It roughly translates into I will buy shoes. Today, I ended up over by Nordstroms, and saw them getting the shoe racks ready. It made me giddy and tingly to see the shoes all lined up. I also got word that they are going to have some fabulous summer skirts and dresses. Who else is going?
The castle is behind us, but you're gonna have to really squint to see it.
And ugh... I hate it when people just wear these around town all day, like they are expecting an urgent phone call from the White House or something. It's not a piece of jewelry....
Mr. Man was busy slaving away on the house all weekend, so I told the kiddos it was time to for them to earn their supper. One of the big benefits of the new washer, other than it's better than television, they can load the washing machine themselves. 
Then on Mother's Day, I was awoken late in the morning by the smell of a Creole Breakfast. Mr. Man duped me into matrimony with his fabulous Creole cooking that all but disappeared after I said "I do", redeemed himself by making a breakfast that was too die for! 
He even took a moment to pose for a classic Mr. Man picture.... 
(psst... Stacey & Jen... notice the organic Cage Free Egg containers in the background)
Even better, he performed Mother's Day songs in front of the whole congregation during church services. All the other kids were wearing dorky church clothes that had sleeves and no glove... Mr. Boy however, sang his little heart out wearing an outfit that is a not so subtle nod to Michael Jackson during his heyday. It was an awesome Mother's Day.
AK loved spinning on the tire swing until it appeared as though her eyes were rolling back into her head. After one twirly bout, she asked us to stop spinning. We stopped it, and she kept asking us to "Stop Spinning", apparently her world was still spinning even though the ride had stopped. 
This is my photo wall, and it is now gone. Over the years, I have added pictures to it with the one criteria, every picture must have a story and a family member in it. It's been a wonderful project and a great way to honor my relatives. I love to stand at this wall and tell the stories behind each picture to our guests. 
I also love these Blue walls. When we bought this house, every room was a different color. I LOVED that, and I loved these blue hallways most of all. However, as this house gets groomed for it's upcoming sale, everything is getting neutralized. A little less colorful, and a lot more bland. I miss the photo wall and the blue walls so much. I almost felt like I had a roomful of relatives who were watching over me and giving me strength. I miss their presence in my home.
I guess that's what happens when you play hard earlier in the day. 
This is me with the world's sweetest kitten. My pal Cinnamon takes care of foster kittens. She is a great auntie to my kids, and invited us over to play with the kittens. 
Cinnamon is an amazing "Auntie" to my kids. I grew up with lots of "Aunties" in my life, and my kids are really lucky to have Auntie Cinnnamon. 
Mr. Boy wants to move in with her, and tells me when he is super angry, "Fine, I'll just live with Auntie Cinnamon. She has kittens, plays Guitar Hero, and let's me play with......*insert whatever toy he just lost*" Mr. Boy's current scheme involves us moving into Aunt Cinnamon's house, where she leaves her Wii, Kittens, and Cool Blue Couch behind, and she moves into our house. That way he can still come visit his old room and jungle gym.
For my crafty Be-dazzling loving friends... I used the 16ss... Crystal, Black Diamond, and Indian Sapphire... in rows of 3. They don't sparkle as much as the big 20ss Cyrstals, but I like the look alot better.
Mr. Man (who we love and adore, because he does the laundry) had the unfortunate experience of having the washer both smoke and flood the laundry room at the same time last Saturday. Since, I'm a loving and devoted wife, I went out and bought him a new machine, which was delivered this morning. My main requirement.... it had to have a window.... for precisely the entertainment value it would provide. I wish Mr. Man would take the day off from work, there is a MOUNTAIN of laundry for him to do!
Then as I went to check on the wee ones, I found this... She has slept like this every night since she was 3 months old.
Then I found Mr. Boy, behind a wall of stuffed animals who are apparently standing guard as he sleeps.
Also, just gotta post a pic of Mr. Boy's buddy. He spent the afternoon with us, and together they are all boy, cracking each other up by saying "You tooted" "No, You tooted, you big tooty-head". And then they would fall over in a fit of giggles.
Anyway, so Mr. Boy was so excited that I came today for Chapel. Today they were acting out the creation. First he was going to be the "light and dark", but they had a last minute change and he was moved over to "Birds & Fishes" which he thought was way cooler.
I've never seen this kid put more effort into singing a song. He sang loud and with a smile the whole time!
So, after Chapel was over, we hit the Farmers Market. The strawberries there are so sweet! Mr. Boy normally won't eat them, but after trying a sample, we ate them the whole way home and had a giant bowl for lunch. 
I couldn't resist taking a pic of those gorgeous strawberries! We also bought some plants at the market for our garden, and whipped up a batch of Strawberry Shakes. On the left are my favorite invention for fruits and vegetables, they are called FridgeSmart and they are made by Tupperware. They were introduced to me about 10 years ago, and I cannot live without them. (I swear I get $0 for all the things I endorse, however, I'm open to the idea! )
In other news, it's basketball tournament time for Mr. Man, so we are staying out way too late to watch him play. The kids love it and ask on the way home... "Is it the middle of the night?" I always say yes, and they think it is so awesome to be able stay up late. 
Also, Sonic & Ruff Ruff, the catepillars we raised, have come out of their "canoons" and we released them into the wild. 
AK is all into being pampered, so she took a leisurely bubble bath and had her toes painted.
She then watched her favorite show "Durious Deorge". She got a brand new outfit, complete with sparkly shoes, and posed for a few pics! We've played on the slides and then hit "tumble time" at the gym, while I rode 14 miles on the bike. (Training for a new race!) I'm grateful for the opportunity to have these one-on-one days to reconnect with my wee ones. 
So, AK is adorable we all know that, no one dares argue that fact. She constantly cracks us up with her AK-isms. She has a big heart, and constantly will mother anyone around her. 
On her first birthday my friend Bob got her a baby doll. We were shocked when AK, who couldn't even walk at the time, snatched it up and gave it a kiss. She rocked her baby, fed her "ba ba's", ring around the rosie'd with her and wrapped her in blankies. There was a constant thunk thunk sound as AK dragged her baby around by one arm as she crawled around the house. 
We asked AK several months ago "what was "baby's name?" She responded with "Roller Hand". We kind of shrugged waiting for her language to improve. A few months later, a woman at the store asked what her baby's name was, and again she responded with "Roller Hand". Consistently, for months she calls the baby "Roller Hand". We have NO clue where it comes from, or why she is Baby Roller Hand. 
Now, many moons have passed since Bob gave us Baby Roller Hand. Roller Hand has gone EVERYWHERE with AK, naked of course, in spite of the large doll wardrobe, and has been well loved. There is a skidmark on Baby's head from being dragged down the front steps and the driveway each morning as we leave the house. At some point one of Roller Hand's eyes kind of became a bit wonky, and she is no doubt in need of a good scrubbing. She has had several trips in the washing machine after I consulted a doll collector's message board to get washing tips. Bottom line, Roller Hand looks very well loved. We have bought AK new dolls to replace the battered wonky eye'd doll, even let her even pick out a new doll, but they are cast aside within a day, and replaced with Roller Hand. 
Baby Roller Hand is here to stay. I ordered Roller Hand a wooden cradle... it can be personalized with the doll's name.... do you dare me to put "Roller Hand" on it?
Even more so, when he finds out that Mr. Boy picked out the nailpolish at the store... Hot Pink and Blue. 
