A Fabulously Flawed Life

This year I got smart and asked my sister, Lisa, to take the boys school clothes shopping.  Yep, it's time to outsource that experience. Here's the thing, I can't help but want my boys in tailored preppy shirts with a collar and streamlined shorts.  I have a problem dressing them older than baby Gap. I'm completely aware that my boys are almost young men and want to look a little more rugged and cool.  Therefore, I called in reinforcements and had my sister give then each new looks for school. She did a fantastic job!  Not only did they have the best bonding experience with their Aunt but they love their new looks.  I'm thinking this is a tradition I could get very used to.  It made getting ready for back to school a breeze! Thank You Lisa!  You're the best!

One of the things we love to do as a family is make cookies!  It's become quite the addiction for us lately.  Right now, it's the only thing I don't mind cooking.  {{evil laugh}}

The last two weeks of summer was a bit stressful because we found out that both the boys schools got new principals.  {{sigh}}  The reason this is a big deal is because I had already met with them the end of last year to insure fabulous teachers. Yes, I'm "that" kind of mom.  My boys need a specific kind of teacher to ensure a successful year. Not the best teacher according to reputation, but a teacher with specific personality traits.  I believe whole-heartily that you've got to set your child up for success!  This is one of the ways I do that. It was a little stressful, but it all worked out and the boys have the right teachers that can work with their specific needs. Since Davis is going into 6th grade, this will be his last year in Intermediate school.  He has a full schedule this year with Honor Choir, playing the french horn in band, Scouts, and Karate. He's already started having that snarky tween attitude. {{said lovingly of course}} ...

This is what happens when Daddy gives the boys full access to the toys in the attic.  {{sigh}}  Normally, I only let them have one bin at a time.  I think the reason is obvious. HA! It ends up being a lot of clean up, but it also becomes a day of full imaginary play! It's like their creativity is unleashed and they spend hours in their own little world.  Today they made spaceships out of their laundry and toy bins. It makes me so happy to see Davis' influence in their play day.  Since he's on medication, I only get rare glimpses into his creative brain these days.  Although there's no doubt he needs it,  it's nice to see the creativity flow from him and how he creates these over-the-top experiences with his brothers. Today the mess was worth it!

Dylan loves Macaroni and Cheese.  Yep, the boy can't get enough of it.  Anyone who knows me IRL, knows that I hate to cook.  I'm terrible at it! So you can imagine how many times we have Mac & Cheese.  Since you can't nuke it - not very often.  HA!  Therefore, Dylan took it upon himself to learn how to cook.  Talk about impressive.  Now he can have his favorite dish anytime he wants.  {{evil laugh}}

It was Dress Up Day over at our house the other day.  Gotta love it!

We were invited to join the Wildside Bloggers Reunion at SeaWorld San Antonio. We absolutely love SeaWorld and I have an obsession with fellow bloggers. So we jumped in the car and headed out for all the festivities. We were greeted with cake and ice cream and photo ops with Shamu. Fabulous new friends were made and I got to see several of my Twitter friends again.  It was completely delightful. We didn't get a suit this time because we were staying at the hotel with all the bloggers.  This caused a sleeping arragment delima.  Where was the 3rd child going to sleep?  I tried to get Drake to sleep in the bathtub full of pillows, but unfortuantely it was a no-go.  We ended up making a bed on the floor for Davis.  Not to self: Do yourself a favor and be sure we have a suit at all costs!  Must have 2 beds and a couch.  Must have a door so the kids can fall to sleep while Jason and I watch a movie alone.  Must set up family f...

This was Drake's reaction when he found out Jason was going to be his substitute teacher at church.  He immediately grabbed Jason's face and gave him Eskimo kisses by rubbing noses.  It was darling and such an endearing expression of pure love.  I quickly grabbed my camera phone and captured this special moment between the two of them. Drake has had a crush on his Daddy since birth.  I'll tell Drake that I love him and he always responds, "I love Daddy."  Which is my queue to reply, "I do to!"

I got the strangest 911 phone call from my sister, Lisa, asking if I could drive to New Orleans with her for an intervention with my youngest brother. Anyone who knows me knows that I avoid drama like the plaque.  I'm not one to get involved.  Why?     It's not because I don't care.  It's not because I don't want to help.  It's because if I've learned anything, it's that we're all on a different path in life and unfortunately we have to find our own way. Maybe it's because I'm a parent.  Maybe it's because I'm completely cynical.  Maybe it's because I've gotten beat up so many times that I know that I'm the only one who I can change.   For what ever reason, I believe that we each have to hit rock bottom for real change to happen AND it has to be our idea .  When life gets really dark, I have found that you have to want to find the light and do whatever it takes to learn, grow, and avoid those situations in the ...

It means they are usually up to no good. These two climbed up on the air hockey table to play.  {{little stinkers}} Good thing they're so cute!

While I was in Utah, I was invited to attend a Twilight Eclipse premier party at Thanksgiving Point. The best thing about it was that it was at 8pm instead of midnight.  {{squeal in delight}}  I got all the perks of seeing it first without the sleep deprivation hang over the next morning. I was a bit under-dressed as there were people dressed up as werewolves and full costume.  The party was crazy fun with mom-tini's called "Edwards Kiss" and "Jacob on the Beach". I got the hook up thanks to these lovely ladies who are also fellow bloggers. Allison , Rachael , and Marie .  {{hola!}} It was a crazy fun evening.  Miss you Carina ! Allison and I just couldn't pass up this photo op taken from someone's car!  How funny to drive around with Edward as a passenger.{{bwaahaa!}} Yep, we left with some fun swag.  VIP guest passes, "Paw-sta", buttons, cup, and necklace.  Huge thanks to everyone for such a lovely time in Utah!  ...

The boys were also on swim team this summer.  It was a short season for us as we were in Utah during some of it. The boys had so much fun and loved being apart of the team.

Our last day in Utah was just as eventful as the rest of the trip.  We met up with one of Jason's friends that he grew up with and went to a Museum and Bridal Veil Falls. The boys had such an amazing time learning all about the animals.  They were reading everything and watching all of the videos they could.  It was adorable how they were taking it all in. Talk about some cool photo ops!  Too bad Drake refuses to look at the camera and smile in any of them. {{wink}} Next we went to hike Bridal Veil Falls.  It's beautiful! We ended the day eating with Jason's friends at Costa Vida.  The place everyone told us we had to go eat while we were in Utah.  It was delish.