue" room right off the lobby.  There were always people just quietly sitting with their Mint Juleps and Shirley Temples conversing about the fun stuff in life at the moment- exactly what a vacation should be about.
Just a gorgeous day at the resort!  At the top of those stairs were a bunch of white rocking chairs that you could just rock away while staring at the water and all the fun boardwalk games going on below.  Serious relaxation going on!
Ahh, Seashore Sweets, where only the best Saltwater Taffy and ice-cream were hand made!
The Boardwalk Bakery (the red awning) is where we got breakfast every morning.  The smell alone walking up to it always made your mouth water!
When we checked into the hotel they saw that I had booked through their "honeymoon" package line and immediately upgraded our room to a Garden Suite.  It was gorgeous!  We had our own little outdoor private entrance with a rose garden and mailbox, so quaint and perfect.  It was a two level suite that had a balcony upstairs that overlooked the adult only pool so it was always serene and peaceful. 

When do we get to go back Mr. D??